5. Improve page efficiency, getting more on fewer
Introduction
pages, making it feasible to insert the document
into every AE and construction bid package.
Since issuance of the last version of this guide, SI has
taken firm root in the US construction community.
This also reduces costs and conserves resources.
For almost all Americans, there is now a project being
Most guidance is consistent with the previous edition.
planned or designed which will be built in metric within
1-2 hours of their home.
This document supplements national policies. If it
conflicts with them, those documents ofcourse govern.
Many of us are located close to some of the projects
already being constructed in metric.
WARNING Sample drawings and data are from many
sources and are for the explicit purpose of showing good
Some of the largest federal and state projects are now
metric practice. They are not represented as current
being planned or designed in metric, and significant
design criteria. Applicable codes and criteria should be
activities have begun at local levels.
consulted prior to design on projects.
It is highly probable that the type of project you are
Sample drawings are from US projects in design and
starting has already been designed in metric by another
construction, so drawings may be preliminary. Some
region, or another federal, state or local government.
drawings are from project add alternates, thus actual
construction may vary from details shown.
At a minimum, something similar has been designed in
metric, to answer your questions. The trick is locating
We admit selecting only details or portions of details
the proper source, and obtaining material you need.
showing good metric practice. Some details have been
modified to delete inconsistent practice. Due to graphic
Through strong communication this can be achieved.
modification, details may not be to scale indicated.
Now managing major metric construction projects, we
Based on project knowledge, we feel confident to design
reject assertions that metric design and construction are
and build any road, sitework, or facilities project in
not feasible.
metric, anywhere on American soil, at little to no cost
impact, using the compromise approach established in
After January 1994, all GSA renovation and new
this document.
construction projects shall be designed in metric.
As is unfair to project that the information in this
We thank the private firms, contractors, government
document is of our doing only. We have tried to credit
agencies, and individuals who provided feedback.
other sources for their metric experience.
This document may be freely copied and distributed.
As our leaders in the recent past simply resolved to place
an American on the moon, and attained this through the
Our goals for this edition have been:
sheer willpower and resolve of the American people, let
us simply resolve to conclude the issue of metric
1. Give lessons learned on use of metric.
conversion, for the national good.
2. Minimize impact on design firms, contractors,
Let us make the firm choices and gladly accept the effort
and producers, while complying with the national
required. We are looking for partners to move boldly and
directive of complete metric conversion.
decisively with us in a direction that is very clear at this
point.
3. Use private sector guidance wherever possible.
Doing this will level the playing field for the next
4. Convert to a metric thought process.
generation, the children and grandchildren in our
families, so they may compete head on with other
Many regions have metric construction, and most
nations, without hindrance of an outdated system whose
others have done metric planning or designing, so
time has come.
basic material has been condensed or deleted.
We have avoided using old units wherever possible.
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