Common Arrangement of Work Sections - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:32, 31 August 2026

2026-08-31T07:32:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 31 August 2026
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	The Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) was developed by the Construction Project Information Committee (CPIC), a pan-industry organisation with representatives from key industry institutes.		The Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) was developed by the Construction Project Information Committee (CPIC), a pan-industry organisation with representatives from key industry institutes.

−	It was developed as a result of research demonstrating that the quality of construction information was a very significant determinant of the quality of construction. It was recognised that standardisation of the way production information was created and classified could help improve quality, and that the commonly used ~~CISfb~~ classification was not sufficiently comprehensive to achieve this.	+	It was developed as a result of research demonstrating that the quality of construction information was a very significant determinant of the quality of construction. It was recognised that standardisation of the way production information was created and classified could help improve quality, and that the commonly used CI/SfB classification was not sufficiently comprehensive to achieve this.

−	CAWS established a consistent arrangement for specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by CPIC in 1998 to align it with the Unified Classification for the Construction Industry (Uniclass). In 2005 ~~nbs~~ submitted to CPIC, modifications to the services sections of CAWS for consideration and following 5 years of consultation these changes were accepted.	+	CAWS established a consistent arrangement for specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by CPIC in 1998 to align it with the Unified Classification for the Construction Industry (Uniclass). In 2005 NBS submitted to CPIC modifications to the services sections of CAWS for consideration, and following 5 years of consultation these changes were accepted.

−	CAWS is the categorisation of work that is used for the National Building Specification ([http://www.thenbs.com NBS] – which before 1987 followed the ~~CISfB~~ structure), National Engineering Specification (NES), the Standard Method of Measurement~~, currently in its 7th Edition~~ (SMM7) and a number of industry pricing books such as Spons, Laxtons and Wessex.	+	CAWS is the categorisation of work that is used for the National Building Specification ([http://www.thenbs.com NBS] - which before 1987 followed the CI/SfB structure), National Engineering Specification (NES), the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7), and a number of industry pricing books such as Spons, Laxtons and Wessex.

	CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.		CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.

−	In 2011, the CPIC used the ~~nbs~~ proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape, it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.	+	In 2011, the CPIC used the NBS proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape; it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.

	The main categories are:		The main categories are:
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	* A - Preliminaries		* A - Preliminaries
	* B - Complete buildings / structures / units		* B - Complete buildings / structures / units
−	* C - Demolition / Alteration /Renovation	+	* C - Demolition / Alteration / Renovation
	* D - Groundwork		* D - Groundwork
	* E - In situ concrete / Large precast concrete		* E - In situ concrete / Large precast concrete
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	Each section includes further sub-classification and offers detailed information and supplementary rules. For more information see: Common arrangement of work sections classification.		Each section includes further sub-classification and offers detailed information and supplementary rules. For more information see: Common arrangement of work sections classification.

−	NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.	+	NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM), which has moved away from CAWS to adopt its own system of indexing. The NRM suite was itself reissued by RICS as practice information in October 2022, incorporating a 2021 update; RICS has confirmed that earlier editions of NRM are now out of date. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
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	= External references =		= External references =

−	* [~~http~~://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].	+	* [https://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].
	* [http://www.thenbs.com NBS].		* [http://www.thenbs.com NBS].
−	* NBS ~~article~~ on ~~[http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/newUniclassWorkectionsTable.asp~~ CAWS reclassification].	+
−	* NBS article on ~~[http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co~~-ordinating CAWS and NRM].	+	(The NBS articles on CAWS reclassification and on co-ordinating CAWS and NRM previously cited here are no longer available online.)

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings at 10:46, 14 December 2023

2023-12-14T10:46:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 14 December 2023
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	NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.		NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Bills of quantities.		* Bills of quantities.

Designing Buildings at 07:55, 3 September 2020

2020-09-03T07:55:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 3 September 2020
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	* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].		* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].

−	[[Category:~~Standards_/_measurements~~]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

81.104.134.210 at 10:58, 29 May 2020

2020-05-29T10:58:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:58, 29 May 2020
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	* W - Communications / Security / Control systems		* W - Communications / Security / Control systems
	* X - Transport systems		* X - Transport systems
		+	* Y - General Engineering Services
	* Z - Building fabric reference specification		* Z - Building fabric reference specification

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	* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].		* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].

−	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Editor at 17:04, 31 July 2019

2019-07-31T17:04:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 31 July 2019
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	NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.		NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Bills of quantities.		* Bills of quantities.
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	* Sundry items.		* Sundry items.
	* Uniclass.		* Uniclass.
		+	* Work section.

−	=== External references ===	+	= External references =

	* [http://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].		* [http://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].

Editor at 14:55, 18 April 2018

2018-04-18T14:55:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 18 April 2018
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	* Spot items.		* Spot items.
	* Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).		* Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).
		+	* Sundry items.
	* Uniclass.		* Uniclass.

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	* [http://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].		* [http://www.cpic.org.uk CPIC].
−	* [http://www.thenbs.com ~~nbs~~].	+	* [http://www.thenbs.com NBS].
−	* ~~nbs~~ article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/newUniclassWorkectionsTable.asp CAWS reclassification].	+	* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/newUniclassWorkectionsTable.asp CAWS reclassification].
−	* ~~nbs~~ article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].	+	* NBS article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].

	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor: Reverted edits by 199.212.251.10 (talk) to last revision by Editor

2018-03-21T16:54:29Z

Reverted edits by 199.212.251.10 (talk) to last revision by Editor

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 21 March 2018
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	CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.		CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.
−
−	~~YOOOOOO MOMS GAY~~

	In 2011, the CPIC used the nbs proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape, it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.		In 2011, the CPIC used the nbs proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape, it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.
Line 71:		Line 69:
	* nbs article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].		* nbs article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].

−	~~[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]~~ [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

199.212.251.10 at 16:02, 21 March 2018

2018-03-21T16:02:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 21 March 2018
Line 8:		Line 8:

	CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.		CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.
		+
		+	YOOOOOO MOMS GAY

	In 2011, the CPIC used the nbs proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape, it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.		In 2011, the CPIC used the nbs proposals for re-classification of the work sections in CAWS and Uniclass Table J as the basis of a consultation process for revising Uniclass. This development of Uniclass as a whole is considered to better accommodate civil engineering and process engineering alongside architecture and landscape, it also better enables the description of systems in performance terms, and is more suited to accommodating facilities management.
Line 69:		Line 71:
	* nbs article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].		* nbs article on [http://www.thenbs.com/topics/practicemanagement/articles/coordinatingCommonArrangement-Uniclass-NBS-RulesofMeasurement.asp Co-ordinating CAWS and NRM].

−	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 16:05, 20 March 2018

2018-03-20T16:05:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 20 March 2018
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	CAWS established a consistent arrangement for specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by CPIC in 1998 to align it with the Unified Classification for the Construction Industry (Uniclass). In 2005 nbs submitted to CPIC, modifications to the services sections of CAWS for consideration and following 5 years of consultation these changes were accepted.		CAWS established a consistent arrangement for specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by CPIC in 1998 to align it with the Unified Classification for the Construction Industry (Uniclass). In 2005 nbs submitted to CPIC, modifications to the services sections of CAWS for consideration and following 5 years of consultation these changes were accepted.

−	CAWS is the categorisation of work that is used for the National Building Specification ([http://www.thenbs.com ~~nbs~~] – which before 1987 followed the CISfB structure), National Engineering Specification (NES), the Standard Method of Measurement, currently in its 7th Edition (SMM7) and a number of industry pricing books such as Spons, Laxtons and Wessex.	+	CAWS is the categorisation of work that is used for the National Building Specification ([http://www.thenbs.com NBS] – which before 1987 followed the CISfB structure), National Engineering Specification (NES), the Standard Method of Measurement, currently in its 7th Edition (SMM7) and a number of industry pricing books such as Spons, Laxtons and Wessex.

	CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.		CAWS has since been incorporated into Table J of Uniclass, which was also developed by CPIC. Uniclass is a classification system for organising library materials, product literature and project information.
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	* D - Groundwork		* D - Groundwork
	* E - In situ concrete / Large precast concrete		* E - In situ concrete / Large precast concrete
−	* F – Masonry	+	* F - Masonry
−	* G – Structural / Carcassing metal / timber	+	* G - Structural / Carcassing metal / timber
	* H - Cladding / Covering		* H - Cladding / Covering
	* J - Waterproofing		* J - Waterproofing
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	Each section includes further sub-classification and offers detailed information and supplementary rules. For more information see: Common arrangement of work sections classification.		Each section includes further sub-classification and offers detailed information and supplementary rules. For more information see: Common arrangement of work sections classification.

−	NB SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.	+	NB: SMM7 has been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) which has moved away from CAWS, to adopt its own system of indexing. See New Rules of Measurement for more information.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =
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	* Production information.		* Production information.
	* Specifications.		* Specifications.
		+	* Spot items.
	* Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).		* Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).
	* Uniclass.		* Uniclass.

Editor at 11:40, 16 March 2017

2017-03-16T11:40:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 16 March 2017
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	* Bills of quantities.		* Bills of quantities.
	* BIM classification.		* BIM classification.
		+	* CI/SfB.
	* Classification, an introduction.		* Classification, an introduction.
	* Common arrangement of work sections classification.		* Common arrangement of work sections classification.