| Author |
Message |
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: michael_chusid
Post Number: 470
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 08:45 pm: |    |
Losing my memory. What are guidelines for when to use hyphens with measurements and when to state units of measurement in singular or plural form?
Examples:
-- 3/4 inch diameter OR 3/4-inch diameter or 3/4 inches diameter OR 3/4-inches diameter?
-- if whole numbers and fractions are required, is it 5-3/4 inch diameter OR 5-3/4-inch diameter or 5-3/4 inches diameter OR 5-3/4-inches diameter?
-- if the dimension is one, is it spelled or numerated: one-inch long OR 1-inch long?
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937
www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 2186
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 09:54 pm: | |
The only thing I could find in the CSI docs I have at home is this: "Use numerals whenever possible because they are easy to identify. However, when numbers are used to define both size and quantity, the written word should be used for the quantity."
For the other formats, I seem to remember "1-3/4 inches" and "3 inch diameter". So it would be "3/4 inch diameter", "5-3/4 inch diameter", and '1 inch long". |
Edward J Dueppen, RA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: edueppen
Post Number: 54
Registered: 08-2013
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 10:04 am: | |
The logic that I have tried to use consistently is this:
- Use numerals rather than words.
- When less than or equal to one inch, use "inch" singular. If more than one inch, use "inches" plural. Same for "foot" and "feet".
I have also noticed that MS Word grammar checking seems to often prompt me to add hyphens between whole numbers and their fractions, such as "1-3/4". And sometimes it will prompt a hyphen when between the numeral and "inch", such as "1-inch". I tend to abide by this when prompted and have noticed that it does tend to be easier to read.
Also check the Construction Specifications Practice Guide article 2.8 for additional rules. |
Ronald L. Geren, FCSI Lifetime Member, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSC, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 1534
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 11:43 am: | |
Michael, I think I understand your question. I use hyphenation when the measurement is used in the form of a compound adjective:
Compound Adjective Example: Provide 5-inch-diameter steel tubes.
- versus -
Standard Adjectives Example: Provide steel tubes 5 inches in diameter.
This rule applies to any descriptive words that are used in the form of a compound adjective:
* man-eating tiger
* well-known architect
* cost-effective solution
Ron Geren, FCSI Lifetime Member, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSC, SCIP
|
David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP
Senior Member
Username: david_axt
Post Number: 1762
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 02:25 pm: | |
BTW, I always try to use numbers rather than words. Look at my absurd examples below. Which is easier to read and comprehend?
A. Use twenty five three inch long bolts with five eighths inch heads and three quarters inch threads penetrating one and eleven sixteenths inches in the the substrate.
B. Use (25) 3-inch-long bolts with 5/8-inch heads and 3/4-inch threads penetrating 1-11/16 inches into the substrate.
David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Specifications Consultant
Axt Consulting LLC |
Dewayne Dean
Senior Member
Username: ddean
Post Number: 190
Registered: 02-2016
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 04:13 pm: | |
Nice David  |
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe
Post Number: 1028
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 03, 2019 - 02:30 am: | |
I was taught to use a hyphen between the integer and the fraction, i.e., 1-1/4". Without it, it might appear to be 11/4.
I use different forms for nominal and actual dimensions, i.e., 3/4-inch pipe (which is not 3/4 inch diameter) and 1-1/2-inch pipe (which is not 1-1/2 inches diameter), but plural form for actual dimensions, i.e., 3/4 inch and 1-1/2 inches.
As for David's example:
Bolts: 3 inches long, 5/8 inch head, 3/4 inch threads.
Penetration of substrate: 1-11/16 inches. [I know this was just an example, but you probably wouldn't specify both the bolt length and the penetration.]
Quantity: 25.
On a related matter, the number one is tricky. In quantities and dimensions it's usually not a problem, but if it appears in a part number or other combined alpha/numeric identifier, the font can affect readability. Note the difference - or similarity - of the digit one, lowercase i and l, uppercase I and L.
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