Guidelines for BIM drawing review in construction documentation provide instructions for preparing building permit applications and conducting design reviews based on 2D drawings (PDF) generated from BIM data.
This article summarizes the fundamental concepts and key practical considerations for architects and document coordinators who are implementing BIM drawing review workflows for the first time.
BIM Drawing Review is a construction permit and document verification process based on 2D drawings exported from BIM data, officially scheduled to be implemented from April 2026.
By improving consistency between drawings, the review process can be optimized and completed more efficiently compared to traditional methods. This approach also enables more flexible workflows for both applicants and reviewing authorities.
For applicants, there is no longer a need to print physical documents or visit review offices in person, helping reduce both time and operational costs. Meanwhile, reviewing authorities can conduct online reviews, support remote work, and process multiple submissions more efficiently in parallel.
In addition, the “BIM Data Review” approach — which utilizes both BIM data (IFC) and 2D drawings (PDF) in the building permit process — is also expected to be introduced starting in spring 2029.
To create data for BIM drawing review, BIM software must satisfy the following requirements:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance with Input/Output standards | To ensure drawing consistency, standards are defined for how BIM data should be created and managed. |
| Ability to export 2D drawings (PDF) | The software must be able to export PDF data (vector format) from the BIM model for the review process. |
| Ability to export IFC data | Although IFC is not the primary review object, it is used as reference data for checking 3D geometry. The IFC version used is IFC2×3 (for MEP, IFC2×3 MEP Standard Ver.1.3 is required). |
Learn more: IFC in BIM
In addition, there are no restrictions on the BIM templates used, as long as they comply with the required standards. Currently, BIM GATE and the BIM Library Technical Research Association also provide reference templates for Archicad and Autodesk Revit.
To ensure data consistency, PDF and IFC files must, in principle, be exported simultaneously from the same BIM model.
If revisions are required, updates must be made directly to the original BIM data, after which the PDF and IFC files must be re-exported and resubmitted.
When BIM data is created in accordance with the required Input/Output standards, the consistency verification process for PDF data may be omitted.
Applicants are required to declare that the drawings comply with the standards through the “Declaration of Compliance with Input/Output Standards for BIM Drawing Review.” Based on this declaration, reviewing authorities may skip the data consistency verification step.
Applicants may define the scope of documents subject to BIM Drawing Review. For example, submissions can be categorized by discipline such as:
Drawing representation is recommended to follow the “Standards for Building Permit Documentation in BIM Drawing Review.”
To maintain consistency between drawings, documents created under the Input/Output standards are not permitted to:
If modifications are made outside the BIM environment, the documents must undergo the standard data consistency verification process.
PDF data must be retained for 15 years, similar to conventional design documentation requirements. Meanwhile, IFC data is not subject to mandatory retention requirements.
IFC data may be divided into multiple files.
Examples:
- Files separated by architectural, structural, and MEP disciplines
- Files divided into upper and lower sections of the building
However, the coordinate origin, coordinate system, and units must remain consistent so that the models can be accurately overlaid within a viewer environment.
Although IFC data itself is not directly subject to formal review, incomplete IFC data will not be accepted as valid BIM-reviewed documentation. If deficiencies are found, the IFC data must be resubmitted.
Examples:
- Geometry significantly differs from the corresponding drawings
- Coordinate systems do not match between multiple IFC files
In addition, if IFC data review reveals information not clearly indicated in the PDF documents (such as missing dimensions), reviewers may request the applicant to revise and resubmit the data.
Learn more: Understanding IFC in BIM from A to Z
The BIM Drawing Review process is carried out according to the following steps:
Applicant: Submit the application form, related documents, and the declaration of compliance with BIM Drawing Review Input/Output standards to the reviewing authority.
Reviewing Authority: Check whether the submitted documents contain any missing or incomplete information and determine whether they are acceptable as BIM Drawing Review documentation.
Reviewer: Review the submitted documents (PDF) and identify any issues or deficiencies to the applicant.
Applicant: Respond to the comments and resubmit the revised data.
Conformity Assessment Organization: Continue reviewing the drawing documents (PDF) and provide feedback if errors or issues requiring revision are still found.
Applicant: Address the comments and resubmit the updated data.
Reviewing Authority: Submit the fire safety approval request to the fire department.
Fire Department: Provide the approval result to the reviewing authority.
Conformity Assessment Organization: Issue the conformity assessment notice to the applicant.
Reviewing Authority: After completing the fire safety approval and conformity assessment procedures, issue the official building certification documents. The finalized PDF documentation will also be archived according to legal retention requirements.
Applicant: Download the approved documentation as electronic copies.
Reviewing Authority: Use the officially archived documentation to conduct interim inspections and final completion inspections of the construction project.
BIM Drawing Review requires a different approach and preparation workflow compared to the traditional building permit process. From BIM data creation and drawing standards to PDF/IFC export workflows, every step must be standardized to comply with BIM review requirements.
“How can we export compliant documentation from Revit?”
“Does our current BIM drawing set already meet BIM Drawing Review requirements?”
These are common challenges many design firms face when first adopting BIM-based review workflows.
BIMCAD Vietnam supports businesses throughout the entire process of:
With practical BIM implementation experience, the BIMCAD Vietnam team supports companies from the initial setup stage to long-term BIM operation and data utilization.
BIM Drawing Review represents an important step in the digital transformation of the construction industry, helping standardize BIM data, improve review efficiency, and optimize the building permit process.
To implement BIM Drawing Review effectively, companies need to establish appropriate BIM workflows and data management processes. BIMCAD Vietnam is ready to support businesses through BIM/CDE training, consulting, and implementation with a practical and standardized approach.
