ConstructOzClassification
The aim of this section of the web site is to develop an information object model that:
- includes the entire construction industry;
- includes all construction products (goods AND services); and
- encompasses the complete life cycle of construction.
The author has participated in the following organizations with similar aims with limited success. The classification herein is a result of that classification and whilst it draws on that experience it is by no means based on any one of them.
- Australian Building Construction Database - initiated by the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
- CSIRO - Coordinated Classification & Method of Measurement project
- Information Integration Group, Department of Industry Science and Technology
- International Alliance for Interoperability - developers of Industry Foundation Classes
- International Construction Information Society
- International Standards Organization
- National Committee on Rationalized Building
A comprehensive system for classifying and storing such data must include information like what the item is, what it forms part of and what it is composed of, together with all the information that each stakeholder needs to know concerning it.
If the item is a product, in addition to knowing where the product is used, the data must include the place of manufacture, materials from which the product is made, complying standards, warranty details, connection and installation details, power and water requirements, etc.. The characteristics for each product can vary considerable between products.
If the item is an object the data includes where it is located, it's history and even the dates of future events, like maintenance, that may relate to it.
To achieve this the industry accepted elemental approach used in cost planning is used in preference to the common trade or work section approach used for most product classifications. This allows the inclusion of objects like walls, roofs and columns, even buildings, that cannot be handled using other systems. This elemental system used in the Coordinated Classification System is described here in detail.
The Coordinated Classification System (CCS)
The CCS is organized around a hierarchy of built objects and activities that are associated with a complete Construction Complex (eg hospital or airport). A Construction Complex (or Complex for short) is at the very top of the tree hierarchy, because the industry does not generally deal in complete townships or even districts.
A Complex is subdivided into Construction Entities (eg buildings, bridges), External works and Indirect Costs, representing general site costs and associated other goods and services (eg Consultants, Furniture, etc).
Construction Entities are then broken into Element Groups (shell, fitout and services) which are further broken into Elements, Subelements, Assemblies, Components, Products and even Sub-products (spare parts and the like).
Products (goods and services remember) can be found at any of the above levels depending on the specialization. A general contractor (classified as a service) would be at a higher level than a specialist contractor, whilst trade labour and individual materials, as expected, would be found at the lower levels.
Wherever you are in the hierarchy the product list (including services) will eventually include all the products necessary to complete that item. A simple door, for example, will include the door leaf, frame, hardware, carpenter for installing, paint, painter, etc..
This classification hierarchy, generally known as the Elemental approach, should be familiar to quantity surveyors and cost engineers, but it is not just relevant to them. It means that a "hot water heater" object that may have been difficult to find in another classification can easily be found in the CCS either by starting at Construction Complex and drilling down or by starting anywhere and following associated relationships.
At every level in the hierarchy there is information about where the item is located in the hierarchy tree.
Construction Complex
Definition: One or more construction entities on a single site, together with related site works, collectively serving one or more user activity or function. [CCS]
Two or more adjacent construction entities collectively serving one or more user activity or function. [ISO/DIS 12006-2]
A Construction Complex may also be referred to as a Facility or Campus.
Inclusions: Everything within the boundary of the property unless required adjacent thereto (see Exclusions).
Exclusions: Anything outside the nominal site boundary. [Work to adjacent public utilities, roads, footpaths and the like are for the purposes herein nominally included within the site (of the works) boundary].
Measurement:
- m2 = site area
- m2 = Gross Floor Area
- or see Construction Complex types
Components:
Indirect Costs
- Definition:
- Items and costs not directly attributable to permanent physical construction work but usually required as part of a construction, refurbishment or demolition project.
- Inclusions:
- Exclusions:
- Method of Measurement:
- % of other costs
- Attributes:
- Components:
