IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an abbreviation representing fundamental industry categories. It was established by the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) as a standardized framework. Through the use of IFC, communication, productivity, time management, cost efficiency, and quality are enhanced throughout the entire lifecycle of construction projects. This framework sets a comprehensive benchmark for advancing processes and facilitating information sharing across the global construction and equipment industries.
Today, an increasing number of products in the construction sector offer data exchange interfaces based on the IFC standard, enabling seamless integration of multidisciplinary design and management.
As early as 1995, the International Alliance proposed an industry-specific data model targeting building objects directly. The primary objective of this model is to promote data sharing and interaction among diverse yet unified professions within the construction industry, as well as to support interoperability between different software applications used within the same profession.
The IFC data model encompasses both the design and facility management phases of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facility Management (AEC/FM), continuously expanding to meet emerging needs. For instance, due to regulatory requirements for construction drawing approvals in Singapore, IFC has been involved in managing over 120 related content areas for drawing approval processes.
The IFC standard (notably the IFC 2x version) has been adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as ISO/PAS 16739, becoming the official data standard for the AEC/FM sector, covering building, engineering, construction, and equipment management.
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