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Summary of BSD SpecLink® Database Changes

The Fall 2007 edition of SpecLink® includes the following:

3 "tabs" for management of 3 types of specs:

Performance specifications includes:

Approximately 600 pages of design criteria and performance specifications.

  • 161 sections
  • 17,392 paragraphs
  • 22,115 internal links (targets and consequences) and links to Short Form specs
  • 4,024 notes to specifier, 926 with live hyperlinks
  • 191 external documents referenced, with live hyperlinks to order information
  • 50 ASTMs referenced, 100 % verified within last 3 months
  • 141 other documents referenced, 75 % verified this quarter*
  • 39 standards organizations' documents referenced
    • See Specifier's Library for complete list.
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Short Form specifications includes:

Approximately 300 pages of outline specifications.
  • 16 sections corresponding to Divisions 1 through 16 in Masterformat 1995
  • 8,308 paragraphs
  • 9,044 internal links (targets and consequences) and links to SpecLink® sections for continuity during design process
  • 1,564 notes to specifier, 1,023 with live hyperlinks
  • 367 external documents referenced
  • 226 ASTMs referenced, 100 % verified this quarter
  • 141 other documents referenced, 69 % verified this quarter*
  • 43 standards organizations' documents referenced
    • See Specifier's Library for complete list.
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SpecLink® construction specifications includes:

527 full-length specification sections.
  • 282 sections updated or new (53 %)
  • 525 non-proprietary sections
  • 2 proprietary sections
  • 1 new non-proprietary section
  • 2 proprietary sections phased out. To continue to use these, just include them in a project before installing the update. See Catalog Listing for complete list.

Helpful checklists

  • 56 sections with optional checklists to highlight critical options and specifying tactics

Over 3,500 pages of specs

  • 91,105 paragraphs
  • 102,414 internal links (targets and consequences)
  • 25,955 notes to specifier
  • 14,875 notes with live hyperlinks to Internet web pages

2,130 external documents referenced, with live hyperlinks to order information

  • 961 ASTMs referenced, 100% verified this quarter
  • 1,169 other documents referenced, 75 % verified this quarter*
  • 183 standards organizations referenced:
    • See Specifier's Library for complete list.

945 unique manufacturers listed in non-proprietary sections.

  • 371 non-proprietary sections include manufacturer name listings
  • 2,419 manufacturer listings in all, with live hyperlinks to their web sites
  • 9 new manufacturer listings
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* Documents issued more than two years ago are verified quareterly, as are annual or semiannual publications. The documents not verified this quarter were updated within the past two years.

NEW SPECLINK SECTION:

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REVISED SPECLINK SECTION:

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REMOVED SECTIONS:

PROPRIETARY SECTIONS DELETED (MF04 list here):

  • 05515 JSL - Exit Ladder Devices
  • 10445 SNP - Door and Room Signs
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PROPRIETARY SECTIONS DELETED (MF04):

  • 05 5135 JSL - Exit Ladder Devices
  • 10 1425 SNP - Door and Room Signs
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NEW SECTION SYNOPSES:

SECTION 23 0130.51 (15015) - HVAC AIR DUCT CLEANING

Scope: Duct and equipment cleaning; testing and inspection.

Catalogs: Architectural, Mechanical.

Synopsis: This section covers duct and equipment cleaning as well as post-cleaning testing and inspection. The section is based on the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) standard “Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems”, which specifies performance criteria, methods of verification, and some cleaning methods. The section also includes preferred cleaning methods of fibrous glass insulated components and selected surface treatment product types. The section does not specify a specific method of cleaning or type of cleaning equipment but rather specifies the required end result.

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REVISED SECTIONS:

SECTION 07 2500 (07260) - WEATHER BARRIERS

Principal Changes, Fall 2007 Update:

  • A new comprehensive checklist aids in specifying multiple applications and coordinating similar materials specified in other sections. Water-resistive barriers can be specified either in this section or in one of the sections where exterior stud walls and sheathing are specified: 054000 Cold-Formed Metal Framing, 061000 Rough Carpentry, or 092116 Gypsum Board Assemblies.
  • New definitions were added to distinguish Air Barriers, Vapor Retarders, and Water- Resistive Barriers because the terminology is confusing.
  • Two new articles were added in PART 2: Air Barriers and Water-Resistive Barriers. The existing main product article in PART 2 has been renamed Vapor Retarders, since all of the products in it were that type. The existing mastics and spray coatings were appended to the Vapor Retarders article, since they are also that type.
  • PART 3 is almost entirely new.
  • MF95 version title has changed from Vapor Retarders to Weather Barriers.

This section covers supplementary air barriers, vapor retarders, and water-resistive barriers, primarily for exterior walls. This section uses the following definitions:

- Air Barrier: Retards air passage, is water vapor permeable, and is liquid moisture resistant. Air barriers are assumed to be vapor permeable because they are commonly installed on the cold side of exterior walls where a vapor retarder might be inadvisable. If a vapor retarder is appropriate in such a location, don’t call it an air barrier, even though it does perform that function. Air barriers offered are mechanically fastened sheets ("housewraps") and spray or roller applied coatings. An air barrier can function as a water-resistive barrier (see below).

- Vapor Retarder: Retards passage of both air and water vapor. Must be sealed at joints and penetrations. Vapor retarders are used on the "warm" side of walls to preclude condensation inside the wall or insulation. Vapor retarders offered are mechanically fastened sheets, self-adhesive sheets, mastic and spray coatings.

- Water-resistive barrier: Neither air barrier nor vapor retarder but is liquid moisture resistant. Water-resistive barriers only protect the construction from damage due to precipitation. (The term "water-resistive barrier" is from the ICC International Building Code, 1404.2, which requires a minimum of one layer of No. 15 asphalt felt behind exterior wall veneer, unless other conditions are met.) Water-resistive barriers offered are No. 15 asphalt felt, waterproof Kraft building paper, and "housewrap" sheets installed lapped but not sealed. An air barrier can be used as a water-resistive barrier.

Many other materials and components specified in other sections can make up part of the entire "weather barrier". This section does not contain any provisions that define the air or vapor performance of those other materials.

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END OF CHANGE SUMMARY