The BSI has published PAS 1958, the standard that provides a framework for how existing built environment standards combine.
PAS 1958: Built Environment – Data and Information Standards Landscape is the result of research by the government’s BridgeAI programme (delivered by Innovate UK). BridgeAI is focused on accelerating SME activity around AI. Its research suggested that construction professionals want clarity around the relationship between built environment data standards and digital standards.
Emma Hooper, co-author of PAS 1958 and head of information management strategy at RLB Digital, wrote on LinkedIn: “This guide aims at bringing together the large number of data/information management standards into one overall framework to start to work towards a connected bigger picture.
“It is principally aimed at helping those managing asset-related information understand which standards are relevant, putting information first in relation to how it flows and how it is structured.”
Those interested in PAS 1958 can register to watch a BSI webinar about it on 24 March.
Digital twin standard published
Meanwhile, the BSI has published BS EN 18162:2026, which sets out the concept and definitions for digital twins applied to the built environment.
The new standard builds on ISO 30173. It defines the concepts and definitions and is the first part of a set of standards to define the framework for digital twins in the built environment.
According to the BSI, it includes the terms and definitions, the relation to BIM and addresses the lack of standards for the qualitative specification of a digital twin, which can include geometric, attributive, structural and infrastructural quality, as applicable.
The standard’s introduction reinforces the definition of a digital twin: “A digital twin represents a virtual system that contains all relevant information about the target entity for the [twin]’s specific uses, and is not a static representation due to its synchronisation with its target entity over time.”
In a brief LinkedIn post announcing the standard’s publication, BSI built environment sector lead Dan Rossiter FCIAT wrote: “The most interesting bit may be the taxonomy section and how different types of digital twin can relate to the built environment sector.”
