ASTM E1557-09(2015)

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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 91.060.01 - Elements of buildings in general
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.81 - Building Economics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1557-09 - Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework-UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM E1557-09(2020)e1 - Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E2506-15(2020)e1 - Standard Guide for Developing a Cost-Effective Risk Mitigation Plan for New and Existing Constructed Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1946-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Measuring Cost Risk of Buildings and Building Systems and Other Constructed Projects
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2168-10(2023) - Standard Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Reserve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2691-20 - Standard Practice for Job Productivity Measurement
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1765-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Multiattribute Decision Analysis of Investments Related to Projects, Products, and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1699-14(2020) - Standard Practice for Performing Value Engineering (VE)/Value Analysis (VA) of Projects, Products and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2166-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Organizing and Managing Building Data
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2514-15(2020) - Standard Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2620-15(2020) - Standard Classification for Program and Project Estimate Summaries
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3035-15(2020) - Standard Classification for Facility Asset Component Tracking System (FACTS)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3008/E3008M-16(2023) - Standard Classification for Transportation Surface Elements—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2013-20 - Standard Practice for Developing Functions, Constructing FAST Diagrams, and Performing Function Analysis During Value Engineering (VE)/Value Analysis (VA) Study
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1804-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analysis During the Design Phase of a Project
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1557 −09 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Classification for
1
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
3
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
2
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
4
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.
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81
3
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 [e-mail]. 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
1

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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 Structuringpreliminar
...

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
1
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.
2
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
3
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
1
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.
2
The original UNIFORMAT classification was developed jointly by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1557 − 09 (2015)
2.2 Adjuncts:
4
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
...