About the Classification

With the LINEAR classification function you can assign a classification parameter to components and model elements and fill it with values. This allows model content to be structured with a variety of aspects, and uniform classification standards to be realized project wide. The information assigned through classification systems can then be automatically read out and processed. The classification systems have a hierarchical structure and contain unique identifiers, which can be assigned a number of elements to unify them in respect to the classification aspect. Classification systems are always dependent on the given purpose of the exchange of information, and are used principally to write a defined parameter to elements.

As follows we will restrict ourselves to the classification of building components in services engineering, but a similar approach can also be applied to other model elements such as constructions, rooms, documents, etc. in the context of BIM.

Depending on the parameter type, the classification function can be used to classify either individual components or component types. Using the suggestion feature, you can generate classification suggestions based on the component's classification in the LINEAR pipe or air duct network calculation. Before writing the parameters to the components or component types, it is important to always check generated suggestions for correctness.

The classification function is a very generic tool that allows you to adapt the classification systems that already exist to the needs of your project. You can even create your own classification systems. Adapting and creating your own classification systems should only be done by people with the necessary expertise for this. More information about adapting and creating can be found in the About adapting and creating of classification systems concept and the associated tasks.

The following classification systems with a variety of schemes have already been created.

LINEAR

This classification system allows you to classify components based on their calculation type for LINEAR pipe or duct network calculations. The classification is based on the cross-disciplinary three-level MepClasses classification system, which was specially developed for the building equipment sector. Components that are used in multiple disciplines only need to be classified once in order to be correctly included in the calculations for all disciplines.

Industry Foundation Classes

This classification system allows you to organize the classification of component groups in a more granular manner during IFC Export. In the IFC export, HLS components are output as IfcBuildingElementProxy by default. By using this classification system you can define the "IfcExportAs" or "IfcExportAs[Type]" parameter on the component types. During the export procedure the newly assigned parameters overwrite the existing IFC classes and types. Even if you don’t export to IFC, this classification is still a good way to more finely distinguish different component groups than is possible with the standard Revit categories.

The following schemes are available:

• IFC 4.1
• IFC 2x3 TC1

Cost groups

This classification system allows you to classify building components according to their cost group in order to extract more accurate cost estimates from a building model. For example, you can implement allocation based on the system affiliation of the components, to assign escaping and outside air components to different cost groups.

The following schemes are available:

• DIN 276- 1 (2008-12)
• DIN 276 (2018-12)
• SN 506 511 (2012-de)
• SN 506 511 (2020-de)
• ÖNORM B 1801-1 (2021-02)
• NL-SfB (2005)