Growing up in the Northeast (CT) I always thought CA was supposed to be one of, if not the most “progressive” states.
However, since moving here almost 6 years ago, I find many things are still being done the same way they were in the 20th century and maybe even the 19th century!
CA is not always as progressive as one may think.
For instance, LAUSD, I think the 2nd largest school district in the country, is still using MF95 -changing their specs takes a major effort, let alone trying to change their numbering system.
I have found very little resistance to the change. However, I do 90% private work. I haven’t used the 16 division format in almost 2 years, except on one job that keeps lingering on and on. Some of the MPE use the old format, so I stick there specs in 15 and 16 - so what? Otherwise, most of the consultants have moved along with the rest of the industry and converted. I am currently working on the second largest construction project in the country (5.2 Billion) and it is all in MF-04, and all the consultants are playing along - no hassles. I agree w/ Bob - we need to take the lead (and should have been for the past 2 years). Otherwise, it’s no wonder spec writers have the reputation as being “old grumpy gray hairs”.
Richard you really must differentiate between Northern and Southern California. We are really two different states that share the same government.
The comments regards the LAUSD master helps make the point that it is very easy to create problems with master specifications. I took a quick look at a couple of the structural sections and I found them:
— Week on the code required quality assurance provisions.
—To not have been updated to reflect the new 2007 CBC.
—To contain wierd requirements, i.e. prohibited steel manufactured using the acid bessemer process.
Bob:
Tom Heineman responded to my query as you suggested. Below is his response.
… I have the 1963 and1964 CSI formats, which were alphanumeric. Randy Rothschild’s CSI committee recommended numbering in the order written: 3A Formwork, 3B Concrete, 3C Grout, and 3D Reinforcing - if that was your mood that week.
In 1966, AGC, CMSCI and AIA joined CSI in publishing Uniform System, in 3 parts: Specification Outline, Filing System, and Cost Accounting Guide. The last had 416 headings with 4-digit addresses. Right away, lots of us put 1 and 3 together and dropped alphanumeric for numbering sections. A true grass-roots phenomenon that took CSI by surprise. AIA’s PSAE decided to stick with (and elaborate) alphanumeric for 2 more decades - but that’s another story.
Through the rest of the '60s, there were several studies circulated through chapters on expanding and rationalizing the 4-digit system. It became apparent after a while that 5 would work better.
I hope this helps.
Tom
I am greatly relieved to hear Toms response because I was starting to think my memory was starting to fail. I definitely remember using a 4-digit numbering system. I was not a member of CSI at the time but I knew many of the founding fathers such as Carl Ebert. I guess I was part of the grass-roots that Tom referred to.
They say Old soldiers dont die, they just fade away. Is there a saying for old specifiers?
PS: Thanks, Tom.
fOR “OLD” SPEC WRITERS, I propose–
UNDOUBTEDLY! OLD-AGE AND TREACHERY OVERCOME YOUTH AND SKILL"!!
or
"Cageynesss is usually achieved in direct proportion to age!
Ron
I missed out on that one - have no memory of it, but I wasn’t involved with CSI at the time either. Glad to hear your memory wasn’t creating things. In my experience, if you are looking for historic CSI info, Tom is your man!
I wouldn’t have an opinion about where old specifiers go, but there are times some of them that were my mentors seem like they are still around saying things like “You dummy haven’t you thought about …” or giving words of good advice and encouragement to keep working at improving what you do! Sometimes I think they are somehow looking down at us and saying “What is the matter with you people, you should have made more progress by now!”
This old specifier is hiding under palm fronds at an unrevealed location south of the Mouse Kingdom - surviving on fresh pastelitos dipped in cafe cubano. Not bad, except for the palmetto bugs and an occasional high breeze.