{"id":30244,"date":"2024-06-28T11:26:23","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T10:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/?page_id=30244"},"modified":"2025-06-06T16:41:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:41:25","slug":"validation-service","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/users\/services\/validation-service\/","title":{"rendered":"IFC Validation Service"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h1>\r\n\t\tIFC Validation Service\r\n\t<\/h1>\r\n\t<p>Free, online platform for validating IFC files, developed by buildingSMART &#8211; with the help of software vendors and bSI projects<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/validate.buildingsmart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tValidate IFC now\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"#learn-more\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tWhat is the IFC Validation Service?\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Validation-Service-illustration-learn-more.png\" alt=\"Validation-Service-illustration-learn-more\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"400\" width=\"600\" title=\"Validation-Service-illustration-learn-more\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\tAbout\r\nChecks\r\nFor whom\r\n    \r\n        The IFC Validation Service is a free, online platform for validating IFC files, developed by buildingSMART &#8211; with the help of software vendors and bSI projects.<br \/><br \/>\r\nGiven an IFC file, this provides a conformity check for such file against the IFC standard (schema and specification).\r\n\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tWhy use the IFC Validation Service?\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t<p><b>Enhanced Data Accuracy<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>With ongoing development and refinement of the Validation Service, the accuracy of exported IFC models will continue to improve<\/p>\r\n\t<p><b>Streamlined Validation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>The early detection of IFC standard-related errors, will save time and effort for any downstream, complementary data validation processes<\/p>\r\n\t<p><b>Improved Software Certification<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>The Validation Service provides a standardised assessment of a statistically significant set of IFC files. From this sample, a judgement on how software adheres to the industry standard can be derived<\/p>\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tThe IFC Validation Service Webinar\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t<p>Learn from Evandro Alfieri, Solutions Accelerator at buildingSMART:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>How IFC Validation service is improving quality of exported IFC models<\/li>\r\n<li>What future benefits can be realised as a result of investment and funding<\/li>\r\n<li>How this will help improve Software Certification<\/li>\r\n<li>The benefits to vendors and the wider community<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9DesL1ZypjU?si=vLoQovovob4w39k6\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tFrequently Asked Questions\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is it and what does it do?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IFC Validation Service is a free, online platform for validating IFC files, developed by buildingSMART &#8211; with the help of software vendors and bSI projects. Given an IFC file, the Validation Service provides a judgment of conformity for such file against the IFC standard (schema and specification).<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is being checked?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IFC file is valid when it conforms to:<br \/>&#8211;\u00a0STEP Syntax. The STEP Physical File syntax<br \/>&#8211;\u00a0IFC Schema. An up-to-date (not withdrawn and latest revision) IFC schema referenced in the file, including formal propositions and functions encoded in the EXPRESS schema language<br \/>&#8211;\u00a0Normative IFC Rules. Other normative rules of the IFC specification (e.g. implementer agreements and informal propositions)<br \/>Additionally, the Validation Service performs non-normative checks including:<br \/>&#8211; Industry Practices. Checking the IFC file against common practice and sensible defaults. None of these checks render the IFC file invalid. Therefore, any issues identified result in warnings rather than errors<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is not being checked?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IFC Validation Service does not check project-specific, national-specific, organization-specific rules or constraints. Case-specific validation is where the mandate of the bSI Validation Service ends &#8211; and where other solutions like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/standards\/bsi-standards\/information-delivery-specification-ids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IDS<\/a>\u00a0can help.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is the maximum file size allowed on the IFC Validation Service?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Currently, the maximum file size allowed on the platform is 250 MB. This limit ensures consistent performance and reliability for all users.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What options are available if my file exceeds the 250 MB limit?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>For files that exceed the 250 MB size limit, you have a few options:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Local deployment:<\/strong> You can deploy the validation service locally. The IFC Validation Service is fully open-source, allowing users to run the service independently on their machines.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Enterprise package:<\/strong> We offer validation for larger files and additional features through an enterprise package designed for users with long-term, commercial agreements. If this interests you, please contact <a href=\"mailto:evandro.alfieri@buildingsmart.org\">evandro.alfieri@buildingsmart.org<\/a> for further details.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Direct validation by our team:<\/strong> If your file is public and shareable, you may send it to us, and we&#8217;ll request validation from our team. However, please note that this may take additional time due to limited resources and other ongoing activities. Also, keep in mind that we currently cannot provide detailed validation reports, due to missing features, but only a screenshot of the overall result.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">Does the IFC Validation Service visualise IFC files?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>No. For multiple reasons, geometric visualisation is not within the scope nor the mandate of the Validation Service. Many errors are invisible in a viewer or unrelated to a geometric representation or prevent visualisation altogether.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">Is the IFC Validation Service open-source?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IFC Validation Service is a 100% open-source initiative, and we welcome contributions from the community. If you&#8217;re interested, feel free to submit a pull request with your proposed changes to the <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/buildingSMART\/validate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Validation\u00a0Service\u00a0GitHub repository<\/a>. Your contribution can make a big difference!<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is the latest version of the IFC Validation Service?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The latest version of the platform is displayed in the bottom left corner of the webpage. Stay updated on the latest release by turning on notifications\u00a0on this Forums page\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forums.buildingsmart.org\/t\/validation-service-updates\/4992\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Validation Service Updates &#8211; buildingSMART Forums<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Note that the main branch of\u00a0<a id=\"OWAc9e4a144-b962-12de-39c2-72d6b531c78a\" href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/buildingSMART\/validate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"3\">buildingSMART\/validate<\/a>\u00a0always corresponds to the most updated version deployed at\u00a0<a id=\"OWAf7d214dc-bf95-ce09-d842-22f4f30d0df9\" href=\"https:\/\/validate.buildingsmart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"4\">validate.buildingsmart.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What security is in place for files uploaded to the IFC Validation Service? Where is the data stored?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Validation Service uses the Azure Cloud infrastructure. The data are physically hosted in Amsterdam and Dublin, ensuring compliance with EU privacy regulations. Data transfer is encrypted using TLS 1.3 and 256-bit AES encryption and data stored is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption, which is FIPS 140-2 compliant. Data are retained only as long as necessary for analysis. For enterprise users with a long-term, commercial agreement we offer a web-assembly version of the validation, that allows offline operation without sending data over the internet. If you&#8217;re interested, please contact us at <a href=\"mailto:validate@buildingsmart.org\">validate@buildingsmart.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">How does the Validation Service support software certification?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>When IFC files are checked by users through the Validation Service, metrics on the quality of these files are extracted. buildingSMART uses such metrics from IFC files to generate a report on the reliability and consistency of the producing software. Read more about this in the <a title=\"https:\/\/technical.buildingsmart.org\/services\/certification\/\" href=\"https:\/\/technical.buildingsmart.org\/services\/certification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Link buildingSMART International Software Certification Program\">buildingSMART International Software Certification Program<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 tabindex=\"0\">What is the recommended workflow for the Validation Service?<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IFC Validation Service aims to ensure IFC files adhere to the standard, irrespective of design intent specifics. For this reason, it is most effective when applied at the outset of any IFC model validation process. In this way, it serves as an enabler for all subsequent checks, ensuring that these can rely on a valid IFC data structure.<\/p>\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tThe IFC Validation Service is a Strategic Project supported by:\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/500xBuildingSMART_CMYK_International_colour_2020_transparent.png\" alt=\"500xBuildingSMART_CMYK_International_colour_2020_transparent\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"90\" width=\"500\" title=\"500xBuildingSMART_CMYK_International_colour_2020_transparent\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/BANE-NOR.png\" alt=\"BANE NOR logo\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"375\" title=\"BANE NOR logo\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t<p>Strategic Project Lead<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Evandro-Alfieri.jpg\" alt=\"Evandro-Alfieri\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" title=\"Evandro-Alfieri\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t<p>Evandro Alfieri<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/share.hsforms.com\/1VaKaYyvEQ1ybVw1FaOUdog2wx5h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupport Validation Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/publications.buildingsmart.org\/ifc-validation-strategic-project\/full-view.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n<h2>\r\n\t\tExplore other buildingSMART Standards and Services\r\n\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/standards\/bsi-standards\/industry-foundation-classes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" itemprop=\"url\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IFC-logo1.1.png\" alt=\"IFC-logo1.1\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" title=\"IFC-logo1.1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/standards\/bsi-standards\/information-delivery-specifications-ids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" itemprop=\"url\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IDS-logo1.1.png\" alt=\"IDS-logo1.1\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" title=\"IDS-logo1.1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/standards\/bsi-standards\/bim-collaboration-format-bcf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" itemprop=\"url\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCF-logo1.1.png\" alt=\"BCF-logo1.1\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" title=\"BCF-logo1.1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/users\/services\/buildingsmart-data-dictionary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" itemprop=\"url\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bSDD-logo1.1.png\" alt=\"bSDD-logo1.1\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" title=\"bSDD-logo1.1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ucm.buildingsmart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" itemprop=\"url\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/UCM-logo1.1.png\" alt=\"UCM-logo1.1\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"250\" width=\"250\" title=\"UCM-logo1.1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t<h3><strong>Subscribe to our newsletter today!<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/subscription-preference\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IFC Validation Service Free, online platform for validating IFC files, developed by buildingSMART &#8211; with the help of software vendors and bSI projects Validate IFC now Learn more What is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":30255,"parent":9157,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-30244","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"wpsp_post_type":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30244\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buildingsmart.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}