Wood and Laminate Casework

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−---

−title: Wood and Laminate Casework

−category: Architectural / Specialties

−toc_depth: 3

−description: >

− When to use: Factory-fabricated architectural casework (cabinetry) and countertops for commercial, institutional, educational, and healthcare buildings — plastic-laminate and wood-veneer base, wall, and tall cabinets; reception desks, nurse stations, service counters, teller lines, and built-in millwork casework; and the countertops, backsplashes, and work surfaces that complete them. Covers the architectural-woodwork quality grade that governs flatness, joinery, hardware, and finish; the construction type (frameless/European or face-frame) and door-and-drawer overlay style; the core material and exposed-surface material (high-pressure decorative laminate, thermally-fused laminate, wood veneer, or solid wood); edgebanding; countertop material (plastic laminate, solid surface, quartz/engineered stone, and resin work surfaces); concealed cabinet hardware (hinges, drawer slides, pulls, and locks); low-emitting (formaldehyde) compliance; and accessibility at sinks and counters.

− Not intended for: Standing and running trim, paneling, and ornamental woodwork specified separately (see [[sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling]]); food-service stainless-steel casework and counters; laboratory fume-hood casework and chemical-resistant lab benches where specified under a separate laboratory casework standard; toilet partitions (see [[sync/toilet-compartments]]); metal storage lockers (see [[sync/metal-lockers]]); solid-surface and stone countertops furnished as part of stone fabrication where not built on casework; and modular systems furniture.

−---

−

−# Scope {toc}

−

−## 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. {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. {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. {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. {note}

−

−## Casework layout, cabinet types, elevations, dimensions, and quantities shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the casework plans, interior elevations, and millwork details]].

−

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

−

−## This work shall be coordinated with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] and [[sync/unit-masonry]] for in-wall blocking and anchorage backing, with [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]] where casework adjoins door openings, with [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]] for sinks, faucets, and the rough-in served by counters, with [[sync/toilet-accessories]] for accessories mounted on or adjacent to casework, and with [[sync/resilient-flooring]] and the base trades for floor and base conditions at cabinet toe kicks.

−

−# Referenced Standards {toc}

−

−## Materials, 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 |

−

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

−

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

−

−# Submittals {toc}

−

−## Action Submittals {toc}

−

−### The 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.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Action Submittals Required

−type: checkbox

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "Dimensioned shop drawings (plans, elevations, sections) per casework run"

−```

−

−## Closeout Submittals {toc}

−

−### At 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

−

−```datasheet

−label: Closeout Submittals Required

−type: checkbox

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "Material-specific care and maintenance instructions"

−```

−

−### Care instructions are material-specific, and the Owner's housekeeping staff must be given the correct guidance to avoid finish damage. {note}

−

−# Quality Assurance {toc}

−

−## Manufacturer Qualifications {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Grade Certification Program

−type: radio

−options:

− - "AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) certified"

− - "Equivalent third-party woodwork certification program"

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

−default: "AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) certified"

−```

−

−### The 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.

−

−### Where 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.

−

−## Single-Source Responsibility {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Single-Source Responsibility

−type: radio

−options:

− - "All casework, countertops, and hardware from a single manufacturer"

− - "Casework and countertops furnished as a coordinated package by a single supplier"

−default: "All casework, countertops, and hardware from a single manufacturer"

−```

−

−### All casework, countertops, and cabinet hardware within a related scope shall be furnished by a single manufacturer or a single coordinated supplier so that grade, construction, finish, and hardware preparations are compatible.

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−## Mockup {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Mockup Required

−type: radio

−options:

− - "Yes — provide one representative casework mockup for approval"

− - "No — mockup not required"

−default: "No — mockup not required"

−```

−

−### Where 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.

−

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

−

−## Grade Compliance {toc}

−

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

−

−### The specified grade governs wherever this standard is silent.

−

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

−

−# Environmental and Service Conditions {toc}

−

−## Delivery, Storage, and Acclimation {toc}

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−### Casework 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.

−

−### Casework shall be acclimated in the conditioned space before installation.

−

−### The 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.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Interior Relative Humidity Range for Delivery, Acclimation, and Service

−type: range

−unit: '% RH'

−options:

− min: 25

− max: 55

− setpoints: [25, 30, 35, 45, 50, 55]

−default: 45

−```

−

−### The narrower and more stable the humidity range, the lower the risk of warping and joint movement after installation. {note}

−

−## Wet and High-Humidity Locations {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Wet-Area Core Requirement

−type: radio

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

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

− - "Standard core throughout (dry locations only)"

−default: "Moisture-resistant (MR) core at all sink bases and wet-area casework"

−```

−

−### Casework 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.

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−# Quality Grade {toc}

−

−## The quality grade is the governing decision for the standard. {note}

−

−## The architectural woodwork quality grade shall be specified as Economy, Custom, or Premium, and that grade shall govern the requirements selected elsewhere in this standard.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Architectural Woodwork Quality Grade

−type: radio

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "Economy — utility and back-of-house casework"

− - "Custom — standard commercial and institutional default"

− - "Premium — high-visibility architectural millwork"

−default: "Custom — standard commercial and institutional default"

−```

−

−## The structural duty level per ANSI/AWI 0641 shall be specified, consistent with the architectural woodwork quality grade selected for the casework.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Structural Duty Level (ANSI/AWI 0641, where specified)

−type: radio

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "Duty Level 3 — heavy commercial / institutional duty"

−```

−

−## 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. {note}

−

−## Economy grade is suitable only for utility and back-of-house casework where appearance and longevity are not priorities. {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. {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. {note}

−

−# Casework Construction {toc}

−

−## Construction Type {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Construction Type

−type: radio

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

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

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

−default: "Frameless (European / Type A) — full-overlay, maximized interior"

−```

−

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

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−### Face-frame construction applies a hardwood or composite face frame to the front of the case, to which doors and drawers are mounted. {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. {note}

−

−## Door and Drawer-Front Overlay Style {toc}

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−### The door and drawer-front overlay style shall be specified, establishing how doors and drawer fronts cover the case opening and how much of the case or frame remains exposed.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Door and Drawer-Front Overlay Style

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "Full overlay (frameless default)"

−```

−

−### Full overlay (the frameless default) covers the case edge almost completely, leaving only a narrow, uniform reveal between fronts. {note}

−

−### Reveal (inset-reveal) overlay leaves a wider intentional reveal as a design feature. {note}

−

−### Flush-inset sets the fronts within the case opening flush with the front edge, a higher-cost detail associated with Premium work. {note}

−

−### Exposed face-frame (a face-frame-only option) leaves part of the face frame visible around partial-overlay or inset doors. {note}

−

−## Case Body Core Material {toc}

−

−### The core material carries the case load, holds the fasteners and hardware, and provides the substrate for the exposed surface. {note}

−

−### The case body core material shall be specified to carry the case load, hold the fasteners and hardware, and provide the substrate for the exposed surface.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Case Body Core Material

−type: select

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "Industrial-grade particleboard (ANSI A208.1) — standard laminated casework"

−```

−

−### 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. {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. {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. {note}

−

−## Exposed Surface Material {toc}

−

−### The exposed surface is the visible face of doors, drawer fronts, end panels, and other surfaces seen in the finished space. {note}

−

−### The exterior exposed surface material shall be specified for the visible faces of doors, drawer fronts, and end panels, matched to the surface's wear exposure.

−

−```datasheet

−label: Exterior Exposed Surface Material

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "High-pressure decorative laminate (HPL), NEMA LD 3 (standard)"

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: HPL Grade for Exposed Vertical Surfaces (NEMA LD 3)

−type: radio

−options:

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

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

−default: "VGS — vertical general-purpose (cabinet faces, end panels)"

−```

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−### Thermally-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.

−

−### Wood veneer provides a natural-wood appearance at Custom and Premium grades and requires a factory or field finish. {note}

−

−### Solid wood is used for select components (face frames, edges, applied moldings) and for solid-wood casework where the design requires it. {note}

−

−### The 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.

−

−### The 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.

−

−## Semi-Exposed Surface Material {toc}

−

−### Semi-exposed surfaces — cabinet interiors, shelf faces, and the inside of doors — are seen only when the cabinet is open. {note}

−

−### TFL (melamine) is the standard semi-exposed surface because it is durable, cleanable, and economical, and matches or complements the exposed surface. {note}

−

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

−

−```datasheet

−label: Semi-Exposed (Interior) Surface Material

−type: radio

−options:

− - "Thermally-fused laminate (TFL / melamine) interior (standard)"

− - "HPL interior (where matching the exterior is required)"

− - "Wood veneer interior (Premium wood casework)"

−default: "Thermally-fused laminate (TFL / melamine) interior (standard)"

−```

−

−## Edgebanding {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Edgebanding — Doors, Drawer Fronts, and High-Impact Edges

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "3 mm PVC / polymer edgeband (standard, high impact resistance)"

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: Edgebanding — Concealed and Low-Impact Edges

−type: radio

−options:

− - "0.5 mm to 1 mm PVC / polymer edgeband"

− - "Match exposed-edge banding throughout"

−default: "0.5 mm to 1 mm PVC / polymer edgeband"

−```

−

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

−

−### A 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.

−

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

−

−### 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. {note}

−

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

−

−# Countertops {toc}

−

−## Countertop Selection {toc}

−

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

−

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

−

−## Countertop Material {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Countertop Material

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

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

− - "Solid surface — institutional / healthcare counters"

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

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

− - "Natural stone (where specified)"

−default: "Solid surface — institutional / healthcare counters"

−```

−

−### 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). {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. {note}

−

−### Quartz (engineered stone) provides a hard, scratch- and stain-resistant, low-maintenance natural-stone appearance for high-visibility and high-use counters. {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). {note}

−

−## Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Treatment

−type: radio

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "Post-formed (rolled radius, no front seam) — wet and standard counters"

−```

−

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

−

−### 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. {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. {note}

−

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

−

−## Countertop Edge Profile {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Countertop Edge Profile

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "Square / eased edge"

− - "Radiused (1/4 in. to 1/2 in. radius)"

− - "Bullnose / half-bullnose"

− - "Beveled"

− - "Built-up (doubled-thickness) edge"

−default: "Radiused (1/4 in. to 1/2 in. radius)"

−```

−

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

−

−## Backsplash {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Backsplash

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

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

− - "Applied 4 in. backsplash"

− - "Full-height backsplash to wall cabinets"

− - "No backsplash"

−default: "Applied 4 in. backsplash"

−```

−

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

−

−### 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. {note}

−

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

−

−# Cabinet Hardware {toc}

−

−## Cabinet hardware governs how the casework operates and how long it lasts. {note}

−

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

−

−## 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. {note}

−

−## Hinges {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Hinge Type

−type: select

−options:

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

− - "Concealed six-way adjustable, standard close"

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

−default: "Concealed six-way adjustable, soft-close (standard)"

−```

−

−### Doors 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.

−

−### Concealed 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.

−

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

−

−## Drawer Slides {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Drawer Slide Type

−type: select

−options:

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

− - "Side-mount, full-extension, soft-close"

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

−default: "Undermount, full-extension, soft-close (standard)"

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: Drawer Slide Load Rating

−type: radio

−unit: lb

−options:

− - "75 lb — standard drawers"

− - "100 lb — heavy general / file drawers"

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

−default: "75 lb — standard drawers"

−```

−

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

−

−### 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. {note}

−

−### Side-mount slides are an economical alternative for utility casework. {note}

−

−### The 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.

−

−## Pulls {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Door and Drawer Pulls

−type: select

−options:

− - "Wire / bar pulls, satin stainless or aluminum"

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

− - "Knobs"

− - "Recessed / flush pulls"

−default: "Wire / bar pulls, satin stainless or aluminum"

−```

−

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

−

−### Pulls 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.

−

−### Loop, bar, and edge pulls satisfy the accessible-operation requirement; knobs that require pinching do not where accessible operation is required. {note}

−

−## Locks {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Cabinet Locks

−type: select

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "No locks (standard)"

−```

−

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

−

−# Finishes {toc}

−

−## Wood-Veneer and Solid-Wood Finish {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Wood Finish System

−type: select

−options:

− - "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)"

−default: "Factory catalyzed / conversion-varnish system (standard)"

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: Finish Sheen

−type: radio

−options:

− - "Satin"

− - "Semi-gloss"

− - "Matte / flat"

− - "Gloss"

−default: "Satin"

−```

−

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

−

−### 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. {note}

−

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

−

−## Flame Spread {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Exposed-Surface Flame-Spread Classification (ASTM E84)

−type: radio

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "Not regulated as interior finish at this location"

−```

−

−### Where 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).

−

−### A 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.

−

−# Low-Emitting Materials Compliance {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Compliance

−type: radio

−options:

− - "TSCA Title VI / CARB Phase 2 compliant (mandatory baseline)"

− - "No-added-formaldehyde (NAUF / NAF) composite wood"

− - "Ultra-low-emitting-formaldehyde (ULEF) composite wood"

−default: "TSCA Title VI / CARB Phase 2 compliant (mandatory baseline)"

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: Low-VOC Finishes and Adhesives Required

−type: radio

−options:

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

− - "No — standard finish and adhesives"

−default: "No — standard finish and adhesives"

−```

−

−## All 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.

−

−## Compliance is mandatory for composite-wood products sold in the United States; it is not optional. {note}

−

−## Where 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.

−

−# Accessibility {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Accessible Counter / Work Surface Height

−type: range

−unit: in. AFF

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− min: 28

− max: 34

− setpoints: [28, 30, 32, 34]

−default: 34

−```

−

−```datasheet

−label: Accessible Knee Clearance Provided at Sinks and Counters

−type: radio

−drawing_ref: true

−options:

− - "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"

−default: "Yes — knee space 27 in. high min, 30 in. wide min, 19 in. deep min; counter 34 in. AFF max"

−```

−

−## Casework 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).

−

−## The location and extent of accessible casework shall be [[drawing: 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.

−

−## At 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.

−

−## The 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.

−

−## Exposed water-supply and drain piping beneath an accessible sink shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact, as coordinated with [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]].

−

−# Fabrication {toc}

−

−## 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 maximum extent practicable so that field work is limited to installation, fitting, and field joints.

−

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

−

−## Exposed 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.

−

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

−

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

−

−## Cutouts 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.

−

−# Installation {toc}

−

−## Casework 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.

−

−## The 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.

−

−## Blocking Coordination {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: In-Wall Blocking Verified Before Installation

−type: radio

−options:

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

− - "Not applicable — no wall-anchored casework at this location"

−default: "Yes — blocking verified at all wall-hung and wall-anchored locations"

−```

−

−### The 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.

−

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

−

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

−

−## Leveling, Scribing, and Anchoring {toc}

−

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

−

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

−

−### Cabinets 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.

−

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

−

−## Filler and Closure {toc}

−

−### 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, finished to match the casework.

−

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

−

−## Countertop Seaming and Sealing {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Countertop Perimeter and Penetration Sealing

−type: radio

−options:

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

− - "No sealant required (dry counter, no wall or fixture interface)"

−default: "Seal counter-to-wall, backsplash, and sink/fixture joints with flexible mildew-resistant sealant"

−```

−

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

−

−### Field 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.

−

−### The 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.

−

−## Sink and Fixture Cutouts {toc}

−

−### Sink, 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.

−

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

−

−### Cutout coordination shall be confirmed with [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]] before cutting.

−

−# Field Quality Control {toc}

−

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

−

−## Doors 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.

−

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

−

−# Adjusting, Cleaning, and Protection {toc}

−

−## After 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.

−

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

−

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

−

−## Damaged, 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.

−

−# Warranty {toc}

−

−## Manufacturer Warranty {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Casework and Countertop Warranty Period

−type: select

−options:

− - "1 year from substantial completion — standard"

− - "2 years from substantial completion"

− - "5 years from substantial completion (Premium / institutional programs)"

−default: "1 year from substantial completion — standard"

−```

−

−### The 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.

−

−### The 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.

−

−## Contractor Installation Warranty {toc}

−

−```datasheet

−label: Contractor Installation Warranty

−type: select

−options:

− - "1 year from substantial completion"

− - "2 years from substantial completion"

−default: "1 year from substantial completion"

−```

−

−### The Contractor shall warrant the installation — including correct blocking verification, anchorage, leveling, scribing, hardware adjustment, countertop seaming and sealing, and compliance of accessible casework with the dimensional requirements of the accessibility standard — for the specified period.

−

−### Deficiencies attributable to installation workmanship shall be corrected by the Contractor at no cost to the Owner.

+---

+title: Wood and Laminate Casework

+category: Architectural / Specialties

+description: >

+ When to use: Factory-fabricated architectural casework graded under the Architectural Woodwork Standards for commercial, institutional, educational, and healthcare buildings: plastic-laminate, thermally fused laminate, wood-veneer, and solid-wood base, wall, and tall cabinets; reception desks, nurse stations, service and transaction counters, and built-in millwork cabinetry; the plastic-laminate countertops and backsplashes that top them; and the cabinet hardware that operates them. Covers the quality grade, installation grade, and structural duty level; construction type and door and drawer-front interface style; core materials by moisture exposure; exposed and semi-exposed surface materials and laminate grades; veneer species, cut, and matching; edge treatment; plastic-laminate countertop construction; hinges, drawer slides, pulls, locks, and shelf supports; factory finishing; interior finish fire classification; composite-wood formaldehyde and adhesive emissions; accessible stations; blocking, anchorage, and seismic restraint; installation; warranty; and spare parts.

+ Not intended for: Solid surface and engineered quartz countertops ([[sync/solid-surface-countertops]]); laboratory casework, fume hoods, and the epoxy, phenolic, and compact-laminate work surfaces that serve them ([[sync/laboratory-casework]]); standing and running trim, wall paneling, and ornamental woodwork ([[sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling]]); field-installed stock trim and shelving ([[sync/finish-carpentry]]); wood doors, door frames, and door hardware ([[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); toilet compartments ([[sync/toilet-compartments]]); metal lockers ([[sync/metal-lockers]]); stainless-steel food-service fabrications; kitchen and vanity cabinets certified to ANSI/KCMA A161.1 rather than graded under the Architectural Woodwork Standards; the sinks, faucets, and rough-in served by the counters ([[sync/plumbing-fixtures]]); and modular systems furniture.

+---

+# Scope {toc}

+## This standard covers the furnishing and installation of factory-fabricated architectural casework and the plastic-laminate countertops and backsplashes that complete it. {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. {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. {note}

+## The following are governed elsewhere and are outside this standard: {note}

+- Solid surface and engineered quartz countertops, which are fabricated and installed under [[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 [[sync/laboratory-casework]]

+- Standing and running trim, paneling, and ornamental woodwork, which finish the surfaces of a room rather than occupy it ([[sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling]])

+- Field-installed stock trim, closet shelving, and similar finish carpentry set without shop drawings ([[sync/finish-carpentry]])

+- Wood doors, door frames, and door hardware ([[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 ([[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

+## Casework locations, cabinet types, and the arrangement of each run shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the casework plans and interior elevations]].

+## Cabinet widths, heights, and depths, and the number of doors, drawers, and shelves in each unit, shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the casework schedule and interior elevations]].

+## Profiles, joints, reveals, and edge conditions of the casework shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/gypsum-board-assemblies]] and [[sync/unit-masonry]] for the in-wall blocking, backing, and anchorage the casework is fastened to.

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/rough-carpentry]] where blocking and backing are furnished by the framing trades.

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]] for the sinks, faucets, and rough-in the counters serve and for the cutouts they require.

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/architectural-wood-trim-and-paneling]] where casework meets paneling or trim, so that species, cut, finish, and reveal are continuous across the joint.

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/toilet-accessories]] for accessories mounted on or adjacent to casework, and with [[sync/resilient-flooring]] for the floor and base condition at cabinet toe spaces.

+## The Contractor shall coordinate this work with [[sync/joint-sealants]] for the sealant at countertop-to-wall, backsplash, and fixture joints.

+# Referenced Standards {toc}

+## Materials, fabrication, finishing, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited.

+## Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.

+## 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) |

+# Submittals {toc}

+## Action Submittals {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Action Submittals Required

+type: checkbox

+options:

+ - "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"

+default: ["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", "Composite-wood formaldehyde compliance documentation"]

+```

+### 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. {note}

+## Closeout Submittals {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Closeout Submittals Required

+type: checkbox

+options:

+ - "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"

+default: ["Surface-specific care and maintenance instructions", "Hardware adjustment procedures and replacement-parts data", "Executed product and installation warranties"]

+```

+### 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. {note}

+# Quality Assurance {toc}

+## Casework Manufacturer Qualifications {toc}

+### 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.

+### All casework and plastic-laminate countertops within a related area of the project shall be furnished by a single manufacturer.

+### Cabinet hardware within a related area shall be of one manufacturer for each hardware type.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Grade Certification {toc}

+### The certification program that verifies compliance with the specified quality grade and installation grade shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Quality Grade Certification Program

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "AWI Quality Certification Program"

+ - "Equivalent third-party woodwork certification program"

+ - "Manufacturer certification of grade compliance without third-party verification"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Mockup {toc}

+### Whether a casework mockup is required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Casework Mockup Required

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Required"

+ - "Not required"

+```

+### 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.

+### The Contractor shall obtain the Engineer of Record's written acceptance of a required mockup before fabricating the corresponding work.

+### 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.

+## Precedence of Grade Requirements {toc}

+### Casework, countertops, and installation shall comply in all respects with the requirements of their specified grades for material, joinery, flatness, tolerance, hardware, and finish.

+### The specified grade shall govern any requirement on which this standard is silent.

+### Where this standard states a requirement more stringent than the specified grade requires, this standard shall govern.

+# Interior Conditions and Acclimatization {toc}

+## Building Readiness Before Delivery {toc}

+### Casework shall not be delivered to the building until the building is enclosed and weather-tight.

+### 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.

+### Casework shall not be delivered to the building until interior temperature and relative humidity are being held within the range indicated in the datasheet.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Service Relative Humidity Range {toc}

+### The minimum and maximum interior relative humidity to be maintained at delivery, during installation, and in service shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Minimum Interior Relative Humidity in Service

+type: range

+unit: '% RH'

+options:

+ min: 15

+ max: 50

+ step: 5

+```

+```datasheet

+label: Maximum Interior Relative Humidity in Service

+type: range

+unit: '% RH'

+options:

+ min: 45

+ max: 75

+ step: 5

+```

+### Where the datasheet leaves the range blank, the relative humidity range the Architectural Woodwork Standards give for the project's geographic region shall apply.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Wet and High-Humidity Locations {toc}

+### The locations at which casework is exposed to wetting or to sustained high humidity shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the casework schedule and floor plans]].

+### 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+# Architectural Woodwork Quality Grade {toc}

+## Casework Quality Grade {toc}

+### The quality grade for casework and plastic-laminate countertops shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Casework Quality Grade

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Economy"

+ - "Custom"

+ - "Premium"

+default: "Custom"

+```

+#### 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. {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. {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. {note}

+## Installation Grade {toc}

+### The installation grade under ANSI/AWI 0620 shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Installation Grade

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Economy"

+ - "Custom"

+ - "Premium"

+default: "Custom"

+```

+#### 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. {note}

+## Structural Duty Level {toc}

+### The structural duty level under ANSI/AWI 0641 shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Structural Duty Level

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Duty Level 1"

+ - "Duty Level 2"

+ - "Duty Level 3"

+ - "Duty Level 4"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+# Cabinet Construction {toc}

+## Construction Type {toc}

+### The cabinet construction type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Cabinet Construction Type

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Frameless"

+ - "Face frame"

+default: "Frameless"

+```

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Door and Drawer-Front Interface Style {toc}

+### The door and drawer-front interface style shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Door and Drawer-Front Interface Style

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Flush overlay"

+ - "Reveal overlay"

+ - "Lipped"

+ - "Flush inset"

+default: "Flush overlay"

+```

+### A lipped interface shall be used only with face-frame construction.

+### Reveals shall be held uniform in width within the tolerance the specified grade allows.

+### The reveal dimension shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+#### 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. {note}

+## Case Body Core in Dry Locations {toc}

+### The case body core material at locations not designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Case Body Core in Dry Locations

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Particleboard"

+ - "Medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Veneer-core hardwood plywood"

+ - "Combination core"

+ - "Agrifiber particleboard"

+ - "Fire-rated particleboard"

+default: "Particleboard"

+```

+### Particleboard core shall conform to ANSI A208.1 in an industrial grade, and medium density fiberboard core to ANSI A208.2.

+### Veneer-core hardwood plywood shall conform to ANSI/HPVA HP-1.

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Case Body Core in Wet Locations {toc}

+### The case body core material at sink bases and at the locations designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Case Body Core in Wet Locations

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Moisture-resistant particleboard"

+ - "Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Veneer-core hardwood plywood"

+ - "Exterior-glue plywood"

+ - "Particleboard"

+ - "Medium density fiberboard"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Door and Drawer-Front Core {toc}

+### The core material for doors and drawer fronts shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Door and Drawer-Front Core

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Particleboard"

+ - "Medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Veneer-core hardwood plywood"

+ - "Combination core"

+ - "Solid wood stile-and-rail"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Case Joinery and Backs {toc}

+### The case joinery method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Case Joinery Method

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Doweled and glued"

+ - "Confirmat-type screws"

+ - "Dado and screw"

+ - "Glued dado with mechanical fasteners"

+ - "Knock-down cam and dowel connectors"

+default: manufacturer

+```

+### 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.

+### Fasteners shall be concealed on exposed surfaces and, at Custom and Premium Grade, on semi-exposed surfaces, to the extent the specified grade requires.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Adjustable Shelves {toc}

+### The thickness of adjustable and fixed shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Shelf Thickness

+type: range

+unit: in.

+derived: "the shelf span, the shelf core material, and the Structural Duty Level, against the shelf deflection limits of ANSI/AWI 0641"

+options:

+ min: 0.75

+ max: 1

+ setpoints: [0.75, 1]

+default: derived

+```

+### 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.

+### Shelves shall not deflect more than the limit ANSI/AWI 0641 sets for the specified duty level under the test load for that level.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Drawer Boxes {toc}

+### The drawer box material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Drawer Box Material

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Thermally fused laminate on particleboard"

+ - "Thermally fused laminate on medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Hardwood plywood"

+ - "Solid hardwood"

+ - "Steel drawer system"

+```

+### Drawer boxes shall be joined as the specified grade and duty level require.

+### 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Base and Toe Space {toc}

+### The base construction of floor-supported cabinets shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Base Construction

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Integral toe kick"

+ - "Separate ladder base"

+ - "Adjustable leg levelers with a clip-on toe kick"

+```

+### Toe space height and depth shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+### The exposed face of the toe kick shall be finished to match the casework, or with the base material and finish indicated on [[drawing: the finish schedule]].

+#### 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. {note}

+# Exposed and Semi-Exposed Surfaces {toc}

+## Exposed Exterior Surface Material {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Exposed Exterior Surface Material

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "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"

+default: deferred

+```

+### Exposed interior surfaces, meaning the interiors of open cabinets and of cabinets with glazed doors, shall be surfaced with the exposed exterior surface material.

+### High-pressure decorative laminate shall conform to NEMA LD 3 in the grade selected under High-Pressure Decorative Laminate Grade.

+### Color, pattern, and finish texture of each exposed surface material shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the finish schedule]].

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Semi-Exposed Surface Material {toc}

+### The semi-exposed surface material for cabinet interiors, shelf faces, drawer boxes, and the inside of doors shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Semi-Exposed Surface Material

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Thermally fused laminate"

+ - "High-pressure decorative laminate"

+ - "Decorative wood veneer for transparent finish"

+ - "Opaque factory finish"

+ - "Match the exposed exterior surface material"

+default: "Thermally fused laminate"

+```

+### 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.

+### Concealed surfaces shall be surfaced or sealed as the specified grade requires.

+#### 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. {note}

+## High-Pressure Decorative Laminate Grade {toc}

+### The NEMA LD 3 grade of high-pressure decorative laminate on exposed vertical surfaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: HPL Grade for Exposed Vertical Surfaces

+type: select

+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"

+options:

+ - "VGS"

+ - "VGP"

+ - "HGS"

+ - "VGF"

+ - "HGF"

+default: derived

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Wood Veneer Species, Cut, and Match {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Decorative Veneer Species

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "Red oak"

+ - "White oak"

+ - "Hard maple"

+ - "Birch"

+ - "Cherry"

+ - "Black walnut"

+ - "Ash"

+ - "Sapele"

+ - "African mahogany"

+ - "Anigre"

+ - "Makore"

+ - "Wenge"

+ - "Teak"

+ - "Bamboo"

+ - "Reconstituted veneer"

+default: deferred

+```

+```datasheet

+label: Decorative Veneer Cut

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "Plain-sliced"

+ - "Quarter-sliced"

+ - "Rift-cut"

+ - "Comb grain"

+ - "Half-round sliced"

+ - "Rotary-cut"

+default: deferred

+```

+### The veneer leaf match within each door, drawer front, and exposed end shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Veneer Leaf Match Within a Panel Face

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Book match"

+ - "Slip match"

+ - "Random plank match"

+ - "Pleasing match"

+default: "Book match"

+```

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Veneer Matching Across a Cabinet Elevation

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Compatible color and grain within each cabinet"

+ - "Sequence-matched across each cabinet elevation"

+ - "Blueprint-matched across the elevation and adjoining paneling"

+```

+### 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.

+### Where veneered casework adjoins veneered paneling under [[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.

+#### 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. {note}

+# Edge Treatment {toc}

+## Door and Drawer-Front Edges {toc}

+### The edge material on doors and drawer fronts shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Door and Drawer-Front Edge Material

+type: select

+options:

+ - "PVC edgeband"

+ - "ABS edgeband"

+ - "Wood veneer edgeband"

+ - "Solid wood edge"

+ - "High-pressure laminate self-edge"

+```

+### Where a polymer edgeband is selected for doors and drawer fronts, its thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Door and Drawer-Front Polymer Edgeband Thickness

+type: range

+unit: mm

+options:

+ min: 0.5

+ max: 3

+ setpoints: [0.5, 1, 2, 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Case Body and Shelf Edges {toc}

+### The edge material on exposed and semi-exposed case body edges and on shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Case Body and Shelf Edge Material

+type: select

+options:

+ - "PVC edgeband"

+ - "ABS edgeband"

+ - "Wood veneer edgeband"

+ - "Solid wood edge"

+ - "High-pressure laminate self-edge"

+ - "Match the door and drawer-front edge"

+```

+### Where a polymer edgeband is selected for case body and shelf edges, its thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Case Body and Shelf Polymer Edgeband Thickness

+type: range

+unit: mm

+options:

+ min: 0.5

+ max: 3

+ setpoints: [0.5, 1, 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Solid Wood Edges {toc}

+### Where a solid wood edge is selected, its species shall match the veneer species of the adjoining face unless another species is indicated on [[drawing: the finish schedule]].

+### The profile and thickness of a solid wood edge shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+### 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.

+# Countertops {toc}

+## Countertop Material Family {toc}

+### The countertop material family for each counter shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Countertop Material Family

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the casework schedule and interior elevations"

+options:

+ - "High-pressure decorative laminate"

+ - "Solid surface"

+ - "Engineered quartz"

+ - "Epoxy resin"

+ - "Phenolic resin"

+ - "Compact solid phenolic laminate"

+ - "Natural stone"

+ - "Solid wood butcher block"

+ - "Stainless steel"

+default: deferred

+```

+### High-pressure decorative laminate countertops shall be fabricated and installed under this standard.

+### Solid surface and engineered quartz countertops shall be fabricated and installed under [[sync/solid-surface-countertops]] and coordinated with the casework under this standard for support, cutouts, and anchorage.

+### Epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and compact solid phenolic laminate countertops shall be fabricated and installed under [[sync/laboratory-casework]] and coordinated with the casework under this standard for support, cutouts, and anchorage.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Plastic-Laminate Countertop Construction {toc}

+### The core of a plastic-laminate countertop at locations not designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core in Dry Locations

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Particleboard"

+ - "Medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Veneer-core hardwood plywood"

+ - "Moisture-resistant particleboard"

+ - "Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard"

+default: "Particleboard"

+```

+### The core of a plastic-laminate countertop at sinks and at the locations designated wet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core at Sinks and Wet Locations

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Moisture-resistant particleboard"

+ - "Moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard"

+ - "Veneer-core hardwood plywood"

+ - "Exterior-glue plywood"

+ - "Particleboard"

+ - "Medium density fiberboard"

+```

+### The countertop core thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Core Thickness

+type: range

+unit: in.

+drawing_ref: "the millwork details"

+options:

+ min: 0.75

+ max: 1.5

+ setpoints: [0.75, 1, 1.125, 1.5]

+default: deferred

+```

+### The NEMA LD 3 grade of the countertop laminate shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: HPL Grade for Countertops

+type: select

+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"

+options:

+ - "HGS"

+ - "HGP"

+ - "HGF"

+default: derived

+```

+### Plastic-laminate countertops shall be fabricated to ANSI/AWI 1236 at the specified grade, with a balancing backer on the underside of the core.

+### 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.

+### Countertop overhangs beyond the case front, and overhangs at knee spaces and ends, shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+#### 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. {note}

+## Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge {toc}

+### The edge treatment of plastic-laminate countertops shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Treatment

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Post-formed"

+ - "Self-edge"

+ - "Applied PVC or ABS edge"

+ - "Applied solid wood edge"

+ - "Applied beveled laminate edge"

+```

+### The edge profile of each plastic-laminate countertop shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Plastic-Laminate Countertop Edge Profile

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the millwork details"

+options:

+ - "Square"

+ - "Eased"

+ - "Radiused"

+ - "Bullnose"

+ - "Waterfall"

+ - "No-drip raised edge"

+ - "Beveled"

+default: deferred

+```

+### 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Backsplash {toc}

+### The backsplash configuration at each counter shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Backsplash Configuration

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the interior elevations"

+options:

+ - "Integral coved backsplash"

+ - "Applied backsplash"

+ - "Full-height backsplash to the underside of wall cabinets"

+ - "No backsplash"

+default: deferred

+```

+### The backsplash height shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Backsplash Height

+type: range

+unit: in.

+drawing_ref: "the interior elevations"

+options:

+ min: 3

+ max: 24

+ setpoints: [3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24]

+default: deferred

+```

+### An integral coved backsplash shall be formed in the same sheet as the top with no seam at the cove.

+### 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 [[sync/joint-sealants]].

+### End splashes shall be provided where a counter abuts a wall at its end and shall match the backsplash in height and construction.

+#### 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. {note}

+# Cabinet Hardware {toc}

+## Hardware Grade {toc}

+### Cabinet hardware shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.9 at the grade indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Cabinet Hardware Grade

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Grade 1"

+ - "Grade 2"

+ - "Grade 3"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Hinges {toc}

+### The hinge type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Hinge Type

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Concealed cup hinge"

+ - "Institutional five-knuckle hinge"

+ - "Continuous piano hinge"

+ - "Exposed butt hinge"

+ - "Pivot hinge"

+default: "Concealed cup hinge"

+```

+### The minimum hinge opening angle shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Minimum Hinge Opening Angle

+type: range

+unit: degrees

+options:

+ min: 90

+ max: 270

+ setpoints: [90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 120, 125, 155, 165, 170, 180, 270]

+```

+### 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.

+### The door closing action shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Door Closing Action

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Soft-close"

+ - "Self-closing"

+ - "Free-swinging"

+```

+### 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.

+### An exposed hinge shall be finished to match the pulls.

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Drawer Slides {toc}

+### The drawer slide type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Drawer Slide Type

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Concealed undermount"

+ - "Side-mount ball-bearing"

+ - "Side-mount epoxy-coated roller"

+ - "Center-mount"

+ - "Wood-on-wood"

+```

+### The drawer slide extension shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Drawer Slide Extension

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Full extension"

+ - "Three-quarter extension"

+ - "Over-travel extension"

+default: "Full extension"

+```

+### The drawer closing action shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Drawer Closing Action

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Soft-close"

+ - "Self-closing"

+ - "Standard"

+```

+### The load rating of slides on general storage drawers shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: General Drawer Slide Load Rating

+type: range

+unit: lb

+options:

+ min: 50

+ max: 200

+ setpoints: [50, 75, 100, 150, 200]

+```

+### The load rating of slides on file drawers, equipment drawers, and pull-out shelves shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: File and Equipment Drawer Slide Load Rating

+type: range

+unit: lb

+options:

+ min: 75

+ max: 300

+ setpoints: [75, 100, 150, 200, 300]

+```

+### 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {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. {note}

+## Pulls {toc}

+### The pull type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Pull Type

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "Wire pull"

+ - "Bar pull"

+ - "Edge pull"

+ - "Recessed pull"

+ - "Knob"

+ - "Continuous integral pull channel"

+ - "Touch latch without a pull"

+default: deferred

+```

+### The pull finish shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Pull Finish

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "Satin stainless steel"

+ - "Satin chrome"

+ - "Brushed nickel"

+ - "Satin aluminum"

+ - "Matte black"

+ - "Oil-rubbed bronze"

+ - "Polished chrome"

+ - "Custom powder-coat color"

+default: deferred

+```

+### Pull size and location on each door and drawer front shall be as detailed on [[drawing: the millwork details]].

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Locks {toc}

+### The cabinets and drawers that receive locks shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the casework schedule]].

+### The lock type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Cabinet Lock Type

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Disc tumbler cam lock"

+ - "Pin tumbler cam lock"

+ - "Removable-core cam lock"

+ - "Gang lock for a drawer stack"

+ - "Electronic keypad lock"

+```

+### The lock keying shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Lock Keying

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Keyed alike within each room"

+ - "Keyed alike throughout the project"

+ - "Keyed different with a master key"

+ - "Keyed different without a master key"

+```

+### 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.

+### Locks shall be furnished with a strike or keeper and the door or drawer prepared for it at the factory.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Shelf Supports {toc}

+### The adjustable shelf support shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Adjustable Shelf Support

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "5 mm shelf pins in 32 mm system holes"

+ - "Metal shelf standards and clips"

+ - "Locking shelf clips in system holes"

+default: "5 mm shelf pins in 32 mm system holes"

+```

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+# Finishing {toc}

+## Finishing Location {toc}

+### Where wood-veneer, solid-wood, and opaque-finished casework is finished shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Finishing Location

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Factory-finished complete"

+ - "Factory-sealed with field-applied topcoats"

+ - "Field-finished complete"

+default: "Factory-finished complete"

+```

+### Factory finishing shall comply with ANSI/AWI 0400 at the specified grade.

+### Field-applied topcoats shall be applied under [[sync/interior-painting]] with a system compatible with the factory sealer identified in the product data.

+### Factory-finished and field-finished pieces shall not be mixed within a continuous run of exposed transparent-finished casework.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Transparent Finish System {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Transparent Finish System

+type: select

+options:

+ - "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"

+```

+### The stain color shall be sampled and accepted on the actual species and cut before production finishing begins.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Opaque Finish System {toc}

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Opaque Finish System

+type: select

+options:

+ - "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"

+```

+#### 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. {note}

+## Finish Sheen {toc}

+### The finish sheen shall be as indicated in the datasheet, measured under ASTM D523 at the angle the finish supplier reports.

+```datasheet

+label: Finish Sheen

+type: select

+drawing_ref: "the finish schedule"

+options:

+ - "Matte"

+ - "Satin"

+ - "Semi-gloss"

+ - "Gloss"

+default: deferred

+```

+#### 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. {note}

+# Interior Finish Fire Classification {toc}

+## The interior finish classification required of the exposed casework surfaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Required Interior Finish Classification at Casework

+type: select

+derived: "the interior wall finish class IBC Chapter 8 requires under [[parameter: adopted-building-code]] for the occupancy and the location of each casework run, applied where the casework is regulated as an interior finish"

+options:

+ - "Class A"

+ - "Class B"

+ - "Class C"

+ - "Not regulated as an interior finish at the casework locations"

+default: derived

+```

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## The locations at which casework is regulated as an interior finish shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the code analysis and life safety plans]].

+### 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. {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. {note}

+# Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Emissions and Adhesives {toc}

+## 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.

+## The compliance level required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Composite-Wood Formaldehyde Compliance Level

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "TSCA Title VI and CARB Phase 2 certified"

+ - "Ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) exempt panels"

+ - "No-added-formaldehyde (NAF) exempt panels"

+default: "TSCA Title VI and CARB Phase 2 certified"

+```

+## The adhesive emission requirement applicable to shop and field adhesives shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Adhesive Emission Requirement

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "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"

+```

+## The finish emission requirement applicable to factory and field finishes shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Finish Emission Requirement

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "Low-emitting finish system with third-party emission certification required"

+ - "Finish system meeting the volatile organic compound limits of the adopted code"

+```

+### 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. {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. {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. {note}

+# Accessible Casework {toc}

+## Whether accessible sink, work surface, and service counter stations are included in the casework shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Accessible Stations Included

+type: radio

+derived: "the accessibility scoping of IBC Chapter 11 under [[parameter: adopted-building-code]] for the sinks, work surfaces, and service counters the casework serves"

+options:

+ - "Accessible stations included"

+ - "No accessible stations in this casework"

+default: derived

+```

+## The stations that are accessible shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the casework schedule and accessibility plans]].

+## The configuration of the base at an accessible sink or work surface shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Accessible Station Base Configuration

+type: select

+options:

+ - "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"

+```

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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 [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]].

+## The Contractor shall build each accessible station to the dimensions on the reviewed shop drawings.

+### 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. {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. {note}

+# Fabrication {toc}

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## Exposed surfaces of a continuous run shall be color- and pattern-matched from one production lot of laminate or one flitch of veneer.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+# Installation {toc}

+## Concealed Blocking and Backing {toc}

+### The trade that furnishes and installs the concealed blocking and backing the casework is fastened to shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Concealed Blocking and Backing Furnished Under

+type: radio

+options:

+ - "The wall and ceiling framing trades"

+ - "The Contractor performing the work of this standard"

+default: "The wall and ceiling framing trades"

+```

+### 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.

+### 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.

+### The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of Record of missing or mislocated blocking before proceeding, and shall not proceed over a known deficiency.

+### Unless the Contract Documents indicate otherwise, wall-hung cabinets and countertop brackets shall not be fastened to gypsum board alone.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Setting, Leveling, and Scribing {toc}

+### 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.

+### 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.

+### Exposed cabinet ends, fillers, and countertops that meet walls shall be scribed to the wall contour so the joint is tight and uniform.

+### 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.

+### Fillers shall be cut and scribed in the field and shall not be left as open gaps or as unscribed strips.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Wall and Tall Cabinet Anchorage {toc}

+### The method of hanging wall cabinets and anchoring tall cabinets to the wall shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Wall and Tall Cabinet Hanging Method

+type: select

+options:

+ - "Screws through a hanging rail into blocking"

+ - "Metal hanging rail with cabinet-mounted brackets"

+ - "French cleat"

+ - "Screws through the case back into blocking"

+```

+### 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.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Seismic Anchorage {toc}

+### Whether seismic anchorage of the casework is required shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Seismic Anchorage Required

+type: radio

+derived: "[[parameter: seismic-design-category]] and the exemptions of ASCE 7 Chapter 13 for the height, weight, and support of each cabinet"

+options:

+ - "Required"

+ - "Not required"

+default: derived

+```

+### 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 [[parameter: adopted-building-code]] and ASCE 7 Chapter 13.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Countertop Installation {toc}

+### 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.

+### Countertops shall be fastened to the cabinets from below with fasteners that do not penetrate the top surface.

+### Field joints in a plastic-laminate countertop shall be drawn tight with concealed joint fasteners and sealed at the core.

+### The joint between the countertop and the wall or backsplash, and the joint around sinks and fixtures, shall be sealed under [[sync/joint-sealants]] with a sealant suited to the wet exposure of the location.

+### 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.

+## Sink and Fixture Cutouts {toc}

+### 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.

+### Cutout coordination shall be confirmed with [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]] before cutting, and a cutout shall not be made from a nominal fixture dimension.

+### 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.

+# Inspection and Adjustment of Completed Casework {toc}

+## 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.

+## Doors and drawers shall be checked for uniform reveals, smooth operation, the selected closing action, and alignment with adjacent units.

+## Countertops shall be checked for level, tight and flush field joints, sealed perimeters and cutouts, and support at every overhang and knee space.

+## Accessible stations shall be checked for the counter height and the clear knee and toe space on the reviewed shop drawings.

+## Exposed surfaces shall be checked for handling damage, lifted or chipped edgeband, delamination, and finish defects.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## 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.

+# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}

+## 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.

+## 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.

+## Countertops shall be stored flat and fully supported and shall not be stored on edge or leaning.

+## The Contractor shall bear the cost of storage, of conditioning during storage, and of replacing casework damaged or distorted in storage.

+## The Contractor shall install protective covering over completed countertops and casework fronts and shall maintain it until Substantial Completion.

+## Protective covering shall not trap moisture against the casework, mark the finish, or leave adhesive residue.

+### 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. {note}

+# Warranty {toc}

+## Product Warranty {toc}

+### The product warranty period, measured from the date of Substantial Completion, shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Product Warranty Period

+type: range

+unit: years

+options:

+ min: 1

+ max: 10

+ setpoints: [1, 2, 3, 5, 10]

+```

+### 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.

+### 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.

+### 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.

+### 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.

+## Installation Warranty {toc}

+### The installation warranty period, measured from the date of Substantial Completion, shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Installation Warranty Period

+type: range

+unit: years

+options:

+ min: 1

+ max: 10

+ setpoints: [1, 2, 3, 5, 10]

+```

+### Where the datasheet leaves the period blank, the installation warranty shall run one year from Substantial Completion.

+### 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.

+### 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.

+### 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.

+# Spare Parts and Owner Care {toc}

+## Spare Hardware and Materials {toc}

+### The spare hardware and materials delivered to the Owner before the work is accepted shall be as indicated in the datasheet.

+```datasheet

+label: Spare Hardware and Materials

+type: checkbox

+options:

+ - "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"

+```

+### 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.

+```datasheet

+label: Spare Hardware Quantity

+type: range

+unit: '%'

+options:

+ min: 0

+ max: 10

+ step: 1

+```

+### 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.

+### Touch-up finish material shall be delivered in the manufacturer's labeled containers with the batch identification of the finish applied to the work.

+#### 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. {note}

+## Owner Care of Installed Casework {toc}

+### The Owner should maintain interior temperature and relative humidity within the specified service range for the life of the casework.

+### Cleaning should use the method the delivered care instructions give for the surface being cleaned.

+### 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.

+#### 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. {note}

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