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SynC · Historical revision

Wood and Laminate Casework

Revision7
EditedSep 16, 2026
StatusSuperseded
Contents

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Historical revision. This is editorial revision 7, kept so citations to it stay resolvable. It is not the current text of this standard — see the current revision.

SynC Standards Team — Specifier (Platform Standards) ✓ OfficialDiscloses employment SynC (SynC Platform Team)
Content update

1 Scope

NOTE This standard covers the furnishing and installation of factory-fabricated architectural casework and the plastic-laminate countertops and backsplashes that complete it. (1.1)
NOTE Casework under this standard is the built-in cabinetry of a building: the base, wall, and tall cabinets in workrooms, break rooms, copy rooms, exam rooms, classrooms, and offices; the reception desks, nurse stations, service counters, and transaction counters that combine cabinetry with a work or transaction surface; and the built-in millwork cabinetry a project schedules as casework rather than as freestanding furniture. (1.2)
NOTE The decisions made once for the project live in the datasheet: the grades and duty level, the construction type and interface style, the core materials by moisture exposure, the surface materials and their grades, the edge treatment, the countertop construction, the hardware, the finish, and the emission and fire requirements. The values that differ from one run to the next, such as cabinet widths and heights, door and drawer counts, countertop families by location, and which stations are accessible, live on the casework schedule, the interior elevations, and the millwork details, and this standard defers to them by reference. (1.3)
NOTE The following are governed elsewhere and are outside this standard: (1.4)
  • Solid surface and engineered quartz countertops, which are fabricated and installed under Solid Surface CountertopsSolid Surface and Quartz CountertopsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/solid-surface-countertops and coordinated with the casework under this standard for support, cutouts, and anchorage
  • Laboratory casework and the epoxy, phenolic, and compact-laminate work surfaces that serve laboratories, which are governed by Laboratory CaseworkLaboratory CaseworkResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/laboratory-casework
  • Standing and running trim, paneling, and ornamental woodwork, which finish the surfaces of a room rather than occupy it (Architectural Wood Trim And PanelingArchitectural Wood Trim and PanelingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling)
  • Field-installed stock trim, closet shelving, and similar finish carpentry set without shop drawings (Finish CarpentryFinish CarpentryResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/finish-carpentry)
  • Wood doors, door frames, and door hardware (Doors Frames And HardwareDoors, Frames, and HardwareResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/doors-frames-and-hardware)
  • The concealed blocking, backing, and framing the casework is fastened to, except where the datasheet assigns that blocking to this work
  • The sinks, faucets, drains, and supply and waste rough-in the counters serve (Plumbing FixturesPlumbing FixturesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/plumbing-fixtures)
  • Kitchen and vanity cabinets certified to ANSI/KCMA A161.1 and furnished as stock product rather than graded under the Architectural Woodwork Standards
1.5 Casework locations, cabinet types, and the arrangement of each run shall be as indicated on the casework plans and interior elevations.
1.6 Cabinet widths, heights, and depths, and the number of doors, drawers, and shelves in each unit, shall be as indicated on the casework schedule and interior elevations.
1.7 Profiles, joints, reveals, and edge conditions of the casework shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
1.8 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Gypsum Board AssembliesGypsum Board AssembliesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/gypsum-board-assemblies and Unit MasonryUnit MasonryResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/unit-masonry for the in-wall blocking, backing, and anchorage the casework is fastened to.
1.9 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Rough CarpentryRough CarpentryResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/rough-carpentry where blocking and backing are furnished by the framing trades.
1.10 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Plumbing FixturesPlumbing FixturesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/plumbing-fixtures for the sinks, faucets, and rough-in the counters serve and for the cutouts they require.
1.11 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Architectural Wood Trim And PanelingArchitectural Wood Trim and PanelingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling where casework meets paneling or trim, so that species, cut, finish, and reveal are continuous across the joint.
1.12 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Toilet AccessoriesToilet and Bath AccessoriesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/toilet-accessories for accessories mounted on or adjacent to casework, and with Resilient FlooringResilient FlooringResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/resilient-flooring for the floor and base condition at cabinet toe spaces.
1.13 The Contractor shall coordinate this work with Joint SealantsJoint SealantsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/joint-sealants for the sealant at countertop-to-wall, backsplash, and fixture joints.

2 Referenced Standards

2.1 Materials, fabrication, finishing, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited.
2.2 Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
2.3 Where the Contractor identifies a conflict between a referenced standard and the Contract Documents, the Contractor shall obtain the Engineer of Record's written resolution before fabrication of the affected casework begins.
Standard Title
AWI/AWMAC/WI AWS Architectural Woodwork Standards
ANSI/AWI 0641 Architectural Wood Casework
ANSI/AWI 1236 Countertops
ANSI/AWI 0620 Finish Carpentry/Installation
ANSI/AWI 0400 Factory Finishing
ANSI/HPVA HP-1 American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood
ANSI A208.1 Particleboard
ANSI A208.2 Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) for Interior Applications
NEMA LD 3 High-Pressure Decorative Laminates
ANSI/BHMA A156.9 Cabinet Hardware
ASTM E84 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
UL 723 Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ASTM D523 Specular Gloss
ASTM E1333 Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber
40 CFR Part 770 Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products (TSCA Title VI)
CARB ATCM 93120 Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products
ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
2010 ADA Standards 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
IBC International Building Code (Chapter 8, Interior Finishes; Chapter 11, Accessibility)
ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (Chapter 13)

3 Submittals

3.1 Action Submittals

3.1.1 The Contractor shall submit the following for the Engineer of Record's review, and shall not begin fabrication of an item until that item's submittals have been reviewed and returned:
  • Product Data: Data for each core material, exposed and semi-exposed surface material, edgeband, countertop laminate and core, adhesive, hardware item, and finish system, including thickness, composition, grade, and the applicable fire-test and formaldehyde-emission documentation.
  • Shop Drawings: Plans, elevations, and sections of each casework run and countertop, drawn to scale, showing cabinet types and dimensions, construction type and interface style, core and surface materials by location, edge treatment, countertop family, core, edge, and backsplash, hardware type and location, filler and scribe conditions, the required blocking and backing with its location and capacity, sink and equipment cutouts, and the location and dimensions of every accessible station, and identifying the quality grade and duty level that governs each run.
  • Samples: A sample of each exposed surface material in each scheduled color and pattern, a sample of each edgeband material and thickness, a finish sample on the actual species and cut for each transparent finish, a countertop edge sample for each edge treatment and profile, and a corner sample of case construction showing the core, the edge treatment, and the joinery.
  • Hardware Schedule: A schedule of hinges, drawer slides, pulls, locks, shelf supports, and accessories keyed to the cabinet types on the shop drawings, giving the ANSI/BHMA A156.9 grade, the hinge opening angle, the drawer-slide extension and load rating, and the keying.
  • Grade Certification: Documentation of the quality grade and installation grade certification from the program identified in the datasheet.
  • Fire-Test Documentation: The ASTM E84 or UL 723 report for each exposed surface material and, where a classification is required, for the surface and core assembly as it will be installed.
  • Formaldehyde Compliance Documentation: Certification or labeling establishing compliance of every composite-wood component with 40 CFR Part 770 and CARB ATCM 93120 at the level identified in the datasheet.
  • Seismic Anchorage Details: Where seismic anchorage is required, the anchorage details and supporting calculations, prepared by a licensed engineer where the adopted code requires it.
Action Submittals Requiredcheckbox
☑ Product data for core, surface, edge, countertop, adhesive, hardware, and finish
☑ Dimensioned shop drawings of each casework run and countertop
☑ Surface, edge, finish, countertop edge, and construction corner samples
☑ Hardware schedule with grade, opening angle, extension, load rating, and keying
☐ Quality grade and installation grade certification
☐ Fire-test documentation for surface materials and assemblies
☑ Composite-wood formaldehyde compliance documentation
☐ Seismic anchorage details and calculations
NOTE Hardware preparations are machined into the case at the factory for the hinge, slide, and pull the shop drawings show, so a hardware substitution after the case is machined leaves bored cups and drilled slide holes in the wrong places. The hardware schedule is reviewed with the shop drawings as one set for that reason. (3.1.2)

3.2 Closeout Submittals

3.2.1 The Contractor shall submit the following at Substantial Completion:
  • Care and Maintenance Instructions: Written cleaning and care guidance specific to each exposed surface material, countertop material, and finish system installed.
  • Hardware Adjustment and Parts Data: Adjustment procedures for hinges, slides, and levelers, and the replacement-parts identification for every hardware item.
  • Warranty Documentation: The executed product and installation warranties required by this standard.
  • Keying Record: The key schedule and bitting record for every lock furnished, and the keys delivered to the Owner.
  • Spare Parts Receipt: A signed receipt from the Owner for the spare parts and touch-up materials delivered.
Closeout Submittals Requiredcheckbox
☑ Surface-specific care and maintenance instructions
☑ Hardware adjustment procedures and replacement-parts data
☑ Executed product and installation warranties
☐ Key schedule and bitting record
☐ Spare parts and touch-up material receipt
NOTE A high-pressure laminate, a catalyzed wood finish, and a thermally fused interior each tolerate different cleaning chemistries, and the product that keeps one clean dulls or softens another. (3.2.2)

4 Quality Assurance

4.1 Casework Manufacturer Qualifications

4.1.1 The casework manufacturer shall be a firm regularly engaged in fabricating architectural casework of the type, grade, and surface material specified, and shall submit a list of at least three completed projects of comparable grade and scope.
NOTE Hardware preparations are specific to the case construction they were machined for, and laminate color and pattern differ between production runs, so a single fabrication source and a single hardware line per type are what hold appearance and fit consistent across a room. (4.1.3.1)

4.2 Grade Certification

4.2.1 The certification program that verifies compliance with the specified quality grade and installation grade shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Quality Grade Certification Programradio
○ AWI Quality Certification Program
○ Equivalent third-party woodwork certification program
○ Manufacturer certification of grade compliance without third-party verification
4.2.2 Where a third-party certification program is selected in the datasheet, the manufacturer shall be a licensed participant in that program at the time of fabrication, and the delivered casework shall bear the program's label.
NOTE A third-party program verifies grade compliance by inspecting the shop and the delivered product; a manufacturer's own certification is a representation the Owner would have to test to disprove. The cost of the program is carried in the casework price and rises with the grade. (4.2.2.1)

4.3 Mockup

4.3.1 Whether a casework mockup is required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Casework Mockup Requiredradio
○ Required
○ Not required
4.3.2 Where a mockup is required, it shall be a full-size base cabinet with at least one door and one drawer, a section of countertop with the specified edge treatment, profile, and backsplash, and the specified hardware, built with the specified materials, grade, and finish.
4.3.3 The Contractor shall obtain the Engineer of Record's written acceptance of a required mockup before fabricating the corresponding work.
4.3.4 An accepted mockup shall establish the standard of quality for the corresponding work and may remain in the finished work if it is undamaged and in a location shown to receive that work.

4.4 Precedence of Grade Requirements

4.4.1 Casework, countertops, and installation shall comply in all respects with the requirements of their specified grades for material, joinery, flatness, tolerance, hardware, and finish.
4.4.2 The specified grade shall govern any requirement on which this standard is silent.
4.4.3 Where this standard states a requirement more stringent than the specified grade requires, this standard shall govern.

5 Interior Conditions and Acclimatization

5.1 Building Readiness Before Delivery

5.1.1 Casework shall not be delivered to the building until the building is enclosed and weather-tight.
5.1.2 Casework shall not be delivered to the building until concrete, masonry, plaster, and gypsum board finishing operations in the receiving space are complete and the affected construction is dry.
5.1.3 Casework shall not be delivered to the building until interior temperature and relative humidity are being held within the range indicated in the datasheet.
5.1.4 Casework shall be held in the conditioned receiving space, with its packaging opened to allow air circulation, until its moisture content has equalized with the space, and shall not be installed before that condition is reached.
NOTE Particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood cores exchange moisture with the surrounding air and change dimension as they do so, and a veneered or laminated panel that dries or wets unevenly after installation bows toward the face that shrinks. Casework set before the building's service condition is established opens its joints, binds its doors, and lifts its edgeband once that condition arrives, and no quality of fabrication prevents it. (5.1.4.1)

5.2 Service Relative Humidity Range

5.2.1 The minimum and maximum interior relative humidity to be maintained at delivery, during installation, and in service shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Minimum Interior Relative Humidity in Servicerange
% RH
1550
Maximum Interior Relative Humidity in Servicerange
% RH
4575
5.2.2 Where the datasheet leaves the range blank, the relative humidity range the Architectural Woodwork Standards give for the project's geographic region shall apply.
NOTE The humidity range that suits casework is regional. Across most of the United States and Canada an interior range near 25% to 55% RH corresponds to the moisture content architectural woodwork is fabricated at; the damp southern coastal region runs higher and the dry southwest and the prairie provinces run lower. Specifying a range from another region is the most common cause of casework that fails in service while meeting every fabrication requirement. (5.2.2.1)

5.3 Wet and High-Humidity Locations

5.3.1 The locations at which casework is exposed to wetting or to sustained high humidity shall be as indicated on the casework schedule and floor plans.
5.3.2 Sink base cabinets, and every cabinet whose top carries a sink, shall be built with the wet-location case body core and the wet-location countertop core selected in the datasheet, whether or not the location is otherwise designated wet.
5.3.3 Casework at the locations designated wet shall be built with the wet-location case body core selected in the datasheet for the case body and shelves, and with the wet-location countertop core for the countertop.
NOTE Standard particleboard and fiberboard absorb water at any unsealed edge, screw hole, or cutout and swell irreversibly, and the swelling lifts the laminate and loosens the fasteners. A moisture-resistant core limits that swelling and holds a fastener after wetting; it is not a waterproof product and does not make casework suitable for standing water or for an exterior condition. (5.3.3.1)

6 Architectural Woodwork Quality Grade

6.1 Casework Quality Grade

6.1.1 The quality grade for casework and plastic-laminate countertops shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Casework Quality Graderadio
○ Economy
● Custom
○ Premium
NOTE Under the AWI standards Custom Grade applies where the Contract Documents name no grade, so a project that is silent on grade has already selected Custom. (6.1.1.1)
NOTE The grade sets the permitted characteristics of the exposed materials, the joinery and its concealment, the flatness and reveal tolerances, the veneer matching, the treatment of semi-exposed and concealed surfaces, and the finish quality. It does not set the construction type, the core, the surface material, or the hardware, which the rest of this datasheet sets independently. (6.1.1.2)
NOTE Premium Grade narrows the permitted material characteristics, tightens flatness and reveal tolerances, requires sequence-matched veneer across an elevation, and requires the most exacting joinery and finish, at a higher unit cost; the difference is visible where casework is viewed closely and in good light and largely invisible where it is not. Economy Grade permits the widest range of material characteristics, exposed fasteners in more locations, and the loosest tolerances, at the lowest cost. (6.1.1.3)

6.2 Installation Grade

6.2.1 The installation grade under ANSI/AWI 0620 shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Installation Graderadio
○ Economy
● Custom
○ Premium
NOTE The installation grade governs the set result: plumb, level, alignment of adjacent units, reveal uniformity, scribe fit, and fastener concealment. It is a separate purchase from the fabrication grade, and Premium Grade cabinets set by an Economy Grade installation read as Economy Grade work. (6.2.1.1)

6.3 Structural Duty Level

6.3.1 The structural duty level under ANSI/AWI 0641 shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Structural Duty Levelradio
○ Duty Level 1
○ Duty Level 2
○ Duty Level 3
○ Duty Level 4
6.3.2 The duty level may be set differently for different areas of the project, and the shop drawings shall identify which duty level governs each run.
NOTE ANSI/AWI 0641 separates structural performance from appearance. The duty level sets the case racking and joint strength, the shelf and drawer load and deflection limits, the door and drawer cycle counts, and the hardware performance the casework is tested to, and rises from Duty Level 1 at the lightest service to Duty Level 4 at the heaviest. It does not set the grade, so a Premium Grade reception desk and a Custom Grade classroom cabinet can each carry whichever duty level their use demands. (6.3.2.1)
NOTE The duty level follows the use rather than the building type. A private office cabinet opened a few times a day and a classroom cabinet opened by thirty students an hour are in the same building and warrant different levels; a cabinet carrying stored equipment, files, or reference books warrants a higher level than one carrying office supplies. (6.3.2.2)

7 Cabinet Construction

7.1 Construction Type

7.1.1 The cabinet construction type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cabinet Construction Typeradio
● Frameless
○ Face frame
NOTE Frameless construction, Type A under the Architectural Woodwork Standards, omits the front frame: doors and drawer fronts mount directly to the case sides, the full case opening is usable, and the case is assembled from panels on a 32 mm machining system that the concealed hinges, slides, and shelf supports are designed around. It is the construction the laminate casework industry's machinery is built for, which is why laminate casework is fabricated frameless unless a face frame is called for. (7.1.1.1)
NOTE Face-frame construction, Type B, applies a solid-wood or composite frame to the front of the case and hangs the doors and drawers from it. The frame stiffens the case front, carries a traditional appearance with exposed frame and lipped or inset doors, and reduces the usable opening by the frame width; it is the construction a flush-inset door with an exposed frame requires. (7.1.1.2)

7.2 Door and Drawer-Front Interface Style

7.2.1 The door and drawer-front interface style shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Door and Drawer-Front Interface Styleselect
Flush overlay
Reveal overlay
Lipped
Flush inset
7.2.2 A lipped interface shall be used only with face-frame construction.
7.2.3 Reveals shall be held uniform in width within the tolerance the specified grade allows.
7.2.4 The reveal dimension shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
NOTE The interface style sets how the fronts cover the case or frame and how much of it shows between them. Flush overlay covers the case edges almost completely and leaves a narrow uniform reveal between fronts; it is what frameless machining produces without further work. Reveal overlay leaves a wider intentional reveal that exposes the case edge or frame as a line. Lipped fronts are rabbeted to lap the face frame. Flush inset sets the fronts within the opening flush with the case or frame face, which costs the most fitting labor and shows every deviation in the opening as a variable reveal. (7.2.4.1)

7.3 Case Body Core in Dry Locations

7.3.1 The case body core material at locations not designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Case Body Core in Dry Locationsselect
Particleboard
Medium density fiberboard
Veneer-core hardwood plywood
Combination core
Agrifiber particleboard
Fire-rated particleboard
7.3.2 Particleboard core shall conform to ANSI A208.1 in an industrial grade, and medium density fiberboard core to ANSI A208.2.
7.3.3 Veneer-core hardwood plywood shall conform to ANSI/HPVA HP-1.
NOTE Particleboard is flat, dimensionally consistent, and economical, and it holds the cabinet fasteners and hinge cups the 32 mm system uses when the fastener is the one designed for it; it is what a laminated panel is pressed on unless another core is specified. Medium density fiberboard is denser, machines a crisp routed edge or profile without tear-out, and holds a screw better in its edge, so it is selected where the door or drawer front is routed or takes an opaque finish, and it is heavier than particleboard of the same thickness. Veneer core is lighter, holds a screw in its edge, and resists moisture better than either, at a higher cost and with a less flat face under a thin laminate. A combination core places veneer plies against a fiberboard face to get both the screw-holding and the flat face. (7.3.3.1)
NOTE Agrifiber particleboard is made from wheat straw or other agricultural residue with a non-formaldehyde binder and is selected where the project's emission or bio-based content requirements call for it. A fire-rated particleboard is a manufactured product whose classification is established by test on the finished assembly, not by treating a standard core. (7.3.3.2)

7.4 Case Body Core in Wet Locations

7.4.1 The case body core material at sink bases and at the locations designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Case Body Core in Wet Locationsselect
Moisture-resistant particleboard
Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard
Veneer-core hardwood plywood
Exterior-glue plywood
Particleboard
Medium density fiberboard
7.4.2 Moisture-resistant particleboard and fiberboard shall meet the moisture-resistant provisions of ANSI A208.1 and ANSI A208.2 respectively, and their thickness swell after water exposure shall be reported in the product data.
NOTE Moisture-resistant composite cores are made with a water-resistant resin and swell a fraction of what a standard core does at a wetted edge; plywood swells least and holds a fastener after wetting, at a higher cost and weight. A standard core at a wet location remains a selectable policy where the Owner accepts the swelling risk in exchange for cost or a matched appearance, and its edges and cutouts then depend entirely on the sealing required under Fabrication. (7.4.2.1)

7.5 Door and Drawer-Front Core

7.5.1 The core material for doors and drawer fronts shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Door and Drawer-Front Coreselect
Particleboard
Medium density fiberboard
Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard
Veneer-core hardwood plywood
Combination core
Solid wood stile-and-rail
7.5.2 Doors, drawer fronts, and exposed end panels shall be of balanced construction, with the same or an equivalent surfacing on both faces, and shall be flat within the tolerance the specified grade allows for the panel size.
NOTE A door surfaced on one face only is a bimetallic strip: the two faces absorb and release moisture at different rates and the door curls toward the face that shrinks. The backer equalizes the faces, and no press flatness substitutes for it. (7.5.2.1)
NOTE Fiberboard is selected for a door or drawer front where the face is routed, profiled, or opaque-finished, because it machines a clean profile with no grain raise and takes a film evenly; particleboard is selected where the front is a flat laminated slab; plywood where weight or edge screw-holding matters; and a solid-wood stile-and-rail door where the design calls for a framed panel, in which case the field panel floats in the frame. (7.5.2.2)

7.6 Case Joinery and Backs

7.6.1 The case joinery method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Case Joinery Methodselect
Doweled and glued
Confirmat-type screws
Dado and screw
Glued dado with mechanical fasteners
Knock-down cam and dowel connectors
Manufacturer's standard (by default)
7.6.2 The manufacturer shall identify the joinery method actually used in the product data submittal, and the joinery shall meet the joint strength the specified duty level requires.
7.6.3 Fasteners shall be concealed on exposed surfaces and, at Custom and Premium Grade, on semi-exposed surfaces, to the extent the specified grade requires.
7.6.4 Cabinet backs shall be captured in a groove or rabbet on all four sides, and the back of a wall-hung or tall cabinet shall be of a thickness and attachment that carries the hanging load through the case to the wall.
NOTE Joinery is a means to the tested joint strength, and each manufacturer's line is machined for one method. Dowels and confirmat screws are the methods a 32 mm system produces; dado joinery is what a face-frame or plywood shop produces; knock-down connectors allow a case to ship flat and be assembled on site, at a lower joint strength than a glued joint. Whichever method the shop uses, the duty level test is what the joint has to pass. (7.6.4.1)

7.7 Adjustable Shelves

7.7.1 The thickness of adjustable and fixed shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Shelf Thicknessrange
in.
0.751
Derived — the shelf span, the shelf core material, and the Structural Duty Level, against the shelf deflection limits of ANSI/AWI 0641 (by default)
7.7.2 Shelves shall be edged on the front edge with the case body and shelf edge treatment selected under Edge Treatment, and on all four edges where the shelf is exposed on more than one edge.
7.7.3 Shelves shall not deflect more than the limit ANSI/AWI 0641 sets for the specified duty level under the test load for that level.
NOTE A 3/4 in. composite shelf that is stiff enough over a 30 in. opening sags visibly over a 42 in. opening under the same load, so the thickness follows from the span and the duty level rather than from a preference. Where a wide opening at a high duty level would otherwise require a thicker shelf, a center support or a shelf of plywood or of composite with a hardwood front edge are the alternatives the manufacturer may propose. (7.7.3.1)

7.8 Drawer Boxes

7.8.1 The drawer box material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Drawer Box Materialselect
Thermally fused laminate on particleboard
Thermally fused laminate on medium density fiberboard
Hardwood plywood
Solid hardwood
Steel drawer system
7.8.2 Drawer boxes shall be joined as the specified grade and duty level require.
7.8.3 The drawer box shall be a separate assembly from the drawer front so that the front can be adjusted and replaced without disturbing the box.
7.8.4 Drawer bottoms shall be captured in a groove on all four sides and shall carry the drawer load for the specified duty level without deflecting enough to contact the slide or the cabinet member below.
NOTE A laminated composite box is the least expensive and matches the cabinet interior; a plywood box holds a dovetail or dowel joint and resists moisture better; a solid hardwood box is the traditional Premium Grade construction and is the one a transparent-finished interior shows; a steel drawer system combines the box sides and the slide in one metal assembly and is selected where cleanability or a metal appearance is wanted. (7.8.4.1)

7.9 Base and Toe Space

7.9.1 The base construction of floor-supported cabinets shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Base Constructionradio
○ Integral toe kick
○ Separate ladder base
○ Adjustable leg levelers with a clip-on toe kick
7.9.2 Toe space height and depth shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
7.9.3 The exposed face of the toe kick shall be finished to match the casework, or with the base material and finish indicated on the finish schedule.
NOTE An integral toe kick is part of the case side and is the simplest construction, and it puts the cabinet's leveling shims in view unless a separate kick face covers them. A separate ladder base is leveled first and the cabinets are set on it, which speeds installation of a long run and keeps the case bottoms off a wet floor. Leg levelers lift each cabinet on adjustable feet behind a clip-on kick, which is the fastest to level and the easiest to remove for floor access, and which carries the toe kick as a loose part the Owner may find on the floor after a cleaning crew has been through. (7.9.3.1)

8 Exposed and Semi-Exposed Surfaces

8.1 Exposed Exterior Surface Material

8.1.1 The exposed exterior surface material for doors, drawer fronts, exposed ends, and other surfaces visible with the doors closed shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Exposed Exterior Surface Materialselect
High-pressure decorative laminate
Thermally fused laminate
Decorative wood veneer for transparent finish
Solid wood
Opaque factory finish on fiberboard or wood
Thermoformed three-dimensional laminate
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
8.1.2 Exposed interior surfaces, meaning the interiors of open cabinets and of cabinets with glazed doors, shall be surfaced with the exposed exterior surface material.
8.1.3 High-pressure decorative laminate shall conform to NEMA LD 3 in the grade selected under High-Pressure Decorative Laminate Grade.
8.1.4 Color, pattern, and finish texture of each exposed surface material shall be as indicated on the finish schedule.
NOTE High-pressure decorative laminate is a stack of resin-saturated kraft papers under a decorative sheet and a wear overlay, cured under heat and pressure and then bonded to the core; it is the most wear-, scratch-, and impact-resistant of the laminated faces. Thermally fused laminate fuses a single resin-impregnated decorative sheet directly to the core in one press, is less expensive, produces a matched face and interior from one panel, and has lower wear, scratch, and impact resistance than a high-pressure laminate of the same pattern, which matters in proportion to how hard the surface is used. (8.1.4.1)
NOTE Thermoformed three-dimensional laminate is a vinyl film vacuum-formed over a routed fiberboard front, which wraps a profiled door without an edgeband and cannot be repaired where the film is cut through. Wood veneer and solid wood take a transparent finish that shows the species and cut, and an opaque factory finish hides the substrate while showing every defect in its surface. (8.1.4.2)

8.2 Semi-Exposed Surface Material

8.2.1 The semi-exposed surface material for cabinet interiors, shelf faces, drawer boxes, and the inside of doors shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Semi-Exposed Surface Materialradio
● Thermally fused laminate
○ High-pressure decorative laminate
○ Decorative wood veneer for transparent finish
○ Opaque factory finish
○ Match the exposed exterior surface material
8.2.2 Semi-exposed surfaces shall be finished at the specified grade, and an unfinished or sealed-only interior shall be furnished only where the specified grade permits it.
8.2.3 Concealed surfaces shall be surfaced or sealed as the specified grade requires.
NOTE Semi-exposed surfaces are seen only with a door or drawer open, so a thermally fused laminate serves them at a lower cost than the exterior face while remaining cleanable and durable, which is why it is what a case interior is surfaced with unless the datasheet calls for a match. A Premium Grade transparent-finished cabinet whose interior is meant to read as the same wood is the condition under which a veneer or matching interior is selected. (8.2.3.1)

8.3 High-Pressure Decorative Laminate Grade

8.3.1 The NEMA LD 3 grade of high-pressure decorative laminate on exposed vertical surfaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
HPL Grade for Exposed Vertical Surfacesselect
VGS
VGP
HGS
VGF
HGF
Derived — the interior finish fire classification required at the casework, with a general-purpose vertical grade where no classification applies and a fire-rated grade where one does (by default)
8.3.2 Where a horizontal-grade laminate is selected for a vertical surface, the manufacturer shall confirm the thicker sheet is compatible with the edge treatment and hinge boring for that surface.
NOTE NEMA LD 3 grades a laminate by its intended use and thickness. The vertical general-purpose grade is thinner and is the sheet cabinet faces and ends are laminated with; the vertical postforming grade bends to a radius for a curved front; the horizontal general-purpose grade is thicker and more wear-resistant and is selected for a vertical surface that is struck or abraded in service, such as a corridor-side cabinet end or a classroom door; and the fire-rated grades carry a Class A classification when tested on the assembly the code regulates. (8.3.2.1)

8.4 Wood Veneer Species, Cut, and Match

8.4.1 Transparent-finished veneered casework shall use decorative veneer conforming to ANSI/HPVA HP-1, of the species and cut indicated in the datasheet, laid up over the specified core.
Decorative Veneer Speciesselect
Red oak
White oak
Hard maple
Birch
Cherry
Black walnut
Ash
Sapele
African mahogany
Anigre
Makore
Wenge
Teak
Bamboo
Reconstituted veneer
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
Decorative Veneer Cutselect
Plain-sliced
Quarter-sliced
Rift-cut
Comb grain
Half-round sliced
Rotary-cut
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
8.4.2 The veneer leaf match within each door, drawer front, and exposed end shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Veneer Leaf Match Within a Panel Faceradio
● Book match
○ Slip match
○ Random plank match
○ Pleasing match
8.4.3 The veneer matching across the doors, drawer fronts, and exposed ends of each cabinet elevation shall be as indicated in the datasheet, and shall be not less than the minimum the specified grade requires.
Veneer Matching Across a Cabinet Elevationradio
○ Compatible color and grain within each cabinet
○ Sequence-matched across each cabinet elevation
○ Blueprint-matched across the elevation and adjoining paneling
8.4.4 The face veneer grade under ANSI/HPVA HP-1 shall be not less than the minimum the specified casework grade requires for the selected species and cut.
8.4.5 Where veneered casework adjoins veneered paneling under Architectural Wood Trim And PanelingArchitectural Wood Trim and PanelingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling, the veneer for both shall be drawn from one flitch and the sequence shall be continuous across the joint.
NOTE Book match turns every other leaf over so adjacent leaves mirror at the splice and is what a panel is laid up as unless another match is called for; slip match repeats the figure without mirroring and avoids the light-dark alternation a heavily figured veneer shows when book matched. Sequence matching across an elevation lays the fronts up from one flitch in the order the leaves were cut, so figure runs continuously across a bank of doors, and blueprint matching sizes every front to the field dimensions so the run is continuous through the adjoining paneling. Each step costs more veneer and more layout, and each is visible in proportion to how closely the elevation is viewed. (8.4.5.1)

9 Edge Treatment

9.1 Door and Drawer-Front Edges

9.1.1 The edge material on doors and drawer fronts shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Door and Drawer-Front Edge Materialselect
PVC edgeband
ABS edgeband
Wood veneer edgeband
Solid wood edge
High-pressure laminate self-edge
9.1.2 Where a polymer edgeband is selected for doors and drawer fronts, its thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Door and Drawer-Front Polymer Edgeband Thicknessrange
mm
0.5123
9.1.3 Edgeband shall be applied with an adhesive suited to the band and the core, trimmed flush, and the corners of a band 2 mm or thicker radiused to the band's full thickness.
NOTE A thick polymer band absorbs the impact that chips a thin band or a self-edge at a door corner, its radiused corner has no sharp edge to catch or cut, and it can be re-radiused where it is damaged; a thin band and a self-edge show the core at a corner strike and are selected where the edge is not struck in service or where a square laminate edge is the design intent. PVC and ABS bands perform alike in service; ABS is halogen-free, which matters where the project excludes chlorinated materials. (9.1.3.1)

9.2 Case Body and Shelf Edges

9.2.1 The edge material on exposed and semi-exposed case body edges and on shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Case Body and Shelf Edge Materialselect
PVC edgeband
ABS edgeband
Wood veneer edgeband
Solid wood edge
High-pressure laminate self-edge
Match the door and drawer-front edge
9.2.2 Where a polymer edgeband is selected for case body and shelf edges, its thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Case Body and Shelf Polymer Edgeband Thicknessrange
mm
0.5123
9.2.3 Every edge of a composite panel exposed to view or to wetting shall be banded or self-edged so that no core is left open.
9.2.4 Edges of the wet-location core at sink bases and designated wet locations, including the underside edges of the case bottom and the cutout edges, shall be sealed by the edgeband or by a sealer so that water reaching the edge does not reach the core.
NOTE Case body edges are struck less often than door corners, so a thinner band on the case front edge and the shelf edge is a legitimate economy where a thick band is used on the fronts; matching the front edge throughout produces a uniform edge appearance at a higher band cost. (9.2.4.1)

9.3 Solid Wood Edges

9.3.1 Where a solid wood edge is selected, its species shall match the veneer species of the adjoining face unless another species is indicated on the finish schedule.
9.3.2 The profile and thickness of a solid wood edge shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
9.3.3 A solid wood edge shall be applied before the face veneer where the specified grade requires the veneer to cover the edge, and after it where the edge is to show as a band.

10 Countertops

10.1 Countertop Material Family

10.1.1 The countertop material family for each counter shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Countertop Material Familyselect
High-pressure decorative laminate
Solid surface
Engineered quartz
Epoxy resin
Phenolic resin
Compact solid phenolic laminate
Natural stone
Solid wood butcher block
Stainless steel
Per drawings — the casework schedule and interior elevations (deferred by default)
10.1.2 High-pressure decorative laminate countertops shall be fabricated and installed under this standard.
10.1.3 Solid surface and engineered quartz countertops shall be fabricated and installed under Solid Surface CountertopsSolid Surface and Quartz CountertopsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/solid-surface-countertops and coordinated with the casework under this standard for support, cutouts, and anchorage.
10.1.4 Epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and compact solid phenolic laminate countertops shall be fabricated and installed under Laboratory CaseworkLaboratory CaseworkResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/laboratory-casework and coordinated with the casework under this standard for support, cutouts, and anchorage.
10.1.5 Countertops of a family this standard and the standards it names do not detail shall be furnished under the section of the Contract Documents that governs that family, and the casework under this standard shall be built to support and receive them.
NOTE The family follows the use of each counter rather than the project, so a break room, a nurse station, and a science classroom in one building carry three different tops on the same casework line. Laminate is the least expensive and is repaired by replacement; solid surface is non-porous, seamable, and field-repairable and takes an integral sink; quartz is the hardest and most stain-resistant and cannot be seamlessly formed; the resin and phenolic tops resist the chemicals a laboratory or art room uses; stone, wood, and stainless steel each carry a specific appearance or service condition. (10.1.5.1)

10.2 Plastic-Laminate Countertop Construction

10.2.1 The core of a plastic-laminate countertop at locations not designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core in Dry Locationsselect
Particleboard
Medium density fiberboard
Veneer-core hardwood plywood
Moisture-resistant particleboard
Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard
10.2.2 The core of a plastic-laminate countertop at sinks and at the locations designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core at Sinks and Wet Locationsselect
Moisture-resistant particleboard
Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard
Veneer-core hardwood plywood
Exterior-glue plywood
Particleboard
Medium density fiberboard
10.2.3 The countertop core thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core Thicknessrange
in.
0.7511.1251.5
Per drawings — the millwork details (deferred by default)
10.2.4 The NEMA LD 3 grade of the countertop laminate shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
HPL Grade for Countertopsselect
HGS
HGP
HGF
Derived — the countertop edge treatment, which requires a postforming grade on a post-formed top, and the interior finish fire classification required at the casework (by default)
10.2.5 Plastic-laminate countertops shall be fabricated to ANSI/AWI 1236 at the specified grade, with a balancing backer on the underside of the core.
10.2.6 A countertop core shall be continuous across each cabinet run to the extent the sheet size and the transport allow, and every field joint shall be shown on the shop drawings.
10.2.7 Countertop overhangs beyond the case front, and overhangs at knee spaces and ends, shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
NOTE A vertical-grade laminate on a work surface wears through at the edge and at the point of use within a few years, so a countertop is laminated with a horizontal grade whose thicker wear layer is made for it; the grade is a consequence of the surface being a work surface rather than a choice. A built-up edge doubles the core thickness at the edge for a heavier appearance without doubling the whole top, and the detail sets it. (10.2.7.1)

10.3 Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge

10.3.1 The edge treatment of plastic-laminate countertops shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Treatmentselect
Post-formed
Self-edge
Applied PVC or ABS edge
Applied solid wood edge
Applied beveled laminate edge
10.3.2 The edge profile of each plastic-laminate countertop shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Profileselect
Square
Eased
Radiused
Bullnose
Waterfall
No-drip raised edge
Beveled
Per drawings — the millwork details (deferred by default)
10.3.3 Where a post-formed edge is selected, the laminate shall be formed in one continuous sheet over the front edge with no seam at the edge.
10.3.4 Where a self-edge or an applied edge is selected, the edge shall be applied before the top laminate so that the top sheet covers the edge joint.
NOTE A post-formed top rolls one sheet of postforming-grade laminate over the front edge and up an integral cove, which leaves no front seam or back seam for water to enter and limits the profile to the radii the laminate will bend to. A self-edge applies a separate strip to a square front and produces a fine seam at the top of the edge, which is dry-counter construction or a square-edge design intent. An applied polymer or wood edge trades the seam for an impact-resistant or a wood-banded edge and is the treatment a radiused or bullnose profile in a non-postforming laminate requires. (10.3.4.1)

10.4 Backsplash

10.4.1 The backsplash configuration at each counter shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Backsplash Configurationselect
Integral coved backsplash
Applied backsplash
Full-height backsplash to the underside of wall cabinets
No backsplash
Per drawings — the interior elevations (deferred by default)
10.4.2 The backsplash height shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Backsplash Heightrange
in.
3468121824
Per drawings — the interior elevations (deferred by default)
10.4.3 An integral coved backsplash shall be formed in the same sheet as the top with no seam at the cove.
10.4.4 An applied backsplash shall be fabricated of the countertop core and laminate, shall be scribed to the wall, and its joint with the top shall be sealed under Joint SealantsJoint SealantsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/joint-sealants.
10.4.5 End splashes shall be provided where a counter abuts a wall at its end and shall match the backsplash in height and construction.
NOTE An integral cove eliminates the square crevice at the wall where water and debris collect and is available only as a post-formed top or in a formable countertop family; an applied splash is fabricated separately, follows a wall that is out of plane by scribing, and depends on its sealed joint to keep water out; a full-height splash finishes the wall between counter and wall cabinet in one cleanable surface. A coved intersection is selected where the counter is wetted or wet-cleaned, and a square applied splash where it is not or where the square line is the design intent. (10.4.5.1)

11 Cabinet Hardware

11.1 Hardware Grade

11.1.1 Cabinet hardware shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.9 at the grade indicated in the datasheet.
Cabinet Hardware Graderadio
○ Grade 1
○ Grade 2
○ Grade 3
11.1.2 Hardware shall be furnished in the quantity and size its manufacturer publishes for the door or drawer size and weight, including the number of hinges per door.
NOTE ANSI/BHMA A156.9 grades cabinet hardware by cycle count and load: Grade 1 is tested to the most cycles and the highest load and Grade 3 to the fewest and lowest. The grade is set by how often the hardware is operated and how heavily it is loaded, which is the same question the duty level answers for the case, and the two are selected together. (11.1.2.1)

11.2 Hinges

11.2.1 The hinge type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Hinge Typeselect
Concealed cup hinge
Institutional five-knuckle hinge
Continuous piano hinge
Exposed butt hinge
Pivot hinge
11.2.2 The minimum hinge opening angle shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Minimum Hinge Opening Anglerange
degrees
9095100105110120125155165170180270
11.2.3 Where the datasheet leaves the opening angle blank, the hinge manufacturer's standard opening angle for the selected hinge shall apply and shall be reported in the hardware schedule.
11.2.4 The door closing action shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Door Closing Actionradio
○ Soft-close
○ Self-closing
○ Free-swinging
11.2.5 Concealed cup hinges shall provide field adjustment in height, depth, and side so that doors can be aligned for uniform reveals after installation and re-aligned over the life of the casework.
11.2.6 An exposed hinge shall be finished to match the pulls.
NOTE A concealed cup hinge bores into the door back, shows nothing with the door closed, and is adjusted in three directions with a screwdriver, which is why it is what a frameless case is machined for. An institutional five-knuckle hinge mounts on the face of the door and case, opens to 270 degrees so the door lies flat against the adjacent cabinet, and survives the door being used as a step or a handhold, which is the condition under which a school or a heavy-use institutional building selects it over a concealed hinge. A continuous hinge carries a tall or heavy door along its full height, and a pivot hinge is selected for a flush inset door where no hinge is to show at the edge. (11.2.6.1)
NOTE A soft-close mechanism damps the last inches of travel so the door cannot slam, which removes the impact that loosens hinge screws and chips edgeband over years of use; a self-closing hinge pulls the door shut without damping; a free-swinging hinge holds the door wherever it is left and is selected where a catch or a magnetic latch is to hold it. (11.2.6.2)

11.3 Drawer Slides

11.3.1 The drawer slide type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Drawer Slide Typeselect
Concealed undermount
Side-mount ball-bearing
Side-mount epoxy-coated roller
Center-mount
Wood-on-wood
11.3.2 The drawer slide extension shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Drawer Slide Extensionradio
● Full extension
○ Three-quarter extension
○ Over-travel extension
11.3.3 The drawer closing action shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Drawer Closing Actionradio
○ Soft-close
○ Self-closing
○ Standard
11.3.4 The load rating of slides on general storage drawers shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
General Drawer Slide Load Ratingrange
lb
5075100150200
11.3.5 The load rating of slides on file drawers, equipment drawers, and pull-out shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
File and Equipment Drawer Slide Load Ratingrange
lb
75100150200300
11.3.6 Where the datasheet leaves a load rating blank, slides shall be rated by their manufacturer for the drawer size and the specified duty level, and the rating shall be reported in the hardware schedule.
11.3.7 Drawers shall run on slides selected for the drawer width and depth, and a drawer wider than the slide manufacturer's published limit for the selected slide shall be fitted with the manufacturer's wide-drawer stabilizer or with a heavier slide.
NOTE An undermount slide is concealed beneath the drawer box, leaves the box sides clean, and is what a soft-close, full-extension drawer in a laminated case runs on; a side-mount ball-bearing slide is visible when the drawer is open, carries a heavier load, and mounts to a box that need not be built to the undermount's tolerances; an epoxy-coated roller slide is the least expensive and runs at three-quarter extension; a center-mount slide carries a light drawer on one member; and a wood-on-wood slide is the traditional construction a transparent-finished hardwood drawer shows. (11.3.7.1)
NOTE A file drawer loaded with letter files weighs more than a general drawer of the same size loaded with supplies, and a pull-out shelf carrying a printer is loaded at its extended end, so the two carry separate ratings. Extension sets how much of the drawer can be reached: three-quarter leaves the back of the drawer inside the case, full brings the box flush with the case front, and over-travel brings it past the front so the back of a drawer beneath a countertop overhang can be reached. (11.3.7.2)

11.4 Pulls

11.4.1 The pull type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Pull Typeselect
Wire pull
Bar pull
Edge pull
Recessed pull
Knob
Continuous integral pull channel
Touch latch without a pull
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
11.4.2 The pull finish shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Pull Finishselect
Satin stainless steel
Satin chrome
Brushed nickel
Satin aluminum
Matte black
Oil-rubbed bronze
Polished chrome
Custom powder-coat color
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
11.4.3 Pull size and location on each door and drawer front shall be as detailed on the millwork details.
11.4.4 Pulls on the doors and drawers of an accessible station, and on any other casework the adopted accessibility code requires to be operable, shall be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist in accordance with ICC A117.1 Section 309.
NOTE A wire, bar, or edge pull is gripped with an open hand and satisfies the accessible-operation requirement; a knob that must be pinched to turn or pull does not where accessible operation is required; a recessed pull and an integral channel keep the front flush and are gripped with the fingertips, which suits a corridor where a projecting pull would catch clothing or a cart. A touch latch opens the door with a push and leaves no hardware to grip, and it leaves nothing to pull on a door that has swelled or stuck. (11.4.4.1)

11.5 Locks

11.5.1 The cabinets and drawers that receive locks shall be as indicated on the casework schedule.
11.5.2 The lock type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cabinet Lock Typeselect
Disc tumbler cam lock
Pin tumbler cam lock
Removable-core cam lock
Gang lock for a drawer stack
Electronic keypad lock
11.5.3 The lock keying shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Lock Keyingradio
○ Keyed alike within each room
○ Keyed alike throughout the project
○ Keyed different with a master key
○ Keyed different without a master key
11.5.4 Two keys shall be furnished for each lock and two master keys for each master-keyed group, and the keying shall be recorded in the key schedule delivered at closeout.
11.5.5 Locks shall be furnished with a strike or keeper and the door or drawer prepared for it at the factory.
NOTE A disc tumbler cam lock is the least expensive and the easiest to defeat, and it secures a supply cabinet against casual opening; a pin tumbler lock resists picking and is selected where the contents warrant it; a removable-core lock lets the Owner rekey without a locksmith; a gang lock secures a whole stack of drawers with one turn; and an electronic lock removes the key, at the cost of a battery to change and a code to manage. Keying alike within a room gives one key per room and no security between drawers; a master key gives the department one key over cabinets that are otherwise keyed apart. (11.5.5.1)

11.6 Shelf Supports

11.6.1 The adjustable shelf support shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Adjustable Shelf Supportradio
● 5 mm shelf pins in 32 mm system holes
○ Metal shelf standards and clips
○ Locking shelf clips in system holes
11.6.2 Shelf supports shall carry the shelf test load for the specified duty level without deforming the support or the hole, and the shelf pin or clip shall engage the shelf so that the shelf cannot tip or slide off its supports.
NOTE Bored system holes are what the 32 mm machining produces in a frameless case side and cost nothing beyond the pins; surface-mounted standards are screwed to the case side and are the support a face-frame or plywood case, or a heavily loaded shelf, uses; a locking clip captures the shelf so that it cannot be lifted off by a child or dislodged in a seismic event, which is the condition under which it is selected over a plain pin. (11.6.2.1)

12 Finishing

12.1 Finishing Location

12.1.1 Where wood-veneer, solid-wood, and opaque-finished casework is finished shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Finishing Locationradio
● Factory-finished complete
○ Factory-sealed with field-applied topcoats
○ Field-finished complete
12.1.2 Factory finishing shall comply with ANSI/AWI 0400 at the specified grade.
12.1.3 Field-applied topcoats shall be applied under Interior PaintingInterior PaintingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/interior-painting with a system compatible with the factory sealer identified in the product data.
12.1.4 Factory-finished and field-finished pieces shall not be mixed within a continuous run of exposed transparent-finished casework.
NOTE A finish sprayed in a booth and cured under controlled temperature, humidity, and dust produces a film that a brush or spray on an installed cabinet does not reproduce, and the catalyzed and ultraviolet-cured systems used on casework cure only under shop conditions. Casework is a box that is difficult to finish inside once assembled, which is the second reason it is finished before it leaves the shop. (12.1.4.1)

12.2 Transparent Finish System

12.2.1 The transparent finish system for wood-veneer and solid-wood casework shall be as indicated in the datasheet and shall be applied as a complete system of stain, sealer, and topcoats from one supplier.
Transparent Finish Systemselect
Conversion varnish
Catalyzed polyurethane
Catalyzed polyester
Catalyzed vinyl
Pre-catalyzed lacquer
Post-catalyzed lacquer
Nitrocellulose lacquer
UV-cured acrylated urethane
UV-curable waterborne
Cross-linking waterborne acrylic
Waterborne polyurethane
Penetrating oil
12.2.2 The stain color shall be sampled and accepted on the actual species and cut before production finishing begins.
NOTE The systems differ in film hardness, chemical and moisture resistance, clarity, repairability, and cure requirements, and those properties trade against each other. Catalyzed systems build a hard, chemically resistant film that resists the spills and cleaning agents a work surface sees and that resists spot repair; lacquers are easily repaired and re-melted but are softer; ultraviolet-cured systems reach full cure in seconds on flat stock but need line equipment; penetrating oils leave no film to fail, are renewed rather than repaired, and offer the least resistance to spills. (12.2.2.1)

12.3 Opaque Finish System

12.3.1 The opaque finish system shall be as indicated in the datasheet and shall be applied as a complete system of primer and topcoats from one supplier.
Opaque Finish Systemselect
Pigmented conversion varnish
Pigmented catalyzed polyurethane
Pigmented catalyzed polyester
Pigmented pre-catalyzed lacquer
Pigmented UV-cured
Pigmented cross-linking waterborne acrylic
Pigmented waterborne polyurethane
Alkyd enamel
NOTE A pigmented film hides the substrate but shows every defect in the surface under it, so an opaque finish raises the required quality of sanding, filling, and profile machining rather than lowering it, which is why an opaque-finished front is normally a fiberboard front. (12.3.1.1)

12.4 Finish Sheen

12.4.1 The finish sheen shall be as indicated in the datasheet, measured under ASTM D523 at the angle the finish supplier reports.
Finish Sheenselect
Matte
Satin
Semi-gloss
Gloss
Per drawings — the finish schedule (deferred by default)
NOTE Sheen names are not standardized between suppliers, so a named sheen is confirmed against the gloss reading and the accepted sample rather than against the name. Higher sheen shows surface defects, dust in the film, and telegraphing from the substrate more readily; lower sheen shows handling marks and cleaning wear more readily. (12.4.1.1)

13 Interior Finish Fire Classification

13.1 The interior finish classification required of the exposed casework surfaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Required Interior Finish Classification at Caseworkselect
Class A
Class B
Class C
Not regulated as an interior finish at the casework locations
Derived — the interior wall finish class IBC Chapter 8 requires under Adopted Building CodeAdopted Building CodeParameterEach project supplies its own value.adopted-building-code for the occupancy and the location of each casework run, applied where the casework is regulated as an interior finish (by default)
13.2 Where a classification is required, it shall be established by ASTM E84 or UL 723 testing of the exposed surface material on the core it will be bonded to, in the form it will be installed, including any finish.
13.3 Where a classification is required, the laminate grades selected under High-Pressure Decorative Laminate Grade and under Plastic-Laminate Countertop Construction shall be fire-rated grades, or the exposed surface and core shall otherwise be an assembly tested to the required classification.
13.4 The locations at which casework is regulated as an interior finish shall be as indicated on the code analysis and life safety plans.
NOTE Class A is a flame spread index of 0 to 25, Class B is 26 to 75, and Class C is 76 to 200, and all three carry the same smoke developed index limit of 450. Cabinets that stand in a room as fixtures are generally not regulated as interior wall finish, while full-height built-in casework that covers a wall, casework in a corridor or exit access, and casework in an occupancy the adopted code or the health care licensing authority regulates more closely may be, which is why the requirement is read off the code analysis rather than assumed from the product. (13.4.1)
NOTE The classification belongs to the assembly, not to the laminate. A fire-rated laminate bonded to a standard particleboard core does not carry the sheet's classification, so the report has to cover the surface and the core together. (13.4.2)

14 Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Emissions and Adhesives

14.1 Every composite-wood component of the casework and countertops, including particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and hardwood plywood, shall comply with 40 CFR Part 770 and CARB ATCM 93120 and shall be labeled or certified accordingly.
14.2 The compliance level required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Compliance Levelradio
● TSCA Title VI and CARB Phase 2 certified
○ Ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) exempt panels
○ No-added-formaldehyde (NAF) exempt panels
14.3 The adhesive emission requirement applicable to shop and field adhesives shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Adhesive Emission Requirementradio
○ Low-emitting adhesives required for both shop and field work
○ Low-emitting adhesives required for field-applied adhesives
○ No requirement beyond the composite-wood formaldehyde standards
14.4 The finish emission requirement applicable to factory and field finishes shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Finish Emission Requirementradio
○ Low-emitting finish system with third-party emission certification required
○ Finish system meeting the volatile organic compound limits of the adopted code
NOTE Compliance with 40 CFR Part 770 is a condition of lawful sale in the United States and is not a project option; the datasheet selection determines only whether the project requires the further ULEF or NAF exemption levels, which a project pursuing a low-emitting-materials credit or serving an occupancy sensitive to emissions has a concrete reason to require. (14.4.1)
NOTE The emission limits are set per product: 0.05 ppm for hardwood plywood, 0.09 ppm for particleboard, 0.11 ppm for medium density fiberboard, and 0.13 ppm for thin medium density fiberboard, measured by the large chamber method of ASTM E1333. ULEF and NAF panels are certified through separate exemptions granted to the panel producer, so their availability is a supply question and long-lead confirmation belongs in the product data submittal. (14.4.2)
NOTE Adhesives inside a certified composite panel are within the emission limits the panel is certified to, so a compliant label carries the lay-up adhesive with it; the adhesives used to bond laminate and edgeband in the shop and the adhesives used in the field are outside that certification and are governed by the datasheet selection. (14.4.3)

15 Accessible Casework

15.1 Whether accessible sink, work surface, and service counter stations are included in the casework shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Accessible Stations Includedradio
○ Accessible stations included
○ No accessible stations in this casework
Derived — the accessibility scoping of IBC Chapter 11 under Adopted Building CodeAdopted Building CodeParameterEach project supplies its own value.adopted-building-code for the sinks, work surfaces, and service counters the casework serves (by default)
15.2 The stations that are accessible shall be as indicated on the casework schedule and accessibility plans.
15.3 The configuration of the base at an accessible sink or work surface shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Accessible Station Base Configurationselect
Open knee space with a finished apron
Removable base cabinet over a finished floor and wall
Removable-front cabinet with a finished floor and back
15.4 An accessible sink shall comply with ICC A117.1 Section 606, with its rim or counter surface no higher than 34 in. above the finished floor and with the knee and toe clearance of Section 306 beneath it.
15.5 An accessible work surface shall comply with ICC A117.1 Section 902, with its top between 28 in. and 34 in. above the finished floor and with the knee and toe clearance of Section 306 beneath it.
15.6 An accessible sales, service, or transaction counter shall comply with ICC A117.1 Section 904, with the accessible portion no higher than 36 in. above the finished floor over the length that section requires for the approach provided.
15.7 Where a removable base cabinet or a removable front is selected, the finished floor and the finished wall or cabinet back shall extend under and behind the removed portion, and the cabinet shall be removable without damage to the counter, the adjacent casework, or the plumbing.
15.8 Exposed water-supply and drain piping beneath an accessible sink shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact in accordance with ICC A117.1 Section 606, as coordinated with Plumbing FixturesPlumbing FixturesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/plumbing-fixtures.
15.9 The Contractor shall build each accessible station to the dimensions on the reviewed shop drawings.
NOTE An open knee space serves the station at all times and is the configuration the accessibility standards describe; a removable base cabinet gives the Owner storage until an occupant needs the clearance and is permitted where the adopted code accepts it for the occupancy, which is why it is a selection rather than a default. The finished floor and wall behind a removable cabinet are what make its removal a maintenance task rather than a construction project. (15.9.1)
NOTE The counter height at an accessible station is a code dimension, not a design choice, and the casework beneath it has to be shorter than the standard base cabinet to hold it, which is the coordination the shop drawings carry. (15.9.2)

16 Fabrication

16.1 Casework shall be fabricated to the requirements of the specified grade and duty level, with components machined, assembled, and finished in the shop to the greatest extent the units, the transport, and the openings allow, so that field work is limited to installation, fitting, and field joints.
16.2 Cases shall be assembled square and rigid, and the diagonal measurements of a case shall not differ by more than the tolerance the specified grade allows.
16.3 Exposed surfaces of a continuous run shall be color- and pattern-matched from one production lot of laminate or one flitch of veneer.
16.4 Cutouts for sinks, fixtures, grommets, and equipment shall be made in the shop from the reviewed shop drawings wherever the dimensions are fixed, and the cut edges of every shop cutout in a composite core shall be sealed.
16.5 Cutout corners in a plastic-laminate countertop shall be radiused, and a cutout shall not be located closer to a field joint or to the countertop edge than the countertop manufacturer's published minimum.
16.6 Hardware shall be installed at the factory, and doors and drawers shall be fitted and adjusted before shipment so that field adjustment is limited to alignment after setting.
16.7 Each cabinet shall be marked with its position on the shop drawings and shall be shipped with its doors and drawers secured and its exposed surfaces protected.

17 Installation

17.1 Concealed Blocking and Backing

17.1.1 The trade that furnishes and installs the concealed blocking and backing the casework is fastened to shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Concealed Blocking and Backing Furnished Underradio
● The wall and ceiling framing trades
○ The Contractor performing the work of this standard
17.1.2 The casework shop drawings shall show the location, extent, and required capacity of every piece of blocking and backing the casework depends on, including the support for wall-hung cabinets, tall cabinets, countertop brackets, and knee-space aprons.
17.1.3 The Contractor shall verify before installation begins that blocking and backing have been provided at every wall-hung cabinet, at every wall-anchored base and tall cabinet, and at every countertop support and bracket location.
17.1.4 The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of Record of missing or mislocated blocking before proceeding, and shall not proceed over a known deficiency.
17.1.5 Unless the Contract Documents indicate otherwise, wall-hung cabinets and countertop brackets shall not be fastened to gypsum board alone.
NOTE Blocking is normally installed by the framing trades before the wall is closed, which is why the shop drawings that locate it have to be reviewed before the wall is closed. Once the board is on, blocking that was missed becomes demolition. (17.1.5.1)

17.2 Setting, Leveling, and Scribing

17.2.1 Casework shall be installed to the specified installation grade under ANSI/AWI 0620: plumb, level, and true, with adjacent units aligned at their faces and tops, with uniform reveals, and with tight, properly fitted joints.
17.2.2 Base and tall cabinets shall be set level and plumb on the floor, shimmed as required, and the shims concealed by the toe kick or the scribe.
17.2.3 Exposed cabinet ends, fillers, and countertops that meet walls shall be scribed to the wall contour so the joint is tight and uniform.
17.2.4 Fillers, scribe pieces, end panels, toe-kick closures, and trim shall be provided to close the gaps between cabinets and between cabinets and adjacent construction, and shall be finished to match the casework.
17.2.5 Fillers shall be cut and scribed in the field and shall not be left as open gaps or as unscribed strips.
17.2.6 Cabinets shall be fastened to one another through the case sides at the front and back with the manufacturer's connecting fasteners so that the faces of a run are flush and continuous.
NOTE Building surfaces are rarely flat, plumb, or square, so a cabinet set against an untouched wall leaves a tapered gap that widens along its length. A tapered gap and a misaligned face between adjacent cabinets are the two defects a viewer notices first in a run of casework, ahead of any variation in the material itself. (17.2.6.1)

17.3 Wall and Tall Cabinet Anchorage

17.3.1 The method of hanging wall cabinets and anchoring tall cabinets to the wall shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Wall and Tall Cabinet Hanging Methodselect
Screws through a hanging rail into blocking
Metal hanging rail with cabinet-mounted brackets
French cleat
Screws through the case back into blocking
17.3.2 The anchorage of a wall-hung cabinet shall develop the weight of the cabinet and its rated contents at the specified duty level, and the anchorage of a base or tall cabinet shall resist the lateral load of a person leaning or pulling on it.
17.3.3 Anchorage fasteners shall be of the type and size the casework manufacturer publishes for the selected hanging method, driven into the blocking or backing shown on the reviewed shop drawings, and shall be concealed or located where they are not visible in the finished work.
NOTE A hanging rail inside the case top and bottom spreads the load along the cabinet and is what a wall cabinet is built with; a metal rail and bracket system hangs the cabinet on a wall-mounted rail with adjustment, which speeds a long run and holds a cabinet on a wall that is out of plane; a French cleat does the same in wood; screws through a thin back carry the load on the back alone and depend on that back being thick enough to carry it. (17.3.3.1)

17.4 Seismic Anchorage

17.4.1 Whether seismic anchorage of the casework is required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Seismic Anchorage Requiredradio
○ Required
○ Not required
Derived — Seismic Design CategorySeismic Design CategoryParameterEach project supplies its own value.seismic-design-category and the exemptions of ASCE 7 Chapter 13 for the height, weight, and support of each cabinet (by default)
17.4.2 Where seismic anchorage is required, floor-supported tall cabinets, wall-hung cabinets, and countertops shall be anchored to the structure or to blocking that is anchored to the structure in accordance with the seismic provisions of Adopted Building CodeAdopted Building CodeParameterEach project supplies its own value.adopted-building-code and ASCE 7 Chapter 13.
17.4.3 Where seismic anchorage is required, the anchorage details and calculations shall be prepared by a licensed engineer where the adopted code requires it, and shall be submitted with the shop drawings.
NOTE ASCE 7 treats permanent floor-supported storage cabinets above a stated height and wall-hung cabinets as architectural components that need anchorage in the higher seismic design categories, and exempts lighter and shorter components and lower categories. Whether a given cabinet needs anchorage follows from the category and the cabinet, which is why the datasheet reads it off the parameter rather than asking the question again. (17.4.3.1)

17.5 Countertop Installation

17.5.1 Plastic-laminate countertops shall be installed level and supported continuously by the cabinets, and at knee spaces, overhangs, and ends by the brackets, aprons, or supports shown on the reviewed shop drawings.
17.5.2 Countertops shall be fastened to the cabinets from below with fasteners that do not penetrate the top surface.
17.5.3 Field joints in a plastic-laminate countertop shall be drawn tight with concealed joint fasteners and sealed at the core.
17.5.4 The joint between the countertop and the wall or backsplash, and the joint around sinks and fixtures, shall be sealed under Joint SealantsJoint SealantsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/joint-sealants with a sealant suited to the wet exposure of the location.
17.5.5 Countertops of a family furnished under another standard shall be received, supported, and anchored by the casework under this standard as coordinated on the shop drawings of both.

17.6 Sink and Fixture Cutouts

17.6.1 Sink, faucet, and fixture cutouts not made in the shop shall be cut in the field from the reviewed fixture rough-in, with the cut edges of a composite core sealed against moisture before the fixture is set.
17.6.2 Cutout coordination shall be confirmed with Plumbing FixturesPlumbing FixturesResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/plumbing-fixtures before cutting, and a cutout shall not be made from a nominal fixture dimension.
17.6.3 Drop-in sinks shall be set in a bed of sealant on the countertop and the rim sealed, and undermount sinks in a plastic-laminate top shall be installed only where the countertop manufacturer publishes an undermount detail for the core selected.

18 Inspection and Adjustment of Completed Casework

18.1 After installation the Contractor shall inspect the completed casework and countertops and shall correct or replace work that does not comply before requesting the Engineer of Record's review.
18.2 Doors and drawers shall be checked for uniform reveals, smooth operation, the selected closing action, and alignment with adjacent units.
18.3 Countertops shall be checked for level, tight and flush field joints, sealed perimeters and cutouts, and support at every overhang and knee space.
18.4 Accessible stations shall be checked for the counter height and the clear knee and toe space on the reviewed shop drawings.
18.5 Exposed surfaces shall be checked for handling damage, lifted or chipped edgeband, delamination, and finish defects.
18.6 After inspection the Contractor shall adjust every hinge, slide, leveler, and lock so that doors hang with uniform reveals and close as selected, drawers run smoothly and close as selected, and locks operate with the keys delivered.
18.7 Casework that fails to meet the specified fabrication or installation grade, that is out of alignment, or that is damaged shall be corrected or replaced at the Contractor's cost.
18.8 A field repair to an exposed surface shall be indistinguishable from the surrounding work at normal viewing distance, and a repair that remains visible at the specified grade shall be replaced rather than accepted.
18.9 Where the Contractor and the Engineer of Record disagree whether an observed condition is within the specified grade tolerance, the Engineer of Record shall make the initial determination by measurement against the governing grade requirement.

19 Delivery, Storage, and Handling

19.1 Casework shall be delivered only after the building readiness conditions of this standard are satisfied, with each cabinet marked with its shop drawing position and protected on its exposed faces.
19.2 Casework and countertops shall be stored inside the conditioned space, off the floor, upright or flat as the manufacturer directs, and protected from moisture, direct sunlight, and physical damage.
19.3 Countertops shall be stored flat and fully supported and shall not be stored on edge or leaning.
19.4 The Contractor shall bear the cost of storage, of conditioning during storage, and of replacing casework damaged or distorted in storage.
19.5 The Contractor shall install protective covering over completed countertops and casework fronts and shall maintain it until Substantial Completion.
19.6 Protective covering shall not trap moisture against the casework, mark the finish, or leave adhesive residue.
NOTE A plastic-laminate countertop stored leaning takes a permanent bow along the line it bears on, and a stack of countertops left in direct sunlight bleaches and dries the exposed one unevenly, both of which produce a top that will not sit flat on the cabinets regardless of how it was made. (19.6.1)

20 Warranty

20.1 Product Warranty

20.1.1 The product warranty period, measured from the date of Substantial Completion, shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Product Warranty Periodrange
years
123510
20.1.2 Where the datasheet leaves the period blank, the manufacturer's published standard warranty shall apply and shall run not less than one year from Substantial Completion.
20.1.3 The manufacturer shall warrant the casework, plastic-laminate countertops, and hardware against defects in material and fabrication for the specified period, including warp beyond the specified grade tolerance, delamination of laminate or veneer, lifted or separated edgeband, finish failure, and hardware failure under the rated duty level.
20.1.4 The warranty shall exclude damage caused by interior temperature or relative humidity outside the range specified in the datasheet, provided the casework was delivered, acclimatized, and installed in compliance with this standard.
20.1.5 The warranty shall exclude damage caused by abuse beyond the rated duty level, by cleaning methods contrary to the delivered care instructions, by wetting of a location not designated wet and not built with the wet-location core, and by modification made without the manufacturer's written approval.

20.2 Installation Warranty

20.2.1 The installation warranty period, measured from the date of Substantial Completion, shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Installation Warranty Periodrange
years
123510
20.2.2 Where the datasheet leaves the period blank, the installation warranty shall run one year from Substantial Completion.
20.2.3 The Contractor shall warrant the installation for the specified period, including blocking verification, anchorage, leveling and alignment, scribing and fitting, countertop joints and sealing, hardware adjustment, and the dimensions of accessible stations.
20.2.4 The Contractor shall correct a deficiency attributable to installation workmanship at no cost to the Owner, including the cost of removing and reinstalling adjacent work required for access and the cost of repairing collateral damage caused by the correction.
20.2.5 Work corrected under warranty shall carry a fresh warranty of the specified period running from the date of the correction, or the unexpired remainder of the original period, whichever ends later.

21 Spare Parts and Owner Care

21.1 Spare Hardware and Materials

21.1.1 The spare hardware and materials delivered to the Owner before the work is accepted shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Spare Hardware and Materialscheckbox
☐ Spare hinges of each type
☐ Spare drawer slides of each type and length
☐ Spare pulls of each type and finish
☐ Spare shelf supports
☐ Spare lock cylinders and blank keys
☐ Edgeband of each material, thickness, and color
☐ Laminate sheet of each pattern from the installed production lot
☐ Touch-up finish of each transparent and opaque system
21.1.2 The quantity of spare hinges, slides, pulls, and shelf supports, expressed as a percentage of the installed quantity of each, shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Spare Hardware Quantityrange
%
010
21.1.3 Spare parts shall be the same make, model, size, and finish as the installed items, delivered in their original packaging and labeled with the cabinet types they serve, and the Contractor shall obtain a signed receipt for them.
21.1.4 Touch-up finish material shall be delivered in the manufacturer's labeled containers with the batch identification of the finish applied to the work.
NOTE Laminate patterns are discontinued and re-issued in different lots, and a transparent finish batch is a different color from the next, so material that was not made with the work is not a spare part for it. (21.1.4.1)

21.2 Owner Care of Installed Casework

21.2.1 The Owner should maintain interior temperature and relative humidity within the specified service range for the life of the casework.
21.2.2 Cleaning should use the method the delivered care instructions give for the surface being cleaned.
21.2.3 Hinges, slides, and levelers should be re-adjusted with the delivered procedures as the building settles and the casework is used, rather than left until a door binds or a drawer drops.
NOTE The most common cause of in-service failure in casework is not a fabrication defect but a building allowed to swing well outside the humidity range the casework was made for, followed by water left standing at a countertop joint or a sink cutout. Neither is covered by the warranty, and both are prevented by the Owner's care rather than by the specification. (21.2.3.1)