How to prepare IFC files in Revit / Archicad for Thermal calculations in InstalSystem 5 (for architects and BIM coordinators)

Product	InstalSystem 5
Type of article	TIP&TRICK
Source for translation	2025-08-18

Problem description

In order to ensure the recognition of automatic rooms and correct creation of the thermal model of a building, it is necessary to perform an optimal interpretation of architectural elements from Revit/Archicad to native InstalSystem elements.

Solution

This article contains basic recommendations for optimizing the preparation of BIM models for the interpretation in InstalSystem 5.5:

• For best results, export only the relevant elements needed for Thermal calculations of building. Avoid exporting unnecessary architectural and structural details, such as furniture, external elements (roads, sidewalks, trees, walls), or decorative elements by setting the type to Not Exported / Export to IFC – No.
  Elements such as beams (IfcBeam) or ramps should be excluded unless they are integral to the thermal analysis;
• Export only elements that enclose space, such as walls (ifcWall), ceilings (ifcSlab), roofs (ifcRoof), windows (ifcWindow), and doors (ifcDoor). These elements must form a sealed geometry (the "closed box" principle) that will allow recognizing automatic rooms;
• Select export settings that will ensure a small file size, avoid overly detailed geometry or exporting unnecessary parameters;