ASTM E1557-09(2020)e1
(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.
1.6 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.
ϵ1
Designation:E1557 −09 (Reapproved 2020)
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.
ε NOTE—Adjunct title and stock number in 2.2 were updated editorially in April 2020.
1. Scope ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 Thisclassificationestablishesaclassificationofbuilding
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
elements and related sitework. Elements, as defined here, are
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
major components common to most buildings. Elements usu-
ally perform a given function, regardless of the design
2. Referenced Documents
specification, construction method, or materials used. The
2.1 ASTM Standards:
classification serves as a consistent reference for analysis,
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
evaluation, and monitoring during the feasibility, planning, and
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
design stages of buildings. Using UNIFORMAT II ensures
and Building Systems
consistency in the economic evaluation of buildings projects
E964 Practice for Measuring Benefit-to-Cost and Savings-
over time and from project to project. It also enhances
to-Investment Ratios for Buildings and Building Systems
reporting at all stages in construction—from feasibility and
E1057 Practice for Measuring Internal Rate of Return and
planning through the preparation of working documents,
Adjusted Internal Rate of Return for Investments in
construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and disposal.
Buildings and Building Systems
1.2 This classification applies to buildings and related site
E1074 Practice for Measuring Net Benefits and Net Savings
work. It excludes specialized process equipment related to a
for Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
building’s functional use but does include furnishings and
E1121 Practice for Measuring Payback for Investments in
equipment.
Buildings and Building Systems
1.3 The classification incorporates three hierarchical levels E1185 Guide for Selecting Economic Methods for Evaluat-
described as Levels 1, 2, and 3. Appendix X1 presents a more
ing Investments in Buildings and Building Systems
detailed suggested Level 4 classification of sub-elements.
E1369 Guide for Selecting Techniques for Treating Uncer-
tainty and Risk in the Economic Evaluation of Buildings
1.4 UNIFORMAT II is an elemental format similar to the
and Building Systems
original UNIFORMAT elemental classification. UNIFOR-
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting CostAnalysis
MAT II differs from the original UNIFORMAT, however, in
During the Design Phase of a Project
that it takes into consideration a broader range of building
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field
types and has been updated to categorize building elements as
Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
they are in current building practice.
E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Re-
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
serve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E2514 Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost
standard.
Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Discount Factor Tables - Adjunct to E917 Practice for
Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building
Systems - Includes Excel and PDF Files
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 April 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1557-09(2015). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1557-09R20E01. 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). ADJE091717-EA. Original adjunct produced in 1984.Adjunct last revised in 2003.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
ϵ1
E1557−09 (2020)
3. Terminology manual or database in an elemental format helps you perform
economic analysis early in the design stage and at reasonable
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
cost.
classification, refer to Terminology E833.
4.3.7 Structuringpreliminaryprojectdescriptionsduringthe
conceptual design phase. It facilitates the description of the
4. Significance and Use
scopeoftheprojectfortheclientinaclear,concise,andlogical
4.1 This classification defines building elements as major
sequence; it provides the basis for the preparation of more
components common to most buildings. The classification is
detailed elemental estimates during the early concept and
the common thread linking activities and participants in a
preliminary design phases, and it enhances communications
building project from initial planning through operations,
among designers and other building professionals by providing
maintenance, and disposal.
a clear statement of the designer’s intent. See Appendix X3 for
4.2 The users of UNIFORMAT II include owners,
a sample preliminary project description (PPD) based on
developers, facilities programmers, cost planners, estimators,
UNIFORMAT II.
schedulers, architects and engineers, specification writers,
4.3.8 Coding and referencing standard details in computer-
operating and maintenance staff, manufacturers, and educators.
aided design systems. This allows an architect, for example, to
reference an exterior wall assembly according to UNIFOR-
4.3 Use this classification when doing the following:
MAT II element designations and build up a database of
4.3.1 Structuring costs on an elemental basis for economic
standard details structured according to the classification.
evaluations (Practices E917, E964, E1057, E1074, E1121, and
E1804) early in the design process. Using UNIFORMAT II
4.4 UNIFORMAT II, as described in this classification,
helps reduce the cost of early analysis and contributes to
includes sitework normally related to buildings but does not
substantial design and operational savings before decisions
apply to major civil works. It is also unsuitable for process
have been made that limit options for potential savings.
applications or for preparing trade estimates.
4.3.2 Estimating and controlling costs during planning,
5. Basis of Classification
design, and construction. Use UNIFORMAT II to prepare
budgets and to establish elemental cost plans before design
5.1 What part of the built environment is included? The
begins. The project manager uses these to control project cost,
framework in Fig. 1 shows how buildings and related sitework
time, and quality, and to set design-to-cost targets. See Appen-
fit in with the rest of the built environment. This classification
dixX2foranexampleofaUNIFORMATIIbuildingelemental
describes exclusively the elements that make up the blocks
design cost estimate.
shaded under the building block, that is, construction of
4.3.3 Conducting value engineering workshops. Use UNI-
buildings and related sitework. UNIFORMAT II does not treat
FORMAT II as a checklist to ensure that alternatives for all
other aspects of buildings or other features of the built
elementsofsignificantcostinthebuildingprojectareanalyzed
environment, which are indicated by the non-shaded blocks.
in the creativity phase of the job plan. Also, use the elemental
NOTE 1—The other features of the built environment in Fig. 1 are listed
cost data to expedite the development of cost models for
for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of
building systems.
other features.
4.3.4 Developing initial project master schedules. Since
5.2 Criteria for the Classification—The selected
projects are built element by element, UNIFORMAT II is an
classification, what items to include in it, and in which parts of
appropriate basis for preparing construction schedules at the
the classification to include them are based on the following
start of the design process.
criteria:
4.3.5 Performing risk analyses. Simulation is one technique
5.2.1 The classification will be applicable to any building
(Practice E1369) for developing probability distributions of
type, while at the same time allowing for details desirable for
building costs when evaluating the economic risk in undertak-
specialized buildings. The classification of building elements
ing a building project. Use individual elements and group
will be separate from the classification of building-related
elements in UNIFORMAT II for developing probability distri-
sitework. The classifications will be hierarchical to allow
butions of elemental costs. From these distributions, build up
different levels of aggregation and summarization. And they
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
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
ϵ1
E1557−09 (2020)
FIG. 2 UNIFORMAT II Classification of Building Elements with Alpha-Numeric Designations
ϵ1
E1557−09 (2020)
will relate to other elemental classifications such as UNIFOR- building-relatedsiteworkprovidesguidancesothatplannersdo
MAT and the classification of the Canadian Institute of not have to resort to multiple elemental classifications for one
Quantity Surveyors. project.
5.2.2 Items in the classification will have significant influ-
ence on cost and a high frequency of occurrence. Categories
6. Description of Building Elements
will be defined so as to provide a framework for cost control.
6.1 The following lists show what items are included and
The decision as to where among the classification elements to
excluded in the recommended classification at Level 3. Note
include specific items is to rely on professional judgment as to
thatthelistingsofinclusionsandexclusionsarenotintendedto
where building professionals in current practice normally look
be an exhaustive listing. Rather, they provide a general outline
for such items.
of what to expect in that element consistent with the selection
5.2.3 Classification of Building Elements—Fig. 2 presents
criteria outlined in 5.2. Exclusions are listed to help readers
the UNIFORMAT II classification of building elements. It
find items quickly. For example, an elemental format might
comprises three hierarchical levels: Major Group Elements for
show exterior load bearing walls under Exterior Walls or
Level 1, Group Elements for Level 2, and Individual Elements
Superstructure. UNIFORMAT II puts them under Exterior
for Level 3. See Section 6 for detailed lists of specific items
Walls based on technical judgment and current practice.
that are included and excluded under each individual element
Putting under Superstructure a cross-reference to Exterior
listed in the Level 3 category. A list of suggested level 4
WallsdirectsthepersonwholooksfirstunderSuperstructureto
building sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
the appropriate element. Note that the table in Fig. 2 incorpo-
5.2.4 Classification of Building-Related Sitework—Fig. 3
rates an alphanumeric designation for the classification: a
presents the UNIFORMAT II classification of building-related
single character letter code for Level 1 Major Group Elements,
sitework. See Section 7 for detailed lists of specific items that
a three character alphanumeric code for Level 2 Group
are included and excluded under each individual element listed
Elements, and a five character alphanumeric code for Level 3
in the Level 3 category. A list of suggested Level 4 building-
Individual Elements.
related sitework sub-elements is presented in Table X1.1.
6.2 Foundations (A10):
5.2.4.1 UNIFORMATII is not intended to classify elements
of major civil works. Rather, it is provided for exclusive use in 6.2.1 Standard Foundations (A1010):
support of the construction of buildings. Buildings are usually 6.2.1.1 Includes:
constructed with roads, utilities, parking areas, and other (1) Wall and column foundations;
non-building features. The UNIFORMAT II classification of (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;
For more information on other elemental classifications, see Brian Bowen and
(6) Perimeter insulation;
Robert Charette, “Elemental Cost Classification Standard for Building Design,”
(7) Perimeter drainage;
1991 AACE Transactions, 1991.
7 (8) Anchor plates; and
Available from the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), 90 Nolan
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
ϵ1
E1557−09 (2020)
(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,
Earthwor
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.