Division 06 Casework and Division 12 Casework

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Specifications Discussions #5
1

I have always thought of Division 06 casework as custom-designed and fabricated according to AWI standards.

And I have regarded Division 12 casework as stock units arranged in groups according to space and functional requirements. There is no designing to speak of - at least not to the level required for Division 06 items.

My client - a city school system - wants everything in Division 12, even though the “master” guide specs reference AWI Custom cabinetry. No matter how I try to explain the difference, the owner’s rep insists upon his way and I am ready to acquiesce in the interest of time. Is the difference I described above accurate… or has there been a recent blurring of lines between Division 06 and 12 that I am not aware of?

I look forward to the rational thoughts of the 4Specs roundtable (which I would guess to be Premium grade).

2

David:

You are correct. From MasterFormat:

06 41 00 Architectural Wood Casework: “Shop-fabricated cabinets, cases, and fixtures.”

12 30 00 Casework: “Stock modular cabinets and other casework units of any material.”

3

Still, there is nothing to prevent requiring compliance with AWS in Division 12. The Div 12 reps always claim they can do both modular and custom casework, and often bid both on the same project. Haven’t had any problems.

4

Although my specs typically follow the distinction suggested by David and confirmed by Ron, I often spec institutional casework – such as for schools – in Div 12. Manufacturers who are accustomed to providing these products use standard designs, but custom fabricate them for each project according to AWS. There would be the option to allow a local woodwork shop to bid on the work, unless the spec is limited to manufacturers offering standardized systems.

If specific manufacturers or standard designs are not documented, there might be a need for a greater level of detail on Dwgs or more detailed descriptions in the spec.

5

I believe there is a historical root to this distinction between Div 06 and Div 12 casework, at least for institutional projects such as schools.

As I began my career in the mid-70s, in California, there was a new way to procure casework for schools. Rather than rely upon a local shop to produce casework for a school based on the shop’s standards and practices, factory-manufactured casework was designed and constructed according to standard designs and details. That is, standard to the manufacturer. The architect selected base, wall and full-height units from a catalog, with dimensions indicated on the contract drawings. This saved detailing time for the architect and supposedly ensured quality. Manufacturers marketed heavily to school districts and architects.

Others more knowledgeable can discuss how this influenced the development of industry associations such as the Woodwork Institute of California (WIC) and the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI). My impression is that the WIC Manual of Millwork, developed by cabinet shops and widely used by architects to specify quality in casework construction, evolved into a sophisticated document with standardized designs and details which cabinet shops and factories could use as a basis for equal bidding. This was particularly attractive for public construction, such as schools.

WIC’s exemplary service to architects and to owners, in the form of shop and field inspection and certification, made for widespread … almost exclusive … use in California. Now, with WIC changing its name to simply the Woodwork Institute and adopting AWI’s Architectural Woodwork Standards, design and detailing according to standards are commonly accepted and pretty easy for architects. Of course, very high quality and custom detailed woodwork, such as for fine interiors, will require exceptional product selections, detailing and specification.

What this gets to is the distinction between Div 06 and Div 12 casework. I think the difference is shop- vs factory-fabrication, with shop-fabrication based on standard AWS specifications and details and factory-fabrication based on proprietary specifications and details.

Yes, factory-fabrication may be according to AWS. In practice, for institutional casework, the distinction is minimal. It’s just the irritation and needless work and possible confusion caused by using a Div 12 Section number and title. I see no positives to using Div 12 instead of Div 06 if the casework is not truly factory manufactured.

Where Div 12 may be appropriate is for factory-manufactured residential casework. I recently wrote specifications for a custom residence with brand-name casework factory-manufactured. Similarly, I specify brand-name laboratory casework in a Div 12 section.

Changing the mind of a facility manager on this matter is futile in my opinion. Just get some industrial-strength Preparation H and cope.

6

Excellent historical perspective, John!

7

Also excellent advice on client relationships, John. The reasons so many facility managers hire design professionals and then insist on doing their job for them are complex; I’m certain rooted in deep-seated desires for the glamour of being an architect.

8

When I think of a cabinet shop (Div 06 work), I think of the one that my grandfather’s next door neighbor ran on his property: several hundred square feet; various types of power saws, joiners, drill presses, and planers; stacks of lumber, and lots of sawdust (OK, it was the '50s). Although I don’t really remember, I assume that he did custom woodwork of various types. These days, even the small shops are 20,000 to 25,000 square feet with factory-type production lines, enclosed finishing areas, sophisticated dust collection, and capabilities for plastic-laminate faced panels. One can’t really be a small shop with all of the OSHA requirements on VOCs, power equipment, and dust.

Realistically, the difference between the Division 12 “factories” and the Division 06 “custom shops” is almost non-existent. The main difference that I see is that the “custom shops” can undertake a limited amount of custom types of woodwork, custom wood veneering, and custom finishing. A woodwork factory fabricates to set dimensions (usually a on a 3-inch linear module) with a limited selection of veneers and finishes. Within these limitations, the selection is enormous. You can get a “standard” height base cabinet, 24-inches wide, with one or two drawers, two cabinet doors with “european” or knuckle hinges, selection of edge banding for doors and drawers, selection of 12 different plastic laminates, and 4 different wood veneers (each with 4 different stains). For most architects on most projects, this will be sufficient. Your local cabinet shop (with a 25,000 sq. ft. shop floor) can do the same stuff. Both of them can supply the fillers needed when the space is 25-1/4 inches rather than 24 inches wide. The local shop may even be certified to do casework for scientific or healthcare applications.

What the local shop probably will not be able to do is supply the healthcare casework for a 500,000 sq. ft. hospital on a reasonable schedule.

What the manufacturer probably will not be able to do is to fabricate to custom sizes with CSP flitches and an analine dyed finish.

What the architect and the owner will probably be unable to understand is exactly why one shop can’t realistically be expected do everything.

9

“Facility managers … rooted in deep-seated desires for the glamour of being an architect.”

Who can then apply their Preparation H, and bow and scrape before wannabee architect facility managers. And round and round it goes.

10

Dave, I don’t think I want to know which Section you use to specify that!

11

And also:

Casework specified in Division 06 is always constructed of wood (or plastic).

Casework specified in Division 12 is sometimes constructed of wood (or plastic).

12

In light of this discussion about such a mundane (?) subject as casework, consider the recent discussion regarding specification writers being “support staff” (i.e., clerical). And specification writers could/should know even much more about woodwork and finish carpentry.

BTW, my local CSI Chapter did a plant tour of a large cabinet shop which was highly capable of both AWS Custom Grade, plastic laminate covered, production casework and custom-fabricated, Premium grade hardwood casework and finish carpentry such as large, curved stairways. There are plenty of high-end fine residential, hospitality and corporate projects. The county is infested with attorneys, corporate headquarters and dot-commies.

13

Several years ago, my chapter also toured a millwork plant; very interesting! More recently, we toured a plant that processes salvaged lumber. The end product is lumber, so not as much going on there, but that, too, was interesting. I could visit a plant every day, but I suspect I’d be off the payroll in short order.

It’s off subject, but another good tour was the Cold Spring facility. We started at the quarry, then followed the journey the granite takes. One of the interesting things is that they use everything from brute force (blasting) to laser cutting.

14

All:

Thank you for bringing this into proper perspective. This forum helps me nearly every day.

John R:

Thank you for the historical perspective, proving that age and experience has great value in our business.

15

The “Shop Fabricated Casework” vs “Stock Modular Cabinets” is a distinction without a difference. The “Modular Cabinets” are in fact fabricated in a shop; and no one really has a large inventory of cabinets sitting on a shelf. Many manufacturers of “Stock Modular Cabinets” are willing to bid on custom work as well. Plans and specifications should be clear enough about special requirements to weed out those who are not.

I would like to think that the redundancy actually represents an opportunity to leave behind the anachronistic Division 06 Wood and Plastics in favor of ‘work results’ (casework) in Division 12.

Recognizing the slight distinction in the Master format description, I would suggest that if you specify casework in either location, the shops will find it.

I speak only for myself here, I am no longer an employee of Woodwork Institute