Shaft-representation of Elevator inside IFC-File

S by stefstap on 3 Oct 2023, edited 24 Feb 2025 #

Hello.

In the attached model see our current IFC-Output of an Elevator (our lowest level). We received feedback that it is very unusual to put the IFCSpatialZone for the Shaft on the buildinglevel.

I am interested in your opinion how we best shall insert the information about the needed space of our Elevator to the IFC-File.

thanks a lot for your feedback in advance

Stefan

M by Moult on 3 Oct 2023 #

It's not wrong to use an IfcSpatialZone to describe a usable area for the lift, but I'd agree that it is unusual if your purpose is to communicate a needed spatial provision. In that case, it is more appropriate to use an IfcBuildingElementProxy.PROVISIONFORSPACE in IFC2X3 and IFC4, or a IfcVirtualElement.CLEARANCE for IFC4X3.

As for your question about "on the building level", if you use an IfcBuildingElementProxy/IfcVirtualElement the correct way to do this would be to contain in the lowest building storey, and then use IfcRelReferencedInSpatialStructure for the other BuildingStoreys.

S by stefstap on 3 Oct 2023 #

Thanks Dion.

I am interested to help with our data the architect. If you would have a wish what kind of representation you would prefer from building-side? a bad question , i know.

To the topic "it is not wrong". Assuming we want to say that this Volume has to be reserved for the Elevator. And IFCSpatialZone is here the correct class for this. Does this help the architect to use this for the Building , for the purpose of the architect?

If IFCSpatialZone is acceptable - and useful (more important) - is then Buildinglevel in this case ok?

Stefan

M by Moult on 4 Oct 2023 #

If you would have a wish what kind of representation you would prefer from building-side?

It probably doesn't matter so much. You can provide an extruded solid since it is literally an extruded profile, but I don't think anybody would complain if you used a tessellation.

Assuming we want to say that this Volume has to be reserved for the Elevator.

If this is your purpose, you should use IfcBuildingElementProxy with a predefined type set to PROVISIONFORSPACE, which would be contained in the lowest storey.

S by stefstap on 5 Oct 2023 # +1 votes

@Moult

Hi Dion. maybe exactly this is the reason that no one complain from customer-side.

I will check with our Software-Supplier if the proposals you given can be realized to make it again better. We are using a software called DigiPara LiftDesigner.

Thanks a lot for your opinion

Stefan

S by stefstap on 5 Oct 2023 # +2 votes

@Moult

Our Software-Vendor has given already feedback and we have checked already if we can provide this alternative setting. Soon we make it available with only a few changed settings.

Here i have to give a compliment to DigiPara: they are supporting IFC very good and let us very easy change the settings as we need it. They have integrated a very good database oriented way to define the output to IFC.

And Dion, with your good and understandable explanation they and we can follow the standards with a good feeling.

Stefan

D by daviddelven on 24 Feb 2025, edited 24 Feb 2025 # +1 votes

In fact, one of the suggested purposes is the SPATIAL COORDINATION / RESERVATION as one out of 5 Spatial Zone Use Case Clusters defined in the Spatial Zone bSi Technical Report.

See below 👇🏻:

IFC Spatial Zone – Use Cases, Requirements and Implementation BR-2023-1025-TR Report

See sections 4 and 5.1. for further info.

We hope there is the necessary vendor engagement to push bSI to include these technical suggestions into future Schema releases.