In RVM (Topics), free-floating subdivisions are used under headings of all types to limit the concept expressed to a different aspect, a specific attribute or to indicate an action. A subdivision is called "free-floating" when the indexer can add it after a designated subject heading without making the request to the RVM team. Each list corresponds to a specific type of subject heading and includes subdivisions that may be used under those designated subjects. All free-floating subdivisions can also be viewed in RVM (Topics), like all the subject headings. Free-floating subdivision records contain a note indicating under which designated subject(s) they may be used.
It may happen that indexers need to construct a subject heading using a subdivision which cannot be used under the subject represented by the heading. In this case, they can ask the RVM team to create this authority record using the Authority request form, and indicate the source document. Several examples of this type of headings are published in RVM (Topics)
- Substances dangereuses--Manutention ; Produits laitiers--Manutention (the free-floating topical subdivision --Manutention can only be used under names of plants and animals)
- Attachement à un lieu--Facteurs liés à l’âge (the free-floating topical subdivision --Facteurs liés à l’âge can only be used under names of diseases)