Dealing with change and obsolescence

Often the decision to replace components is based on non-durability reasons, such as reordering of spaces which may require a suspended ceiling with different properties to the existing. In this section, for the purposes of a whole life cost exercise it has been assumed that there will be no replacements other than those due to a component reaching its allocated service life and allowances for minor replacements as part of maintenance.

Other typical non-durability reasons for component replacement relate to different categories of obsolescence:

• technological: advances in sciences and engineering result in outdated components;
• functional: original designed use of the building is no longer required;
• economic: cost objectives may be achieved in a better way;
• social: changes in the needs of society result in the change of use for certain types of buildings and spaces;
• legal: legislation prohibits use of components;
• appearance: style of architecture is no longer fashionable.