In order to expose the hierarchical of operational locations as Objects, there is a standardized entry point OperationalLocations (see 13.4.3.2). Each Object referenced from the OperationalLocations Object with an Organizes Reference or a subtype represents the highest level of a hierarchy of operational locations. The ObjectType for those Objects is not further defined, it can be of any ObjectType. Companion specifications might further refine the ObjectType. These Objects may reference other Objects with hierarchical References, exposing deeper level of the hierarchy. The ReferenceType is not further restricted, it is recommended to use the HasComponent ReferenceType. The hierarchy spanned should not contain loops, however, Clients shall not rely on this.

The OperationalContains ReferenceType (see 13.4.3.3) is used to relate the contained assets in the corresponding location and is excluded from spanning the location hierarchy.

Since the Objects under the OperationalLocations Object span a hierarchy of operational locations, each asset is only referenced from the deepest level in the hierarchy it belongs to. Implicitly, those assets are also contained from the higher levels in the hierarchy.