Meaning of words in BS7671

Listen to audio stream
Voiced by Amazon Polly
Topic Progress:

For some years the British Standards Institute (BSI) have been developing rules relating to precise meanings of words to be used within standards such as  BS 7671 In the introductory Notes on the plan of the 18th Edition (page 18 in the Brown Book), BS7671 applies definitions specifically to the language used within this Standard:

Guidance.
An element containing informative text.

Informative annex.
Annex that contains additional recommendations, guidance or statements intended to assist the understanding or use of the document.

Informative element:

  • Preliminary informative element. Element that identifies the document, introduces its content and explains its background, its development and its relationship with other documents.
  • Supplementary informative element. Element that provides additional information intended to assist the understanding or use of the document.

Normative annex.
Annex that contains requirements or procedural instructions additional to those in the body of the document.

Normative element.
An element that describes the scope of the document or sets out requirements.

Note.
An element containing informative text.

Requirement.
An expression in the content of a document conveying criteria to be fulfilled if compliance with the document is to be claimed and from which no deviation is permitted.

Recommendation.
An expression in the content of a document conveying that among several possibilities one is recommended as particularly suitable, without mentioning or excluding others.

Common language expressions

The following table describes verbal forms which may be used to express normative and informative elements:

P.S. Normative means – relating to the standard. For instance, looking at Regulation 418.3.7 which states:

418.3.7  If two faults affecting two exposed-conductive-part occur and these are fed by conductors of different polarity, a protective device shall disconnect the supply in a disconnection time conforming to Table 41.1.

This means 418.3.7 is a Regulation, which must be followed.