The following information was provided by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI). You can view the PDF version of this press release here. CSI East Bay-Oakland did not produce this information. Contact AWI for more information.
AWI LEADS NEW WOODWORK STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ANSI PROCESS
New Casework Performance Duty Levels Established
Potomac Falls, VA, July 10, 2019 – The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) is creating a new suite of
standards for architectural woodwork. The creation of these standards, which is expected to continue over
the next three years, will define and address each aspect of architectural woodwork. Development of the
AWI 0641 – Architectural Wood Casework Standard is currently underway in its second round of public
comment.
AWI 0641 – Architectural Wood Casework Standard features the well-known Premium, Custom or
Economy Grades as designations for aesthetic requirements while a new designation of Casework
Performance Duty Levels is being introduced. Through rigorous casework testing performed at AWI’s
National Testing Center in Americus, GA, AWI established data-driven designations of casework load
performance measures as Duty Levels 1, 2, 3, & 4. “Providing specifiers and design professionals with
simpler and clearer methods to designate casework performance and casework appearance improves the
specification and design process and contributes to the owners receiving the best value”, stated AWI staff
member Margaret Fisher. The new AWI 0641 – Architectural Wood Casework Standard is expected to
complete the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) vetting process and is slated for publication in
first quarter of 2020.
While the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), Edition 2, 2014 remains AWI’s current and
recognized woodwork standard, Ms. Fisher, noted that several standards, including AWI’s first ANSIdesignated standard, ANSI/AWI 0620-2018 – Finish Carpentry/Installation, became effective on March
15, 2019.
The ANSI/AWI 0620-2018 – Finish Carpentry/Installation Standard, along with AWI 100 – Submittals,
AWI 200 – Care & Storage, and AWI – 300 Materials, are currently available for download and reference
from AWI’s website, www.awinet.org. Design professionals and specifiers are encouraged to use AWI’s
new Standards in upcoming project specifications. Meanwhile, interim specification language recommended
by AWI is as follows: “All work in this section shall comply with AWI’s published standards, latest
edition, for grades of architectural woodwork indicated for construction, finishes, installation, and
other requirements.“
AWI will continue to provide technical assistance for the users of the current AWS, Second Edition and
each new AWI Standard as they are released. Technical help is available by contact AWI Technical
Director, Ashley Goodin, at 229-389-2543 or by email at help@awinet.org . If you would like more
information about this topic, please contact Margaret Fisher at 571-926-5522 or by email at
mfisher@awinet.org.
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About AWI: The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1953.
Today, AWI represents nearly 3000 members consisting of architectural woodworkers, suppliers, design
professionals and students from around the world. 46179 Westlake Drive, Potomac Falls, VA 20165