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COBie.Component.Area -- Expected Values

The COBie.Component.Area parameter records the measured area associated with the component, when applicable.\ This field is used primarily for assets where surface area has operational, maintenance, or performance relevance. Examples include:

  • Floor finishes\
  • Wall coverings\
  • Ceiling systems\
  • Cladding panels\
  • Roof elements\
  • Specialty equipment with surface-based performance metrics

Not all components require an Area value. Only components defined in the Responsibility Matrix as "area-relevant assets" must populate this parameter.

Validation Rules (DAQS)

  1. Mandatory only for area-based assets\ If the component's specification or FM requirements include surface area, the Area value must be provided.

  2. Numeric only\ The value shall be strictly numeric and represent a real-world surface area.

  3. Allowed format

    • Decimal numbers only\
    • Decimal separator: .\
    • No units (COBie data is unitless; units are implied by project standards)

    Examples:\ 12.50\ 3.2\ 45.000

  4. No text content\ Not permitted:

    • 12.5 m²\
    • approx. 24\
    • N/A\
    • TBD\
    • --

  5. Area calculation source\ The Area value shall be derived from:

    • Revit geometry\
    • Approved quantity take-off rules\
    • Manufacturer data (for specialized equipment)

  6. Logical consistency

    • Area shall not be negative\
    • Area shall correspond to the actual geometry of the instance\
    • Manual overrides are not permitted unless explicitly defined in the BEP

  7. Responsibility\ The party responsible for modelling the asset is responsible for providing its area value.

Good Examples

Component Type Valid COBie.Component.Area

Floor finish 24.50 Wall panel 3.75 Ceiling tile 0.60 Roof element 15.2

Common Mistakes

Incorrect Value Issue

24.5 m2 Contains units; not allowed Approx 30 Text content; ambiguous TBD Placeholder; not permitted 0 Invalid unless the geometry truly has zero area Empty Missing required value for area-based assets

Relationship to Revit

Autodesk's COBie Extension typically maps this value from:\ Revit → Instance Parameter "Area"\ or a discipline-specific shared parameter assigned to area-based elements.

Key notes: - Only instance-level area values are exported.\ - Area must be computed correctly in Revit based on proper modelling practices.\ - Manual recalculations or text-based overrides shall not be used.

Best Practices

  • Ensure all area-based components are modelled with correct geometry.\
  • Use Revit schedules to verify area values before COBie export.\
  • Maintain consistent modelling methods across disciplines to ensure reliable area calculation.\
  • Confirm unit settings match the BEP and convert values if required.\
  • Validate all numeric fields in DAQS to avoid formatting issues in COBie.