The importance of classifying your technical literature

Specifiers are bombarded with technical literature. If it's relevant, both you and they will want to ensure they can find it again when they need it. The simplest way of guaranteeing that is to correctly classify it. Fortunately, help is at hand.

Quite apart from the practical benefits that classification of product literature brings, it's intrinsic to compliance with BS4940 and helps present a more professional image to specifiers.

There are two classification systems in widespread use in the UK today: CI/SfB and Uniclass. A third, EPIC, is a moribund European system that is nevertheless still used by some companies distributing literature to architects and engineers on a pan-European basis.

Technical literature classification isn't always straightforward. CI/SfB codes for example, come in four sections, and products can occasionally straddle several possible classifications. Just knowing the right code isn't always enough either. If it's to be included within the design of your product literature then it's important that your designers understand exactly how it should be presented. The best advice is to seek expert guidance.

RIBA Enterprises offers a comprehensive literature classification service. In addition to identifying appropriate product codes (and where necessary, flagging potential options), our consultants can supply a style sheet indicating where and how your classification information should be displayed.

What are the main forms of technical literature classification?

CI/SfB: the system most widely used by architectural specifiers. Has been in operation for more than 30 years and is the industry standard.

Uniclass: UK-specific classification for structuring product literature and project information, incorporating both Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) and EPIC.

EPIC: European-wide classification suitable for technical literature used on a pan-European basis.

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