It took 14 editors to compile
Residential & Light Commercial
Construction Standards ($60 from R.S.
Means, Construction Plaza, P.O. Box
800, Kingston, MA 02364; 800/334-
3509; www.rsmeans.com). Based on
building codes, industry standards,
and accepted best practices, this
hefty 600-pager initially came
together as a reference book for
helping contractors avoid construction defect liabilities. Each
of the 16 system-focused chapters begins with a list of common
defects, then presents building code excerpts as well as
reprints from other publications and industry guidelines.
Every source is presented independently with a subheading
that not only clearly identifies it, but also gives contact information
for potential followup questions. Where necessary, the
editors have inserted comment boxes to call attention or