Glossary
Technical regulations and codes
The Código Técnico de la Edificación, its basic documents, technical regulations and reference standards, including their abbreviations.
Código Estructural (structural code) (Código Estructural, Spanish structural regulations)
The Código Estructural, Spain's structural code, establishes requirements for concrete, steel and composite structures within its scope. It covers design, construction, control and conservation. Assessment of structural conditions and durability must identify the rules applicable by date and the characteristics of the intervention under investigation.Related terms: Reinforced concrete, Reinforcement corrosionStandard or law: Real Decreto 470/2021
Código Técnico de la Edificación (Spanish building code) (Código Técnico de la Edificación, CTE)
The Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, establishes basic building safety and habitability requirements within its scope. Basic documents detail compliance criteria. Inspection or claims work must identify the version and conditions applicable to the works rather than retrospectively requiring every later rule.Related terms: Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación (Spanish building law), Documento Básico de Salubridad (health requirements)Standard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006
Declaration of Performance (Declaración de prestaciones, DoP)
A document through which a manufacturer declares particular performance characteristics of a construction product under the applicable framework. It identifies characteristics and intended use. It helps check products used in a home but cannot, by itself, prove correct construction or that every performance characteristic is suitable.Related terms: European Technical Assessment, Memoria de calidades (materials and finishes specification)
Documento Básico de Acciones en la Edificación (building actions) (Documento Básico de Acciones en la Edificación, DB-SE-AE)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, setting criteria for actions on buildings, including imposed loads, wind and snow. It supports structural verification. During refurbishment, changed uses or loads matter because an element without visible damage may need checking against new actions.Related terms: Structural beam, CantileverStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE AE
Documento Básico de Acero (steel structures) (Documento Básico de Acero, DB-SE-A)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, addressing steel structures and elements within its scope. It covers strength, stability, connections and other checks. In homes or refurbishment, it is used with other applicable rules without inferring compliance solely from the installed section type.Related terms: Structural column, BucklingStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE A
Documento Básico de Ahorro de Energía (energy saving) (Documento Básico de Ahorro de Energía, DB-HE)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, detailing requirements for energy consumption, the envelope, installations and other regulated efficiency conditions. Application depends on the works and regulatory version. It supports design checks but compliance does not mean identical consumption for every occupant.Related terms: Energy demand, Thermal transmittanceStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB HE
Documento Básico de Cimientos (foundations) (Documento Básico de Cimientos, DB-SE-C)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, covering ground, foundations and certain retaining structures. It includes geotechnical investigation and checks within its scope. In buildings experiencing movement, it relates supports to soil, although diagnosis must compare documentation with actual conditions.Related terms: Geotechnical investigation report, FoundationsStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE C
Documento Básico de Fábrica (masonry structures) (Documento Básico de Fábrica, DB-SE-F)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, setting criteria for masonry structures formed from units and mortar. It covers materials, construction and structural checks. It helps assess load-bearing walls, distinguish partitions and examine how openings or refurbishment change behaviour.Related terms: Load-bearing wall, Stepped crackStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE F
Documento Básico de Madera (timber structures) (Documento Básico de Madera, DB-SE-M)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, addressing timber structures and elements within its scope. It considers materials, strength, connections and service conditions. Inspection relates it to damp and biological attack, because design documentation does not replace checking the components' current condition.Related terms: Timber decay, Wood-destroying organismStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE M
Documento Básico de Protección frente al Ruido (noise protection) (Documento Básico de Protección frente al Ruido, DB-HR)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, detailing requirements to limit noise transmission and other acoustic effects. It considers construction elements and installations within its scope. Assessment may require testing, because wall or floor appearance cannot establish the completed assembly's performance.Related terms: Sound insulation, Impact soundStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB HR
Documento Básico de Salubridad (health requirements) (Documento Básico de Salubridad, DB-HS)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, detailing health requirements such as moisture protection, ventilation, water supply, drainage and radon protection. Application depends on each section. It guides checks of construction and services in a home according to the applicable version.Related terms: Water ingress damp, Controlled mechanical ventilationStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB HS
Documento Básico de Seguridad de Utilización y Accesibilidad (DB-SUA, safety in use and accessibility requirements)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, regulating measures to reduce risks during use and support accessibility in specified circumstances. It covers circulation, level changes and other elements. Inspection relates findings to the applicable scope and version rather than perceived difficulty alone.Related terms: Door threshold, Floor level differenceStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SUA
Documento Básico de Seguridad en caso de Incendio (fire safety) (Documento Básico de Seguridad en caso de Incendio, DB-SI)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, detailing conditions to reduce building fire risks within its scope. It includes spread, evacuation and fire resistance, among other matters. Checks consider arrangements and routes without confusing these regulations with insurance cover.Related terms: Fire damage, Reglamento de Instalaciones de Protección contra IncendiosStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SI
Documento Básico de Seguridad Estructural (structural safety) (Documento Básico de Seguridad Estructural, DB-SE)
A basic document of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, establishing principles for verifying structural strength, stability and service performance. Specific documents and other applicable standards supplement it. It organises damage investigations, but building safety requires information and analysis beyond simple visual observation.Related terms: Floor slab (forjado), Código Estructural (structural code)Standard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, DB SE
Documento de idoneidad técnica (technical suitability assessment) (Documento de idoneidad técnica, DIT)
A technical assessment of suitability for the intended use of certain construction materials, systems or procedures, issued by a body competent in that field. It includes conditions and limitations. Checks establish that the product and installation match the document rather than treating it as a general building guarantee.Related terms: European Technical Assessment, Declaration of Performance
Recognised documents of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (Documentos reconocidos del Código Técnico de la Edificación, recognised CTE guidance)
Officially recognised technical documents supporting application of the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code, such as guidance or tools within their scope. They differ from mandatory regulatory texts. They support justification and checks, but use requires verification of conditions, version and relevance to the intervention.Related terms: Código Técnico de la Edificación (Spanish building code), Alternative CTE solutionStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, Parte I, art. 4
Standardised test (Ensayo normalizado, test to a technical standard)
A test performed according to a method defined in a technical standard, with conditions and criteria allowing interpretation of the result. It may assess materials, products or building performance. A report must identify the standard and scope, because an informal check does not automatically equal that test.Related terms: Non-destructive testing, Expert report
European Technical Assessment (Evaluación técnica europea, ETA)
A document assessing the performance of a construction product or system regarding essential characteristics and an intended use within the relevant European framework. It includes assessment conditions. Documentation review checks the product and scope, because the assessment does not automatically establish correct installation in a particular home.Related terms: Documento de idoneidad técnica (technical suitability assessment), Declaration of Performance
Basic quality requirement (Exigencia básica de calidad, statutory building performance requirement)
A safety or habitability condition that a building must satisfy under the applicable regulatory framework. Technical criteria and procedures develop it. In a claim, it links a defect to the affected performance, distinguishing a regulatory requirement from an aesthetic preference or an owner's voluntary improvement.Related terms: Código Técnico de la Edificación (Spanish building code), Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación (Spanish building law)Standard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, Parte I, arts. 9 a 15
Instrucción Técnica Complementaria de Baja Tensión (ITC-BT, supplementary low-voltage technical instruction)
A technical document developing a particular aspect of the Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (REBT), Spain's low-voltage regulations. Together, these instructions detail installation, protection and documentation requirements. Identifying the relevant instruction matters, because citing the regulation generally does not explain the specific condition an examined element must meet.Related terms: Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (low-voltage rules), Certificado de instalación eléctrica (electrical certificate)Standard or law: Real Decreto 842/2002
Norma de Construcción Sismorresistente (seismic construction) (Norma de Construcción Sismorresistente, Spanish earthquake-resistant construction rules)
The Norma de Construcción Sismorresistente, Spain's seismic construction standard, establishes criteria for earthquake actions in building design and construction within its scope. Application depends on location and the works' characteristics. Assessment identifies the relevant rules without equating age or absence of damage with seismic safety.Related terms: Código Estructural (structural code), Geotechnical investigation reportStandard or law: Real Decreto 997/2002
Reglamento de Instalaciones de Protección contra Incendios (RIPCI, active fire protection installation regulations)
The Reglamento de Instalaciones de Protección contra Incendios (RIPCI), Spain's active fire protection regulations, establishes conditions for equipment and systems, installation and maintenance in specified cases. It covers items such as extinguishers and detection. It differs from building design rules and the contractual terms of insurance.Related terms: Documento Básico de Seguridad en caso de Incendio (fire safety), Fire damageStandard or law: Real Decreto 513/2017
Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios (RITE) (Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios, building thermal installations regulations)
The Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios (RITE), Spain's thermal installations regulations, sets energy efficiency and safety conditions for systems serving people's comfort and hygiene. It covers design, installation, maintenance and inspection. Assessment considers documentation, operation, intervention scope and rules applicable to the particular installation.Related terms: Heat pump, Condensing boilerStandard or law: Real Decreto 1027/2007
Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (low-voltage rules) (Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión, REBT)
The Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión (REBT), Spain's low-voltage electrical regulations, establishes technical and safety conditions alongside supplementary instructions. It governs design, construction and documentation within its scope. Assessment considers age and alterations, avoiding conclusions about compliance based solely on a modern distribution board.Related terms: Certificado de instalación eléctrica (electrical certificate), Instrucción Técnica Complementaria de Baja TensiónStandard or law: Real Decreto 842/2002
Alternative CTE solution (Solución alternativa, alternative design solution)
A design option differing from solutions in the basic documents while justifying at least equivalent performance under the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE), Spain's building code. It requires technical responsibility and the prescribed agreement. Merely calling different construction an alternative is insufficient without demonstrating satisfaction of applicable requirements.Related terms: Código Técnico de la Edificación (Spanish building code), Basic quality requirementStandard or law: Real Decreto 314/2006, Parte I, art. 5
Other glossary categories
Floors, tiles and finishes
Windows, glazing and locks
Heating, cooling, ventilation and energy efficiency
Buying, land registry and notary
Housing law and legal terms
Electrical installations and telecommunications
Facades, roofs and terraces
Structure and foundations
Plumbing, drainage and gas
Damp and leaks
New builds, construction parties and documents
Building defects and deterioration
Expert reports and court procedure
Insurance, claims and damage assessment (IRD)
Property valuation and planning
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