The Construction Information Service (CIS)

Master your projects with one-stop, definitive construction information

Developed by IHS Markit and NBS, the Construction Information Service (CIS) is an online tool to quickly access current regulations, construction standards, technical advice and industry news on building, engineering, design and construction processes in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Updated weekly, the CIS offers a powerful search engine to find authoritative information for every stage of the construction lifecyle from design and completion to operation and ongoing use. Easy-to-use search filters allow you to query 26,000+ documents – including full text copies of British standards, CIBSE documents, and technical data – from 500+ publishers and more.

Subscribe to the CIS today to:

Ensure design compliance and sustainability
Innovate designs and construction methods
Support construction lifecycle from start to completion
Complete projects accurately and on time
Keep pace with new technological advances

See the Construction Information Service in action

CIS Features

Recently redeveloped, CIS now provides even quicker, easier access to your content on PC, tablet or smart phone.

A new graphical layout providing improved content transparency
Project folders to help you organize and manage your documents
Automatic weekly updates to content
Automated document change alerts to keep you up to date
Increased amount of BIM (building information modeling) content
Customized user interface – Set preferences, save key searches and store documents
NBS – Link from CIS to NBS Specification products to ensure your specifications are thorough
Specify-it – Link to our collection of UK construction catalogs, equipment information and CAD drawings
Eurocode Conformance – Access the widest set of Eurocodes, UK National Annexes and Non-contradictory Complimentary Information (NCCI) material in a single service
Other publications – Enjoy direct online access to The Architects’ Journal
Comprehensive coverage of healthcare building and construction information, including NHS Model Engineering Specification – An invaluable source for healthcare estates management
Subject guides, briefings, news, reviews, technical information and guidance publications for English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish regulations (Irish Agrément Board, RIAI, Building Research Establishment, Institution of Structural Engineers and the RIBA)
IHS Markit helpline support and training – Access help at every step of the way with comprehensive user assistance and training tailored to meet your company’s needs
Operating requirements – Any modern internet browser from Internet Explorer 9 upwards, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. The service is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista or XP (32-bit)

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The CIS Supplements

CIS content is organized into seven fully searchable supplements based on workflows or research areas. Subscribers receive a core supplement, with the choice of an additional six supplements to suit project requirements.

Core

Key documents cited in the UK Building Regulations Approved Documents (where possible) and critical technical standards and booklets.

Example Documents/Publishers

Building Regulations
Eurocodes
National Annexes
Select NCCI material
BRE, HTM and HBN’s British Standards
Specimen contract documents

Design & Building

Documents that assist complex building and landscape design; nonstatutory guidance documents that complement those in the Core covering statutory aspects of design (e.g., fire, building and energy conservation); critical publications and information from industry partners and building interior design.

Example Documents/Publishers

BSI
BRE
CIRIA
SCI
NHBC
CIBSE
AJs
TRL
TRADA

Planning & Development

Critical publications and industry partner information, including guidance, legislation, circulars, advice notes and statistics for those involved in sustainable development and management, environmental planning, climate change, town and country planning, developing sustainable communities, biodiversity and conservation.

Example Documents/Publishers

CIRIA
BRE
SCI
IStructE
TRADA

Construction Management

Documents on construction procurement, design management, managing construction quality, operational maintenance, contractual claims and disputes, project management, cost and value management, and critical publications and information from industry partners not available from any other online service.

Example Documents/Publishers

BSI
BRE
CIOB
IStructE

Civil & Structural

Detailed coverage of complex structural design, repair and maintenance for civil and structural engineers, contractors and design team members responsible for design and detailing.

Example Documents/Publishers

Concrete Society
BSI
SCI
IStructE

Mechanical & Electrical

Documents on building electrical services, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, energy production and distribution, building mechanical services, environmental impact, critical publications and information from industry partners.

Example Documents/Publishers

BSI
BSRIA
CIRIA
HVCA
CIBSE

British Standards Extra

Standards that might not be critical for the majority of subscribers, but that would be highly desirable to see in order to eliminate their detailed implementation in design and construction operations.

Example Documents/Publishers

Is CIS right for you?

85% of the UK's top 100 engineers, 96% of its top 100 architects, and 87% of its top 100 consultants are customers of IHS Markit.

Who uses CIS?	To access technical information on key subjects
Architecture Architects/Architectural Technicians/ Landscape Architects/Urban Designers	Building Regulations Construction standards Eurocodes Contract law and management Planning law Design guidance Accessibility Materials Brownfield sites and green roofs Biomass and energy saving
Building Control Building Control Officers /Inspectors/Surveyors/Managers	Building Regulations Appeals and determination letters CDM regulations Accessibility Planning Health and safety and security Building techniques Demolition Site investigations Material performance Sustainability
Civil & Structural Engineering Civil Engineers/Asset Engineers/Development Control Engineers/Project Engineers/Structural Engineers/Building Services Engineers/ Infrastructural Engineers/Transport & Traffic Engineers/Geotechnical Engineers/Steelwork Engineers	Vibration, loading and stress Material performance (e.g. concrete, steel and timber) Geotechnical engineering Cost and project management Risk assessment and management Project and tender management Sustainability Highways Construction methods
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineers/ Electrical Engineer/ Manufacturing Systems Engineers/Control and Instrumentation Engineers/Technical Engineers/ Maintenance Engineers	Energy use and conservation Health and safety Compliance and testing Heating, ventilation and air conditioning Waste disposal and drainage Building management systems Fire precautions Gas installation Public health engineering
Surveying Building Surveyors/Conservation Surveyors/ Party Wall Surveyors/Environmental Engineering Surveyors	Maintenance and repair Accessibility Party wall Project management Brownfield sites Risk assessment Planning Asbestos Schedules of condition and dilapidation Sustainability Property maintenance management
Building Contracting Building Contractors/Assemblers/ Sub-Contractors/ Contract Managers	Tendering Planning Contracts Design and build Site safety Project management Quantity surveying Contract law Procurement

Partnerships

British Standards Institute (BSI)	BSRIA Limited
The Steel Construction Institute (SCI)	The Concrete Society
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)	Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)	Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)
EMAP/Architects Journal	TRADA Technology
Building Research Establishment - BRE	RIAI

CIS Advertising Opportunities

Product and service providers can reach more than 96% of architects, 90% of consultants, and 69% of contractors and house builders in the UK by advertising in the CIS. Contact UK Customer Care number: +44 (0) 1344 328 300 or Subscribe to Marketing Solutions.

Testimonials

“At the end of the day, we found The Construction Information Service easier to work with, the other system was somewhat limited.”

– Michael Haste, Architect and Director, Pascall+Watson Architects Ltd.

“Our people can check products before they’re ordered, whether it’s a manufacturer catalogue, CAD drawings or finding a local supply chain. The level of detail of construction data that’s readily available… makes this tool very valuable.”

– Rumana Shaukat, Quality Delivery Manager, Willmott Dixon

Industry Success Stories

Pascall+Watson: Online Access to Technical Building Documents with The Construction Information Service

As the biggest airport terminal designer in the United Kingdom, this premier architectural firm has enabled all of its employees to easily find and view UK building standards documents online -- anytime, anywhere. The staff can be confident documents are current and saves time previously spent maintaining or searching for hardcopies.

Learn more about our client’s successes

Willmott Dixon Builds In Outstanding Quality by Increasing Leverage of Construction Industry Standards

One of the UK's largest construction companies is building stellar quality into its projects by increasing its leverage of construction industry standards information -- positive results range from reassuring a customer about a pipe-fitting solution to resolving a subcontractor dispute and saving £35,000.

Learn more about our client’s successes

Burns & McDonnell Engineers Access Standards in the Field in Minutes

This US-based engineering and architectural firm provides its team of experts with immediate access to the world’s most comprehensive databank of standards documents in the course of their daily workflow – as well as automated alerts regarding updates – even when they are on location at project sites.

Learn more about our client’s successes