METRIC DESIGN GUIDE
Metric Projects
Some round metric products have minimum order quantities which may limit them to a project
involving renovation of a floor or more of a building. Individual projects must be evaluated by
managers for scope and size in planning them. Most products, however, are identical to the
English-dimensioned products and can be used on any project. A modification of an entire
building or a new building project has a large enough buying power and trade learning curve
that all products in this guide may be used without extraordinary research.
Computer-aided drafting (CAD) has simplified execution of metric renovation projects, since
drawings can be digitized in English dimensions and converted to metric scale. However,
professional rounding must still be done after conversion. In major renovations, new round
metric sizes can be installed, such as an entire new 600by 600 mm ceiling system, even if the
original module was different. Many historical buildings do not fit any module.
Do not control HVAC in one part of a building using Celsius temperature, while another part
retains Fahrenheit. An entire building should be switched at once. A building temperature
system can be converted to Celcius with no cost impact today, since modern digital HVAC
control equipment has either degrees C or F as a software option.
Small Projects
On some smaller size metric design and construction projects, contractors converted drawings
and specifications done completely in metric dimensions back to English dimensions. In a few
cases the contractor made mistakes in translation, one of them resulting in the wrong size steel
columns being delivered to the job site. Contractors should be cautioned at the preconstruction
meeting not to do this, as such errors are at their expense. Projects below
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- 2million have
been successfully completed in round metric, but they should be carefully reviewed so issues
such as minimum order quantities do not have a large effect on time and cost.
A/E-CM CBD Guidance
Commerce Business Daily (CBD) advertisements for A/E or construction management (CM)
solicitations should use the following terminology.
State the area of the project in square meters only.
Example: The new building will be approximately 15 000 occupiable square meters of
office and storage space.
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