To modify product design easily, modern CAD systems adopt the feature-based model as their primary representation. On the other hand, the boundary representation (B-rep) model is used as their secondary representation. IGES and STEP AP203 edition 1 are the representative standard formats for the exchange of CAD files. Unfortunately, both of them only support the B-rep model. As a result, feature data are lost during the CAD file exchange based on these standards. Loss of feature data causes the difficulty of CAD model modification and prevents the transfer of design intent. To resolve this problem, a tool for recognizing design features from a B-rep model and then reconstructing a feature-based model with the recognized features should be developed. As the first part of this research, this paper presents a method for decomposing a B-rep model into simple volumes suitable for design feature recognition. The results of experiments with a prototype system are analyzed. From the analysis, future research issues are suggested.