A-SPEC — Glossary of Terms and Definitions

With the introduction of additional jurisdictions, there will be instances where different terms or words are used to describe identical features.

We have included this glossary to define terms; all defined words are in alphabetical order. They are not used in this specification with any other meaning. As other terms are identified, they will be added, and this section will be updated from time to time and provided in the relevant specification.

Please note that it is not the intention to detail every industry term in this glossary, as many terms have already been pre-defined in existing codes of practice, land development manuals, infrastructure design manuals, and Standards organisations — as well as by State, Regional, and central agencies and associations who develop the policies and practice notes for areas covering planning, design, and construction.

A

Access Points (S-Spec, W-Spec) — also referred to as “Manhole,” “Pit,” “Maintenance Hole,” or “Inspection Opening.”

ACDC — As Constructed Design Certification portal, one of the validation systems an asset owner may use to check submitted data against A-SPEC requirements.

AHD — refers to “Australian Height Datum,” a level datum uniform throughout Australia.

AMG — refers to “Australian Map Grid,” the coordinate system superseded by MGA (Map Grid of Australia). Not to be confused with MGA.

AOW_ID (Area of Work Extent Identifier) — a unique identifier created by the data supplier to link all assets delivered under a single project.

Area of Work Extent — a polygon representing the extent of a subdivision development or capital works project, used to link all assets to that project.

As Constructed Data — also referred to as “As Constructed Information,” “As Builts,” “Work as Executed,” “Work as Constructed,” “As Cons,” or “As Laid.” Accurate data collected for assets constructed during subdivision developments and/or capital works.

A-SPEC — the overarching program managing each specification.

A-SPEC Checklist — a document that forms part of the process to identify what asset data will be delivered at Practical Completion.

A-SPEC Community — the network of members, consultants, and contributors who use and help shape A-SPEC. Enhancements are driven by the Community, for the Community.

A-SPEC Overview — a companion document to be read in conjunction with all the specifications.

A-SPEC Registration — registration to access the relevant materials outlining the asset data requirements to be delivered to an asset owner.

Asset Handover — the final phase of the Asset and Asset Data Handover Process, following Practical Completion and the Defects Liability Period.

Asset Management Information System (AMIS) — also referred to as “Asset Management System (AMS).”

ATRF2014 — refers to “Australian Terrestrial Reference Frame 2014,” also referred to as the “Dynamic Datum.”

Authority — an organisation, such as a council or utility, which creates projects and assigns them to consultants.

B

Backfill — refers to material used to fill an excavation.

Bedding — refers to the zone around a pipe between the foundation and the bottom of the pipeline.

B-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of building asset data to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

Business Rules — the set of standards, specifications, and business rules used to validate asset data.

C

Capital Works — internal programs created and managed by an asset owner to deliver new assets or refurbish/renew assets.

CCTV — refers to “Closed Circuit Television.”

Certification Form — a document containing project information that must accompany every digital data submission.

Consultant — an organisation, such as a Developer or their agent (e.g. Consulting Engineer or Surveyor), that submits validated A-SPEC As Constructed Data.

D

DDS — the version of a specification that applies to newly constructed assets, as distinct from the Existing Assets version.

Defects Liability Period — the phase following Practical Completion, during which construction defects are identified and rectified before final Asset Handover.

Developer — an organisation, such as a Developer or their agent, that submits validated A-SPEC As Constructed Data.

D-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of stormwater drainage and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) asset data to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

E

End of Pipe — also referred to as “Blank End.”

EPSG code — the specific code identifying a coordinate reference system, used to populate the Spatial Reference field in the Certification Form.

Existing Assets — also referred to as “Already Constructed” or “Legacy Data.” A version of a specification used when assets are already built or installed and data capture is retrospective (e.g. confirming an existing inventory).

G

GDA — refers to the Geocentric Datum of Australia.

GDA94 / GDA2020 — specific realisations of the Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA); GDA94 is being progressively transitioned to GDA2020.

GDV Hub — an online self-service kiosk (SaaS) used to validate that As Constructed Data submitted complies with the technical requirements of A-SPEC.

GeoPackage (GPKG) — an open, non-proprietary, platform-independent, standards-based data format for geographic information systems.

GISSA International — the custodian and manager of A-SPEC.

Gravity Pipes — also referred to as a “Main” or “Trunk Main.”

Gross Pollutant Trap — also referred to as “Litter Trap,” “Hydrodynamic Separator,” “Sediment Trap,” “Oil and Grit Trap,” “Rubbish Trap,” “Proprietary Unit,” “Catchpit Filter,” or “Oil and Water Separator.” Used to remove gross pollutants, particulate-bound contaminants, rubbish, grit, coarse sediment, oil, and litter. Oil and water separator is used specifically to remove hydrocarbons.

H

Harmonised Codelist — the standard codes used across all A-SPEC specifications for newly created assets.

I

Inlet — also referred to as “Bay” or “Creek.”

Installation Date — also referred to as “Construction Date.”

Invert — refers to the lowest point of the internal surface of a pipe or channel at any cross-section.

J

Junction — refers to the connection of two or more wastewater sewer segments.

M

MGA — refers to “Map Grid of Australia,” the current coordinate system used throughout A-SPEC, based on GDA94 or GDA2020.

N

Node — in the context of this specification, used to identify the start and end points of the pressure main pipe network.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (Confidential Disclosure Deed) — the signed agreement between a recipient and GISSA International governing use of confidential A-SPEC material.

O

OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) — the standards body whose Simple Features Access standard A-SPEC geometries must comply with.

O-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of assets within open space and recreation reserves to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

P

Permeable Pavement — also referred to as “Porous Pavement,” “Treatment Trench,” or “Rock Filter.”

Pipe — also referred to as a “Main.”

Pit (D-Spec) — also referred to as “Manhole,” “Access Point,” “Maintenance Hole,” or “Inspection Opening.”

Pond — also referred to as “Retarding Basin,” “Detention Basin,” or “Depression Storage.”

Potable Water — also referred to as “Drinking” or “Drinkable Water.”

Practical Completion — the point at which A-SPEC requirements must be met and validated before progressing to the Defects Liability Period.

Practical Completion Certificate — also referred to as “Statement of Compliance” (Victoria, Tasmania), “Clearance” (Western Australia), “Completion Certificate” (New South Wales), or “Certificate of Practical Completion” (Tasmania). The certificate confirming A-SPEC requirements have been met, varying in name by jurisdiction.

Precision Code — a letter code (A–G) representing the horizontal and vertical positional accuracy required for a given asset type.

Pressure Mains — also referred to as “Rising Mains.”

Project Manager — the asset owner’s or Consultant’s representative in charge of the overall planning and execution of a project.

Property Connection — also referred to as “Service Main,” “Lateral,” “Service Connection,” “Service Line,” “Property Discharge Lines,” “House Connection,” or “House Connection Branch (HCB).”

Property Sanitary Drain — also referred to as “Property Service Drain.”

Q

Quality Report — also referred to as “Tolerance Report.” A report documenting changes where construction of an asset deviates from the initial design, outside acceptable tolerances.

R

Rain Garden — also referred to as “Bio-Retention System” or “Storm Water Planter.”

Raw Water — also referred to as “Untreated Water.”

Recycled Water — also referred to as “Reuse” or “Reclaimed Water.”

Roof Garden — also referred to as “Green Roof” or “Eco Roof.”

R-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of assets within a road reserve to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

S

S-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of wastewater assets to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

SUI (Subsurface Utility Information) — the classification framework, per AS 5488, for subsurface utility infrastructure based on how it was located, positioned, and its attributes.

Swale — also referred to as “Buffer Strip,” “Filter Strip,” or “Treatment Wall.”

T

T-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of optical fibre/telecommunications assets to be supplied in a machine-readable format — FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

U

Universal File Name — the standardised naming convention used to label each asset type’s layer/level of graphical data.

V

Validation Rules — business intelligence rules used to ensure asset data complies with an asset owner’s business requirements.

W

Wastewater Sewer Maintenance Shaft — also referred to as an “Inspection Shaft” or “Lamphole.”

Wastewater System — also referred to as a “Sewerage System.”

WSUD — Water Sensitive Urban Design — elements captured as part of D-Spec.

W-Spec — a common specification outlining the details of potable and recycled water asset data to be supplied in a machine-readable format.

X

X-Spec — a specification extending A-SPEC coverage to supplementary asset classes that don’t naturally fit within the existing specifications — DRAFT PENDING RELEASE FOR COMMENT.