BSI has published a new Publicly Available Specification (PAS), PAS 700, which specifies the requirements for the provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) facilities and services in a workplace. The PAS recognises the growing importance of ICT to business and the potential risks that can result from insufficient provision in a workplace.

The PAS assesses properties against four layers: Building, Infrastructure, Basic Services and Extended Services.

• Building (Layer 1) covers general features and services that all buildings need to have to become ict active such as lighting, electricity supply and building security.
   
• Infrastructure (Layer 2) covers areas such as telecommunication cabling, networking and internet connections. Ready to Occupy properties must pass all the areas in this layer, whereas a Part Fitted does not.
   
• Basic Services covers some aspects of telephone and internet services and technical support, which are necessary for Ready to Occupy premises.
   
• Extended Services (Layer 4) covers facilities and services that are not readily available at every property. Areas such as video conference, disaster recovery and extended internet and telephone service are covered in this section; however these are only necessary if a building wishes to become Leading Edge or Excellent.

Buildings surveyed by ict active, which uses PAS 700 as a basis, will be able to provide prospective tenants with proof that their property has the right ICT specifications in place.