Major Construction Standards Released – November 2025 (Part 2)

November 2025 marks a significant update in the field of construction materials and building, highlighted by the publication of five critical international standards. These updates establish new best practices and technical benchmarks for professionals involved in reinforced concrete, gas metering, explosion-resistant facades, energy-efficient rooftop HVAC units, and digital modeling of lifts. Each standard ushers in enhanced safety, performance, and digitalization—redefining norms for compliance, procurement, engineering, and facility management.

Overview / Introduction

The construction sector continually evolves to meet demands for safer, more sustainable, and digitally enabled buildings. In this rapidly changing environment, international standards are indispensable, providing verified specifications that ensure product quality, safety, interoperability, and legal compliance across projects worldwide.

This article explores five essential standards published in November 2025, crucial for professionals seeking to align with the latest technological, safety, and regulatory trends in the construction materials and building sector. Readers will gain:

• An understanding of each standard’s core scope and requirements
• Insights into technical innovations and practical implementation
• Guidance on compliance deadlines and industry impact
• Direct access to each official standard for further study

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 10406-2:2025 – FRP Reinforcement of Concrete: Test Methods for Sheets

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement of concrete – Test methods – Part 2: FRP sheets

ISO 10406-2:2025 sets out standardized test methods tailored to fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets, specifically for their application in the upgrading and strengthening of concrete members. This international standard introduces consistent guidelines for preparing, conditioning, and testing FRP sheets under tensile, splice, bond, pull-off, and freeze/thaw resistance benchmarks.

Key provisions include:

• Definitions and protocols for sample preparation, curing, and anchorage
• Standardized procedures for measuring tensile properties—tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and ultimate strain
• Rigorous overlap splice strength, bond properties, and direct pull-off strength tests
• Classification and reporting of failure categories and detailed calculation protocols for derived parameters
• Comprehensive requirements for documenting and interpreting test results

Applicable to: Civil engineering firms, structural testing labs, concrete repair and retrofit companies, and QA engineers involved in infrastructure upgrades.

Practical Impact:

• Enables objective selection and comparison between FRP sheet products
• Assures global consistency in testing for critical infrastructure reinforcement
• Supports project documentation necessary for compliance and warranty claims

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive definitions for FRP sheet test procedures
• Emphasis on test reproducibility and robust failure analysis
• Applicable from sample prep to test reporting

Access the full standard: View ISO 10406-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 12480:2025 – Rotary Displacement Gas Meters

Gas meters – Rotary displacement gas meters

EN 12480:2025 offers comprehensive requirements for the construction, performance, and testing of rotary displacement (RD) gas meters. These meters are vital for accurate measurement of fuel gases under varying pressure and temperature conditions, with robust guidelines for use in both indoor and outdoor (protected and exposed) settings.

Standard scope encompasses:

• Measurement ranges, maximum allowable pressures, and environmental conditions (−10 °C to +40 °C)
• Metrological performance (error of indication, repeatability, and pressure loss)
• Durability under condensing/non-condensing humidity and vibrational classes M1, E1, E2
• Pressure and temperature tappings; protection against corrosion and overload
• Design specifications including connections, materials, and mechanical indices (excluding full electronic meters)
• Companion annexes (A and B) detailing pattern approval and individual meter testing
• Compliance evaluation requirements (Annex D)

Required by: Utility companies, gas suppliers, meter manufacturers, and regulatory bodies.

Practical Relevance:

• Ensures accurate billing and safety in gas distribution
• Facilitates legal metrology and conformity assessment
• Provides a standard reference for manufacturers targeting European and international markets

Key highlights:

• Precise testing methods for error, pressure loss, repeatability
• Covers durability, marking, and storage requirements
• Links metrological testing to EU regulatory frameworks

Access the full standard: View EN 12480:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13124-2:2025 – Explosion Resistance for Windows, Doors, Shutters, Curtain Walls

Windows, doors, shutters and curtain walling – Explosion resistance – Test method – Part 2: Arena test

EN 13124-2:2025 introduces a robust test method for evaluating and classifying explosion resistance of building envelope elements—including windows, doors, shutters, and curtain walling—under open-field (arena) blast conditions. It enables alignment with the proliferation of blast-resilient architectural solutions in critical infrastructure and high-risk buildings.

Key elements involve:

• Test setup details for mounting specimens and measuring blast wave data
• Test procedures for simulating close and mid-range high explosive events, aligned to EN 13123-2:2025 loading classes
• Evaluation of peak reflected pressure, impulse, and internal hazard classification
• Optional assessment criteria for external hazard class and open/locked configurations
• Expanded coverage for curtain walling, new hazard classes and damage measurement methodologies, and inclusion of opening/locking mechanisms
• Thorough documentation and summary reporting requirements

Relevant for: Façade engineers, security consultants, glazing manufacturers, and government organizations specifying resilient design.

Industry Impact:

• Enables empirical validation of building components for anti-terrorism/security requirements
• Supports specification and procurement of certified blast-resistant elements
• Expands applicability to next-generation envelope systems (e.g., curtain walls)

Key highlights:

• Incorporation of updated hazard classes and curtain walling
• Enhanced test procedure options for complex project needs
• Supports alignment with international security and blast-resilience demands

Access the full standard: View EN 13124-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 17625:2025 – Rooftop Units: Testing & Seasonal Performance Calculation

Rooftop units – Testing and rating at standard rating conditions and part load conditions for calculation of seasonal performance

EN 17625:2025 sets out unified testing and rating methods for rooftop HVAC units utilizing both air- and water-sourced configurations. The standard covers every critical step—from test conditions to calculation of seasonal efficiencies (SEER, SCOP, ηs,c, ηs,h)—reflecting market demand for greener, high-performing comfort solutions.

Key inclusions:

• Detailed definitions of test methods, including capacities (cooling/heating), power consumption under part load, and off/standby/crankcase heater modes
• Protocols for rating rooftop units with multiple dampers, free-cooling, mixed airflows, and heat recovery features
• Calculation procedures for seasonal metrics including seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP)
• Explicit coverage for both measured values and calculation-based performance determinations
• Comprehensive test report formats to ensure transparent communication

Target users: HVAC manufacturers, test facilities, building designers, energy consultants, and quality assurance teams.

Benefits:

• Unifies testing for rooftop systems in Europe and beyond
• Assists in product labeling and energy compliance declarations
• Supports procurement/specification of energy-efficient rooftop HVAC systems

Key highlights:

• Detailed coverage of both standard and part-load rating
• Directly addresses calculation of annual and seasonal efficiencies
• Includes provisions for units with and without integrated heating/cooling exchangers

Access the full standard: View EN 17625:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO/TS 8100-10:2025 – Lifts and Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Lifts for the transport of persons and goods – Part 10: Building Information Modelling

ISO/TS 8100-10:2025 defines the minimal dataset required for integrating new lifts into digital Building Information Modelling (BIM) environments. The specification supports planning through pre-design, schematic, and detailed design stages, ensuring lift manufacturers and building design teams exchange consistent geometric and alphanumeric information.

Specification highlights:

• Lists required geometric representations (bounding volumes, interfaces to building, components) for pre-design through detailed design
• Defines what alphanumeric information (measurements, properties, unique IDs) must be included for each design stage
• Built on the framework defined in ISO 7817-1, supporting IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data exchange protocols
• Focused on new lifts (not applicable to retrofits or pre-existing lifts)

Who should comply: BIM modelers, lift manufacturers, architects, building engineers, and digital project managers.

Practical advantages:

• Reduces errors and interpretation gaps between digital designs and installed lifts
• Promotes interoperability among different design and engineering tools
• Supports more efficient space allocation and interdisciplinary coordination in BIM projects

Key highlights:

• Specification of standardized BIM objects and alphanumeric datasets for lifts
• Focused alignment with leading digital construction trends
• Enhances design-phase clarity and stakeholder communication

Access the full standard: View ISO/TS 8100-10:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The November 2025 standards updates usher in transformative changes for construction professionals worldwide:

• Accelerated compliance: Teams must familiarize themselves with new requirements before integrating affected materials or systems into projects.
• Procurement alignment: Product selection, tendering, and vendor prequalification should reference the latest standards to ensure future-proof performance and regulatory acceptance.
• Risk mitigation: Adhering to updated test methods, BIM data requirements, and energy performance metrics reduces litigation risk and future retrofit costs.
• Competitive advantage: Organizations that rapidly adopt these standards gain a reputation for best-practice compliance, sustainability, and risk management.

Timelines: Immediate for new projects; transitional arrangements may exist for in-progress tenders—review publication specifics for grace periods. Monitor updates from local standards bodies for region-specific enforcement.

Benefits include:

• Enhanced safety, energy efficiency, and digital integration
• Streamlined certifications and market approvals
• Greater clarity for all stakeholders in the design, testing, and commissioning phases
• Assurance of future compatibility with regulatory trends and client expectations

Risks of non-compliance:

• Project delays and increased costs from rework or re-testing
• Legal liabilities and invalidation of insurance cover
• Exclusion from government or large infrastructure procurement processes

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements Across Standards:

• Detailed test protocols with clear pass/fail criteria
• Comprehensive reporting and recordkeeping practices
• Emphasis on physical and digital interoperability (especially for BIM objects and test data)
• Harmonization with both performance and durability requirements

Implementation Best Practices:

1. Early Engagement: Involve QA, compliance, and engineering teams at the bid and design stages.
2. Training: Schedule training or certification workshops to update staff and partners on new test procedures and documentation protocols.
3. Supplier Vetting: Source materials and products from manufacturers demonstrably compliant with the latest standards.
4. Document Control: Maintain traceable records linking proprietary test data to standardized templates for audits.
5. Plan for Digital Integration: For standards such as ISO/TS 8100-10:2025, ensure BIM models are updated and checked against the new minimum data requirements.

Testing and Certification Considerations:

• Use accredited, independent laboratories for all standardized physical tests
• Align product labels, Declaration of Conformities, and digital handover data with the standards’ documentation provisions
• For digital deliverables, validate dataset completeness and IFC compatibility

Conclusion / Next Steps

The release of these five influential standards marks a turning point in the construction materials and building sector. From advanced testing of FRP concrete reinforcements and blast-resistant fenestration to highly efficient HVAC units and seamless BIM lift integration, November 2025’s updates will shape project delivery, compliance, and building safety for years to come.

Immediate Recommendations:

• Audit your current projects and procurement pipelines for relevance to these standards
• Coordinate with design, engineering, and BIM management teams to schedule briefings or technical reviews
• Engage trusted test facilities early for new product qualifications
• Bookmark or acquire the full textual standards through authoritative platforms

Stay proactive—visit iTeh Standards to access the complete documents, prepare for part 3 of this series, and ensure your teams remain on the frontline of compliance and innovation.