Uniclass / OmniClass / Classification

Uniclass is a unified classification system for the construction industry, providing standardised codes for architectural elements, building services, materials, and project information. Used in BIM for organising model elements, generating BOQs, and coordinating between disciplines. Per ISO 12006-2:2015 and the UK BIM Toolkit, Uniclass uses a hierarchical structure with major categories (Pr — Products, Pe — Performance, Pm — Process Management, Ss — Systems, etc.). Indian BIM projects increasingly adopt Uniclass for international project compatibility.

Uniclass structure: (1) Pr (Products) — physical products like concrete, steel, doors, windows. (2) Pe (Performance) — functional performance specifications (energy, acoustic, fire). (3) Pm (Project Management) — phases, deliverables, contracts. (4) Ss (Systems) — building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing). (5) En (Entities) — major project entities like buildings, structures. Each category has hierarchical codes: e.g., Pr_25_57_25_05 for 'In-situ concrete'. The codes are 8-character keys identifying specific products and elements.

Indian BIM applications: (1) International project coordination — Indian designers working on international projects (Middle East, Singapore, UK) use Uniclass for compatibility. (2) Major Indian projects with international consultants — embassies, multinational headquarters. (3) Specialty projects with international suppliers and standards. (4) Government projects with ISO 19650 compliance — increasingly aligned to Uniclass. The most-overlooked aspect of Indian Uniclass adoption: project-specific customisation. Uniclass is comprehensive but generic; specific Indian construction practices may require customised supplements for full coverage. Major Indian BIM consultants often develop project-specific code mappings for Uniclass + Indian construction practice.