This publication covers work undertaken within the CIB Working Commission W080/RILEM Technical Committee 140-TSL on the prediction of service life of building materials and components during the period between 1991 and 1996 and as well, additional information subsequently provided in the period between 1997 and 2002. It was intended that this publication offer researchers and knowledgeable practitioners a useful guide to service life prediction, a primer, providing fundamental information related to methods of service life prediction, information on environmental characterisation, and relevant information on the performance and durability of construction materials. Each part is self-contained - pagination is unique to the part and Tables or Figures in the text have been enumerated using a prefix that relates to the section in which they are presented. References are exclusive to the Part in which they are used, these have not been cross-referenced to the other parts nor the bibliography.