diff --git a/archetypal/template/building_template.py b/archetypal/template/building_template.py
index b79dc1e5..4f020da1 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/building_template.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/building_template.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ class BuildingTemplate(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/buildingtemplate.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_partition_ratio",
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.Version = Version
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Perimeter(self):
@@ -658,6 +657,13 @@ def __eq__(self, other):
                 ]
             )
 
+    @property
+    def ParentTemplates(self):
+        """Bails out of Parent Templates recursive call from UmiBase
+        And returns array of self for concatenation
+        """
+        return {self}
+
     @property
     def children(self):
         return self.Core, self.Perimeter, self.Structure, self.Windows
diff --git a/archetypal/template/conditioning.py b/archetypal/template/conditioning.py
index c2dc553e..df32a5c9 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/conditioning.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/conditioning.py
@@ -88,7 +88,8 @@ class ZoneConditioning(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/zoninfo-conditioning.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("ZoneDefinition", ["Conditioning"])]
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_cooling_setpoint",
@@ -287,7 +288,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.area = area
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def area(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/constructions/opaque_construction.py b/archetypal/template/constructions/opaque_construction.py
index cbf4691f..a076eda4 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/constructions/opaque_construction.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/constructions/opaque_construction.py
@@ -31,7 +31,10 @@ class OpaqueConstruction(LayeredConstruction):
         * solar_reflectance_index
     """
 
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        ("ZoneDefinition", ["InternalMassConstruction"]),
+        ("ZoneConstructionSet", ["Facade", "Slab", "Ground", "Partition", "Roof"]),
+    ]
 
     __slots__ = ("area",)
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, Layers, **kwargs):
         self.area = 1
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def r_value(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/constructions/window_construction.py b/archetypal/template/constructions/window_construction.py
index 220d85ed..e1e2ad9f 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/constructions/window_construction.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/constructions/window_construction.py
@@ -63,8 +63,7 @@ class WindowConstruction(LayeredConstruction):
     .. image:: ../images/template/constructions-window.png
     """
 
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
-
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("WindowSetting", ["Construction"])]
     _CATEGORIES = ("single", "double", "triple", "quadruple")
 
     __slots__ = ("_category",)
@@ -88,7 +87,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, Layers, Category="Double", **kwargs):
         self.Category = Category  # set here for validators
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Category(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/dhw.py b/archetypal/template/dhw.py
index d6966a48..d212eb87 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/dhw.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/dhw.py
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ class DomesticHotWaterSetting(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/zoneinfo-dhw.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("ZoneDefinition", ["DomesticHotWater"])]
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_flow_rate_per_floor_area",
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.area = area
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def FlowRatePerFloorArea(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/load.py b/archetypal/template/load.py
index fad07a3e..974677b5 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/load.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/load.py
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ class ZoneLoad(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/zoneinfo-loads.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("ZoneDefinition", ["Loads"])]
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_dimming_type",
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.volume = volume
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def DimmingType(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/materials/gas_material.py b/archetypal/template/materials/gas_material.py
index 045b18e9..4d0601c9 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/materials/gas_material.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/materials/gas_material.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ class GasMaterial(MaterialBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/materials-gas.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
     __slots__ = ("_type", "_conductivity", "_density")
 
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.Density = Density
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Name(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/materials/glazing_material.py b/archetypal/template/materials/glazing_material.py
index 7bb3f5dc..63ba8535 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/materials/glazing_material.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/materials/glazing_material.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ class GlazingMaterial(MaterialBase):
     .. image:: ../images/template/materials-glazing.png
 
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_ir_emissivity_back",
@@ -106,7 +105,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.SolarTransmittance = SolarTransmittance
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Conductivity(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/materials/material_base.py b/archetypal/template/materials/material_base.py
index 7574566c..36388535 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/materials/material_base.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/materials/material_base.py
@@ -14,6 +14,27 @@ class MaterialBase(UmiBase):
     -cycle-impact
     """
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        (
+            "WindowConstruction",
+            lambda parent: [
+                (i, layer.Material) for i, layer in enumerate(parent.Layers)
+            ],
+        ),
+        (
+            "OpaqueConstruction",
+            lambda parent: [
+                (i, layer.Material) for i, layer in enumerate(parent.Layers)
+            ],
+        ),
+        (
+            "StructureInformation",
+            lambda parent: [
+                (i, ratio.Material) for i, ratio in enumerate(parent.MassRatios)
+            ],
+        ),
+    ]
+
     __slots__ = (
         "_cost",
         "_embodied_carbon",
diff --git a/archetypal/template/materials/nomass_material.py b/archetypal/template/materials/nomass_material.py
index ea4b9564..5db94d2d 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/materials/nomass_material.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/materials/nomass_material.py
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@
 class NoMassMaterial(MaterialBase):
     """Use this component to create a custom no mass material."""
 
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
-
     _ROUGHNESS_TYPES = (
         "VeryRough",
         "Rough",
@@ -80,7 +78,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.MoistureDiffusionResistance = MoistureDiffusionResistance
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def r_value(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/materials/opaque_material.py b/archetypal/template/materials/opaque_material.py
index abb243f2..76fda6d6 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/materials/opaque_material.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/materials/opaque_material.py
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ class OpaqueMaterial(MaterialBase):
     .. image:: ../images/template/materials-opaque.png
     """
 
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
-
     _ROUGHNESS_TYPES = (
         "VeryRough",
         "Rough",
@@ -124,7 +122,7 @@ def __init__(
         # TODO: replace when NoMass and AirGap when properly is supported
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Conductivity(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/schedule.py b/archetypal/template/schedule.py
index 93da4291..457220cb 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/schedule.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/schedule.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 class UmiSchedule(Schedule, UmiBase):
     """Class that handles Schedules."""
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
     __slots__ = ("_quantity",)
 
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, quantity=None, **kwargs):
         self.quantity = quantity
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def quantity(self):
@@ -503,6 +502,10 @@ def __hash__(self):
 class DaySchedule(UmiSchedule):
     """Superclass of UmiSchedule that handles daily schedules."""
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        ("WeekSchedule", lambda parent: [(i, day) for i, day in enumerate(parent.Days)])
+    ]
+
     __slots__ = ("_values",)
 
     def __init__(self, Name, Values, Category="Day", **kwargs):
@@ -517,6 +520,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, Values, Category="Day", **kwargs):
         super(DaySchedule, self).__init__(
             Category=Category, Name=Name, Values=Values, **kwargs
         )
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def all_values(self) -> np.ndarray:
@@ -719,6 +723,12 @@ def to_epbunch(self, idf):
 class WeekSchedule(UmiSchedule):
     """Superclass of UmiSchedule that handles weekly schedules."""
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        (
+            "YearSchedule",
+            lambda parent: [(i, p.Schedule) for i, p in enumerate(parent.Parts)],
+        )
+    ]
     __slots__ = ("_days", "_values")
 
     def __init__(self, Name, Days=None, Category="Week", **kwargs):
@@ -730,6 +740,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, Days=None, Category="Week", **kwargs):
         """
         super(WeekSchedule, self).__init__(Name, Category=Category, **kwargs)
         self.Days = Days
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Days(self):
@@ -912,6 +923,35 @@ def children(self):
 class YearSchedule(UmiSchedule):
     """Superclass of UmiSchedule that handles yearly schedules."""
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        (
+            "WindowSetting",
+            [
+                "AfnWindowAvailability",
+                "ShadingSystemAvailabilitySchedule",
+                "ZoneMixingAvailabilitySchedule",
+            ],
+        ),
+        ("VentilationSetting", ["NatVentSchedule", "ScheduledVentilationSchedule"]),
+        (
+            "ZoneLoad",
+            [
+                "EquipmentAvailabilitySchedule",
+                "LightsAvailabilitySchedule",
+                "OccupancySchedule",
+            ],
+        ),
+        ("DomesticHotWaterSetting", ["WaterSchedule"]),
+        (
+            "ZoneConditioning",
+            [
+                "CoolingSchedule",
+                "HeatingSchedule",
+                "MechVentSchedule",
+            ],
+        ),
+    ]
+
     def __init__(self, Name, Type="Fraction", Parts=None, Category="Year", **kwargs):
         """Initialize a YearSchedule object with parameters.
 
@@ -930,6 +970,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, Type="Fraction", Parts=None, Category="Year", **kwargs)
         super(YearSchedule, self).__init__(
             Name=Name, Type=Type, schType="Schedule:Year", Category=Category, **kwargs
         )
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     def __eq__(self, other):
         """Assert self is equivalent to other."""
@@ -1068,7 +1109,7 @@ def _get_parts(self, epbunch):
                     next(
                         (
                             x
-                            for x in self._CREATED_OBJECTS
+                            for x in self.CREATED_OBJECTS
                             if x.Name == week_day_schedule_name
                             and type(x).__name__ == "WeekSchedule"
                         )
diff --git a/archetypal/template/structure.py b/archetypal/template/structure.py
index 7818e703..104275d7 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/structure.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/structure.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class StructureInformation(ConstructionBase):
     .. image:: ../images/template/constructions-structure.png
     """
 
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("BuildingTemplate", ["Structure"])]
 
     __slots__ = ("_mass_ratios",)
 
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def __init__(self, Name, MassRatios, **kwargs):
         self.MassRatios = MassRatios
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def MassRatios(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/umi_base.py b/archetypal/template/umi_base.py
index 782d9d09..64efa13d 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/umi_base.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/umi_base.py
@@ -45,6 +45,30 @@ def _shorten_name(long_name):
 class UmiBase(object):
     """Base class for template objects."""
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = []
+
+    _CREATED_OBJECTS = {
+        "GasMaterials": [],
+        "GlazingMaterials": [],
+        "OpaqueMaterials": [],
+        "NoMassMaterials": [],
+        "OpaqueConstructions": [],
+        "WindowConstructions": [],
+        "StructureInformations": [],
+        "DaySchedules": [],
+        "WeekSchedules": [],
+        "YearSchedules": [],
+        "DomesticHotWaterSettings": [],
+        "VentilationSettings": [],
+        "ZoneConditionings": [],
+        "ZoneConstructionSets": [],
+        "ZoneLoads": [],
+        "ZoneDefinitions": [],
+        "WindowSettings": [],
+        "BuildingTemplates": [],
+        "UmiSchedules": [],
+    }
+
     __slots__ = (
         "_id",
         "_datasource",
@@ -91,6 +115,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.unit_number = next(self._ids)
         self.predecessors = None
 
+
     @property
     def Name(self):
         """Get or set the name of the object."""
@@ -370,7 +395,7 @@ def extend(self, other, allow_duplicates):
             return other
         if other is None:
             return self
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.remove(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.remove(self)
         id = self.id
         new_obj = self.combine(other, allow_duplicates=allow_duplicates)
         new_obj.id = id
@@ -409,9 +434,8 @@ def get_unique(self):
                     sorted(
                         (
                             x
-                            for x in self._CREATED_OBJECTS
-                            if x == self
-                            and x.Name == self.Name
+                            for x in self.CREATED_OBJECTS
+                            if x == self and x.Name == self.Name
                         ),
                         key=lambda x: x.unit_number,
                     )
@@ -424,11 +448,7 @@ def get_unique(self):
             obj = next(
                 iter(
                     sorted(
-                        (
-                            x
-                            for x in self._CREATED_OBJECTS
-                            if x == self
-                        ),
+                        (x for x in self.CREATED_OBJECTS if x == self),
                         key=lambda x: x.unit_number,
                     )
                 ),
@@ -437,6 +457,57 @@ def get_unique(self):
 
         return obj
 
+    @property
+    def Parents(self):
+        """ Get the parents of an UmiBase Object"""
+        parents = {}
+        for (umi_class, lookup_children_of) in self._POSSIBLE_PARENTS:
+            possible_parents = UmiBase._CREATED_OBJECTS[umi_class + "s"]
+            for parent in possible_parents:
+                # For each parent, find the possible children which
+                # may equal self
+                keyed_children = []  # stores list of (key, child)
+                if callable(lookup_children_of):
+                    keyed_children = lookup_children_of(parent)
+                elif isinstance(lookup_children_of, list):
+                    keyed_children = [
+                        (attr, getattr(parent, attr))
+                        for attr in lookup_children_of
+                        if getattr(parent, attr, None)
+                    ]
+                else:
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        "The provided parent lookup is not valid.  It must be a list of str or return a list of enumerated children"
+                    )
+                for key, child in keyed_children:
+                    if child.id == self.id:
+                        if child == self:
+                            if parent not in parents:
+                                parents[parent] = set()
+                            parents[parent].add(key)
+        return parents
+
+    @property
+    def ParentTemplates(self):
+        """ Get the parent templates of an UmiBase object"""
+        templates = set()
+        for parent in self.Parents.keys():
+            # Recursive call terminates at Parent Template level, or if self.Parents is empty
+            templates = templates.union(parent.ParentTemplates)
+        return templates
+
+    @classmethod
+    def CREATED_OBJECTS(cls, object_class):
+        """ Return all objects of a given class that UmiBase is aware of
+            Args:
+                object_class (class): Inherits UmiBase
+        """
+        return cls._CREATED_OBJECTS[object_class.__name__ + "s"]
+
+    @property
+    def CREATED_OBJECTS(self):
+        return UmiBase._CREATED_OBJECTS[self.__class__.__name__ + "s"]
+
 
 class UserSet(Hashable, MutableSet):
     """UserSet class."""
diff --git a/archetypal/template/ventilation.py b/archetypal/template/ventilation.py
index 4c8ee94f..8477ff2b 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/ventilation.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/ventilation.py
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ class VentilationSetting(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/zoneinfo-ventilation.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("ZoneDefinition", ["Ventilation"])]
     __slots__ = (
         "_infiltration",
         "_is_infiltration_on",
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.volume = volume
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def NatVentSchedule(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/window_setting.py b/archetypal/template/window_setting.py
index 4e06d52b..634bbd72 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/window_setting.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/window_setting.py
@@ -36,8 +36,11 @@ class WindowSetting(UmiBase):
 
     .. _eppy : https://eppy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [
+        ("BuildingTemplate", ["Windows"]),
+        ("ZoneDefinition", ["Windows"]),
+    ]
     __slots__ = (
         "_operable_area",
         "_afn_discharge_c",
@@ -133,7 +136,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.area = area
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def area(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/zone_construction_set.py b/archetypal/template/zone_construction_set.py
index 4e87a0d4..5f6b2a2a 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/zone_construction_set.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/zone_construction_set.py
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 
 class ZoneConstructionSet(UmiBase):
     """ZoneConstructionSet class."""
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
 
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("ZoneDefinition", ["Constructions"])]
     __slots__ = (
         "_facade",
         "_ground",
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.volume = volume
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Facade(self):
diff --git a/archetypal/template/zonedefinition.py b/archetypal/template/zonedefinition.py
index dd2c9f6a..0f06569d 100644
--- a/archetypal/template/zonedefinition.py
+++ b/archetypal/template/zonedefinition.py
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ class ZoneDefinition(UmiBase):
 
     .. image:: ../images/template/zoneinfo-zone.png
     """
-    _CREATED_OBJECTS = []
+
+    _POSSIBLE_PARENTS = [("BuildingTemplate", ["Perimeter", "Core"])]
 
     __slots__ = (
         "_internal_mass_exposed_per_floor_area",
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.is_core = is_core
 
         # Only at the end append self to _CREATED_OBJECTS
-        self._CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
+        self.CREATED_OBJECTS.append(self)
 
     @property
     def Constructions(self):
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ def Constructions(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, ZoneConstructionSet), (
                 f"Input value error. Constructions must be of "
-                f"type {ZoneConstructionSet}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { ZoneConstructionSet}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._constructions = value
 
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ def Loads(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, ZoneLoad), (
                 f"Input value error. Loads must be of "
-                f"type {ZoneLoad}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { ZoneLoad}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._loads = value
 
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ def Conditioning(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, ZoneConditioning), (
                 f"Input value error. Conditioning must be of "
-                f"type {ZoneConditioning}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { ZoneConditioning}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._conditioning = value
 
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ def Ventilation(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, VentilationSetting), (
                 f"Input value error. Ventilation must be of "
-                f"type {VentilationSetting}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { VentilationSetting}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._ventilation = value
 
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ def DomesticHotWater(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, DomesticHotWaterSetting), (
                 f"Input value error. DomesticHotWater must be of "
-                f"type {DomesticHotWaterSetting}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { DomesticHotWaterSetting}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._domestic_hot_water = value
 
@@ -222,7 +223,7 @@ def InternalMassConstruction(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, OpaqueConstruction), (
                 f"Input value error. InternalMassConstruction must be of "
-                f"type {OpaqueConstruction}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { OpaqueConstruction}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._internal_mass_construction = value
 
@@ -245,7 +246,7 @@ def Windows(self, value):
         if value is not None:
             assert isinstance(value, WindowSetting), (
                 f"Input value error. Windows must be of "
-                f"type {WindowSetting}, not {type(value)}."
+                f"type { WindowSetting}, not {type(value)}."
             )
         self._windows = value
 
@@ -674,7 +675,7 @@ def combine(self, other, weights=None, allow_duplicates=False):
 
     def validate(self):
         """Validate object and fill in missing values."""
-        if self.InternalMassConstruction is None:
+        if not self.InternalMassConstruction:
             internal_mass = InternalMass.generic_internalmass_from_zone(self)
             self.InternalMassConstruction = internal_mass.construction
             self.InternalMassExposedPerFloorArea = (
diff --git a/archetypal/umi_template.py b/archetypal/umi_template.py
index 0c6bc95b..b4550515 100644
--- a/archetypal/umi_template.py
+++ b/archetypal/umi_template.py
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ def from_idf_files(
         ]
 
         if keep_all_zones:
-            _zones = set(obj.get_unique() for obj in ZoneDefinition._CREATED_OBJECTS)
+            _zones = set(obj.get_unique() for obj in UmiBase.CREATED_OBJECTS(ZoneDefinition))
             for zone in _zones:
                 umi_template.ZoneDefinitions.append(zone)
             exceptions = [ZoneDefinition.__name__]
diff --git a/tests/test_umi.py b/tests/test_umi.py
index 97447246..368bb93c 100644
--- a/tests/test_umi.py
+++ b/tests/test_umi.py
@@ -24,7 +24,10 @@
 from archetypal.template.window_setting import WindowSetting
 from archetypal.template.zone_construction_set import ZoneConstructionSet
 from archetypal.template.zonedefinition import ZoneDefinition
-from archetypal.umi_template import UmiTemplateLibrary, no_duplicates
+from archetypal.umi_template import (
+    UmiTemplateLibrary,
+    no_duplicates,
+)
 
 
 class TestUmiTemplate:
@@ -84,6 +87,33 @@ def test_graph(self):
         G = a.to_graph(include_orphans=True)
         assert len(G) > n_nodes
 
+    def test_parent_templates(self):
+        """ Test that changing an object accurately updates the ParentTemplates list"""
+        file = "tests/input_data/umi_samples/BostonTemplateLibrary_2.json"
+
+        lib = UmiTemplateLibrary.open(file)
+        for bt in lib.BuildingTemplates:
+            assert bt in bt.Perimeter.ParentTemplates
+            assert bt in bt.Perimeter.Loads.ParentTemplates
+            assert bt in bt.Core.Loads.ParentTemplates
+            assert bt in bt.Core.ParentTemplates
+            bt.Perimeter.Loads = lib.ZoneLoads[0]
+            bt.Core.Loads = lib.ZoneLoads[0]
+
+        for bt in lib.BuildingTemplates:
+            # Can't use == here since the other Building Templates from opening the library are still in mem
+            assert bt in lib.ZoneLoads[0].ParentTemplates
+
+    def test_all_children_for_parent_templates(self):
+        file = "tests/input_data/umi_samples/BostonTemplateLibrary_2.json"
+
+        lib = UmiTemplateLibrary.open(file)
+        lib.unique_components(keep_orphaned=False)
+        for group, components in lib:
+            for component in components:
+                parent_bts_from_current_lib = [bt for bt in component.ParentTemplates if bt in lib.BuildingTemplates]
+                assert len(parent_bts_from_current_lib) > 0
+
     def test_template_to_template(self):
         """load the json into UmiTemplateLibrary object, then convert back to json and
         compare"""