diff --git a/extensions/openpower-pels/section.hpp b/extensions/openpower-pels/section.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7214e17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/extensions/openpower-pels/section.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "section_header.hpp"
+
+namespace openpower
+{
+namespace pels
+{
+
+/**
+ * @class Section
+ *
+ * The base class for a PEL section.  It contains the SectionHeader
+ * as all sections start with it.
+ *
+ */
+class Section
+{
+  public:
+    Section() = default;
+    virtual ~Section() = default;
+    Section(const Section&) = default;
+    Section& operator=(const Section&) = default;
+    Section(Section&&) = default;
+    Section& operator=(Section&&) = default;
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Returns a reference to the SectionHeader
+     */
+    SectionHeader& header()
+    {
+        return _header;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Says if the section is valid.
+     */
+    bool valid() const
+    {
+        return _valid;
+    }
+
+  protected:
+    /**
+     * @brief Returns the flattened size of the section header
+     */
+    static constexpr size_t flattenedSize()
+    {
+        return SectionHeader::flattenedSize();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Used to validate the section.
+     *
+     * Implemented by derived classes.
+     */
+    virtual void validate() = 0;
+
+    /**
+     * @brief The section header structure.
+     *
+     * Filled in by derived classes.
+     */
+    SectionHeader _header;
+
+    /**
+     * @brief The section valid flag.
+     *
+     * This is determined by the derived class.
+     */
+    bool _valid = false;
+};
+} // namespace pels
+} // namespace openpower