ISO/IEC 81346-12
Utility Systems
Urban
Areas
HVAC Systems
Construction Systems
The 81346-12:2018
The ISO/IEC 81346-12, also called RDS-CW, stands for Construction Works and is a standard that classifies systems for architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering within the construction sector.
The standard was the first part-of series with a new and flexible method to model systems within a sector and its many industries. The classes within the standard are quite generic, so it’s also applicable within utilities, urban areas, and HVAC.
This standard follows the rules and principles in 81346-1, and systems thinking is an elementary part of this series. All objects, including all constructive elements such as walls, roofs, floors, etc., are considered systems, which can be organized in part-of relations.
Application
The classes in 81346-12 have been tried and tested both within the construction sector and the public supply sector.
Not only does the standard cover construction and structural aspects of buildings but also utility systems such as automation, ventilation, heating, cooling, drainage, etc.
No matter the complexity of a building, the approach of systems thinking combined with classification brings structure and clarity to any design.
Industry Specific Classifications
The solution to the industry-specific classification schemes is to specify the main and technical systems so they fit an overall sector and/or industry. This is not necessary with the component systems because they are generic, so 99% will fit within any sector/industry.
The classification schemes will keep the principle of the One, Two, and Three-letter code abstraction levels.
By doing so, the One and Two-letter codes will be industry-specific and applied as the high- and mid-abstraction levels, while the generic Three-letter codes (81346-2) will be applied as the low abstraction level. See the example below.
The 81346-10 and -12 have followed this approach, as will the upcoming series.