Questions Regarding 12 48 00

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Author Message Lisa Turner, CSI, CCPR Intermediate Member Username: lisat Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 01:40 pm:    I'm here trying to put together the list of new MasterFormat numbers for my products. Most of them are extremely straightforward, but I’m having trouble with this section and would appreciate some input. Sweets will use the above number (I think...there is still some confusion on that point). My questions are regarding the actual practice of writing a specification for floor mats, frames, gratings, grills, etc. under the new system. The floor mats and frames are listed in different sections. In practice, if somebody picks out a floor mat or grate (I’m talking custom-made recessed mats), there are only certain frames that go with it. It would be a nightmare for all concerned if one component were purchased from one company, and the other from another company. They don’t necessarily work together, even though they might look like they should. How would you really write a spec like this? Should guide specifications show both sections consecutively, reference both sections at the top or list the highest applicable section? Likewise, how can I find out what the indented differences are between gratings, grilles and grids? Right now, some manufacturers use one term, others a different term, for what are essentially the same types of products. I'd really like to do this right (and drop a note to my competitors so they do the same thing) but I'm not sure what 'right' is at this point. Until I get solid answer, I’ll just use the highest level number. That leads me to the next question, who really determines what is correct? Thanks in advance for your advice! Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 102 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 07:14 pm:    Lisa: MasterFormat 2004, like its predecessor, MasterFormat 95, allows users to write either more general and inclusive sections or more specific and exclusive sections, depending on what is needed. If you sell entrance floor mats, frames, grilles, and tile, you could put them all in a Section 12 48 00 Rugs and Mats. If you wanted smaller, more specific sections, you could use Sections 12 48 13.13 Entrance Floor Mats and 12 48 13.16 Entrance Floor Mat Frames, which you wisely don't advise due to your knowledge of the products. Most specifiers are likely to use a Section 12 48 13 Entrance Floor Mats and Frames. They may develop their own masters using MF Level 4 numbers for sections with different style mats - carpet, loop filament, recessed, surface. They'll keep another set of sections around for grilles and another for gratings, as these are probably not used as frequently. I hope we specifiers don't lose sleep or spend hours here in 4Specs determining the exact differences between grilles, gratings, and grids. We get stuck in those debates now and again. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), there are no MasterFormat Police. What's most useful is to look at how the information aggregators in the business use the numbers, and stay close to them to avoid confusion. Sweet's, 4Specs, First Source, and Masterspec are the largest. Masterspec publishes a Section 124813 and a 124816. Lisa Turner, CSI, CCPR Advanced Member Username: lisat Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 04:20 pm:    Thanks so much for your advice. I have to admit that I have actually lost sleep over floor mats, but I guess I have an excuse. Thanks to all of you who gave me input at the CSI Show as well! Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 133 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 05:17 pm:    I recall seeing you missing some sleep while on the floor in Chicago...