ASTM E2166-01

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Designation:E2166–01
Standard Practice for
Organizing and Managing Building Data
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2166; 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.
1. Scope tent groups. It can be applied by an administrator initiating a
data system as a facility standard, as well as a consultant
1.1 This practice describes a method of organizing building
reporting on building conditions.
information to support informed decision making.The kinds of
3.2.1 Aconsistent method of arrangement for subject matter
data considered in this practice includes text, numeric, and
expedites the preparation and use of source documents, and
graphicdata.Thesystemoforganizationisapplicabletoawide
simplifies the process of comparing information from several
range of data collection and organization tasks from routine
sources.
in-depth analysis of a single building, to situations where many
3.3 This practice is suitable for arranging the content of
buildings must be evaluated and prioritized in a short time
individual reports, managing physical files, as well as auto-
frame.
mated data applications. Personal computers operating com-
1.2 The organizational structure is based on UNIFORMAT
mercially available software are able to meet the functional
II (ASTM E 1557), a system which groups building elements
requirements of this practice.
according to the way buildings are constructed and function.
3.4 This practice provides a consistent and comprehensive
1.3 The use of UNIFORMATII provides a set of recognized
outline suitable to track the evolution of specific building
summary levels that are relevant throughout the industries that
conditions in one or many buildings. It can be applied to
design, construct, and manage buildings.
historical building data as well as new information.
2. Referenced Documents 3.5 Administration of this practice will reveal categories of
building data that have been overlooked in prior data gathering
2.1 ASTM Standards:
efforts that did not rely on a systems approach. The compre-
E 917 Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
hensive hierarchy of Systems and Elements, readily displays
E 1334 Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building
the amount and depth of information distributed among the
or Building Related Facility
categories and levels. The pattern of available information
E 1557 UNIFORMAT II
highlights voids among the categories. It is also possible to
E 1699 Performing Value Analysis (VA) of Buildings and
quickly focus on the quality and sufficiency of cataloged data
Building Systems
to determine whether an appropriate level of detail exists to
E 1765 Practice for Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process
address the needs of decision-makers.
(AHP) to Multi-attribute DecisionAnalysis of Investments
Related to Buildings and Building Systems
4. Procedure
E 1836 Classification for Building Floor Area Measure-
4.1 Organize existing physical information to correspond to
ments for Facility Management
the categories of UNIFORMATII. Initial data-gathering efforts
3. Significance and Use for new or existing buildings can easily make information
conform to the hierarchical structure of UNIFORMAT II.
3.1 Use this practice to organize information that describes
4.2 Legacy data and pre-existing text are likely to be found
new or existing buildings of any size. The concepts presented
in the prevailing style of the preparer. In order to preserve the
here can also be applied to other categories of construction
clarity and continuity of concept presented in text which was
where a standard corresponding to UNIFORMAT II does not
arranged in a non-UNIFORMATII outline, it will be necessary
yet exist.
inmanyinstances,toassociatethesameblockoftexttoseveral
3.2 The hierarchical structure of UNIFORMAT II enables
hierarchical levels in order to adequately communicate condi-
the user to focus on building elements in functionally consis-
tions or intent.
4.3 Where a large body of existing data is available, the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
initial organizing effort will involve some degree of judgment
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on
based on the quality of existing historical data, the present
Building Economics.
condition of the subject building, and some expectation of the
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published January 2002.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11. range of potential uses for the building. Make objective
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.12.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2166–01
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
function of an exterior wall type is to keep weather out of the
4.3.1 Many buildings lack significant existing data for
building. The joints must additionally accommodate move-
certain Systems. In order to reliably establish baseline condi-
ment, possibly provide galvanic isolation, and present an
tions, consult with relevant building specialists. Direct consult-
appearance consistent with an overall architectural vocabulary.
ants to provide copies of new studies in formats compatible
The materials used to make joints are frequently unique to the
with the facility’s resident system.
jointanddifferentthanthematerialscomprisingthebasictypes
4.4 Inventory a complete list of rooms or named spaces.
being joined. The useful life and maintenance cycles of many
Each room or space is delimited by a finite set of constructed
kinds of joints vary sufficiently from the adjacent assemblies to
entities such as floors, walls, and ceilings that correspond
merit scheduled attention.
directly to a UNIFORMAT II element. Make on-site observa-
4.6.1 Organize the list of joint types to respond to relevant
tions of existing building conditions, or compile available data
needs such as maintenance. The function and composition of
from the drawings of a proposed building to develop a suitable
the joint determines the nature and frequency of attention.
inventory. Reference UNIFORMAT II elements to the con-
Elastomeric sealant in an exterior wall for example, will
structed entities of the room inventory.
fatigue or deteriorate at a reasonably predictable rate based on
4.5 Develop a list of elements within the third level of
the material and exposure. Joints which respond to specific
UNIFORMAT II. Make distinctions among the functional
events such as fire or earthquake need to be occasionally
attributes of similar elements. These distinctions form subsets
checked to confirm that the joint continues to have the capacity
of elements or types. A type refers to a kind of assembly that
to perform as intended. After an event, those joints need to be
possesses a unique combination of function and components
inspected for repair or replacement. Fixed joints such as
consistent with, and subordinate to, elements within the third
structural connections are of great interest during the design
level of the UNIFORMAT II outline. Elements which superfi-
and construction phases, but generally require no further
cially appear to be similar are constructed with purposeful
attention until the next renovation.
physical variations in order to accommodate a variety of
4.7 Naming conventions for types depend upon the needs of
functional or situational requirements. For example, the exte-
the study in the context of the overall building documentation
rior envelope of certain buildings is uniform on all sides and on
effort and are not standardized in this practice.
all levels while the exterior of other buildings vary by facade,
4.8 Existing buildings frequently lack sufficient available
as well as by groupings of floor levels. Partitions which
documentation to confidently identify types without perform-
separate rooms from each other possess different functional
ing invasive exploration. Where such activity is not warranted
requirements, such as fire rating, than the partition that
at the time of the data gathering effort, identify only directly
separates the rooms from the corridor, or a room from a
observable materials and note observable functions at the
stairwell. Limits of connections, distinctions of substrate con-
appropriate UNIFORMAT II level. Include more detailed
ditions and basic functional definitions must also be discerned
information as it becomes known.
in order to definitively name a type. For example, within the
4.9 Associate relevant combinations of types. Within a
family of partition types, wood stud-framing covered on each
single room, a structural element such as a column and an
side with a single layer of gypsum wall board (GWB) is a wall
envelope element such as an exterior wall and two different
type, as is a concrete masonry [unit] block (CMU) wall. If
interior wall types present the same finished appearance to the
these walls are painted with the same kind of paint system, that
occupant. Associate all of these elements with the same finish
paint system is the finish type common to both wall types. If
type.
the CMU wall is to be covered with GWB and painted, the
4.10 Use standard MASTERFORMAT designations to
GWB, furring or other sub framing, as well as the paint is
identify the individual components and materials which are
considered to be a finish type since the GWB is incidental to
assembled to make up a type. The use of MASTERFORMAT
the function of the CMU. If the CMU wall needs to achieve a
at this level is consistent with industry accepted construction
certainfire-ratingwhichisonlypossiblewiththeapplicationof
specifications and cost estimating practice.
plaster or stucco, the CMU plus the applied coating is
4.11 Identify the relevant Mechanical Systems and distin-
considered together as a type, because the coating is essential
guish the services and groups of components within each
to its basic function. Frequently, these types correspond to an
system that comprise a functionally and physically discrete
existing standard assembly which has been tested and pub-
entity. Each service distribution system begins at a piece of
lished by recognized testing laboratories or industry interest
equipment that “originates” or “modulates” that service, is
groups. Develop a list of types peculiar to the study building at
distributed through some form of duct, pipe, or wire, and
the earliest opportunity.
terminates at a utilization device. In district heating and
4.6 Identify the connections between the different elemental
cooling systems, as well as public utility grids, such as water,
types and segments of the same type. These connections or
joints are designed to maintain the functionality of the system
by mitigating certain conditions within designed limits. De-
velop a list of joint types rather than attempting to account for
MASTERFORMATis the system developed by the Construction Specifications
the joint as a component of an adjacent element type. The Institute (CSI) commonly used to organize material and product data.
E2166–01
gas, and electricity, a “shut-off” device and metering equip- air handling system in the event of a fire. All such controls
ment are located where the service enters the building and for require access for periodic maintenance, inspection or emer-
the purposes of the system, considered an “originator.” Gas
gency control.Associate these devices with the relevant system
pressure regulators, booster pumps, and sewage ejectors simi-
and the rooms in which they are located. Information concern-
larly are considered in the category of “originators” because of
ing the need for special keys or tools required to actuate the
their relationship to a grid external to the building. Some types
device and guidance to identify obscure access points adds
of equipment contain components that terminate one service
greater functionality to the data.
and originate another. For example, a boiler is a terminal
4.16 Inventory utilization devices and associate each device
device for a gas supply and a primary generator of hot water.
with the room in which it is located and the system branch it
If that hot water is supplied to the coils of anAir Handling Unit
terminates. Utilization devices include items such as lumi-
(AHU), the coil of theAHU is the utilization device for the hot
naires, switches, outlets, plumbing fixtures, fan-coil units,
water system. Most likely, the AHU will also contain cooling
grilles, and registers, special filters, sprinkler heads, and
coils fed by a chilled water distribution system which begins at
control sensors. Include information on model, color or style,
the chiller, a device which generates very cold water. The
where such information is relevant to the character of the
blower component of the AHU is the primary generator of
space. Include maintenance data and parts lists where neces-
conditioned air, which is distributed through ducts to diffusers
sary.
or registers in a space.
4.16.1 Organize existing component information for utiliza-
4.12 Categorize Systems information to support both opera-
tion devices and equipment including service records, parts
tions and management needs. Information organized at the
lists, vendors, and on-site spare parts inventories. Information
level of a system presents a comprehensive overview of the
available on a component basis can expedite a number of
effectiveness of that system. Based on the size of the building
routine operations oriented activities. While this practice is not
and the complexity of the respective systems, services can be
intended to be used directly as a “work order” system, the
further classified by functional zones that correspond to: (1)
availability of shared data will enhance the functionality of
building specific areas, such as floor levels or horizontal
such a system, as well as increase the quality of information
fire-areas, (2) system specific limits such as zones served by
available to certain reports.
dedicated equipment, (3) areas defined by metering, monitor-
ing, or control points, and (4) component specific relationships
4.17 Identify available mechanical systems operational
such as trunk
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