ASHRAE offers BIM guide

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, released its new guide for building information models and modeling. The guide, titled An Introduction to Building Information Modeling,serves as a resource for professionals considering BIM tools and applications for their businesses and reports that BIM is a digital representation of the physical and the functional characteristics of a facility. Unlike 2-D o3-D CAD, BIM software utilizes intelligent objects to create models, according to the guide.For more information, or to inquire about the guide, visit www.ashrae.org/publications. ASHRAE will also award more than $80,000 in scholarship money for the2009-10 school year in an effort to reduce the financial strain on engineering students across the country. “Any investment in relevant education is of great importance, as it prepares individuals to become effective citizens,” said Victor Goldschmidt, chair of the ASHRAE Scholarship Trustees. “This is more notable in the area of HVAC&R, as it enhances the advancement of the arts and sciences of HVAC&R for the benefit and future of society.” Over the course of 20 years, ASHRAE has awarded a combined $991,000 to more than 190 deserving undergraduate and graduate students. It is ASHRAE’s belief that aiding these future leaders of the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration industry will in turn benefit society as they lead the way in sustainable HVAC&R technology. For more information on ASHRAE scholarships, visit www.ashrae.org/scholarships.