IFC 4.3.2.20250327 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

6.2.3.4 IfcDistributionControlElement

6.2.3.4.1 Semantic definition

The distribution element IfcDistributionControlElement defines occurrence elements of a building automation control system that are used to impart control over elements of a distribution system.

IfcDistributionControlElement defines elements of a building automation control system. These are typically used to control distribution system elements to maintain variables such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, power, or lighting levels, through the modulation, staging or sequencing of mechanical or electrical devices. The three general functional categories of control elements are as follows:

  • Impart control over flow control elements (IfcFlowController) in a distribution system such as dampers, valves, or relays, typically through the use of actuation (IfcActuator).
  • Sensing elements (IfcSensor) that measure changes in the controlled variable such as temperature, humidity, pressure, or flow.
  • Controllers (IfcController) typically classified according to the control action they seek to perform and generally responsible for making decisions about the elements under control.

Since IfcDistributionControlElement and its subtypes typically relate to many different distribution flow elements (IfcDistributionFlowElement), the objectified relationship IfcRelFlowControlElements has been provided to relate control and flow elements as required.

The key distinction between IfcDistributionFlowElement and IfcDistributionControlElement is whether it is internal or external to the flow system, respectively. For example, the distinction between IfcFlowMeter (subtype of IfcDistributionFlowElement measuring a flow quantity) and IfcFlowInstrument (subtype of IfcDistributionControlElement measuring a flow quality), is based on this principal. A physical device that connects within the flow system in which it measures (having inlet/outlet pipes for the measured substance) follows the IfcDistributionFlowElement hierarchy (and therefore IfcFlowMeter which measures the flow internally). Otherwise, if it monitors/controls but does not connect inline within the flow system (it is external or is a component of another device), then it follows the IfcDistributionControlElement hierarchy (and therefore IfcFlowInstrument which may display various attributes through connected sensors).

6.2.3.4.2 Entity inheritance

6.2.3.4.3 Attributes

# Attribute Type Description
IfcRoot (4)
IfcObjectDefinition (7)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (5)
IfcElement (13)
IfcDistributionElement (1)
Click to show 35 hidden inherited attributes
IfcDistributionControlElement (1)
AssignedToFlowElement SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFlowControlElements FOR RelatedControlElements

Reference through the relationship object to related distribution flow elements.

Table 6.2.3.4.E

6.2.3.4.4 Property sets

  • Pset_Condition
    • AssessmentDate
    • AssessmentCondition
    • AssessmentDescription
    • AssessmentType
    • AssessmentMethod
    • LastAssessmentReport
    • NextAssessmentDate
    • AssessmentFrequency
  • Pset_ConstructionAdministration
    • ProcurementMethod
    • SpecificationSectionNumber
    • SubmittalIdentifer
  • Pset_ConstructionOccurence
    • InstallationDate
    • ModelNumber
    • TagNumber
    • AssetIdentifier
  • Pset_ElectricalDeviceCommon
    • RatedCurrent
    • RatedVoltage
    • NominalFrequencyRange
    • PowerFactor
    • ConductorFunction
    • NumberOfPoles
    • HasProtectiveEarth
    • InsulationStandardClass
    • IP_Code
    • IK_Code
    • EarthingStyle
    • HeatDissipation
    • Power
    • NominalPowerConsumption
    • NumberOfPowerSupplyPorts
  • Pset_ElectricalDeviceCompliance
    • ElectroMagneticStandardsCompliance
    • ExplosiveAtmosphereStandardsCompliance
    • FireProofingStandardsCompliance
    • LightningProtectionStandardsCompliance
  • Pset_ElementKinematics
    • CyclicPath
    • CyclicRange
    • LinearPath
    • LinearRange
    • MaximumAngularVelocity
    • MaximumConstantSpeed
    • MinimumTime
  • Pset_EnergyRequirements
    • EnergyConsumption
    • PowerDemand
    • EnergySourceLabel
    • EnergyConversionEfficiency
  • Pset_EnvironmentalCondition
    • ReferenceAirRelativeHumidity
    • ReferenceEnvironmentTemperature
    • MaximumAtmosphericPressure
    • StorageTemperatureRange
    • MaximumWindSpeed
    • OperationalTemperatureRange
    • MaximumRainIntensity
    • SaltMistLevel
    • SeismicResistance
    • SmokeLevel
    • MaximumSolarRadiation
  • Pset_EnvironmentalEmissions
    • CarbonDioxideEmissions
    • SulphurDioxideEmissions
    • NitrogenOxidesEmissions
    • ParticulateMatterEmissions
    • NoiseEmissions
  • Pset_EnvironmentalImpactIndicators
    • Reference
    • FunctionalUnitReference
    • IndicatorsUnit
    • LifeCyclePhase
    • ExpectedServiceLife
    • TotalPrimaryEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • WaterConsumptionPerUnit
    • HazardousWastePerUnit
    • NonHazardousWastePerUnit
    • ClimateChangePerUnit
    • AtmosphericAcidificationPerUnit
    • RenewableEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • NonRenewableEnergyConsumptionPerUnit
    • ResourceDepletionPerUnit
    • InertWastePerUnit
    • RadioactiveWastePerUnit
    • StratosphericOzoneLayerDestructionPerUnit
    • PhotochemicalOzoneFormationPerUnit
    • EutrophicationPerUnit
  • Pset_EnvironmentalImpactValues
    • TotalPrimaryEnergyConsumption
    • WaterConsumption
    • HazardousWaste
    • NonHazardousWaste
    • ClimateChange
    • AtmosphericAcidification
    • RenewableEnergyConsumption
    • NonRenewableEnergyConsumption
    • ResourceDepletion
    • InertWaste
    • RadioactiveWaste
    • StratosphericOzoneLayerDestruction
    • PhotochemicalOzoneFormation
    • Eutrophication
    • LeadInTime
    • Duration
    • LeadOutTime
  • Pset_InstallationOccurrence
    • InstallationDate
    • AcceptanceDate
    • PutIntoOperationDate
  • Pset_MaintenanceStrategy
    • AssetCriticality
    • AssetFrailty
    • AssetPriority
    • MonitoringType
    • AccidentResponse
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerCondition
    • ConditionTargetPerformance
    • ConditionMaintenanceLevel
    • ConditionReplacementLevel
    • ConditionDisposalLevel
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerDuration
    • DurationTargetPerformance
    • DurationMaintenanceLevel
    • DurationReplacementLevel
    • DurationDisposalLevel
  • Pset_MaintenanceTriggerPerformance
    • TargetPerformance
    • PerformanceMaintenanceLevel
    • ReplacementLevel
    • DisposalLevel
  • Pset_ManufacturerOccurrence
    • AcquisitionDate
    • BarCode
    • SerialNumber
    • BatchReference
    • AssemblyPlace
    • ManufacturingDate
  • Pset_ManufacturerTypeInformation
    • GlobalTradeItemNumber
    • ArticleNumber
    • ModelReference
    • ModelLabel
    • Manufacturer
    • ProductionYear
    • AssemblyPlace
    • OperationalDocument
    • SafetyDocument
    • PerformanceCertificate
  • Pset_RepairOccurrence
    • RepairContent
    • RepairDate
    • MeanTimeToRepair
  • Pset_Risk
    • RiskName
    • RiskType
    • NatureOfRisk
    • RiskAssessmentMethodology
    • UnmitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • UnmitigatedRiskConsequence
    • UnmitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationPlanned
    • MitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • MitigatedRiskConsequence
    • MitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationProposed
    • AssociatedProduct
    • AssociatedActivity
    • AssociatedLocation
  • Pset_ServiceLife
    • ServiceLifeDuration
    • MeanTimeBetweenFailure
  • Pset_Tolerance
    • ToleranceDescription
    • ToleranceBasis
    • OverallTolerance
    • HorizontalTolerance
    • OrthogonalTolerance
    • VerticalTolerance
    • PlanarFlatness
    • HorizontalFlatness
    • ElevationalFlatness
    • SideFlatness
    • OverallOrthogonality
    • HorizontalOrthogonality
    • OrthogonalOrthogonality
    • VerticalOrthogonality
    • OverallStraightness
    • HorizontalStraightness
    • OrthogonalStraightness
    • VerticalStraightness
  • Pset_Uncertainty
    • UncertaintyBasis
    • UncertaintyDescription
    • HorizontalUncertainty
    • LinearUncertainty
    • OrthogonalUncertainty
    • VerticalUncertainty
  • Pset_Warranty
    • WarrantyIdentifier
    • WarrantyStartDate
    • IsExtendedWarranty
    • WarrantyPeriod
    • WarrantyContent
    • PointOfContact
    • Exclusions
  • Qto_BodyGeometryValidation
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • SurfaceGenusBeforeFeatures
    • SurfaceGenusAfterFeatures

6.2.3.4.5 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcElement (44)
IfcDistributionElement (4)
Click to show 82 hidden inherited concepts
IfcDistributionControlElement (3)
Library Association General

A distribution system may be associated with an external Building Automation System or similar system. Library references can be used to indicate a device address or other key which can identify the IFC control element within the external system.

dot_neato IfcDistributionSystem IfcDistributionSystem IfcRelAssignsToGroup IfcRelAssignsToGroup IfcRelAssignsToGroup->IfcDistributionSystem RelatingGroup IfcController IfcController IfcRelAssignsToGroup->IfcController RelatedObjects IfcRelAssociatesLibrary IfcRelAssociatesLibrary IfcRelAssociatesLibrary->IfcDistributionSystem RelatedObjects IfcLibraryInformation IfcLibraryInformation IfcRelAssociatesLibrary->IfcLibraryInformation RelatingLibrary IfcRelAssociatesLibrary2 IfcRelAssociatesLibrary IfcRelAssociatesLibrary2->IfcController RelatedObjects IfcLibraryReference IfcLibraryReference IfcRelAssociatesLibrary2->IfcLibraryReference RelatingLibrary IfcLibraryReference->IfcLibraryInformation ReferencedLibrary
Figure 6.2.3.4.D
Object Typing General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Product Assignment General

The IfcDistributionControlElement may be assigned to the following entities using relationships as indicated:

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

  • IfcTask - Indicates tasks used to purchase, install, renovate, demolish, operate, or otherwise act upon the element. If the element has a type, available task types are assigned to the element type.
  • IfcProcedure - Indicates procedures used to operate the element. If the element has a type, available procedure types are assigned to the element type.
  • IfcEvent - Indicates events to be handled by the element, sequenced by procedures to be followed. If the element has a type, available event types are assigned to the element type.
Table 6.2.3.4.F

6.2.3.4.6 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcDistributionControlElement
SUPERTYPE OF (ONEOF
(IfcActuator
,IfcAlarm
,IfcController
,IfcFlowInstrument
,IfcProtectiveDeviceTrippingUnit
,IfcSensor
,IfcUnitaryControlElement))
SUBTYPE OF (IfcDistributionElement);
INVERSE
AssignedToFlowElement : SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFlowControlElements FOR RelatedControlElements;
END_ENTITY;

6.2.3.4.7 References

Edit on Github


Is this page difficult to understand? Let us know!

6.2.3.4.8 Changelog

6.2.3.4.8.1 IFC4

  • attribute, ControlElementId