Professional Documents
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British Standard: A Single Copy of This British Standard Is Licensed To
British Standard: A Single Copy of This British Standard Is Licensed To
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
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ICS 01.120 |
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW
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PD 6612 : 1997
The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard, through
panels:
BSI 1998
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date Text affected
Contents
Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Framework for standards 1
3 Types of British Standard and their characteristics 1
4 The purpose and use of codes of practice 3
5 Preparation and drafting 5
6 Structure and content 6
7 Format and presentation 9
Annexes
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
BSI 1998 i
PD 6612 : 1997
Foreword
This Published Document has been prepared under the direction of the Sector Board
for Building and Civil Engineering by a Panel, B/-/11, comprising members representing
a broad experience of users of building codes.
| This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract.
| Users are responsible for its correct application.
This Published Document is not to be regarded as a British Standard.
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
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ii BSI 1998
PD 6612 : 1997
BSI 1997 1
PD 6612 : 1997
2 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
3.7.5 Application and acceptance of CEN For this reason, recommendations should be drafted
projects so that their meaning is clear and acceptable
When a new or extended standardization project circumstances are clearly defined; phrases such as
falls within the field of application of the CEN `generally' and `in most instances' should be avoided.
strategy, there is a procedure initiated to check 4.4 Legislation
whether the proposal complies with the objectives of
Increasingly, legislation is being written in the form
the strategy. A flow diagram concerning the field of
of functional or `goal orientated' requirements and
application and the acceptance procedure is included
government departments are publishing guidance,
as annex C.
usually in the form of an approved code or approved
document, to meeting the requirements. In a few
4 The purpose and use of codes of cases, compliance with the code is mandatory; in
practice most cases, compliance remains voluntary but may
be taken as evidence tending to show compliance.
4.1 Accepted good practice
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
BSI 1997 3
PD 6612 : 1997
The six user groups are as follows: ± Ensure that the committee has a clear concept
± owner/occupier; of what they are to produce, i.e. there is consensus
± designer; between members as to the objective.
± specifier/purchaser; ± Consult relevant Technical Committees for
± product supplier; details of any conflicting/overlapping codes of
practice, for example as a result of information
± contractor/installer; obtained from application of the B/- Framework.
± inspector/tester. ± Develop a work proposal form to set out the
Examples of the types and contents for codes of aims/audience as is used for product specifications
practice with which these user groups will be (a standard form is available from BSI committee
concerned are given in table 1 in relation to each of secretaries and on completion is considered by B/-
the project stages. The types of content are or its panels). Include questions on the market for
considered in more detail in 6.1. The make-up of the a code both at home and abroad. If it could be
main user groups is considered in the checklist in used abroad, determine the key issues for use in
annex D.
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Table 1. Type of content of codes of practice likely to be needed by users at each project stage
Project stages Groups of users (contracting parties) with similar needs
Owner/ Designer Specifier/ Product Constructor/ Inspector/
occupier purchaser supplier installer tester
General briefing briefing Ð Ð Ð Ð
Basic and building design design Ð Ð Ð Ð
design
Construction Ð design selection design selection Ð design selection Ð
design
Work off site Ð Ð preservation preservation Ð Ð
Work on site Ð Ð Ð Ð installation installation
storage quality storage quality
control control
Operation/ use management maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
maintenance maintenance
Disposal decommissioning decommissioning Ð Ð decommissioning decommissioning
demolition demolition demolition demolition
recycling disposal recycling disposal recycling disposal
4 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
5.4 Collection and structuring of information The maintenance of lists of the contents of the
The following procedure should be adopted for Framework boxes will provide a mechanism for
collecting together the raw material for a code of enabling gaps and overlaps to be identified. These
practice. may not be readily apparent if they occur at
± List the recommendations (or subjects on which subclause level or even clause level in standards
recommendations are required) to be included in written by committees under B/-, and the lists do not
the code of practice, together with the potential cover standards which are the responsibility of
users and work stages for each item of technical committees reporting to other Sector
information. Boards.
± Discuss the structure of the code with the BSI 5.7 Consensus
Marketing Department. The need for standards to be based on consensus is
± Ensure that subjects for codes fit the written into the BSI Charter, consensus being
Framework for standards (see annex A). defined as `general agreement, characterized by the
± Sort the recommendations into categories absence of sustained opposition to substantial issues'
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
according to annex A where there are distinct uses by the interested parties, having taken their views
and types of information, e.g. building types. into account and tried to resolve any conflicting
Arrange the information in the order it is most arguments. Consensus does not imply unanimity.
Consensus is required on both the content and the
likely to be needed, i.e. in the order of the project
decision to publish.
stages of a project. This will indicate whether
there is a case for breaking the code into several 5.8 Disputes procedure
parts and on what basis. According to the Building Research Establishment
± Look up all relevant product specifications to (BRE), 75 % of disputes originate in the early stages
which reference should be made in the code. of committee work. This indicates that work should
Check the content of European product not be allowed to start on a code without there
specifications which have superseded British being any clear purpose, scope or structure. If there
Standards. is a dispute, the committee should refer to the BSI
standards dispute procedure in 8.10 of BS 0 : Part 2 :
5.5 Use of specialist expertise 1997.
Committees should consider making use of the 5.9 Consultation and the recording of
following types of expertise to assist in the decisions
preparation of codes of practice.
A list of bodies to consult should be chosen from a
± Technical expertise for specialist knowledge of BSI consultation check list. The following guidelines
the subject. A consultant might be responsible for should be followed.
an initial draft of the code, in consultation with
± Consult early in the drafting process.
the committee representatives.
± Give advance warning that consultation on a
± Technical writing expertise to take the raw subject is to take place.
material provided by the committee members and
prepare text in a style which will be acceptable to ± Identify contentious points on which answers are
particularly required, but do not ask respondents
a particular readership.
to look only at certain clauses.
± Graphics expertise (combined with technical
± Consult in other countries where the code might
knowledge) to take the illustrations sourced or
be accepted.
sketched by committee members, interpret the
content in relation to the text and prepare suitable ± Consider using an expert to review comments.
draft figures either as pieces of artwork or in a ± Co-ordinate with other committees to ensure
form that can be prepared for publication by BSI consistency of recommendations.
staff. ± When the next draft is issued, mark graphically
5.6 Co-ordination and liaison the text that has changed.
It is vital that there is greater co-ordination between ± Enter comments on a database.
BSI committees and with regulatory bodies outside ± Record the basis for, or reasoning behind,
BSI. Committees whose interests may be the subject recommendations for reference when dealing with
of recommendations in a number of codes of queries or making future amendments.
practice should co-ordinate texts. Other committees 5.10 Preparation of a summary
should maintain regular contact with these `special When the code is completed, the committee should
interests' committees to monitor technical draft a summary giving the contents, the stages in a
developments. Code committees should also liaise project when it would be used, and by whom. This
with the committees dealing with products relevant summary would assist in future computer coding of
to their code, particularly in respect of the the document and should be written in a form which
application or installation of the products. A would allow direct quotation in the guide to the
procedure should be devised to check and resolve Framework for standards, BSI handbooks and in the
overlaps with other British Standards. BSI catalogue.
BSI 1997 5
PD 6612 : 1997
6 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
6.4 Deciding on Parts for a code of practice Where a Part of a code contains recommendations
British Standards are split into Parts when there is a which relate to a number of stages in the
requirement for the publication of a number of construction process (project stages), the project
different types of standard on the same subject activities relating to these stages should be used as
(e.g. specifications, methods or codes) or to break the basis for clause titles (e.g. design, installation,
the standard down into smaller publications relating maintenance).
to individual topics. Where a code relates to a specific element
The topics for Parts may be: (e.g. stairs) and Parts relate to project activities
(e.g. design), clauses may be structured according to
± building types (residential, commercial etc.);
different materials (e.g. timber, concrete, steel).
± activities relating to project stages (design,
installation etc.); 6.6 Coding the subject matter of clauses and
subclauses
± building elements.
Consideration may be given at some future date to
To avoid duplication in multi-Part standards, there
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
BSI 1997 7
PD 6612 : 1997
8 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
BSI 1998 9
PD 6612 : 1997
Annexes
Annex A (normative)
Framework for standards and other classifications
The Framework for standards enables codes of practice, guides and similar documents of relevance to building
and civil engineering to be listed in a simple, classified format.
The Framework will:
± help B/- and its technical committees to identify gaps in the available information and to avoid overlaps
between technical documents from other sources;
± help technical committees to define more precisely the scope of a proposed standard;
± enable users to check the existence of codes of practice on subjects of interest to them;
± allow the future production of computer-derived documents on similar subjects.
The Framework uses a classification system which incorporates two facets:
± project stages Ð the stages through which a building project passes; and
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Primary elements 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Project stages
A General
B Basic and building design
C Construction design
D Work off site
E Work on site
F Operation/maintenance
G Disposal
Project stages
A General to the project or more than one stage
B Briefing, building design
C Construction design (details of the construction)
D Work off site (product manufacture, product tests)
E Work on site (execution, commissioning, handover, building tests)
F Operation and maintenance
G Demolition (decommissioning, disposal and recycling)
Primary elements
0 Common to all building elements (including basic data)
1 Ground and substructure
2 Superstructure Ð primary elements (e.g. walls, partitions, floors)
3 Superstructure Ð secondary elements (e.g. windows, doors, suspended ceilings)
4 Surface finishes
5 Services Ð piped and ducted (e.g. drainage, water supply, heating)
6 Services Ð wired (e.g. lighting, communications, lifts)
7 Fixed fittings and equipment (e.g. kitchen, sanitary and storage)
8 Loose fittings and equipment (e.g. furniture)
9 External works
10 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
BSI 1998 11
PD 6612 : 1997
Building types
Where the scope of a code, or some code-type provision included in a document which is not a code, does not
apply to all building types, the following sub-divisions should be used.
Building type (based on CI/SfB Table 0)1)
Performance issues
Where the scope of a code, or some code-type provision included in a document which is not a code, applies to
a performance issue, the following sub-divisions should be used.
Performance issues for building
Structural stability
Fire safety
Safety in use (including hygiene and resistance to hazards)
Security
Thermal performance
Air quality performance
Lighting performance
Acoustic performance
Electrical performance
Energy efficiency
Accessibility (including access for disabled people)
Durability
Economic performance
NOTE. This list is based on table 1 in ISO 6241 : 1984. It may be modified in response to the needs of users to search horizontally for
subjects across many codes.
Annex B (informative)
Background information on ISO and CEN
| B.1 International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Standards Organization (ISO) covers standardization in building and engineering, except
electrical and electronic engineering which is the responsibility of the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC). ISO and IEC jointly share responsibility for information technology (IT) standardization.
A member body of ISO is the national body most representative of standardization in the member country. In the
UK, BSI is entitled to participate and have full voting rights on any technical committee of ISO. Member bodies
that decide to take an active part in the work of a technical committee (TC) or a subcommittee (SC) are
designated as P-members (participating members). BSI do not always choose to be P-members. Instead, they may
only wish to be kept informed of the work and will decide to be O-members (observers).
ISO standards are developed through a number of stages starting with the committee draft (CD) to the draft
International Standard (DIS) and finally, when 75 % of the member bodies agree to the content, to publication as
an International Standard (ISO).
ISO Standards are not bound to be adopted as British Standards, but if they are, they are identified as
e.g. BS ISO 1234. There are few code-type standards being prepared by ISO.
| 1) CI/Sfb Construction Indexing Manual, published by the Royal Institute of British Architects, 1991.
12 BSI 1998
PD 6612 : 1997
BSI 1997 13
PD 6612 : 1997
Annex C (normative)
Flow diagram for the application of CEN projects
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Figure C.1 Identification of new projects as being in the field of BTS1 strategy for design and
execution, and acceptance procedure
14 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
Annex D (normative)
Check list of potential users of codes
The following check list of potential users should be used to ensure that recommendations are made in relation
to the needs of all relevant users:
a) client:
1) owner;
2) party commissioning the building;
b) facilities manager:
1) maintenance staff;
c) architect;
d) consultant:
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
1) specialist;
e) legal adviser (expert witness);
f) civil engineer;
g) structural engineer;
h) M & E engineer;
i) quantity surveyor;
j) building surveyor;
k) manufacturer:
1) materials;
2) components;
l) builder's merchant;
m) contractor/sub-contractor;
n) test house:
1) research laboratories;
2) independent test houses;
o) certification body;
p) site control staff:
1) clerks of works;
2) resident engineers;
3) site agents;
q) building control officer;
r) regulatory authority;
s) insurer (e.g. NHBC);
t) teacher;
u) information provider:
1) bookshop;
2) computerized information services.
NOTE. Bookshop staff are mostly concerned with the format and presentation of codes of practice.
BSI 1997 15
PD 6612 : 1997
These potential users fall into groups according to their needs for information from codes of practice as shown
in table D.1.
Table D.1 Check list of potential users of codes of practice within user groups
Potential users of codes Groups of users with similar needs
Owner/ Designer Specifier/ Product Constructor/ Inspector/
occupier purchaser supplier installer tester
Client ì
Architect ì ì
Consultant ì ì ì
Legal adviser ì
Civil/Structural engineer ì ì ì
M & E engineer ì ì
Quantity surveyor ì
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Building surveyor ì
Manufacturer ì ì
Builder's merchant ì ì
Contractor/ Sub-contractor ì ì ì
Test house ì
Certification body ì
Site control staff ì
Building control officer ì
Regulatory authority ì
Insurer ì
Facilities manager ì ì ì
Annex E (informative)
The fog index and examples of its use
E.1 The fog index calculation
Figure E.1 contains examples of complex sentences taken from existing British Standards. These appear on the
left of the figure and alongside each is a suggested redraft that attempts to simplify the language. It is emphasized
that these examples are to illustrate the message about using simpler language and have not been checked or
approved technically. They are taken from figure 3 of PD 6501 : Part 2.
The examples can be criticized because they use:
± very long sentences;
± complex sentences;
± lots of long words.
The words that make each example particularly difficult to understand are printed in italics.
Each example and its redraft is given a `fog index'. The fog index is a measure of readability where:
fog index = average sentence length + percentage of difficult words.
The Reader's Digest has a fog index of about 25 and a college graduate can just cope with a fog index of 40. A
limited analysis of British Standards carried out by the Building Research Establishment showed that the fog
index averaged 46.
The fog index does have limitations, for example:
± it does not assess the value of the information;
± it does not take account of sentence construction;
± it only classes words of three syllables as difficult; many short words are also difficult, e.g. infer, imply,
occlude, lax.
It is, however, a good coarse measure of readability. This is illustrated by the calculation of the fog index for the
redraft of the first example in figure E.1.
Total number of words = 87
Number of sentences = 4
Average sentence length = 87/4 ≈ 22
Number of difficult words (three or more syllables) = 6
Number of difficult words as a percentage of the total = 6/87 ≈ 7 %
Fog index = 22 + 7 = 29
16 BSI 1997
PD 6612 : 1997
Original Redraft
'With the window closed, but with any closing or locking Close the window and release any catches or locks. Apply
furniture released, a force not exceeding the greater of a horizontal continuous shock-free force to the sash in a
120 N or 230 N per square metre of sash, applied without plane parallel to it. The sash shall start to move when the
shock in a horizontal direction and in a plane parallel to force is less than 120 N or 230 N per square metre of sash
that containing the sash, shall be capable of setting the sash (whichever is the larger). Once the sash is moving and the
in motion and thereafter a force not exceeding the greater of stile is clear of the outer frame, it shall continue to move
80 N or 80 N per square metre of sash applied in a similar when a force of 80 N or 80 N per square metre (whichever
manner shall be capable of maintaining the sash in motion is the larger) is applied in the same way.
after the stile is clear of the outer frame.'
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
'Where bedrooms are located on a floor level below the en- If all the following conditions exist, you should cut off the
trance level and the escape route from any bedroom passes circulation space from the floor(s) above by a screen.
across the circulation space formed at the base of the stair- (a) Bedrooms located on a floor level below the
way, then, if the distance of travel from any bedroom door to entrance level.
the door of another room in which the alternative means of (b) The escape route from any bedroom passes across
escape from that floor level is located exceeds 1.5 m (ap- the circulation space at the base of the stairway.
proximately 5 ft) the circulation space should be cut off (c) The distance from any bedroom door to the door
from the floor(s) above by a screen with a fire resistance of of a room where the alternative escape route from
not less than half-an-hour, incorporating a Type 3 fire that floor is located is more than 1.5 m.
resisting door (see Fig 7B(ii))' The screen used to cut off the circulation space should
have a fire resistance of at least 30 minutes and should
incorporate a Type 3 fire resisting door (see figure 7B (ii)).
'Secondly, it is not advisable to rely upon the ability of the Secondly, do not rely on the paint film to exclude moisture,
paint film to exclude moisture etc since few paint films are etc. as most paint films are permeable. Also, the priming
impervious; in addition, the priming paint should contain a paint should contain rust-inhibiting pigments (e.g red lead
suitable proportion of rust-inhibiting pigments such as red or zinc chromate) rather than inert pigments (e.g. red oxide
lead or zinc chromate, as distinct from pigments which are of iron) or rust-stimulating pigments (e.g. graphite).
relatively inert, such as red oxide of iron or those which are
rust-stimulating such as graphite.'
'To prevent oil penetration and staining the rebates or 'To prevent oil penetration and staining, seal the rebates or
grooves should be sealed with an alkali-resisting sealer, grooves with an alkali-resisting sealer, and allow them to dry
compatible with the glazing compound and provided by the before glazing. Use the sealer supplied by the manufacturer
manufacturer of the compound, and allowed to dry before of the glazing compound. This should ensure that the sealer
glazing.' and compound are compatible.
BSI 1997 17
PD 6612 : 1997
Annex F (normative)
Graphics check list
F.1 Check list for drafting committees
± Figures should be used in an active role to replace the written word, not to duplicate it. To avoid ambiguity,
information should be conveyed by text or by figures, not both.
± Information may be shown formally, diagrammatically or pictorially.
± It is usually better to separate one graphical statement from another, just as it is to separate one text
statement from another.
± Figure titles should clearly reflect the scope of each graphical statement.
± As far as possible, figures and related texts should be displayed so that they can be read together.
F.2 Check list for illustrators
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
± Graphics can be more difficult to devise than text and will call for a variety of techniques. Figures giving
precise technical information will probably need a different approach from those making points of principle
which will usually be diagrammatic or pictorial.
± Possibilities include the use of tone as well as (or even instead of) bounding lines, overdrawing on
photographs, perspective instead of isometric or axonometric, and freehand instead of mechanical drawings.
± Do not be afraid of using artistic licence to emphasize what is important.
± Remember that symbols used in figures need to be explained in a key to the figure if they have not been
explained in the text.
± Exclude background noise; give only sufficient information (dimensions, relationships, materials, types of
construction etc.) to inform each point being made.
± Give information as neutrally as possible to avoid implying statements that are not intended and may be
unintentionally restrictive. If the same or similar information is to be repeated in different figures, it reassures
the reader if it is repeated in the same form.
± Do not try to show too much. It is tempting, for the sake of economy, to illustrate several points in one
figure; but include too many and there is a risk of muddling the message. A family of figures or a `main frame'
approach, with close-ups is preferable. Do not be afraid of white space.
Annex G
| Annex deleted
18 BSI 1998
Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
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BSI Ð British Standards Institution
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| BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
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| presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
| incorporated by Royal Charter.
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| Revisions
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| British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
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| should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
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| It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
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| would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
| British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
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| the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
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| Fax: 020 8996 7400.
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| BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
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Licensed Copy: Sheffield University, University of Sheffield, 25 March 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI