The nation’s leading computer-aided design (CAD) standard has been updated. The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released the newest edition of the United States National CAD Standard (NCS). Version 6 (V6) is available online at the NCSwebsite.
The NCS helps architects, constructors and operators coordinate efforts by classifying electronic design data consistently and making information retrieval easier, the industry groups say. It improves communication among owners and project teams; cuts or eliminates costs of developing and maintaining company-specific standards; and reduces the expense of transferring building data from design applications to facility management applications.
More than 6,000 architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms have voluntarily adopted the NCS in their workplaces. For this edition, NCS owners submitted an unprecedented 379 ballot items.
The new edition includes:
• New implementation guidelines on how to successfully implement the NCS for building information modeling (BIM) use.
• An improved style format.
• An enhanced and improved Symbols Library. New “Survey/Mapping” Discipline Designators.
• New Major and Minor Groups definitions added for “Airports and Plumbing.”
• A revised “Module 1 – File Naming” section to better address Model Files and Sheet Files.
• A Revised “Module 4 – Drafting Conventions, 4.2 Drawing Standards” list of common scales to add “Site/Civil” scale descriptions.
• A Revised “Module 4 – Drafting Conventions, 4.3 Sheet Types” section, which includes a new “Floor Numbering” format.
• New and revised “Communications” terms and abbreviations.
• A Revised “Module 7 – Notations, 7.4 User’s Guide” text format for notes.
• A Revised “Plotting Guidelines” introduction.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 2, 2020
California releases guide for state water policy
Water Resilience Portfolio is roadmap for meeting water needs as climate changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2020
Fenestration alliance updates fenestration sealants guide
First update to 2009 document.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2020
Platform will allow researchers to test energy system integration at scale
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently launched the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.
Codes and Standards | Aug 20, 2020
Wariness of elevators may stymie office reopening
Workers could balk at returning to high-rises.
Codes and Standards | Aug 19, 2020
Existing laws may be restricting efforts to cut carbon emissions
Outdated policies favor fossil fuels.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2020
Florida becomes the third state to adopt concrete repair code
Sets minimum requirements for design, construction, repair of concrete structural elements in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2020
ASCE seeks comments on seismic standard
Pertains to design criteria for nuclear facilities.
Codes and Standards | Aug 13, 2020
COVID-19 reboot guide offers strategies for reopening K-12 schools
Looks at space considerations for reopening at different scales.
Codes and Standards | Aug 12, 2020
Document provides guidance for mass timber construction
Overview of Intl. Building Code requirements included.
Codes and Standards | Aug 11, 2020
Inefficient air conditioning is a key contributor to global warming
More efficient equipment and buildings could make a big difference.