The construction industry, like most others, has had to grow and adapt to today’s constantly changing and growing world. With population increasing at record levels, the need for additional housing and more retail and office spaces to serve everyone’s needs has been accompanied by a need to produce high-quality, safe construction projects that are also sustainable and respectful of the environment.
That is why construction’s ISO standards have been structured so as to codify international best practices while including technical requirements to make sure that all buildings and other structures meet all safety guidelines while being fit for their stated purpose.
To best serve both the industry’s needs and that of its end users and clients, ISO standards in construction must take into account climate conditions, social changes, and demographic necessities.
Who benefits from the ISO standards set out for the construction industry?
The Construction Industry
By following ISO standards in construction, the industry becomes more effective and efficient. By being attentive to these standards, a successful project will consider not only the project per se but also every part and process that will go into it from the soil on which it stands to the roof that will eventually cover it.
The platform that ISO provides allows for new technologies and innovations whose aim is to help the industry be ready to respond to both immediate and global challenges. These might be natural disasters, climate change, demographic growth, or evolution, just to point out a few.
Regulators
By following and respecting ISO standards, regulators are able to rely on best-practice methods, processes, and even terminology that is constantly reviewed and improved upon. ISO standards in construction serve as the basis for regulation and policy related to the industry.
Consumers
Consumers can feel confident that the quality of a construction project that follows these standards will be based upon internationally agreed-upon safety regulations. This way, people can be assured that not only bridges and highways but the places where they live, study, work, and spend their leisure time are safe and comfortable. More importantly, that they function as intended with no risk to them.
Main ISO Standards in Construction
ISO has thousands of international standards, of all of them, more than a thousand relate specifically to construction. Here is a small sample of items they cover:
- Structures
- Building materials and products
- Masonry
- Elevators and escalators
- Concrete and cement
- Timber
- Fire safety and fire fighting
- Heating and cooling
- Lighting
- Information management
- Design and durability
- Planning
Who develops these standards?
ISO standards are established by experts that get together in committees. They come from every aspect of the industry as well as representatives from government, non-governmental associations, and other stakeholders.
Many committees are formed in order to deal with different subjects. These may range from civil engineering and construction materials such as timber or cement to buildings and other structures. ISO is open to receive participation from relevant intergovernmental organizations and other industry-relevant participants.
Building Materials and Products
For today’s contractors, being able to count on reliable, high-quality materials is essential when it comes to delivering solid and safe buildings and structures for their clients. Undoubtedly, the standards established by ISO, its testing procedures, its assessment of safety levels, and testing methods give the construction industry the solid foundation it needs.
