Technical life of built assets
Several definitions have been developed to assess or specify the expected life of buildings, structures or their components from the perspective of different stakeholders.
Technical life refers to the actual time that the element may be in service until a defined minimum acceptable state is reached.
The building owner and/or the facilities management team may be concerned with the technical life of elements, as costs and management time are likely to escalate as more maintenance issues arise beyond the expected technical life.
However, as there is no general legally-agreed definition of technical 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.
The hidden risk in modern construction supply chains.
Construction Management, 10 June
24 months to 14: CITB launches accelerated apprenticeships.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Construction Management, 10 June.
Heat pumps beat boilers in new home tests.
Building Safety Act implementation in Wales
CIAT to host industry panel on 26 June.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.