ASTM E917-17e1 PDF Download

ASTM E917-17e1 establishes a standardized procedure for evaluating the life-cycle cost (LCC) of a building or building system and comparing the LCCs of alternative designs or systems that fulfill the same functional requirements. The LCC method measures, in present-value or annual-value terms, the total of all relevant costs associated with owning and operating a building or building system over a specified time period.

The practice emphasizes the importance of considering all costs, both present and future, in making investment decisions. This includes costs related to designing, purchasing/leasing, constructing/installing, operating, maintaining, repairing, replacing, and disposing of a particular building design or system. The LCC analysis is particularly useful when evaluating projects with higher initial costs but potentially lower future costs, as it helps determine whether the investments are economically justified.

If a proposed project is not essential to the building operation, it should be compared against the "do nothing" alternative in order to assess its cost-effectiveness. This alternative, which involves no initial investment cost, typically results in higher future costs compared to the proposed project. By comparing the LCCs of different alternatives, decision-makers can identify the economically preferable choice and make informed decisions regarding building design and system specifications.