Object classification/numbering

Introduction

Classifications and numberings are frequently used to identify and categorize objects in models—be it spaces, systems or even facility management services.

BriefBuilder provides a dedicated table for this purpose. This table allows you to add one or more classifications or numbers to an object, e.g. numberings for rooms or classifications for technical systems and elements (e.g. Uniclass, OmniClass, SfB, Cuneco, and so on).

Below, we will explain how it works.

Please note: classifications and numberings should be seen as an addition to BriefBuilder’s own object IDs—not as a replacement. The relevance of the BriefBuilder IDs lies in the fact that they are automatically generated and unique for each object. Furthermore, they can be used for referencing.

Defining classifications/numberings

The definition of classification/numbering properties goes in pretty much the same way as you do with standard properties. In this case, you have to go to classification/numbering in the settings menu:

Settings > Requirements > Classification/numbering

When there, you have the select the tree for which you want to add a classification or numbering.

Once you have done that, you can easily add classifications or numberings by means of the plus-button.

For each classification or number that you add, you can add an explanatory text about its purpose or background. This can be done in the description field.

You can also change the table header if you want to. The default name is Classification / numbering, but for the spaces & locations tree, you may want to change it into e.g. Space/location numbers. And for the systems & elements tree, you may just want to call it Classifications. You can do so by clicking on the edit button.

Please note: classifications and numberings are applied to the entire tree, so not just a particular object type (as with standard properties). This is because classifications are typically hierarchic and following the tree structure.

Showing classifications/numberings in object names

It can be practical to show the used classifications/numbers in the objects’ names in your model.

For example: if you have an object called Relocatable partition systems, and it is classified as Ss_25_12_65_75, you may want to show this as Ss_25_12_65_75 │ Relocatable partition systems in your model.

This can easily be done by checking the box Prefix object name for the relevant classification/numbering property.

As soon as you have checked the box, the classification is shown as a prefix for object names in trees and tables. See example below.

You can also decide to combine multiple classifications or numbers as prefixes in an object’s name. In that case, you just check the prefix boxes of all the relevant classification/numbering properties.

When using multiple prefixes, the sequence of the prefixes is determined by their position in the settings menu: the top property comes first. The different prefixes will be separated by a dot.

Example:

• If the top classification/numbering property says A (e.g. referring to a project part),
• and the second classification/numbering property says 16 (e.g. referring to a classification),
• and the object’s name is Foundations,
• the object’s name will be shown as A.16 | Foundations.

It can also be that you want to switch to a different prefix at some point in your project. For example: in the case of room numberings, you may start with a functional room number during the project’s briefing stages, and switch to a location or geographical number during the design stages. This is just a matter of checking the other prefix box in the settings menu.

Importing classification/numbering picklist

If you want to make use of a pre-existing classification or numbering system, it is possible to import a classification or numbering list as a pick-list by means of Excel.

For this, it is crucial that your Excel has the right format. You can find the import template (for different languages) here. The template is pretty simple. There are two columns:

• Value: this is where you have the classifications or numbers (e.g. “42”)
• Description: this is the name or description of the classification category (e.g. “Internal wall finishes”).

Critical detail: you have to ensure that your Excel worksheet is named Picklist.

Once your Excel list has the right format, you can do the following:

1. Add the relevant classification/number property in BriefBuilder in the settings menu.
2. Choose picklist as a input type.
3. Click on the picklist value field
4. In the pop-up, click on the import button
5. Import the Excel sheet.

Once you have done this, all the classifications will be available as a searchable picklist. When adding a classification to an object, you only have to start typing in the value field and you will get to see matching possibilities in the pop-up. See example below.

Make sure that the import sheet matches the language of your model! The import sheets for different languages can be found here.

Classifications ready for import

To help you on your way, we have created a couple of classification lists that you can import in your model (as described in the previous paragraph).

Uniclass 2015

Uniclass is a classification system for the UK construction industry. When defining requirements, the most relevant classifications are those that can be applied to the systems and elements in your model.

In Uniclass, these are referred to as elements/functions, systems and products. Each has its own classification table. Depending on the level of detail of your requirements, you may want to import all three picklists of just one of them.

All three picklists combined:

All these picklists are based on Excel downloads (dd 08-12-2021) from the NBS website.

See the example below for how Uniclass may be applied in your systems and elements tree.

NL-SfB

NL- SfB is classification systems that is widely used in the Dutch construction sector (it is based on the Swedish SfB system, with SfB standing for Samarbetskommitten for Byggnadsfragor). As Uniclass, it consists of different kinds of tables.

When defining requirements, the most relevant classifications are those that can be applied to the systems and elements in your model. For that, you can use NL-SfB’s table 1, which describes a building’s functional elements.

You can also get a ready-made NL-SfB folder structure (incl. classification) for your systems & elements tree. For this, please contact your account manager.

The picklist is based on an Excel download (dd 08-12-2021) from the BIM loket website.

BIM7AA

BIM7AA is a voluntary collaboration between seven major architectural firms in Denmark. The purpose of BIM7AA is to develop and continuously optimise commonly developed BIM-tools, -methods and -processes with focus on interdisciplinary cooperation.

One of their products is a coding list for the systems and elements in building projects. See the download link below for a readily importable list of codes and names.

You can also get a ready-made BIM7AA folder structure (incl. classification) for your systems & elements tree. For this, please contact your account manager.

The picklist is based on an Excel download (dd 15-09-2023) from the BIM7AA website.

Other classification systems

We’ll soon add more importable classification systems here. If you have any special requests – or if you have any relevant classifications available in Excel format – do not hesitate to contact us so we can extend this section.