COBIE

4.2 DATA TABLES

The data tables in COBie each serve a purpose and are organized in a hierarchy related to a facility, structure, or group of structures.

General InformationSpace InformationProduct InformationOperational InformationSupplementary Information
CompanyLevelTypeInstructionResource
FacilitySpaceTypeComponentJobDocument
 SpaceSystemEventPickList
 ZoneAttributePackage 
 Coordinate Risk 

In the following descriptions, the primary Key Value (data field) for each data table is shown in bold, where applicable. This Key is always the “Name” data field and does not exist for the Instruction and PickList data tables.

Table 1: Instruction

DescriptionProvides written instructions related to the COBie database, but also contains the general submittal information for a particular COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsTitleLinearUnit
VersionVolumeUnit
ReleaseWeightUnit
StatusAreaMeasurementStandard
RegionCoordinateSystemDescription
ExportDateTimeCoordinateSystemOrigin
MilestoneClassificationSystem.Company
OriginatingCompanyClassificationSystem.Facility
AreaUnitClassificationSystem.SpaceType
CurrencyUnitClassificationSystem.Type
DurationUnitClassificationSystem.System
ConsiderationsAdditional information on this data table related to the instruction is typically reserved for a SpreadsheetML format deliverable (Microsoft Excel workbook).

Table 2: Company

DescriptionRepresents the information related to a company that is referenced elsewhere in a COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNamePostalCode
PhoneCountry
CategoryExtSystem
WebsiteExtObject
StreetExtIdentifier
PostalBoxCertifications
TownDepartment
StateRegionOrganizationCode
ConsiderationsThis data table was called “Contact” in previous versions of COBie.

Table 3: Facility

DescriptionProvides information related to the facility, structure, or group of structures (in the case of infrastructure projects) for which the COBie deliverable represents.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameLongitude
DescriptionElevation
TypeExtSystem
CategoryExtObject
AddressExtIdentifier
Latitude 
ConsiderationsOnly one value (data record) is allowed on this table.

Table 4: Level

DescriptionContains information related to the vertical levels of a facility or, in the case of infrastructure projects, the geographic areas such as the site surrounding a facility/structure, a rail or highway corridor, etc.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameExtObject
DescriptionExtIdentifier
CategoryElevation
PartOfHeight
ExtSystem 
ConsiderationsThis data table was called “Floor” in previous versions of COBie.

Table 5: SpaceType

DescriptionProvides information related to the different types of spaces that make up a facility, structure, or group of structures for this COBie deliverable. For example: “Office”, “Mechanical”, or “Circulation”.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
CategoryExtIdentifier
ConsiderationsThis is a new data table for COBie V3.

Table 6: Space

DescriptionSpaces represent the breakdown of Levels into rooms/areas, and which have common functional purpose to a user. 
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
RoomTagExtIdentifier
SpaceType.NameGrossArea
Level.NameNetArea
PartOfUsableHeight
ConsiderationsSpaces are expected to be occupiable (visitable).
Vertically, Spaces run from top of level to bottom of slab above.
Occupied Spaces run to bottom of the ceiling as expressed by the COBie.Space.UsableHeight data field.
Large Spaces which have more than a single functional purpose or user may be separated into individual spaces.
Spaces may also be used on Levels of type “Roof” or “Site” to identify spatial regions outside a facility enclosure.
It is expected that the total list of Spaces in a COBie deliverable represent the entire span of the facility, structure, or group of structures.

Table 7: Zone

DescriptionZones represent a grouping of Spaces combined for a common purpose.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNamePartOf 
DescriptionExtSystem
CategoryExtObject
Space.NameExtIdentifier
ConsiderationsIt is expected that the Zones in a COBie deliverable will include all Spaces.
Spaces may belong to more than one Zone.

Table 8: Type

DescriptionRepresents information related to the different types of products and equipment in the Facility.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameWarrantyGuarantorLabor
DescriptionWarrantyDurationLabor
CategoryWarrantyDurationUnit
AssetTypeModelReference
ExtSystemNominalHeight
ExtObjectNominalLength
ExtIdentifierNominalWeight
ManufacturerNominalWidth
ModelNumberPurchaseCost
WarrantyGuarantorPartsWarrantyDescription
WarrantyDurationParts 
ConsiderationsThe primary purpose of COBie is to capture data on “maintainable” or “manageable” assets (products and equipment) of a facility, structure, or group of structures.
Do not add custom data fields to this data table (or to the right of the data field columns when represented in a SpreadsheetML / Microsoft Excel format). Use the Attribute data table for this.

Table 9: Component

DescriptionThe individual instances of the products and equipment define in the Type data table.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsNameSpace.Name
DescriptionSpace.SecondaryName
SerialNumberExtSystem
TagNumberExtObject
BarCodeExtIdentifier
AssetIdentifierInstallationDate
Type.NameWarrantyStartDate
ConsiderationsAll COBie.Component records shall be identified in the COBie.Space in which the asset is found, or the COBie.Space from which the asset it operated.

Table 10: System

DescriptionSystems represent groupings of Components that provide some common function.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
CategoryExtIdentifier
PartOfComponent.Name
ConsiderationsComponents may belong to more than one system.

Table 11: Resource

DescriptionResource records identify the tools, materials, and training needed to maintain the facility, structure, or group of structures.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
CategoryExtIdentifier
Considerations 

Table 12: Job

DescriptionIdentifies the variety of work that is required to operate, maintain, start up, shut down, or troubleshoot a given Component in the facility, structure, or group of structures.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtObject
DescriptionExtIdentifier
TaskNumberDuration
CategoryDurationUnit
StatusInterval
TableIntervalUnit
Table.NamePriors
PartOfResourceNames
ExtSystem 
Considerations 

Table 13: Event

DescriptionEvents represent a single occurrence of a task as part of a Job.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameTable.Name
DescriptionExtSystem
CategoryExtObject
Company.NameExtIdentifier
Job.NameStartDate
TableEndDate
ConsiderationsThis is a new data table for COBie V3.

Table 14: Package

DescriptionIncludes information about the legal contract that required the COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
CategoryExtIdentifier
Company.NameStartDate
Event.NameEndDate
ConsiderationsThis is a new data table for COBie V3.

Table 15: Risk

DescriptionIdentifies the exchange of business process and exception reporting information related to other parts of a COBie deliverable. 
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtSystem
DescriptionExtObject
CategoryExtIdentifier
SpatialTableLikelihood
SpatialTable.NameConsequence
PhysicalTableLevelOfRisk
PhysicalTable.NameCompany.Name
ProcessTableMitigation
ProcessTable.Name 
ConsiderationsEven though all the “Table” and “Table.Name” fields are shown as required, the only requirement is that at least one pair of these fields is populated, but there is the option to populate up to all three pairs.
In other words, if the “SpatialTable” and “SpatialTable.Name” pair of data fields are populated, the “PhysicalTable” and “PhysicalTable.Name” pair or the “ProcessTable” and “ProcessTable.Name” pair do not need to be populated (though there is the option to do any combination of pairs).

Table 16: Document

DescriptionDocument records identify external files that provide information associated with data in a COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtObject 
DescriptionExtIdentifier 
CategoryApprovalBy 
Stage Path 
Table File
Table.Name Reference 
ExtSystem  
ConsiderationsFiles referenced in this data table shall be provided with the COBie deliverable in Portable Document Format (PDF) or a common image file type, such as Portable Network Graphics (PNG) or Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.

Table 17: Attribute

DescriptionUsed to store custom data fields for the COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameExtObject
DescriptionExtIdentifier
CategoryValue
TableUnit
Table.NameAllowedValues
ExtSystem 
ConsiderationsThis data table is to be used in lieu of adding custom data fields to other data tables in a COBie deliverable.

Table 18: Coordinates

DescriptionRepresents the simple geometric orientation associated with data in a COBie deliverable.
StatusRequired only if specified in the contract.
Data FieldsNameClockwiseRotation
CategoryElevationalRotation
TableYawRotation
Table.NameRelativeTo
CoordinateXAxisExtSystem
CoordinateYAxisExtObject
CoordinateZAxisExtIdentifier
ConsiderationsThis information is useful if a single Space contains multiple Components to help identify a particular one. For example, a light fixture in a large warehouse space.

Table 19: PickList

DescriptionIncludes lists of acceptable values for certain data fields.
StatusRequired
Data FieldsAttribute.CategoryRisk.Consequence
Company.CategoryRisk.LevelOfRisk
Coordinate.CategoryRisk.Likelihood
Coordinate.TableNameSpaceType.Category
Document.ApprovalBySystem.Category
Document.CategoryTable 
Document.StageType.AssetType
Event.CategoryType.Category
Facility.CategoryZone.Category
Facility.TypeUnits.Area
Job.CategoryUnits.Currency
Job.StatusUnits.Duration
Level.CategoryUnits.Linear
Package.CategoryUnits.Volume
Risk.CategoryUnits.Weight
Resource.Category 
Considerations 

National BIM Standard-United States® (NBIMS-US™) Version 4

The NBIMS-US™ v4 is a consensus-based national-level standard focused on defining standard approaches and guidelines to defining requirements, planning BIM adoption, and exchanging information between project team members. MORE

What content are you interested in?
Topics of Interest