|
UNIFORMAT II
Links and More Information
Located at the Bottom
NIST UNIFORMAT II report may be viewed and downloaded
from
www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/publications/nistirs/6389.html
ASTM STANDARD E1557 AND CSI
PRACTICE FF/180
NEW DESIGN MANAGEMENT TOOLS
FOR PROJECT MANAGERS
Preface
The following article that appears
in the MAY 1998 issue of "THE PROJECT
MANAGER" is about improving project team communications,
coordination and productivity with the ASTM UNIFORMAT II Standard
Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework.
It explains how UNIFORMAT II is used as a common
structure to link schematic phase Preliminary Project Descriptions
(PPD), described in CSI Practice FF/180, to
elemental design estimates.
This approach provides the technical and
cost information necessary to initiate life cycle costing, energy analysis,
and value engineering studies during the initial phase of the design
process, i.e. schematic design. Project team members at this
time are receptive to alternatives that provide better value because
design changes can be made at little or no cost, and potential savings
are greater than at the following design development phase. Lack
of design and cost information is always one of the major obstacles
to the effective introduction of life cycle costing, energy analysis,
and value engineering early in the design process, a problem that can
be resolved with UNIFORMAT II.
Furthermore, it allows input, at the schematic
phase, from the facility programmer and users, who can comment as to
whether or not program functional requirements are satisfied, the Construction
Manager, who can now advise on constructability earlier than usual,
and the Facility Manager, who can advise on acceptable building systems
with competitive operating and maintenance costs. The project
will benefit from their expertise at a time when design decisions are
not frozen and suggestions can be seriously considered in a constructive
exchange of views, without the confrontation that would occur if they
were proposed in the final stages of design.
The article should be of interest to all
stakeholders in a building project, i.e. owners, project and construction
managers, cost managers, designers, value engineers, energy analysts,
life cycle costing analysts, facility managers and users.
NEW DESIGN MANAGEMENT TOOLS
FOR PROJECT MANAGERS
Robert P. Charette, P.E., CVS
THE PROBLEM
Project managers face
two major problems during the design phase that have a significant
impact on project team performance:
1. Inadequate communications
and coordination among project team members resulting in misunderstandings,
delays, and lower productivity than anticipated.
2. Estimating formats
that differ from project to project, require too much time to comprehend,
do not support design cost analysis, and that cannot easily be monitored
from one design phase to another (no audit trail). As a result, many
project managers do not give cost control the high priority it requires
throughout a project, often with serious consequences for all team
members and the client.
THE SOLUTION
To resolve these problems,
two relatively new tools are available to project managers:
1. The American
Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) E1557 Standard Classification
for Building Elements and Related Sitework - UNIFORMAT II.
2. Construction
Specification Institute (CSI) Practice FF/180: Preliminary Project
Descriptions and Outline Specifications.
Their integration into
design process will result in:
A. At the Schematic
Phase, preliminary project descriptions (PPD) based on a standardized
elemental classification framework that is consistent from project
to project. Consequently, the various consultants must think the project
through early in the design process and communicate this information
in a format common to other team members.
B. Elemental design
estimates with a standardized classification system that will
be consistent from phase to phase and project to project, that will
be more accurate because of the information provided in the PPD, easily
understood by all team members, and suitable for design cost analysis.
C. Significantly improved
project team communications, coordination and productivity as
a result of linking the PPD and the estimate within a common framework
at the Schematic Design Phase, the most crucial phase of a project.
ASTM STANDARD E1557 UNIFORMAT
II
ASTM E1557, UNIFORMAT
II, defines a standard classification for building elements and related
sitework. The classification was the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E-06.81 on Building Economics, and it is the only such standard in
North America. (See Figures 1 and 2).
|
Level 1
Major Group Elements
|
Level 2
Group Elements
|
Level 3
Elements
|
| A. SUBSTRUCTURE |
A10 Foundations |
A1010 Standard Foundations
A1020 Special Foundations
A1030 Slab on Grade
|
| |
A20 Basement Construction |
A2010 Basement Excavation
A2020 Basement Walls
|
| B. SHELL |
B10 Superstructure |
B1010 Floor Construction
B1020 Roof Construction
|
| |
B20 Exterior Enclosure
* |
B2010 Exterior Walls
B2020 Exterior Windows
B2030 Exterior Doors
|
| |
B30 Roofing |
B3010 Roof Coverings
B3020 Roof Openings
|
| C. INTERIORS |
C10 Interior Construction |
C1010 Partitions
C1020 Interior Doors
C1030 Fittings *
|
| |
C20 Stairs * |
C2010 Stair Construction
C2020 Stair Finishes
|
| |
C30 Interior Finishes |
C3010 Wall Finishes
C3020 Floor Finishes
C3030 Ceiling Finishes
|
| D. SERVICES |
D10 Conveying * |
D1010 Elevators &
Lifts *
D1020 Escalators & Moving Walks
D1090 Other Conveying Systems *
|
| |
D20 Plumbing |
D2010 Plumbing Fixtures
D2020 Domestic Water Distribution
D2030 Sanitary Waste
D2040 Rain Water Drainage
D2090 Other Plumbing Systems *
|
|
* Changes to previous
E1557-96 Standard
|
D30 HVAC |
D3010 Energy Supply
D3020 Heat Generating Systems
D3030 Cooling Generating Systems
D3040 Distribution Systems
D3050 Terminal & Package Units
D3060 Controls and Instrumentation
D3070 Systems Testing & Balancing *
D3090 Other HVAC Systems & Equipment *
|
| |
D40 Fire Protection |
D4010 Sprinklers *
D4020 Standpipes *
D4030 Fire Protection Specialties
D4090 Other Fire Protection Systems *
|
| |
D50 Electrical |
D5010 Electrical Service
& Distribution
D5020 Lighting & Branch Wiring
D5030 Communication & Security *
D5090 Other Electrical Systems *
|
| E. EQUIPMENT
& FURNISHINGS |
E10 Equipment |
E1010
Commercial Equipment
E1020 Institutional Equipment
E1030 Vehicular Equipment
E1090 Other Equipment *
|
| |
E20 Furnishings |
E2010 Fixed Furnishings
E2020 Movable Furnishings
|
| F. SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
& DEMOLITION |
F10 Special Construction |
F1010 Special Structures
F1020 Integrated Construction
F1030 Special Construction Systems
F1040 Special Facilities
F1050 Special Controls and Instrumentation
|
|
F20 Selective
Building Demolition |
F2010
Building Elements Demolition
F2020 Hazardous Components Abatement
|
Fig. 1 - ASTM UNIFORMAT
II Standard Classification for Building Elements E1557-97 98.07.29
|
Level 1
Major Group Elements
|
Level 2
Group Elements
|
Level 3
Elements
|
| G. BUILDING SITEWORK |
G10 Site Preparation |
G1010 Site Clearing
G1020 Site Demolition and Relocations
G1030 Site Earthwork
G1040 Hazardous Waste Remediation
|
| |
G20 Site Improvements |
G2010 Roadways
G2020 Parking Lots
G2030 Pedestrian Paving
G2040 Site Development
G2050 Landscaping
|
| |
G30 Site Mechanical
Utilities * |
G3010 Water Supply
*
G3020 Sanitary Sewer
G3030 Storm Sewer
G3040 Heating Distribution
G3050 Cooling Distribution
G3060 Fuel Distribution
G3090 Other Site Mechanical Utilities *
|
| |
G40 Site Electrical
Utilities |
G4010 Electrical Distribution
G4020 Site Lighting *
G4030 Site Communications & Security *
G4090 Other Site Electrical Utilities *
|
| |
G90 Other Site Construction
* |
G9010 Service and
Pedestrian Tunnels* G9090 Other Site Systems * |
Fig. 2 - ASTM UNIFORMAT
II Standard Classification for Building Related Sitework E1557-97
98.07.29
The original UNIFORMAT
was developed jointly by the General Services Administration (GSA)
and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1972 for estimating
and design cost analysis. UNIFORMAT II, first issued by ASTM in 1993,
is an enhanced version developed by a task group that included amongst
others CSI, GSA, AACE, the Tri-Services, R.S. Means and CIQS. It is
more comprehensive than the original, particularly with respect to
the mechanical and sitework elements. Thus the format is suitable
for numerous other applications, such as Schematic Phase PPD.
Elements are traditionally
defined as "major components, common to most buildings, that
perform a given function, regardless of the design specification,
construction method, or materials used"; in practice, an element
may be considered any logical component of a Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS). From a project management perspective, the UNIFORMAT II classification
is the ideal WBS for the design phase of a building project to control
scope, cost, quality, and time.
CSI PRACTICE FF/180 - ELEMENTAL
PRELIMINARY PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
The basic principles
of Preliminary Project Descriptions and Outline Specifications are
set out in CSI Practice FF/180. According to the practice, a PPD should
be structured according to the UNIFORMAT classification rather than
MASTERFORMAT, based on the fact that design information at the Schematic
Phase may be communicated more effectively by building functional
elements. Information will also be more easily understood by clients
and others who do not have a technical background.
For the Design Development
Phase, the practice suggests an "Outline Specification",
organized according to MASTERFORMAT (Divisions 1-16). In practice,
the elemental format could also be used for this phase by the addition
of more detailed design information to the description of each element.
A Preliminary Project
Description example from the CSI Manual of Practice is shown in Figure
3. Note that the language is simple, no more technical than necessary,
and meant to be easily understood by all project team members, design
professionals as well laymen.
Using UNIFORMAT II at
the Schematic and Design Development Phases has the following advantages:
A. Each design discipline
is obliged to think through the project during the Schematic Phase
and propose tentative baseline solutions as well as alternatives for
the concept and building systems that meet design program requirements.
B. The cost manager
is provided with the information necessary to prepare more comprehensive
and accurate estimates based on a description of elements provided
by each design professional: guesswork is reduced.
C. The elemental PPD
serves as a checklist for everyone that reviews and comments on the
project. Omissions are more readily identified and items that are
not related to design program requirements can be deleted.
D. The PPD format can
be used to record design decisions.
If the design as described
in the PPD is within project scope and budget, the designers can proceed
from the Schematic Phase to the Design Development Phase with the
assurance that most major outstanding issues have been resolved or
identified, the design team clearly understands the scope of work,
and the client has signed off on the PPD. This means fewer subsequent
changes and a more efficient design process.
Software for both Preliminary
Project Descriptions and Outline Specifications is available commercially
for under $275 (sources are listed at the end of this article.)
UNIFORMAT II ELEMENTAL ESTIMATES
Elemental estimates
differ from trade estimates in that they are based on a building systems/assemblies
classification (UNIFORMAT II) in lieu of a product classification
(CSI MASTERFORMAT Divisions 1-16). For example, in a conventional
trade estimate, all components of an exterior wall such as the brick,
vapor retarder, insulation and block back-up would be priced separately,
distributed in their respective divisions, and their cost summarized
with all other products, according to Divisions 1-16, usually with
no indication as to their construction function, i.e. for foundations,
walls or partitions.
With the elemental approach,
the description, quantity and cost of the Exterior Wall B2010 would
be identified separately, thus greatly facilitating cost analysis.
Figure 5 from Means Assemblies Cost Data is an example of a composite
cost for element B2010, Exterior Walls. For other projects with similar
walls, the unit cost shown of $ 20.40 per SF can be used for a relatively
accurate early design estimates, thus saving a great deal of time.
Unit costs for most UNIFORMAT II elements, including mechanical and
electrical, can be found in the Means Assemblies Cost Data Manual.
Click
here if the Thumbnail doesn't work then click the right mouse button,
select view image, then print.
Figure 5 - Element B2010 - Exterior Wall Components (Source: Means
1997)
A UNIFORMAT II elemental
estimate cost summary for a 54,000 SF office building is presented
in Figure 4. It differs from a MASTERFORMAT product or trade based
Divisions 1-16 estimate summary in that numerous analytic parameters
and ratios are generated that facilitate design cost analysis and
the monitoring of costs from the design program phase through completion
of the Construction Documents Phase. For example, the average cost
of partitions, (C1010) from the elemental estimate is $3.46/ SF. The
partition density (the ratio of the quantity of partitions per square
foot GFA) is 1.27. Partitions represent 4.39% of total cost. Extracting
such data for analysis from MASTERFORMAT Division 1-16 estimates would
be extremely time consuming and costly.
Click here if the Thumbnail doesn't work
then click the right mouse button, select view image, then print.
Figure 3 - Elemental Preliminary Project Description
Figure 4 - UNIFORMAT II Building Elemental Cost Summary
Click here if the Thumbnail doesn't work then
click the right mouse button, select view image, then print.
Figure 3 - (Detail) Elemental Preliminary Project Description
Click here if the Thumbnail doesn't work then
click the right mouse button, select view image, then print.
Figure 4 - (Detail) UNIFORMAT II Building Elemental Cost Summary
A standardized cost
reporting format based on UNIFORMAT II, such as shown in Figure 4,
has the added advantage of facilitating the rapid conciliation of
estimates from different sources; this is because all design and inflation
contingencies, and overhead and profit will be calculated in the same
way, a rare occurrence when comparing design estimates in today’s
context.
Using the UNIFORMAT
II classification to structure design estimates has numerous other
advantages, including the following:
A. Realistic elemental
budget and design program estimates can be prepared from historical
and published elemental cost data, using cost modelling techniques
outlined in the text "Project Budgeting for Buildings"
that is listed in the UNIFORMAT references 9.
Each discipline can therefore be assigned Design-To-Cost (DTC) targets
before design is initiated. These can change as design progresses,
but within the total budget established.
B. The cost of most
design changes, even major ones, can be readily and accurately estimated.
C. Cost overages are
identified earlier than usual, allowing more time for corrective action
to be taken without delaying the design schedule.
D. The unit rates of
most elements are indicative of their quality level, vital information
for designers and clients.
E. Value Engineering
workshops are more productive because all costs are transparent, function
costs can be readily quantified, and the UNIFORMAT classification
serves as a checklist for brainstorming sessions.
F. Elemental estimates
are linked to a PPD with a common classification at the outset of
a project, further facilitating design cost analysis.
G. During the Construction
Document Phase, line items in the elemental estimate can be coded
and sorted according to MASTERFORMAT DIVISIONS 1- 16, by trade, or
by bid packages. Linking the formats at this phase is beneficial for
the design team and the construction team that may already be on board.
OTHER UNIFORMAT II APPLICATIONS
The classification has
other practical applications in planning, design, construction, and
facilities management that will standardize reporting and link all
phases of a building life cycle.
Some of the applications
include:
- Design program performance specifications
and technical requirements.
- Design-Build performance specifications
and technical requirements.
- Design-Build Post-Construction
Performance Evaluation
- Technical design reviews.
- Cost risk analysis (Monte Carlo
simulation).
- VE Function cost modelling.
- VE brainstorming sessions.
- Life-Cycle Costing studies
- Construction punch lists (deficiencies).
- Building condition assessment.
- Long term capital replacement
budgeting.
It should be noted that:
- The new Seventh Edition of the
McGraw-Hill Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data is
based on UNIFORMAT II.
- The Annual Whitestone Research
Maintenance and Repair Cost Data Reference Manual is based on UNIFORMAT
II.
- Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute are required to present UNIFORMAT II estimates with their
design projects.
- The Design-Build performance specification
template being developed jointly by the Design-Build Institute of
America (DBIA) and the Construction Specification Institute (CSI)
is based on UNIFORMAT II.
- The new ASTM cost risk analysis
standard includes an example of how Monte Carlo simulation is applied
to UNIFORMAT II estimates to quantify project contingencies.
- A major North American electrical
utility has used UNIFORMAT II to structure building condition evaluation
reports for over 700 buildings. Several major U.S. universities
and a large international pharmaceutical company are also planning
to utilize the classification for this purpose.
BENEFITS OF ELEMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
AND ESTIMATES
All project team members,
including the client and user, benefit from a structured, standardized
approach to elemental PPD and design estimates based on UNIFORMAT
II. Some of these benefits include the following:
A. Each discipline must
think through the project as the Schematic Phase progresses, select
baseline concepts and construction systems that are judged most appropriate,
and propose alternatives. As a result, the architect is in a position
to initiate project coordination earlier. Pushing the decision making
up front for the selection of building systems also reduces the probability
of major changes as design progresses, changes that are time consuming
and costly to everyone concerned.
B. The project manager,
client and user are presented with a clear and simple project description,
element by element, at the Schematic Phase; they are in a position
to provide informed comments much earlier than usual on any changes
that may be required.
C. The cost manager
can prepare more detailed Schematic Phase estimates for all disciplines
with a higher degree of accuracy than usual, based on the PPD provided
by each consultant; if the project is within budget, there should
be no major concern as to the final project cost other than for major
scope changes initiated by the client and for which additional funding
should be provided.
D. Presenting the project
description and estimates in the same elemental format facilitates
and accelerates the design review and approval process; any corrective
action related to scope or cost may be taken earlier, without consuming
a disproportionate amount of design fees and without significant delays
in the design schedule.
E. Life Cycle costing
can now be effectively initiated during the Design Development Phase
to evaluate alternatives. This is possible because baseline systems
have been well defined and estimated in the Schematic Design Phase
and changes can still be made to lower the project life cycle cost
without incurring major design costs.
F. With a common understanding
at the concept phase between client and designers as to building systems
selected and the scope and cost of the project, the Design Development
Phase will be initiated with fewer uncertainties and the schedule
will likely be accelerated. Redesigning will be minimized, adding
to the profitability for designers, and creating a good environment
that encourages teamwork.
G. Earlier, more productive
VE workshops can now be held at completion of the Schematic Design
Phase in lieu of the Design Development Phase because suitable project
descriptions and estimates are available for all disciplines. As a
result, fewer major changes will occur during the Design Development
Phase, and the design schedule likely accelerated.
H. Changes in the project
team, i.e. the designers or even the project manager, will not be
as disruptive, because new team members can easily locate pertinent
information in the elemental UNIFORMAT II specifications and estimates.
I. Quality management
programs such as ISO9000 require documentation at each stage of a
process. The PPD at the Schematic Design Phase followed by the outline
specifications at the Design Development Phase and full bid specifications
at the Construction Documents Phase provide an audit trail that could
form part of a TQM program for the design process.
J. As a result of the
above, communications and coordination amongst the client, project
manager and designers will be improved significantly, and the design
process managed more efficiently. This prevents projects from going
"sour" because of costly redesigns and delays due to cost
overruns and scope creep that must be resolved early on in a project.
IMPLEMENTING UNIFORMAT II
FOR SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES
To implement UNIFORMAT
II effectively, written directives or guidelines must be issued to
each team member; a briefing session for the team should be held prior
to the start of design to ensure that everyone clearly understands
the procedures to be followed and the resulting benefits for all participants.
The directives should include ASTM Standard E1557 element definitions,
CSI Practice FF/180 and examples of both elemental estimates and specifications.
Special instructions from the project manager pertaining to specifications
and estimates should also be included in the directives.
The implementation of
UNIFORMAT II during design must be planned by the project manager
with the consultants to avoid any potential roadblocks. The first
projects could be viewed as pilot projects and additional design fees
possibly considered to encourage everyone’s collaboration in
view of the anticipated benefits. Ideally, the requirement for the
use of UNIFORMAT II for the preparation of PPD and estimates should
be incorporated in the consultant RFP and contract documents.
As a result of improved
team communications and coordination, the project manager will have
more time to address other important issues, and manage the project
to a successful completion with less effort than normally required.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a need in North
America to improve communications and coordination during the design
of buildings. Doing so will result in economic benefits to the construction
industry as a whole. Project managers and clients can support this
objective and benefit from standardizing PPD and design estimates
based on two relatively new design management tools, the ASTM UNIFORMAT
II Standard Classification E1557 and CSI Practice FF/180.
Additional Information
on UNIFORMAT II is provided in the references that follow.
SOFTWARE SOURCES
ELEMENTAL PRELIMINARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
ELEMENTAL PROJECT
TEMPLATE -[UNIFORMAT II] Based Elemental Format HPT Buildwrite, Ottawa,
OntarioTel.: (613) 233-9455 / Fax: (613) 567-3894 e-mail: buildwrite@cyberus.ca
OUTLINE SPECIFICATIONS
AIA MASTERSPEC® OUTLINE
Specifications
Arcom Master Systems, Salt Lake City, Utah Tel.: (800) 424-5080
/ Fax: (801) 521-9166 Web Site: arcomnet.com
CANADIAN MASTER OUTLINE
Specifications
HPT Buildwrite, Ottawa, Ontario Tel.: (613) 233-9455 / Fax: (613)
567-3894 e-mail: buildwrite@cyberus.ca
MASTER OUTLINE SPECIFICATIONS
Kalin Associates, Inc. Newton Centre, MA Tel.: (617) 964-5477
/ Fax: (617) 964-5788 Web Site: spec-net.com
SPECTEXT® OUTLINE
Specifications
National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington, DC Tel.:
(888)7734-2898 / Fax: (202) 289-1092 e-mail:spectext@nibs.org
OUTLINE SPEC©
W2 Consultants Ltd, Sherwood Park, AlbertaTel.: (403) 672-8525 / Fax:
(403) 672-9882 e-mail: w2@digicon.ab.ca
UNIFORMAT REFERENCES
1. ASTM E1557-97: Standard
Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework - UNIFORMAT
II, 1997, American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken,
PA.
2. CSI/CSC PRACTICE FF/180 - Preliminary
Project Descriptions and Outline Specifications 1992. The Construction
Specifications Institute, Alexandria, VA.
3. ASTM E 1496- 98: Standard Practice
for Measuring Cost Risk of Buildings and Building Systems, 1998. American
Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
4. Bowen, Brian, Robert Charette, and
Harold Marshall. 1992. UNIFORMAT II - A Recommended Classification
for Building Elements and Related Sitework. NIST Special Publication
841, Gaithersburg, VA: National Institute of Standards and Technology.
5. Charette, Robert, Brian Bowen. 1997.
"UNIFORMAT
II for Estimating and Design Cost Analysis".
Section 1.14 Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data.
Seventh Edition, McGraw Hill.
6. Bowen, Brian, Robert Charette, Linda
Hartman. "Write Outstanding Technical
Performance Specifications using the ASTM UNIFORMAT II Standard".
Proceedings of the Design - Build Institute of America 1997 Conference,
New Orleans.
7. Increase VE Team Performance with
the UNIFORMAT II Standard Classification of Building Elements and
Related Sitework - December 1995, Charette, Robert P. Eng., and
Shooner, Anik, Arch., The Canadian Value Analysis Society Journal
Optimum V.
8. Dell ‘Isola, Michael. 1998. "Valve
Engineering Applications Using Uniformat II". Proceedings
of the Society of American Valve Engineers (SAVE), Atlanta.
9. Charette, Robert and Anik Shooner
1995. "Using UNIFORMAT II in Preliminary
Design and Planning." Chapter 25.
Means Square Foot Estimating. Second Edition.
Kingston MA: R.S. Means Company.
10. Bowen, Brian, Robert Charette. "Elemental
Cost Classification for Building Design".
Proceedings of the American Association of Cost Engineers 1991
Conference, Seattle.
11. Parker, Donald E. and Dell’Isola,
Alphonse J. 1991. Project Budgeting for Buildings. New York:
Van Nostrand Reinhold. (based on the original UNIFORMAT)
12. Killingsworth, Roger, 1988. Cost
Control in Building Design. R. S. Means Co. Inc., Kingston, MA
13. Bowen, Brian. 1994. "Construction
Cost Management". The Architect’s
Handbook of Professional Practice. American Institute of Architects.
AIA Press.
14. Means Assemblies Cost Data, 23rd
Annual Edition 1998, R.S. Means Co. Inc., Kingston, MA
15. Means Square Foot Costs, 19th
Annual Edition, 1998, R.S. Means Co. Inc., Kingston, MA
16. Means Residential
Square Foot Costs, 1988, R. S. Means Co. Inc., Kingston, MA
17. Means Graphic
Construction Standards, R. S. Means Co. Inc., Kingston, MA
Copies of the articles
"UNIFORMAT II for Estimating and Design Cost Analysis" and
"Increase VE Team Performance with UNIFORMAT II" may be
obtained from the author.
Robert P. Charette,
P.E., CVS was co-chairman of the ASTM Task Group that developed UNIFORMAT
II. He presents seminars on a regular basis on UNIFORMAT II, Life Cycle
Costing, and Value Engineering at the McGill University School of Architecture
Design & Modelling Centre. He may be reached by telephone or fax
at (514) 739-3522 or by e-mail at charet@total.net.
His address is 138 Trenton Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3P 1Z4.
LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION:
The updated URL list is available at www.uniformat.com/resources.html.
The NIST UNIFORMAT II report may be viewed and downloaded from
www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/publications/nistirs/6389.html
or www.uniformat.com
1. www.astm.org
To download ASTM UNIFORMAT II standard E1557, and Cost Risk Analysis
standard E1946-98that includes an example based
on UNIFORMAT II (Monte Carlo simulation).
2. www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/publications/nistirs/6389.html
To download a free copy of NIST (National IInstitute of Standards and
Technology Report 6389 - "UNIFORMAT II Elemental
Classification for Building Specifications, Cost Estimates and Cost
Analysis" - by Robert P. Charette,P.E., CVS and Dr. Harold
Marshall. . A description of elements is included as well as examples
of elemental specifications and estimates. For information on
printed copies, contact NTIS or charet@total.net.
3. www.uniformat.com
For information on UNIFORMAT II seminars, videoconferences, internet
teleconferencesapplications, publications, etc.
4. www.uniformat.ca (in French - under construction)
For a French translation of UNIFORMAT II tables of elements and descriptions.
5. www.constructioneducation.com/UNIFORMAT.htm
The Association for Project Managers Journal web site for an article
entitled "ASTM E1557 and CSI FF/180 - New Design Management Tools
for
Project Managers" by Robert P. Charette P.E., CVS.
6. www.customcost.rsmeans.com/
To obtain online elemental building budgets based on UNIFORMAT for specific
building types (models) and specific locations in North America ($30.00
U.S.)The annual Means Assemblies Cost Data is based on
UNIFORMAT, and the 2001 edition will be based on UNIFORMAT II.
7. www.whitestoneresearch.com
For information on their annual M & R cost manuals and MARS M &
R facilities
cost forecasting software.( a CD-ROM demo available )
8. www.perspectivenet.com For information on the CSI/DBIA Perspective
performance specification software ( a CD-ROM demo available )
9. www.physicalplant.wwu.edu/facman
For information on commercial facilities management maintenance backlog
and
capital renewal software - The University of Western Washington.
10. www.ges-int.com
For information on SARRA facilities management Strategic Asset Renewal
and
Resource Allocation software - maintenance schedules are based on UNIFORMAT
II -GES Technologies Inc.
11. www.gcei.ca
For information on UNIFORMAT II elemental estimating software - also
incorporates a specification module to prepare schematic
phase elemental preliminary project descriptions (PPD) in accordance
with CSI practice FF/180- EMUNI Inc.(see also item 15 )
12. www.archidata.com
For information on the Electronic Drawing Cabinet. Quantity take-offs
are
based on UNIFORMAT II.
13. www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/bees.html
To download a free copy of NIST Report 6520 (and software) - "Building
for
Environmental and Economic Sustainability - Technical Manual and User
Guide". Properties of building elements and products for "green
buildings" are classified
according to UNIFORMAT II. (see site 17)
14. www.reic.ca
The Real Estate Institute of Canada offers training seminars on building
reserve funds which are based on UNIFORMAT.
15. www.uniformat.com/elemental-project-template.html
For information on the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template for schematic
phase preliminary project descriptions (PPD) in
accordance with CSI practice FF/180. Developed by HPT Buildwrite in
Ottawa ( an information package available upon request )
16. www.infoconstruction.com
A directory to review and order online product brochures and specifications
from suppliers using ASTM UNIFORMAT II or
MasterFormat 95 reference numbers ( a web-linked CD-ROM product and
services directory available upon request )
17. http://www.wbdg.org/sustainability/Matrices/Matricesframe.htm
This site presents the General Services Administration (GSA) "green
building"sustainability
matrix based on UNIFORMAT, for environmental, energy, and health concerns(see
13)
18. www.dbia.org
For information on the CSI/DBIA PersPective performance specification
software.The Design-Build Institute of America ( DBIA ).
19. www.mcgill.ca/arch/dmcInformation on UNIFORMAT II seminars,
videoconferences and internet teleconferences -McGill Design and Modeling
Centre (DMC).
20. www.ofm.wa.gov/capinst/tablecon.htmThe State of Washington Office
of Financial Management - Predesign Facilities Programming
Manual - see appendix C for UNIFORMAT references and life cycle costing.
21. www.alltec.net/designbuildgroup/For online PPT slide presentations
on Design-Build Project Delivery and Design-Build Lessons Learned. The
Design Build Consulting Group offers PersPective performance specifications
based on UNIFORMAT.
22. In addition to one-day seminars and half-day videoconferences given
at McGill University, a 1½- hour internet teleconference on the
ASTM UNIFORMAT II Standard for Design Management is now available (
E1557 ).
It addresses schematic phase elemental design specifications recommended
in CSI Practice FF/180 ( Preliminary Project Descriptions - PPD ) ,
elemental design estimates, and other applications such as programming
and facilities
management. This seminar should be of interest to owners, designers,
specifications writers, estimators, project managers, design-build teams,
facilitiy managers, and educators. The approach presented for design
management
makes it possible to effectively introduce value engineering, life cycle
costing, energy analysis and cost risk analysis earlier, at the schematic/concept
phase .This promotes inter-disciplinary communications and coordination
and
maximizes the value of a project. Documentation for participant will
be forwarded by email. It includes a seminar manual with all slides,
a complete example of a UNIFORMAT II schematic phase project description
(PPD) , and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Report 6389 - "UNIFORMAT II Elemental Classification for Building
Specifications, Cost Estimating and Cost Analysis". This report
was co-authored by Bob Charette, the seminar leader, and Dr. Harold
Marshall of NIST. For a 30 day period, the registration fee is $50.00(US)
per participant at each station in lieu of the usual $100.00, applicable
taxes extra. The number of participants limited to 12 for each seminar.
Educational organizations can apply for group rates. To register or
obtain more information on UNIFORMAT II, contact Bob Charette - mailto:
charet@total.net .The NIST UNIFORMAT II report may be viewed and downloaded
from www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/publications/nistirs/6389.html or www.uniformat.com
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