12.2 Construction Specifications & Schedules: Developing Schedules
Key Takeaways
- Schedules are tabular summaries keyed to the drawings by tags or room numbers, consolidating repetitive data and reducing notes clutter
- A door schedule row includes mark, type, width, height, thickness, material, fire rating, and hardware set — the hardware set references the hardware schedule
- A finish schedule is keyed by room number and lists floor, base, wall, and ceiling finishes, with each finish code defined in a legend or specification
- Fire-rated doors require a listed assembly — slab, frame, hardware, and glazing must all be compatible to maintain the rating
- Schedules fall under CSI divisions that match their content: doors in Division 08, finishes in Division 09, specialties in Division 10, furnishings in Division 12
Why Schedules Matter
Schedules are tabular summaries of information that appears on the drawings. Instead of repeating the same note next to every door or in every room, the designer places a tag on the drawing that keys to a row in a schedule. Schedules consolidate repetitive data, reduce drawing clutter, and create a single source of truth for each building component.
On a set of interior construction drawings, the most common schedules are the door schedule, finish schedule, hardware schedule, window schedule, plumbing schedule, furniture schedule, equipment schedule, room schedule, and accessory schedule. Each is keyed to the plans through tags or room numbers.
Door Schedules
A door schedule lists every door on the project, one row per door (or per door type). Each row is keyed to the floor plan by a door mark — typically a number or letter inside a hexagon or circle on the drawing. A complete door schedule includes:
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Mark | Tag shown on the plan (e.g., 101) |
| Type | Door type reference (e.g., A, B) |
| Width | Nominal opening width (e.g., 3'-0") |
| Height | Nominal opening height (e.g., 7'-0") |
| Thickness | Door slab thickness (e.g., 1-3/4") |
| Material | Wood, hollow metal, aluminum, glass |
| Fire Rating | 20 min, 45 min, 90 min, or none |
| Hardware Set | Reference to hardware schedule (e.g., HS-3) |
| Frame | Frame material and detail reference |
Fire-rated doors require a listed label and compatible frame, hardware, and glazing — the rating is a system, not just the door slab.
Finish Schedules
A finish schedule lists finishes room by room, keyed to the plans by room number. Each row specifies the floor, base, wall, and ceiling finish for one room. A typical finish schedule includes:
| Room No. | Room Name | Floor | Base | Walls | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Reception | LVT-1 | RB-1 | PT-1 | ACT-1 |
| 102 | Office | CPT-1 | RB-1 | PT-1 | ACT-1 |
| 103 | Restroom | TIL-1 | CB-1 | PT-2 | GYP-1 |
Each finish code (LVT-1, PT-1, ACT-1) is defined in a finish legend or in the specification sections. The finish schedule is one of the most-used documents on an interior project — it is reviewed by the contractor, the client, and every subcontractor installing finishes.
Hardware Schedules
A hardware schedule (also called hardware sets) lists the hardware for each door, referenced from the door schedule by the hardware set number (HS-1, HS-2, etc.). Each set specifies hinges, locks, closers, stops, thresholds, and other hardware, typically by manufacturer and model. Hardware schedules are often prepared by a hardware consultant in coordination with the door schedule and the fire-rating requirements.
Window Schedules
A window schedule lists every window on the project, keyed by a window mark on the plans. Columns typically include mark, type, width, height, glass type (annealed, tempered, laminated, insulated), frame material, and operation (fixed, casement, awning). Window schedules are more common on projects with exterior scope; interior-only projects may not include one.
Plumbing (Fixture) Schedules
A plumbing schedule lists each plumbing fixture, keyed by a tag on the plans. Columns include fixture type (water closet, lavatory, sink), manufacturer, model, mounting (floor-mounted, wall-hung), and connection requirements. Plumbing fixtures in commercial interiors must often meet accessibility (ADA) and water-conservation (EPAct) requirements, which are noted in the schedule or the specification.
Furniture Schedules
A furniture schedule lists each furniture item, keyed by tag on a furniture plan. Columns include mark, item name (desk, chair, file), manufacturer, model, finish, and quantity. Furniture schedules are central to furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) procurement and are often packaged separately from the base-building construction documents.
Equipment, Room, and Accessory Schedules
Equipment schedules list appliances and fixed equipment (kitchen, lab, healthcare), keyed to equipment plans. Room schedules summarize room name, number, area, occupancy, and finish references — useful for code analysis and area verification. Accessory schedules list items such as signage, toilet accessories, and display units, typically falling under Division 10 (Specialties).
How Schedules Are Keyed to Drawings
The tag-to-schedule relationship is what makes schedules efficient. On the floor plan, a door carries a tag "101"; the door schedule's row with Mark 101 carries all the data about that door. A room carries a number "102"; the finish schedule's Room 102 row carries every finish. This keying convention means a change to one door's rating updates one row, not a scattered set of notes across every plan sheet.
Exam Scenario
On the IDIX, you may be asked which schedule contains fire ratings and hardware sets (door schedule), which schedule is keyed by room number (finish schedule), or which field in a door schedule references the hardware schedule (hardware set). You may also be asked to identify which CSI division a schedule's content falls under — doors in Division 08, finishes in Division 09, specialties in Division 10, furnishings in Division 12.
Which field in a door schedule references the hardware schedule for that door?
Which schedule is keyed to the plans by room number and lists floor, base, wall, and ceiling finishes for each space?
On a floor plan, a door carries the tag "101." Where does a contractor find the door's width, height, material, fire rating, and hardware set?
Fire-rated doors require which of the following to maintain the listed rating?
Which of the following schedules typically appear on a set of interior construction drawings? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply