ASTM E2166-16(2023)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Organizing and Managing Building Data
Standard Practice for Organizing and Managing Building Data
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Use this practice to organize information that describes new or existing buildings of any size. The concepts presented here can also be applied to other categories of construction where a standard corresponding to UNIFORMAT II does not yet exist.
4.2 The hierarchical structure of UNIFORMAT II enables the user to focus on building elements in functionally consistent groups. It can be applied by an administrator initiating a data system as a facility standard, as well as a consultant reporting on building conditions.
4.2.1 A consistent method of arrangement for subject matter expedites the preparation and use of source documents, and simplifies the process of comparing information from several sources.
4.3 This practice is suitable for arranging the content of individual reports, managing physical files, as well as automated data applications. Personal computers operating commercially available software are able to meet the functional requirements of this practice.
4.4 This practice provides a consistent and comprehensive outline suitable to track the evolution of specific building conditions in one or many buildings. It can be applied to historical building data as well as new information.
4.5 Administration of this practice will reveal categories of building data that have been overlooked in prior data gathering efforts that did not rely on a systems approach. The comprehensive hierarchy of Systems and Elements, readily displays the amount and depth of information distributed among the categories and levels. The pattern of available information highlights voids among the categories. It is also possible to quickly focus on the quality and sufficiency of cataloged data to determine whether an appropriate level of detail exists to address the needs of decision makers.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the organization of building information to support informed decision making. The kinds of data considered in this practice include text, numeric, and graphic data. The system of organization is applicable to a wide range of data collection and organization tasks from routine in-depth analysis of a single building, to situations where many buildings must be evaluated and prioritized in a short time frame.
1.2 The organizational structure is based on Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II (Classification E1557), a system which groups building elements according to the way buildings are constructed and function.
1.3 The use of UNIFORMAT II provides a set of recognized summary levels that are relevant throughout the industries that design, construct, and manage buildings.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2166 − 16 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Organizing and Managing Building Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2166; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related
Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
1.1 This practice covers the organization of building infor-
E1699 Practice for Performing Value Engineering (VE)/
mation to support informed decision making. The kinds of data
Value Analysis (VA) of Projects, Products and Processes
considered in this practice include text, numeric, and graphic
E1765 Practice for Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process
data. The system of organization is applicable to a wide range
(AHP) to Multiattribute Decision Analysis of Investments
of data collection and organization tasks from routine in-depth
Related to Projects, Products, and Processes
analysis of a single building, to situations where many build-
E1836/E1836M Practice for Building Floor Area Measure-
ings must be evaluated and prioritized in a short time frame.
ments for Facility Management
1.2 The organizational structure is based on Classification
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field
for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT
Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
II (Classification E1557), a system which groups building
elements according to the way buildings are constructed and
3. Terminology
function.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms related to
1.3 The use of UNIFORMAT II provides a set of recognized
building construction used in this practice, refer to Terminol-
summary levels that are relevant throughout the industries that
ogy E631; and for general terms related to building economics,
design, construct, and manage buildings.
refer to Terminology E833.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Significance and Use
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Use this practice to organize information that describes
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
new or existing buildings of any size. The concepts presented
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
here can also be applied to other categories of construction
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
where a standard corresponding to UNIFORMAT II does not
yet exist.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 The hierarchical structure of UNIFORMAT II enables
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the user to focus on building elements in functionally consis-
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
tent groups. It can be applied by an administrator initiating a
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
data system as a facility standard, as well as a consultant
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
reporting on building conditions.
and Building Systems
4.2.1 A consistent method of arrangement for subject matter
E1334 Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or
expedites the preparation and use of source documents, and
Building-Related Facility (Withdrawn 2013)
simplifies the process of comparing information from several
sources.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
4.3 This practice is suitable for arranging the content of
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on
individual reports, managing physical files, as well as auto-
Building Economics.
mated data applications. Personal computers operating com-
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2166 – 16. DOI:
mercially available software are able to meet the functional
10.1520/E2166-16R23.
requirements of this practice.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.4 This practice provides a consistent and comprehensive
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
outline suitable to track the evolution of specific building
the ASTM website.
conditions in one or many buildings. It can be applied to
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. historical building data as well as new information.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2166 − 16 (2023)
4.5 Administration of this practice will reveal categories of separate rooms from each other possess different functional
building data that have been overlooked in prior data gathering requirements, such as fire rating, than the partition that
efforts that did not rely on a systems approach. The compre-
separates the rooms from the corridor, or a room from a
hensive hierarchy of Systems and Elements, readily displays stairwell. Limits of connections, distinctions of substrate con-
the amount and depth of information distributed among the
ditions and basic functional definitions must also be discerned
categories and levels. The pattern of available information
in order to definitively name a type. For example, within the
highlights voids among the categories. It is also possible to
family of partition types, wood stud-framing covered on each
quickly focus on the quality and sufficiency of cataloged data
side with a single layer of gypsum wall board (GWB) is a wall
to determine whether an appropriate level of detail exists to
type, as is a concrete masonry [unit] block (CMU) wall. If
address the needs of decision makers.
these walls are painted with the same kind of paint system, that
paint system is the finish type common to both wall types. If
5. Procedure
the CMU wall is to be covered with GWB and painted, the
GWB, furring or other sub framing, as well as the paint is
5.1 Organize existing physical information to correspond to
considered to be a finish type since the GWB is incidental to
the categories of UNIFORMAT II. Initial data-gathering efforts
the function of the CMU. If the CMU wall needs to achieve a
for new or existing buildings can easily make information
certain fire rating which is only possible with the application of
conform to the hierarchical structure of UNIFORMAT II.
plaster or stucco, the CMU plus the applied coating is
5.2 Legacy data and pre-existing text are likely to be found
considered together as a type, because the coating is essential
in the prevailing style of the preparer. In order to preserve the
to its basic function. Frequently, these types correspond to an
clarity and continuity of concept presented in text which was
existing standard assembly which has been tested and pub-
arranged in a non-UNIFORMAT II outline, it will be necessary
lished by recognized testing laboratories or industry interest
in many instances to associate the same block of text to several
groups. Develop a list of types peculiar to the study building at
hierarchical levels in order to adequately communicate condi-
the earliest opportunity.
tions or intent.
5.6 Identify the connections between the different elemental
5.3 Where a large body of existing data is available, the
types and segments of the same type. These connections or
initial organizing effort will involve some degree of judgment
joints are designed to maintain the functionality of the system
based on the quality of existing historical data, the present
by mitigating certain conditions within designed limits. De-
condition of the subject building, and some expectation of the
velop a list of joint types rather than attempting to account for
range of potential uses for the building. Make objective
the joint as a component of an adjacent element type. The
decisions on the acquisition, retention, and application of data.
function of the joint is necessarily more complex than the types
Avoid stacking data to force outcomes that are situationally
being joined. An awareness of the joint as an entity helps to
perceived to be “obvious” or “inevitable.”
focus attention on its functional criteria. For instance, a basic
5.3.1 Many buildings lack significant existing data for
function of an exterior wall type is to keep weather out of the
certain Systems. In order to reliably establish baseline
building. The joints must additionally accommodate
conditions, consult with relevant building specialists. Direct
movement, possibly provide galvanic isolation, and present an
consultants to provide copies of new studies in formats
appearance consistent with an overall architectural vocabulary.
compatible with the facility’s resident system.
The materials used to make joints are frequently unique to the
5.4 Inventory a complete list of rooms or named spaces.
joint and different than the materials comprising the basic types
Each room or space is delimited by a finite set of constructed
being joined. The useful life and maintenance cycles of many
entities such as floors, walls, and ceilings that correspond
kinds of joints vary sufficiently from the adjacent assemblies to
directly to a UNIFORMAT II element. Make on-site observa-
merit scheduled attention.
tions of existing building conditions, or compile available data
5.6.1 Organize the list of joint types to respond to relevant
from the drawings of a proposed building to develop a suitable
needs such as maintenance. The function and composition of
inventory. Reference UNIFORMAT II elements to the con-
the joint determines the nature and frequency of attention.
structed entities of the room inventory.
Elastomeric sealant in an exterior wall for example, will
5.5 Develop a list of elements within the third level of
fatigue or deteriorate at a reasonably predictable rate based on
UNIFORMAT II. Make distinctions among the functional
the material and exposure. Joints which respond to specific
attributes of similar elements. These distinctions form subsets
events such as fire or earthquake need to be occasionally
of elements or types. A type refers to a kind of assembly that
checked to confirm that the joint continues to have the capacity
possesses a unique combination of function and components
to perform as intended. After an event, those joints need to be
consistent with, and subordinate to, elements within the third
inspected for repair or replacement. Fixed joints such as
level of the UNIFORMAT II outline. Elements which superfi-
structural connections are of great interest during the design
cially appear to be similar are constructed with purposeful
and construction phases, but generally require no further
physical variations in order to accommodate a variety of
attention until the next renovation.
functional or situational requirements. For example, the exte-
rior envelope of certain buildings is uniform on all sides and on 5.7 Naming conventions for types depend upon the needs of
all levels while the exterior of other buildings vary by facade, the study in the context of the overall building documentation
as well as by groupings of floor levels. Partitions which effort and are not standardized in this practice.
E2166 − 16 (2023)
5.8 Existing buildings frequently lack sufficient available monitoring, or control points, and (4) component specific
documentation to confidently identify types without perform- relationships such as trunks and branches, or sets of mains,
ing invasive exploration. Where such activity is not warranted submains, and circuits. Associations made according to this
at the time of the data gathering effort, identify only directly arrangement will allow parallel references that are useful to
observable materials and note observable functions at the describe physical relationships, adjacencies, dependencies, and
appropriate UNIFORMAT II level. Include more detailed interconnections in large or complex facilities.
information as it becomes known.
5.13 Make all reference to the systems, sub-systems, and
5.9 Associate relevant combinations of types. Within a
components with a consistent nomenclature. Design docu-
single room, a structural element such as a column and an
ments frequently employ naming conventions that are coordi-
envelope element such as an exterior wall and two different
nated with existing equipment identification tags. Coordinate
interior wall types present the same finished appearance to the
documents with actual field conditions to resolve conflicting
occupant. Associate all of these elements with the same finish
nomenclature where systems’ modifications have been made
type.
over time.
5.10 Use standard MASTERFORMAT designations to
5.14 Associate beginning and end points of services system
identify the individual components and materials which are
branches with a room identification. Inventory primary equip-
assembled to make up a type. The use of MASTERFORMAT
ment and associate the equipment with the room in which it is
at this level is consistent with industry accepted construction
located and the system branch it feeds. Associate capacities,
specifications and cost estimating practice.
relevant sizes, and other useful engineering data with the
inventory.
5.11 Identify the relevant Mechanical Systems and distin-
guish the services and groups of components within each
5.15 Identify and list “in line” devices. Large systems have
system that comprise a functionally and physically discrete
devices to adjust or “balance” the system through-put to
entity. Each service distribution system begins at a piece of
achieve design conditions and other controls to isolate portions
equipment that “originates” or “modulates” that service, is
of the system for service or emergency considerations. Refer-
distributed through some form of duct, pipe, or wire, and
ring to the example air-handler, the hot water supply, and return
terminates at a utilization device. In district heating and
lines as well as the chilled water supply and return lines usually
cooling systems, as well as public utility grids, such as water,
have balancing valves to optimize the fluid temperature at the
gas, and electricity, a “shut-off” device and metering equip-
coil by altering the flow of water to that coil. “Stop” valves are
ment are located where the service enters the building and for
also used in the system to isolate individual coils and distri-
the
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