ASTM E1557-09(2015)
(Classification)Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major components common to most buildings. The classification is the common thread linking activities and participants in a building project from initial planning through operations, maintenance, and disposal.
4.2 The users of UNIFORMAT II include owners, developers, facilities programmers, cost planners, estimators, schedulers, architects and engineers, specification writers, operating and maintenance staff, manufacturers, and educators.
4.3 Use this classification when doing the following:5
4.3.1 Structuring costs on an elemental basis for economic evaluations (Practices E917, E964, E1057, E1074, E1121, and E1804) 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. See Appendix X2 for an example of a UNIFORMAT II building elemental design cost estimate.
4.3.3 Conducting value engineering workshops. Use UNIFORMAT II as a checklist to ensure that alternatives for all elements of significant cost in the building project are analyzed in the creativity phase of the job plan. Also, use the elemental cost data to expedite the development of cost models for building systems.
4.3.4 Developing initial project master schedules. Since projects are built element by element, UNIFORMAT II is an appropriate basis for preparing construction schedules at the start of the design process.
4.3.5 Performing risk analyses. Simulation is one technique (Practice E1369) for developing probability distributions of building costs when evaluating the economic risk in u...
SCOPE
1.1 This classification 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 UNIFORMAT2 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.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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Designation:E1557 −09 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Classification for
Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1557; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 Thisclassificationestablishesaclassificationofbuilding 2.1 ASTM Standards:
elements and related sitework. Elements, as defined here, are E833 Terminology of Building Economics
major components common to most buildings. Elements usu- E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
ally perform a given function, regardless of the design and Building Systems
specification, construction method, or materials used. The E964 Practice for Measuring Benefit-to-Cost and Savings-
classification serves as a consistent reference for analysis, to-Investment Ratios for Buildings and Building Systems
evaluation, and monitoring during the feasibility, planning, and E1057 Practice for Measuring Internal Rate of Return and
design stages of buildings. Using UNIFORMAT II ensures Adjusted Internal Rate of Return for Investments in
consistency in the economic evaluation of buildings projects Buildings and Building Systems
over time and from project to project. It also enhances E1074 Practice for Measuring Net Benefits and Net Savings
reporting at all stages in construction—from feasibility and for Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
E1121 Practice for Measuring Payback for Investments in
planning through the preparation of working documents,
construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and disposal. Buildings and Building Systems
E1185 Guide for Selecting Economic Methods for Evaluat-
1.2 This classification applies to buildings and related site
ing Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
work. It excludes specialized process equipment related to a
E1369 Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncer-
building’s functional use but does include furnishings and
tainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings
equipment.
and Building Systems
1.3 The classification incorporates three hierarchical levels
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting CostAnalysis
described as Levels 1, 2, and 3. Appendix X1 presents a more
During the Design Phase of a Project
detailed suggested Level 4 classification of sub-elements.
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field
Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
1.4 UNIFORMAT II is an elemental format similar to the
original UNIFORMAT elemental classification. UNIFOR- E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Re-
serve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
MAT II differs from the original UNIFORMAT, however, in
that it takes into consideration a broader range of building E2514 Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost
Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses
types and has been updated to categorize building elements as
they are in current building practice. 2.2 Adjuncts:
Discount Factor Tables, Adjunct to Practices E917, E964,
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
E1057, E1074, and E1121
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
classification, refer to Terminology E833.
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81
on Building Economics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1557 – 09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1557-09R15. the ASTM website.
2 4
The original UNIFORMAT classification was developed jointly by the General Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
Services Administration (GSA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). ADJE091703.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1557−09 (2015)
4. Significance and Use manual or database in an elemental format helps you perform
economic analysis early in the design stage and at reasonable
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major
cost.
components common to most buildings. The classification is
4.3.7 Structuringpreliminaryprojectdescriptionsduringthe
the common thread linking activities and participants in a
conceptual design phase. It facilitates the description of the
building project from initial planning through operations,
scopeoftheprojectfortheclientinaclear,concise,andlogical
maintenance, and disposal.
sequence; it provides the basis for the preparation of more
4.2 The users of UNIFORMAT II include owners,
detailed elemental estimates during the early concept and
developers, facilities programmers, cost planners, estimators,
preliminary design phases, and it enhances communications
schedulers, architects and engineers, specification writers,
among designers and other building professionals by providing
operating and maintenance staff, manufacturers, and educators.
a clear statement of the designer’s intent. See Appendix X3 for
a sample preliminary project description (PPD) based on
4.3 Use this classification when doing the following:
UNIFORMAT II.
4.3.1 Structuring costs on an elemental basis for economic
4.3.8 Coding and referencing standard details in computer-
evaluations (Practices E917, E964, E1057, E1074, E1121, and
aided design systems. This allows an architect, for example, to
E1804) early in the design process. Using UNIFORMAT II
reference an exterior wall assembly according to UNIFOR-
helps reduce the cost of early analysis and contributes to
MAT II element designations and build up a database of
substantial design and operational savings before decisions
standard details structured according to the classification.
have been made that limit options for potential savings.
4.4 UNIFORMAT II, as described in this classification,
4.3.2 Estimating and controlling costs during planning,
includes sitework normally related to buildings but does not
design, and construction. Use UNIFORMAT II to prepare
apply to major civil works. It is also unsuitable for process
budgets and to establish elemental cost plans before design
applications or for preparing trade estimates.
begins. The project manager uses these to control project cost,
time, and quality, and to set design-to-cost targets. See Appen-
5. Basis of Classification
dixX2foranexampleofaUNIFORMATIIbuildingelemental
design cost estimate. 5.1 What part of the built environment is included? The
framework in Fig. 1 shows how buildings and related sitework
4.3.3 Conducting value engineering workshops. Use UNI-
fit in with the rest of the built environment. This classification
FORMAT II as a checklist to ensure that alternatives for all
describes exclusively the elements that make up the blocks
elementsofsignificantcostinthebuildingprojectareanalyzed
shaded under the building block, that is, construction of
in the creativity phase of the job plan. Also, use the elemental
buildings and related sitework. UNIFORMAT II does not treat
cost data to expedite the development of cost models for
other aspects of buildings or other features of the built
building systems.
environment, which are indicated by the non-shaded blocks.
4.3.4 Developing initial project master schedules. Since
projects are built element by element, UNIFORMAT II is an
NOTE 1—The other features of the built environment in Fig. 1 are listed
appropriate basis for preparing construction schedules at the
for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of
other features.
start of the design process.
4.3.5 Performing risk analyses. Simulation is one technique 5.2 Criteria for the Classification—The selected
(Practice E1369) for developing probability distributions of classification, what items to include in it, and in which parts of
building costs when evaluating the economic risk in undertak- the classification to include them are based on the following
ing a building project. Use individual elements and group criteria:
elements in UNIFORMAT II for developing probability distri-
5.2.1 The classification will be applicable to any building
butions of elemental costs. From these distributions, build up type, while at the same time allowing for details desirable for
probability distributions of total project costs to establish
specialized buildings. The classification of building elements
acceptable project contingencies or to serve as inputs to an
economic analysis. (See Practice E1185 for guidance as to
what economic method to use.)
4.3.6 Structuring cost manuals and recording construction,
operating, and maintenance costs in a database. Having a
For a more comprehensive discussion of the uses of UNIFORMAT II, see
Bowen, Charette, and Marshall, UNIFORMAT II—A Recommended Classification
for Building Elements and Related Sitework, National Institute of Standards and
Technology Special Publication 841, Gaithersburg, MD, 1992, and Charette and
Marshall, UNIFORMAT II Elemental Classification for Building Specifications,
Cost Estimating, and Cost Analysis, National Institute of Standards and Technology
NISTIR 6389, Gaithersburg, MD, 1999. FIG. 1 Possible Framework of the Built Environment
E1557−09 (2015)
FIG. 2 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Elements with Alpha-Numeric Designations
E1557−09 (2015)
will be separate from the classification of building-related constructed with roads, utilities, parking areas, and other
sitework. The classifications will be hierarchical to allow non-building features. The UNIFORMAT II classification of
different levels of aggregation and summarization. And they building-relatedsiteworkprovidesguidancesothatplannersdo
will relate to other elemental classifications such as UNIFOR- not have to resort to multiple elemental classifications for one
MAT and the classification of the Canadian Institute of project.
Quantity Surveyors.
5.2.2 Items in the classification will have significant influ- 6. Description of Building Elements
ence on cost and a high frequency of occurrence. Categories
6.1 The following lists show what items are included and
will be defined so as to provide a framework for cost control.
excluded in the recommended classification at Level 3. Note
The decision as to where among the classification elements to
thatthelistingsofinclusionsandexclusionsarenotintendedto
include specific items is to rely on professional judgment as to
be an exhaustive listing. Rather, they provide a general outline
where building professionals in current practice normally look
of what to expect in that element consistent with the selection
for such items.
criteria outlined in 5.2. Exclusions are listed to help readers
5.2.3 Classification of Building Elements—Fig. 2 presents
find items quickly. For example, an elemental format might
the UNIFORMAT II classification of building elements. It
show exterior load bearing walls under Exterior Walls or
comprises three hierarchical levels: Major Group Elements for
Superstructure. UNIFORMAT II puts them under Exterior
Level 1, Group Elements for Level 2, and Individual Elements
Walls based on technical judgment and current practice.
for Level 3. See Section 6 for detailed lists of specific items
Putting under Superstructure a cross-reference to Exterior
that are included and excluded under each individual element
WallsdirectsthepersonwholooksfirstunderSuperstructureto
listed in the Level 3 category. A list of suggested level 4
the appropriate element. Note that the table in Fig. 2 incorpo-
building sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
rates an alphanumeric designation for the classification: a
5.2.4 Classification of Building-Related Sitework—Fig. 3
single character letter code for Level 1 Major Group Elements,
presents the UNIFORMAT II classification of building-related
a three character alphanumeric code for Level 2 Group
sitework. See Section 7 for detailed lists of specific items that
Elements, and a five character alphanumeric code for Level 3
are included and excluded under each individual element listed
Individual Elements.
in the Level 3 category. A list of suggested Level 4 building-
6.2 Foundations (A10):
related sitework sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
6.2.1 Standard Foundations (A1010):
5.2.4.1 UNIFORMATII is not intended to classify elements
6.2.1.1 Includes:
of major civil works. Rather, it is provided for exclusive use in
(1) Wall and column foundations;
support of the construction of buildings. Buildings are usually
(2) Foundation walls up to level of top of slab on grade;
(3) Pile caps;
6 (4) Foundation excavation, backfill, and compaction;
For more information on other elemental classifications, see Brian Bowen and
(5) Footings and bases;
Robert Charette, “Elemental Cost Classification Standard for Building Design,”
1991 AACE Transactions, 1991.
(6) Perimeter insulation;
Available from the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), 90 Nolan
(7) Perimeter drainage;
Court, Unit 19, Markham, ON, Canada, L3R 4L9, http://www.ciqs.org.
FIG. 3 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Related Sitework with Alpha-Numeric Designations
E1557−09 (2015)
(8) Anchor plates; and 6.4.1 Floor Construction (B1010):
(9) Dewatering. 6.4.1.1 Includes:
6.2.1.2 Excludes:
(1) Floor structural frame,
(1) General excavation to reduce levels (see G1030, Site (2) Interior structural walls,
Earthwork),
(3) Floor slabs and decks,
(2) Excavation for basements (see A2010, Basement (4) Inclined and stepped floors,
Excavation),
(5) Expansion and contraction joints,
(3) Basement walls (see A2020, Basement Walls), and (6) Balcony construction,
(4) Under-slabdrainageandinsulation(seeA1030,Slabon
(7) Suspended ramps,
Grade). (8) Exterior stairs and fire escapes, and
6.2.2 Special Foundations (A1020):
(9) Other floor construction (for example, catwalks, space
6.2.2.1 Includes: frames, etc.).
(1) Piling,
6.4.1.2 Excludes:
(2) Caissons,
(1) Exterior load bearing walls (see B2010, Exterior
(3) Underpinning,
Walls),
(4) Dewatering, (2) Applied and suspended ceiling and floor finishes (see
(5) Raft
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1557 − 09 E1557 − 09 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Classification for
Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1557; 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
1.1 This standardclassification 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.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
E964 Practice for Measuring Benefit-to-Cost and Savings-to-Investment Ratios for Buildings and Building Systems
E1057 Practice for Measuring Internal Rate of Return and Adjusted Internal Rate of Return for Investments in Buildings and
Building Systems
E1074 Practice for Measuring Net Benefits and Net Savings for Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
E1121 Practice for Measuring Payback for Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
E1185 Guide for Selecting Economic Methods for Evaluating Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
E1369 Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncertainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings and Building
Systems
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analysis During the Design Phase of a Project
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Reserve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
E2514 Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on Building
Economics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2015. Published June 2009October 2015. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20052009 as
ε1
E1557 – 05E1557 – 09. . DOI: 10.1520/E1557-09.10.1520/E1557-09R15.
The original UNIFORMAT classification was developed jointly by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1557 − 09 (2015)
2.2 Adjuncts:
Discount Factor Tables, Adjunct to Practices E917, E964, E1057, E1074, and E1121
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this classification, refer to Terminology E833.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major components common to most buildings. The classification is the
common thread linking activities and participants in a building project from initial planning through operations, maintenance, and
disposal.
4.2 The users of UNIFORMAT II include owners, developers, facilities programmers, cost planners, estimators, schedulers,
architects and engineers, specification writers, operating and maintenance staff, manufacturers, and educators.
4.3 Use this classification when doing the following:
4.3.1 Structuring costs on an elemental basis for economic evaluations (Practices E917, E964, E1057, E1074, E1121, and
E1804) 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. See Appendix X2 for an example of a UNIFORMAT II building elemental design cost estimate.
4.3.3 Conducting value engineering workshops. Use UNIFORMAT II as a checklist to ensure that alternatives for all elements
of significant cost in the building project are analyzed in the creativity phase of the job plan. Also, use the elemental cost data to
expedite the development of cost models for building systems.
4.3.4 Developing initial project master schedules. Since projects are built element by element, UNIFORMAT II is an
appropriate basis for preparing construction schedules at the start of the design process.
4.3.5 Performing risk analyses. Simulation is one technique (Practice E1369) for developing probability distributions of
building costs when evaluating the economic risk in undertaking a building project. Use individual elements and group elements
in UNIFORMAT II for developing probability distributions of elemental costs. From these distributions, build up probability
distributions of total project costs to establish acceptable project contingencies or to serve as inputs to an economic analysis. (See
Practice E1185 for guidance as to what economic method to use.)
4.3.6 Structuring cost manuals and recording construction, operating, and maintenance costs in a database. Having a manual or
database in an elemental format helps you perform economic analysis early in the design stage and at reasonable cost.
4.3.7 Structuring preliminary project descriptions during the conceptual design phase. It facilitates the description of the scope
of the project for the client in a clear, concise, and logical sequence; it provides the basis for the preparation of more detailed
elemental estimates during the early concept and preliminary design phases, and it enhances communications among designers and
other building professionals by providing a clear statement of the designer’s intent. See Appendix X3 for a sample preliminary
project description (PPD) based on UNIFORMAT II.
4.3.8 Coding and referencing standard details in computer-aided design systems. This allows an architect, for example, to
reference an exterior wall assembly according to UNIFORMAT II element designations and build up a database of standard details
structured according to the classification.
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJE091703.
For a more comprehensive discussion of the uses of UNIFORMAT II, see Bowen, Charette, and Marshall, UNIFORMAT II—A Recommended Classification for Building
Elements and Related Sitework, National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 841, Gaithersburg, MD, 1992, and Charette and Marshall, UNIFORMAT
II Elemental Classification for Building Specifications, Cost Estimating, and Cost Analysis, National Institute of Standards and Technology NISTIR 6389, Gaithersburg, MD,
1999.
FIG. 1 Possible Framework of the Built Environment
E1557 − 09 (2015)
4.4 UNIFORMAT II, as described in this classification, includes sitework normally related to buildings but does not apply to
major civil works. It is also unsuitable for process applications or for preparing trade estimates.
5. Basis of Classification
5.1 What part of the built environment is included? The framework in Fig. 1 shows how buildings and related sitework fit in
with the rest of the built environment. This classification describes exclusively the elements that make up the blocks shaded under
the building block, that is, construction of buildings and related sitework. UNIFORMAT II does not treat other aspects of buildings
or other features of the built environment, which are indicated by the non-shaded blocks.
NOTE 1—The other features of the built environment in Fig. 1 are listed for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of
other features.
5.2 Criteria for the Classification—The selected classification, what items to include in it, and in which parts of the classification
to include them are based on the following criteria:
5.2.1 The classification will be applicable to any building type, while at the same time allowing for details desirable for
specialized buildings. The classification of building elements will be separate from the classification of building-related sitework.
The classifications will be hierarchical to allow different levels of aggregation and summarization. And they will relate to other
6 7
elemental classifications such as UNIFORMAT and the classification of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
5.2.2 Items in the classification will have significant influence on cost and a high frequency of occurrence. Categories will be
defined so as to provide a framework for cost control. The decision as to where among the classification elements to include
specific items is to rely on professional judgment as to where building professionals in current practice normally look for such
items.
5.2.3 Classification of Building Elements—Fig. 2 presents the UNIFORMAT II classification of building elements. It comprises
three hierarchical levels: Major Group Elements for Level 1, Group Elements for Level 2, and Individual Elements for Level 3.
See Section 6 for detailed lists of specific items that are included and excluded under each individual element listed in the Level
3 category. A list of suggested level 4 building sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
5.2.4 Classification of Building-Related Sitework—Fig. 3 presents the UNIFORMAT II classification of building-related
sitework. See Section 7 for detailed lists of specific items that are included and excluded under each individual element listed in
the Level 3 category. A list of suggested Level 4 building-related sitework sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
5.2.4.1 UNIFORMAT II is not intended to classify elements of major civil works. Rather, it is provided for exclusive use in
support of the construction of buildings. Buildings are usually constructed with roads, utilities, parking areas, and other
non-building features. The UNIFORMAT II classification of building-related sitework provides guidance so that planners do not
have to resort to multiple elemental classifications for one project.
6. Description of Building Elements
6.1 The following lists show what items are included and excluded in the recommended classification at Level 3. Note that the
listings of inclusions and exclusions are not intended to be an exhaustive listing. Rather, they provide a general outline of what
to expect in that element consistent with the selection criteria outlined in 5.2. Exclusions are listed to help readers find items
quickly. For example, an elemental format might show exterior load bearing walls under Exterior Walls or Superstructure.
UNIFORMAT II puts them under Exterior Walls based on technical judgment and current practice. Putting under Superstructure
a cross-reference to Exterior Walls directs the person who looks first under Superstructure to the appropriate element. Note that
the table in Fig. 2 incorporates an alphanumeric designation for the classification: a single character letter code for Level 1 Major
Group Elements, a three character alphanumeric code for Level 2 Group Elements, and a five character alphanumeric code for
Level 3 Individual Elements.
6.2 Foundations (A10):
6.2.1 Standard Foundations (A1010):
6.2.1.1 Includes:
(1) Wall and column foundations;
(2) Foundation walls up to level of top of slab on grade;
(3) Pile caps;
(4) Foundation excavation, backfill, and compaction;
(5) Footings and bases;
(6) Perimeter insulation;
(7) Perimeter drainage;
(8) Anchor plates; and
For more information on other elemental classifications, see Brian Bowen and Robert Charette, “Elemental Cost Classification Standard for Building Design,” 1991 AACE
Transactions, 1991.
Available from the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), 90 Nolan Court, Unit 19, Markham, ON, Canada, L3R 4L9, http://www.ciqs.org.
E1557 − 09 (2015)
FIG. 2 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Elements with Alpha-Numeric Designations
E1557 − 09 (2015)
FIG. 3 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Related Sitework with Alpha-Numeric Designations
(9) Dewatering.
6.2.1.2 Excludes:
(1) General excavation to reduce levels (see G1030, Site Earthwork),
(2) Excavation for basements (see A2010, Basement Excavation),
(3) Basement walls (see A2020, Basement Walls), and
(4) Under-slab drainage and insulation (see A1030, Slab on Grade).
6.2.2 Special Foundations (A1020):
6.2.2.1 Includes:
(1) Piling,
(2) Caissons,
(3) Underpinning,
(4) Dewatering,
(5) Raft foundations,
(6) Any other special foundation conditions, and
(7) Grade beams.
6.2.2.2 Excl
...
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