AWCC Specifications Standards Manual

Fourth Edition (2003) of the AWCC Specifications Standards Manual has been released as of December 2002. This manual is designed to level the playing field when it comes to industry standards of practice for wall and ceiling work. This standard brings together in one place all the major industry standards of practice. Users include the specifying authorities, architects, engineers, general and trade contractors, building officials, municipalities and regional districts, and a growing list of legal firms are purchasing the standards as well.

Don't Start Your Job Without It!

How to use the manual - an online sample of the manual's contents.
Introduction - the introduction from the manual.
References - the references and standards listing from the manual.

This Manual has been in the works for nearly 28 months, with a complete revision of the previous 1993 version. Committee work amounted to dozens of hours of detailed review and hundreds of hours of careful revision. Every Section - 18 in all - has been completely updated, and many new ones added to cover all the major scopes of work for wall and ceiling industry standards. A few of the highlights include:

  • Gypsum Board and Interior Plastering sections - updated to current standards
  • The Steel Framing sections have incorporated new systems
  • The limiting heights tables - updated to meet current manufacturing standards in Canada and conform to the universal designator system for studs, tracks and channels.
  • The EIFS section has been expanded to incorporate a comprehensive generic specification
  • The stucco and EIFS sections have been brought up to date with current industry practice (rainscreen systems were specified in both the 1983 and 1993 Editions)

New sections have been added for:

  • Metal Ceiling Systems
  • Acoustic Panels
  • Fibre Reinforced Gypsum and Fibre Reinforced Cement panels
  • Access Flooring Systems

Also, the Acoustic Ceiling section has been greatly expanded to cover the ever-growing range of ceiling decorations.

Included within the Standards is the latest edition of the Fire Design Manual from the Gypsum Association and a literature series from the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute. Included within the supporting documents are discussion on Sustainable Design and guidance on Quality Assurance.

Transition to New Standard

This manual supersedes the 1993 Edition. In order to deal with the transition from the 1993 version to the new "2003" version, an effective change-over date has been designated: December 31, 2002.

During the transition from the 1993 to the 2003 version, projects specified and bid under the 1993 version should continue to conform to the 1993 document. Effective January 1st 2003 however, project specifications must reference the latest "2003" version of the AWCC Specification Standards Manual.