Oxford Method Research Programme

2M 3M Differences

Although briefly mentioned in the first section of the manual the following passage outlines the difference so that each can be identified.

"Before attempting to carry out structural or other modifications within an Oxford Method building it is as well to know which version of Oxford Method is being modified.

'Oxford Method' which is undergoing continuous evolution and, we think, improvement, started its life as an Imperial (feet and inches) system. We selected a 4" module which we called 'M'. Reference to the module 'M' has continued up to the present day.

An early version was known as the '2M' system. This can be recognised with ease by the presence of 8" (2M) wide tartan strips of ceiling tiles which usually trace the line of the structural steelwork across the underside of the ceiling.

More recently the '3M' system has been used. This can be recognised by the presence of a 300mm (1'0") wide strip between 600 x 600 tiles.

The structure of 2M does not always relate to the 2M tartan but in 3M the structure always relates to tartan.

Penetration points will be opposite the corners, mid-points and centres of these 600 x 600 tiles.

The differences between the various versions of Oxford Method amount to more than changes in ceiling tile patterns but by reference to these it is possible for a person who is neither an architect or technically trained to differentiate between the buildings.