With both the Uniclass and Uniclass2 classification systems, CPIC are committed to making the data and information they produce as open and freely available as possible.

Why Open?

Paying to access a classification system doesn’t make sense, and limiting the availability of the system to one specific format (be it in an actual book you have to pay for, or in a proprietary digital format such as Excel) means that unnecessary barriers are put in place for the adoption, use and sharing of the data and classification information.

What are CPIC doing?

To this end, CPIC provide the Uniclass and Uniclass2 systems as freely available data in a variety of formats. Currently, we provide csv, txt, and pdf, as well as hosting Uniclass and Uniclass2 to view freely online or print your own copy via http://www.cpic.org.uk/uniclass/ . We are currently finalising the release of a number of XML formats for reuse in various CAD/BIM software too.

How Open is CPIC?

Both Uniclass and Uniclass2 digital formats are available via the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, meaning that people and organisations are free copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, for any purpose (even commercially). All CPIC require is that credit is given in the new work, and that If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified Uniclass/Uniclass2 system as being official.

Finally, both Uniclass and Uniclass2 now have an Open Data Institute Pilot-level Certificate to show CPI’s commitment to providing Uniclass as open, reusable data. You can see more about Open Data and what the Institute does in this short video.

For More information see https://certificates.theodi.org/