Why Retrofit Projects Need Accurate As-Built Data
Older UAE buildings undergoing retrofit or refurbishment frequently have no reliable as-built documentation — original drawings may not reflect changes made during years of tenant fit-outs and maintenance work. Designing a new ELV or MEP scope against outdated or missing drawings risks costly on-site surprises during construction.
The Scan-to-BIM Process
Laser scanning captures a point cloud of the existing building's actual physical conditions, which is then modelled into an accurate BIM representation of what's really there — ceiling voids, existing containment routes, structural elements — providing a reliable base model for new ELV/MEP design to coordinate against.
What Scanning Commonly Reveals
- Existing containment and cabling routes that don't match any available as-built drawing
- Ceiling void clearances significantly different from original design drawings after years of add-on services
- Structural elements or previous modifications not documented anywhere
The ELV-Specific Value
For ELV retrofit scope specifically — adding modern CCTV, access control or fire alarm to an older UAE building — an accurate scan-to-BIM base model lets ASDV design new containment routes and device placement that genuinely fit the existing conditions, rather than discovering clashes with undocumented existing services once installation begins.