CoSMoS: A BIM and wireless sensor based integrated solution for worker safety in confined spaces

Within the construction industry, accident statistics indicate that there are fatalities and serious injuries in confined spaces due to exposure to hazardous environment. A review of international safety regulations suggest that lack of oxygen and temperature extremes contribute to make these work environments hazardous. Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform has the potential to provide improved visualization for effective monitoring of confined spaces on construction sites. In an attempt to reduce Health and Safety (H&S) hazards, this work reports upon an integrated solution based on BIM and wireless sensor technology. A literature review has led to conceptualize a model for a BIM based technology application. This was later shaped into a scenario through industry feedback followed by a prototype development as a proof of concept. The prototype system uses BIM to present data received from wireless sensors placed at confined spaces on a construction site. Industry feedback on the prototype indicates that the proposed solution will facilitate intelligent monitoring of confined spaces through real-time sensor data to avoid time sensitive emergency situations typically encountered by workers operating in such work environments.