Design life
The design life (or design service life) of a building, other structure or component, is the period of use as intended by the designer after which it may need to be replaced. Before this period has elapsed, it should remain fit for purpose.
Design life will vary according to the type and use of the element being considered. BS EN 1990, Eurocode - Basis of structural design, (Eurocode 0) gives indicative design lives for various types of structure:
- Category 1: Temporary structures, not including structures or parts of structures that can be dismantled with a view to being re-used – 10 years.
- Category 2: Replaceable structural parts, e.g. gantry girders, bearings – 10 to 25 years.
- Category 3: Agricultural and similar buildings – 15 to 30 years.
- Category 4: Building structures and other common structures – 50 years.
- Category 5: Monumental building structures, bridges and other civil engineering structures – 100 years.
The design life of some components may be affected by environmental factors such as:
- Moisture, humidity and rain.
- Wind.
- Temperature and temperature fluctuations.
- Pollution.
- Solar radiation.
It may also be affected by considerations such as maintenance practices, intensity of use, and so on.
There is no legally agreed definition of design life (in fact, there is not even a legally agreed definition of 'design'), so if it is to be included in contract documentation as a performance requirement, it is important that it is carefully defined within the contract documents and that it is consistent with all other requirements in the contract documents.
Several other definitions have been developed to quantify the life of buildings, structures and their components, including:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Cradle-to-grave.
- Decommissioning.
- Demolition.
- Economic life.
- End of life potential.
- Fitness for purpose.
- Functional life.
- Life.
- Life cycle.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Obsolescence.
- Permanent structure.
- Re-evaluating the design life of buildings.
- Required life.
- Service life.
- Structures at the end of their design life.
- Technical life.
- Temporary structure.
- Useful life.
- Utilising life cycle costing and life cycle assessment.
- Whole-life costs.
- Whole-life value.
Featured articles and news
The act of preservation may sometimes be futile.
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
Comments