IFC, ILS, and LOD explained: the acronyms you need to know as a client
They feature in every BIM project: IFC, ILS, LOD. Three acronyms that determine what is delivered, the level of detail of the model, and whether other parties can work with it effectively. For those not dealing with BIM on a daily basis, knowing what to ask for as a client can be challenging. This article clearly explains all three concepts.
IFC: the exchange format
IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes. It is an open, international standard format for exchanging BIM models. Compare it to PDF for documents: regardless of which program the other party uses, anyone can open an IFC file.
In practice, most BIM modellers work in Revit (Autodesk). However, not every party in a construction project uses Revit. A structural engineer might work in Tekla, a building services consultant in Stabicad. IFC enables model exchange without requiring everyone to use the same software.
What do you need to know about IFC as a client?
IFC is the standard format for open collaboration. If you want multiple parties to work with the model, request delivery in IFC alongside the native format (such as RVT)
Not all information from a Revit model transfers like-for-like into IFC. Export quality depends on how the model was set up. A robust BIM protocol prevents loss of information
IFC files can be viewed in free viewers such as BIMcollab ZOOM or Solibri, without software licensing fees
ILS: the information agreement
ILS stands for Information Delivery Specification (in the UK, often aligned with Information Exchange Requirements / IDM). In the Netherlands, the BIM Basis ILS is the prevailing standard. It is the document that defines what information must be included in the BIM model and how that information should be structured.
Without an ILS, a BIM model is subject to the modeller’s personal interpretation. One party might only model the main structure, while another includes services as well. One might classify objects according to NL-SfB (or Uniclass), while another does not. The ILS eliminates ambiguity by establishing clear rules upfront.
What is included in an ILS?
- Which objects must be modelled (architectural only, or building services as well?)
- The Level of Development (LOD) for each delivered object
- Which properties each object must contain (material, classification, maintenance data)
- Which coordinate reference system is used
- How the model must be structured (storeys, zones, systems)
- Which format is delivered (Revit, IFC, or both)
Where do things go wrong in practice?
BIM projects. The client expects a complete model containing all building services and material specifications. The modeller delivers a basic architectural model because no specification was defined. Both parties are right, but the result is unusable for the intended purpose.
Tip: align the ILS with the intended use of the model. A model for renovation design requires different information than a model for facility management.
LOD: level of detail / level of development
LOD stands for Level of Development (sometimes Level of Detail). It indicates the extent to which an object in the BIM model is developed, both geometrically and informationally.
The common LOD levels:
LOD 100: conceptual. Objects exist as placeholders, without reliable dimensions. Suitable for feasibility studies and massing models.
LOD 200: approximate geometry. Objects have generic dimensions and shapes. Suitable for the initial design stage.
LOD 300: precise geometry. Objects are modelled in their correct position with actual dimensions. Suitable for design, coordination, and Scan-to-BIM deliverables in renovation projects.
LOD 400: fabrication ready. Objects contain sufficient detail for manufacture and assembly. Includes fixings, bolted connections, and exact material specifications.
LOD 500: verified model. The model has been checked and verified against the as-built situation, typically using a 3D laser scan. This level is used when a client requires proof that the model matches the constructed reality, such as for critical building services or contractual completion requirements.
What should you ask for as a client?
Not every project requires a full BIM model. Sometimes a point cloud is sufficient as a foundation for in-house processing or remote measuring.
LOD 300 is the standard model level for most projects. It delivers a model that is sufficiently accurate for design, coordination, clash detection, and often, as-built documentation. LOD 400 is only required when the model serves directly as the basis for fabrication. LOD 500 is relevant when it is contractually required for the model to be demonstrably verified against the actual situation.
Higher is not necessarily better. A higher LOD level requires more time and budget. Ask yourself: what do I need to achieve with the model? That determines which LOD you require.
How do IFC, ILS, and LOD interrelate?
Together, these three concepts define the framework of a BIM project:
The ILS specifies what is modelled and which information each object must contain
The LOD determines the level of detail and accuracy to which each object is developed
IFC is the open format used to exchange the model between parties
As a client, you don’t need to know every single technical detail. However, you must understand that these three agreements collectively define what will be delivered. Without a clear ILS, an agreed LOD level, and a defined exchange format, “a BIM model” remains a vague term that can mean almost anything.
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