IFC 4.3.2.20250327 (IFC4X3_ADD2) under development

5.4.3.64 IfcSpace

5.4.3.64.1 Semantic definition

A space represents an area or volume bounded actually or theoretically. Spaces are areas or volumes that provide for certain functions within a building.

A space is associated to a building storey (or in case of exterior spaces to a site). A space may span over several connected spaces. Therefore a space group provides for a collection of spaces included in a storey. A space can also be decomposed in parts, where each part defines a partial space. This is defined by the CompositionType attribute of the supertype IfcSpatialStructureElement which is interpreted as follow:

  • COMPLEX = space group
  • ELEMENT = space
  • PARTIAL = partial space

Figure 5.4.3.64.A shows the IfcSpace as part of the spatial structure. It also serves as the spatial container for space related elements.

spatial structure
Figure 5.4.3.64.A — Space composition

The following guidelines should apply for using the Name, Description, LongName and ObjectType attributes.

  • Name holds the unique name (or space number) from the plan.
  • Description holds any additional information field the user may have specified, there are no further recommendations.
  • LongName holds the full name of the space, it is often used in addition to the Name, if a number is assigned to the room, then the descriptive name is exchanged as LongName.
  • ObjectType holds the space type, i.e. usually the functional category of the space .

Figure 5.4.3.64.B describes the heights and elevations of the IfcSpace.

  • elevation of the space (top of construction slab) equals elevation of storey: provided by IfcBuildingStorey.Elevation relative to IfcBuilding.ElevationOfRefHeight
  • elevation of the space flooring (top of flooring on top of slab): provided by IfcSpace.ElevationWithFlooring relative to IfcBuilding.ElevationOfRefHeight
  • height of space (top of slab below to bottom of slab above): provided by BaseQuantity with Name="Height"
  • floor height of space (top of slab below to top of flooring): provided by BaseQuantity with Name="FinishFloorHeight"
  • net height of space (top of flooring to bottom of suspended ceiling): provided by BaseQuantity with Name="FinishCeilingHeight"
space heights
Figure 5.4.3.64.B — Space elevations

5.4.3.64.2 Entity inheritance

5.4.3.64.3 Attributes

# Attribute Type Description
IfcRoot (4)
IfcObjectDefinition (7)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (5)
IfcSpatialElement (6)
IfcSpatialStructureElement (1)
Click to show 28 hidden inherited attributes
IfcSpace (4)
10 PredefinedType OPTIONAL IfcSpaceTypeEnum

Predefined generic types for a space that are specified in an enumeration. There might be property sets defined specifically for each predefined type.

11 ElevationWithFlooring OPTIONAL IfcLengthMeasure

Level of flooring of this space; the average shall be taken, if the space ground surface is sloping or if there are level differences within this space.

HasCoverings SET [0:?] OF IfcRelCoversSpaces FOR RelatingSpace

Reference to IfcCovering by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelCoversSpaces. It defines the concept of a space having coverings assigned. Those coverings may represent different flooring, or tiling areas.

BoundedBy SET [0:?] OF IfcRelSpaceBoundary FOR RelatingSpace

Reference to a set of IfcRelSpaceBoundary's that defines the physical or virtual delimitation of that space against physical or virtual boundaries.

Table 5.4.3.64.D

5.4.3.64.4 Formal propositions

Name Description
CorrectPredefinedType

Either the PredefinedType attribute is unset (e.g. because an IfcSpaceType is associated), or the inherited attribute ObjectType shall be provided, if the PredefinedType is set to USERDEFINED.

NOT(EXISTS(PredefinedType)) OR
(PredefinedType <> IfcSpaceTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) OR
((PredefinedType = IfcSpaceTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) AND EXISTS (SELF\IfcObject.ObjectType))
CorrectTypeAssigned

Either there is no space type object associated, i.e. the IsTypedBy inverse relationship is not provided, or the associated type object has to be of type IfcSpaceType.

(SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_738df036.IFCSPACETYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType))
Table 5.4.3.64.E

5.4.3.64.5 Property sets

  • Pset_AirSideSystemInformation
    • Description
    • AirSideSystemType
    • AirSideSystemDistributionType
    • TotalAirFlow
    • EnergyGainTotal
    • AirFlowSensible
    • EnergyGainSensible
    • EnergyLoss
    • InfiltrationDiversitySummer
    • InfiltrationDiversityWinter
    • ApplianceDiversity
    • HeatingTemperatureDelta
    • CoolingTemperatureDelta
    • Ventilation
    • FanPower
  • Pset_BerthCommon BERTH
    • BerthApproach
    • BerthMode
    • BerthingAngle
    • BerthingVelocity
    • AbnormalBerthingFactor
  • Pset_FenderDesignCriteria BERTH
    • CoefficientOfFriction
    • EnergyAbsorptionTolerance
    • MaxReactionTolerance
    • MaximumTemperatureFactor
    • MinimumTemperatureFactor
    • VelocityFactorEnergy
    • VelocityFactorReaction
    • EnergyAbsorption
    • MaxReaction
    • MinCompressedFenderHeight
    • AddedMassCoefficientMethod
  • Pset_ProcessCapacity
    • ProcessItem
    • ProcessCapacity
    • ProcessPerformance
    • DownstreamConnections
    • UpstreamConnections
  • Pset_PropertyAgreement
    • AgreementType
    • TrackingIdentifier
    • AgreementVersion
    • AgreementDate
    • PropertyName
    • CommencementDate
    • TerminationDate
    • Duration
    • Options
    • ConditionCommencement
    • Restrictions
    • ConditionTermination
  • Pset_Risk
    • RiskName
    • RiskType
    • NatureOfRisk
    • RiskAssessmentMethodology
    • UnmitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • UnmitigatedRiskConsequence
    • UnmitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationPlanned
    • MitigatedRiskLikelihood
    • MitigatedRiskConsequence
    • MitigatedRiskSignificance
    • MitigationProposed
    • AssociatedProduct
    • AssociatedActivity
    • AssociatedLocation
  • Pset_SpaceAirHandlingDimensioning
    • CoolingDesignAirFlow
    • HeatingDesignAirFlow
    • SensibleHeatGain
    • TotalHeatGain
    • TotalHeatLoss
    • CoolingDryBulb
    • CoolingRelativeHumidity
    • HeatingDryBulb
    • HeatingRelativeHumidity
    • VentilationDesignAirFlow
    • DesignAirFlow
    • CeilingRAPlenum
    • BoundaryAreaHeatLoss
  • Pset_SpaceCommon
    • Reference
    • IsExternal
    • GrossPlannedArea
    • NetPlannedArea
    • PubliclyAccessible
    • HandicapAccessible
  • Pset_SpaceCoveringRequirements
    • FloorCovering
    • FloorCoveringThickness
    • WallCovering
    • WallCoveringThickness
    • CeilingCovering
    • CeilingCoveringThickness
    • SkirtingBoard
    • SkirtingBoardHeight
    • Molding
    • MoldingHeight
    • ConcealedFlooring
    • ConcealedFlooringOffset
    • ConcealedCeiling
    • ConcealedCeilingOffset
  • Pset_SpaceFireSafetyRequirements
    • FireRiskFactor
    • FlammableStorage
    • FireExit
    • SprinklerProtection
    • SprinklerProtectionAutomatic
    • AirPressurization
  • Pset_SpaceHVACDesign
    • TemperatureSetPoint
    • TemperatureMax
    • TemperatureMin
    • TemperatureSummerMax
    • TemperatureSummerMin
    • TemperatureWinterMax
    • TemperatureWinterMin
    • HumiditySetPoint
    • HumidityMax
    • HumidityMin
    • HumiditySummer
    • HumidityWinter
    • DiscontinuedHeating
    • NaturalVentilation
    • NaturalVentilationRate
    • MechanicalVentilation
    • MechanicalVentilationRate
    • AirConditioning
    • AirConditioningCentral
    • AirHandlingName
  • Pset_SpaceLightingDesign
    • ArtificialLighting
    • Illuminance
  • Pset_SpaceOccupancyRequirements
    • OccupancyType
    • OccupancyNumber
    • OccupancyNumberPeak
    • OccupancyTimePerDay
    • AreaPerOccupant
    • MinimumHeadroom
    • IsOutlookDesirable
  • Pset_SpaceParking PARKING
    • ParkingUse
    • ParkingUnits
    • IsAisle
    • IsOneWay
  • Pset_SpaceThermalLoad
    • People
    • Lighting
    • EquipmentSensible
    • VentilationIndoorAir
    • VentilationOutdoorAir
    • RecirculatedAir
    • ExhaustAir
    • AirExchangeRate
    • DryBulbTemperature
    • RelativeHumidity
    • InfiltrationSensible
    • TotalSensibleLoad
    • TotalLatentLoad
    • TotalRadiantLoad
  • Pset_SpaceThermalLoadPHistory
    • PeopleHistory
    • LightingHistory
    • EquipmentSensibleHistory
    • VentilationIndoorAirHistory
    • VentilationOutdoorAirHistory
    • RecirculatedAirHistory
    • ExhaustAirHistory
    • AirExchangeRateTimeHistory
    • DryBulbTemperatureHistory
    • RelativeHumidityHistory
    • InfiltrationSensibleHistory
    • TotalSensibleLoadHistory
    • TotalLatentLoadHistory
    • TotalRadiantLoadHistory
  • Pset_SpaceThermalPHistory
    • CoolingAirFlowRate
    • HeatingAirFlowRate
    • VentilationAirFlowRateHistory
    • ExhaustAirFlowRate
    • SpaceTemperatureHistory
    • SpaceRelativeHumidity
  • Pset_ThermalLoad
    • OccupancyDiversity
    • LightingDiversity
    • ApplianceDiversity
    • OutsideAirPerPerson
    • ReceptacleLoadIntensity
    • AppliancePercentLoadToRadiant
    • LightingLoadIntensity
    • LightingPercentLoadToReturnAir
    • TotalCoolingLoad
    • TotalHeatingLoad
    • InfiltrationDiversitySummer
    • InfiltrationDiversityWinter
    • LoadSafetyFactor
  • 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
  • Qto_BodyGeometryValidation
    • GrossSurfaceArea
    • NetSurfaceArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume
    • SurfaceGenusBeforeFeatures
    • SurfaceGenusAfterFeatures
  • Qto_SpaceBaseQuantities
    • Height
    • FinishCeilingHeight
    • FinishFloorHeight
    • GrossPerimeter
    • NetPerimeter
    • GrossFloorArea
    • NetFloorArea
    • GrossWallArea
    • NetWallArea
    • GrossCeilingArea
    • NetCeilingArea
    • GrossVolume
    • NetVolume

5.4.3.64.6 Concept usage

Concept Usage Description
IfcRoot (2)
IfcObjectDefinition (9)
IfcObject (5)
IfcProduct (18)
IfcSpatialElement (11)
IfcSpatialStructureElement (2)
Click to show 47 hidden inherited concepts
IfcSpace (11)
FootPrint GeomSet Geometry General

The following constraints apply to the 2D representation:

2d representation
Figure 5.4.3.64.C — Space footprint
Product Local Placement General

The local placement for IfcSpace is defined at its supertype IfcProduct. It is defined by the IfcLocalPlacement, which defines the local coordinate system that is referenced by all geometric representations.

Property Sets for Objects General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Quantity Sets General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Space Attributes General

No description available.

Space Boundaries 1st Level General

No description available.

Space Boundaries 2nd Level General

No description available.

Spatial Composition General

By using the inverse relationship IfcSpace.IsDecomposedBy it references IfcSpace by IfcRelAggregates.RelatedObjects. If it refers to another instance of IfcSpace, the referenced IfcSpace needs to have a different and lower CompositionType, i.e. ELEMENT (if the other IfcSpace has COMPLEX), or PARTIAL (if the other IfcSpace has ELEMENT).

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Spatial Container General

If there are building elements and/or other elements directly related to the IfcSpace (like most furniture and distribution elements), they are associated with the IfcSpace by using the objectified relationship IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure. The IfcSpace references them by its inverse relationship:

Spatial Decomposition General

By using the inverse relationship IfcSpace.Decomposes it references IfcSite || IfcBuildingStorey || IfcSpace by IfcRelAggregates.RelatingObject. If it refers to another instance of IfcSpace, the referenced IfcSpace needs to have a different and higher CompositionType, i.e. COMPLEX (if the other IfcSpace has ELEMENT), or ELEMENT (if the other IfcSpace has PARTIAL).

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Object Typing General

This concept can be applied to the following resources:

Table 5.4.3.64.F

5.4.3.64.7 Formal representation

ENTITY IfcSpace
SUBTYPE OF (IfcSpatialStructureElement);
PredefinedType : OPTIONAL IfcSpaceTypeEnum;
ElevationWithFlooring : OPTIONAL IfcLengthMeasure;
INVERSE
HasCoverings : SET [0:?] OF IfcRelCoversSpaces FOR RelatingSpace;
BoundedBy : SET [0:?] OF IfcRelSpaceBoundary FOR RelatingSpace;
WHERE
CorrectPredefinedType : NOT(EXISTS(PredefinedType)) OR
(PredefinedType <> IfcSpaceTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) OR
((PredefinedType = IfcSpaceTypeEnum.USERDEFINED) AND EXISTS (SELF\IfcObject.ObjectType));
CorrectTypeAssigned : (SIZEOF(IsTypedBy) = 0) OR
('IFC4X3_DEV_738df036.IFCSPACETYPE' IN TYPEOF(SELF\IfcObject.IsTypedBy[1].RelatingType));
END_ENTITY;

5.4.3.64.8 References

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5.4.3.64.9 Changelog

5.4.3.64.9.1 IFC4

  • where rule, CorrectPredefinedType
  • where rule, CorrectTypeAssigned
  • attribute InteriorOrExteriorSpace name, Changed from "InteriorOrExteriorSpace" to "PredefinedType"
  • attribute InteriorOrExteriorSpace optional, Is now optional
  • attribute InteriorOrExteriorSpace type, Changed from "IfcInternalOrExternalEnum" to "IfcSpaceTypeEnum"
  • inverse attribute HasCoverings type, Changed from "SET OF [0:?] IfcRelCoversSpaces FOR RelatedSpace" to "SET OF [0:?] IfcRelCoversSpaces FOR RelatingSpace"