# Generic name for Tectum? **URL:** \ **Category:** Archive - Product Discussions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246 "2004-07-21T00:08:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![David\_Axt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/david_axt/32/24_2.png) [@David\_Axt](https://forum.4specs.com/u/David_Axt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/1 "2004-07-21T00:08:42Z")
What is the generic name for tectum? We have been using “Acoustical Cementitious Wood Fiber Panels” and the architects are complaining that it is too long. ---
**Author:** ![bunzick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@bunzick](https://forum.4specs.com/u/bunzick)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/2 "2004-07-21T13:23:58Z")
There’s no need to use a generic name because there’s no one else that makes the product! At least, that was the case a few years ago when I was challenged in a public job for using a proprietary product. Does anyone know of an equal to this material? ---
**Author:** ![Rliebing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c57346/32.png) [@Rliebing](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Rliebing)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/3 "2004-07-21T13:32:26Z")
Found a series of products called “Fibroplank” made by the Martin Corporation- [www.martinfireproofing.com](http://www.martinfireproofing.com) Shown as equivalent to Tectum, by name, in MasterSpec 03511 ---
**Author:** ![Davemetzger](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/davemetzger/32/389_2.png) [@Davemetzger](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Davemetzger)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/4 "2004-07-21T14:33:20Z")
Even if the product is sole source, I don’t think it’s good practice to use proprietary names on drawings. I call tectum “wood fiber panels”. We too have specified Martin Acoustical Products as another manufacturer in addition to Tectum; their product was called AcoustiPlank. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Axt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/david_axt/32/24_2.png) [@David\_Axt](https://forum.4specs.com/u/David_Axt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/5 "2004-07-21T18:27:19Z")
In what section do you specify Tectum? ---
**Author:** ![Davemetzger](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/davemetzger/32/389_2.png) [@Davemetzger](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Davemetzger)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/6 "2004-07-21T19:55:21Z")
Depends how I use them. If for acoustical purposes, I’ve used Section 09810. If just for suspended ceiling panels in a typical suspended ceiling grid, Section 09510. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/7 "2004-07-21T21:22:54Z")
I concur that it’s bad practice to use a trade name on drawings. . . It’s been years since I specified Tectum, but “cementitious wood fiber acoustical panel” sounds reasonable. I don’t understand the complaint with respect to length. Don’t your drawings have an abbreviation list and can’t you go from there with “CWFAC”? ---
**Author:** ![lynn\_javoroski](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/lynn_javoroski/32/188_2.png) [@lynn\_javoroski](https://forum.4specs.com/u/lynn_javoroski)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/8 "2004-07-21T21:30:02Z")
Why not just call them “acoustical panels” on the drawings and let the specifications specify what they are? Is that a radical idea? We use abbreviations (AWP is an acoustical wall panel, for example, and if we have more than 1, it’s AWP-1 or AWP-2) and the abbreviation is then used in the spec to identify what is meant by the specification - which can be a paragraph! No size restriction in the specs like there is on the drawings. Drawings have enough stuff on them and usually very little room for words. Isn’t that one of the reasons why we have specifications? ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@Anonymous](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/9 "2004-07-21T21:40:38Z")
Yep. Come to think of it, I’ve done it Lynn’s way too. And my the way, my “CWFAC” abbreviation above should have been “CWFAP.” ---
**Author:** ![rlmat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rlmat](https://forum.4specs.com/u/rlmat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/10 "2004-07-21T22:54:02Z")
Thank you Lynn - Yours is the best idea I’ve heard on the subject. It would definately be my choice and I have done it this way for a number of products that otherwise defy description. If we ever took this long to decide on what to call something we’d never get anything done. Thanks again for “cutting to the chase”. ---
**Author:** ![john\_regener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@john\_regener](https://forum.4specs.com/u/john_regener)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/11 "2004-07-22T03:51:54Z")
CWFAP = see wa fap? It literally runs off the tongue! Make sure to specify the type of Scotch tape to use to attach the Tectum panels to the Sheetrock. ---
**Author:** ![rjray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@rjray](https://forum.4specs.com/u/rjray)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/12 "2004-07-23T12:42:47Z")
So, you followers of abbreviations, what would you call the material when used as a roof deck? CWFARD? ---
**Author:** ![lynn\_javoroski](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/lynn_javoroski/32/188_2.png) [@lynn\_javoroski](https://forum.4specs.com/u/lynn_javoroski)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/13 "2004-07-23T13:36:21Z")
In keeping with the simple approach, I’d probably use RD-n, where “n” is a number, and identify it in the spec as “cementitious wood fiber acoustical roof deck”. That allows other roof decks on the project. Remember “K.I.S.S.” If an abbreviation is as long as what you’re abbreviating (and I’ve seen some like that), you’ve missed the idea of abbreviation. ---
**Author:** ![rjray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@rjray](https://forum.4specs.com/u/rjray)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/14 "2004-07-23T13:40:35Z")
It appears my sarcasm was missed. With word processing and computer aided drafting, abbreviations are not used in my office. ---
**Author:** ![lynn\_javoroski](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/lynn_javoroski/32/188_2.png) [@lynn\_javoroski](https://forum.4specs.com/u/lynn_javoroski)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/15 "2004-07-23T13:44:37Z")
No, it wasn’t - I just chose to ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![Davemetzger](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/davemetzger/32/389_2.png) [@Davemetzger](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Davemetzger)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/16 "2004-07-23T14:07:01Z")
How about Cementitious Wood Acoustic Panels (CWAP) It’s Friday–we need a little levity here ---
**Author:** ![rjray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6de8d8/32.png) [@rjray](https://forum.4specs.com/u/rjray)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/17 "2004-07-23T14:17:03Z")
With apologies to David Sedaris, Me Talk Better Sarcasm One Day ---
**Author:** ![lynn\_javoroski](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/lynn_javoroski/32/188_2.png) [@lynn\_javoroski](https://forum.4specs.com/u/lynn_javoroski)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/18 "2004-07-23T17:04:48Z")
Dave, too bad they aren’t Cementitious Resin Acoustic Panels. ---
**Author:** ![rlmat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rlmat](https://forum.4specs.com/u/rlmat)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/19 "2004-07-26T14:54:48Z")
I like Lynn’s description. If I had my way, I wouldn’t use them because I think there are better products out there. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Axt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/david_axt/32/24_2.png) [@David\_Axt](https://forum.4specs.com/u/David_Axt)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246/20 "2004-07-26T16:40:08Z")
Where do you suppose “Tectum” will be located in Masterformat '04? [Next page](https://forum.4specs.com/t/generic-name-for-tectum/246.md?page=2)