NAAWS 4.0 FAQs
The manual is developed, graphically and fundamentally, by the NAAWS Committee — a group of individuals selected by the sponsor organizations, AWMAC and the Woodwork Institute, who have a strong working knowledge of the Standards and the industry. These individuals have compiled information and suggestions received over many years from suppliers, manufacturers, architects, designers, committees, boards, and other industry standards (WDMA, HPVA, NHLA, ISO, ANSI, NEMA, ISFA — to name a few). Manufacturers have always been encouraged to make suggestions and provide constructive feedback on the Standards in place.
The NAAWS Committee held an incredible 33 virtual meetings and one in-person meeting in 2020. A second in-person meeting was to occur during the 2020 AWMAC convention, which was canceled due to COVID-19. The main focus of these meetings was to test NAAWS’ methods of assembly and tolerances (which began in April of 2018) and to work on the next edition of the NAAWS manual — NAAWS 4.0.
NAAWS 4.0 was released on May 31, 2021 with an effective date of September 1,2021. The first Errata version was added on December 1, 2021. NAAWS is available as a download and in hardcopy in English, French and Spanish.
AWMAC received a grant for the full cost of the French translation of NAAWS 4.0through the Canadian Wood Council’s (CWC) Advanced Education Road Map objectives (AERM program), which was funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). AWMAC extends thanks to CWC and NRCan for their efforts to not only fund the manual, but also to secure and oversee a translator (Ellipse Linguistics). AWMAC wishes to recognize Éric Allard of AWMAC’s Quebec Chapter, who successfully led the Translation Committee and all involved through the French translation process.
The Spanish translation of NAAWS was created by the English language editor and reviewed by Freddie Centeno with S & H Cabinets for translation clarity. We thank both Stanley (Rob) Gustafson and Freddie Centeno for making this new edition available.
The testing process was important to ensure that the NAAWS reflected both the subjective elements of quality and aesthetics, and the objective performance requirements of casework structure. Several cabinets using multiple types of construction and materials were built and tested. All joinery methods shown in the manual were proof-load and working-load tested to demonstrate conformity to the minimum levels of casework integrity. Cabinets built in accordance with NAAWS have been proven to withstand loads suitable for commercial applications.
Revised editions to the Standards manual have typically come in cycles of 3-5 years (AWS 1.0: 2009; AWS 2.0 2014; NAAWS 3.1 2017; NAAWS 4.0 2021) to reflect the ongoing changes, innovations, and developments in the woodwork industry. NAAWS 3.1 was born out of the new AWMAC and Woodwork Institute collaboration and included the digital format. NAAWS 4.0 represents not only layout and functionality changes, but also incorporates many of the changes the industry has undergone since 2014. Some key additions to NAAWS 4.0 include an even easier-to-use format, unified installation guide, expanded material uses, additional assembly methods, and casework integrity testing.
First, there are two locations to access our suggestion form – via a link in the manual itself and through this website on the “suggestions” tab on the main page. Once the completed, the form is reviewed by the NAAWS Committee and evaluated for future inclusion or Errata. The suggestion process for 4.0 will ensure that written suggestions are acknowledged and responded to.
Second, feedback is also possible through the Sponsor Associations. In Canada, AWMAC Inspectors, GIS Representatives, and Chapter Directors can address concerns through the GIS Interpretations process, the Expert Opinion and inspection process, or other means such as through the National Board. In the United States, the Woodwork Institute Architectural Services Representatives will provide any feedback to the NAAWS Committee chairperson.