ISO 12006-2-2015 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 12006-2-2015 — Building construction — Organization of information about construction works — Part 2: Framework for classification. This international standard defines a framework for developing classification structures and tables for information about the built environment, providing recommended table titles, object-class views (for example by form or function) and guidance on how tables and classes relate across systems and sub-systems (for example within a building information model).

Abstract

ISO 12006-2:2015 specifies a framework to support the development and harmonization of classification systems for construction and the built environment. It gives recommended classification table titles and example content for a range of information object classes and views, explains relationships between object classes (systems and sub-systems), and applies to the whole life cycle of construction works (briefing, design, documentation, construction, operation, maintenance and demolition). The document is not a complete operational classification system; it is intended for organizations that develop local or national classification schemes so those schemes can be more easily aligned and interoperable.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition confirmed by ISO review).
• Publication date: 8 May 2015 (ISO publication; last systematic review confirmed in 2020).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.010.01 (Construction industry in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2015) — ISO 12006-2:2015.
• Number of pages: 23 pages (ISO published edition).

Scope

ISO 12006-2:2015 applies to the organization and classification of information for building and civil engineering works across their complete life cycle. It establishes a framework for creating classification tables and breakdown structures that support multiple views of information (for example by form, function, activity or resources). The standard does not itself provide a full operational classification or exhaustive table contents but gives examples and recommended table titles to guide organizations in developing local or national classification systems that can be harmonized.

Key topics and requirements

• Framework for classification structures and breakdowns that support multiple views of construction information (form, function, activities, resources).
• Recommended set of classification table titles and definitions for common information object classes.
• Rules and guidance on relationships between tables, systems and sub-systems (how classes map and interact across levels).
• Application across the full built-asset life cycle — briefing, design, construction, operation, maintenance and demolition.
• Guidance for development of local/national classification schemes to improve harmonization and interoperability (the standard is not prescriptive about table content).
• Intended support for information management and building information modelling (BIM) practices by providing a classification backbone.

Typical use and users

ISO 12006-2 is used by standards authors, classification system developers, BIM managers, information managers, architects, engineers, facilities managers, contractors, clients and government bodies who create or adopt classification tables and information-structuring rules. It is particularly useful where organizations need to design classification or breakdown structures to support information exchange, data aggregation, procurement, costing and asset management across multiple stages and stakeholders.

Related standards

Standards commonly associated with or complementary to ISO 12006-2 include ISO 12006-3 (Framework for object‑oriented information / IFD concepts), the ISO 19650 series (information management using BIM), ISO 16739 (IFC data schema), ISO 29481 (information delivery processes/IDM) and various national classification systems and taxonomies (for example Uniclass, Omniclass, MasterFormat) as well as buildingSMART resources such as the bSDD/IFD implementations. These documents are often used together to provide classification, semantics and information‑management processes for digital construction workflows.

Keywords

classification, breakdown structure, built environment, construction information, BIM, information management, classification tables, lifecycle, taxonomy, ontology, ISO 12006

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12006-2:2015 is an international standard that defines a framework for developing classification structures and tables for information about construction works and the built environment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the framework for classification (recommended table titles, views and relationships between tables and classes) for use across the full life cycle of buildings and civil engineering works. It provides examples and guidance but does not itself supply a complete operational classification content.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Classification system authors, BIM and information managers, architects, engineers, contractors, facility managers, public procurement bodies and standards organizations use this standard to design or harmonize classification schemes and to support interoperable information exchange.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The published edition is ISO 12006-2:2015 (Edition 2, published 8 May 2015) and was confirmed as current by ISO during its 2020 systematic review. A revision to Part 2 (drafts and DIS versions) has been under development in subsequent years; national adoptions and draft documents have advanced in 2024–2026. Users needing the absolute latest status should verify the current ISO catalogue entry or their national standards body for any published replacement after 2025.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 12006 is a multi‑part set. Part 2 covers classification frameworks (this document). Part 3 covers object‑oriented information frameworks (IFD concepts). Other related ISO documents and the ISO 19650 series address information management and BIM processes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Classification, breakdown structure, built environment, BIM, information management, taxonomy, classification tables, ISO 12006, lifecycle.