Overview
EN ISO 16757-1:2019 (ISO 16757-1:2015) defines the concepts, architecture and generic model for data structures used in electronic product catalogues for building services. Its primary aim is to enable automated transfer of product data from manufacturer catalogues into engineering and Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications. The part specifies the underlying concepts, a meta‑model for product classes and properties, a meta‑model for product data exchange, and a framework for future Content Parts that standardize group‑specific product information.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Meta‑models: Defines a generic meta‑model for specifying product classes, properties and how product data is organized for exchange.
- Generic modelling elements: Specifies available modelling elements and their relationships to support consistent catalogue structure across product groups.
- Content Part framework: Describes required elements and the structure Content Parts must provide (group‑specific property sets and semantics).
- Parametric representation: Supports parametric and configurable product descriptions for selection and automated configuration.
- Static vs. dynamic technical properties: Distinguishes fixed product attributes from dynamic properties that describe behaviour (performance curves, operating ranges).
- Representation and descriptive objects: Covers geometry, images, textual descriptions and other visualization assets alongside technical data.
- Product configuration and selection: Defines mechanisms for referencing properties to configure products and select specific catalogue entries.
- Embedding into BIM: Provides guidance for integrating selected product data into building information models and engineering workflows.
- Interoperability considerations: Relates to dictionary standards and classification schemes (e.g., ISO 13584, ISO 12006‑3) to align terminology and semantics.
Applications and practical value
- Enables interoperable exchange of HVAC, sanitary and other building services product data between manufacturers, CAD/CAE tools, calculation engines and BIM platforms.
- Supports automated design, simulation and sizing by providing machine‑readable technical and performance data.
- Allows manufacturers to publish catalogue data once according to a standard meta‑model, reducing cost to supply data to multiple software vendors.
- Benefits facility managers and lifecycle systems by ensuring consistent technical, maintenance and commercial product information across project phases.
- Facilitates multi‑manufacturer plant design by allowing planners to compare, select and embed components from different suppliers without manual reformatting.
Who uses this standard
- Product manufacturers and catalogue publishers
- BIM coordinators and engineers (HVAC, MEP)
- CAD/CAE and simulation software developers
- Facility management and lifecycle data integrators
- Standards bodies and system integrators working on product data interoperability
Related standards
- ISO 16757 series (Part 2: Geometry; planned Parts: Script language, BIM cooperation, Exchange format)
- ISO 13584 (PLIB) and ISO 12006‑3 (construction classification/terminology) - for dictionaries and term alignment
Keywords: EN ISO 16757-1:2019, electronic product catalogues, building services, product data, BIM, data structures, meta‑model, catalogue exchange.
