Design Solutions - Winter 2021 - 54

the previous example, you can see that
all drawer bottoms must meet 1112.06
Newtons (250 lbf). The minimum
Performance Requirements according
to the AWI DF-1 Drawer Front Tension
Test Methodology: for Performance
Duty Level 1 and 2, drawer front
attachment must pass 889.64 Newtons
(200 lbf); Duty Level 3 must pass
1334.47 Newtons (300 lbf) and Duty
Level 4 must pass 1779.29 Newtons
(400 lbf).
A load frame testing machine at
the NTC has allowed AWI to collect
thousands of precise data points from
each casework component test. Drawer
joinery methods and materials have
been tested to establish the integrity
and functional performance of drawer
boxes in support of the new ANSI/
AWI 0641-2019 - Architectural Wood
Casework Standard's development
as well as load capacity and span
deflection of different shelf systems
common to architectural wood
casework and related interior finishes.

AWI's Technical Committee has
analyzed test data to establish the
four Performance Duty Levels. Each
is intended to provide specifiers and
design professionals with options for
selecting the appropriate casework
relative to that product's intended use
and its installed application.

54

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designsolutions winter 2021

IMPORTANT
DIFFERENCES

Hinges and other hardware used for
the fabrication of the casework covered
within the scope of the new Standard
shall adhere to the requirements
set forth in applicable ANSI/BHMA
Standards (latest edition). The default
is grade 2 for the minimum casework
requirement. Door size and weight shall

be within the hardware manufacturers/
supplier's listed capacity when using
pocket doors. You should always
refer to the hardware manufacturers'
recommendations for liability sake.

Why is this so
important? Past
versions of woodwork
standards have been
based on anecdotal
field experience: " It
has worked in the
past so it MUST work! "
But anyone can build
something with unique
proprietary methods.
When something
failed (e.g.: a cabinet,
drawer, shelf), there
was no data to explain
what failed, and where
the tolerances were exceeded. Now,
through testing that is completed prior
to a project's inception, a manufacturer
will have access to data that provides
useful information for architects, design
professionals, and manufacturers in
making judgments on the ability of an
architectural casework assembly to
maintain serviceability under actual
loading and operating conditions.
The collected test data upon being
analyzed, makes it possible to set clear
expectations of performance and provide
value to the customer. They know they
are getting what they asked for.
What if the customer wants
a Premium appearance but the
cabinet doesn't have to do much? It
is now possible to reduce the cost
of manufacturing a Premium Grade
Aesthetic Cabinet by fabricating a
Performance Duty Level 1 cabinet
construction instead of the Duty Level
3 or 4.
Product Performance Duty Level is
determined by the lowest tested value
derived from AWI Test Methodologies
referenced within the standard for
joinery methods and materials or
components. (Example: A Product may
include a cabinet body construction
meeting Performance Duty Level 4 and
may also include an adjustable shelf
meeting Performance Duty Level 2. The
assembled casework unit would then
meet Performance Duty Level 2 as the
lowest tested value.)
Design Solutions - Winter 2021

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