About OmniClass
The OmniClass Construction Classification System (known as OmniClass or OCCS) is a new classification system for the construction industry. OmniClass is useful for many applications, from organizing library materials, product literature, and project information, to providing a classification structure for electronic databases. It incorporates other extant systems currently in use as the basis of many of its Tables – MasterFormat Ô for work results, UniFormat for elements, and EPIC (Electronic Product Information Cooperation) for structuring products.
OmniClass is a strategy for classifying the entire built environment.
OmniClass is designed to provide a standardized basis for classifying information created and used by the North American architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, throughout the full facility life cycle from conception to demolition or reuse, and encompassing all of the different types of construction that make up the built environment. OmniClass is intended to be the means for organizing, sorting, and retrieving information and deriving relational computer applications.
OmniClass is for use in organizing many different forms of information, electronic and hard copy, in libraries and archives, and for use in preparing project information, communication exchange information, cost information, specification information, and other information that is generated during respective project processes.
OmniClass follows the international framework set out in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Report 14177 - Classification of information in the construction industry, July 1994. This document was later established as a standard in ISO 12006-2: Organization of Information about Construction Works - Part 2: Framework for Classification of Information. OmniClass has been developed under the auspices of the following guiding principles established by the OCCS Development Committee at their September 29, 2000 inaugural meeting:
- OmniClass is an open and extensible standard available to the AEC industry at large.
- There is a full and open exchange of information between participants in OmniClass development.
- OmniClass is being developed and updated with broad industry participation.
- OmniClass development is open to any individual or organization willing to actively participate.
- The industry as a whole, rather than any one organization, will govern development and dissemination of OmniClass.
- OmniClass is focused on North American terminology and practice.
- OmniClass is compatible with appropriate international classification system standards.
- Applicable efforts in other parts of the world are reviewed and adapted as appropriate.
- Existing legacy classification systems, references, and research materials applicable to OmniClass development are considered in the formulation of the OmniClass.
OmniClass consists of 15 tables, each of which represents a different facet of construction information. Each table can be used independently to classify a particular type of information, or entries on it can be combined with entries on other tables to classify more complex subjects.
The 15 inter-related OmniClass tables are:
Table 11 - Construction Entities by Function |
Table 32 - Services |
Table 12 - Construction Entities by Form |
Table 33 - Disciplines |
Table 13 - Spaces by Function |
Table 34 - Organizational Roles |
Table 14 - Spaces by Form |
Table 35 - Tools |
Table 21 - Elements |
Table 36 - Information |
Table 22 - Work Results |
Table 41 - Materials |
Table 23 - Products |
Table 49 - Properties |
Table 31 - Phases |
|