has produced revised schedules to be adopted from Autumn 1968.
SfB is based on principles of faceted classification, which means
that concepts can be indicated by combining symbols from a
number of tables. At present the internationally-agreed SfB
system contains three basic tables. The products table indicates
types of building products chosen with regard to several charac
teristics, such as shape, function or application method, but also
taking into consideration normal operational sequences and inter-
changeability. The materials table consists of a list of about 100
different constituent materials of building products. The elements
table comprises the building elements starting from the sub
structure and ending with the service elements and the fixtures.
A survey conducted early in 1967 revealed that the scheme is used
by about 55 per cent of the quantity surveying firms in the UK
for the arrangements of their product literature. It is also used by
the main commercial organisations which provide small collections
of product catalogues to quantity surveying and architectural firms.
3.3.2 The second edition (RIBA version) differs in three respects
from the first. It is much more detailed to allow greater precision
in indexing and searching. It seeks to serve the whole construction
industry rather than only builders and architects. It is stricter in
its facet analysis, ie concepts reflecting one particular relation are
not allowed to intermix with others. Finally it gives a more com
prehensive set of rules relating to the assignment of class numbers,
so that maximum consistency and predictability are secured.
3.3.3 The organisation concerned with the study of classification
on the subject of building is the International Building Classification
Committee (IBCC). It was established by agreement between FID
and CIB on the recommendation of the meeting of specialists in
building documentation held in Copenhagen in 1952. CIB is res
ponsible for all amendments of UDC pertinent to building and all
proposed amendments which affect building concepts are considered
by the Committee. The Committee also formulates proposals for the
publications of selection schedules, extract schedules and filing
systems (whether or not they are based on UDC). It is responsible
for the ABC and considers all amendments to SfB Tables. For this
particular task IBCC has established an SfB Sub-Committee. This
sub-committee operates through the executive bureau and this
function of the International SfB bureau has been entrusted to
Svensk Byggtjanst. In order to accomplish its supervisory and
development task in different countries or regions, the International
SfB Bureau operates through the exclusive intermediary of national
or regional centres which are members of CIB of FID and are
interested and competent non-profit-making institutions.
3.4 Library of Congress
3.4.1 The Library of Congress Classification Scheme is used by
many libraries in the USA and to some extent by libraries in other
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