Functional life
Several definitions have been developed to assess or specify the expected life of buildings, structures or their components from the perspective of different stakeholders.
Functional life refers to the amount of time that an element may be in service before it is rendered obsolete due to changes in functional requirements, such as a change in use.
However, as there is no general legally-agreed definition of functional life, if it is to be included in contract documentation as a performance requirement, it is important that it is carefully defined within those contract documents and that it is consistent with all other requirements in the contract documents.
Other definitions include:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Concept structural design of buildings.
- Decommissioning.
- Demolition.
- Design quality for buildings.
- End of life potential.
- Fitness for purpose.
- Life.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Service life.
- Structures at the end of their design life.
- Useful life.
- Utilising life cycle costing and life cycle assessment.
- Whole-life costs.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
CIOB photography competition is open for entries.
ECA Edmundson apprentice of the year award
Finalists announced.
Major new study exposes serious knowledge gaps.
Generating energy from internal light as well as sunshine.
ECA welcomes plans to strengthen subcontractor quality control.
Combining mid-career qualifications with experience broadens career opportunities.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.

















