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 | May 26, 2020
Is CLT really a green solution?
Sustainability depends upon forest stewardship, product manufacturing process.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
St. Louis is first Midwest city to pass building energy performance standard
Allows owners broad flexibility on how to achieve goals.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2020
Supreme Court says Georgia cannot copyright its entire official code
Ruling may have implications for other states claiming copyright for building codes.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Strategies to reduce personal contact in multifamily properties
Design can improve health amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
Canada Green Building Council says building industry lacks zero-carbon skills, knowledge
Net-zero target requires shift in thinking and practices.
Codes and Standards | May 18, 2020
California’s grid can support all-electric buildings
Load-shifting will help reduce peak demand.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2020
European cities to revamp transportation after pandemic reopening
Road closures, new rules for public transit will be imposed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
Washington State construction industry restart plan has three phases
In state with earliest COVID-19 cases, advisory group developing priorities based on risk.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2020
More mass timber beam and column options available in the U.S.
Freres Lumber unveils new line of structural elements suitable for high-rise buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2020
Researchers flag insufficient training for construction workers on healthcare projects
May contribute to fungal disease outbreaks that endanger patients
