METRIC GUIDE

FOR FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION

First Edition

The Construction Subcommittee

of the Metrication Operating Committee
of the
Interagency on Metric Policy

Published by the
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BUILDING SCIENCES
1201 L Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Call 202-289-7800 for ordering information.

Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, National Institute of Building Sciences.

First printing, December 1991
Second printing, March 1992
Third printing, August 1992
Fourth printing, April 1993

METRIC GUIDE
FOR FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION

First Edition

The Construction Subcommittee

of the Metrication Operating Committee
of the
Interagency Council on Metric Policy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Construction Subcommittee of the Interagency Council on Metric Policy's

Metrication Operating Committee has prepared this guide to aid the federal
agencies in implementing the metric system of measurement in the federal
construction process.
I would like to express my appreciation to Arnold Prima of the Office of the
Secretary of Defense, who first voiced a need for the guide and initiated its
development; to William Brenner of the National Institute of Building Sciences, who wrote it; to Claret Heider, its editor; and to reviewers William Aird
of the State Department, Valerie Antoine and Louis Sokol of the U.S. Metric
Association, Bruce Barrow of the Defense Information Systems Agency, Maria
Grazi Bruschi of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Ronald Clevenger of
the Tennessee Valley Authority, Amitabha Datta of the General Services Administration, Troy Estes of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Luther Flouton of the Public Health Service, James Gross of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Leslie Hegyi, Stan Jakuba of S.I. Jakub
Associates, H. Leslie Simmons, Lee Schmidt of the U.S. Air Force, Clark Tufts
and Gerald Underwood of the American National Metric Council, and Anthony
Welch of the Federal Highway Administration.
I also would like to thank the many, many people who have given their time and
energies over the years to developing the metric information on which the
guide is based.
Finally, I would like to thank the Public Buildings Service of the General
Services Administration, which provided the majority of funding for the
guide's preparation.

Thomas R. Rutherford, PE
Chairman, Construction Subcommittee

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO METRIC
Metric is the Law..........................................................
Why Metric?................................................................
Metric in Construction.....................................................
METRIC USAGE
Basic Metric...............................................................
Length, Area, and Volume...................................................
Civil and Structural Engineering...........................................
Mechanical Engineering.....................................................
Electrical Engineering.....................................................
Construction Trades........................................................
METRIC DOCUMENTS
Drawings...................................................................
Specifications and Publications............................................
MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING.......................................................
METRIC REFERENCES.............................................................

METRIC IS THE LAW

The Metric Conversion Act

The

as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of

establishes the modern metric system (System International or SI) as the
preferred system of measurement in the United States. It requires that, to
the extent feasible, the metric system be used in all federal procurement,
grants, and business-related activities by September 30, 1992.
1988,

Metric Conversion Act of 1975,

The Executive Order on Metric Usage

Executive Order 12770 (July 25, 1991),

mandates that each federal agency:

Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs,

- Make a transition to the use of metric units in government publications as

they are revised on normal schedules or as new publications are developed.
- Work with other governmental, trade, professional, and private sector metric
organizations on metric implementation.
- Formulate, approve, and implement a Metric Transition
and provide it to the Secretary of Commerce.

Plan

by November 30, 1991,

The Metric Transition Plan is required to include:

The scope of the metric transition task and firm dates for all metric accomplishment milestones for 1991 and 1992,
Initiatives to enhance cooperation with industry as it voluntarily converts to
the metric system, and
A schedule of activities to increase the understanding of the metric system
through educational information and in publications.
- Designate a Metric Executive who is responsible for carrying out the Metric
Transition Plan and preparing annual agency progress reports.
The Interagency Council on Metric Policy

To coordinate implementation of the Metric Conversion Act among the federal

agencies, the Interagency Council on Metric Policy (ICMP) has been established
under the Department of Commerce. The ICMP's working arm is the Metrication
Operating Committee, which has 10 subcommittees, including one on construction.
The Construction Subcommittee

The task of the Construction Subcommittee is to facilitate the metrication of

all federal construction, a $40 billion annual expenditure. During the summer
of 1991, the Construction Subcommittee established a goal of instituting the use of
metric in the design of all new federal facilities by January 1994.
To meet the requirements of the Metric Conversion Act and Executive Order 12770 and
to help achieve this goal, the Construction Subcommittee has prepared this
guide.

WHY METRIC?

Metric Is the International Standard

Developed at the time of the French Revolution, the metric system rapidly
spread throughout Europe during the Napoleonic wars. It was promoted in the
United States first by Thomas Jefferson and later by John Quincy Adams, but
the federal government took no formal action on metric until 1866 when its use
as a measurement system was legalized. In 1893, all standard U.S. measures
were defined in terms of metric units. In 1902, Congressional legislation
requiring the federal government to use metric exclusively was defeated by a
single vote. Today, the United States is the last industrialized country to
commit to metric.
The modern metric system was established by international agreement in 1960.
It now is the standard international language of measurement and the system
mandated by the Metric Conversion Act for use in the United States.
Metric Is Coherent

The modern metric system is coherent in that only one unit is used for each
physical quantity and there are no conversion factors or constants to remember. The meter (and its decimal multiples), for example, is the single metric
measure for length while its inch-pound system equivalents include the mil,
the inch, the foot, the yard, the fathom, the rod, the chain, the furlong, and
the mile, among others.
Metric's coherency, its simple base units, and its use of decimal arithmetic
make it an especially logical and useful measurement system.

METRIC IN CONSTRUCTION

The Experience of Other Countries

There has been much speculation about the difficulty of converting to metric
in the U.S. construction industry. The experience of the British, Australians, South Africans, and Canadians -- all of whom converted from the inchpound system to metric in the past 20 years -- indicates otherwise:
- Metric conversion proved much less difficult than anticipated since most
work is built in place.
- There was no appreciable increase in either design or construction costs,
and conversion costs for most construction industry sectors were minimal or
offset by later savings.
- The architecture/engineering community liked metric dimensioning since it
was less prone to error and easier to use than feet and inches and since
engineering calculations were faster and more accurate because there were no
unit conversions and no fractions.
- Metric offered a one-time chance to reduce the many product sizes and shapes
that have accumulated over the years but are no longer useful, thus saving
production, inventory, and procurement costs.
- Architecture/engineering firms in these countries found that it took a week
or less for staff members to learn to think and produce in metric, and most
tradespeople took only a few hours to adapt.
Recent Developments in the United States

Several developments should make metric conversion in the United States

construction industry easier:
- The use of computer-aided design and drafting systems continues to increase
and almost all engineering and cost calculations now are performed on computers. Virtually all HVAC system controls are digitized. Computer-controlled
manufacturing operations are now common. In each of these areas, the use of
metric is greatly simplified.
- The codes and construction standards of two of the country's three model
building code organizations (BOCA and SBCCI) and of NFPA and ASTM contain dual
units (both inch-pound and metric) where measurements are specified. Many
other standards-writing organizations have added metric measurements to their
documents or are preparing to do so.
- The preliminary results of several recent General Services Administration
metric pilot projects in the Philadelphia area indicate no increase in design
or construction costs.
- American design and construction firms use metric routinely in foreign work
with no reported problems.
- The costs of metric conversion in other U.S. industries have been far lower
than expected, and the benefits greater. Total conversion costs were less
than 1 percent of original estimates at General Motors, which now is fully
metric. Rationalization of fastener sizes at IBM during metric conversion
reduced fastener part numbers from 38,000 to 4,000. The liquor industry
reduced its container sizes from 53 to 7 after converting to metric.

Thus, Americans are increasingly exposed to metric in daily life and now take
for granted many metric products. Without fanfare, the United States is
moving toward a metric society.
International Competitiveness

For those sectors of the U.S. construction industry that export goods or
services, metrication is vital:
- In 1990, U.S. non-lumber construction product exports totaled about $2.8
billion and imports totaled about $4.2 billion.
- Foreign billings for American architecture/engineering/
contracting firms amounted to $3.2 billion in 1989 with about a third of this
from Europe.*
- The European Community, now the world's largest market, has specified that
products with nonmetric labels will not be permitted for sale after 1992.
- The largest U.S. trading partners, Canada and Mexico, are now predominately
metric countries.
- During the ongoing U.S.-Japanese Structural Impediments Initiative negotiations, the Japanese have identified nonmetric U.S. products as a specific
barrier to the importation of U.S. goods.
Given this situation, some American manufacturers, such as Otis Elevator, are
switching to metric to increase their international competitiveness and reduce
their parts inventories. Others, such as the wood industry, have shipped
exports in metric for many years.
Clearly, it is in the American construction industry's long-term interest to
"go metric."

BASIC METRIC

Base Units

There are seven metric base units of measurement, six of which are used in
design and construction. (The seventh, mole, is the amount of molecular
substance and is used in physics.)

Quantity

Unit

length
mass*
time
electric current
temperature
luminous intensity

meter
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
candela

Symbol

m
kg
s
A
K
cd

"Weight" in common practice often is used

to mean "mass."
*

Celsius temperature (C) is more commonly used than kelvin (K), but both have
the same temperature gradients. Celsius temperature is simply 273.15 degrees
warmer than kelvin, which begins at absolute zero. For instance, water
freezes at 273.15 K and at 0 C; it boils at 373.15 K and at 100 C. To move
between Celsius and kelvin, add or subtract 273.15.
Decimal Prefixes

Only two decimal prefixes are commonly used with the base units in design and
construction:
Prefix
Symbol

kilo
milli

k
m

Order of
Magnitude

103
10-3

Expression

1000 (one thousand)

0.001 (one thousandth)

The prefixes mega (M) for one million (106), giga (G) for one billion (109),
micro (m) for one millionth (10-6), and nano (n) for one billionth (10-9) are
used in some engineering calculations.
Decimal prefixes to the tertiary power of 10 are preferred. The prefixes deci
(d) for one tenth (10-1), centi (c) for one hundredth (10-2), deca (da) for ten
(101), and hecto (h) for one hundred (102) have limited application in construction.

Plane and Solid Angles

The radian (rad) and steradian (sr) denote plane and solid angles. They are
used in lighting work and in various engineering calculations. In surveying,
the units degree (), minute ('), and second (") continue in use.
Derived Units

Fifteen derived units with special names are used in engineering calculations:
Quantity

Name

frequency
force
pressure, stress
energy, work, quantity of heat
power, radiant flux
electric charge, quantity
electric potential
capacitance
electric resistance
electric conductance
magnetic flux
magnetic flux density
inductance
luminous flux
illuminance

hertz
newton
pascal
joule
watt
coulomb
volt
farad
ohm
siemens
weber
tesla
henry
lumen
lux

Symbol

Hz
N
Pa
J
W
C
V
F
W
S
Wb
T
H
lm
lx

Expression

Hz = s-1
N = kgm/s2
Pa = N/m2
J = Nm
W = J/s
C = As
V = W/A or J/C
F = C/V
W = V/A
S = A/V or W-1
Wb = Vs
T = Wb/m2
H = Wb/A
lm = cdsr
lx = lm/m2

Liter, Hectare, and Metric Ton

The liter (L) is the measurement for liquid volume. The hectare (ha) is a
metric measurement used in surveying. The metric ton (t) is used to denote
large loads such as those used in excavating.
Pronunciation

candela
hectare
joule
kilometer
pascal
siemens

Accent the second syllable, can-dell-ah.

Accent the first syllable: heck-tare. The second syllable rhymes
with care.
Rhymes with pool.
Accent the first syllable: kill-o-meter.
Rhymes with rascal.
Sounds like seamen's.

Rules for Writing Metric Symbols and Names

Print unit symbols in upright type and in lower case except for liter (L)
or unless the unit name is derived from a proper name.

Print unit names in lower case, even those derived from a proper name.

Print decimal prefixes in lower case for magnitudes 103 and lower (that is,
k, m, m, and n) and print the prefixes in upper case for magnitudes 106 and
higher (that is, M and G).

Leave a space between a numeral and a symbol (write 45 kg or 37 C, not

45kg or 37C or 37 C).

Do not use a degree mark () with kelvin temperature (write K, not K).

Do not leave a space between a unit symbol and its decimal prefix (write
kg, not k g).

Do not use the plural of unit symbols (write 45 kg, not 45 kgs), but do use
the plural of written unit names (several kilograms).

For technical writing, use symbols in conjunction with numerals (the area
is 10 m2); write out unit names if numerals are not used (carpet is
measured in square meters). Numerals may be combined with written unit
names in nontechnical writing (10 meters).

Indicate the product of two or more units in symbolic form by using a dot
positioned above the line (kgms-2).

Do not mix names and symbols (write Nm or newton meter, not Nmeter or
newtonm).

Do not use a period after a symbol (write "12 g", not "12 g.") except when
it occurs at the end of a sentence.
Rules for Writing Numbers

Always use decimals, not fractions (write 0.75 g, not g).

Use a zero before the decimal marker for values less than one (write 0.45
g, not .45 g).

Use spaces instead of commas to separate blocks of three digits for any
number over four digits (write 45 138 kg or 0.004 46 kg or 4371 kg). Note
that this does not apply to the expression of amounts of money.

In the United States, the decimal marker is a period; in other countries a

comma usually is used.
Conversion and Rounding

When converting numbers from inch-pounds to metric, round the metric value
to the same number of digits as there were in the inch-pound number (11
miles at 1.609 km/mi equals 17.699 km, which rounds to 18 km).

Convert mixed inch-pound units (feet and inches, pounds and ounces) to the
smaller inch-pound unit before converting to metric and rounding (10 feet,
3 inches = 123 inches; 123 inches x 25.4 mm = 3124.2 mm; round to 3124
mm).

In a "soft" conversion, an inch-pound measurement is mathematically converted to its exact (or nearly exact) metric equivalent. With "hard"
conversion, a new rounded, rationalized metric number is created that is
convenient to work with and remember.
Visualizing Metric

A few basic comparisons are worth remembering to help visualize metric:

-

One millimeter is about 1/25 inch or slightly less than the thickness of a
dime.
One meter is the length of a yardstick plus about 3-1/3 inches.
One gram is about the mass (weight) of a large paper clip.
One kilogram is about the mass (weight) of a softbound model building code
book (2.2 pounds).
One liter is about the volume of a 4 inch cube (100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm).
One liter of water has a mass of 1 kilogram.
One inch is just a fraction (1/64 inch) longer than 25 mm (1 inch = 25.4
mm; 25 mm = 63/64 inch).
Four inches are about 1/16 inch longer than 100 mm (4 inches = 101.6 mm;
100 mm = 3-15/16 inches).
One foot is about 3/16 inch longer than 300 mm (12 inches = 304.8 mm; 300
mm = 11-13/16 inches).
Four feet are about 3/4 inch longer than 1200 mm (4 feet = 1219.2 mm; 1200
mm = 3 feet, 11 inches).

The metric equivalent of a typical 2-foot by 4-foot ceiling grid is 600 x 1200
mm, so metric ceiling tiles and lighting fixtures are about 3/8 inch smaller
in one dimension and 3/4 inch smaller in the other.
-

Similarly, the metric equivalent of a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood or drywall is

1200 x 2400 mm, so metric sheets are about 3/4 inch narrower and 1-1/2
inches shorter.

"Rounding down" from multiples of 4 inches to multiples of 100 mm makes

dimensions exactly 1.6 percent smaller and areas about 3.2 percent smaller.
About 3/16 inch is lost in every linear foot.

References

The metric units in this guide are those adopted by the U.S. government (see
the Federal Register of December 20, 1990; Federal Standard 376A, Preferred Metric
Units for Use by the Federal Government; and PB 89-226922, Metric Handbook for Federal Officials).
They are identical to the units in the following publications, which
constitute the standard reference works on metric in the United States:
-

ASTM E 621,

Standard Practice for Use of Metric (SI) Units in Design and Construction,

ANSI/IEEE 268,

ASTM E 380,

American National Standard Metric Practice,

and

Standard Practice for the Use of the International System of Units (SI).

For editorial matters, also refer to:

-

American National Metric Council,

U.S. Metric Association,

Metric Editorial Guide

and

Metric Units of Measure and Style Guide.

See the "Metric References" section of this guide for ordering information.

LENGTH, AREA, AND VOLUME

One metric unit is used to measure length, area, and volume in most design and
construction work:
-

meter (m).
Rules for Linear Measurement (Length)

Use only the meter and millimeter in building design and construction.

Use the kilometer for long distances and the micrometer for precision
measurements.

Avoid use of the centimeter.

For survey measurement, use the meter and the kilometer.

Rules for Area

The square meter is preferred.

Very large areas may be expressed in square kilometers and very small
areas, in square millimeters.

Use the hectare (10 000 square meters) for land and water measurement only.

Avoid use of the square centimeter.

Linear dimensions such as 40 x 90 mm may be used; if so, indicate width

first and height second.
Rules for Volume and Fluid Capacity

Cubic meter is preferred for volumes in construction and for large storage
tanks.

Use liter (L) and milliliter (mL) for fluid capacity (liquid volume).
liter is 1/1000 of a cubic meter or 1000 cubic centimeters.

Since a cubic meter equals one billion cubic millimeters, the cubic decimeter and cubic centimeter may be used in limited applications, since they
are multiples of 1000 in volume measurement.

One

Area, Length, and Volume Conversion Factors

Quantity

Length

From
Inch-Pound Units

mile
yard
foot

Volume

NOTE:

Multiply
by

km
m
m
mm
mm

1.609 344
0.914 4
0.304 8
304.8
25.4

square yard
square foot
square inch

km2
m2
ha (10 000 m2)
m2
m2
mm2

2.590 00
4 046.856
0.404 685 6
0.836 127 36
0.092 903 04
645.16

acre foot
cubic yard
cubic foot
cubic foot
cubic foot
100 board feet
gallon
cubic inch
cubic inch

m3
m3
m3
cm3
L (1000 cm3)
m3
L (1000 cm3)
cm3
mm3

1 233.49
0.764 555
0.028 316 8
28 316.85
28.316 85
0.235 974
3.785 41
16.387 064
16 387.064

inch
Area

To
Metric
Units

square mile
acre

Underline denotes exact number.

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

The metric units used in civil and structural engineering are:

-

meter (m)
kilogram (kg)
second (s)
newton (N)
pascal (Pa)
Rules for Civil and Structural Engineering

There are separate units for mass and force.

The kilogram (kg) is the base unit for mass, which is the unit quantity of
matter independent of gravity.

The newton (N) is the derived unit for force (mass times acceleration, or
kgm/s2). It replaces the unit "kilogram-force" (kgf), which should not be
used.

Do not use the joule to designate torque, which is always designated newton
meter (Nm).

The pascal (Pa) is the unit for pressure and stress (Pa = N/m2).
"bar" is not a metric unit and should not be used.

Structural calculations should be shown in MPa or kPa.

Plane angles in surveying (cartography) will continue to be measured in

degrees (either decimal degrees or degrees, minutes, and seconds) rather
than the metric radian.

Slope is expressed in nondimensional ratios. The vertical component is

shown first and then the horizontal. For instance, a rise of one meter in
four meters is expressed as 1:4. The units that are compared should be the
same (meters to meters, millimeters to millimeters).

For slopes less than 45, the vertical component should be unitary (for
example, 1:20). For slopes over 45, the horizontal component should be
unitary (for example, 5:1).

The term

Civil and Structural Engineering Conversion Factors

Quantity

From
Inch-Pound
Units

To
Metric
Units

Multiply
by

Mass

lb
kip (1000
lb)

kg
metric ton (1000
kg)

0.453 592
0.453 592

Mass/unit length

plf

kg/m

1.488 16

Mass/unit area

psf

kg/m2

4.882 43

Mass density

pcf

kg/m3

16.018 5

Force

lb
kip

N
kN

4.448 22
4.448 22

Force/unit length

plf
klf

N/m
kN/m

14.593 9
14.593 9

Pressure, stress,
modulus of elasticity

psf
ksf
psi
ksi

Pa
kPa
kPa
MPa

47.880 3
47.880 3
6.894 76
6.894 76

Bending moment, torque,

moment of force

ft-lb
ft-kip

Nm
kNm

1.355 82
1.355 82

Moment of mass

lbft

kgm

0.138 255

Moment of inertia

lbft2

kgm2

0.042 140
1

Second moment of area

in4

mm4

416 231

Section modulus

in3

mm3

16 387.064

NOTE:

Underline denotes exact number.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The metric units used in mechanical engineering are:

-

meter (m)
kilogram (kg)
second (s)
joule (J)
watt (W)
kelvin (K) or degree Celsius (C)
pascal (Pa)
radian (rad).
newton (N)
Rules for Mechanical Engineering

The joule (J) is the unit for energy, work, and quantity of heat. It is
equal to a newton meter (Nm) and a watt second (Ws) and replaces a large
number of inch-pound units.

The watt (W) is both the inch-pound and metric unit for power and heat
flow. It replaces horsepower, foot pound-force per hour, Btu per hour,
calorie per minute, and ton of refrigeration.

Moisture movement is expressed by the terms "vapor permeance" and "vapor

permeability."

The inch-pound unit "perm" continues to represent the degree of retardation

of moisture movement. The lower the value, the greater the retardation.

The newton (N) is the derived unit for force (mass times acceleration, or
kgm/s2). It replaces the unit "kilogram-force" (kgf), which should not be
used.

Mechanical Engineering Conversion Factors

From
Inch-Pound
Units

Quantity

To
Metric
Units

Multiply
by

Mass/area (density)

lb/ft2

kg/m2

4.882 428

Temperature

5/9(F -32) + 273.15

Energy, work,
quantity of heat

kWh
Btu
ftlbf

MJ
J
J

3.6
1 055.056
1.355 82

Power

ton (refrig)
Btu/s
hp (electric)
Btu/h

kW
kW
W
W

3.517
1.055 056
745.700
0.293 071

Heat flux

Btu/(f2h)

W/m2

3.152 481

Rate of heat flow

Btu/s
Btu/h

kW
W

1.055 056
0.293 071 1

Thermal conductivity (k value)

Btu/(ft2hF)

W/(mK)

1.730 73

Thermal conductance (U value)

Btu/(ft2hF)

W/(m2K)

5.678 263

Thermal resistance
(R value)

ft2hF/Btu

m2K/W

0.176 110

Heat capacity,
entropy

Btu/F

kJ/K

1.899 1

Specific heat
capacity, specific
entropy

Btu/(lbF)

kJ/(kgK)

4.186 8

Specific energy,
latent heat

Btu/lb

kJ/kg

2.326

Vapor permeance

perm (23 C)

ng/(Pasm2)

57.452 5

Vapor permeability

perm/in

ng/(Pasm)

1.459 29

Volume rate of
flow

ft3/s
cfm
cfm

m3/s
m3/s
L/s

0.028 316 8
0.000 471 947 4
0.471 947 4

Velocity, speed

ft/s

m/s

0.3048

Acceleration

f/s2

m/s2

0.3048

Momentum

lbft/sec

kgm/s

0.138 255 0

Angular momentum

lbft2/s

kgm2/s

0.042 140 11

Plane angle

degree

rad
mrad

0.017 453 3
17.453 3

NOTE:

Underline denotes exact number.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

The metric units used in electrical engineering are:

-

meter (m)
second (s)
candela (cd)
radian (rad)
steradian (sr)
ampere (A)
coulomb (C)
volt (V)
farad (F)
henry (H)
ohm (W)
siemens (S)
watt (W)
hertz (Hz)
weber (Wb)
tesla (T)
lumen (lm)
lux (lx)
Rules for Electrical Engineering

There are no unit changes for electrical engineering except for the renaming of conductance from "mho" to siemens (S).

The candela (cd) is the unit for luminous intensity and is already in
common use; it replaces candle and candlepower.

The lux (lx) is the unit for illuminance and replaces lumen per square foot
and footcandle.

Luminance is expressed in candela per square meter (cd/m2) and replaces

candela per square foot, footlambert, and lambert.

Electrical Engineering Conversion Factors

From
Inch-Pound
Units

Quantity

To
Metric
Units

Multiply
by

Power, radiant
flux

1 (same unit)

Radiant intensity

W/sr

W/sr

1 (same units)

Radiance

W/(srm2)

W/(srm2)

1 (same units)

Irradiance

W/m2

W/m2

1 (same units)

Frequency

Hz

Hz

1 (same value)

Electric current

1 (same unit)

Electric charge

Ahr

3600

Electric potential

1 (same unit)

Capacitance

1 (same unit)

Inductance

1 (same unit)

Resistance

1 (same unit)

Conductance

mho

100

Magnetic flux

maxwell

Wb

10-8

Magnetic flux
density

gamma

10-9

Luminous intensity

cd

cd

1 (same unit)

Luminance

lambert
cd/ft2
footlamber
t

kcd/m2
cd/m2
cd/m2

3.183 01
10.763 9
3.426 26

Luminous flux

lm

lm

1 (same unit)

Illuminance

footcandle

lx

10.763 9

NOTE:

Underline denotes exact number.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES

The metric units used in the construction trades are as follows. The term
"length" includes all linear measurements (that is, length, width, height,
thickness, diameter, and circumference).
Quantity

Surveying

Excavating

Trucking

Paving

Concrete

Masonry

Steel

Carpentry

Unit

Symbol

length

kilometer, meter

km, m

area

square kilometer
hectare (10 000
m2)
square meter

km2
ha
m2

plane angle

degree (non-metric)
minute (non-metric)
second (non-metric)

'
"

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

volume

cubic meter

m3

distance

kilometer

km

volume

cubic meter

m3

mass

metric ton (1000

kg)

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

volume

cubic meter

m3

temperature

degree Celsius

water capacity

liter (1000 cm3)

mass (weight)

kilogram, gram

kg, g

cross-sectional
area

square millimeter

mm2

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

mortar volume

cubic meter

m3

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

mass

metric ton (1000

kg)
kilogram, gram

t
kg, g

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

Quantity

Plastering

Glazing

Painting

Roofing

Plumbing

Drainage

HVAC

Electrical

Unit

Symbol

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

water capacity

liter (1000 cm3)

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

capacity

liter (1000 cm3)

milliliter (cm3)

L
mL

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

square meter

m2

slope

millimeter/meter

mm/m

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

mass

kilogram, gram

kg, g

capacity

liter (1000 cm3)

pressure

kilopascal

kPa

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

area

hectare (10 000

m2)
square meter

ha
m2

volume

cubic meter

m3

slope

millimeter/meter

mm/m

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

volume

cubic meter

m3

capacity

liter (1000 cm3)

airflow

meter/second

m/s

volume flow

cubic meter/second
liter/second

m3/s
L/s

temperature

degree Celsius

force

newton, kilonewton

N, kN

pressure

kilopascal

kPa

energy, work

kilojoule,
megajoule

kJ, MJ

rate of heat flow

watt, kilowatt

W, kW

length

meter, millimeter

m, mm

Quantity

Unit

Symbol

frequency

hertz

Hz

power

watt, kilowatt

W, kW

energy

megajoule
kilowatt hour

MJ
kWh

electric current

ampere

electric potential

volt, kilovolt

V, kV

resistance

ohm

DRAWINGS

Drawing Scales

Metric drawing scales are expressed in nondimensional ratios.

Nine scales are preferred: 1:1 (full size), 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100,
1:200, 1:500, and 1:1000. Three others have limited usage: 1:2, 1:25, and
1:250.
Comparison Between Inch-Foot and Metric Scales

Metric Scales
Inch-Foot
Scales

Ratios

Remarks

Preferred

Full size

1:1

Half full
size

1:2

4" = 1'-0"
3" = 1'-0"

1:3
1:4

2" = 1'-0"
1-1/2" = 1'0"

1:6
1:8

1" = 1'-0"

1:12
3/4" = 1'-0"

1:16

1/2" = 1'-0"

1:24

3/8" = 1'-0"
1/4" = 1'-0"

1:32
1:48

1" = 5'-0"
3/16" = 1'0"

1:60
1:64

1/8" = 1'-0"

1:96

1" = 10'-0"
3/32" = 1'0"

1:120
1:128

1/16" = 1'0"

1:192

1" = 20'-0"

1:240

1" = 30'-0"
1/32" = 1'0"
1" = 40'-0"

1:360
1:384
1:480

Other

1:1

No change
1:2

No change

1:5

Close to 3" scale

1:10

Between 1" and 1-1/2"

scales

1:20

Between 1/2" and 3/4"

scales
1:25
Very close to 1/2" scale

1:50

Close to 1/4" scale

1:100

Very close to 1/8" scale

1:200

Close to 1/16" scale

1:250

1:500

Close to 1" = 20'-0"

Close to 1" = 40'-0"

scale

Metric Scales
Inch-Foot
Scales

Ratios

Remarks

Preferred

1"
1"
1"
1"

=
=
=
=

50'-0"
60'-0"
1 chain
80'-0"

1:600
1:720
1:792
1:960

Other

1:1000

Metric Units Used on Drawings

Use only one unit of measure on a drawing. Except for large scale site or
cartographic drawings, the unit should be the millimeter (mm).

Delete unit symbols but provide an explanatory note ("All dimensions are
shown in millimeters" or "All dimensions are shown in meters").
Whole numbers always indicate millimeters; decimal numbers taken to three
places always indicate meters.

Where modules are used, the recommended basic module is 100 mm, which is
similar to the 4-inch module used in building construction (4 inches =
101.6 mm).
Drawing Sizes

The ISO "A" series drawing sizes are preferred metric sizes for design
drawings.

There are five "A" series sizes:

A0
A1
A2
A3
A4

1189 x 841 mm
841 x 594 mm
594 x 420 mm
420 x 297 mm
297 x 210 mm

(46.8 x 33.1 inches)

(33.1 x 23.4 inches)
(23.4 x 16.5 inches)
(16.5 x 11.7 inches)
(11.7 x 8.3 inches)

AO is the base drawing size with an area of one square meter. Smaller
sizes are obtained by halving the long dimension of the previous size.
AO sizes have a height to width ratio of one to the square root of 2.

Of course, metric drawings may be made on any size paper.

All

SPECIFICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Specifications

All measurements in construction specifications should be stated in metric.

Until existing specification systems are fully converted, the specifier may:
-

Specify metric products. Check to see if the products to be specified are

available in metric sizes.

Refer to metric or dual unit codes and standards. ASHRAE, ASME, and ACI,
among others, publish metric editions of some standards. Two of the
country's three model code groups (BOCA and SBCCI) as well as ASTM and
NFPA publish their documents with dual units (both metric and inch-pound
measurements). In addition, most handicapped accessibility standards and a
number of product standards are published with dual units. The metric
measurements are virtually exact, "soft" numerical conversions that, over
time, will be changed through the consensus process into rationalized,
rounded "hard" metric dimensions. For now, use the "soft" metric equivalents.

See the "Metric References" section of this guide for sources of metric and
dual unit codes and standards.
-

Convert existing unit measurements to metric.

below.

Follow the conversion rules

Standards, Criteria, and Product Information

For organizations that publish construction standards, criteria, or product

information:
-

Review all active documents and develop a realistic conversion schedule.

For most documents, the conversion to metric will be editorial; however,

for complex documents, a parallel document or a metric appendix may have to
be created and maintained for some time. For very simple documents with
only a few measurements, footnotes may be sufficient.

Follow the conversion rules below.

Conversion Rules

Use ASTM E621, Standard Practice for the

Construction, as a basic reference.

Follow the rules for usage, conversion, and rounding in ASTM E380, Standard
Practice for Use of the International System of Units (SI), Sections 3 and 4, or
ANSI/IEEE 268, American National Standard Metric Practice, Sections 3.5 and 4.

Wherever possible, convert measurements to rounded, rationalized "hard"

metric numbers. For instance, if anchor bolts are to be imbedded to a
depth of 10 inches, the exact converted length of 254 mm might be rounded
to either 250 mm (9.84 inches) or 260 mm (10.24 inches). The less critical
the number, the "rounder" it can be, but ensure that allowable tolerances
or safety factors are not exceeded. When in doubt, stick with the exact
"soft" conversion.

Round to "preferred" metric numbers. While the preferred numbers for the
"1 foot = 12 inches" system are, in order of preference, those divisible by
12, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1, preferred metric numbers are, in order of preference,

Use of Metric (SI) Units in Building Design and

those divisible by 10, 5, 2 and 1 or decimal multiples thereof. NBS

Technical Note 990, The Selection of Preferred Metric Values for Design and Construction,
explains the concept of preferred numbers in detail and states in its
foreword:
It is widely recognized that a transfer to a metric technical environment
based upon a "soft conversion,"--that is, no change other than the description
of the physical quantities and measurements in metric units--would cause
considerable longer term problems and disadvantages due to the encumbrance of
the resulting awkward numbers. The overall costs of soft conversion could
greatly outweigh any savings due to its short term expediency.
[Technical Note 990] provides a rational basis for the evaluation and selection of preferred numerical values associated with metric quantities. Precedent has shown that the change to metric units can be accompanied by a change
to preferred values at little or no extra cost, especially in specifications,
codes, standards, and other technical data.
-

Use hand calculators or software conversion programs that convert inchpounds to metric. They are readily available and are indispensable to the
conversion process. Simply check with any store or catalogue source that
sells calculators or software.

Be careful with the decimal marker when converting areas and volumes;
metric numbers can be significantly larger than inch-pound numbers (a cubic
meter, for instance, is one billion cubic millimeters).

MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING

The American National Metric Council and the U.S. Metric Association recommend
the following management and training measures:
-

Top level commitment. Top level management must provide a firm commitment
to metric. This includes:

Announcing a formal metric policy,

Forming a metric committee, and
Appointing a metric coordinator to chair the committee and act as the
organization's metric representative.
-

Metrication schedule. Develop an organization-wide metrication schedule

with milestones and a completion date.

Metric organizations. Consider joining the American National Metric

Council and the U.S. Metric Association.

Metric publications. Begin a metric reference library.

References section of this guide.

Training objectives. Write carefully worded, measurable training objectives with the goal of "enabling employees to perform their jobs with the
same or greater degree of efficiency using metric."

Define the learner population. Determine who needs to know metric and to
what extent they need to know it. Some employees may require an in-depth
working knowledge of metric whereas others may never need to know it at
all. Most probably will need to know only a few metric units.

Determine training needs.

See the Metric

There are three kinds or levels of training:

Metric awareness training to help all employees overcome fear and resistance
to change,
Management training to educate the people responsible for the transition to
metric, and
Implementation training to teach specific metric skills to specific employees.
-

Timing. Training should take place just prior to when an employee will use
the new knowledge on the job; earlier training is ineffective.

Train only as needed. Train only as necessary to meet the goal of "enabling employees to perform their jobs with the same or greater degree of
efficiency using metric." Training is not a panacea, and massive training
programs are wasteful. Often, training can be performed completely on-thejob.

Train people to "think" metric. Link metric measurements to familiar

objects. Avoid comparisons to inch-pounds as much as possible.

Monitor the metrication program. Make sure training matches the organization's metric transition schedule. If something changes, adjust either the
training or the schedule.

Don't hide costs. There is a cost to metric conversion, both in time and
money. Plan for it in advance, and monitor costs as transition takes
place.

METRIC REFERENCES

(P.O. Box 19150, Detroit, MI 48219; phone 313-532-2600):

American Concrete Institute

ACI 318M-89/318RM-89, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced

Metric edition of ACI 318-89/318R-89.
$78.50.

ACI 318.1M-89/318.1RM-89, Building Code Requirements for Metric Structural Plain Concrete
and Commentary.
Metric edition of ACI 318.1-89/318.1R-89. 14 pp. $14.95.

American Congress on Surveying and Mapping

20814; phone 301-493-0200):

-

Concrete and Commentary.

(5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD

Metric Practice Guide for Surveying and Mapping.

11 pp.

1978.

$10.00.

(Metric Publications, One East Wacker Drive,

Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60601-2001; phone 312-670-5414):
American Institute of Steel Construction

Metric Properties of Structural Shapes with Dimensions According to ASTM A6M

of Part I of the Manual of Steel Construction). 92 pp.

Metric Conversion:

159 pp.

(metric version

Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.

American National Metric Council

(Washington, D.C.; phone 410-727-0882):

ANMC Metric Editorial Guide.

Fourth edition.

SI Metric Training Guide.

Metrication and the Consumer.

$5.00.

Metrication for the Managers.

$15.00.

16 pp.

$5.00.

17 pp. $5.00.

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

212-642-4900):

(11 West 42nd St., New York, NY 10036; phone

ANSI/IEEE 268,

American National Standard Metric Practice.

48 pp.

ANSI/AWS A1.1,

Metric Practice Guide for the Welding Industry.

ANSI/IEEE 945, Preferred Metric

Technology.
1984. $45.00.

ISO 1000, SI Units

1981. $48.00.

1989.

1982.

$52.50.

$20.00.

Units for Use in Electrical and Electronics Science and

and Recommendations for the Use of Their Multiples and Certain Other Units.

American Society for Testing and Materials

215-299-5585):

(1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; phone

ASTM E380, Standard

1992. $23.00.

Practice for Use of the International System of Units (SI).

ASTM E621,
Construction.

Standard Practice for the Use of Metric (SI) Units in Building Design and

ASTM E713,

Guide for Selection of Scales for Metric Building Drawings.

ASTM E577,
$15.00.

Guide for Dimensional Coordination of Rectilinear Building Parts and Systems.

ASTM E835,

37 pp.

1984.

35 pp.

$23.00.
3 pp.

$15.00.

Guide for Dimensional Coordination of Structural Clay Units, Concrete Masonry Units,
and Clay Flue Linings.
$15.00

All other ASTM standards are published in metric or with dual units.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329; phone 404-636-8400):

-

SI for HVAC&R.

1986.

11 pp.

Psychrometric Charts SI.

1991 Handbook -- HVAC Applications.

1989 Handbook -- Fundamentals.

1990 Refrigeration Handbook.

1992 Handbook -- HVAC Systems and Equipment.

(1791 Tullie Circle,

Free on request.

Charts 1 through 7.
SI edition.

SI edition.
SI edition.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

phone 1-800-834-2763 ext. 426):

$10.00.
$114.00.

$114.00.
$114.00.

SI edition. $114.00.

(22 Law Dr., Box 2300, Fairfield, NJ 07007;

SI-1,

Orientation and Guide for Use of SI (Metric) Units.

SI-2,

SI Units in Strength of Materials.

SI-3,

SI Units in Dynamics.

SI-4,
1976.

SI Units in Thermodynamics.

SI-5,
1976.

SI Units in Fluid Mechanics.

SI-6,

SI Units in Kinematics.

SI-7,

SI Units in Heat Transfer.

SI-8,

SI Units in Vibration.

SI-9, Guide
$13.00.

SI-10, Steam Charts,

1976. $28.00.

ASME Steam Tables in SI (Metric) Units for Instructional Use.

All other ASME standards, except the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, are
published either in separate SI editions or with dual units.

20 pp.

$12.00.
$12.00.

14 pp.
1976.

1982.

1976.

$12.00.

$12.00.

$12.00.

J. W. Murdock and L.T. Smith, eds.

55 pp.

J. W. Murdock and L.T. Smith, eds.

14 pp.

1976.

$12.00.

J. W. Murdock, ed.

13 pp.

1976.

36 pp.

36 pp.

1977.

$12.00.

$12.00.

for Metrication of Codes and Standards Using SI (Metric) Units.

SI (Metric) and U.S. Customary Units.

33 pp.

J.H. Potter, ed.

19 pp. 1977.

1980.

128 pp.

No charge.

(available through the AIA Bookstore, 1735 New

York Ave., Washington, D.C. 20006; phone 202-626-7475):
BSP Professional Books, Oxford, U.K.

Neufert Architect's Data.

Edition.

433 pp.

Ernst Neufert, author.

1980. $52.50.

2d International (metric)

(4051 W. Flossmoor Rd., Country

Club Hills, IL 60477-5795; phone 312-799-2300):
Building Officials and Code Administrators International

BOCA National Building, Fire, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes.

published with dual units.

Canadian Standards Organization

416-747-4044):

All recent editions are

(178 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale, Ontario M9W 1R3; phone

CAN/CSA-Z234.2,

CSA Special Publication Z372,

Canadian.

Metric Editorial Handbook.

CSA Special Publication Z351,

Canadian.

Glossary of Metric Units.

R. S. Means Company

Canadian Metric Practice Guide.

82 pp. 1989.

$28.00 Canadian.

46 pp.
57 pp.

1980.

$15.00

1980.

$13.00

(Box 800, Kingston, MA 02364; phone 617-585-7880):

Means Building Construction Cost Data,

Metric Edition.

(1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA

02269-9101; phone 1-800-334-3555):
National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 101,

Life Safety Code.

Includes dual units.

NFPA 13,
$24.50.

ANSI/NFPA 70,
$32.50.

All other NFPA standards are published with dual units.

Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

National Electrical Code.

Standard Building Code.

Includes dual units.

$33.75.

1991.
1993.

130 pp.
775 pp.

(900 Montclair Road, Birmingham, AL

The 1991 edition is published with dual units.

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

272-8800):
-

327 pp.

Includes dual units.

Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc.

35213-1206):

1991.

(333 Pfingston Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; phone 708-

Virtually all UL standards contain dual units.

(Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government

Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; phone 202-783-3238):
U.S. Government Printing Office

NIST Special Publication 330, 1991 Edition,

56 pp. August, 1991. $3.50.

NIST Special Publication 811, Guide for the Use of the International System
Arthur O. McCoubrey, author. 34 pp. September, 1991. $2.50.

"Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies; Rule."

Subpart B. Federal Register, January 2, 1991.

"Metric System of Measurement: Interpretation of the International System

of Units for the United States; Notice. Federal Register, December 20, 1990.

U.S. Metric Association

5606):

of Units.

15 CFR Part 19,

(10245 Andasol Avenue, Northridge, CA 91325; phone 818-363-

Style Guide to the Use of the Metric System.

Freeman Training/Education Metric Materials List.

SI Metric Style Guide for Written and Computer Usage.

Metric Vendor List.

$3.00.
1991.

$38.00.

$2.00

$28.00.

Water Environment Federation

2400):

The International System of Units (SI).

(601 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314; phone 703-684-

MO6,

Units of Expression for Wastewater Treatment Management.

47 pp.

$15.00.

(Professional Reference and Trade Group, 605 Third Avenue, New

York, NY 10158; phone 1-800-225-5945, ext. 2497):
John Wiley and Sons

The Architect's Studio Companion: Technical Guidelines for Preliminary Design.

and Joseph Iano, authors.

Includes dual units.

Wiley Engineer's Desk Reference.

S.I. Heisler, author.

pp.

1984.

$54.95.

468 pp.

Edward Allen
1989. $52.95.

Includes dual units.

566

Members of the Construction Subcommittee

Federal Agency Members

- William Aird, PE, Department of State
- Sedat Asar, Department of State
- Walter Aughenbaugh, Department of Agriculture
- Robert Boettner, Department of Energy
- Gertraud Breitkopf, General Services Administration
- Steve Bunnell, USDA Forest Service
- Dale Campbell, Corps of Engineers
- Douglas Capps, Internal Revenue Service
- Ken Chong, PE, National Science Foundation
- Doreen Christian, Department of Agriculture
- Ronald W. Clevenger, Tennessee Valley Authority
- Rick Dahnke, Corps of Engineers
- Amitabha Datta, General Services Administration
- Ronald Dattilo, Federal Highway Administration
- Terrel Emmons, AIA, Naval Facilities Engineering Command
- James Fairbairn, Small Business Administration
- Luther Flouton, Public Health Service
- James Gross, National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Bruce E. Hall, General Services Administration
- James Hill, National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Nagi Kheir, Small Business Administration
- George Lawlor, Bureau of Indian Affairs
- George H. Levine, Maritime Administration
- Wenson Liao, Internal Revenue Service
- Kathleen Martin, Public Health Service
- Debbie Nauta-Rodriguez, Smithsonian Institution
- Byron Nupp, Department of Transportation
- Luis S. Ortega, U.S. Coast Guard
- C. Kevin O'Reilly, Department of State
- Leo Phelan, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Arnold Prima, Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Toni Quinn, Bureau of Reclamation
- Noel Raufaste, National Institute of Standards and
- Technology
- Thomas R. Rutherford, PE, Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Jim Salter, Public Health Service
- Michael Sazonov, Department of Agriculture
- Otto Schick, General Services Administration
- Lee E. Schmidt, PE, U.S. Air Force
- Rodger Seeman, Corps of Engineers
- Larry Sigman, Defense Logistics Agency
- Ralph Spillinger, National Aeronautics and Space
- Administration
- Al Stith, Department of Labor
- John Tascher, Department of Defense
- Charles Thomsen, Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Vinod K. Wadhwa, Architect of the Capitol
- Dwain E. Warne, General Services Administration
- Tony Welch, Federal Highway Administration
- William Wisner, Department of Housing and Urban Development

Private Sector Members

-

Kathleen H. Almand, American Iron & Steel Institute

Valerie Antoine, U.S. Metric Association
William A. Brenner, AIA, National Institute of Building Sciences
David Bullen, AIA, American Institute of Architects
Brent Cantley, American Institute of Architects
Terry Chamberlain, Associated General Contractors of America
Jim Dowling, PE, National Association of Home Builders
Francis R. Dugan, Dugan and Meyers Interests, Inc.
Charles Enos, Peck & Peck Associates
Oscar Fisher, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Mel Green, PE, Melvyn Green and Associates
William Groah, Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Association
Paul Hanssen, Workplace Training
Charles Hastings, Square D Co.
Les Hegyi
Steve Hodges, Portland Cement Association
Suey Howe, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
Stan R. Jakuba, S. I. Jakub Associates
Ivan Johnson, PE, American Society of Civil Engineers
Don Kline, Kimley-Horn & Associates
Oliver K. Lewis, PE, American Society of Testing and Materials
Richard Lippy, Henry Adams, Inc.
Marie McGuinness, PE, American Society of Civil Engineers
Katherine McQueen, National Conference of States on Building Codes and
Standards
Martin Reinhart, Sweet's Group, McGraw-Hill
Jane Sidebotton, American Consulting Engineers Council
Leslie Simmons, AIA, CSI
Louis F. Sokol, U.S. Metric Association
Robert Spangler, Council of American Building Officials
R.M. "Max" Tinsley, U.S. Metric Association
Clark Tufts, AIA, American National Metric Council
Gerald Underwood, American National Metric Council
Nancy Wagner, Gypsum Association
Thomas E. Ware, Building Technology, Inc.
Laurence Ward, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
J. Michael Weise, The Trane Company
Lorelle Young, U.S. Metric Association
Neil Zundel, American Institute of Steel Construction