ASTM E1557-97e1
(Classification)Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework-UNIFORMAT II
Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework-UNIFORMAT II
SCOPE
1.1 This standard establishes a classification of building elements and related sitework. Elements, as defined here, are major components common to most buildings. Elements usually perform a given function, regardless of the design specification, construction method, or materials used. The classification serves as a consistent reference for analysis, evaluation, and monitoring during the feasibility, planning, and design stages of buildings. Using UNIFORMAT II ensures consistency in the economic evaluation of buildings projects over time and from project to project. It also enhances reporting at all stages in construction-from feasibility and planning through the preparation of working documents, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and disposal.
1.2 This classification applies to buildings and related site work. It excludes specialized process equipment related to a building's functional use but does include furnishings and equipment.
1.3 The Classification incorporates three hierarchical levels described as Levels 1, 2, and 3. Appendix X1 presents a more detailed suggested Level 4 classification of sub-elements.
1.4 UNIFORMAT II is an elemental format similar to the original UNIFORMAT elemental classification. UNIFORMAT II differs from the original UNIFORMAT, however, in that it takes into consideration a broader range of building types and has been updated to categorize building elements as they are in current building practice.
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e1
Designation: E 1557 – 97
Standard Classification for
Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1557; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Editorial changes were made in August 2000.
1. Scope in Buildings and Building Systems
E 1121 Practice for Measuring Payback for Investments in
1.1 This standard establishes a classification of building
Buildings and Building Systems
elements and related sitework. Elements, as defined here, are
E 1185 Guide for Selecting Economic Methods for Evalu-
major components common to most buildings. Elements usu-
ating Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
ally perform a given function, regardless of the design speci-
E 1369 Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncer-
fication, construction method, or materials used. The classifi-
tainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings
cation serves as a consistent reference for analysis, evaluation,
and Building Systems
and monitoring during the feasibility, planning, and design
E 1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analy-
stages of buildings. Using UNIFORMAT II ensures consis-
sis during the Design Phase of a Building Project
tency in the economic evaluation of buildings projects over
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
time and from project to project. It also enhances reporting at
Discount Factor Tables, Adjunct to Practices E 917, E 964,
all stages in construction—from feasibility and planning
E 1057, and E 1074
through the preparation of working documents, construction,
Computer Program and User’s Guide to Building Mainte-
maintenance, rehabilitation, and disposal.
nance, Repair, and Replacement Database for Life-Cycle
1.2 This classification applies to buildings and related site
Cost Analysis, Adjunct to Practices E 917, E 964, E 1057,
work. It excludes specialized process equipment related to a
and E 1121
building’s functional use but does include furnishings and
equipment.
3. Terminology
1.3 UNIFORMAT II is an elemental format similar to the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this clas-
original UNIFORMAT elemental classification. UNIFOR-
sification, refer to Terminology E 833.
MAT II differs from the original UNIFORMAT, however, in
that it takes into consideration a broader range of building
4. Significance and Use
types and has been updated to categorize building elements as
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major
they are in current building practice.
components to most buildings. The classification is the com-
mon thread linking activities and participants in a building
2. Referenced Documents
project from initial planning through operations, maintenance,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 and disposal.
E 833 Terminology of Building Economics
4.2 The users of UNIFORMAT II include owners, develop-
E 917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
3 ers, facilities programmers, cost planners, estimators, schedul-
and Building Systems
ers, architects and engineers, specification writers, operating
E 964 Practice for Measuring Benefit-to-Cost and Savings-
3 and maintenance staff, manufacturers, and educators.
to-Investment Ratios for Buildings and Building Systems
4.3 Use this classification when doing the following:
E 1057 Practice for Measuring Internal Rate of Return and
4.3.1 Structuring costs on an elemental basis for economic
Adjusted Internal Rate of Return for Investments in Build-
3 evaluations (Practices E 917, E 964, E 1057, E 1074, E 1121,
ings and Building Systems
E 1804 and Computer Program and User’s Guide to Building
E 1074 Practice for Measuring Net Benefits for Investments
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order PCN 12-509179-10.
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81
Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order PCN 12-509171-10 for the 3.5 in.
on Building Economics.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published May 1998. Originally disk. Order PCN 12-509172-10 for the 5.25 in. disk.
published as E 1557 – 93. Last previous edition E 1557 – 96. For a more comprehensive discussion of the uses of UNIFORMAT II, see
The original UNIFORMAT classification was developed jointly by the General Bowen, Charette, and Marshall, UNIFORMAT II—A Recommended Classification
Services Administration (GSA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). for Building Elements and Related Sitework, National Institute of Standards and
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11. Technology Special Publication 841, Gaithersburg, MD, 1992.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1557
Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement Database for Life-
Cycle Cost Analysis Adjunct) early in the design process. Using
UNIFORMAT II helps reduce the cost of early analysis and
contributes to substantial design and operational savings before
decisions have been made that limit options for potential
savings.
4.3.2 Estimating and controlling costs during planning,
design, and construction. Use UNIFORMAT II to prepare
budgets and to establish elemental cost plans before design
begins. The project manager uses these to control project cost,
time, and quality, and to set design-to-cost targets.
FIG. 1 Possible Framework of the Built Environment
4.3.3 Conducting value engineering workshops. Use UNI-
shaded under the building block, that is, construction of
FORMAT II as a checklist to ensure that alternatives for all
buildings and related sitework. UNIFORMAT II does not treat
elements of significant cost in the building project are analyzed
other aspects of buildings or other features of the built
in the creativity phase of the job plan. Also, use the elemental
environment, which are indicated by the non-shaded blocks.
cost data to expedite the development of cost models for
building systems.
NOTE 1—The other features of the built environment in Fig. 1 are listed
4.3.4 Developing initial project master schedules. Since
for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of
projects are built element by element, UNIFORMAT II is an other features.
appropriate basis for preparing construction schedules at the
5.2 Criteria for the Classification— The selected classifica-
start of the design process.
tion, what items to include in it, and in which parts of the
4.3.5 Performing risk analyses. Simulation is one technique
classification to include them are based on the following
(Practice E 1369) for developing probability distributions of
criteria:
building costs when evaluating the economic risk in undertak-
5.2.1 The classification will be applicable to any building
ing a building project. Use individual elements and group
type, while at the same time allowing for details desirable for
elements in UNIFORMAT II for developing probability distri-
specialized buildings. The classification of building elements
butions of elemental costs. From these distributions, build up
will be separate from the classification of building-related
probability distributions of total project costs to establish
sitework. The classifications will be hierarchical to allow
acceptable project contingencies or to serve as inputs to an
different levels of aggregation and summarization. And they
economic analysis. (See Practice E 1185 for guidance as to 7
will relate to other elemental classifications such as UNIFOR-
what economic method to use.)
MAT and the classification of the Canadian Institute of
4.3.6 Structuring cost manuals and recording construction, 8
Quantity Surveyors.
operating, and maintenance costs in a database. Having a
5.2.2 Items in the classification will have significant influ-
manual or database in an elemental format helps you perform
ence on cost and a high frequency of occurrence. Categories
economic analysis early in the design stage and at reasonable
will be defined so as to provide a framework for cost control.
cost.
The decision as to where among the classification elements to
4.3.7 Structuring preliminary project descriptions during the
include specific items is to rely on professional judgment as to
conceptual design phase. It facilitates the description of the
where building professionals in current practice normally look
scope of the project for the client in a clear, concise, and logical
for such items.
sequence; it provides the basis for the preparation of more
5.2.3 Classification of Building Elements—Fig. 2 presents
detailed elemental estimates during the early concept and
the UNIFORMAT II classification of building elements. It
preliminary design phases, and it enhances communications
comprises three hierarchical levels: Major Group Elements for
among designers and other building professionals by providing
Level 1, Group Elements for Level 2, and Individual Elements
a clear statement of the designer’s intent.
for Level 3. See Section 6 for detailed lists of specific items
4.3.8 Coding and referencing standard details in computer-
that are included and excluded under each individual element
aided design systems. This allows an architect, for example, to
listed in the Level 3 category.
reference an exterior wall assembly according to UNIFOR-
5.2.4 Classification of Building-Related Sitework—Fig. 3
MAT II element designations and build up a database of
presents the UNIFORMAT II classification of building-related
standard details structured according to the classification.
sitework. See Section 7 for detailed lists of specific items that
4.4 UNIFORMAT II, as described in this classification,
are included and excluded under each individual element listed
includes sitework normally related to buildings but does not
in the Level 3 category.
apply to major civil works. It is also unsuitable for process
5.2.4.1 UNIFORMAT II is not intended to classify elements
applications or for preparing trade estimates.
of major civil works. Rather, it is provided for exclusive use in
5. Basis of Classification
For more information on other elemental classifications, see Brian Bowen and
5.1 What part of the built environment is included? The
Robert Charette, “Elemental Cost Classification Standard for Building Design,”
framework in Fig. 1 shows how buildings and related sitework
1991 AACE Transactions, 1991.
fit in with the rest of the built environment. This classification
Available from Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, P.O. Box 124, Station
describes exclusively the elements that make up the blocks R, Toronto, ON, Canada M4G 3Z3.
E 1557
FIG. 2 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Elements with Alpha-Numeric Designations
support of the construction of buildings. Buildings are usually not have to resort to multiple elemental classifications for one
constructed with roads, utilities, parking areas, and other
project.
nonbuilding features. The UNIFORMAT II classification of
building-related sitework provides guidance so that planners do
E 1557
FIG. 3 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Related Sitework with Alpha-Numeric Designations
6. Description of Building Elements (c) (c) Basement walls (see A 2020, Basement Walls), and
(d) (d) Under-slab drainage and insulation (see A 1030, Slab
6.1 The following lists show what items are included and
on Grade).
excluded in the recommended classification at Level 3. Note
6.2.2 Special Foundations (A 1020):
that the listings of inclusions and exclusions are not intended to
6.2.2.1 Includes:
be an exhaustive listing. Rather, they provide a general outline
(a) (a) Piling,
of what to expect in that element consistent with the selection
(b) (b) Caissons,
criteria outlined in 5.2. Exclusions are listed to help readers
find items quickly. For example, an elemental format might (c) (c) Underpinning,
show exterior load bearing walls under Exterior Walls or (d) (d) Dewatering,
Superstructure. UNIFORMAT II puts them under Exterior
(e) (e) Raft foundations,
Walls based on technical judgment and current practice.
(f) (f) Any other special foundation conditions, and
Putting under Superstructure a cross-reference to Exterior
(g) (g) Grade Beams
Walls directs the person who looks first under Superstructure to
6.2.2.2 Excludes:
the appropriate element. Note that the table in Fig. 2 incorpo-
(a) (a) Pile caps (see A 1010, Standard Foundations), and
rates an alphanumeric designation for the classification: a
(b) (b) Rock excavation (unless associated with Special
single character letter code for Level 1 Major Group Elements,
Foundations) (see A 1010, Standard Foundations and A 2010,
a three character alphanumeric code for Level 2 Group
Basement Excavation).
Elements, and a five character alphanumeric code for Level 3
6.2.3 Slab on Grade (A 1030):
Individual Elements.
6.2.3.1 Includes:
6.2 Foundations (A 10):
(a) (a) Standard,
6.2.1 Standard Foundations (A 1010):
(b) (b) Structural,
6.2.1.1 Includes:
(c) (c) Inclined slabs on grade,
(a) (a) Wall and column foundations,
(d) (d) Trenches,
(b) (b) Foundation walls up to level of top of slab on grade,
(e) (e) Pits,
(c) (c) Pile caps,
(f) (f) Bases,
(d) (d) Foundation excavation, backfill, and compaction,
(g) (g) Under-slab drainage, and
(e) (e) Footings and bases,
(h) (h) Under-slab insulation.
(f) (f) Perimeter insulation,
6.2.3.2 Excludes:
(g) (g) Perimeter drainage, and
(a) (a) Applied floor finishes (see C 3020, Floor Finishes),
(h) (h) Anchor plates.
and
(i) (i) Dewatering
(b) (b) Hardeners and sealers to the slab (see C 3020, Floor
6.2.1.2 Excludes:
Finishes).
(a) (a) General excavation to reduce levels (see G 1030, Site
6.3 Basement Construction (A 20):
Earthwork),
6.3.1 Basement Excavation (A 2010):
(b) (b) Excavation for basements (see A 2010, Basement
Excavation), 6.3.1.1 Includes:
E 1557
(a) (a) Additional excavation required for construction of (c) (c) Exterior louvers and screens,
basement, (d) (d) Exterior sun control devices,
(e) (e) Balcony walls and railings, and
(b) (b) Backfill and compaction, and
(c) (c) Excavation support system. (f) (f) Exterior soffits.
6.5.1.2 Excludes:
6.3.1.2 Excludes:
(a) (a) Applied finishes to interior faces of exterior walls
(a) (a) General grading to reduce levels over site (see
(see C 3010, Wall Finishes),
G 1030, Site Earthwork).
(b) (b) Columns and beams in exterior walls (see B 10,
6.3.2 Basement Walls (A 2020):
Superstructure
...
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