IFC Model Data Quality Checklist: 12 Items to Verify Before Delivery
Most IFC exchange failures stem from data quality issues, not format problems. This article lists 12 executable pre-delivery checks with common fixes.
Geometry and coordinates
- Project base point and real-coordinate offset are documented to prevent coordinate drift on the receiving side.
- No duplicate geometry (same element exported twice), which inflates file size and skews quantity takeoffs.
- Surfaces and Boolean results are properly triangulated; verify that there are no open faces or flipped normals.
- Units and precision must be consistent; mixing millimeters and meters is the most common dimension error.
Semantics and properties
- Element type naming follows the agreed classification (e.g., floor-system-type coding).
- GUIDs are stable; re-exporting must not create new global identifiers.
- Key property sets (Psets) contain the fields the receiver needs, such as fire rating, material, and supplier.
- Spatial structure is complete: Project → Site → Building → Floor → Space. Missing levels prevent the receiver from locating elements.
Delivery and validation
- IFC version and view definition (e.g., IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 / IFC4 Reference View) are specified in the delivery note.
- Validate by opening in at least two different vendor software applications. Passing a single tool does not prove interoperability.
- File size and splitting strategy confirmed — very large models should be delivered by floor or system.
- The delivery package includes model notes, coordinate system, property dictionary, and a known issues list.
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