1 Scope

NOTE This standard covers the furnishing and installation of factory-fabricated architectural casework and the countertops, work surfaces, and backsplashes that complete it, for commercial and institutional buildings. (1.1)

NOTE Casework under this standard is the built-in cabinetry of a project: the base, wall, and tall cabinets in workrooms, break rooms, copy rooms, exam rooms, and classrooms; the reception desks, nurse stations, service counters, and teller lines that combine cabinetry with a transaction surface; and the built-in millwork casework that a project schedules as cabinets rather than as freestanding furniture. (1.2)

NOTE The scope includes the architectural-woodwork quality grade, the cabinet construction type and overlay style, the core and exposed-surface materials, the edge treatment, the countertop material and edge profile, the concealed cabinet hardware, the factory finish, the low-emitting-material (formaldehyde) compliance, the accessibility provisions at sinks and counters, and the field installation. (1.3)

NOTE The single most consequential decision in this standard is the quality grade, which propagates into flatness, joinery, veneer matching, hardware, and finish and must be specified correctly. (1.4)

1.5Casework layout, cabinet types, elevations, dimensions, and quantities shall be as indicated on the casework plans, interior elevations, and millwork details.

1.6This standard establishes the grade, construction, material, hardware, finish, accessibility, and installation requirements for the casework shown on those drawings.

1.7This work shall be coordinated with Gypsum Board Assemblies and Unit Masonry for in-wall blocking and anchorage backing, with Doors Frames And Hardware where casework adjoins door openings, with Plumbing Fixtures for sinks, faucets, and the rough-in served by counters, with Toilet Accessories for accessories mounted on or adjacent to casework, and with Resilient Flooring and the base trades for floor and base conditions at cabinet toe kicks.

2 Referenced Standards

2.1Materials, fabrication, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted editions of the following standards.

Standard	Title
ANSI/AWI 0641	Architectural Wood Casework
AWI/AWMAC/WI AWS	Architectural Woodwork Standards (quality grades and general requirements)
ANSI/AWI 0620	Finish Carpentry / Installation (installation grade requirements)
ANSI/HPVA HP-1	Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood
NEMA LD 3	High-Pressure Decorative Laminates
ANSI A135.4	Basic Hardboard / Composite Wood Panels (particleboard and MDF reference)
ANSI A208.1	Particleboard
ANSI A208.2	Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) for Interior Applications
ANSI/KCMA A161.1	Performance and Construction Standard for Kitchen and Vanity Cabinets
ANSI/BHMA A156.9	Cabinet Hardware
ASTM E84	Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (flame spread / smoke developed)
UL 723	Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (equivalent to ASTM E84)
EPA 40 CFR Part 770	Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products (TSCA Title VI)
CARB ATCM 93120	Airborne Toxic Control Measure — Composite Wood Products (Phase 2)
ICC A117.1	Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
2010 ADA Standards	Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards

2.2Where the contract documents or the adopted building code impose more stringent requirements than a referenced standard, the more stringent requirement shall govern.

2.3The Contractor shall resolve conflicts in writing with the Architect before fabrication begins.

3 Submittals

3.1 Action Submittals

3.1.1The following submittals shall be submitted for review and returned before fabrication begins, complete and internally coordinated before any item is submitted.

Product Data: Manufacturer's product data for each core material, exposed-surface material, edgebanding, countertop material, finish system, and hardware item, including thickness, composition, performance ratings, and the applicable formaldehyde-emission compliance documentation.
Shop Drawings: Plans, elevations, and sections of each casework run and countertop, drawn to scale, showing cabinet types and dimensions, construction type and overlay style, core and exposed-surface materials, edge treatment, countertop material and profile, backsplash, hardware locations and types, filler and scribe conditions, blocking and anchorage requirements, sink and equipment cutouts, and the location and clearances of all accessible casework, and identifying the AWS/ANSI quality grade for the work.
Samples: Color and finish samples for each exposed-surface material and countertop material, an edgebanding sample, a corner sample of cabinet construction showing core and edge treatment for Custom or Premium grade work, and finish samples for site-finished or factory-finished wood veneer.
Quality Grade Certification: Documentation of the AWS/ANSI/AWI grade certification for the casework, including AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) certification or equivalent third-party certification where required by the contract documents.
Formaldehyde Compliance: TSCA Title VI / CARB Phase 2 compliance documentation for all composite-wood components, including labeling or certificates of conformity.
Hardware Schedule: A schedule of hinges, drawer slides, pulls, locks, and accessories keyed to the cabinet types on the shop drawings, with the ANSI/BHMA A156.9 grade and the drawer-slide load rating.

Action Submittals Requiredcheckbox

☐ Product data for core, surface, edge, countertop, finish, and hardware

☐ Dimensioned shop drawings (plans, elevations, sections) per casework run

☐ Color, finish, edgeband, and construction corner samples

☐ AWS / ANSI/AWI quality grade certification (AWI QCP or equivalent)

☐ Formaldehyde compliance documentation (TSCA Title VI / CARB Phase 2)

☐ Hardware schedule (BHMA A156.9 grade, drawer-slide load rating)

3.2 Closeout Submittals

3.2.1At substantial completion the Contractor shall provide the following:

Material-specific care and maintenance instructions for each exposed-surface and countertop material
Manufacturer and installation warranty documentation
Hardware adjustment and replacement-parts data
Attic-stock touch-up finish and spare hardware inventory

Closeout Submittals Requiredcheckbox

☐ Material-specific care and maintenance instructions

☐ Manufacturer and installation warranty documentation

☐ Hardware adjustment and replacement-parts data

☐ Attic-stock touch-up finish and spare hardware inventory

NOTE Care instructions are material-specific, and the Owner's housekeeping staff must be given the correct guidance to avoid finish damage. (3.2.2)

4 Quality Assurance

4.1 Manufacturer Qualifications

Grade Certification Programradio

○ AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) certified

○ Equivalent third-party woodwork certification program

○ Manufacturer's self-certification of grade compliance (where AHJ/Architect accepts)

4.1.1The casework manufacturer shall be a firm regularly engaged in the fabrication of architectural casework of the type, grade, and material specified, with documented experience on comparable projects.

4.1.2Where the contract documents require third-party grade certification, the manufacturer shall be a licensed participant in the AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) or an equivalent program, and the casework shall bear the program's certification label.

4.2 Single-Source Responsibility

Single-Source Responsibilityradio

○ All casework, countertops, and hardware from a single manufacturer

○ Casework and countertops furnished as a coordinated package by a single supplier

NOTE Cabinet hardware preparations (hinge boring, slide drilling, and pull layout) are specific to the manufacturer's case construction; mixing components from different manufacturers voids the fit of factory machining. (4.2.2)

4.3 Mockup

Mockup Requiredradio

○ Yes — provide one representative casework mockup for approval

○ No — mockup not required

4.3.1Where required by the contract documents, the Contractor shall provide a full-size mockup of a representative casework unit — typically a base cabinet with a drawer, a door, a countertop section with the specified edge profile, and the specified hardware — for the Architect's review and approval of grade, construction, color, finish, and operation.

4.3.2The approved mockup shall establish the standard of quality for the work and may be incorporated into the finished work if undamaged.

4.4 Grade Compliance

4.4.1The casework shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the specified AWS / ANSI/AWI grade for materials, construction, joinery, flatness, hardware, and finish.

4.4.2The specified grade governs wherever this standard is silent.

4.4.3Where this standard establishes a requirement more stringent than the grade minimum, this standard governs.

5 Environmental and Service Conditions

5.1 Delivery, Storage, and Acclimation

NOTE Casework is dimensionally responsive to moisture, and a panel installed wetter or drier than its service condition will swell, shrink, cup, or warp after installation. (5.1.1)

Datasheet

5.1.2Casework shall not be delivered to the building until wet-work (concrete, masonry, plaster, and gypsum finishing) is complete and dry, the building is enclosed, and the permanent HVAC system is operating and maintaining the interior within the range the casework will experience in service.

5.1.3Casework shall be acclimated in the conditioned space before installation.

5.1.4The interior relative humidity at delivery and in service should be maintained within the range the AWS specifies for the geographic region and season, generally between 25% and 55% RH, with extended swings avoided.

NOTE The narrower and more stable the humidity range, the lower the risk of warping and joint movement after installation. (5.1.5)

5.2 Wet and High-Humidity Locations

Wet-Area Core Requirementradio

○ Moisture-resistant (MR) core at all sink bases and wet-area casework

○ Standard core throughout (dry locations only)

5.2.1Casework serving sinks, break rooms, janitor closets, locker rooms, and other wet or high-humidity locations shall use a moisture-resistant (MR) core for the case body, the most exposed shelves, and the sink-base components, so that incidental water and elevated humidity do not swell the core.

NOTE A standard particleboard or MDF core absorbs water at any unsealed edge or screw hole and swells irreversibly; the MR core resists that swelling and holds fasteners after wetting. (5.2.2)

6 Quality Grade

NOTE The quality grade is the governing decision for the standard. (6.1)

Architectural Woodwork Quality Graderadio

○ Economy — utility and back-of-house casework

○ Custom — standard commercial and institutional default

○ Premium — high-visibility architectural millwork

Structural Duty Level (ANSI/AWI 0641, where specified)radio

○ Duty Level 1 — light residential-type duty

○ Duty Level 2 — moderate commercial duty

○ Duty Level 3 — heavy commercial / institutional duty

○ Duty Level 4 — extra-heavy / high-cycle institutional duty

NOTE Custom grade is the commercial default and is appropriate for the large majority of commercial and institutional casework, providing sound construction, good appearance, and durable hardware at a reasonable cost. (6.2)

NOTE Economy grade is suitable only for utility and back-of-house casework where appearance and longevity are not priorities. (6.3)

NOTE Premium grade is reserved for high-visibility, architecturally significant millwork where the tightest tolerances, the best veneer matching, and the highest finish quality are required and the budget supports them. (6.4)

NOTE The Duty Level is the structural-performance counterpart that ANSI/AWI 0641 separated from the aesthetic grade, allowing case strength, shelf load, and hardware cycle life to be set independently of appearance; most commercial and institutional casework specifies Duty Level 3. (6.5)

7 Casework Construction

7.1 Construction Type

Construction Typeradio

○ Frameless (European / Type A) — full-overlay, maximized interior

○ Face-frame (American / Type B) — applied hardwood face frame

7.1.1Casework shall be fabricated as frameless (European, "Type A") or face-frame (American, "Type B") construction.

NOTE Frameless construction omits the front frame: doors and drawer fronts mount directly to the case sides, the full case opening is available, and the box is assembled from finished panels with concealed fasteners and dowels or confirmat screws. (7.1.2)

NOTE Face-frame construction applies a hardwood or composite face frame to the front of the case, to which doors and drawers are mounted. (7.1.3)

NOTE Frameless is the commercial default because it maximizes usable interior space, simplifies fabrication and hardware, and produces clean reveals; face-frame is selected where a traditional appearance or face-frame detail is the design intent and where the frame's added rigidity at the case front is wanted. (7.1.4)

7.2 Door and Drawer-Front Overlay Style

NOTE The overlay style sets how doors and drawer fronts cover the case opening and how much of the case or frame is exposed between them. (7.2.1)

Door and Drawer-Front Overlay Styleselect

Full overlay (frameless default)

Reveal overlay (intentional wider reveal)

Flush inset (fronts flush within opening — Premium detail)

Partial overlay / exposed face-frame (face-frame construction)

NOTE Full overlay (the frameless default) covers the case edge almost completely, leaving only a narrow, uniform reveal between fronts. (7.2.2)

NOTE Reveal (inset-reveal) overlay leaves a wider intentional reveal as a design feature. (7.2.3)

NOTE Flush-inset sets the fronts within the case opening flush with the front edge, a higher-cost detail associated with Premium work. (7.2.4)

NOTE Exposed face-frame (a face-frame-only option) leaves part of the face frame visible around partial-overlay or inset doors. (7.2.5)

7.3 Case Body Core Material

NOTE The core material carries the case load, holds the fasteners and hardware, and provides the substrate for the exposed surface. (7.3.1)

Case Body Core Materialselect

Industrial-grade particleboard (ANSI A208.1) — standard laminated casework

Medium-density fiberboard / MDF (ANSI A208.2) — painted and routed faces

Veneer-core hardwood plywood (ANSI/HPVA HP-1) — wood-veneer and lighter casework

Moisture-resistant (MR) particleboard or MDF — wet-area casework

NOTE Industrial-grade particleboard (ANSI A208.1) is the standard core for laminated casework: it is flat, stable, dimensionally consistent, economical, and holds the specialized cabinet fasteners and concealed-hinge cups well when the correct hardware is used. (7.3.2)

NOTE Medium-density fiberboard (MDF, ANSI A208.2) is denser and smoother, with superior screw-holding at edges and a better surface for painted and thin-laminate finishes, and is preferred for routed and painted door faces. (7.3.3)

NOTE Veneer-core hardwood plywood (ANSI/HPVA HP-1) is lighter, holds screws well in its face and edges, and resists moisture better than particleboard, and is selected for wood-veneer casework, for cases where weight matters, and for higher grades. (7.3.4)

7.4 Exposed Surface Material

NOTE The exposed surface is the visible face of doors, drawer fronts, end panels, and other surfaces seen in the finished space. (7.4.1)

Exterior Exposed Surface Materialselect

High-pressure decorative laminate (HPL), NEMA LD 3 (standard)

Thermally-fused laminate (TFL / melamine) — low-wear surfaces

Wood veneer (factory- or field-finished)

Solid wood

HPL Grade for Exposed Vertical Surfaces (NEMA LD 3)radio

○ VGS — vertical general-purpose (cabinet faces, end panels)

○ HGS — horizontal general-purpose (where face also serves as work surface)

NOTE High-pressure decorative laminate (HPL) to NEMA LD 3 is the commercial default: a hard, durable face of resin-saturated kraft layers, a decorative sheet, and a wear overlay fused under high heat and pressure and bonded to the core, available in a wide color and pattern range. (7.4.2)

7.4.3Thermally-fused laminate (TFL, also called melamine) fuses a single resin-impregnated decorative sheet directly to the core; it is economical and produces a matched interior/exterior panel but has lower scratch, wear, and impact resistance than HPL and shall be limited to low-wear surfaces and cabinet interiors.

NOTE Wood veneer provides a natural-wood appearance at Custom and Premium grades and requires a factory or field finish. (7.4.4)

NOTE Solid wood is used for select components (face frames, edges, applied moldings) and for solid-wood casework where the design requires it. (7.4.5)

7.4.6The vertical grade of HPL (NEMA LD 3 Grade VGS) is appropriate for cabinet faces and end panels, which are not subject to the wear of a work surface.

7.4.7The horizontal grade (HGS) shall be used for any HPL work surface or counter; specifying a vertical grade on a horizontal wear surface causes premature wear-through.

7.5 Semi-Exposed Surface Material

NOTE Semi-exposed surfaces — cabinet interiors, shelf faces, and the inside of doors — are seen only when the cabinet is open. (7.5.1)

Semi-Exposed (Interior) Surface Materialradio

○ Thermally-fused laminate (TFL / melamine) interior (standard)

○ HPL interior (where matching the exterior is required)

○ Wood veneer interior (Premium wood casework)

NOTE TFL (melamine) is the standard semi-exposed surface because it is durable, cleanable, and economical, and matches or complements the exposed surface. (7.5.2)

7.5.3A finished interior shall be provided at the specified grade; an unfinished or sealed interior is acceptable only at Economy grade.

7.6 Edgebanding

Edgebanding — Doors, Drawer Fronts, and High-Impact Edgesselect

3 mm PVC / polymer edgeband (standard, high impact resistance)

1 mm PVC / polymer edgeband (moderate-impact edges)

Applied solid-wood edge (wood-veneer casework)

Self-edge — face laminate wrapped to edge (light-duty laminate)

Edgebanding — Concealed and Low-Impact Edgesradio

○ 0.5 mm to 1 mm PVC / polymer edgeband

○ Match exposed-edge banding throughout

7.6.1The exposed edges of laminated panels shall be banded to seal the core and resist impact and moisture.

7.6.2A 3 mm thick PVC (or comparable polymer) edgeband shall be used on doors, drawer fronts, and high-impact edges because its thickness, radiused profile, and tough polymer resist the chipping and delamination that a thin band suffers in service, and it can be re-radiused if damaged.

7.6.3A thin (0.5 mm to 1 mm) band is acceptable on low-impact and concealed edges.

NOTE Wood edge (applied solid-wood edge) is used on wood-veneer casework, and self-edge (the face laminate wrapped onto the edge) is a lower-cost laminate option suitable for light-duty work. (7.6.4)

7.6.5Exposed edges of MR-core wet-area casework shall be fully sealed by the edgeband to keep water out of the core.

8 Countertops

8.1 Countertop Selection

8.1.1The countertop material is a primary decision and shall be selected for the use, exposure, and appearance of each counter.

8.1.2The material, edge profile, and backsplash shall be coordinated with the casework grade and with the fixtures and equipment the counter serves.

8.2 Countertop Material

Countertop Materialselect

Plastic laminate (HPL, NEMA LD 3 HGS) — general work surfaces

Solid surface — institutional / healthcare counters (default)

Quartz / engineered stone — high-use, high-visibility counters

Epoxy or phenolic resin — science, art, and general wet-lab surfaces

Natural stone (where specified)

NOTE Plastic laminate (HPL) countertops are the economical default for general work surfaces, break rooms, copy rooms, and back-of-house counters, using the horizontal grade (NEMA LD 3 HGS). (8.2.1)

NOTE Solid surface (homogeneous filled-polymer sheet) is the institutional default for reception desks, nurse stations, exam-room counters, and healthcare and education work surfaces because it is non-porous, seamless, renewable, and integrates a coved backsplash and a molded sink for a cleanable, hygienic surface. (8.2.2)

NOTE Quartz (engineered stone) provides a hard, scratch- and stain-resistant, low-maintenance natural-stone appearance for high-visibility and high-use counters. (8.2.3)

NOTE Epoxy or phenolic resin work surfaces are chemical- and moisture-resistant surfaces for school science rooms, art rooms, and general wet labs (dedicated laboratory fume-hood and chemical-bench casework is specified separately). (8.2.4)

8.3 Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge

Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Treatmentradio

○ Post-formed (rolled radius, no front seam) — wet and standard counters

○ Self-edge (square edge, applied laminate strip) — dry counters

○ Applied solid-wood or PVC edge (impact resistance)

8.3.1Where a plastic-laminate countertop is specified, the edge shall be post-formed or self-edged.

NOTE A post-formed top rolls the laminate in a continuous radius over the front edge and up the integral backsplash, eliminating the front and back seams where water and debris collect; it is the standard for laminate counters that will get wet. (8.3.2)

NOTE A self-edge applies a separate laminate strip to a square front edge, producing a visible seam at the top of the edge; it is acceptable for dry counters and for a square-edge appearance. (8.3.3)

8.3.4An applied solid-wood or PVC edge may be specified for impact resistance.

8.4 Countertop Edge Profile

Countertop Edge Profileselect

Square / eased edge

Radiused (1/4 in. to 1/2 in. radius)

Bullnose / half-bullnose

Beveled

Built-up (doubled-thickness) edge

8.4.1The countertop edge profile shall be as scheduled and as indicated on the drawings.

8.5 Backsplash

Backsplashselect

Integral coved backsplash (solid surface / post-formed laminate)

Applied 4 in. backsplash

Full-height backsplash to wall cabinets

No backsplash

8.5.1The backsplash type shall be as scheduled and as indicated on the drawings.

NOTE A coved (radiused) intersection between the counter and the backsplash, standard on solid surface and post-formed laminate, eliminates the square crevice at the wall and is preferred in healthcare, food-handling, and wet locations for cleanability. (8.5.2)

8.5.3Where a separate applied backsplash is used, the joint between the counter and the backsplash shall be sealed with a flexible sealant.

9 Cabinet Hardware

NOTE Cabinet hardware governs how the casework operates and how long it lasts. (9.1)

9.2Hardware shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.9 at the grade appropriate to the casework Duty Level and service.

NOTE Concealed hinges and the better grades of drawer slide are the commercial default because they operate cleanly, adjust easily, and outlast surface hardware in high-cycle use. (9.3)

9.4 Hinges

Hinge Typeselect

Concealed six-way adjustable, soft-close (standard)

Concealed six-way adjustable, standard close

Exposed / surface-mounted (face-frame or traditional appearance)

9.4.1Doors shall be hung on concealed (European cup) hinges providing six-way (height, depth, and side) field adjustment, so that doors can be aligned for uniform reveals after installation and re-adjusted over the life of the casework.

9.4.2Concealed hinges with an integral or add-on soft-close mechanism should be specified for commercial and institutional casework to eliminate slamming and the wear it causes.

9.4.3Exposed (surface-mounted) hinges are used only where a face-frame or traditional appearance requires them.

9.5 Drawer Slides

Drawer Slide Typeselect

Undermount, full-extension, soft-close (standard)

Side-mount, full-extension, soft-close

Side-mount, 3/4-extension (utility casework)

Drawer Slide Load Ratingradio

○ 75 lb — standard drawers

○ 100 lb — heavy general / file drawers

○ 150 lb and up — equipment drawers, pull-out work surfaces

9.5.1Drawers shall run on metal drawer slides selected for extension, mounting, and load.

NOTE Undermount, full-extension, soft-close slides are the commercial and institutional default: they are concealed below the drawer, allow full access to the drawer interior, dampen the close, and carry the rated load smoothly. (9.5.2)

NOTE Side-mount slides are an economical alternative for utility casework. (9.5.3)

9.5.4The slide load rating shall match the drawer use — a standard rating for general drawers and a heavy-duty rating for file drawers, equipment drawers, and pull-out work surfaces.

9.6 Pulls

Door and Drawer Pullsselect

Wire / bar pulls, satin stainless or aluminum

Edge / continuous reveal pull (integral, no projecting hardware)

Knobs

Recessed / flush pulls

9.6.1Door and drawer pulls shall be as scheduled and as indicated on the drawings.

9.6.2Pulls shall be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist where the casework serves an accessible function, in accordance with the operable-hardware requirements of ICC A117.1.

NOTE Loop, bar, and edge pulls satisfy the accessible-operation requirement; knobs that require pinching do not where accessible operation is required. (9.6.3)

9.7 Locks

Cabinet Locksselect

No locks (standard)

Cam locks at designated lockable cabinets and drawers

Keyed-alike cam locks within a room or department

Gang/ganged drawer lock (single lock secures a stack of drawers)

9.7.1Cabinet locks shall be provided as scheduled and as indicated on the drawings.

10 Finishes

10.1 Wood-Veneer and Solid-Wood Finish

Wood Finish Systemselect

Factory catalyzed / conversion-varnish system (standard)

Factory UV-cured finish system

Factory pre-catalyzed lacquer (lighter-duty)

Field-applied finish (where factory finishing is not feasible)

Finish Sheenradio

○ Satin

○ Semi-gloss

○ Matte / flat

○ Gloss

10.1.1Wood-veneer and solid-wood casework shall be finished with a factory-applied finish system meeting the requirements of the specified AWS / ANSI/AWI grade.

NOTE A factory-applied catalyzed (conversion-varnish or comparable two-component) finish system is the commercial default because it is harder, more chemical- and moisture-resistant, and more uniform than a field-applied finish, and it is cured under controlled conditions before delivery. (10.1.2)

10.1.3The finish system, sheen, and color shall be as scheduled.

10.2 Flame Spread

Exposed-Surface Flame-Spread Classification (ASTM E84)radio

○ Class A — flame spread 0-25, smoke developed 0-450

○ Class B — flame spread 26-75 (where AHJ accepts for the location)

○ Not regulated as interior finish at this location

10.2.1Where the casework's exposed finish or panel is regulated as an interior finish, the exposed surface shall meet the flame-spread and smoke-developed classification required for the occupancy and location under ASTM E84 (or UL 723).

10.2.2A Class A (flame-spread index 25 or less, smoke-developed index 450 or less) classification shall be provided where required by the building code for the location.

11 Low-Emitting Materials Compliance

Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Complianceradio

○ TSCA Title VI / CARB Phase 2 compliant (mandatory baseline)

○ No-added-formaldehyde (NAUF / NAF) composite wood

○ Ultra-low-emitting-formaldehyde (ULEF) composite wood

Low-VOC Finishes and Adhesives Requiredradio

○ Yes — low-VOC finish and adhesives (green-building / sensitive occupancy)

○ No — standard finish and adhesives

11.1All composite-wood components of the casework — particleboard, MDF, and hardwood plywood — shall comply with the formaldehyde emission standards of EPA TSCA Title VI (40 CFR Part 770) and CARB ATCM 93120 (Phase 2), and shall be labeled or certified accordingly.

NOTE Compliance is mandatory for composite-wood products sold in the United States; it is not optional. (11.2)

11.3Where the project pursues a low-emitting-materials credit or serves a sensitive occupancy (healthcare, schools, childcare), no-added-formaldehyde (NAUF / NAF) or ultra-low-emitting-formaldehyde (ULEF) composite wood should be specified, and the finish and adhesives should likewise be low-VOC.

12 Accessibility

Accessible Counter / Work Surface Heightrange

in. AFF

2834

28303234

Default: 34 in. AFF

Accessible Knee Clearance Provided at Sinks and Countersradio

○ Yes — knee space 27 in. high min, 30 in. wide min, 19 in. deep min; counter 34 in. AFF max

○ Not applicable — no accessible casework at this location

12.1Casework that serves an accessible function — sinks, counters, work surfaces, and transaction counters required to be accessible — shall comply with the adopted accessibility standard (ICC A117.1 and the 2010 ADA Standards).

12.2The location and extent of accessible casework shall be as indicated on the casework plans and accessibility compliance documents, with the Architect responsible for confirming the count and configuration from the accessibility compliance path.

12.3At an accessible sink or counter, knee and toe clearance shall be provided beneath the counter: a knee space at least 27 in. high, 30 in. wide, and 19 in. deep, with the counter surface mounted no higher than 34 in. above the finished floor.

12.4The sink base at an accessible location shall be an open knee space (or a removable-front cabinet) rather than a standard base cabinet, detailed accordingly on the shop drawings.

12.5Exposed water-supply and drain piping beneath an accessible sink shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact, as coordinated with Plumbing Fixtures.

13 Fabrication

13.1Casework shall be fabricated to the requirements of the specified grade and Duty Level, with components machined, assembled, and finished in the shop to the maximum extent practicable so that field work is limited to installation, fitting, and field joints.

13.2Doors and drawer fronts shall be flat within the tolerance allowed by the grade.

13.3Exposed surfaces of a continuous run shall be color- and pattern-matched, and wood veneers shall be matched (book, slip, or random match as scheduled) within the grade requirements.

13.4Edges shall be banded and the bands radiused or eased so there is no sharp or open edge.

13.5Cases shall be assembled square and rigid with the manufacturer's fasteners and joinery appropriate to the core and Duty Level.

13.6Cutouts for sinks, fixtures, grommets, and equipment shall be made in the shop from the approved shop drawings wherever the dimensions are fixed; field cutouts shall be sealed at the cut edge.

14 Installation

14.1 General

14.1.1Casework shall be installed after the space is enclosed, conditioned, and dry, after wet finishes are complete, and after the casework has acclimated to the interior conditions.

14.1.2The Contractor shall install casework to the requirements of the specified installation grade (ANSI/AWI 0620 or the AWS installation grade), plumb, level, true, and securely anchored, with uniform reveals and tight, properly fitted joints.

14.2 Blocking Coordination

In-Wall Blocking Verified Before Installationradio

○ Yes — blocking verified at all wall-hung and wall-anchored locations

○ Not applicable — no wall-anchored casework at this location

14.2.1The Contractor shall verify before installation that solid in-wall blocking has been provided at every wall-hung cabinet, every wall-anchored base and tall cabinet, and every countertop support and bracket location.

14.2.2The Contractor shall confirm the presence and location of blocking and shall notify the Architect of missing or mislocated blocking before proceeding.

14.2.3Wall cabinets and counters anchored to gypsum board without blocking will pull loose under load and shall not be permitted.

14.3 Leveling, Scribing, and Anchoring

14.3.1Base and tall cabinets shall be set level and plumb on the floor and shimmed as required.

14.3.2Exposed cabinet ends, fillers, and counters that meet walls shall be scribed to fit the wall contour so the joint is tight and uniform.

14.3.3Cabinets shall be anchored to the wall blocking and to one another with the manufacturer's fasteners, and the anchorage shall develop the load of wall-hung cabinets and the lateral load on base and tall cabinets.

14.3.4Fasteners shall be concealed or located where they are not visible in the finished work.

14.4 Filler and Closure

14.4.1Fillers, scribe pieces, end panels, toe-kick closures, and trim shall be provided to close the gaps between cabinets and between cabinets and adjacent construction, finished to match the casework.

14.4.2Fillers shall be cut and scribed in the field, not left as raw gaps.

14.5 Countertop Seaming and Sealing

Countertop Perimeter and Penetration Sealingradio

○ Seal counter-to-wall, backsplash, and sink/fixture joints with flexible mildew-resistant sealant

○ No sealant required (dry counter, no wall or fixture interface)

14.5.1Countertops shall be installed level and supported continuously by the cabinets and by the required brackets or supports at knee spaces and overhangs.

14.5.2Field joints in solid surface and quartz tops shall be made at the manufacturer's locations, bonded with the manufacturer's adhesive, and finished flush and inconspicuous.

14.5.3The joint between the countertop and the wall or backsplash, and around sinks and fixtures, shall be sealed with a flexible, mildew-resistant sealant to keep water out of the counter, the casework, and the wall.

14.6 Sink and Fixture Cutouts

14.6.1Sink, faucet, and fixture cutouts not made in the shop shall be cut in the field from the approved fixture rough-in, with the cut edges sealed against moisture and, in solid surface and quartz, with cutout corners radiused to prevent stress cracking.

14.6.2Undermount sinks shall be supported and bonded per the countertop manufacturer's requirements.

14.6.3Cutout coordination shall be confirmed with Plumbing Fixtures before cutting.

15 Field Quality Control

15.1After installation the Contractor shall inspect the casework and countertops for grade compliance, alignment, operation, and finish.

15.2Doors and drawers shall be checked for uniform reveals, smooth operation, and proper soft-close action; counters shall be checked for level, tight joints, and sealed perimeters; and exposed surfaces shall be checked for damage.

15.3Casework that does not meet the specified grade, that is out of alignment, or that is damaged shall be corrected or replaced.

16 Adjusting, Cleaning, and Protection

16.1After installation the Contractor shall adjust all hardware so that doors hang with uniform reveals and close properly, drawers run smoothly and close under the soft-close action, and locks operate.

16.2All exposed surfaces and counters shall be cleaned with the method appropriate to each material.

16.3Protective coverings shall be installed over completed countertops and casework and shall remain until substantial completion to protect the work from damage by other trades.

16.4Damaged, scratched, or delaminated components shall be repaired to an invisible condition where the grade permits, or replaced; field repairs that remain visible at the specified grade shall not be accepted.

17 Warranty

17.1 Manufacturer Warranty

Casework and Countertop Warranty Periodselect

1 year from substantial completion — standard

2 years from substantial completion

5 years from substantial completion (Premium / institutional programs)

17.1.1The manufacturer shall warrant the casework, countertops, and hardware against defects in materials and workmanship for the specified period, including warping beyond the grade tolerance, delamination, finish failure, and hardware failure under normal use.

17.1.2The warranty shall exclude damage caused by abuse beyond the rated Duty Level, by improper cleaning chemicals, by moisture exposure beyond the rated service condition (where an MR core or moisture-resistant material was not specified for a wet location), and by modifications made without the manufacturer's authorization.

17.2 Contractor Installation Warranty

Contractor Installation Warrantyselect

1 year from substantial completion