# Analysis of the Current State of Automation of Hazard Detection Processes in BIM in Slovakia
## 4 Discussion  
### Key Findings and Comparison with Existing Approaches  
Many respondents partly use CDE for manual hazard detection by working with 3D models, or by making HS e-forms from site inspections. CDE systems are the source of all information about the project, are user-friendly, easy on hardware and accessible from anywhere through smart devices. It is therefore relatively logical to concentrate information about HS risks and hazards to this one-source-of-truth environment.  
However, the programming of hazard detection functionality in BIM software for coordination and rule-based checking is probably easier than in CDE systems. This kind of software was also identified by respondents as suitable for hazard detection. BIM coordinators use these programs to check the geometry and non-graphical data of BIM (e.g., collision detection). They also mostly support the IFC and BCF formats, so it does not matter in which software the building information model was created. That is an important feature for construction companies because they receive models from architects  
Figure 5: Responses to the questions: (**a**) “Do you think that people responsible for HS on construction sites should use BIM for HS hazard detection?” (**b**) “Do you think that increasing the efficiency of hazard detection would directly increase the usage of BIM for hazard detection by those responsible?” (**c**) “Do you think that an increase in hazard detection efficiency would directly increase the HS level on the construction site? (**d**) “If there were a tool for automatic hazard detection in BIM, would you use it?”  
and designers who work in various BIM design software (e.g., Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Trimble Tekla and other applications). Exporting to BCF format allows users to share checking results between different BIM software and CDE systems. This process is therefore suitable for a wide range of users.  
Even though it is relatively easy to create additional functionality for hazard detection in BIM design software using an open API environment or visual programming environment, such as authors in [15; 17; 18; 23; 41] did, the respondents identified this kind of software as appropriate in only two cases. This was mainly due to the need for more experienced BIM users (i.e., not the HS coordinator), a limited user base and a native file that is less suitable for software interoperability and multi-stakeholder project collaboration.  
It follows from the above that the issue of hazard detection should be resolved by developing the plug-ins or extensive workflow that will work with BIM software for coordination and CDE systems based on open BIM formats such as IFC and BCF. If the solution (plug-in or workflow) will use widely popular BIM software, its adoption by the companies could be more successful. In [71], the authors identified and analyzed the reasons for the slower implementation of BIM technology in construction projects in Eastern European countries. The analysis shows that in Poland, which is a neighbor country of Slovakia, it is mainly because of the people, their lack of knowledge and awareness and reluctance to change. The second main reason was low prices for construction documentation that does not cover the expensive software, employee training and payment of BIM specialists [71]. The same problems are shared by construction companies in Slovakia and probably in other Eastern European countries such as Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine, Southeast European countries and so on, because of their similar history, thinking, politics and economies. This underlines the need for a solution that will simplify the processes without significant additional costs.