OK…I’m asking this question purely because I’m curious. Now that many of you have, or are in the process of switching over to MF04, I’m curious to know what section numbering format you’re using. In other words, is rough carpentry in Section 061000, Section 06 10 00 or Section 06 1000?
For our first few jobs, I used the XX XX XX format, but I’ve since changed to the XX XXXX format. Why? Simply to make it easier to say. Instead of identifying it as zero six, ten, zero zero, I find it easier to say zero six, one thousand. Plus it’s easier to explain to the office naysayers who didn’t think we should have left MF95, by telling the 06 identifies the division, and the one thousand identifies the location within the division. I know it’s hogwash…but it worked!
We started with XX XX XX, but I have come to prefer the XX XXXX format.
I am not jumping on switching right now because we still have long-lived projects in the old XXXXX format and two formats on the boards at once is enough.
When I have a choice, its XX-XXXX, with a hyphen instead of a space to keep the two parts visually tied together. This also facilitates clear page numbering, as XX-XXXX-X instead of XX XX XX - X. No level four decimals for me either.
I use decimals only when I need to. Case in point. We do lots of recreation centers that may have 2 or 3 types of resilient athletic flooring, so I’ll use the decimals (.01, .02, .03) to differentiate the various types, especially if there are enough differences to warrant an individual section for each type.
Quote - Is anyone right of the decimal point for sections?
We are not ourselves, but we have had MEP consultants stick a couple into their Divisions without asking as a surprise.
For at least one client, who insists on a very wonky TOC format, the 8 digit numbering puts the entire entry out of alignment with the rest of the page.
I use the decimal point numbers, but probably not in the way they are intended. On some of my large projects, I will get several versions of the same section for different parts of the building, from different consultant for example, door hardware. So, I might assign 087110.01, 087110.02 etc. I have seen consultants use it once in awhile as well.
XX XX XX
I have never used decimals. 09 21 16.23 Gypsum Board Shaft Wall Assemblies is 09 21 19. This was always my pet peeve with MF04. There is so much room between 09 21 13 and 09 22 00 that level 4 is just not necessary, except for philosophical reasons which I think I understand, but choose to disregard. Excuse me while I hide from the MasterFormat police.
xx xx xx, the numbers are harder to read in either of the other formats (xx xxxx or xxxxxx).
And for numbers that might wrap around on a paragraph, just do Ctrl-Shift-Spacebar (in Word)for the space between the sets of numbers and it keeps them together.
