ASTM E3035-15(2020)

Standard Classification for Facility Asset Component Tracking System (FACTS)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major assemblies, components, and attributes common to real property assets and sitework. Elements perform given functions, regardless of the design specification, construction method, materials or products used. (See Terminology E1480, Classifications E1557 and E1670, and Practice E2675.)  
4.2 The classification aligns products to specific functional elements and/or sub-element to enable the development of specialized maintenance procedures. (See Practices E2452, E2604, and E2675.)  
4.3 This alignment will help streamline warehousing requirements and enable functional business units to use a common nomenclature. (See Terminology E1480 and Practice E2452.)  
4.4 The classification will lead to more effective life cycle management of the operation, maintenance and cost of the asset by linking activities and participants in an asset‘s full life-cycle, from initial planning through construction, operations, maintenance, repair, modernization, and disposal. (See Practices E917 and E1334, Classification E1670, Practice E1946, and Guide E2506). See Fig. 1 for life cycle application of FACTS.
FIG. 1 Life Cycle Application of FACTS  
4.5 The benefits of the life cycle application of FACTS are:  
4.5.1 Maintain project tracking and transparency through all phases of project lifecycle.  
4.5.2 Continue to develop requirements and information tracked as processes evolve.  
4.5.3 Inform future projects, policies, processes, and guidance with lessons learned/best practices.  
4.6 The users of this classification include owners, architects and engineers, developers, property managers, asset managers, project managers, operation and maintenance staff, cost estimators, construction contractors, and database administrators. (See Guide E1369, Terminology E1480, Guide E2156, and Practice E2812.)  
4.7 Application of this classification (FACTS) provides for value-added activities that cannot be derived from using a solel...
SCOPE
1.1 This standard (FACTS) establishes a classification of building and sitework elements and components, and their associated functions, attributes, and products. Elements, as defined here, are major assemblies and components common to buildings and sitework. Elements usually perform given functions, regardless of the design specification, construction method, or materials used. The attribute classification will lead to more effective management of the operation, maintenance, and life cycle cost of the asset.  
1.2 The classification:  
1.2.1 Incorporates Levels 1, 2, and 3 from Classification E1557:
1.2.1.1 Major Group Element (Classification E1557 Level 1).
1.2.1.2 Group Element (Classification E1557 Level 2).
1.2.1.3 Element (Classification E1557 Level 3).  
1.2.2 Establishes sub-elements at Levels 4 and beyond:
1.2.2.1 Because the main objective is content and not specifically rigid structure, levels beyond those established in Classification E1557 are not balanced.
1.2.2.2 Products and characteristics are introduced at varying levels, depending on the appropriate element and elemental function.
1.2.2.3 Functional elements are aligned with products and product characteristics.  
1.2.3 Incorporates the noun-adjective-attribute relationship between elements, elemental function and the associated products and characteristics.  
1.2.4 This approach identifies specific products that will support the element at its functional level. However, the classification permits the introduction of additional products necessitated due to higher order requirements, such as but not limited to:
(1) Asset type
(2) Asset function
(3) Asset conditions
(4) Building code requirements  
1.3 The classification seeks to define a larger universe of attributes, products, and characteristics that may define its functional use and life cycle cost.  
1.4 The classification also provides a logical database structure for the...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 03.060 - Finances. Banking. Monetary systems. Insurance
• ICS: 91.040.01 - Buildings in general
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.81 - Building Economics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E3035-15 - Standard Classification for Facility Asset Component Tracking System (FACTS)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2018-24 - Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E2018-23 - Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2023
• Refers: ASTM E1369-15(2020)e1 - Standard Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncertainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E1557-09(2020)e1 - Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2452-12(2019) - Standard Practice for Equipment Management Process Maturity (EMPM) Model
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM E2495-18 - Standard Practice for Prioritizing Asset Resources in Acquisition, Utilization, and Disposition
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1670-95a(2018) - Standard Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility for Management of Operations and Maintenance
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM E917-17 - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM E2135-10a(2017) - Standard Terminology for Property and Asset Management
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM E2812-17 - Standard Practice for Uniform Data Management in Asset Management Records Systems
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM E917-15 - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1369-15 - Standard Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncertainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1557-09(2015) - Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM E2018-15 - Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2015

Overview

ASTM E3035-15(2020), Standard Classification for Facility Asset Component Tracking System (FACTS), is a globally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. FACTS establishes a comprehensive classification system for building and sitework elements, components, and their attributes. This system allows organizations to effectively manage real property assets across all phases of their life cycle, from planning and design through construction, operations, maintenance, modernization, and disposal. By providing a functional-based classification rather than a strictly product-oriented structure, FACTS enhances asset management, supports informed decision-making, and simplifies asset tracking for various stakeholders.

Key Topics

• Element Classification: Defines facility assets as major assemblies, groups, and components regardless of design specification, materials, or construction methods. Integrates levels from ASTM E1557 (UNIFORMAT II).
• Nomenclature Standardization: Provides a uniform, function-driven nomenclature that enables various business units to communicate using consistent terminology.
• Functional Alignment: Aligns products and characteristics to specific functional elements and sub-elements, supporting tailored maintenance and operational strategies.
• Relational Data Structure: Offers a database-friendly, scalable classification, making it suitable for integration with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), building information modeling (BIM), and asset management platforms.
• Life Cycle Asset Management: Facilitates efficient management of asset operation, maintenance, and life cycle cost by linking activities, attributes, and participants across the asset’s entire life cycle.
• Attribute Identification: Captures key physical and performance characteristics (attributes) of elements and products, aiding in decision-making and meeting higher-level requirements such as asset type, function, condition, or code compliance.

Applications

The FACTS classification system has broad practical value for organizations responsible for facility management, construction, and real estate development. Its primary applications include:

• Asset Management: Enables detailed tracking and management of facility assets, components, and their performance attributes, supporting maintenance, repair, replacement, and modernization.
• Maintenance Optimization: Supports the development of specialized, function-based preventive maintenance (PM) programs and resource planning aligned to asset attributes.
• Cost Control and Lifecycle Planning: Assists in analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on asset life cycle costs, streamlining budgeting for capital planning, repairs, and replacements.
• Integration with Technology: FACTS’ structured data model is designed for compatibility with BIM, CMMS, and other facility management software for efficient asset data integration, automated reporting, and analytics.
• Consistency Across Projects: Enhances project management, property condition assessments, and value engineering by applying consistent classification across multiple assets and organizational processes.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Used by owners, architects, engineers, facility managers, cost estimators, database administrators, and contractors for informed decision-making and communication throughout the project and asset lifecycle.

Related Standards

ASTM E3035-15(2020) draws on and complements several other ASTM standards, forming a robust framework for facility asset management, including:

• ASTM E1557 – Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework (UNIFORMAT II)
• ASTM E1480 – Terminology of Facility Management (Building-Related)
• ASTM E917 – Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• ASTM E1334 – Practice for Rating the Serviceability of Buildings or Building-Related Facilities
• ASTM E2675 – Practice for Property Management System Outcomes
• ASTM E2452, E2604 – Equipment and Asset Management
• ASTM E2812 – Practice for Uniform Data Management in Asset Management Records Systems

By adopting FACTS and related standards, organizations can establish a standardized, scalable, and flexible framework for managing facility assets, supporting sustainability, risk management, and value engineering initiatives.

Keywords

facility asset management, asset tracking, building elements, preventive maintenance, life cycle cost, ASTM E3035, classification system, CMMS, BIM, property management, asset database, standardized nomenclature, operational efficiency, maintenance planning, cost estimating, sustainability, building codes, construction management.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E3035 −15 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Classification for
Facility Asset Component Tracking System (FACTS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3035; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope (1) Asset type
(2) Asset function
1.1 This standard (FACTS) establishes a classification of
(3) Asset conditions
building and sitework elements and components, and their
(4) Building code requirements
associated functions, attributes, and products. Elements, as
definedhere,aremajorassembliesandcomponentscommonto
1.3 The classification seeks to define a larger universe of
buildings and sitework. Elements usually perform given
attributes, products, and characteristics that may define its
functions, regardless of the design specification, construction
functional use and life cycle cost.
method, or materials used. The attribute classification will lead
1.4 The classification also provides a logical database struc-
to more effective management of the operation, maintenance,
ture for the implementation of related Real Property Manage-
and life cycle cost of the asset.
ment applications and business processes such as:
1.2 The classification:
(1) Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies
1.2.1 Incorporates Levels 1, 2, and 3 from Classification
(2) Smart Building Technologies
E1557:
(3) Sustainability
1.2.1.1 Major Group Element (Classification E1557 Level
(4) Computerized Maintenance Management Systems
1).
(CMMS)
1.2.1.2 Group Element (Classification E1557 Level 2).
(5) Facility Asset Management Systems
1.2.1.3 Element (Classification E1557 Level 3).
(6) Property Condition Assessment
1.2.2 Establishes sub-elements at Levels 4 and beyond:
(7) Real Property Development
1.2.2.1 Because the main objective is content and not
(8) Project Management Systems
specifically rigid structure, levels beyond those established in
(9) Cost Planning, Estimating, and Control Procedures
Classification E1557 are not balanced.
1.2.2.2 Products and characteristics are introduced at vary- 1.5 Use of the classification provides a consistent means for
ing levels, depending on the appropriate element and elemental
analysis, evaluation, monitoring, and reporting during the life
function.
of the asset, from planning through design, construction,
1.2.2.3 Functional elements are aligned with products and
operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, and disposal.
product characteristics.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
1.2.3 Incorporates the noun-adjective-attribute relationship
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
between elements, elemental function and the associated prod-
standard.
ucts and characteristics.
1.2.4 This approach identifies specific products that will 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
support the element at its functional level. However, the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
classification permits the introduction of additional products
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
necessitated due to higher order requirements, such as but not
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
limited to:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
on Building Economics.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E3035–15. DOI:
10.1520/E3035–15R20. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3035−15 (2020)
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.4 elements—definedassignificantcomponentpartofthe
2 whole that performs a specific function, or functions, regard-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
less of design, specification, or construction. E833, E1557
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
3.1.5 function—the purpose of the entire project or some
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
portion thereof determined by the needs or desires of the
and Building Systems
user/owner and expressed in two words, an active verb and
E1334 Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or
measurable noun. E833, E1699, E2013
Building-Related Facility (Withdrawn 2013)
E1369 Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncer-
3.1.6 noun—name such as a place or thing and used in
tainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings
identifying the building system or primary building elements.
and Building Systems
3.1.7 verb—describes an action or occurrence that indicates
E1480 Terminology of Facility Management (Building-
a state of being.
Related)
E1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related
4. Significance and Use
Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major
E1670 Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility
assemblies, components, and attributes common to real prop-
for Management of Operations and Maintenance
erty assets and sitework. Elements perform given functions,
E1699 Practice for Performing Value Engineering (VE)/
regardless of the design specification, construction method,
Value Analysis (VA) of Projects, Products and Processes
materials or products used. (See Terminology E1480, Classi-
E1946 Practice for Measuring Cost Risk of Buildings and
fications E1557 and E1670, and Practice E2675.)
Building Systems and Other Constructed Projects
E2013 Practice for Constructing FAST Diagrams and Per- 4.2 The classification aligns products to specific functional
forming Function Analysis During Value Analysis Study elements and/or sub-element to enable the development of
specialized maintenance procedures. (See Practices E2452,
E2018 Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline
Property Condition Assessment Process E2604, and E2675.)
E2135 Terminology for Property and Asset Management
4.3 This alignment will help streamline warehousing re-
E2156 Guide for Evaluating Economic Performance of Al-
quirements and enable functional business units to use a
ternative Designs, Systems, and Materials in Compliance
common nomenclature. (See Terminology E1480 and Practice
with Performance Standard Guides for Single-Family
E2452.)
Attached and Detached Dwellings
4.4 The classification will lead to more effective life cycle
E2166 Practice for Organizing and Managing Building Data
management of the operation, maintenance and cost of the
E2452 Practice for Equipment Management Process Matu-
asset by linking activities and participants in an asset‘s full
rity (EMPM) Model
life-cycle, from initial planning through construction,
E2495 Practice for Prioritizing Asset Resources in
operations, maintenance, repair, modernization, and disposal.
Acquisition, Utilization, and Disposition
(See Practices E917 and E1334, Classification E1670, Practice
E2506 Guide for Developing a Cost-Effective Risk Mitiga-
E1946, and Guide E2506). See Fig. 1 for life cycle application
tion Plan for New and Existing Constructed Facilities
of FACTS.
E2604 Practice for Data Characteristics of Equipment Asset
Record 4.5 The benefits of the life cycle application of FACTS are:
E2675 Practice for Property Management System Outcomes
4.5.1 Maintain project tracking and transparency through all
E2812 Practice for Uniform Data Management in Asset phases of project lifecycle.
Management Records Systems
4.5.2 Continue to develop requirements and information
tracked as processes evolve.
3. Terminology
4.5.3 Inform future projects, policies, processes, and guid-
ance with lessons learned/best practices.
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this
classification, refer to Terminologies E833, E1480, and E2135.
3.1.1 Additional Definitions:
3.1.2 adjective—defines a noun by describing the place or
thing, that is, function of the named system or element.
3.1.3 attribute—the inherent physical or performance char-
acteristics specifying a place or thing as distinct from some-
thing else.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. FIG. 1Life Cycle Application of FACTS
E3035−15 (2020)
4.6 The users of this classification include owners, archi-
tects and engineers, developers, property managers, asset
managers, project managers, operation and maintenance staff,
cost estimators, construction contractors, and database admin-
istrators. (See Guide E1369, Terminology E1480, Guide
E2156, and Practice E2812.)
4.7 Application of this classification (FACTS) provides for
value-added activities that cannot be derived from using a
solely product-based approach. (See Guide E1369 and Practice
E1699.)
4.8 FACTS provides a scalable classification structure ap-
plied across the project lifecycle at various levels of depth and
granularity. In the planning, design, and construct stages, scope
definition and cost estimates become progressively more
granular as performance management requirements and de-
tailed design specifications are completed.
4.9 During the operate and disposal phases, recurring main-
FIG. 3FACTS and the Integrated Relational Structure of
tenance and non-recurring maintenance procedures are
Elements, Work Results, Products, Materials, and Properties
conducted, and assets are ultimately disposed of. Using
FACTS, each of the activities in the asset lifecycle can be
associated with the appropriate element, product and associ-
atedattributes.Thusenablingthecalculationofthetotalcostof 4.12.1 In this structure, products are assigned to their
ownership of the asset including activities ranging from PMs respective building element or work result to account for
(Preventive Maintenance Activities), to major remediation, specific functional use.
restoration, and ultimate disposal and/or demolition of the 4.12.2 Without knowledge of this context, designers could
asset. (See Fig. 2.) fail to select products that align with the purpose of the
building.
4.10 FACTS presents building information in a relational
4.12.3 Facility managers could lack key inputs to define
structure with sufficient granularity to meet the requirements
maintenance procedures. FACTS’ relational data structure
for a uniform building classification system that supports
among elements and products provides the solution to this
establishment of the total cost of ownership of assets. (See
critical gap and narrows the scope to the appropriate selection
Practice E917.)
of elements that support a specific functional use of the
4.11 FACTS presents building information in a relational
product. (See Classifications E1557 and E1670.)
structure with sufficient granularity to meet the requirements
4.13 This approach narrows the specific products that may
for a uniform building classification system that supports
support the function identified, however, it does not explicitly
establishment of the total cost of ownership of assets. (See
rule out certain products and materials due to the unknown
Practice E917.)
nature of higher order functions, such as the building type,
4.12
...