Yes: a BIM model can detect accessibility barriers before they are built, as long as accessibility criteria are incorporated into the model. The same logic that detects a pipe crossing a beam can reveal a column narrowing a corridor, a door swinging into the maneuvering space or a ramp with the wrong slope. Fixing it in the model costs far less than demolishing on site.
This content is part of our construction magazine for the Americas, within the editorial line dedicated to architecture and design.
The proposal comes from Grupo ADIPSA, a Panamanian structural design and BIM coordination firm, which suggests broadening interdisciplinary coordination so that not only systems work, but also people in the space.
You can also read the version published in the August 2026 issue of ConstructHUBS magazine (in Spanish).
A barrier can also be a clash
In BIM coordination, a clash occurs when two elements conflict. From an accessibility standpoint there are conflicts too:
- A column that reduces a circulation space.
- A door whose swing invades the area needed to maneuver a wheelchair.
- An installation that alters a planned route.
The difference lies in broadening the view: coordinating so that people can use the space properly.
What can be checked in a BIM model?
- Door and corridor widths.
- Maneuvering spaces.
- Routes and accessible paths.
- Ramp slopes and configuration.
- Location of obstacles.
- Access to elevators.
- Restroom layout.
- Clashes between installations and circulation areas.
What BIM does not replace
BIM does not replace regulations or the professional who evaluates the project. Technology only checks what has previously been defined as a requirement. That is why accessibility criteria —such as the DALCO criteria for universal accessibility— must be defined from the start and built into the model.
Fix it in the model, not on site
Detecting a barrier in a finished building means demolition, modifications, costs and delays. One of the great advantages of digital construction is making decisions while they are still easy to change. As ADIPSA puts it: “the best architectural barrier is the one that never gets built.”
This approach relies on the same BIM clash detection process used to prevent conflicts between structure and installations.
Frequently asked questions
Does BIM automatically check accessibility codes?
Not on its own. It checks the rules the design team configures based on the applicable regulations.
At what stage should accessibility be reviewed in BIM?
During design, as part of interdisciplinary coordination, before construction drawings are issued.
