Data Development

Most organizations do not have facilities data that is in a format that is compatible with a desired FMIS. In some cases, a facility is old enough that either construction documents no longer exist or are no longer representative of current configurations. In these cases, SSA has the ability to develop infrastructure data from scratch through field investigations. Staff equipped with portable computer technology and electronic measuring devices can inventory the existing building to accurately determine locations of walls, doors, windows, HVAC components, lights, receptacles, etc. and to properly attribute collected data with occupancy characteristics, furniture and equipment locations, quantity and condition, etc.

These surveys can incorporate condition evaluations and remedial recommendations. The resulting dataset is a current configuration and condition inventory of the facility, provided in a format that is compatible with the FMIS being developed.

Many times existing construction drawings, marked up in the form of "as-builts" are provided that purport to characterize the existing configuration. Depending on the age of the facility and the diligence with which the as-builts have been maintained, these drawings may or may not reasonably reflect current conditions. SSA can scan the existing drawings to establish a digital archive copy, register the drawings to the outline of the structure, and use the resulting image as the basis for establishing the initial interior configuration. Often, a field verification process is still necessary to confirm the locations of walls, doors, and utility infrastructure; but if the drawings are of reasonable accuracy, the field work can be minimized.

In some cases the client will have available digital CADD drawings of the facility. Typically these digital files can be incorporated directly in the FMIS, thus minimizing the need to scan or vectorize information. Once again, field verification can be provided to confirm that the CADD drawings accurately represent the built environment.

SSA can also establish and confirm either from field investigation or from the drawings the connectivity of electric circuits, the topology of HVAC ductwork or piping, and other infrastructure necessary to understand the operational characteristics of the facility.

Whether derived completely from field investigation or from a combination of legacy drawings and field verification, the resulting data is integrated into the FMIS, attributed appropriately, and made available through an enterprise architecture. The scanned images of as-built drawings and equipment operation manuals can then be linked to the vector features of the FMIS, thus providing a document management system that is linked geographically and topologically to the modeled facility infrastructure.