This guide provides information and recommends minimum expectations for satisfactory lathing and plastering. Architects@ engineers@ designers@ specification writers@ contractors@ plasterers@ and public authorities can use this guide to familiarize themselves with the plastering processes and also as an aid in specification writing. Stricter requirements based on long-term successful field service or controlled laboratory experimentation and documentation can be imposed when warranted. This guide also addresses the prequalification of plaster materials@ tool and equipment requirements@ mixture proportions@ application procedures@ types of finishes@ and troubleshooting and repair. Exterior insulation and finish systems are exterior wallcladding systems that consist of an insulation board covered with an integrally reinforced base coat and a textured protective finish coat. Portland cement may be used in these systems@ but their application and suitability are not covered in this guide. Robert (1997) provides useful information on this class of product. The use of one-coat portland cement-based plastering systems and other such proprietary portland cement-based systems are acknowledged; however@ they are beyond the scope of this document@ which addresses only traditional two- or three-coat portland cement-based plastering systems. Alternative nontraditional and proprietary portland cement-based plastering systems are addressed by ICC Evaluation Service@ Inc. (2006). One-coat systems and other proprietary systems typically rely on a proven performance history within the environment and region in which they are intended to be used. Where required by code@ proprietary products can get special approval with a published evaluation services report that specifies the installation procedure and allowed locations for its use. Swimming pool plastering is considered an alternative@ nontraditional form of portland cement-based plastering in this guide. While many aspects of this guide are relevant to swimming pool plastering@ information specific to swimming pool plastering can be found in the American National Standard for the Plastering of Pools and Spas (ANSI/APSP/ICC/ NCP-12) and in reports by the Portland Cement Association (PCA EB049) and the National Plasterers Council (2011).