Rakennustieto card collections provide a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge base for the various stages of construction. The service includes the RT, Ratu, KH and LVI card collections, as well as the Infra Focus Pack, which support design, construction, property maintenance and contracting. This article answers the most common questions about the content of the card collections, access rights and search functions, and explains how the card collections support compliance with good construction practice. It also explains how the card collections can be used in the online service and how the AI assistant Alvari can help with information searches.
In this article:
General information about the Rakennustieto card collections
- What are the Rakennustieto card collections?
- How do the card collections support compliance with good construction practice?
- What is the difference between RT guidance cards, regulation cards and product cards?
- How often is the content of the card collections updated?
- How do the card collections support different professional groups, such as designers, contractors and supervisors?
- How are the card collections used?
- Is the content of the card collections also available in PDF format or in print?
- How does the AI assistant Alvari work with the card collections?
- Where can I find archived cards?
- Where can I see which card collections I have access to?
- Why can’t I read the cards?
- Where can I buy card collections?
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Can cards be purchased individually?
General information about the Rakennustieto card collections
What are the Rakennustieto card collections?
The Rakennustieto card collections consist of different types of cards:
- RT card collection: More than 650 guidance cards, nearly 300 regulation cards and more than 200 product cards. Contains guidance for design, building development and contracting.
- Ratu card collection: Contains guidance cards on work methods, consumption data and production planning.
- KH card collection: Focuses on property maintenance and contracting, containing more than 300 guidance cards and nearly 300 regulation cards.
- LVI card collection: An information package intended for building services professionals, containing more than 300 guidance cards and nearly 200 regulation cards.
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Infra Focus Pack: Supports the use of the Infra and MaaRYL services in particular and contains a concise package of guidance cards relating to the infrastructure sector.
How do the card collections support compliance with good construction practice?
The card collections support compliance with good construction practice by providing construction professionals with up-to-date, impartial and detailed guidance based on the industry’s shared view of high-quality construction.
Construction is guided not only by legislation but also by the principles of good construction practice. The Rakennustieto card collections – including the RT, Ratu, KH and LVI card collections and the Infra Focus Pack – describe this good construction practice and serve as a shared knowledge base for the entire construction and property sector.
The card collections and RYL together
The card collections and the RYL services complement each other:
- RYL defines the level of quality required in construction.
- The card collections provide guidance on how these requirements can be achieved in practice. RYL documents often refer to guidance cards, meaning that the card collections support the use of RYL and make its content more concrete.
Practical benefits
The card collections help to:
- Ensure that design and implementation are based on generally accepted practices.
- Reduce ambiguity and disputes.
- Support quality control and documentation, such as the preparation of compliance documents.
- Promote sustainable and safe construction at different project stages.
Using the card collections is recommended for all construction projects where it is important to ensure compliance with good construction practice – legally, technically and practically.
What is the difference between guidance cards, regulation cards and product cards?
The Rakennustieto card collections consist of different types of cards, each with its own purpose:
Guidance cards
RT guidance cards contain proven guidance and practices for construction and property maintenance, based on collaboration between industry experts. They support design, implementation and maintenance, and often serve as references in contract documents and RYL requirements.
Regulation cards
Regulation cards bring together information relating to legislation, official regulations and standards. They help users understand and apply construction regulations in practice. For example, the RakL regulation card series presents changes to the Building Act in a concise format.
Product cards
Product cards contain technical and environmental information relating to construction products and are directly linked to Rakennustieto’s Product Information service. The cards help users select the right products to support design and implementation, and present the product’s properties, applications and manufacturers.
How often is the content of the card collections updated?
The content of the card collections is updated continuously and systematically so that it remains up to date and meets the needs of construction professionals.
New guidance cards and updates are produced continuously. The committees of the Rakennustieto Foundation are responsible for producing the content and for the quality and currency of the cards.
Read more about the committees of the Rakennustieto Foundation at Committees – Rakennustieto Foundation RTS sr.
How do the card collections support different professional groups, such as designers, contractors and supervisors?
The card collections – including the RT, Ratu, KH and LVI card collections and the Infra Focus Pack – support different professional groups by providing up-to-date, impartial and practical information that guides the various stages of construction and improves the quality of work.
Designers
Designers use the card collections for:
- preparing design documents
- finding ready-made solutions
- designing general and specialised solutions
- meeting RYL requirements, as guidance cards often refer to RYL quality levels
The card collections also support decision-making and serve as training material, helping designers understand the requirements and objectives of a project.
Contractors
Contractors use the card collections for:
- checking installation methods and work instructions
- ensuring good installation practice
- as a reference level for pricing
- work supervision and contract preparation
The card collections help contractors carry out work correctly from a technical perspective and in accordance with the contract, reducing errors and improving quality.
Supervisors
For supervisors, the card collections provide:
- tools for quality assurance and supervision
- support material for acceptance inspections
- guidance for quality control during work
- tools for resolving disputes
The card collections support supervisors in producing and ensuring quality, and can be used to define the scope and content of supervision precisely.
Use and availability
How are the card collections used?
Top navigation in the blue bar
Universal search – search by keyword across all Rakennustieto services at once.
Home page – go to the Rakennustieto services home page.
Read more in the article Home page – navigation to services.
My folders – create personal or organisation-specific folders where you can save cards that you want to find immediately next time.
My services – the menu shows all the Rakennustieto services available to you
Read more in the article Home page – navigation to services
Your name and organisation – go to licence management or sign out.
Read more in the article How does Rakennustieto licence management work?
Browsing card collections and cards
The card collections can be found on the left-hand side of the service. The card collections are divided into different types of cards: Guidance cards, regulation cards and product cards. The cards are also divided under headings classified according to subject area and purpose.
Search
Find cards using a keyword, the card’s RT number or another search term.
Filter search results
Filter search results by card type, validity and access rights.
AI assistant Alvari
You can find Alvari through the My services menu, as well as via the direct link on the card collections service page.
Is the content of the card collections also available in PDF format or in print?
Although a large proportion of the cards are in a structured format, the cards are still also available as PDF versions.
The PDF card download button can be found in the top right-hand corner of the card – Download PDF.
Read more in the article Browser-based guidance card – use and features.
How does the AI assistant Alvari work with the card collections?
The AI assistant Alvari is a GPT technology-based tool developed by Rakennustieto that makes information searches in the card collection services faster and more efficient. It works with the RT, KH, LVI and Ratu card collections, the RYL service and the Infra Focus Pack, and is designed specifically for the needs of construction professionals. Alvari helps users find the right information quickly and efficiently across all card collections and RYL services.
Alvari generates answers from the content of the card collections and RYL services for which the user has a valid licence.
How does Alvari work?
Alvari answers the user’s questions conversationally, just as if you were talking to an expert. It compiles its answers from the card collections and services for which the user has a licence – not from the internet. The answers are based on up-to-date, consensus-based information, and Alvari provides direct links to the source cards, where the information can be checked and explored in more depth.
How can you get the best answer?
- Ask a question, rather than entering keywords only.
- Be specific and use technical terms.
- Define the context: for example, the type of building, its intended use or year of construction.
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Stay on topic and avoid complex questions covering multiple subjects.
How is Alvari connected to the card collection service?
Alvari is integrated directly into Rakennustieto’s online service and can be used to search for information quickly, for example in RT guidance cards, RYL requirements or the content of the KH card collection. Users only see the cards to which they have access rights and can go directly to the source with one click.
Usage tip
Alvari remembers previous messages in the conversation, so you can continue asking questions and refine your search step by step. This makes it particularly useful in complex design and implementation situations.
Read more about using Alvari in the article AI assistant Alvari – ask anything about construction.
Where can I find archived cards?
Old, or archived, cards can be found using the search function in the card collection service. First search for a card using a keyword, after which you can filter the search and select archived under validity.
Archived cards are available only if you have a valid licence for them. The right to read cards is based on the access rights provided by the licence – without them, the cards cannot be opened.
If you want to extend your search to cards that are not included in your licence, you can clear the selection “Only included in my access rights” in the search function. You will then also see cards that you do not have the right to read.
Where can I see which card collections I have access to?
You can see the card collections available to you, as well as other services, in the My services menu.
Read more in the article Home page – navigation to services.
You can also see the services available to you through licence management, in the My details section.
Read more in the article Updating your details.
Why can’t I read the cards?
Cards can only be read with a valid card collection licence. Without a licence, you can browse the subjects and headings of the cards in the service.
Where can I buy card collections?
You can purchase a card collection licence from the licence shop.
A card collection licence provides access to the content of the card collection either as a personal licence or an organisation-specific licence. Depending on the type of licence, access rights may cover an individual user or the needs of the entire organisation.
Can cards be purchased individually?
As a rule, RT card collections are available under a licence agreement, which enables broader and continuous use at organisation level.
However, a licence is not necessary or possible for all users – for example, an individual card may be sufficient for individual projects or occasional use. To meet this need, we offer a limited number of cards for a one-off payment in our online shop.
Where can individual cards be purchased?
The Rakennustietokauppa online shop offers a selection of RT, KH, LVI and Ratu guidance cards that can be purchased for a one-off payment without a licence. This provides fast and cost-effective access to exactly the information you need at any given time. Explore the selection in our bookshop.
Who is purchasing individual cards suitable for?
Small businesses and freelancers who do not need the entire card collection
Students and researchers who need individual sources
Individual projects where precise guidance on a particular subject is required
If you need several cards or continuous access rights, we also recommend exploring the available licence options.