Complete Guide to CORENET in Singapore: Everything You Need to Know

Singapore's building industry is undergoing a digital transformation. At the heart of this shift is CORENET—the national e-submission system that governs how building plans are submitted and approved. With CORENET X now mandating 3D BIM submissions, understanding the system is essential for architects, engineers, developers, and contractors working in Singapore.

This guide covers everything you need to know about CORENET: its history, how CORENET X works, IFC+SG requirements, and how to prepare your firm for mandatory BIM submissions.

What is CORENET?

CORENET (Construction and Real Estate Network) is Singapore's electronic submission system for building plan approvals. Managed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), it allows Qualified Persons (QPs)—architects and professional engineers—to submit building plans to multiple regulatory agencies through a single platform.

Before CORENET, obtaining building approvals meant submitting physical documents to each agency separately. CORENET digitised this process, enabling online submissions and coordinated reviews across agencies.

History of CORENET in Singapore

CORENET has evolved significantly since its launch:

The shift to CORENET X represents a fundamental change. Rather than reviewing 2D drawings, agencies now assess 3D BIM models that contain embedded regulatory data. This enables automated compliance checking and more efficient multi-agency coordination.

Which Agencies Use CORENET?

CORENET X consolidates submissions to multiple Singapore regulatory agencies:

When a federated BIM model is submitted through CORENET X, all relevant agencies review it collectively and issue a single consolidated response—typically within 20 working days.

Who Needs to Use CORENET?

CORENET X affects multiple stakeholders in the building process:

• Qualified Persons (QPs): Architects and Professional Engineers who act as Project Coordinators and are responsible for regulatory submissions
• Developers and Building Owners: Appoint QPs and are accountable for project compliance
• Contractors and Subcontractors: Must provide BIM models earlier in the process—often during the Design Gateway
• BIM Consultants and Service Providers: Support firms that lack in-house BIM capability

How CORENET X Works

CORENET X is a web-based portal that manages document submissions, permit applications, and project status. Here's how the process works:

Project Setup

1. The developer appoints a Qualified Person (QP) as Project Coordinator
2. The Project Coordinator creates the project in CORENET X
3. Other stakeholders (consultants, contractors) are invited with role-based access
4. All parties can track project status in a single environment

Four Submission Gateways

The approval process is organised into four gateways:

Each gateway has specific BIM requirements. The table below shows PUB's submission requirements, which illustrates why early M&E contractor involvement is essential.

The table above is extracted from the CORENET X agency requirements guide. The left column lists IFC element keywords—such as Distribution Chamber, Waste Terminal, Interceptor, Valve, Pump, and Tank—that must be modelled with the correct IFC+SG parameters. The color coding indicates which discipline is responsible: Architecture (orange), C&S/Structural (green), and M&E (yellow).

Notice that the sanitary network components—drain-lines, inspection chambers, discharge lines, and sanitary stack systems—are marked as M&E scope. The same applies to basement pumped systems, sewer networks, and drainage networks. This means M&E contractors must model these elements with embedded IFC+SG parameters before the submission can proceed.

Why does this structure matter? By enforcing a standardised data format through IFC+SG, regulatory agencies can perform automated compliance checks on submitted models. When a pump is modelled as an IfcPump with the correct property sets, PUB's systems can automatically verify capacity, flow rates, and connectivity—without manual interpretation. If the data is missing or incorrectly tagged, the automated checks fail, and the submission is rejected.

This is fundamentally different from traditional 2D submissions, where agency officers manually reviewed drawings and relied on annotations to understand the design. With CORENET X, the BIM model itself becomes the source of truth, and the data must be machine-readable for agencies to process it efficiently.

In traditional workflows, M&E contractors are often engaged later in the project timeline, typically closer to the Construction phase. However, CORENET X requires this information at the Design Gateway. Without early M&E input, the federated BIM model will be incomplete, and the submission cannot pass agency validation.

This shift has significant implications for project planning: developers and QPs must engage M&E subcontractors during the design phase—not after design approval—to ensure all required parameters are embedded in the model from the outset.

Consolidated Review

After submission, agencies review the federated BIM model collectively. Instead of receiving separate responses from each agency, the QP receives a single consolidated response, streamlining the approval process.

BIM and IFC+SG Requirements

A core feature of CORENET X is the adoption of 3D BIM using the OpenBIM (IFC) schema. This allows agencies to review complex projects digitally, checking for accessibility, fire safety, and compliance with planning guidelines.

What is IFC+SG?

IFC+SG is Singapore's extension of the internationally-recognised IFC4 schema. It includes additional parameters required by local regulatory agencies.

For example, URA requires earthworks area to be captured using a Singapore-specific property set:

The complete mapping of agency requirements to IFC+SG parameters is available in the industry mapping table.

Compatible Software

Any BIM software that exports to IFC4 format is compatible with CORENET X:

• Autodesk Revit (with IFC+SG templates)
• Graphisoft ArchiCAD
• Bentley OpenBuildings
• Trimble Tekla Structures
• BricsCAD BIM

Each vendor provides specific resources to ensure exported models include IFC+SG parameters. For example, a Revit template can be configured so walls, beams, floors, and doors automatically include the required fields.

CORENET X Implementation Timeline

CORENET X is being rolled out in phases:

We encourage firms to test the CORENET X workflow with us on lower-stakes projects. This builds your firm's capability for CORENET X BIM submissions and mitigates risk for future projects where timelines are tighter. BCA also provides the CORENET X Sandbox to simulate the submission process and test different project roles.

Are 2D Drawings Still Required?

Yes. Despite the shift to 3D BIM, CORENET X does not eliminate 2D submissions entirely. Agencies still require:

• Detailed drawings for connection details and blow-ups
• Design calculations that cannot be fully expressed in 3D
• Supporting documents specific to certain regulatory requirements

The key difference is that 2D drawings should now be generated from your BIM model to ensure consistency between submissions.

How to Prepare for CORENET X

For Firms with In-House BIM Teams

1. Update software templates: Configure your BIM tools to include IFC+SG parameters by default
2. Train your team: Ensure modellers understand IFC+SG requirements and validation workflows
3. Test in the Sandbox: Use the CORENET X Sandbox to simulate submissions before the mandatory deadline
4. Establish validation workflows: Integrate model checking into your QA process

For Firms Without In-House BIM Teams

Partnering with BIM Service Providers is a practical way to:

• Gain experience with CORENET X before investing in full-time staff
• Ensure compliant models for regulatory submissions
• Build organisational capability over time

Singapore also offers grants like the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) to support BIM adoption.

Validating BIM Models Before Submission

QPs must submit federated, clash-free models with all required IFC+SG parameters. Missing or incorrect values may result in Written Directions from authorities, potentially causing project delays.

Validation Tools

The Bimeco Validator is a free tool designed for CORENET X compliance. Key features include:

• Browser-based: Works on any web browser with no software installation required
• Free to use: No licensing costs for basic validation
• CORENET X integration: Pre-loaded with IFC+SG parameter requirements for all regulatory agencies, allowing you to verify the parameters in the model context.

Upcoming features include model federation and direct IFC editing, enabling architects and consultants to achieve more seamless BIM submissions.

What to Check

1. Geometry: Clash detection, clearances, duplicate elements
2. Parameters: Required IFC+SG values are present and accurate
3. Compliance: Accessibility requirements, fire safety, code compliance

It is essential for all stakeholders to validate models before submission. Critical data—particularly safety and accessibility parameters—must be embedded correctly.

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them

Key Takeaways

1. CORENET X is mandatory from 1 October 2025 for projects above 30,000 sqm
2. 3D BIM in IFC+SG format is required—not just 2D drawings
3. Agencies review collectively and respond within 20 working days
4. Earlier subcontractor onboarding is essential for federated model submissions
5. Validation before submission prevents Written Directions and delays
6. Test now using the CORENET X Sandbox before the mandatory deadline

Conclusion

CORENET X marks a significant step in Singapore's regulatory digitalisation. The shift from 2D drawings to 3D BIM models enables more efficient reviews, better coordination, and automated compliance checking.

With mandatory submissions starting 1 October 2025, firms should prepare early—whether through in-house teams or external providers—to avoid last-minute complications and ensure smooth regulatory approval.

For firms needing support with CORENET X submissions, contact our BIM team to discuss how we can help you prepare compliant models for regulatory approval.