Formatting COBie Data
In this article
- Formatting Overview
- Equipment
- Equipment Types
- Buildings
- Floors
- Spaces
- Zones
- Systems
- People
- Syntax
- Ignored Worksheets
Formatting Overview
There are multiple formats for COBie data. CxAlloyTQ works with the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format, specifically files with extension .xlsx. CxAlloyTQ can both import and export COBie files in this format.
Equipment
Equipment (Components) in the COBie standard must be assigned to equipment types, and must be inside a space.
The following COBie columns are represented as attributes in CxAlloy TQ:
- SerialNumber
- InstallationDate
- WarrantyStartDate
- TagNumber
- BarCode
- AssetIdentifier
Equipment Types
Equipment Types in COBie must have a category. In CxAlloy TQ, add a Category attribute to any types to be exported to COBie.
The following COBie columns are represented as attributes in CxAlloy TQ:
- AssetType
- Manufacturer
- ModelNumber
- WarrantyGuarantorParts
- WarrantyDurationParts
- WarrantyGuarantorLabor
- WarrantyDurationLabor
- WarrantyDurationUnit
- ReplacementCost
- ExpectedLife
- DurationUnit
- WarrantyDescription
- NominalLength
- NominalWidth
- NominalHeight
- ModelReference
- Shape
- Size
- Color
- Finish
- Grade
- Material
- Constituents
- Features
- AccessibilityPerformance
- CodePerformance
- SustainabilityPerformance
The following COBie columns must contain the email address of a person exported to the Contacts sheet:
- Manufacturer
- WarrantyGuarantorParts
- WarrantyGuarantorLabor
Buildings
COBie only allows one building (facility) per COBie file. CxAlloy TQ accounts for this by allowing you to select the building you would like to use as the basis for the COBie file at the time you export. If there are assets (floors, spaces, equipment, etc.) that are not connected to the selected building, they will be excluded from the export.
The following COBie columns are represented as attributes in CxAlloy TQ:
- SiteName
- LinearUnits
- AreaUnits
- VolumeUnits
- CurrencyUnit
- AreaMeasurement
- ProjectDescription
- SiteDescription
- Phase
Floors
Floors in COBie must have a category. In CxAlloy TQ, add a Category attribute to any floors to be exported to COBie.
The following COBie columns are represented as attributes in CxAlloy TQ:
- Elevation
- Height
Spaces
Spaces in the COBie standard must be assigned to floors.
Spaces in COBie must have a category. In CxAlloy TQ, add a Category attribute to any spaces to be exported to COBie.
The following COBie columns are represented as attributes in CxAlloy TQ:
- RoomTag
- UsableHeight
- GrossArea
- NetArea
Zones
Zones in the COBie standard must contain spaces. Those without will be excluded from the export.
Zones in COBie must have a category. In CxAlloy TQ, add a Category attribute to any zones to be exported to COBie.
Systems
Systems in COBie must have a category. In CxAlloy TQ, add a Category attribute to any systems to be exported to COBie.
Systems in the COBie standard must contain equipment. Those without will be excluded from the export.
People
People are included in the Contacts sheet of the COBie file. The following fields are required:
- Complete Name
- Phone
- Complete Address
- Role
- Company
Syntax
The names of some items in the COBie standard differ from the names used by CxAlloy TQ. These differences are listed below.
| COBie | |
|---|---|
| Contacts | People |
| Facility | Building |
| Component | Equipment |
| Type | Equipment Type |
Ignored Worksheets
The following COBie worksheets are not utilized or exported by CxAlloy TQ:
- Assembly
- Connection
- Impact
- Spare
- Resource
- Job
- Coordinate