Overview
ASTM E1480-92(2022): Standard Terminology of Facility Management (Building-Related) establishes a comprehensive set of terms and definitions utilized in the description, measurement, prediction, improvement, and management of buildings and building-related facilities. Developed by ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings, this international standard supports clear communication among technical experts and non-expert users alike. It aligns with globally recognized standardization principles, contributing to consistency and best practices within the facility management sector.
This terminology document is a specialized resource subsidiary to the more general ASTM Terminology E631. Terms are presented alphabetically and include equivalent French terminology. Where applicable, definitions are sourced and referenced for clarity and authority.
Key Topics
ASTM E1480-92(2022) includes terminology relevant to a wide span of facility management, such as:
- Facility and Building Types
- Definitions of buildings, facilities, dwellings, workspaces, and classes of buildings.
- Performance and Serviceability
- Terms such as building performance, facility serviceability, maintainability, durability, reliability, and serviceability requirements.
- Space Categorization
- Concepts including gross area, usable area, assignable area, core and service areas, circulation space, basement, and cellar.
- Project and Program Terms
- Facility program, functional program, project brief, feasibility study, and design program.
- Operational Aspects
- Hours of operation, active hours, silent hours, transitional hours, and occupancy.
- Component and System Definitions
- Building component, subsystem, system, and building envelope.
- Standards and Evaluation
- Terms involving requirements statements, performance criteria, performance test methods, serviceability profiles, rating scales and scores, and facility evaluation.
Applications
Practical value for facility management professionals and stakeholders:
- Standardized Communication: Ensures all parties-owners, operators, facility managers, designers, and contractors-share a unified understanding of key terms in building-related facility management. This reduces miscommunication and supports accurate project specifications.
- Performance Benchmarking: Provides a consistent foundation for setting, measuring, and comparing building and facility performance, serviceability, and operational characteristics.
- Contract Development: Supports the development and review of contracts, service agreements, and project briefs with clearly defined terminology.
- Design and Evaluation Processes: Aids in the creation of facility programs, functional requirements, and project briefs that reference industry-accepted language, streamlining processes from design through post-occupancy evaluation.
- Facility Portfolio Management: Enables facility owners and investors to accurately categorize and benchmark multiple properties within a portfolio, using standardized definitions for space and performance metrics.
Related Standards
When implementing or referencing ASTM E1480-92(2022), consider these associated standards:
- ASTM E631 - Terminology of Building Constructions
The parent document, which offers a broad terminology resource for building-related terms.
- ASTM E833 - Terminology of Building Economics
Covers terms for the economic aspects involved in building performance and facility evaluation.
- ASTM E344 - Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry
Useful for terms associated with the environmental measurement of building conditions.
These standards collectively support comprehensive facility management practices, ensuring clarity, consistency, and industry-wide acceptance.
Keywords: facility management terminology, building performance definitions, serviceability, building evaluation, ASTM facility standards, building-related facilities, space categorization, international standard.