What is ISO 15392 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works about?
This international standard discusses construction technology and aims to assist its users in constructing eco-friendly and better-quality building structures.
ISO 15392 identifies and establishes general principles for the contribution of buildings, civil engineering works and other types of construction works (hereinafter referred to collectively as construction works) to sustainable development.
ISO 15392 is based on the concept of sustainable development as it applies to the life cycle of construction works, from inception to the end of life. ISO 15392 is applicable to new and existing construction works, individually and collectively, as well as to the materials, products, services and processes related to their life cycle.
Note1: The principles established in ISO 15392 are intended to be applied broadly in the context of construction works. Specific applications are the subject of other related documents.
Note2: In ISO 15392, unless explicitly stated, the term ‘product(s)’ implies construction product and the term ‘service(s)’ implies construction service.
Note3: ISO 15392 is not intended to provide the basis for assessment of organizations or other stakeholders, but does acknowledge the importance of their role in the context of contributions to sustainable development by buildings, civil engineering works and other construction works
Note4: ISO 15392 does not provide performance levels (benchmarks) that can serve as the basis for sustainability claims.
Who is ISO 15392 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works for?
ISO 15392 on sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works is useful for:
- Architects
- Real estate developers
- Civil engineers
Why should you use ISO 15392- Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works?
The issue of sustainable development is broad and of global concern, and, as such, involves all communities and other interested parties. The built environment, composed primarily of buildings and civil engineering works, has significant impacts on the environment in which society lives and works. It is a key element in determining the quality of life and contributes to cultural identity and heritage.
ISO 15392 presents the concept of sustainability and the related general principles that helps you in the design and decision-making processes associated with buildings, civil engineering works and other types of construction works. ISO 15392 enables you to understand the general aims and concepts of sustainable development to the construction industry while adapting them to the constraints specific to the design, construction and management of buildings, civil engineering works and other types of construction works.
ISO 15392 considers the effects of design, construction and management of buildings and other types of construction works on the environment, economy and society, thereby implicating the ecological, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. This aids you in constructing buildings that are environmentally sound to their surroundings.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS ISO 15392:2019 replaces ISO 15392:2008, which has been technically revised. The main changes in BS ISO 15392:2019 compared to ISO 15392:2008 are as follows:
- The title and scope of the document have been updated to reflect that it applies to both buildings and civil engineering works
- This scope of the document has been clarified to state that it identifies and establishes general principles for the contribution of buildings, civil engineering works and other types of construction works to sustainable development
- The list of objectives for applying the concepts to sustainability and promoting sustainable development has been expanded to include additional considerations
- The list of nine general principles has been updated to continual improvement, equity, global thinking and local action, holistic approach, involvement of interested parties, long-term consideration and resilience, responsibility, risk management, and transparency
- A description and additional explanatory information has been added for each principle
- The concept of resilience was added as a key consideration as part of the principle of long-term consideration
