The standard IEC 61355-1 Classification and designation of documents for plants, systems and equipment describes rules and guidelines for the uniform classification and identification of documents based on their characteristic content of information.

It is applied for all documents within the life cycle of a technical products like plants, systems or equipment. It also includes non-technical documents. The main application is the construction, erection and operation of industrial plants where the number of documents of all engineering disciplines may sum up to some 100,000 documents.

During 2024, the new cross-standard ISO/IEC 81355 will be published and will replace the second edition of IEC 61355-1 published in 2008. The new standard will switch from "document classification" to "information classification" methods.

Classification code

The standard provides with the document kind classification code (DCC) a structured letter-code for the classification of any kind of document.

A public access database IEC 61355 DB is available in order to facilitate the individuation of the correct code to be applied to a document

The document kind classification code consists of three code-letters A1, A2, A3, with the prefix "&".

  • A1 Letter code for technical area class
  • A2 Letter code for main class
  • A3 Letter code for sub-class

The letter code A1 is optional, if all documents are from the same technical area. The letter codes A2 and A3 are identical for all technical areas.

Technical Areas

The technical areas are:

A1Technical area
AOverall management
BOverall technology
CConstruction engineering
EElectrical engineering, instrumentation and control engineering
MMechanical engineering (normally including process engineering))
PProcess engineering (only if separation from M is required))

Classes

The main classes are:

A2document kind classes, main classes
ADocumentation describing documents
BManagement documents
CContractual and non-technical documents
DGeneral technical information documents
ETechnical requirement and dimensioning documents
FFunction describing documents
LLocation documents
MConnection describing documents
PObject listings
QQuality management documents; safety-describing documents
TGeometry-related documents
WOperation records

Main classes and subclasses

Table of main classes and subclasses

A2 A3Document kind classes, main class and subclassExamples of document kinds
ADocumentation describing documents
AAAdministrative documentsCover sheet Title sheet
ABLists (regarding documents)List of documents List of contents Index
ACExplanatory documents (regarding documents)Document description Documentation structure diagram
AD ... AYReserved for future standardization
AZFree for user
BManagement documents
BARegistersVendor list Supplier list Distribution list
BBReportsMeeting report Status report Technical report Damage report Installation report Commissioning report Handing over protocol
BCCorrespondenceLetter Note
BDProject control documentsDocument interchange list Time sheet
BEResource planning documentsTime schedule Activity network plan Resource load diagram
BFDispatch, storage and transport documentsDispatch specification Shipping list Packing list Airway bill Bill of lading Certificate of origin Storage specification Transport specification
BGSite planning and site organization documentsSite specification for personnel
BHDocuments regarding changesChange notification Change request
BJ ... BRReserved for future standardization
BSSecurity documentsEscape plan Emergency instruction Fire protection plan Noise protection plan
BTTraining specific documentsTraining description
BU ... BYReserved for future standardization
BZFree for user
CContractual and nontechnical documents
CAInquiry, calculation and offer documentsInquiry Calculation sheet (commercial) Offer Letter of intent Letter of acceptance
CBApproval documentsApproval application Acceptance/ authorization License
CCContractual documentsContract Final acceptance certificate Terms of delivery
CDOrder and delivery documentsOrder Delivery note
CEInvoice documentsInvoice
CFInsurance documentsInsurance policy Damage assessment
CGWarranty documentsCertificate of guarantee
CHExpertisesExpertise
CJ ... CYReserved for future standardization
CZFree for user
DGeneral technical information documents
DAData sheetsData sheet Dimension drawing
DBExplanatory documentsSystem description Structure diagram Description of designation system
DCInstructions and manualsManufacturing instructions Installation instructions Operating instructions Inspection instructions Maintenance instructions Operation manual
DDTechnical reportsTechnical report R&D report
DECatalogues Advertising documentsCatalogue Product leaflet
DFTechnical publicationsTechnical publication
DG ... DYReserved for future standardization
DZFree for user
ETechnical requirement and dimensioning documents
EALegal requirement documentsBuilding regulation Operation decree Environmental decree
EBStandards and regulationsIEC standard ISO standard
ECTechnical specification / requirement documentsRequirement specification Technical specification Consumer list Component / device list of instrumentation and control equipment Measuring point and criteria list List of motors and loads Test specification Material specification
EDDimensioning documentsCalculation sheet (technical)
EE ... EYReserved for future standardization
EZFree for user
FFunction-describing documents
FAFunctional overview documentsNetwork map
FBFlow diagramsBlock diagram Process flow diagram (PFD) Piping and instrumentation diagram (P & ID) Utility flow diagram (UFD)
FCMMI layout documents (MMI = man-machine interface)Screen display layout drawing
FDReserved for future standardization
FEFunction descriptionsFunction description
FFFunction diagramsFunction diagram Logic function diagram Function chart Sequence chart Equivalent circuit diagram Time sequence chart
FG ... FNReserved for future standardization
FPSignal descriptionsSignal list
FQSetting value documentsSetting list
FRReserved for future standardization
FSCircuitry documentsCircuit diagram
FTSoftware specific documentsProgram diagram Code list Design description
FU ... FYReserved for future standardization
FZFree for user
LLocation documents
LAExploitation and survey documentsGround plan
LBEarthwork and foundation work documentsExcavation plan Foundation drawing
LCBuilding carcass documentsReinforcement plan Static drawing
LDOn-site location documentsArrangement drawing (site) Site plan Installation drawing (site) Installation diagram (site) Cable routing drawing (site) Earthing plan, drawing (site)
LE ... LGReserved for future standardization
LHIn-building location documents (also applied for ships, aircraft, etc.)Arrangement drawing (building) Building drawing Installation diagram (building) Cable routing drawing (building) Earthing drawing (building)
LJ ... LTReserved for future standardization
LUIn/on-equipment location documentsArrangement drawing (equipment) Assembly drawing
LV ... LYReserved for future standardization
LZFree for user
MConnection-describing documents
MAConnection documentsConnection diagram Connection table
MBCabling or piping documentsCable diagram Cable pulling card Piping list
MC ... MYReserved for future standardization
MZFree for user
PObject listings
PAMaterial listsMaterial list
PBParts listsParts list Spare parts list Label list
PCItem listsItem list
PDProduct lists and product type listsProduct list Product type list
PEReserved for future standardization
PFFunction listsFunction list
PG ... PKReserved for future standardization
PLLocation listsLocation list
PM ... PYReserved for future standardization
PZFree for user
QQuality management documents and safety-describing documents
QAQuality management documentsQuality manual Quality plan Quality record Quality guideline Audit plan Audit report Non-conformity report Declaration of conformity
QBSafety-describing documentsSafety study Risk assessment
QCQuality verifying documentsTest certificate Material certificate Test report Fault report
QD ... QYReserved for future standardization
QZFree for user
TGeometrical form describing documents
TAPlanning drawingsConcept drawing Design drawing
TBConstruction drawingsDimension drawing Interface drawing Exploded-view drawing 3D-drawing
TCManufacturing and erection drawingsManufacturing drawing Drilling plan Welding plan
TD ... TKReserved for future standardization
TLArrangement documentsLayout drawing
TM ... TYReserved for future standardization
TZFree for user
WOperational protocols and records
WASet point documentsBatch recipe
WB ... WSReserved for future standardization
WTLogbooksOperational log Maintenance and modification log Test log
WU ... WYReserved for future standardization
WZFree for user

Source: IEC 61355–1

Designation codes for document kind classification codes in power plants (DCC key) published by

ISBN 978-3-86875-331-8

External links