11th March 2003

New production information code

The long awaited Production Information Code is now with the printer and copies are expected to be available for sale at the end of April.

What is the new Code about? The foreword by Richard Saxon CBE., Vice President of the RIBA, Director of the Building Design Partnership says it all.

"Research has shown that many problems on site are caused by poor or missing production information. Effective communication of high quality production information between designers and constructors is therefore essential for the satisfactory realisation of construction projects. The evidence shows that improvements in the quality of production information reduce the incidence of site quality problems and lead to significant savings in the cost of construction work.

In 1987 this was addressed in the widely acclaimed and adopted CPI Codes for Drawings and Specification. Those Codes established principles that are still valid, but they presumed manual methods of working. By contrast, the principles and procedures set out in this new Code are based on the use of computers.

Modern CAD systems can contribute greatly to the quality and clarity of drawn production information and, if used in a collaborative way by the whole design team, will result in benefit for all concerned: clients, designers and constructors. I commend the authors of this Code for their pragmatic approach in providing guidance to users of widely used 2D CAD systems.

The guidance on specification is also based on the use of the dominant computer systems. I particularly welcome the much-needed advice on schedules of work, which will be of great benefit to those involved in the multitude of smaller projects carried out each year.

This Code should be the essential reference on production information for every designer in the construction industry. Its use will result in high quality drawings, specifications and schedules of work that in turn will result in high quality, better value projects. Clients would be wise to require the principles to be used on their projects."

The Code applies to all construction industry designers, architects, structural engineers, services engineers, civil engineers and specialist contractors/suppliers.

The evidence for the need for improvement in the quality of production information and the benefits to be obtained is set out in a detailed case study included as an Appendix to the Code.

A copy of the Contents and Introduction to the Code is posted on the New Code page. The Code can be purchased from sponsors' book shops for £25.00 per copy or by mail order for £20.00 per copy. Please click here for an order form.

A seminar and press launch for the new Code has been arranged for Friday 9th May 2003 in the Jarvis Hall at the Royal Institute of British Architects. A small nominal charge of £60.00 will be made for attendance which will include coffee, lunch and a copy of the new Code.

Please click here for further details and for a booking form.