DistributionSystems Schema
Alias: dsys
Version: 1.0.1
A schema for defining distribution systems.
This schema contains classes for physical modeling of distribution systems - networks designed to receive, store, maintain, distribute, or control the flow of a distribution media. The primary goal of this schema, however, is not to model network connectivity but to model physical properties of elements participating in a distribution system and their physical connections or connection points.
A BIS DistributionSystem consists of IDistributionElements, which can be either IDistributionFlowElements that direct flow, IDistributionControlElements that control IDistributionFlowElements, or IDistributionSensorElements, which make observations relevant to the DistributionSystem.
A given bis:PhysicalElement can implement more that one of IDistributionFlowElement, IDistributionControlElement, and IDistributionFlowElement.
Connection point information will be added in subsequent versions of the schema.
Table of contents
Entity Classes
DistributionSystem (Distribution System) EntityClass 
A network designed to receive, store, maintain, distribute, or control the flow of a distribution media.
Base Class: BisCore:PhysicalSystem
Inherited properties
| Name | Description | Type | Extended Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | The bis:Model that contains this bis:Element. | navigation | |
| LastMod | The last modified time of the bis:Element. This is maintained by the core framework and should not be set directly by applications. | dateTime | |
| CodeSpec | The CodeSpec property identifies the bis:CodeSpec used to generate and validate the code value for this bis:Element. The combination of CodeSpec, CodeScope, and CodeValue properties must be unique for each bis:Element instance. | navigation | |
| CodeScope | The CodeScope property identifies the bis:Element that provides the uniqueness scope for the code value. The combination of CodeSpec, CodeScope, and CodeValue properties must be unique for each bis:Element instance. | navigation | |
| CodeValue | The CodeValue property stores a human-readable real-world identifier of the Entity represented by the bis:Element. The combination of CodeSpec, CodeScope, and CodeValue properties must be unique for each bis:Element instance. | string | |
| UserLabel | An optional friendly name given by the user (as opposed to the formal name stored in the CodeValue property). | string | |
| Parent | The parent bis:Element that owns this bis:Element. | navigation | |
| FederationGuid | The GUID used to federate this bis:Element across repositories. | binary | BeGuid |
| JsonProperties | A string property that users and/or applications can use to persist ad hoc JSON values. | string | Json |
| AggregatingSystem | The aggregator of this sub-system within the System hierarchy. | navigation |
A common example is a heating hot water system that consists of a pump, a tank, and an interconnected piping system for distributing hot water to terminals.
A DistributionSystem groups DistributionElements via the DistributionSystemGroupsDistributionElements relationship.
Equivalent to IfcDistributionSystem.
Mixins
IDistributionControlElement (Distribution Control Element) Abstract Mixin
An interface that can be mixed-into a bis:PhysicalElement to indicate that it is an IDistributionElement that controls other elements of a distribution system.
Base Class: DistributionSystems:IDistributionElement
Applies To: PhysicalElement
These elements are typically used to control distribution system elements and variables such as temperature, pressure, power, lighting levels and similar.
See DistributionSystems.
Equivalent to IfcDistributionControlElement for controlling predefined types.
IDistributionElement (Distribution Element) Abstract Mixin
An interface that can be mixed-into a bis:PhysicalElement to indicate that it can be a member of a DistributionSystem.
Base Class: BisCore:IParentElement
Applies To: PhysicalElement
IDistributionElement is a generalization of all elements that participate in a distribution system. Typical examples of IDistributionElement are (among others):
- elements within heating systems
- elements within cooling systems
- elements within ventilation systems
- elements within plumbing systems
- elements within electrical systems
- elements within communication network systems
It defines occurence of any HVAC, electrical, sanitary or other element within a distribution system. An IDistributionElement is expected to own at least one DistributionPort via the DistributionElementOwnsDistributionPorts relationship class.
Equivalent to IfcDistributionElement.
The distribution element should be assigned to the finest granularity SpatialStructureElement element it is fully contained in.
- Space is the default container for a distributionElement
- Story is the container if distribution element spans multiple spaces
- Building is the default container when a distribution element spans multiple stories.
IDistributionFlowElement (Distribution Flow Element) Abstract Mixin
An interface that can be mixed-into a bis:PhysicalElement to indicate that it is an IDistributionElement that facilitates the distribution of energy or matter, such as air, water or power.
Base Class: DistributionSystems:IDistributionElement
Applies To: PhysicalElement
See DistributionSystems.
Equivalent to IfcDistributionFlowElement.
IDistributionSensorElement (Distribution Sensor Element) Abstract Mixin
An interface that can be mixed-into a bis:PhysicalElement to indicate that it is an IDistributionElement that observes conditions that affect a distribution system.
Base Class: DistributionSystems:IDistributionElement
Applies To: PhysicalElement
Distribution sensor elements could be used to measure variables such as temperature, humidity, pressure or flow.
See DistributionSystems.
Equivalent to IfcDistributionControlElement for sensing predefined types and not IfcSensor.
Relationship Classes
DistributionSystemGroupsDistributionElements (Distribution System Groups Distribution Elements) RelationshipClass
A relationship used to identify the dsys:IDistributionElements that are members of a DistributionSystem.
Base Class: BisCore:PhysicalSystemGroupsMembers
Strength: Referencing
Strength Direction: Forward
Source
Target
Last Updated: 06 November, 2024