TS ISO 6707-1

TS ISO 6707-1 is a terminology standard that organises the core language used in buildings and civil engineering works. It helps designers, engineers, contractors and technical writers use the same terms for the same concepts, reducing ambiguity in drawings, specifications, reports and project communication.

A shared vocabulary for general concepts

The scope of this document is to provide terms and definitions for general concepts applicable to buildings and civil engineering works. In practice, that means the standard focuses on meaning rather than performance: it establishes how key concepts should be understood so that a wall, structure, component, function or spatial condition is described consistently across disciplines. This kind of vocabulary work is especially valuable when documents are prepared by different organisations or for projects involving multiple technical fields.

Why terminology matters in the built environment

In construction and infrastructure work, the same word can carry different assumptions depending on the discipline. A controlled vocabulary supports clearer contracts, technical documentation and communication between architectural, structural, civil and maintenance teams. TS ISO 6707-1 is therefore best understood as a language foundation for the built environment, rather than as a test method or a product performance specification. It sits within the wider ISO 6707 vocabulary framework used to make building and civil engineering terminology more consistent.

• Provides terms and definitions for general concepts in buildings and civil engineering works.
• Clarifies meaning across disciplines instead of prescribing design or test requirements.
• Supports consistent use of technical language in specifications, drawings and reports.
• Should be understood as a vocabulary standard, not as a performance-testing document.