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Interior graphic standards

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INTERIOR
GRAPHIC
STANDARDS
STUDENT EDITION
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INTERIOR
GRAPHIC
STANDARDS
STUDENT EDITION
SECOND EDITION
CORKY BINGGELI, ASID
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
T H E M AG N U M G R O U P
I L L U S T R AT O R
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
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∋
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the Publisher and the author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Interior graphic standards / Corky Binggeli, editor-in-chief. — 2nd ed.
p. cm. — (Ramsey/sleeper architectural graphic standards series ; 21)
Rev. ed. of: Interior graphic standards / Maryrose McGowan, Kelsey Kruse. © 2003.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-470-88901-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-118-09933-9 (ebk), ISBN 978-1-118-09934-6 (ebk), ISBN 978-1-118-09935-3 (ebk),
ISBN 978-1-118-13023-0, ISBN 978-1-118-13024-7 (ebk)
1. Building—Details—Drawings. 2. Building—Details—Drawings—Standards. I. Binggeli, Corky. II.
TH2031.I55 2012
729—dc22
2011013755
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
AMANDA L. MILLER
VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER
KATHRYN MALM BOURGOINE
ACQUISITIONS EDITOR
LAUREN POPLAWSKI
EDITORIAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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PRODUCTION MANAGER
JUSTIN MAYHEW
ASSOCIATE MARKETING DIRECTOR
DESIGN/PRODUCTION
BRUCE MAU DESIGN, INC.
DESIGNER
LUCINDA GEIST
COMPOSITOR
FOXXE EDITORIAL
COPYEDITOR, PROOFREADER
IGS EDITORS
CORKY BINGGELI, ASID
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PATRICIA GREICHEN
GRAPHICS EDITOR, INTERIOR GRAPHIC STANDARDS
ILLUSTRATOR
THE MAGNUM GROUP
LUCKY BALARAMAN
N. RAMGOPAL
V. ANANDARAJAN
R. KAMALATHASAN
V. KARTHIKEYAN
IGS STUDENT EDITION ADVISORY BOARD
BARBARA ANDERSON
ESMA BURÇIN DENGIZ
ELLEN FISHER
MONICA LETOURNEAU
LOIS WEINTHAL
LINDA ZIMMER
CONTRIBUTORS
ROBERT D. ABERNATHY
MIA ALWEN
AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE
AMERICAN SANITARY PARTITION CORPORATION
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLUMBING ENGINEERS
ROBERT E. ANDERSON, AIA
ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK INSTITUTE
ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
WILLIAM R. ARNQUIST, AIA
ASSOCIATED SPACE DESIGN
ATLAS ELEVATOR COMPANY
CHARLES M. AULT
SARAH BADER
TOM BADER, AIA
DAVID BALLAST, FAIA
FAITH BAUM, AIA, IIDA
BAUMGARDNER ARCHITECTS
ERIC K. BEACH
CHRISTINE BEALL, NCARB, CCS
KIM A. BEASLEY, AIA
TEDD BENSON
BETSY BERG, MSHA
BFS ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTING AND INTERIOR
DESIGN
JOHN BIRCHFIELD
JAN BISHOP, AIA
LELAND D. BLACKLEDGE, AIA
MICHAEL L. BLANKENSHIP
JOAN BLUMENFELD
BLYTHE + NASDIN ARCHITECTS, LTD.
JEFFREY E. BOLLINGER
WARREN D. BONISCH, PE
PAUL BONSALL
RAYMOND C. BORDWELL, AIA
SARAH BRENNARD
STEVEN R. BREUER, AIA
BROSSO, WILHEIM & MCWILLIAMS
PETER BROWN, AIA
BEN BRUNGRABER, PHD
BUILDING STONE INSTITUTE
ABIGAIL CANTRELL
JOHN CARMODY
CARPET AND RUG INSTITUTE
TIMOTHY W. CAPE, CTS-D
CHRISTOPHER CAPOBIANCO
CASTING DESIGNS, INC.
REX CAULDWELL
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CERAMIC GLAZED MASONRY INSTITUTE
CHAIRMASTERS, INC.
WINNIE CHENG
CINI-LITTLE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
JANE CLARK, AIA
DAVID S. COLLINS, FAIA
BRIAN COOPER, AIA
DAVID COOPER, AIA
DEAN COX, AIA
CUTLER MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
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JOSHUA DACHS
THOMAS D. DAVIES JR., AIA
TAMA DUFFY DAY
SONYA DUFNER
LARRY O. DEGELMAN, PE
J. T. DEVINE, AIA
DFB SALES
MAYURA DHUME
JASON DICKERSON
M. DIXON
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NADER DUBESTANI, PE
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RICHARD EISNER
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ANNICA S. EMILSSON
KATHIE ENGELBRECHT
EDWARD R. ESTES JR.
JENNIE EVANS, RN
KATRINA EVANS
ROBERT T. FAASS
FACING TILE INSTITUTE
JOSEPH FAIN
DAN FENTON, PE
DUANE FISHER
FLACK & KURTZ
DOUGLAS FLANDRO
RUSSELL S. FLING, PE
ROBERT P. FOLEY, PE
MARK FORMA
KENNETH D. FRANCH, PE, AIA
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SIDNEY FREEDMAN
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ANTHONY GOLEBIEWSKI, AIA
MEGAN GOVER, IIDA
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HELMUT GUENSCHEL, INC.
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GULZER HAIDER
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HAYNES WHALEY ASSOCIATES
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RICHARD F. HUMENN, PE
ISD INCORPORATED
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NORMAN JAFFE, FAIA
NATASA JELIC
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JIM JOHNSON
CHRISTOPHER M. JOHNSTON, PE
JACQUELINE JONES
JRS ARCHITECT
KARLSBERGER AND COMPANIES
JOHN F. KAULBACH, AIA
PHILIP KENYON
ALEXANDER KEYES
TREY KLEIN, AIA
JOHN H. KLOTE
MARCIA KNIGHT, RID
KNOLL TEXTILES
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KROMMELHOEK/MCKEOWN AND ASSOCIATES
KELSEY A. KRUSE, AIA
SUNYOUNG KWON
LAUCKGROUP
GRACE S. LEE
TOM LENSMENT
JOHN A. LESIRE, AIA
KAREN K. LINDBLAD
JAMES D. LLOYD
NICK LOOMIS
STEPHEN LUK
JOHN C. LUNSFORD, AIA
STEPHEN MARGULIES, IES, IALD
MARMON MOK PARTNERSHIP
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ROBERT MARTINO
MASTERSPEC
MAYTAG CORPORATION
CAMIE MAZE, AIA
MARK J. MAZZ, AIA
SCOTT A. MCALLISTER, AIA
MCCAIN MCMURRAY, ARCHITECT
KEITH MCCORMACK, CCS, CSI
KELLIE MCCORMICK, ASID
TIMOTHY B. MCDONALD
KIM MCGHEE
NOREEN MCGING, RNC
JESS MCILVAIN, AIA
MCKEY PERFORATING COMPANY
JEFFREY MEESE, AIA
TED MILLIGAN
WALTER MOBERG
MARGERY MORGAN
MULTI-HOUSING LAUNDRY ASSOCIATION
CHRISTOPHER MUNDELL, AIA
M. KITTY MYERS, AIA
TANYA NACHIA
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL TERRAZZO AND MOSAIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION
DONALD NEUBAUER, PE
ELIZABETH NIEDZWIECKI, AIA
OBRIEN-KILGORE, INC.
ANITA RUI OLDS
SHARON PARKS
DEBAJYOTI PATI, FIIA
RICHARD H. PENNER
REY PEREZ
LAWRENCE G. PERRY, AIA
CHARLES PETERSON
ARTHUR J. PETTORINO, AIA
SOYPLOY PHANICH
JAMES E. PHILLIPS, AIA
BOB PIELOW
VALENTIN PILYAVSKIY
POLYSONICS
R. E. POWE JR., AIA
JESSICA POWELL
JULIA PURINTON
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JANET B. RANKIN, AIA
D. NEIL RANKINS
TROY RANSDELL, AIA
VICTOR REGNIER
TOM REVELLE
ALAN H. RIDER, AIA
RIPPETEAU ARCHITECTS, PC
TERRY RITCHIE, RN
RICHARD RIVEIRE, AIA
SHERRIE ROACH
ROBIN ANDREW ROBERTS, AIA
MARK A. ROGERS, PE
LILLIANA ROMERZ
CARL ROSENBERG, AIA
RICHARD D. RUSH, AIA
LINDA CAIN RUTH
SALON EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL INC.
KEN SANDERS, FAIA
GABRIELLE SAPPONARA
STEVE SHEARER
SCHLÜTER SYSTEMS
JEFF SCHROEDER
JASON SCHROER, AIA
STEPHEN SELKOWITZ
MARTHA SENG, FAIA
SETTER, LEACH & LINDSTROM, INC.
WALTER D. SHAPIRO, PE
TOM SHEA, AIA
DEL SHUFORD, AIA
SUZANNE SIMPSON
SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP
SMITH MARAN ARCHITECTS
WALTER H. SOBEL, FAIA
LERLUX SOPHONPANICH
MAY SOPHONPANICH
HARRY SPIELBERG
ROBIN STAACK
ROBERT STAPLES
FRAN STEWART, IIDA
DOUG STURZ
SYSKA AND HENNESSY
STEPHEN S. SZOKE, PE
CHARLES A. SZORADI, AIA
DON TAPERT
LURA TETER-JUSTICE
ROBERT THOMPSON, AIA
TILE COUNCIL OF AMERICA, INC.
JOHN A. TORNQUIST JR.
CHARLES B. TOWLES, PE
BRIAN E. TRIMBLE
MICHAEL UFER, AIA
JEFFREY R. VANDEVOORT
DAVE VINCENT, AIA
RICHARD J. VITULLO, AIA
WALTER HART ASSOCIATES, AIA
GEORGE M. WHITESIDE III, AIA
JOSEPH A. WILKES
WILKINSON COMPANY, INC.
KENT WONG
WOODWORK INSTITUTE
ROBERT WRIGHT, FASID
GARY YABUMOTO
JAN YEAGER
JOHN I. YELLOTT, PE
MERVE YONEYMAN
TAM YOUNGCHAROEN
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CONTENTS
PREFACE . . . xi
SECTION 1
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
AND PROCESS . . . 1
CHAPTER 1
ENVIRONMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL
ISSUES
Human Factors 3
Anthropometrics and Ergonomics 3
Human Behavior 10
Wayfinding 11
Mapping 11
Wayfinding and Age 11
Signage and Wayfinding Clues 12
CHAPTER 2
ACOUSTICAL PRINCIPLES
Basics of Acoustical Design 13
Sound 13
Frequency 13
Sound Absorption Properties of Materials 13
Room Acoustics 14
Properties of Sound 14
Use of Sound-Absorptive Materials 14
Sound Transmission 15
Transmission Loss 15
Noise Reduction 15
Sound Isolation 15
Impact Noise Reduction 15
Sound Control 17
CHAPTER 3
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN BASICS
Accessibility 18
Definitions 18
Accessibility Standards Terms 18
ADA and FHAA Design Requirements 18
Knee and Toe Clearances 19
Reach Limits 20
Protruding Objects 21
Accessible Routes 22
Components of Accessible Routes 22
Location of Accessible Routes 22
Floor and Ground Surfaces 22
CHAPTER 4
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BASICS
Sustainable Design Principles 24
Depletion of Natural Resources 24
Climate Change 24
Principles 25
Design Considerations 25
Sustainability Strategies 25
Energy 25
Lighting and Daylight 25
Water 25
Sustainable Materials 25
Indoor Air Quality 26
Environmental Quality Terms 26
Sick Building Syndrome 26
Personal Control 26
Interior Rating Systems and
Certifications 27
U.S. Green Building Council 27
LEED Rating System 27
CHAPTER 5
DESIGN BASICS
Evidence-Based Design 29
Computational Research 29
Social Science Research 29
Physical and Natural Science Research 29
Building Codes 29
Codes and Regulations Affecting Interiors 29
International Building Code Provisions 30
Programming 33
Programming Process 33
Contract Documents 34
Contract Documents for Commercial Interiors 34
Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment Contracts 34
Detailing Concepts 35
Construction Specifications 37
Computing Technologies 38
Computer-Aided Design and Building Information
Modeling 38
Integrated Project Delivery 38
Virtual Collaboration 38
Future Developments 39
Digital Fabrication 39
SECTION 2
BUILDING ELEMENTS . . . 41
CHAPTER 6
BUILDING STRUCTURE AND SHELL
Substructure 43
Wall Foundations 43
Subgrade Enclosures 43
Slabs on Grade 44
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VIII
Superstructure 45
Seismic Considerations 45
Superstructure Framing 46
Floor Construction Assemblies 57
Wood Floor Framing 57
Steel Joist Floor Framing 59
Floor Decks and Slabs 60
Roof Construction 62
Roof Types and Framing 62
Shop-Fabricated Wood Trusses 63
Glue-Laminated Construction 64
Roof Decks, and Slabs 65
Attic Ventilation 66
Stairs and Ramps 66
Stairs 66
Handrails, Balustrades, and Guards 69
Ramps 78
Exterior Vertical Enclosures 79
Exterior Wall Weather Barriers 79
Exterior Enclosure Walls 80
Roof Windows and Skylights 87
CHAPTER 7
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
Fire Resistive Construction 89
Fire-Retardant Wood Treatment 89
Fire-Resistance-Rated Assemblies 89
Fire-Resistance-Rated Openings 91
Board Fire Protection 93
Penetration Firestop Systems 93
Seismic Considerations 93
Basic Seismic Design 93
Seismic Detailing for Designers 94
Interior Construction Components 95
Gypsum Board Assemblies 95
Concrete Masonry Units 114
Architectural Concrete 116
Stone Walls 117
Glass Unit Masonry 118
Prefabricated Partitions 120
Windows and Glazing 125
Interior Doors 131
Entrances and Vestibules 148
Raised Floor Construction 148
Thermal and Moisture Protection 149
Interior Finishes 150
Interior Specialties 150
Wall Finish Requirements 162
Integral Wall Finishes 163
Wood Wall Finishes 166
Tile Wall Finishes 175
Metal Wall Finishes 181
Wall Surface Coverings 183
Paints and Coatings 188
Floor Design Considerations 190
Hard Flooring 191
Wood Flooring 198
Resilient Flooring 201
Resilient Flooring Installation 204
Carpet, Carpet Tile, and Mats 205
Ceilings 213
Building Services 223
Conveying Systems 223
Plumbing Systems 231
Mechanical Systems 247
Fire Protection Systems 254
Electrical Systems 259
Lighting 265
Communications Systems 272
Security Systems 280
CHAPTER 8
EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS
Equipment 283
Toilet and Bath Equipment 283
Vending Equipment 285
Personal Care Equipment 286
Laundry Facilities 288
Teller and Service Equipment 290
Cleaning and Recycling Equipment 292
Furnishings 292
Furnishing Contracts and Tests 292
Textiles for Interior Furnishings 294
Cabinetry and Casework 299
Countertops 306
Art and Accessories 313
Furniture 315
Plantings 318
Window Treatments 321
CHAPTER 9
INTERIOR PROJECT TYPES
Commercial Spaces 326
Offices 326
Conference Rooms 343
Residential Spaces 349
Kitchens 349
Furnishings and Equipment 354
Residential Lighting 357
Visitability 358
Aging in Place 359
Continuing Care Retirement Communities 365
Healthcare Facilities 369
Inpatient Hospitals 369
Ancillary Departments 372
Healthcare Casework 379
Healthcare Furniture 381
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IX
Retail Spaces 382
Types of Retail Spaces 382
Fixture Placement 382
Retail Equipment 383
Retail Lighting 383
Performance Spaces 419
Planning Criteria 419
Performance Equipment 421
Hospitality Spaces 384
Hotels 384
Restaurants 390
Museums 421
Museum Design Considerations 421
Museum Exhibit Casework 421
Museum Lighting 423
Museum Security 425
Educational Facilities 402
Early Childhood and Kindergarten 402
Elementary, Middle, and Junior High Schools 404
High Schools 405
Lecture Halls and Auditoriums 410
Libraries 413
Athletic and Fitness Spaces 425
Courts, Alleys, and Rinks 425
Gymnastics 426
Table Sports and Darts 427
Fitness Spaces 428
Saunas and Steam Rooms 430
Animal Care Facilities 431
General Design Concept 431
Animal Housing 431
Adoption Facility 434
Existing Building Interiors 435
Historic Preservation, Restoration, and Adaptive
Reuse 435
Existing Hazardous Materials 436
Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste 438
APPENDIX
Classical Interior Architectural
Elements 439
GLOSSARY . . . 449
INDEX . . . 455
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XI
PREFACE
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is pleased to present the second edition of Interior
Graphic Standards, Student Edition. It is our hope that students of interior
design will find in this volume a companion for all aspects of their design education. The student edition serves as a reference for the core classes required
by all curriculums, including construction methods and materials, furniture
selection, design studio, acoustics, lighting, mechanical, electrical, and other
building systems, construction detailing and documentation, and human factors. Although this student edition is an abridgment of the second edition of
Interior Graphic Standards, it contains more than half of the original material.
Students of interior design are at the beginning of a lifetime of building the
skills and acquiring the knowledge and resources required for an inspired
design practice. It is our hope that Interior Graphic Standards, Student
Edition will serve as both a launching pad and touchstone in these endeavors
to all who seek its guidance.
The second edition of Interior Graphic Standards Student Edition has been
completely updated and reorganized. The content has been expanded to
include more information on residential—as well as commercial—interior
design. The book has been divided into two sections, followed by an appendix, a glossary, and an index.
Design Principles and Process, the first section, addresses issues which students will use across many areas of study. These include environmental and
behavioral issues, acoustical principles, accessible design, sustainable design,
and design basics. Evidence-based design, building codes, programming, contract documents, and computing technologies are included as design basics.
Building Elements, the second section, uses concise text and clear line
drawings to detail building structure and shell, interior construction, and
equipment and furnishings. Building structure and shell topics include basics
of substructure, floor, ceiling and roof construction, stairs and ramps, and
exterior walls. Interior construction topics include fire resistive and seismic
considerations that affect interiors, interior construction components and
finishes, and building services. This section ends with a chapter of interior
project types, including commercial, residential, healthcare, retail, hospitality,
and educational spaces. Performance spaces, museums, athletic and fitness
spaces, animal care facilities, and existing building interiors are also represented here. This chapter is ideal for finding information for specific design
projects.
The material at the end of the book—the Appendix, Glossary, and Index—
makes it easy for students to look up basic information. From front to back,
Interior Graphic Standards Student Edition, 2nd Edition is designed with the
needs of students and their teachers in mind. There are additional materials
on the book’s website, www.wiley.com/go/interiorgraphicstandards2e,
including a list of websites by topic for student use, and for teachers, additional extra images and PowerPoint presentations that can be customized for
in-class presentations.
Corky Binggeli, ASID
Editor-in-Chief
Arlington, Massachusetts
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SECTI O N 1
DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND PROCESS
CHAPTER 1
3
Environmental and Behavioral Issues
CHAPTER 2
13
Acoustical Principles
CHAPTER 3
18
Accessible Design Basics
CHAPTER 4
24
Sustainable Design Basics
CHAPTER 5
29
Design Basics
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
1
H UM AN FACTO R S
Human factors information refers to the variables that affect
human performance in the built environment, such as human physiology and human psychology. Data accumulated from the fields of
engineering, biology, psychology, and anthropology are integrated
in this multidisciplinary field.
Fit describes a design that uses human factors information to create
a stimulating but nonstressful environment for human use. Some
areas of fit are physiological, psychological, sensual, and cultural.
ANTHROPOMETRICS AND
ERGONOMICS
The field of anthropometrics provides information about the dimensions and functional capacity of the human body. Static anthropometrics measures the body at rest; dynamic anthropometrics
measures the body while it is performing activities defined as
“work.” Dimensional variation occurs in anthropometric data
because of the large range of diversity in the human population. To
utilize anthropometric charts effectively, a designer must identify
where a subject user group falls in relationship to these variables.
The factors that cause human variations are gender, age, ethnicity,
and race. Patterns of growth affected by human culture cause variation in human measure as well. Percentiles that refer to the frequency of occurrence describe dimensional variations on anthropometric charts: that is, the mean percentile (50%), the small
extreme percentile (2.5%), and the large extreme percentile
(97.5%).
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E N VIRO NM E NTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
MEASURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TODDLERS—2.5 TO 4 YEARS
1.1
HUMAN F ACTO R S
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HUMAN FACTORS
MEASURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS—7 TO 8 YEARS
1.2
ENVIRONMENTAL AN D BE H AVI O R AL I SSU E S
5
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E N VIRO NM E NTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
MEASURE OF MAN—FRONT VIEW
1.3
HUMAN F ACTO R S
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HUMAN FACTORS
MEASURE OF MAN—SIDE VIEW
1.4
ENVIRONMENTAL AN D BE H AVI O R AL I SSU E S
7
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E N VIRO NM E NTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
MEASURE OF WOMAN—FRONT VIEW
1.5
HUMAN F ACTO R S
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HUMAN FACTORS
MEASURE OF WOMAN—SIDE VIEW
1.6
Contributor:
Alvin R. Tilley, Henry Dreyfus Associates, The Measure of Man &
Woman: Human Factors in Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2001.
ENVIRONMENTAL AN D BE H AVI O R AL I SSU E S
9
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E N VIRO NM E NTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
Ergonomics is the application of human factors data to design. This
term was coined by the U.S. Army when it began to design
machines to fit humans, rather than trying to find humans to fit
machines.
HUMAN F ACTO R S
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
1.7
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Human behavior is motivated by innate attributes such as the five
senses and by learned cultural attributes. Each human has a
unique innate capacity to gather sensual information. How that
information is understood is determined by personal and cultural
experience.
Proxemics is the study of human behavior as it relates to learned
cultural behavior. Human behavior originates in the expression of a
person’s genetic code, modified by his or her experience.
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Psychologist Abraham Maslow created a theoretical model that
describes human needs and motivations. His hierarchy of needs is
presented as a constantly evolving process, such that when a person satisfies one need, another presents itself, and the individual
will be driven to satisfy that set of needs.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is presented as a pyramid depicting
the levels of psychological and physical human needs. The two levels at the pyramid’s base—physiological and safety—are required
for survival in a hostile environment. Physiological needs include
air, food, water, sex, sleep, and other drives that sustain life and
health. Safety includes security, order, and stability necessary to
protect an individual’s body, family, and property.
The three levels at the top of the pyramid—belonging, self-esteem,
and self-actualization—are the focus of programming for most
interior spaces. Belonging is associated with love and with membership in friendships, family life, and sexual relationships. Selfesteem relates to confidence, achievement, and mutual respect.
The final level at the top of the pyramid is self-actualization, which
involves fulfilling one’s own highest needs and striving for one’s
fullest potential as a human being; it is associated with morality,
creativity, problem solving, and other open-minded behaviors.
DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS
Some aspects of human behavior related to territoriality are cultural. The space between objects has form, but the space between
people is kinetic. The dimension of human territoriality varies in
dimension because of cultural forces.
• Defensible space occurs when designed form reinforces meaning for the user and where boundary and ownership are visible
in public space
• Intimate space is where lovers, family, small children, and close
friends are allowed to enter
• Personal space is a protected area, where strangers are not
welcome.
• Social space is the range of space in which most public interactions occur. Speech and expression are clear and communications are efficient and accurate.
• Public distance is the range of space where it is not considered
rude to ignore someone, and interaction is not allowed.
DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PEOPLE
1.8
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WAYF INDING
ENVIRONMENTAL AND BE H AVI O R AL I SSU E S
W AY FIND ING
Wayfinding refers to the way people orient themselves in a given
environment and find their destination. The ability to orient oneself
is based on many pieces of information, including visual clues,
memories, and knowledge of a place, along with the ability to reason. Environmental psychology terms the ability to acquire, code,
store, recall, and decode information about the physical environment cognitive mapping. Successful wayfinding is the ability to naturally orient oneself in the environment and to easily locate a destination without experiencing stress.
MAPPING
Three components for the analysis of environmental imaging
include:
• Identity, or objects in background
• Structure, or objects in relationship to each other
• Meaning, or personal, societal, or figurative belief
A highly imageable space has components that relate in a wellstructured manner. The way a space is mapped for an individual
varies, depending on the person. Certain images and visual clues
are perceived similarly by groups of people who share similar
backgrounds, activities, or routines, and recurrent features in their
environment. For example, a group of schoolchildren may be of a
similar age, share the learning and play activities of a school, and
be aware of the physical features of the school building.
MAPPING ELEMENTS
Lynch’s research resulted in the identification of five categories of
elements that people use to map an environment:
•
•
•
•
•
Paths: Channels of movement
Edges: Boundaries that break, contain, or run parallel to forms
Districts: Areas of recognizable identity
Nodes: Places of intense activity
Landmarks: Points of reference that are visually distinguishable
COGNITIVE MAPS
Cognitive maps are psychological impressions or representations
of an individual’s ability to understand space and the organizing
elements by which they orient themselves. Cognitive maps usually
combine several of the mapping elements. Three-dimensional characteristics of a space, material choices, colors, and lighting can all
impact the formation of edges, districts, or nodes.
Where the boundaries of the districts meet, an edge may be
formed, providing a sense of having exited one area and entered
another. A node may occur at an intersection of activities or along
paths where activity is concentrated. Landmarks may be used by
the designer to mark entrances or points of interest.
WAYFINDING AND AGE
The process of learning involves an increase in perception of detail
as a person develops. Adults navigate wide-reaching, complex
environments on a daily basis, whereas children’s environments
are more limited in range and tend to be perceived on the basis of
reference points.
The designer of environments for small children should be aware
that children are naturally oriented in relation to their own positions. Children see the world always in relation to themselves. For
example, an especially enjoyable piece of equipment at the playground and its relationship to the toilet facility a child uses while at
the playground may be the elements by which he or she organizes
and understands that environment. A child’s cognitive map will likely include detailed aspects of a space with which he or she is
directly involved.
MAPPING ELEMENTS
1.9
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E N VIRO NM E NTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
The adolescent child’s orientation system may be based on a local
hangout, the path of travel between home and school, local landmarks within the community, and similar points of reference.
As adults, people tend to rely on maps, diagrams, and more highly
abstract information for orientation and finding their way within a
new area. An adult who is visiting an unfamiliar city may use a city
map to reach a destination.
SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING CLUES
Signage is an important part of directing people through a space.
Building signage can include building identification, building layout
illustration, directional signs, and place signs.
Contributors:
Bradford Perkins (Stephen Kliment, Ed.), Building Type Basics for
Elementary and Secondary Schools, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
2001, pp. 193–200
Kevin Lynch, The Image of the City, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1960
Gary T. Moore, “The Development of Environmental Knowing: An
Overview of an Interactional-Constructivist Theory and Some Data on
Within-Individual Development Variations” in Psychology and the Built
Environment, David Carter and Terrence Lee, Eds. Architectural Press,
London, 1976
WAYF INDIN G
Signs should be designed and placed consistently throughout the
facility. The overuse of signage and cluttered signage becomes
ineffective, and should be avoided. Signs should be placed strategically at decision-making areas.
WAYFINDING CLUES
In addition to signage, visual clues can be utilized to help orient the
user. Architectural elements like lobbies, stairs, elevators, and
areas of special use can create a framework into which users can
place themselves. The following interior treatments typically used
for aesthetic effect can also assist the designer in creating a highly understandable environment:
•
•
•
•
•
Change of wall color, type, or texture
Change in flooring
Use of lighting to highlight or minimize areas
Change of ceiling treatments
Furniture arrangement or type.
The extent of wayfinding clues incorporated in the environment
should vary from public to private spaces. Public areas require
more information to be presented to aid visitors in locating their
destinations. As the spaces become more private, fewer clues will
be needed because of the occupant’s knowledge of the environment.
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ACOUSTICAL PRINCIPLES
2
BASICS OF ACOUSTICAL DESIGN
SOUND
SOUND AND FREQUENCY
2.3
Sound is energy produced by a vibrating object or surface and
transmitted as a wave through an elastic medium. Such a medium
may be air (airborne sound) or any solid common building material, such as steel, concrete, wood, piping, gypsum board, and so on
(structure-borne sound). A sound wave has amplitude and frequency.
The amplitude of sound waves is measured in decibels (dB). The
decibel scale is a logarithmic scale based on the logarithm of the
ratio of a sound pressure to a reference sound pressure (the
threshold of audibility). The values of a logarithmic scale, such as
the decibel levels of two noise sources, cannot be added directly.
Instead, use the simplified method described in Table 2.1. For
example, 90 dB + 20 dB = 90 dB; 60 dB + 60 dB = 63 dB.
AMPLITUDE (DECIBELS)
2.1
in dBA, or A-weighted decibels. This is the most universally accepted single-number rating for human response to sound.
Difference between sound levels (in dB) 0 to 1
2 to 3 4 to 9
10
Add this number to higher sound level
2
0
3
1
SUBJECTIVE REACTIONS TO CHANGE IN SOUND LEVEL
2.2
CHANGE IN SOUND
LEVEL, dB
1 to 2
CHANGE IN APPARENT LOUDNESS
Imperceptible
3
Barely perceptible
5 to 6
Clearly noticeable
10
Significant change—twice as loud
(or half as loud)
20
Dramatic change—four times as loud
(or a quarter as loud)
FREQUENCY
The frequency of sound waves is measured in hertz (Hz; also
known as cycles per second) and grouped into octaves; an octave
band is labeled by its geometric center frequency. An octave band
covers the range from one frequency (Hz) to twice that frequency
(f to 2f). The range of human hearing covers the frequencies from
20 to 16,000 Hz. Human hearing is most acute in the 1,000- to
4,000-Hz octave bands.
The human ear discriminates against low frequencies in a manner
matched by the A-weighting filter of a sound-level meter, measured
SOUND ABSORPTION PROPERTIES
OF MATERIALS
All materials and surfaces absorb some sound. The percentage of
incident sound energy that is absorbed by a material, divided by 100,
equals the coefficient of absorption, which ranges from 0 to 0.99. The
coefficient varies as a function of frequency, measured in hertz.
The sound absorption coefficient for a given material may vary
depending on the thickness of the material, how it is supported or
mounted, the depth of the air space behind the material, and the
facing in front of the material. In general, thicker, porous materials
absorb more sound. The air space behind a material will increase
the absorption efficiency, especially at low frequencies. Thin facings degrade high-frequency absorption.
SOUND ENERGY ABSORPTION
MECHANISMS
There are three mechanisms by which sound energy is absorbed or
dissipated as it strikes a surface. In all cases, sound energy is converted to heat, although not enough heat to be felt.
Porous absorption entails the use of soft, porous, fuzzy materials
such as glass fiber, mineral wool, and carpet. The pressure fluctuations of a sound wave in air cause the fibers of such materials to
move, and the friction of the fibers dissipates the sound energy.
Panel absorption involves installation of thin lightweight panels
such as gypsum board, glass, and plywood. Sound waves cause
these panels to vibrate. Sound absorption for a panel is greatest at
its natural or resonant frequency.
Cavity absorption entails the movement of air pressure fluctuations across the narrow neck of an enclosed air cavity, such as the
space behind a perforated panel or a slotted concrete masonry
unit, also called a Helmholtz resonator. Friction of the resonating
air molecules against the wall of the neck converts sound energy
to heat. If there is also insulation within the cavity, additional energy is extracted via the porous absorption mechanism.
ACOUSTICAL MEASUREMENT TERMS
• Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC): Field measurement
that covers all sound transfer paths between spaces.
• Articulation index (AI): Measures how materials affect speech
intelligibility in offices.
• Average room absorption coefficient (average coefficient of absorption): Total room absorption divided by total room surface area.
• Coefficient of absorption (absorption coefficient): Percent of
sound energy absorbed by a material.
• Decibel (dB): Measures sound pressure (perceived as relative
loudness).
• Hertz (Hz): Measures frequency (perceived as high or low pitch).
• Impact Isolation Class (IIC): Measures impact sound transmissions through floor assemblies.
• Noise criteria (NC): Standard spectrum curves used to describe
a given measured noise.
• Noise reduction (NR): Measures actual difference in sound pressure levels at any two points along a sound path.
• Sabin: Unit of sound absorption.
• Sound absorption average (SAA): Average of sound absorption
coefficients.
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ACO U ST ICAL PR INCI PLES
ROOM ACOUSTICS
• Sound absorption coefficient: Measures absorptive property of
a material in a specified frequency band.
• Sound transmission class (STC): Provides an estimate of the
performance of a partition in certain common sound insulation
situations.
• Sound transmission loss (TL): Measures attenuation of airborne
sound through a construction assembly.
• Speech absorption coefficient (SAC): Tool for evaluating the
effectiveness of ceiling materials for sound absorption.
SOUND-ABSORBING COEFFICIENTS FOR VARIOUS MATERIALS
2.4
MEASURING SOUND ABSORPTION
MATERIAL
125 Hz
250 Hz
500 Hz
1,000 Hz
2,000 Hz
40,000 Hz
Marble
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
NRC
0.00
Gypsum board, 1/2⬙ (13 mm)
0.29
0.10
0.05
0.04
0.07
0.09
0.05
Wood, 1⬙ (25 mm) thick, with air
space behind
0.19
0.14
0.09
0.06
0.06
0.05
0.10
Heavy carpet on concrete
0.02
0.06
0.14
0.37
0.60
0.65
0.30
Acoustical tile, surface mounted
0.34
0.28
0.45
0.66
0.74
0.77
0.55
One measure of the quality of sound in a room is the average
coefficient of absorption for all surfaces combined. As determined
by using the average coefficient of absorption, the quality of sound
in a room can be evaluated as 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3. A room with an
average coefficient of 0.1 is rather acoustically live, loud, and
uncomfortably noisy; one with an average coefficient of 0.2 is
comfortable, with well-controlled noise; and one with 0.3 is rather
acoustically dead, suitable for spaces in which the emphasis will be
on amplified sound, electronic playback, or a live microphone for
teleconferencing.
Acoustical tile, suspended
0.43
0.38
0.53
0.77
0.87
0.77
0.65
Acoustical tile, painted (est.)
0.35
0.35
0.45
0.50
0.50
0.45
0.45
Audience area: empty, hard seats
0.15
0.19
0.22
0.39
0.38
0.30
0.30
Audience area: occupied,
upholstered seats
0.39
0.57
0.80
0.94
0.92
0.87
0.80
Glass fiber, 1⬙ (25 mm)
0.04
0.21
0.73
0.99
0.99
0.90
0.75
Glass fiber, 4⬙ (100 mm)
0.77
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.95
1.00
Thin fabric, stretched tight to wall
0.03
0.04
0.11
0.17
0.24
0.35
0.15
The sound absorption average (SAA) is a single-number measure
of sound absorption. The SAA is the average of sound absorption
coefficients of a material from 200 to 2,500 Hz inclusive.
Thick fabric, bunched 4⬙ (100 mm)
from wall
0.14
0.35
0.55
0.72
0.70
0.65
0.60
ROO M ACO U ST ICS
The sabin is defined as a unit of sound absorption. One square
meter of 100% absorbing material has a value of one metric sabin.
The unit is named in honor of Wallace Clement Sabine, considered
the father of acoustical design.
The total sabins in a room can be determined by adding together
the sabins of all the surfaces, which vary as a function of frequency. Because most materials absorb more high-frequency sound
waves than low-frequency ones, it is typical to find more sabins in
a room at high frequencies than at low frequencies.
Shorter reverberation times greatly enhance speech intelligibility
and are imperative in listening environments for people with hearing
impairments and for rooms with live microphones for teleconferencing. Longer reverberation times add richness to concert and
liturgical music.
USE OF SOUND-ABSORPTIVE
MATERIALS
In general, sound energy that is not absorbed will be reflected;
thus, surfaces with low coefficients of absorption can be used to
encourage sound reflection when appropriate.
Sound-absorptive materials (such as acoustical tile, glass fiber, wall
panels, carpet, curtains, etc.) can be added to a room in order to
control or reduce noise levels or shorten reverberation time. Noise
PROPERTIES OF SOUND
GUIDELINES FOR USE OF SOUND ABSORPTION
2.5
Distance and time are two defining properties of sound. Outdoors,
sound drops off 6 dB each time the distance from a source is doubled
(inverse square law). Indoors, the reflecting sound energy in a
room reaches a constant level as a function of the sound-absorbing
units (sabins) in the room.
Outdoors, sound ceases when the source stops. Indoors, sound
energy lingers; this decay is called reverberation. The reverberation
time (RT) is defined as the length of time in seconds that it takes
for sound to decay by 60 dB. Reverberation time is directly proportional to the volume of a space and inversely proportional to the
units of absorption (sabins) in it.
ROOM TYPE
control is especially helpful when the noise sources are distributed
around a room, as in a gymnasium, classroom, or cafeteria.
While sound-absorptive materials can be added to any surface in a
room, the greatest area available for coverage is usually the ceiling. Because many soft, porous materials are fragile, they should
not be located on surfaces that are susceptible to abuse. For these
reasons, sound-absorptive materials are often installed on ceilings. However, limiting absorption to one surface or to two parallel
surfaces may not effect as great a change as calculated, because
an assumption of the reverberation and noise reduction formulas
is that the absorption is rather evenly distributed among the surfaces of the space.
TREATMENT
Classrooms, corridors and lobbies, patient rooms, laboratories, shops,
factories, libraries, private and open-plan offices, restaurants
Ceiling or equivalent area; add additional wall treatment if room is
quite high
Boardrooms, teleconferencing rooms, gymnasiums, arenas,
recreational spaces, meeting and conference rooms
Ceiling or equivalent; add wall treatments for further noise reduction and
reverberation control and to eliminate flutter or echo
Auditoriums, churches, acoustically sensitive spaces
Special considerations and complex applications
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SOUND TRANSMISSION
ACO U ST I CAL PR I N CI PLE S
S O U ND T R ANSM ISSION
The property of a material or construction system that blocks the
transfer of sound energy from one side to another is sound transmission loss (TL), which is measured in decibels. Specifically, TL is
the attenuation of airborne sound transmission through a construction during laboratory testing.
Transmission loss values range from 0 to 70 or higher. A high TL
value indicates a better capability to block sound; that is, more
sound energy is lost (transformed into heat energy) as the sound
wave travels through the material.
Sound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating system
designed to combine TL values from many frequencies. STC values
for site-built construction range from 10 (practically no isolation;
e.g., an open doorway) to 65 or 70 (such high performance is only
achieved with special construction techniques). Average construction might provide noise reduction in the range of STC 30 to 60.
SOUND ISOLATION
IMPACT NOISE REDUCTION
One of the most common goals in the design of sound isolation construction is achievement of acoustical privacy from a neighbor. This
privacy is a function of whether the signal from the neighbor is
audible and intelligible above the ordinary background noise level
in the environment. Noise reduction is measured as a field performance, where it is evaluated and given an STC value. The privacy index is equal to noise reduction plus background noise that
masks speech sounds.
Often the greatest annoyance caused by footfall noise is the lowfrequency sound energy it generates, which is beyond the frequency range of standardized tests. Sometimes this sound energy
is near or at the resonant frequency of the building structure.
Whenever possible, stifle unwanted sounds by using carpet with
padding on floors in residential buildings, and resilient, suspended
ceilings with cavity insulation.
Normal privacy, in which you are aware of a neighbor’s activity but
not overly distracted by it, can usually be achieved with a privacy
index of 68 or higher. Confidential privacy, in which you are
unaware of the neighbor, usually requires a privacy index of 75 or
higher.
It is very difficult to measure the STC performance of a single wall
or door in the field because of the number of flanking paths and
nonstandard conditions. Field performance is measured with
Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC) ratings, which cover
effects from all sound transfer paths between rooms.
The level of continuous background noise, such as that provided by
the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or by
electronic masking, has a significant impact on the quality of construction selected and must be coordinated with the other design
parameters.
TRANSMISSION LOSS
SOUND ISOLATION CRITERIA
2.6
Design of construction and materials for high transmission loss
builds on three principles: mass, separation, and absorption.
Mass: Lightweight materials do not block sound. Sound transmission through walls, floors, and ceilings varies with the frequency of
sound, the weight (or mass) and stiffness of the construction, and
the cavity absorption.
BACKGROUND LEVEL IN SOURCE ROOM:
OCCUPANCY
School buildings
Separation: Improved TL performance without an undue increase
in mass can be achieved by separation of materials. A true double
wall with separate unconnected elements performs better than the
mass law predicts for a single wall of the same weight. Resilient
attachment of surface skins to studs or structural surfaces provides a similar benefit, as do separate wythes.
Absorption: Use of soft, resilient, absorptive materials in the cavity between wythes, particularly for lightweight staggered or double-stud construction, increases transmission loss significantly.
If two layers of dense material are separated by an air space
(rather than being continuous), they create two independent walls.
The improvement in transmission loss depends on the size of the
air space and the frequency of the sound.
Executive areas, doctors’ suites,
confidential privacy
Normal offices, normal privacy
requirements, group meeting
rooms
NOISE REDUCTION
Noise reduction (NR) depends on the properties of a room and is
the actual difference in sound pressure level between two spaces.
It is the amount of sound blocked by all intervening sound paths
between rooms, including the common wall but also the floor, ceiling, outside path, doors, and other flanking paths.
Noise reduction also depends on the relative size of a room. If the
noise source is in a small room next to a large receiving room (e.g.,
an office next to a gymnasium), the noise reduction will be greater
than the TL performance of the wall alone because the sound radiating from the common wall between office and gym will be dissipated in such a large space. On the other hand, if the noise source
is in a large room next to a small one (as from a gym to an office
next door), the noise reduction will be far less than the TL of the
wall alone because the common wall, which radiates sound, is such
a large part of the surface of the smaller room.
Slamming doors or cabinet drawers are other sources of impact
noise. If possible, bureaus should not be placed directly against a
wall. Door closers or stops can be added to cushion the impact of
energy from a door so it is not imparted directly into the structure.
Commonsense arrangements can help minimize problems in multifamily dwellings. For example, kitchen cabinets should not be placed
on the other side of a common wall from a neighbor’s bedroom.
SOURCE ROOM
Classrooms
ADJACENT AREA
Adjacent classrooms
QUIET
NORMAL
STC 42
STC 40
Corridor or public areas
STC 40
STC 38
Kitchen and dining areas
STC 50
STC 47
Shops
STC 50
STC 47
Recreation areas
STC 45
STC 42
Music rooms
STC 55
STC 50
Mechanical equipment rooms
STC 50
STC 45
Toilet areas
STC 45
STC 42
Music practice rooms
Adjacent practice rooms
STC 55
STC 50
Corridor and public areas
STC 45
STC 42
Office
Adjacent offices
STC 50
STC 45
STC 45
Office
Conference rooms
General office areas
STC 48
Corridor or lobby
STC 45
STC 42
Washrooms and toilet areas
STC 50
STC 47
Adjacent offices
STC 40
STC 38
Corridor, lobby, exterior
STC 40
STC 38
Washrooms, kitchen, dining
STC 42
STC 40
Other conference rooms
STC 45
STC 42
Adjacent offices
STC 45
STC 42
Corridor or lobby
STC 42
STC 40
Exterior
STC 40
STC 38
STC 42
Kitchen and dining areas
STC 45
Large offices, computer work
areas, banking floors, etc.
Large general office
areas
Corridors, lobby, exterior
STC 48
STC 35
Data processing areas
STC 40
STC 38
Kitchen and dining areas
STC 40
STC 38
Motels and urban hotels,
hospitals, dormitories
Bedrooms
Adjacent bedrooms
STC 52
STC 50
Adjacent single bathroom
STC 50
STC 45
Adjacent living rooms
STC 45
STC 42
Dining areas
STC 45
STC 42
Corridor, lobby, or public spaces
STC 45
STC 42
Source: Adapted from Benjamin Stein, John S. Reynolds, Walter T. Grondzik, and Alison G. Kwok, Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings,
10th ed. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2006).
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ACO U ST ICAL PR INCI PLES
SOUND TRANSMISSION
TYPICAL HIGH SOUND ISOLATION CONSTRUCTION
2.7
ACOUSTICAL PARTITIONS
MODIFIED FULL-HEIGHT PARTITION
2.9
The reduction of airborne sound transmission, such as normal conversation and other office noise, is identified by STC ratings. The
STC does not identify reductions of impact or vibration noise, which
are classified by the IIC ratings.
RECOMMENDED STC VALUES
2.8
RECEIVING ROOM
Offices requiring privacy
(doctors, executives)
Other office areas
Conference and training
rooms
Hotel bedrooms
Classrooms (K to 12)
All areas
NOTE
2.9 The ceiling is installed prior to installation of the partition. This detail
can be used when improved acoustical qualities are desired and economy of installation is required. It is not as stable as a full-height partition with studs continuous to the structure above. STC rating of 40 to
44.
SOURCE ROOM
STC
Lobby or corridor
50
General office
45
Adjacent office
50
Toilet room
55
Lobby or corridor
45
Kitchen or dining room
45
Other conference room
50
Adjacent office
50
General office
50
Lobby or corridor
50
Toilet room
55
Adjacent bedroom, living room,
or bathroom
55
Lobby or corridor
55
Adjacent classroom
45
Laboratory
50
Lobby or corridor
50
Kitchen or dining room
50
Vocational shop
55
Music room
55+
Toilet room
50
Mechanical room
60
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SOUND TRANSMISSION
DOUBLE-LAYER GYPSUM BOARD PARTITION
2.10
SOUND-ISOLATED ASSEMBLIES
2.12
SOUND CONTROL
CEILING-HEIGHT PARTITION WITH SOUND
ATTENUATION
2.11
The reduction of airborne sound passing through a wall, floor, or
ceiling is identified by the sound transmission class (STC).
Acoustics affect diverse aspects of daily life, from the productivity
of office workers and performance quality in theaters and auditoriums to the market value of apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes. In addition, industries such as healthcare and
financial must comply with stringent federal privacy regulations
requiring service providers to make reasonable efforts to assure
speech privacy in patient and customer consultation areas.
Depending on the purpose of the room, primary acoustical requirements could include sound control between spaces, within a space,
or listening efficiency.
Testing, conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, according to ASTM procedures, provides a measurement of maximum
performance potential. The actual ability of partitions and assemblies to control sound in real-life applications, however, depends on
their design and the methods used to install them.
Partition STC ratings are dependent on the partition:
•
•
•
•
Mass
Resiliency (or isolation)
Dampening
Sound absorption
Multilayer partitions have more mass than single-layer partitions.
Wood studs are less resilient than steel studs and transmit more
sound. Sound attenuation insulation provides good sound dampening and absorption.
Acoustical partitions require sealant at the perimeter (typically top
and bottom) edges of the partition assembly, as well as at openings
in the gypsum panels such as electrical boxes, mechanical ducts,
and other penetrations.
NOTES
2.10 This figure shows a nonrated partition that can achieve a two-hour
rating with Type X gypsum board. This design offers additional security
due to a double layer of gypsum board. The resilient channel provides
higher-performance sound control. Acoustical sealant is required for an
STC rating of 55 to 60.
2.11 This figure shows a nonrated partition commonly used in commercial and high-quality residential construction. The ceiling is installed
prior to installation of the partition. Normal conversation is not audible,
but loud sounds may be transmitted through the partition. STC rating of
40 to 44.
2.13 Arrows indicate flanking paths
Contributors:
Jim Johnson, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Doug Sturz and Carl Rosenberg, AIA, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
ACO U ST I CAL PR I N CI PLE S
ACOUSTICAL CONSTRUCTION
2.13
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ACCESSIBLE DESIGN BASICS
ACCESSIBILITY
DEFINITIONS
Accessible is a design term that describes elements of the physical
environment that can be used by people with disabilities. Originally,
the term described facilities that could be accessed by wheelchair
users, but it has evolved to include designs for a wider group of
people with more diverse functional requirements.
From a designer’s perspective, there is a difference between appropriate accessible design for public facilities and the best approach
for private, custom accessible projects. Public accessibility standards establish general design specifications that broadly meet the
targeted population’s needs. By contrast, custom accessible design
should address the specific needs of an individual user.
ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS TERMS
The following terms are used in accessibility standards; definitions
may vary among standards:
• Alteration: Any change that affects usability. This includes
remodeling, renovation, rearrangements in structural parts, and
changes or rearrangement of walls and full-height partitions.
• Commercial facilities: This category includes nonresidential
facilities whose operations affect commerce.
• Continuing obligation: Barriers must be removed whenever it
becomes readily achievable to do so.
• Multifamily housing: As defined by the ABA, FHAA, ADA, and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, multifamily housing is a “building with four or more dwelling units.” Further, they
state that “dwelling units within a single structure that are separated by fire walls do not constitute separate buildings.”
• Path of travel: This is a continuous route connecting an altered
area to the entrance and point of arrival. It can include side-
walks, lobbies, corridors, and elevators, as well as telephones,
restrooms, and drinking fountains serving the altered area.
• Place of public accommodation: This set of facilities has retroactive requirements. There are 12 categories that include the following:
• Places of lodging (e.g., inns, hotels, motels, except for owneroccupied establishments renting fewer than six rooms)
• Establishments serving food or drink (e.g., restaurants and
bars)
• Places of exhibition or entertainment (e.g., motion picture
houses, theaters, concert halls, stadiums)
• Places of public gathering (e.g., auditoriums, convention centers, lecture halls)
• Sales or rental establishments (e.g., bakeries, grocery stores,
hardware stores, shopping centers)
• Service establishments (e.g., shops, professional offices, hospitals)
• Public transportation terminals, depots, or stations (not
including facilities relating to air transportation)
• Places of public display or collection (e.g., museums, libraries,
galleries)
• Places of recreation (e.g, parks, zoos)
• Places of education (e.g., nursery schools; elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate schools)
• Social service center establishments (e.g., day care centers,
senior citizen centers, homeless shelters, food banks, adoption agencies)
• Places of exercise or recreation (e.g., gymnasiums, health
spas, bowling alleys, golf courses)
• Primary function: Any area in which a major activity takes place.
It does not include mechanical rooms, boiler rooms, supply storage rooms, employee lounges or locker rooms, janitorial closets,
entrances, corridors, or restrooms.
• Private club: To qualify, these organizations must meet the following criteria:
• Members exercise a high degree of control over club operations; the membership selection process is highly selective;
substantial membership fees are charged; the entity is operated on a nonprofit basis; the club was not founded specifically to avoid compliance with federal civil rights laws.
• Readily achievable: According to the laws, this means “easily
accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.” The Department of Justice lists examples of what
is readily achievable, including:
• Installing ramps; making curb cuts in sidewalks and
entrances
• Repositioning shelves; rearranging tables, chairs, vending
machines, display racks, and other furniture; repositioning
telephones
• Adding raised markings on elevator control buttons
• Installing flashing alarm lights
• Widening doors; installing offset hinges to widen doorways;
installing accessible door hardware
• Eliminating a turnstile or providing an alternative, accessible
path
• Installing grab bars in toilet stalls; rearranging toilet partitions to increase maneuvering space; insulating lavatory
pipes under sinks to prevent burns; installing a raised toilet
seat; installing a full-length bathroom mirror; repositioning
the paper towel dispenser in a bathroom
• Installing an accessible paper cup dispenser at an existing
inaccessible water fountain
• Removing high-pile, low-density carpeting
ADA AND FHAA DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing
Amendments Act (FHAA) are the two broad federal civil rights laws
that address accessible design and construction of both public and
private facilities. The FHAA covers multifamily housing. The ADA is
applied to a wide range of public accommodations offered by private entities (Title III) and municipal facilities (Title II). Other federal laws, such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may also apply to
some projects.
Contributors:
Kim A. Beasley, AIA, and Thomas D. Davies Jr., AIA, Paralyzed Veterans
of America Architecture, Washington, DC.
The ADA includes design requirements for new facility construction
and for additions to, and alterations of, existing facilities that are
owned, leased, or operated by both private entities and local governments. However, design standards and management responsibilities differ between the two owner groups.
Owners and operators of existing private facilities that serve the
public have ADA construction responsibilities under what is called
barrier removal. Local governments also have the responsibility of
making all their new and existing programs accessible. Meeting
this ADA responsibility for municipal programs sometimes may
require new construction or physical modifications to existing facilities. The ADA also prescribes employer responsibilities for changing their policies or modifying their facilities to accommodate
employees with disabilities (Title I).
Several ADA concepts determine design requirements, such as
path of travel components for renovation projects and the elevator
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ADA AND FHAA DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
exception for small multistory buildings. It is imperative that
designers familiarize themselves with all aspects of the law, as
well as with the design standards.
The FHAA addresses new multifamily housing constructed by
either private entities or local governments. Generally, it covers
apartments, dormitories, and other lodgings included in projects
with four or more total dwelling units that are built for sale or
lease. Existing housing structures and any remodeling, conversion,
or reuse projects are not covered by the FHAA.
The FHAA guidelines allow the exclusion of certain dwelling units
because of site considerations, such as steep topography and
floodplains. The guidelines include site practicality tests for analyzing site constraints.
ACCESSI BLE D E SI G N BASI CS
Knee and toe clearance that is included as part of a T-shaped turning space should be provided only at the base of the T or on one
arm of the T. In some configurations, the obstruction of part of the
T-shape may make it impossible for a wheelchair user to maneuver
to the desired location.
Additional space can be provided beneath the table, desk, or other
element, but that space is not considered knee and toe clearance.
Minimum clearances are required at specific accessible elements.
Knee and toe clearance must always be at least 30 in. (762 mm)
wide. Toe clearance does not have to extend to the wall.
KNEE AND TOE CLEARANCES
Knee and toe clearance can be included as part of the wheelchair
turning space and clear floor space at accessible elements.
However, the extent and location of knee and toe clearance can
affect the usability of the space.
WHEELCHAIR MANEUVERING CLEARANCES
3.1
SAMPLE MANEUVERING CLEARANCES—DRINKING FOUNTAIN
3.2
WHEELCHAIR TURNING SPACE
3.3
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AC CE SSIB L E D E SIG N BASICS
KNEE AND TOE CLEARANCE
3.4
ADA AND F HAA DESIGN RE Q U I R E ME N T S
REACH LIMITS
REACH RANGES
3.5
CHILDREN’S REACH RANGES FROM A WHEELCHAIR
3.6
FORWARD OR
SIDE REACH
Contributor:
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, PA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
AGES
3 AND 4
AGES
5 TO 8
AGES
9 TO 12
Maximum
36⬙ (914 mm)
40⬙ (1,016 mm)
44⬙ (1,118 mm)
Minimum
20⬙ (508 mm)
18⬙ (457 mm)
16⬙ (406 mm)
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ACCESSIBLITY
PROTRUDING OBJECTS
Wall sconces, fire alarm appliances, environmental controls, door
hardware, signs, and suspended lighting fixtures are examples of
protruding objects.
Some standards specify the extent to which doorstops and door
closers may protrude into the 80 in. (2,032 mm) vertical clearance,
generally allowing a 2 in. (51 mm) maximum projection.
Protruding objects are not permitted to reduce the required width
of an accessible route below 36 in. (914 mm), with one exception:
A 32-in. (813-mm) width is permitted for a 24-in. (610-mm) length.
DIMENSIONS OF PROTRUDING OBJECTS
3.7
FREESTANDING PROTRUDING OBJECTS
3.8
OVERHEAD-HAZARD PROTECTION
3.9
Contributors:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, PA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
ACCESSI BLE D E SI G N BASI CS
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AC CE SSIB L E D E SIG N BASICS
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
ACCESSIBLE RO UTES
Accessible routes are generally required as follows:
• Multilevel buildings and facilities: Required between all levels,
including mezzanines, in multistory buildings, unless exempted.
• ADA elevator exception: Buildings with only two floors are
exempt from providing an accessible route to the upper or lower
level. Buildings with less than 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) per floor,
regardless of height, are exempt from providing an accessible
route to upper or lower floor levels. Neither exception applies to
shopping centers, offices of professional healthcare providers,
public transportation terminals, or state and local government
facilities.
• Building code elevator exception: Model building codes generally
exempt a maximum aggregate area of 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m),
regardless of the number of levels. Similar to the ADA restrictions, this exception cannot be used in offices of healthcare
providers, passenger transportation facilities, or mercantile occupancies with multiple tenants. Consult the applicable local code.
• FHAG elevator requirements: Required for buildings containing
dwelling units, and not public or common-use spaces. FHAG does
not require accessible routes to all levels. Instead, the existence
or lack of an elevator determines the extent of units covered.
When elevators are provided, they generally must serve all floors;
an exception is provided for elevators serving only as a means of
access from a garage to a single floor. When elevators are not
provided, only the “ground floor” units are subject to the FHAG
requirements. In mixed-use construction, an accessible route is
required to the first level containing dwelling units, regardless of
its location. Consult FHAG for specific requirements.
• Levels not containing accessible elements or spaces: For facilities
in which only a percentage of the spaces provided are required to
be accessible (assembly, residential, institutional, and storage),
codes do not require an accessible route to serve levels not containing required accessible spaces. Separate requirements for
dispersion of accessible elements and spaces may still require
multiple accessible levels. Consult the applicable local code.
• Accessible spaces and elements: To all spaces and elements
that are required to be accessible.
• Toilet rooms and bathrooms: ADA generally requires that all toilet and bathing rooms be accessible. This does not trigger a
requirement for accessible routes if the floor level is not otherwise required to have an accessible route.
• Alterations: ADA and building codes generally do not require that
altered elements trigger a requirement for accessible routes to
the elements, unless covered under specific “primary function”
requirements. Consult ADA and the applicable local code.
COMPONENTS OF ACCESSIBLE
ROUTES
Accessible routes are permitted to include the following elements:
•
•
•
•
•
Walking surfaces with a slope of less than 1:20
Curb ramps
Ramps
Elevators
Platform (wheelchair) lifts
The use of lifts in new construction is limited to locations where
they are specifically permitted by the applicable regulations. Lifts
are generally permitted to be used as part of an accessible route
in alterations.
Each component has specific technical criteria that must be applied
for use as part of an accessible route. Consult the applicable code
or regulation.
LOCATION OF ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
FLOOR AND GROUND SURFACES
Accessible routes must be located as follows:
Changes in level greater than 1/2 in. (13 mm) must be ramped. Some
standards prohibit changes in level in clear floor space, maneuvering clearances, wheelchair turning space, and access aisles.
• Interior routes: Where an accessible route is required between
floor levels, and the general circulation path between levels is an
interior route, the accessible route must also be an interior route.
• Relation to circulation paths: Accessible routes should “coincide
with, or be located in the same area as, a general circulation
path.” Avoid making the accessible route a “second class” means
of circulation. Consult the applicable regulations for additional
specific requirements regarding location of accessible routes.
• Where the accessible route departs from the general circulation
path, and is not easily identified, directional signs should be provided as necessary to indicate the accessible route.
CLEAR WIDTH OF AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
3.10
All surfaces must be firm, stable, and slip resistant. Other openings,
such as in wood decking or ornamental gratings, must be designed
so that a 1/2 in. (13 mm) diameter sphere cannot pass through the
opening. The potential for wood shrinkage should be considered.
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ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
CHANGES IN LEVEL
3.11
FLOOR AND GROUND SURFACES
3.12
NOTE
3.13 Dimensions shown apply when X is less than 48 in. (1,219 mm).
Contributors:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, PA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
TURNS
3.13
ACCESSI BLE D E SI G N BASI CS
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BASICS
S U STA INA B L E D E SIGN PRINCIPLES
We live on a finite planet, and as our population and rate of development are growing across the globe, so is the rate at which we are
using the planet’s limited resources to accommodate that growth.
There are also direct and indirect consequences of this growth on
climate change, and we have only in recent years begun to understand the significance of this on the way we live and the way we
design, construct, and operate buildings and their interiors.
DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Three areas of concern regarding the depletion of limited natural
resources are energy, water, and materials.
Energy: The majority of the energy produced in the world today is
derived from limited fossil fuels. As these resources become
INTEGRATED INTERIORS
4.1
scarcer, the price of these fuels rises, thus creating a greater
incentive to first conserve energy and then move toward renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal.
Water: We are depleting our freshwater reserves faster than they
are being replenished. It takes a huge amount of energy to purify
and pump water from its source to the point of use. Therefore, in
recent years, there has been greater focus on water conservation
and water treatment and reuse technologies, especially in arid climates.
Materials: We are extracting and harvesting our limited natural
resources such as wood, stone, and minerals at a rate that cannot
be sustained. The full impact of materials extraction and harvesting
is not even known. We are destroying ecosystems, reducing the
amount of oxygen trees pump into our atmosphere, and contaminating water bodies through soil erosion.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The burning of fossil fuels for energy production yields greenhouse
gases, including carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.
Destruction of our forests for wood and paper supplies also contributes to climate change. We are not only concerned here with the
carbon footprint within the interior fit-out but also with the carbon
footprint used in the entire life cycle of each product in the space.
This includes the footprint to extract or harvest, manufacture,
transport, and install products in the space as well as the footprint
associated with maintaining them and then deconstructing and disposing of them at the end of their useful life in the space.
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SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
PRINCIPLES
Sustainable design is based on basic principles that can guide decision making.
The triple top line: This seeks to balance people, plants, and prosperity. Keep in mind not only first costs but also the longer-term
costs of ownership, environmental stewardship, and human factors
(e.g., consider health and comfort with every decision).
The cleanest energy is that which is never used. Select products
that support energy efficiency through their function.
SUSTAIN ABLE D E SI G N BASI CS
working within an existing building). When designing an interior in
a new building, there may be opportunities to reuse items from
other buildings, salvage yards, or antique dealers. Once all opportunities for material reduction and reuse have been exhausted, it is
then appropriate to consider selecting materials with high recycled
content and those materials that are easily recyclable at the end of
their useful life.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
As examples of these principles in practice, certain design considerations are the keys to successful sustainable interiors projects.
Minimize the life cycle carbon footprint. Select products that have
a relatively low carbon footprint over their life cycle when compared to higher-footprint alternatives; the target is zero carbon
footprint. Select products that minimize fossil fuel–generated
energy use in their production and transportation through conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. The total footprint
includes the embodied carbon footprint involved in manufacturing
the product as well as the footprint to maintain the product over its
useful life.
Find the right building: Check on a potential site’s energy performance on the Energy Star Web site. Evaluate it for its access to public transportation as well as space planning possibilities (e.g., do
floor plates allow for penetration of natural light?).
Reduce, reuse, recycle—in that order. First, look at ways to reduce
the amount of space needed or of materials in a space. Then
research opportunities to reuse elements (partition walls, furniture, doors, hardware, etc.) that are already in the space (when
Negotiate with the landlord: Encourage the tenant to negotiate a
triple net lease in which the tenant pays all taxes, insurance, and
maintenance expenses, as well as rent, and install individual meters
for at least plug loads and light loads.
Take less space: Using less square footage allows more room for
amenities and can save money on rent and construction as well as
on the long-term lease and energy costs.
Focus on internal energy loads: Almost 75% of the energy used in
a building is determined by the tenants’ use of electricity. Rethink
lighting loads and plug loads.
Focus on air distribution for better comfort, energy, and flexibility: One
example is displacement ventilation, which can include underfloor air
delivery as well as at low points along the walls (side wall delivery).
Focus on the human work space: By focusing on space configuration
and human factors early in the design, concepts develop that balance open office with closed office and collaboration spaces
throughout the office. Consideration of lower panels on workstations
will allow daylight and views; it is increasingly considered important
to provide all employees with direct access to views and daylight.
Consider design for disassembly: This means having an afterlife
plan for what is put into a space. Can it be recycled? Does the manufacturer have a take-back program? Is it glued together (a problem) or is it able to be taken apart easily to separate into its various components? Can demountable, easily adjustable wall panels
be used?
Measure success and lessons learned: Use postoccupancy evaluation and other forms of continual feedback that focus on human
performance impacts. Manage resource use through real-time
measurement of actual energy and water use by metering.
SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES
ENERGY
The design of interiors often fails to focus on simple and effective
strategies to reduce the daily energy use of the space. The three
most critical considerations to focus on are lighting, thermal comfort and ventilation, and appliance loads.
Efficient lighting: Employ daylight-responding dimmable fixtures,
minimize incandescent lights where possible, and use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures.
Connect lighting controls to occupancy and daylight sensors for
both ambient and task lighting.
Energy-efficient thermal comfort and ventilation: Recognize that the
mechanical systems provide not only thermal comfort but also lifegiving oxygen. Employ time-scheduled thermostat settings, and better understand the comfort ranges of interior users.
Appliance loads: The design team has a great deal less control of
the plug loads for the interior space, but can help create a positive energy footprint through the selection of major appliances.
Specify Energy Star–rated kitchen appliances, electronics, specialty lighting, commercial food service, and office computational
equipment.
LIGHTING AND DAYLIGHT
The mantra “light surfaces and not space” is a well-considered
starting point. Lighting design needs to reflect the program and its
time-of-day operations, as well as the compass orientation of the
space. Perimeter zones can employ controls that set the electrical
lighting to take advantage of daylight. Interior zones need to
explore bouncing daylight into spaces, as well as implementing
occupancy sensors to turn off electrical lighting.
Human factors research is increasingly focusing on better work
practices by virtue of both the location of light sources and the light
levels. Task lighting is preferable for older users of the space so
that they can modify the light for the variety of tasks performed at
their workstations. Computer work is especially prone to disruption by glare or overly high ambient light levels. The finishes of the
furniture, the reflective nature of the dropped ceiling, and the color
of the walls that surround the light source can accentuate light diffusion or conversely create a glare issue; the whole interior environment partakes in effective lighting.
WATER
Interior environments employ a number of fixtures and features
that use water. With freshwater resources increasingly valued, the
fundamental approach is far less use of potable water where it is
not required. For fountains and sinks, the design might employ
hands-free sensor controls with aerator faucets. Restroom or individual private water closet facilities can employ dual-flush or lowflow toilets and urinals. Waterless urinals or super low-flow urinals
are also available.
Other sources of water for nonpotable uses might be employed for
interior needs. Rainwater and condensate from HVAC equipment
are now used for irrigation and occasionally for waste removal in
toilets.
S U STAINA B L E M AT E RIALS
The standard product selection process involves weighing a variety of
criteria, including aesthetics, performance, and cost. Environmental
and health impacts present additional considerations in the materials
selection process. It is important to realize that there may be tradeoffs between two or more considerations; in other cases, there may
be synergies.
Raw materials:
• Is the product made from virgin materials?
• If so, what was the impact of its extraction or harvest on the
local ecosystem and is the material finite or renewable?
Salvaged, refurbished, or reused materials:
• Is the product a salvaged or refurbished material?
• If so, was there minimal impact in refurbishing the material?
Recycled content:
• Does the product contain any preconsumer and/or postconsumer recycled content?
• If so, what are the percentages of each?
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified wood:
• Is the product certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC)?
• Ask for the product’s chain-of-custody number.
Local materials: Local materials are often defined as those extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.
• Where are the materials harvested or extracted?
• Where are the materials manufactured?
Rapidly renewable materials: Rapidly renewable materials are typically defined as those that substantially replenish themselves
faster than traditional extraction. In addition, the material harvesting does not result in significant biodiversity loss, increased erosion, or air quality changes. As a general rule of thumb, consider
materials that renew within a 10-year cycle.
• Is the material made from rapidly renewable resources?
Low-emitting materials:
• Does installation of the material pose any health risk to
installers?
• Is this type of product known to support microbial growth?
Materials should not be used in an application that will encourage the growth of mold, mildew, or other microbes.
• For systems furniture and seating, is the product certified by the
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute or has it been tested by
another third party? If so, by whom and to what standard?
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S U STA INA B L E D E SIGN BASICS
LOW-EMITTING PRODUCT STANDARDS
4.2
PRODUCT
STANDARD
Aerosol adhesives
Green Seal Standard GS-36
Adhesives, sealants,
and sealant primers
South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) Rule 1168
Architectural paints
and coatings
Green Seal Standard GS-11 for volatile organic
compound (VOC) limits for specific types
Anticorrosive and
antirust paints
Green Seal Standard GC-3, Anti-Corrosive
Paints (not to exceed VOC limit of 250 g/L)
Clear wood finishes,
floor coatings, stains,
primers, and shellacs
applied to interior
elements
VOC limits listed in South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113
INDOOR AIR Q UALITY
• Does the manufacturer employ energy-saving strategies in the
transportation of materials? For example, does it only ship full
loads?
• Does the manufacturer use fuel-efficient and/or alternative fuel
vehicles to transport products? What modes of transportation
are used?
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS—CLOSED-LOOP MODEL
4.3
Waste minimization: Optimize design to minimize installation
waste and/or material that is sent to a landfill.
• Has the manufacturer implemented any sort of program to minimize waste in the way it manufactures, packages, and installs
its products?
• Can installation waste, if any, be easily recycled by the manufacturer or at a local facility?
Durability and flexibility: Select products that are suited to their use
and are long-lasting. Use carpet squares as they are easy to maintain and allow for selected replacement.
Carpets
CRI Green Label Plus
Carpet cushion
CRI Green Label
Composite wood
No added urea-formaldehyde (UF). Consider
products (particleboard, availability, lead times, and potential cost
MDF, laminates)
premiums. Find alternative to plastic laminates.
Manufacturing process:
• Does the manufacturer employ any best practices in its manufacturing facilities to minimize energy, water, and raw material
consumption?
• Has the manufacturer eliminated any harmful emissions, including
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides
(SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)? Any reductions in this area have
a positive impact on the product’s total embodied carbon footprint
and life cycle assessment.
Embodied energy: Embodied energy calculations quantify the total
energy consumption embedded in a particular material, from raw
material acquisition and manufacturing through transportation to
point of use. The more processing associated with a given material, the greater is its embodied energy.
Source: Adapted from Sigi Koko, Down to Earth, Arlington, Virginia, with
additions by Gensler.
• Has the manufacturer calculated the embodied energy of the
product and within what parameters was it measured?
Life cycle assessment (LCA): LCA examines environmental and
health impacts from “cradle to grave,” that is, from acquisition of
raw materials through end-of-use recovery. A cradle-to-cradle
approach closes the acquisition loop.
• Has the manufacturer performed any type of life cycle assessment of the product? If so, ask for the LCA report.
I N D O O R A IR QUA L ITY
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air inside buildings
where people work or live. Air quality is essential for comfort and
productivity; most important, good air promotes good health. IAQ
can be compromised under the following four conditions:
• Inadequate ventilation that does not provide enough outside air
• Chemicals used in cleaning and office products that are trapped
inside a building
• Outdoor pollutants that enter and are trapped inside the building
• Mold or other microorganisms that grow, multiply, and disperse
particles through heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TERMS
The following terms relate to the environmental quality of products
used in buildings and elsewhere.
• Biodegradable : The ability to completely break down into benign,
organic components.
• Carcinogen : A substance identified as causing cancer. A carcinogen is classified as “known,” “probable,” “presumed,” or “suspected,” depending on test study data.
• Downcycling : Recycling into a product that has less value or is
considered more disposable than the original.
• Off-gassing : The vaporization of chemical compounds into surrounding air.
• Postconsumer : Waste material that has served an intended use
in the consumer market.
• Preconsumer : Waste material from manufacturing processes
that has not yet made its way into the consumer market.
• Toxicity : The degree to which a material causes or threatens to
cause adverse health effects to living organisms, expressed in
exposure limits.
• Volatile organic compound (VOC) : A chemical compound that
contains carbon and that partially vaporizes at normal room
NOTE
4.3 Recovery of materials at end of use provides raw material for new
products.
temperature. VOCs are a group of chemicals that have varying
degrees of toxicity and effects.
Significant health hazards from indoor pollution are now being
addressed as a serious problem. Poor indoor air quality and its role
in sick building syndrome (SBS) and building-related illness (BRI)
have been declared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) as the country’s number one environmental health problem.
SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
SBS describes a wide range of physical afflictions, which often are
similar to mild allergic reactions, and which usually result from
exposure to contaminants in indoor air (although noises and other
environmental factors can contribute, as well). The specific causes
are not identified, but the symptoms coincide with time spent in a
particular building and disappear once the sufferer leaves. A BRI
describes the same range of ailments, from mild allergic reactions
to more serious infections such as pneumonia, except it applies in
cases where the specific cause is known. Both SBS and BRI are
largely the result of poor indoor air quality.
Specific interior IAQ hazards of which to be aware include the following:
Microorganisms, dust, and pollen: Though bacteria and fungi are
present everywhere in both outdoor and indoor environments, office
buildings are especially vulnerable, as they provide areas of high
humidity and standing water in circulation and air conditioning ducts,
ceiling tiles, insulation, and even ice machines. Sensitive people, such
as elderly people, infants, and children or those with weaker immune
systems, can be at risk of serious infection.
Respirable particles are defined as particles less than 10 microns
in diameter (the diameter of a human hair is about 100 microns).
Because of their minute size, however, respirable particles flow
easily through the nasal passage and can be inhaled deeply into
the lungs, where they can cause coughing, wheezing, and even respiratory tract infection. In an office, respirable particles are given
off by everything from human skin to the carbon from copy
machines.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): At room temperature, synthetic organic chemicals release vapors and gases called VOCs.
Consistently found at higher levels indoors, VOCs come from many
different sources, including building materials, consumer products,
and combustion sources such as car engines and heating systems.
The use of strong office cleaning products, paints, glues, and photocopiers intensifies the problem. Though not all are as seriously
harmful, many do cause discomfort and are found nearly everywhere in offices. One major VOC irritant is formaldehyde, a pungent gas that exists in nearly 3,000 different products, including
certain floor adhesives, wallcoverings, particleboard, and furniture.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas. Carbon monoxide is given off by fuel-burning engines, such as those in cars, and
adjacent buildings can be contaminated if they are not properly ventilated. Prolonged exposure of employees decreases the oxygencarrying capacity of their blood, resulting in shortness of breath,
fatigue, and nausea. CO can also cause health problems and even
death in homes where garage fumes are not properly ventilated.
PERSONAL CONTROL
A degree of personal control allows the inhabitant to fit the space
to his or her needs; this produces better work performance.
Methods include thermal or ventilation control, facilitated by smaller HVAC zones with thermostats, raised floor distribution with individual controlled floor diffusers or operable windows, ambient or
task light control, and glare control at outside windows.
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INTERIOR RATING SYSTEMS AND CERTIFICATIONS
SUSTAIN ABLE D E SI G N BASI CS
QUALITY OF INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
4.4
I N T E R IO R R AT ING SYSTEMS AND CERTIF ICATIONS
U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was established in 1993
as a national nonprofit organization, with a voluntary, diverse membership that operates on consensus principles. USGBC works with
members to incorporate their ideas into the overall organization.
The consensus of USGBC members is to work together to promote
green building and to foster greater economic vitality and environmental health. USGBC accomplishes this by working with the building construction industry to help bridge ideological gaps, thus providing benefits for the entire construction community.
able design projects. LEED serves as a tool to aid integrated sustainable design and to help owners and design teams obtain benefits in the overall health and efficiency of building design. LEED is
based on accepted energy and environmental principles, many of
which are described elsewhere in this section. It strikes a balance
between known effective practices and emerging concepts.
As of 2010, each LEED rating system is structured into seven credit categories, each of which is, in turn, composed of individual credits and prerequisites that, in aggregate, allow a participant to
achieve one of four levels of certification as defined by USGBC.
LEED FOR COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
LEED RATING SYSTEM
One of the many achievements of USGBC is the establishment of
the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating
system. Launched in 2000, LEED is a voluntary point-based rating
system that establishes consistent evaluation criteria for sustainContributors:
Adapted by Rives Taylor and Nellie Reid, Gensler, Houston, Texas, from
Tom Revelle, Humanscale, New York, New York.
There are several different LEED rating systems for various types
of projects. LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) was developed for interior design projects in existing and new buildings. It is
structured into the same seven credit categories as the other versions, but the requirements have been customized to reflect the
scope of work typical in an interiors project.
The site credits and some of the water and energy credits relate to
the sustainable building attributes of the base building selected,
whereas most of the materials and indoor environmental quality
credits relate to sustainable attributes of the interior fit-out. All
prerequisites must be met in order to be eligible for a LEED rating.
Innovation credits are available to those projects exceeding the
requirements of other LEED credits and can also be used for innovative strategies that were not captured in other credit areas. Innovation
credits provide project teams with the opportunity to receive additional points for exceptional performance on other LEED credits (e.g., 50%
water use reduction) and/or innovative strategies not specifically
addressed by other LEED credits (e.g., a sustainable education program). There are unlimited possibilities for innovation credits.
Regional priority credits were introduced in 2009 for each region
to determine which credits receive more weight, depending on
regional energy, environmental, and health priorities. Many of the
credits relate directly to strategies covered earlier in this section.
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S U STA INA B L E D E SIGN BASICS
INTERIOR RATING SYSTEMS AND CERTIFICATIONS
LEED FOR HOMES
OTHER GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS
4.5
RATING SYSTEM
REGION WHERE USED
WEB SITE ADDRESS
BREEAM
United Kingdom, European Union, Middle East
CASBEE
Japan
http://www.breeam.org/
http://www.ibec.or.jp/CASBEE/english/overviewE.htm
Green Globes
Canada, United States
http://www.greenglobes.com/
Green Star
Australia
http://www.gbca.org.au/
Energy Star
United States
http://www.energystar.gov/
LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes design and construction of high-performance homes, which use less energy,
water, and natural resources; create less waste; and are more
durable and comfortable for their occupants.
The LEED for Homes rating system, which was released in 2008,
lists intents and requirements for each credit and includes the
LEED for Homes Project Checklist, along with corrections that were
issued in 2010. The Checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification.
LEED for Homes continues to develop and expand its areas of activity. It is developing a Midrise Pilot project for residential projects
in the four- to six-story category. The LEED for Homes Initiative for
Affordable Housing seeks to recognize and reward the intrinsic
resource efficiencies of affordable housing within the LEED for
Homes rating system. The American Society of Interior Designers’
Foundation has partnered with USGBC to launch REGREEN, the
nation’s first green residential remodeling guidelines.
Contributors:
Rives Taylor, Gensler, Houston, Texas.
Nellie Reid, Gensler, Santa Monica, California.
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DESIGN BASICS
5
E V ID E NCE - BA SE D D ESIGN
Evidence-based design (EBD) is an approach to design that seeks
to create better design outcomes by basing decisions on credible
research. It adds knowledge from many sources, including the
computational, social, and natural sciences, to individual experience and intuition. EBD goes beyond the analysis of specific projects, and increases the designer’s ability to predict the effects of
design decisions.
Clients and communities who are responsible for allocating
resources are demanding to know how design decisions will affect
the performance of buildings. Design professionals are under
increasing pressure to demonstrate how their work will positively
influence human well-being and effectiveness, and support the
health of the planet.
Evidence-based design relates to the value of design as a contributor to society, as well as its aesthetic value. This will require multidisciplinary collaboration and sharing. Developing research-savvy
professionals who can develop and use knowledge bases begins
with design education.
The development of evidence-based design will require the establishment of clear and accepted standards and guidelines about what
constitutes credible evidence. In order to achieve these ends, the
design professions must develop research standards and protocols
that will develop, apply, and disseminate evidence-based research.
COMPUTATIONAL RESEARCH
Using design research from computational sources consists of an
iterative process of modeling, simulation, and data mining.
Modeling connects physical action with the brain by creating simplified physical and virtual models of objects being investigated by
designers. Simulation creates a computational version of the
model to aid in understanding the performance of parts in the context of the whole system. Data mining extracts hidden relationships from large databases of personal experience, completed
project records and documentation, and other sources. Modeling
and simulation tools used for integrated practice delivery (IPD),
such as building information modeling (BIM), represent a virtual
building and its related design and construction data. What is needed is an infrastructure to capture, share, and understand data
across design and other professions.
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
The social sciences seek to understand human behavior through
scientific exploration. Design research from sources in the social
sciences derives primarily from environmental psychology and
from sociology’s study of developmental and cognitive psychology.
The social sciences provide ways to study relationships between
places and human behavior. They result in knowledge about why
and how people respond to their physical surroundings.
PHYSICAL AND NATURAL SCIENCE
RESEARCH
The physical sciences, in particular physics, have long been
involved in the design of architectural structures, mechanical and
electrical systems, and building performance. Research in designrelated subjects has been spurred by the need for innovation in
energy conservation, sustainably designed building systems, and
sustainable materials.
In the natural sciences, biology—specifically neuroscience—is
opening a world of information on how and why the brain responds
to environmental stimuli and experiences. Scientists can now see
what parts of the brain respond to light, sound, scale, proportion,
and perspective. They can connect human physiology with emotions
and see the effects of stress. The data produced makes it possible
to predict the impact of physical building attributes on human performance. The relationship of neuroscience to architecture has
been explored in Architecture and the Brain by John P. Eberhard,
FAIA (Oxford University Press, 2009).
BUILD ING CO D E S
CODES AND REGULATIONS
AFFECTING INTERIORS
Codes and regulations that affect interior design include requirements at the local, state, and national level. The legal entities that
have adopted the code are commonly referred to as the authorities
having jurisdiction.
Although some jurisdictions write their own codes, most adopt one
of the model codes promulgated by code-writing organizations that
write, update, and publish a code and related material. The local
jurisdiction may add local amendments to the model code to
account for regional differences.
In the United States, the International Building Code (IBC), first published by the International Code Council (ICC) in 2000, has been adopted by all 50 states. The ICC also publishes other related international
codes, including the International Residential Code, International
Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and others.
OTHER REGULATIONS
In addition to the IBC, the following regulations may affect an interior design project:
• Local agency requirements such as municipal health department
rules and regulations: For example, a local health department
may have rules governing finishes for restaurants.
• State or federal agency requirements that govern specific building types: These may include codes for schools, prisons, and
health facilities, as well as regulations governing federal facilities.
• Energy codes: These are usually adopted at the state level, but
local authorities may require additional energy conservation
measures.
• Flammability regulations: In addition to model code requirements, cities or states may adopt standards regulating flammability for furniture, draperies, and interior finishes.
• Federal regulations: These include federal laws, such as the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as regulations
published in the Code of Federal Regulations, such as the regulation for safety glazing.
• Standards adopted by reference: All model codes adopt, by reference, standards developed by hundreds of trade associations,
testing agencies, and standards-writing groups, such as the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
• Indoor air quality: Local or state requirements for indoor air
quality may limit the amount of outgassing of certain materials,
limit the use of materials with volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), or require certain levels of ventilation.
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BUILDING CODES
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
PROVISIONS
The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 edition presents model
code regulations that safeguard the public health and safety, and
is the source of the references used here. The sections of the IBC
included here have been selected for their applicability to student
projects. Actual professional design projects are subject to codes
adopted by the authorities having jurisdiction.
USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
(IBC CHAPTER 3)
Chapter 3 of the IBC establishes one or more occupancy classifications based on the anticipated uses of a building. These classifications are necessary to properly apply many of the code’s nonstructural provisions.
Occupancy refers to the use of the building or interior space.
Occupancies are based on occupant- and content-related hazards
and the life-safety characteristics of the building. Occupant-related
hazards include considerations such as the number, density, age,
and mobility of the occupants. Buildings or portions of buildings
may consist of more than one occupancy, in which case the code
may require fire separation between the occupancies.
separated with fire barrier walls or horizontal assemblies, or both,
with an hourly rating defined by the code. Hourly ratings range
from one hour to four hours.
OCCUPANCY SEPARATION
5.2
Because many other requirements of building codes are based on
occupancy, one of the first steps in code-conforming design is to
determine the occupancy classification. If the classification of a
project is unclear, consult the local building officials.
MIXED OCCUPANCIES
When a building or portion of a building contains two or more different occupancies, it is considered a mixed occupancy. The code
requires that particular combinations of adjacent occupancies be
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
5.1
OCCUPANCY
A-1
DESCRIPTION
Assembly usually with fixed seats for the viewing of
performances or movies
EXAMPLES
Movie theaters, live performance theaters, TV and radio studios
with audience
A-2
Assembly for food and drink consumption
Restaurants, bars, clubs, banquet halls
CONSTRUCTION TYPES (IBC CHAPTER 6)
A-3
Assembly for worship, recreation, or amusement, and similar
activities not classified elsewhere
Libraries, art museums, churches, courtrooms, conference rooms
for more than 50 people, lecture halls
A-4
Assembly for viewing of indoor sporting events with
spectator seating
Arenas, swimming pools, skating rinks, tennis courts
IBC Chapter 6 deals with classification as to construction type,
based on a building’s materials of construction and the level of fire
resistance provided by such materials.
A-5
Assembly for participation in or viewing outdoor sports
Stadiums, amusement park structures
B
Business for office or service transactions
Offices, educational functions above 12th grade, banks, outpatient
clinics, ambulatory health care facilities
E
Educational use by more than five people for grades 12 and lower
Grade, middle, and high schools, day care for more than five
children over 2.5 years old
F-1
Factory of moderate-hazard uses that is not classified as
an H occupancy
Bakeries, woodworking shops, some manufacturing
F-2
Factory of industrial low-hazard uses that include the use of
noncombustible materials and uses that do not cause a
significant fire hazard.
Manufacturer of nonalcoholic beverages, brick and masonry,
ceramics, glass, gypsum, metal products, etc.
H
H-1 detonation hazard, H2 accelerated burning, H-3 materials
that readily support combustion or pose a physical hazard,
H-4 health hazards, H-5 semiconductor fabrication facilities
Flammable liquids, explosives, and other hazardous physical
materials
I-1
Housing for more than 16 persons, on a 24-hour basis, who
because of age, mental disability, or other reasons, live in a
supervised residential environment that provides personal
care services
Residences where occupants are capable of responding to an
emergency situation without physical assistance from staff.
Assisted living, halfway houses, group homes, rehab centers
I-2
Medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing, or custodial care on a
24-hour basis of more than five persons who are not capable
of self-preservation
Hospitals, nursing homes, mental hospitals
I-3
Facilities for more than five persons who are under restraint or
security and who are generally incapable of self-preservation
because of security measures not under the occupant’s control
Prisons and jails, reformatories, detention and correctional
centers, prerelease centers
I-4
Adult care facility for more than five unrelated adults, where
occupants are not capable of achieving self-preservation, that
provides care for less than 24 hours a day and provides
supervision and personal care services
A facility where occupants are capable of responding to an
emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff is
classified as Group R-3.
M
Mercantile for the display and sale of merchandise
Department stores, retail or wholesale stores, sales rooms,
markets, drug stores
R-1
Residential occupancies containing sleeping units where
occupants are transient in nature
Hotels, transient boarding houses, motels
R-2
Multiple sleeping units where occupants are primarily permanent
Apartments, live/work units, dormitories, hotels, motels
R-3
1- and 2-family dwelling, or adult and child care facilities that
provide accommodation for five or fewer persons of any age for
less than 24 hours
Houses, duplex units, townhouses, condominiums; adult and child
day care. Congregate transient living facilities with 10 or fewer
occupants are permitted to comply with construction requirements
for Group R-3
R-4
Residential care/assisted living for 6 to 16 residents, excluding
staff for 24 hours per day
Small assisted living centers
S-1
Moderate-hazard Storage
Aircraft and motor vehicle repair; storage of flammable materials
S-2
Low-hazard Storage
Aircraft hangers, storage of nonflammable materials, parking
garages
U
Building or structure of accessory character
Barns, carports, greenhouses, private garages, sheds
Every building is classified into one of five types of construction,
based on the fire resistance of certain building components. Four
of the types are further subdivided into two groups, using the suffixes A and B. The building components include the structural
frame, interior and exterior bearing walls, floor and roof construction, and exterior walls.
• Type I and II buildings must be constructed of noncombustible
materials.
• Types III, IV, and V are considered combustible.
• Type I buildings are the most fire-resistive.
• Type V buildings are the leas fire-resistive.
Construction type can affect the required fire ratings of the structural frame, bearing walls, floor and roof construction, and protection of openings where required by other IBC provisions. Generally,
interior nonbearing partitions require one-hour construction,
unless otherwise noted in the code.
BUILDING ELEMENTS
5.3
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BUILDING CO D E S
MEANS OF EGRESS (IBC CHAPTER 10)
IBC Chapter 10 presents the criteria for regulating the design of
the means of egress as the primary method of protection for people in buildings. The chapter uses both prescriptive and performance language to provide a basic approach to determining a safe
exiting system for all occupancies.
GROUND-LEVEL EGRESS
5.4
EGRESS COMPONENTS
OCCUPANCY
MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD
A, B, E, F, M, U
50
H-1, H-2, H-3
A means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any point in a building to a
public way. Once the overall exiting plan is developed, the follow
must be done:
Determine the occupant load
Determine the number of exits required
Verify the length of the common path of egress travel
Verify the maximum travel distance
Determine the arrangement of exits
Calculate the width of exits
Check for dead-end corridors
load, the code recognizes that two exits are not necessary. Factors
that contribute to the different numbers include concentration and
mobility of occupants and the presence of hazardous materials.
SPACES WITH ONE MEANS OF EGRESS
5.6
Designing an egress system requires planning the spaces and components that allow an occupant to safely exit a building during an
emergency, and detailing the individual parts of the system to meet
the requirements of the code.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
D E SI G N BASI CS
3
H-4, H-5, I-1, I-3, I-4, R
10
S
30
MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXITS FOR OCCUPANT LOAD
5.7
OCCUPANT LOAD
UPPER-LEVEL EGRESS
5.5
MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXITS
1 to 500
2
501 to 1,000
3
More than 1,000
4
DEAD-END CORRIDORS
A dead end is a corridor or an exit path that has only one way to
exit. Generally, dead ends are limited to 20 ft (6 m). IBC 2009 permits the maximum length of dead-end corridors to be 40 ft in sprinklered buildings in Group B, E, F, I-1, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, S, and U occupancies.
Chapter 10 of the IBC uses a zonal approach to egress as a basis
for regulation of exit access, exit, and exit discharge portions of
the means of egress.
EXIT ACCESS
The exit access is that portion of the means of egress that leads to
DEAD-END CORRIDOR
5.8
the entrance to an exit. It is generally the most distant part of the
building from safety. Exit access areas may include components
such as rooms, spaces, aisles, intervening rooms, hallways, corridors, ramps, and doorways. In some cases in the IBC, the exit
access is required to be a protected path of travel. The exit access
is the portion of the building where travel distance is measured
and regulated.
EXIT
The exit is the portion of the egress system that provides a protected path of egress between the exit access and the exit discharge. Exits are fully enclosed and protected from all other interior spaces by fire-resistance-rated construction with protected
openings (doors, glass, etc.). Exits may be as simple as an exterior exit door at ground level or may include exit enclosures for
stairs, exit passageways, and horizontal exits. Exits may also
include exterior exit stairways and ramps. Depending on building
height, construction type, and passageway length, exits must have
either a one- or two-hour rating.
OCCUPANT LOAD
The occupant load is the number of people that the code assumes
will occupy a building or portion of a building for egress purposes.
Occupant load is dependent on the occupancy classification of the
building or space and assumes that certain types of use will be
more densely occupied than others, and that exiting provisions
must respond accordingly.
EXIT DISCHARGE
The exit discharge is the portion of the egress system between the
Occupant load is determined by the largest number established by
one of the following conditions:
termination of an exit and a public way. The exit discharge may also
include building lobbies of multistory buildings if one of the exit
stairways opens onto the lobby and certain conditions are met.
• The number of occupants calculated using the occupant load factors given in the code based on the intended use and size of the
space. (This is the method most commonly used.)
• The actual number of occupants a space is designed to serve.
• The number of occupants, by combination, used when occupants
from adjoining spaces egress through an area.
PUBLIC WAY
A public way is any street, alley, or similar parcel of land essentially unobstructed from the ground to the sky that is permanently
appropriated to the public for public use and having a clear width
of not less than 10 ft (3 m).
The IBC provides Occupant Load Factor Tables to determine the
maximum floor area allowed per occupant, based on the building
and occupancy type.
ACCESSIBLE EGRESS ROUTE
If components of the egress system are part of an accessible
route, they must conform to all the requirements of the 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design, which may be more stringent
than the IBC requirements.
NUMBER OF EXITS
The number of means of egress required from a room or area
depends on the occupant load and the occupancy. Rooms or areas
are permitted to have only one exit or exit access doorway until
they exceed a certain occupant load. When the occupant load
becomes very large, additional exits may be required.
The reason for requiring two or more means of egress is to allow
alternate means of egress in case one exit is blocked by fire.
However, when there are small spaces or areas with limited occupant
COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL
The common path of egress travel is the portion of an exit access
that the occupants are required to traverse before either there is
a choice of exits or two paths merge to become one. The length of
the common path is measured from the most remote point of a
room or area to the nearest point where more than one exit path
is available. Common paths of egress travel must be included within the permitted travel distance.
If furniture or equipment is located in the area, it may be necessary to measure the common path of travel around the furniture
instead of on a straight path.
Even if two exits are not required based on occupant load, if the
common path of travel exceeds the allowable distances, then two
exits from a space are required.
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BUILDING CODES
EXITS THROUGH INTERVENING SPACES
COMMON PATH OF TRAVEL
5.9
OCCUPANCY
OCCUPANT LOAD
NONSPRINKLERED BUILDING, FT (M)
SPRINKLERED BUILDING, FT (M)
A, E, I-1, I-2, I-4, M, R, U
—
</= 75 (22.9)
</= 75 (22.9)
B, F, S
B, S <30, > 3,075
</= 75 (22.9)
</= 100 (30.5)
B, S, U
</= 3,075
</= 100 (30.5)
</= 100 (30.5)
B, S
>30
</= 75 (22.9)
</= 100 (30.5)
H-1, H-2, H-3
—
—
</= 25 (7.6)
H-4, H-5
—
—
</= 75 (22.9)
I-3
—
</= 100 (30.5)
</= 100 (30.5)
U
>30
</= 75 (22.9)
</= 75 (22.9)
COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL
5.10
ARRANGEMENTS OF EXITS
When two exits or exit access doorways are required, they must be
separated enough so that if one becomes blocked, the other is
available for use. In nonsprinklered buildings, two exits or exit
access doorways must be placed a distance apart equal to not less
than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the room or area to be served. In sprinklered buildings, the
minimum distance is one-third the diagonal dimension of the room
or area to be served. If the room or area is irregular in shape, the
dimension that gives the greatest length should be used.
Egress paths may pass through an adjoining room or area only if it
is accessory to the area served, is not a high-hazard occupancy,
and provides a discernible path of travel to an exit.
Egress paths in commercial spaces may not pass through kitchens,
storerooms, closets, or spaces used for similar purposes, nor may
they pass through rooms that can be locked to prevent egress.
Egress from dwelling units or sleeping areas may not pass through
other sleeping areas, toilet rooms, or bathrooms. An egress path
may pass through a kitchen area that serves adjoining rooms that
are part of the same dwelling unit or guest room.
WIDTH OF EXITS
According to IBC 2009, the total means of egress width is determined by multiplying the total occupant load served by the means
of egress by 0.3 in. (7.62 mm) per occupant for stairways and by
0.2 in. (5.08 mm) per occupant for other egress components. When
multiple exits are required, they must be sized so that the loss of
one will not reduce the required exit width by more than 50%. The
maximum capacity from any story of a building must be maintained
to the termination of the means of egress.
DOOR ENCROACHMENT
When exit enclosures are connected with a one-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor, the required exit separation is measured
along a direct line of travel in the corridor. The walls of the exit
enclosures must be a minimum of 30 ft (9.1 m) apart at any point
in a direct line of measurement.
According to IBC 2009, doors when fully opened and handrails cannot reduce the required means of egress width by more than 7 in.
(178 mm). Doors in any position must not reduce the required width
by more than one-half. Other nonstructural projections such as trim
and similar decorative features are permitted to project into the
required width a maximum of 1-1/2 in. (38 mm) on each side.
EXIT SEPARATION IN A ROOM
5.12
DOOR ENCROACHMENT
5.14
COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL WITH
FURNITURE
5.11
RESIDENTIAL EXITING
EXIT SEPARATION ON FLOOR OR GROUP OF ROOMS
5.13
Both the IBC and the International Residential Code (IRC) require
emergency escape and rescue openings in Group R occupancies.
The IRC requires basements with habitable space and every sleeping room below the fourth story to have at least one such opening
directly into a public street, public alley, yard, or court.
Openings may open onto a balcony within an atrium if the balcony
provides access to an exit and the dwelling unit or sleeping room has
a means of egress that is not open to the atrium. When the emergency escape opening is below grade level, both the IBC and IRC
allow window wells, if minimum dimensional requirements are met.
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PROGRAMM I N G
TRAVEL DISTANCE
Because exit access areas are not protected, the code limits how
far someone must travel to safety. Exit access travel distance is the
distance that an occupant must travel from the most remote point
in the occupied portions of the exit access to the entrance of the
nearest exit. Maximum travel distances are based on the occupancy of the building and whether the building is sprinklered.
D E SI G N BASI CS
MAXIMUM TRAVEL DISTANCE
5.16
Travel distance is measured in a straight line from the most remote
point through doorways, unless furniture or equipment requires a
measurement along an actual path of travel. When the path of travel includes unenclosed stairways, the distance is measured along
a plane parallel and tangent to the stair tread nosings in the center of the stairway.
EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
5.15
WITHOUT SPRINKLER
OCCUPANCY FT (M)
A, E, F-1, I-1,
M, R, S-1
200 (61)
WITH SPRINKLER
FT (M)
250 (76.2)
B
200 (61)
300 (91.4)
F-2, S-2, U
300 (91.4)
400 (122)
H-1
Not permitted
75 (22.9)
H-2
Not permitted
1,100 (335.3)
H-3
Not permitted
150 (45.7)
H-4
Not permitted
175 (53.3)
H-5
Not permitted
200 (61)
I-2, I-3, I-4
150 (45.7)
200 (61)
P RO G R A M M ING
Architectural programming is the process of identifying and defining user requirements before proceeding with design development. The goal is to develop and document the client’s business
system and his or her needs. During the process, the analyst also
gathers information on what is, and is not, currently working, and
what exists, or needs to exist, for the client to carry out his or her
purpose or mission. In the field of architecture, these needs are
related to space requirements, which, when completely defined,
are referred to as the architectural program.
Unless the designer completely understands the needs and uses of
a space, the resulting design will fall short of the needs of the client
and the users of the space. Also, more often than not, an incomplete
understanding of client needs results in project cost overruns and
design changes. Changes made as a project design is being implemented increase the overall cost of the project. A thoughtful architectural program supports the designer and his or her design by fully
capturing the needs of the client. The result is a more effective
design that is implemented on time and within budget parameters.
Architectural programs have several fundamental components:
• Summary of the project scope and program results
• Program support analysis, including projections for headcount,
conference room utilization, cafeteria, and so on
• Business and building analysis, including adjacency diagrams
and supporting analysis
• Program document, program summary reports, and interview
notes
• Appendices containing supporting information provided by the
client or from related research
Architectural programming is the first step in the design process
and is, perhaps, the most important phase. Meaningful communication is required to assess, review, refine, and document a client’s
space requirements. During the programming process, the client’s
problems are identified and clarified in order to develop a solution
for today and for the future. Programming promotes an understanding of the whole problem, as opposed to symptoms or pieces
or parts of the client’s problem.
PROGRAMMING PROCESS
Reducing the programming process to its most elementary level
results in three steps, as follows:
1. Information gathering, which involves research, listening, and
learning about the client’s needs.
2. Analyzing and synthesizing, which involves consolidating the
acquired information for a full understanding of the client’s
problems, needs, options, and potential costs, as well as proposing options and making recommendations.
3. Documentation and validation, which involves documenting the
findings, reviewing findings and recommendations with the
client, then getting feedback, modifying the program, and reissuing the program document.
STEP 1: INFORMATION-GATHERING
PROCESS
The first step in the programming process, information gathering,
consists of three primary activities: the initial meeting, the goalsetting session, and the needs and requirements interviews.
ACTIVE LISTENING
Active listening is critical to the success of the programmer. Active
listening involves quieting the mind and focusing completely on the
information being presented. If questions arise, they are quickly
asked, then documented in your notes when the speaker has completed all his or her thoughts associated with the previous question. Repeating back to the speaker what was heard, using the listener’s own words, is also a critical part of active listening. It
accomplishes two primary goals: first, it gives the speaker confidence that he or she was heard and understood; second, it gives
the speaker the opportunity to clarify ideas or points that may have
been misunderstood.
Advance preparation of questions frees the mind to focus on the
speaker and his or her comments. The program is only good if the
gathered information is complete and accurate. If we listen well,
we increase the probability of generating an effective program.
ACTIVITIES
• Research client
• Acquire floor plans, client organization chart, and current personnel report
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• Prepare questions for determining client’s vision and image and
for interviews
• Walk through site
• Facilitate vision-image or goal-setting session
• Develop mission statement
• Conduct interviews
• Gather space demand/utilization information for conference
rooms, cafeterias, training rooms, and so on
PRODUCTS
• Client background and an understanding of who/what the client
is today
• Documented project goals and vision with mission statement
• Interview notes
• Marked-up floor plate drawings with notes and updates
• Client data, including current personnel report and space utilization reports for conference rooms, cafeterias, training rooms, and
so on
STEP 2: ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
PROCESS
After gathering and organizing a comprehensive review of the
information, quantitative and qualitative specifics about each
required space are extracted, to include the following:
•
•
•
•
Page 34
Space types
Sizes
Quantities
Design characteristics
The result is a fundamental set of space types for both individual
organizational groups and common or shared spaces. Space standards (standard workplace sizes to be applied throughout the program) that meet the needs of individual work processes and the
building module are developed at this time. Space quantities are
developed next.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Analyze interview notes
Develop flow diagram of business process
Identify themes and potential conflicts in needs
Resolve conflicts or open issues with client
Analyze headcount and develop projections
Analyze space utilization reports for conference rooms, cafeterias, training rooms, and so on
Develop program, space list, and quantities
Analyze interactions and develop adjacency diagram
Acquire rentable square footage (RSF) and rentable factors for
buildings being examined, or desired factors for potential shell
designs
Develop stacking and blocking diagrams
Perform cost analysis
Develop options with associated costs
The final step in the process is to document and validate the program. Once the program is complete, a program review meeting is
scheduled. The program review may be held at various levels of
detail, depending on the client’s personality and project complexity. A signed program acceptance statement from the client is a critical, and often overlooked, part of the process.
ACTIVITIES
•
•
•
•
•
•
Summarize findings
Document findings in report format
Review findings, program, and options with client
Identify program direction and document program changes
Update program and documentation
Get client sign-off on program and projections
PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
• Base program
• Headcount projections
• Conference rooms, cafeteria,
demand/utilization projections
Adjacency diagram and other potential diagrams
Process flow diagram (optional, based on client need)
Stacking and blocking diagrams
Program options and costs
List of conflicts or issues requiring resolution
STEP 3: DOCUMENTATION AND
VALIDATION
ACTIVITIES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
and
training
room
•
•
•
•
•
Draft of program report
Options analysis
Program review meeting notes
Revised and final program report
Signed program acceptance statement
CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR
COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
Contract documents describe the proposed construction of furniture, furnishings, and equipment installation. They include written
specifications and graphic documentation, such as drawings, which
communicate the design of the project. The two sets of contract
documents that a designer must prepare for a complete commercial interiors project are the construction contract documents, and
the furniture, furnishings, and equipment (FF&E) contract documents.
CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION
The agreement between the owner and the construction contractor is the contract for construction. The construction contractor is
responsible for supervising and directing the construction of the
project. This includes providing labor, materials, equipment, tools,
water, heat, utilities, and other facilities and safety features. The
construction contractor employs the various trades required to
accomplish the work of the contract, or makes agreements with
subcontractors. In addition to orchestrating various construction
activities, construction contractors perform a variety of administrative tasks.
The general contractor is usually responsible for securing and paying for the building permit and other permits required for completion of the project. The general contractor is also generally responsible for the preparation of a construction schedule, and must prepare and submit shop drawings and samples for the architect’s
approval. The general contractor coordinates the work of subcontractors, such as electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, and
carpet installers.
A subcontractor is a person who is awarded a portion of an existing contract by a principal or general contractor. A subcontractor
performs work under a contract with a general contractor, rather
than the employer who hired the general contractor.
Contributor:
Anne Mott; lauckgroup; Dallas, Texas.
Shop drawings and samples are not contract documents. They are
submitted to demonstrate the way in which the construction contractor intends to accomplish the design expressed by the contract
documents. Shop drawings illustrate specific situations or details
of a project. They are prepared by the construction contractor, one
of the subcontractors, the product manufacturer, or the supplier.
Samples include examples of the materials or workmanship. Shop
drawings and samples are submitted to the designer for approval,
and are used to verify selections and to establish standards by
which the completed work will be judged.
FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS, AND
EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS
The furniture, furnishings, and equipment (FF&E) contractor is
responsible for procuring, delivering, and installing the goods
described in the FF&E contract. The designer typically administers
the agreement between the owner and the FF&E contractor. The
FF&E contractor is often a furniture dealer but may also be a furniture manufacturer or a design professional.
FF&E CONTRACTORS
The furniture dealer is the local or regional presence of the manufacturer. The dealer processes the sale and provides various support and follow-up services to the owner. One of the services a
dealer typically offers is warehousing the goods until the project
site is ready to receive them for installation.
Equipment is commonly procured directly from the manufacturer
through a direct sales force representing the manufacturer, not the
manufacturer’s dealer. For example, a hospital bed manufacturer
may not require a showroom to market a relatively expensive product with a limited user base. The sale may be effectively accomplished by sending a sample bed to the hospital on a trial basis or
by arranging a tour of the factory showroom.
FF&E CONTRACTOR ROLES
The FF&E contractor prepares purchase orders based on the FF&E
contract. A purchase order is the form used to obtain the required
goods for the project. It contains a description of the goods, the
supplier’s catalog number, the number of items required, and the
price. Separate purchase orders are prepared for each supplier
involved in the project.
The FF&E contractor coordinates the requirements for customer’s
own material (COM), material that is purchased separately from
the product and supplied to the product manufacturer for application. “Customer” in this case does not refer to the designer’s customer, the owner, but to the manufacturer’s customer, the party
placing the order, which is the FF&E contractor.
Large corporations can purchase products—for example, carpet,
furniture, fabric, and light fixtures— through their in-house purchasing departments and supply them to the contractor for installation.
After the goods have been manufactured, they are packaged for
delivery. An invoice, a bill requesting payment for the goods, is prepared by the manufacturer and sent to the FF&E contractor, typically at the same time the goods are shipped.
DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION OF FF&E
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) defines many of the terms,
and sets forth the procedures, used in the delivery of goods.
Delivery is defined by the UCC as voluntary transfer of possession.
Delivery does not necessarily indicate ownership. Title means ownership; if you have title to goods, you own them. For example, a
manufacturer delivers furniture to a carrier for transportation to
its destination. The manufacturer is not transferring title to the
goods; therefore, the carrier does not own the furniture. Receipt is
defined as taking physical possession of goods.
A carrier is a transportation company. Carriers that operate in interstate commerce are regulated by the Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC). Common carriers offer transportation services to
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CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
D E SI G N BASI CS
BUTT JOINT DETAILING
PASSAGE OF TITLE
5.17
SELLER ASSUMES EXPENSE
AND RISK OF…
PASSAGE OF TITLE OCCURS AT…
PRICE OF GOODS…
F.O.B.: Place of shipment
Putting goods into the possession
of the carrier place of shipment
Place of shipment (typically
manufacturer’s factory loading dock)
Does not include shipping charges
F.O.B.: Place of destination
Transporting the goods to the
destination
Destination (typically the project site’s
loading dock)
Includes shipping charges
the general public. They are usually responsible for the goods they
are shipping, whether or not they have been negligent. Contract carriers provide transportation only to those with whom they choose to
do business. They do not insure the goods they transport unless they
are contracted to do so. Private carriers are not in the transportation business. They own and operate trucks to transport their own
goods. The ICC does not regulate private carriers.
APPLIED OVERLAY DETAILING MODEL
5.18
Butt joint detailing often requires tight construction tolerances and
skilled craftspeople to implement, and is typically more expensive
than applied overlay detailing. Butt joints are often subtle, inviting
closer inspection and appreciation of their machine-tooled precision.
Butt joints are appropriate where the craftsmanship of the construction is as much a part of the design statement as the space
that is formed. Care must be taken not only in the construction of
most butt joints but often in their maintenance as well. For example, a gypsum board wall without an applied base is more susceptible to damage than a base protected by a resilient or wood base.
BUTT JOINT DETAILING MODEL
5.20
With few exceptions, such as when goods are picked up by the buyer,
whoever has title to the goods bears the risk of their being lost,
stolen, damaged, or destroyed. The risk of loss is commonly indicated by the abbreviation F.O.B., defined by the UCC as “free on board.”
F.O.B. at a named place indicates where title to the goods and risk
of their loss or damage pass from the seller to the buyer, which is
typically the FF&E contractor. The buyer pays the transportation
costs from the point named in the F.O.B. “place.”
SHIPMENT TRACKING
A drop shipment means the goods will be shipped to a destination
different from that of the party who ordered and paid for them. A
bill of lading is defined by the UCC as a document confirming the
receipt of goods for shipment issued by a person engaged in the
business of transporting.
A packing list is a detailed list of quantities and descriptions of the
goods being delivered. It is used to check the items, and it crossreferences the bill of lading. The packing list is typically attached to
the outside of the shipping package in a clear plastic envelope.
DETAILING CONCEPTS
Construction detailing originates from and reinforces the design
concept of the space. When designing details for incorporation into
the contract documents, designers should show the intent of the
detail, not describe how the assembly is to be constructed. It is the
general contractor’s responsibility to decide how a detail can best be
executed with the available fabrication methods and craftspeople.
Sufficient information must be shown on the drawings and
described in the specifications to indicate the intent of the design.
For details involving structural calculations (for example,
handrails), or for complex assemblies involving skilled craftspeople
(for example, veneered wood panels), the fabricator prepares shop
drawings so that the designer can verify the intent and effect.
There are six fundamental methods by which materials meet or change
planes: applied overlay, butt joint, reveal, overlap, infill, and warp.
APPLIED OVERLAY DETAILING
Applied overlay detailing is the traditional detailing method. It calls
attention to a change in plane or materials, and has been used to conceal construction tolerances, which can be as much as 1/4 in. (6 mm).
This method of detailing is typically the most cost-effective
because it often requires less precision and craftsmanship. Applied
overlay detailing can be used to highlight components or finishes
by framing them with trim pieces. It is often used to give scale to
a space by providing a traditional base and cap.
TYPICAL APPLIED OVERLAY DETAILS
5.19
TYPICAL BUTT JOINT DETAILS
5.21
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REVEAL DETAILING
Reveal detailing provides relief to planar surfaces by introducing
depth and shadows. Reveals can create the illusion of floating. The
implied integrity of the material may be illusory, however; veneer
wood panels are often used in reveal detailing because of cost considerations. Where this is done, the width of the reveal must be
small enough that the panel edge condition cannot be seen.
OVERLAP DETAILING MODEL
5.24
TYPICAL INFILL DETAILS
5.27
REVEAL DETAILING MODEL
5.22
TYPICAL OVERLAP DETAILS
5.25
TYPICAL REVEAL DETAILS
5.23
WARP DETAILING
INFILL DETAILING
Infill detailing explores the concepts of separateness, compartmentalization, organization, and transition. Infill details are typically clean lines that can organize space or reduce it to a more
approachable scale.
Infill detailing breaks up planar surfaces with a mixture of textures
and sheens; for example, a brass inlay strip in a floor separating
honed stone paving from carpet. It can also create a pattern or
graphic image in, for example, a terrazzo floor.
INFILL DETAILING MODEL
5.26
OVERLAP DETAILING
Overlap details can conceal unfinished edge conditions while creating depth in a space. Overlap detailing represents a change of
materials in parallel, not perpendicular, planes. Overlapping materials provide sequence and depth and can incorporate transparency. Transitions are highlighted.
Warp detailing represents a change of planes, not of materials. Warp
details can evoke a sense of weightlessness where the lines
between floor, wall, and ceiling no longer exist. Warp detailing often
exploits modern materials and fabrication methods; for example,
plastics, bent wood forms, or the “fish-scaling” of materials.
WARP DETAILING MODEL
5.28
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CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
TYPICAL WARP DETAILS
5.29
ering. This specification type is relatively rare, because designers
are most often concerned with a product’s appearance as well as
its performance.
REFERENCE STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Reference standard specifications are based on requirements set
by an accepted authority. For example, by specifying compliance
with ANSI A108, American National Standard Specifications for the
Installation of Ceramic Tile, the requirements of the standard are
included in the specification by reference. Reference standard
specifications tend to be the briefest type of specifications. When
referencing a standard, it is important that the specifier understand the standard and verify that all provisions of the standard
apply to the project.
SPECIFICATION INFORMATION
CLASSIFICATION
MasterFormat, published by the Construction Specifications
Institute (CSI) and Constructions Specifications Canada (CSC), is a
list of numbers and titles that classify the materials and requirements of construction and FF&E projects. It is used to organize
project specifications and file product information. MasterFormat
is composed of 16 divisions, each identified by a five-digit numbering system. The first two digits indicate the division number; the
last three denote the section location within the division.
D E SI G N BASI CS
The topics of Divisions 2 through 16 are included in a project specification only if they are relevant to the project. However, every
project specification includes Division 1–General Requirements,
which governs the execution of sections in Divisions 2 through 16.
Division 1 contains the administrative and procedural requirements pertaining to all the sections of the specification and is the
key to administering a construction or FF&E contract.
SPECIFICATION FORMATS
CSI has established formats for specification information classifications (MasterFormat), sections (SectionFormat), and pages
(PageFormat). These three formats provide the basis for a complete, concise, and coordinated project manual in which information can be reliably and easily located.
SectionFormat organizes the information presented in each specification section into three parts:
Part 1—General: Describes the administrative and procedural
requirements specific to the section
Part 2—Products: Contains the requirements for the appearance and performance attributes of the items included in the
section
Part 3—Execution: Describes the preparation for and the construction or installation of items included in the section
MASTERFORMAT DIVISIONS
5.30
DIVISION
Price and payment procedures, administrative and quality requirements, temporary facilities, product and execution
requirements, facility operation and commissioning
2 Site Construction
Materials and methods, remediation, and preparation; earthwork, tunneling; foundation and loadbearing elements; utility
services, drainage and containment; bases, pavements, etc.; site improvements, planting, restoration and rehabilitation
3 Concrete
Materials and methods, forms, accessories, and reinforcement; cast-in-place and precast concrete; cementitious decks and
underlayment; grouts; mass concrete; restoration and cleanup
4 Masonry
Materials and methods; masonry units, stone, refractories, corrosion-resistant and simulated masonry; masonry assemblies,
restoration, and cleaning
5 Metals
Materials and methods; structural metal framing, joists, decking, cold-formed metal framing; metal and hydraulic
fabrications; railroad track; ornamental metal; expansion control; restoration and cleaning
6 Wood and Plastics
Materials and methods; rough and finish carpentry and architectural woodwork; structural plastics and plastic fabrications;
restoration and cleaning
7 Thermal and Moisture
Protection
Materials and methods; dampproofing, waterproofing and thermal protection; shingles, roof tiles, roofing and siding panels,
membrane roofing; flashing and sheet metal, roof specialties; fire and smoke protection; joint sealers
8 Doors and Windows
Materials and methods; metal doors and frames, wood and plastic doors, and specialty doors; entrances and storefronts;
windows and skylights; hardware; glazing and curtain walls
9 Finishes
Materials and methods; metal support assemblies; plaster and gypsum board; tile and terrazzo; ceilings, flooring, and wall
finishes; acoustical treatment; paints and coatings
10 Specialties
Visual display boards, compartments, and cubicles; louvers, vents, grilles, and screens; wall and corner guards; access
flooring; pest control; fireplaces and stoves; manufactured exterior specialties, flagpoles
11 Equipment
Maintenance, security and vault, teller and service equipment; ecclesiastical, library, theater and stage, and instrumental
equipment; registration and checkroom, mercantile, commercial laundry and dry cleaning, vending, and audio-visual
equipment; vehicle service, parking control, and loading dock equipment; solid waste handling, water supply and treatment,
and fluid waste disposal equipment, and hydraulic gates and valves; detention equipment; food service and residential
equipment and unit kitchens; athletic, recreational, and therapeutic equipment, darkroom, laboratory, planetarium, and
observatory equipment, office equipment; medical and mortuary equipment; navigation and agricultural equipment; and
exhibit equipment
12 Furnishings
Fabrics, art, manufactured casework, furnishings and accessories, furniture, multiple seating, systems furniture, interior
plants and planters, furniture restoration and repair
13 Special Construction
Air-supported structures; building modules; special purpose rooms; sound, vibration, and seismic control; radiation, lightning,
and cathodic protection; pre-engineered structures; swimming pool, aquariums, aquatic park, tubs and pools, and ice rinks;
kennels and animal shelters; site-constructed incinerators, storage tanks, filters underdrains, digester covers, oxygenation
and sludge conditioning systems; hazardous material remediation; measurement, control, recording, and transportation
control instrumentation; solar and wind energy equipment; security access and surveillance; building automation and control,
detection and alarm, and fire suppression
14 Conveying Systems
Dumbwaiters, elevators, escalators and moving walks, and lifts; material handling, hoists and cranes, turntables, and
scaffolding; transportation
15 Mechanical
Materials and methods; building services, process, and fire protection piping; plumbing fixtures and equipment;
heat-generation, refrigeration, HVAC, and air distribution equipment; HVAC instrumentation and controls, testing, adjusting,
and balancing
16 Electrical
Materials and methods; wiring methods, electrical power, transmission and distribution, and low-voltage distribution; lighting;
communications, sound and video
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
There are four basic types of specifications: proprietary, descriptive, performance, and reference standard. Most specifications
incorporate features from more than one type. For example, a proprietary specification for a particular fabric might also include reference standards for flammability and abrasion resistance.
PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATIONS
Proprietary specifications require a specific product from a specific manufacturer indicated by a brand name or model number. The
specifier has complete control over what will be incorporated in the
project when a proprietary specification is used. FF&E specifications are commonly proprietary. For example, “Knoll Group, Studio
Line, Barcelona Chair, with black leather upholstery,” is a proprietary specification.
DESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATIONS
Descriptive specifications detail the requirements for material
properties and workmanship. Manufacturers and products are not
named. Descriptive specifications are the most difficult to write,
because every aspect of the topic must be considered. For example, an acoustical ceiling tile would be specified by describing the
tile material, pattern, finish, color, edge detail, thickness, and size.
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Performance specifications describe the required results. They
describe how a product or material is to perform, not necessarily
what it is. The construction contractor or FF&E contractor has a
choice of products, materials, and processes that will be used to
achieve these results. Performance specifications typically make
reference to industry standards. It is helpful to include standard
test methods to ensure that performance requirements are met
objectively. For example, an acoustical wall panel could be specified by describing its fire-test-performance characteristics, its
acoustical properties, and the abrasion resistance of its fabric covContributors:
Faith Baum, AIA, IIDA; Faith Baum Architect; Lexington, Massachusetts
Jeffrey Meese, AIA; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
DESCRIPTION
1 General Requirements
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COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES
C O M PU T ING T E CH NOLOGIES
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND
BUILDING INFORMATION
MODELING
The following is an overview of computing technologies that support and enhance the delivery of professional services within the
contemporary interior design firm. Topics include not only the
recent transition of design software from computer-aided design
(CAD) to BIM but also IPD; virtual collaboration tools, including
integrated messaging, Web-based meetings, project Web sites,
and social media; and emerging technologies such as software as
a service (SaaS) and future trends.
During the 1990s, computer-aided design tools became commonplace among interior design firms and are still in use today. Software
programs such as AutoCAD and MicroStation are used by professional staff to develop two-dimensional (2-D) design drawings and
construction documents. Three-dimensional (3-D) models, renderings, and animations, produced using tools such as 3ds Max, form-Z,
Rhino, and SketchUp, are part of the typical design and delivery
process in many practices. Additional 2D illustration tools, such as
Illustrator and Photoshop, are also used to provide visual enhancements to drawings, illustrations, photographs, and presentations.
Compared to manual drafting, 2-D CAD software offers significant
productivity and quality improvements, making it easier to share
and reuse drawing information between different sheets, visually
coordinate consultant information (using CAD as a digital light
table), share details between multiple projects, reuse the same
base building plan for multiple interior design projects, and, in general, reduce much of the redundancy of manual drafting. At the
same time, the content of 2-D drawings produced using CAD
remains basically unchanged from the 2-D drawings produced
using vellum and pencil.
BIM SCREEN SHOT
5.31
Building Information Modeling (BIM) enables design professionals
to develop more descriptive and better coordinated 3-D models of
their projects. A BIM model includes not only the 3-D geometry and
surface materials used for rendering and walk-through animations
but also the logical relationships between different types of building objects (e.g., the relationship of a door to a wall, a wall to a
floor, walls enclosing a space, etc.), as well as customizable object
attributes (height, width, type, thickness, manufacturer, fire rating,
etc.). Compared to CAD, the digital content of BIM is intelligent and
information rich.
BIM also provides key coordination benefits. Using BIM software,
each 2-D plan, section or elevation drawing in effect becomes a
dynamic “view” or “report” of the 3-D building model. As such, 2D drawings produced from BIM models are better coordinated,
because they represent the same information using different data
filters and views, instead of separate sets of information that must
be manually coordinated. Enlarged plan, section, and detail targets
that cross-reference multiple 2-D drawings are also maintained
automatically by the BIM software.
BIM software is also able to measure and report areas, volumes,
material quantities, and object attributes more easily than CAD.
BIM models that include time elements for scheduling or construction sequencing are often referred to as 4-D BIMs, while those that
contain cost information are referred to as 5-D BIMs.
INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY
A BIM-enabled design and delivery process that fully integrates the
work efforts of the owner, designer, consultants, builder, subcontractors, and fabricators is most commonly known as integrated
project delivery (IPD) or virtual design and construction (VDC).
Such a delivery process is strongly rewarded by close collaboration
between the owner, designer, engineers, contractor, subcontractors, and fabricators.
IPD is best understood as a process, not a contract. Its delivery
methods can complement a number of contractual arrangements,
including design-build, construction management at-risk (CM atrisk), design-bid-build with preconstruction services by the builder,
as well as the three-way agreement. What is more important than
the form of the contract are the trusted relationships, collaborative
behavior, and common goals shared by all parties, without which
attempts to implement IPD may fail to meet expectations of productivity and quality improvement.
A key objective of IPD is to fully integrate the use of BIM data
throughout the entire design and delivery process, including procurement, fabrication, assembly, commissioning, occupancy, and
future renovation. As part of its IPD framework, the American
Institute of Architects (AIA) advocates earlier involvement of consultants and builders, accelerating design decisions as much as
possible, and shifting the design team’s surge of work effort much
earlier in the process, where design changes are less costly.
VIRTUAL COLLABORATION
Integrated delivery means not only using BIM software but also
making use of virtual collaboration tools. Most interior design projects involve coordinating design information produced by different
team members, including core/shell, interiors, heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting controls, furniture systems,
information technology (IT), security, and so forth. The process of
coordination during design and documentation is iterative and
often lengthy, and usually means many design review and coordination meetings.
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COMPUTING TECHNOLOG I E S
Increasingly, virtual collaboration tools are allowing design professionals to share and review design data with each other and collaborate on proposed changes without being physically present in
the same room. Using such tools adds scheduling and staffing flexibility, avoids wasted time and expense shuttling between meetings,
and reduces carbon output associated with unnecessary travel.
Virtual meetings are not a complete substitute for face-to-face
meetings; the latter remain essential for project kickoffs, relationship building, and critical problem solving. However, effective virtual collaboration can dramatically reduce the number of in-person
meetings and increase the overall efficiency of design staff, particularly when design teams are geographically distributed.
Virtual collaboration technologies can be organized into four basic
categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Integrated messaging
Web-based meetings
Project-specific Web sites
Social media
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
In the future, interior design firms will be running more of their software applications, not on their personal computers or in-house network servers, but instead on network servers hosted by outside
companies and accessed via the Internet. This migration from running software and storing company data on personal computers and
private networks to running software and storing company data
securely on the Internet reflects a continuing evolution of software
as a product to software as a service (SaaS, typically pronounced
“sass”). SaaS is a model of software deployment where a provider
licenses the use of a computer application to customers as a service accessible via the Internet.
The data and information that individuals or companies publish and
access are not stored on computers in their home or office, but on
the “cloud” of the Internet.
The past decade has witnessed an acceleration of computing technologies that help interior design professionals enhance design
quality, improve delivery efficiency, and increase the value of their
services to owners and users. Indeed, computing technologies
remain an essential component of any successful interior design
practice.
At the same time, technology by itself rarely provides an enduring
competitive advantage. Ongoing improvement in technology price
and performance continues to lower the barriers to entry for new
service providers, both large and small. A perceived differentiator
of today, such as BIM-enabled coordination, desktop videoconferencing, or the use of social media, is guaranteed to become a commodity of tomorrow.
Most importantly, computing technology must always be effectively married to a firm’s business vision, delivery process, organizational culture, and the unique talents of individual professionals.
The ways in which each interior design practice acquires and
deploys technology depends on all of these considerations; there is
no one-size-fits-all approach. As a firm develops its future implementation plans, therefore, the following characteristics of technology are worth keeping in mind:
• Technology is a leveler, allowing small, agile design firms to collaborate virtually and mimic (and in some cases, surpass) the
capabilities of large design firms.
• Technology is an enabler, facilitating new delivery methods and
new types of improved collaboration between owners, designers,
engineers, contractors, and fabricators.
• Technology is a magnifier, enhancing the productivity and quality of a well-organized practice composed of talented professionals. It can also do the opposite when applied to a disorganized practice that lacks talent. Technology can enhance talent but
cannot compensate for its absence.
• Technology is a connector, allowing a new generation of design
professionals to build virtual design teams and learning communities by using Web-based tools, including social media.
Technologies such as e-mail, messaging, videoconferencing,
blogging, and project-specific Web sites continue to erase the
geographic boundaries of practice.
The unwritten future is how computing technologies, both those
described in this section and others yet to be invented, will be
joined together in surprising new ways.
DIGITAL FABRICATION
Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies
are changing the roles and responsibilities of design and construction professionals. CAD/CAM and computer numerically controlled
(CNC) technologies are widely used in industrial design and manufacturing, and are increasingly being used by architecture firms.
D E SI G N BASI CS
Digital models facilitate communication between designer, contractor, and client. A fly-through of a master model illustrating the
three-dimensional geometry of a building’s forms and spaces
allows markups and notes saved for future discussions. Multiple 3D element models describing the details of each part’s shape can
be integrated with CNC fabrication instructions, and associated
with material and installation specifications, part identifiers, and
pricing information.
DIGITAL MODELING ENVIRONMENTS
Commonly used digital design systems typically make one of the
following types of three-dimensional models:
• Classical models are simple models that rely on direct application of mathematical equations.
• Wireframe models are simple models made from points and
lines.
• Surface models can show curved surfaces that look good, but
without careful construction, they may contain inaccuracies
such as unwanted intersections and gaps, and typically lack data
needed for CNC machines.
• Cross-sectional models slice a digital model into a series of
cross sections, which are then cut out using CNC tools.
• Solid models have curves and boundary surfaces that are exactly numerically defined. They contain more information, and provide the specific data necessary for working with CNC machines.
REVISING MODELS
Some modeling systems have to be rebuilt to be revised. Many digital systems do not record the steps taken to produce the model,
making it impossible to recover the process.
Digital environments with hierarchical-based structures record the
steps taken, and list, name, and identify variables.
Parametric variation allows the designer to vary certain parameters of an object to generate instances of the design, all derived
from the same characteristic shape but varying slightly in dimension or shape.
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Numerical control technology is the automatic operation of machinery from numerically encoded instructions, which are usually
derived from a digital design model. Common types of CNC
machines include routers, lathes, milling machines, saws, drills,
water jets, and laser cutters.
CROSS-SECTIONAL MODELS
5.32
Source: Daniel Schodek, Martin Bechthold, Kimo Griggs, Kenneth Martin Kao, and Marco Steinberg, Digital Design and Manufacturing, Figure 15-18, page 307, John Wiley & Sons, 2005
Contributor:
Ken Sanders, FAIA, Principal/Managing Director, Gensler, San Francisco.
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COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES
CNC MACHINES
5.33
CNC HOT-WIRE FOAM CUTTING TOOL
5.35
Source: Daniel Schodek, Martin Bechthold, Kimo Griggs, Kenneth Martin
Kao, and Marco Steinberg, Digital Design and Manufacturing, Figure 110, page 13, John Wiley & Sons, 2005
Some CNC fabrication processes with design applications include:
• Solid free-form fabrication, also known as 3-D printing, builds up
a model in thin layers and is often used for prototype production.
• Reverse engineering involves scanning a physical model to create a digital model that can be revised and modified.
• Hot wire cutting is used for architectural models, as well as for
insulation, ornamental details, and other building purposes.
Source: Daniel Schodek, Martin Bechthold, Kimo Griggs, Kenneth Martin
Kao, and Marco Steinberg, Digital Design and Manufacturing, Figure 1424, page 266, John Wiley & Sons, 2005
3-D DIMENSIONAL SCANNING
5.34
Source: Daniel Schodek, Martin Bechthold, Kimo Griggs, Kenneth Martin Kao, and Marco Steinberg, Digital Design and Manufacturing, Figure 1-13, page 15, John Wiley & Sons, 2005
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SECTI O N 2
BUILDING ELEMENTS
CHAPTER 6
43
Building Structure and Shell
CHAPTER 7
89
Interior Construction
CHAPTER 8
283
Equipment and Furnishings
CHAPTER 9
326
Interior Project Types
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BUILDING STRUCTURE
AND SHELL
6
SUBSTRUCTURE
WALL FOUNDATIONS
INTERIOR LOAD-BEARING CMU FOUNDATION WALL
6.1
BASEMENT WALLS
Foundation walls are used where basements are not required and
where firm soil is adequate to support a limited load. The excavation
typically is to below frost depth or as required by the geotechnical
engineer. The wall thickness is usually 8 in. (203 mm) but may be
thicker to support thicker walls. Minimal amounts of reinforcing
steel are required to limit cracking. Reinforcing requirements may
increase as the height of the building wall increases.
CONCRETE BASEMENT WALLS
Concrete basement walls may be either cast in place or precast.
Cast-in-place concrete basement walls provide a cost-effective
means of supporting a floor and resisting soil pressures, and are
used in both commercial and residential construction. Forms are
easily placed in the excavation on the footings. Reinforcing steel is
placed within the wall formwork.
In colder climates, insulation on the inside face of the foundation
and under the slab helps to minimize the cold penetration to the
interior.
Precast concrete basement walls enable basement construction in
less time than conventional cast-in-place concrete. Precast concrete construction also permits the use of concrete admixtures
that focus on ultimate strength, rather than cure time and temperature.
Generally, an isolation joint is provided at the slab-wall interface to
allow the slab and grade wall to settle independently.
Standard foundation walls may be constructed using concrete,
masonry units, or wood. Wood in direct contact with masonry
materials should be pressure treated or naturally decay resistant.
Lumber and plywood used in treated wood foundations must be
grade stamped for foundation use. The U.S. Forest Service provides
a list of wood preservative alternatives.
Treated wood products used in foundation construction are
required to contain more preservatives than treated wood used in
fencing, decking, and similar applications. Skin contact and prolonged or frequent inhalation of sawdust when handling or working
with any pressure-treated wood product should be avoided.
SUBGRADE ENCLOSURES
MASONRY BASEMENT WALLS
Source: Based on NCMA Annotated Design and Construction Details for
Concrete Masonry, Figure 3E.8. Courtesy of National Concrete Masonry
Association.
INTERIOR NON-LOAD-BEARING WALL
6.2
Masonry walls have long served as foundations for structures.
Today, most masonry basement walls consist of a single wythe of
solid or hollow concrete masonry units, depending on the required
bearing capacity. The walls are reinforced as necessary to resist
lateral loads.
Basement walls should protect against heat and cold, insect infestation (particularly termites), fire, and penetration of water and
soil gases.
Architectural masonry units may be used to improve the appearance of the wall. Masonry units with architectural finishes facing
the interior can be used for economical construction of finished
basement space.
Masonry easily accommodates any floor plan, and returns and corners increase the structural performance of the wall for lateral
load resistance.
Source: Based on NCMA Annotated Design and Construction Details for
Concrete Masonry, Figure 8B.2. Courtesy of National Concrete Masonry
Association.
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
CONCRETE BASEMENT WALLS
6.3
SUBSTRUCTURE
TYPICAL MASONRY BASEMENT WALL
6.4
BASEMENT THERMAL INSULATION
Insulation requirements are proportional to heating loads. The
foundation is often underinsulated and can be a major source of
heat loss. The desirable insulation level depends on the use of the
basement space, basement temperature, and insulation levels in
the rest of the building. Exterior insulation keeps the wall warm
and eliminates condensation and thermal bridges. As seasonal
basement temperature decreases, losses to it from the superstructure increase, and basement ceiling R-values should increase.
SLABS ON GRADE
Factors to consider in the design and construction of all concrete
slabs on grade include the intended use of the slab or slab section,
the condition and preparation of a uniform subgrade, the quality of
the concrete, the adequacy of structural capacity, the type and
spacing of joints, the finishing, the curing, and the application of
special surfaces.
Source: Based on ACI 332, Requirements for Residential Concrete
Construction and Commentary, Figure R7.1. Reprinted with permission
of the American Concrete Institute.
Wear resistance is directly related to the condition of the top portion of the concrete slab. Surface hardness and abrasion resistance may be provided by special additives or hardeners to the surface. The quality of the overall concrete slab will be enhanced by
the proper water-to-cement ratio, reasonable slump limits, and
well-graded aggregates with the maximum size of the coarse
aggregate as large as placing will permit.
Reinforcement in concrete slabs is unnecessary where frequent
joint spacings are used. Where less frequent spacings are used,
reinforcement is placed in the slab, at or above mid-depth (generally one-third down from the top surface), to act as crack control.
Common contraction joint spacing is 15 to 25 ft (4.6 to 7.2 m),
depending on the thickness of the slab and the construction type.
Strip placement, rather than checkerboard placement of slabs, is
recommended for large areas.
CONCRETE SLAB JOINTS
Construction joints facilitate the concrete pouring process.
Expansion and contraction joints are installed to accommodate
building movement.
• Construction joints between two successive placements of concrete are often keyed or doweled to provide lateral stability
across the joint.
• Expansion joints between two parts of a building or structure
permit thermal or moisture expansion to occur without damage
to either part. Expansion joints also serve as isolation joints and
control joints.
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
• Isolation joints separate two sections of a structure to allow differential movement or settlement between the slab and fixed
parts of the building such as columns, walls, and machinery
bases.
• Control joints are continuous grooves or separations formed,
sawed, or tooled in concrete to form a plane of weakness and
thus regulate the location and amount of cracking resulting from
drying shrinkage or thermal stresses.
• Contraction joints between two parts of a structure are
designed to compensate for the contraction of either part.
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
CONCRETE SLAB FINISHES
Concrete floor slabs are monolithically finished as a general procedure by floating and troweling to a smooth and dense top finish.
ACI 302 provides specific guidance for appropriate finishing procedures to control the achievable floor flatness. ACI 302, ACI 360,
and ACI 117 provide guidance for flatness selection and the techniques by which flatness and levelness are produced and measured. Floor finish tolerance is measured by placing a freestanding
10-ft (3 m) straightedge on the slab surface or by the F-Number
system, which is preferable.
Special finishes are available to improve appearance as well as
surface properties. These include sprinkled (shake) finishes or
high-strength toppings, either as monolithic or as separate twostage floor surfaces.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
The structural system of a building is designed and constructed to
support the loads applied to the building and to transmit them safely to the ground without damage to the building. Some structural
systems are based on a single material, such as heavy timber
structures. Others combine more than one material. A building may
have more than one structural system. What appears to be a structural material may actually be only an exterior facing material.
HORIZONTAL SEISMIC LOAD
6.5
Precast, prestressed concrete structural elements include:
• Solid flat slab: plank used for short spans and uniformly distributed loads
• Hollow-core slab: plank with hollow cores that reduce weight;
used for uniformly distributed loads over medium to long spans
• Single and double tees: T-shaped plank with a single or double
stem and broad, flat slab
• Ledger beam: beam with projecting ledges to support the ends
of joists or slabs; L or inverted T shapes
Structural elements visible within interior spaces include supports
such as columns, horizontal structural elements such as beams
and trusses as well as horizontal floor and ceiling planes, and loadbearing interior walls.
When working with structural elements, it is important to remember that changes in one part of the structure result in changes in
loads carried by other parts. Respect the structural properties of
the materials involved, and use caution tempered by understanding. It is wise to avoid major structural changes where possible;
they are expensive and may be complex.
Precast concrete wall panels are used for bearing walls that support
site-cast concrete floors or steel floor and roof systems. They are
usually 8 ft (2.4 m) wide but are available up to 12 ft (3.7 m) wide.
Precast concrete columns are commonly produced to support
these approximate areas:
SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
An earthquake produces vibrations in the earth’s crust by the sudden movements of plates along fault lines. These movements
spread as three-dimensional waves. The structural system of a
building must be designed to withstand seismic forces from any
direction. Buildings are already designed to carry substantial gravity-related vertical loads. Therefore, added horizontal loads are
considered the most critical in seismic design.
A load path is the path seismic forces take from the roof to the
foundation of a structure. Typically, the load travels from the
diaphragms through connections to the vertical elements and on to
the foundation by way of additional connections. This path should
be direct and uninterrupted. Seismic design begins with, and codes
require, the establishment of a continuous load path.
SUPERSTRUCTURE FRAMING
CONCRETE FRAMING
Concrete is either cast in place, where it will be used by a concrete
mixer or agitator truck, or precast off-site under factory-controlled
conditions. Concrete used for construction is usually reinforced
with steel reinforcing bars or with welded wire fabric.
PRECAST CONCRETE FRAME
Precast concrete frame systems are ideal for highly repetitive
structural frames such as parking garages and multiple residences
(hotels, apartments, dormitories). Precast concrete members can
be precast structural concrete or precast architectural concrete in
exposed locations.
Using shear walls in both directions is the most common method to
resist lateral loads. Stair and elevator cores and dwelling unit separations may also serve as shear walls.
Contributor:
Richard Eisner, FAIA, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Oakland,
California.
Precast concrete structural elements are cast and steam-cured
off-site, transported to the site, and set in place with cranes. They
may be reinforced or prestressed for extra strength or reduced
thickness.
• A 10 by 10 in. (254 by 254 mm) column supports 2,000 sq ft (186
sq m).
• A 12 by 12 in. (305 by 305 mm) column supports 2,750 sq ft (255
sq m).
• A 16 by 16 in. (406 by 406 mm) column supports 4,500 sq ft (418
sq m).
Precast concrete components are usually pretensioned. Pretensioning
is a method of prestressing concrete in which steel tendons are
stretched prior to placement of the concrete and maintained in tension
until the concrete is cured. The external tension on the tendons is then
released to compress the concrete. The example in Figure 6.6 employs
prestressed columns, inverted T-girders, ledger girders, and double-T
joists, all of the same length and design. Once the floor and roof Ts are
set, the surface is covered with a thin concrete topping that provides
the finished, weather-exposed surface and a horizontal structural
diaphragm. The precast components are fabricated off-site and lifted
into place by crane. Various finished surfaces are possible, and the
unity of materials presents an opportunity for natural visible integration
of elements. Thin brick or tile can also be used as a surface material.
Double-T joists are generally 8 or 12 ft (2.4 or 3.7 m) wide, at a depth
of 18 to 36 in. (457 to 914 mm), depending on the spanning
requirements. Spans of 60 ft (18.3 m) are considered maximum, due
to the constraints of shipping and lifting the pieces, but longer spans
and deeper sections are possible.
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
PRECAST CONCRETE FRAME
6.6
SUPERSTRUCTURE
FLAT-PLATE AND POSTTENSIONED
CONCRETE
Flat-plate concrete construction combines cast-in-place concrete
columns with two-way concrete slab plates of uniform thickness.
Two-way flat-plate concrete floors are among the simplest concrete structures for reinforcing, formwork, and detailing.
Posttensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete by stretching
steel reinforcing tendons after placement and curing of the concrete structure. This prestressing reduces or eliminates tensile
stresses on the concrete under use loading and strengthens the
slab without increasing its thickness or adding the dead loads
introduced by additional steel reinforcing rods. Posttensioning is
useful when slab thickness is important to economical or functional design aspects or when concentrated live loads are high and the
building height must be kept to a minimum. It is also effective when
project conditions require minimal floor-to-floor heights but maximum ceiling heights with generous space above the ceilings.
Posttensioned concrete construction is virtually identical to flatplate concrete construction. The major difference lies in the thickness of the concrete slab, which is slightly reduced with posttensioning.
Flat-plate concrete construction permits more stories to be fitted
into a given building height than any other system. This is because
its floor structure has minimum thickness, especially when posttensioned.
Flat-plate construction is typically used for low- to medium-rise
construction because of the costs and difficulties associated with
placement of materials and labor in higher buildings. It is especially applicable to apartments, hotels, and dormitories, in which
no suspended ceiling is required. Story height can be minimized in
these applications by using the undersides of the slabs as finished
ceiling.
Cast-in-place concrete slabs are classified by whether they have
steel reinforcing running in one, two, or three directions. The reinforcing pattern affects how the slabs carry the stresses created by
loads to other structural members or the ground. Slabs are usually cast with their supporting beams.
Flat-plate construction usually has a central core for vertical circulation and services. The central core also permits consolidation of
vertical service risers, increasing fire protection by reducing or
eliminating through-floor penetrations in office areas. A centralized core permits relatively uniform, short horizontal runs for
power, plumbing, lighting, and mechanical systems.
Workstations in unpartitioned interior offices can be serviced
unobtrusively by ceiling-height power and communications poles,
in furred-out areas around columns, and in corridor partition walls.
Office workstations require daylight exposure and views. Because
the central core is farthest from perimeter zones, usable floor area
in the perimeter can be maximized. On constrained urban sites, the
central core may be moved against an unfenestrated wall and still
retain this advantage.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Concrete topping as floor finish
Prestressed, precast concrete double-T
Fluorescent light fixtures attached to structure
Prestressed, precast concrete columns and spandrel beams
Cast-in-place concrete vertical circulation
Slab on grade, with cast-in-place concrete piles
Elevator equipment for hydraulic elevator
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
FLAT PLATE AND POSTTENSIONED CONCRETE
6.7
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
WOOD FRAMING
The superstructure of a light-frame building encloses interior
spaces and carries loads to the ground. Many wood structures
originally designed as family homes find new lives as commercial
buildings. Codes for residential and commercial buildings have different requirements that must be considered.
Light wood frame construction consists of dimensional lumber that
is uniformly cut. Heavy-timber construction uses beams cut from
large trees. Spaced beams made with blocking and open spaces to
reduce weight and laminated beams made from pieces of wood
glued together are also used in wood frame construction. Lightgauge steel framing is often used in building interiors with existing
wood framing.
WOOD TRUSSES
Prefabricated floor and roof trusses are built at the factory to engineering specifications. Laminated wood trusses consist of smaller
pieces of wood glued together into large trusses. Open-web wood
trusses allow threading of wiring, piping, and ductwork without onsite drilling or cutting.
Roof trusses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The top chords
serve as roof rafters, and the bottom chords act as ceiling joists.
WOOD COLUMNS
Wood columns may be solid wood or built out of wood pieces either
solidly glue laminated or mechanically fastened together.
Spaced wood columns are made of multiple structural members
with blocking and spaces inside.
WESTERN OR PLATFORM FRAMING
The most common type of wood framing is western or platform
framing. Before any of the superstructure is erected, the first-floor
framing and subflooring is put down, making a platform on which
the walls and partitions can be assembled and tilted into place.
Because floor framing and wall frames do not interlock, adequate
sheathing must act as bracing and provide the necessary lateral
resistance. Where required for additional stiffness or bracing,
metal strapping or 1 4s may be let into the outer face of studs
at 45° angles, secured at top and bottom and to studs. The process
is repeated for each story of the building.
Roof framing may be level, I-joist, or trusses. Floor joists may be
any of the following types of beams: heavy timber, laminated
veneer lumber (LVL), parallel strand lumber (PSL), glue laminated,
built up, flitch, or box.
Platform framing has essentially replaced balloon framing. Balloon
framing with studs continuous from wood sill to top plate is rarely
used, except in special locations, such as in two-story spaces, at
parapets, and in similar situations where a structural cantilever of
the wall is required.
LEGEND
A
B
C
Built-up roofing or single-ply membrane on rigid insulation
Concrete slab with reinforcing steel bars
Ducts with diffusers, suspended from structure in
ceiling plenum
D Fluorescent light fixture in ceiling
E Suspended acoustical tile ceiling
F Resilient floor
G Operable partitions
H Metal stud and gypsum wallboard assembly
I Window assembly
J Concrete
K Brick and concrete masonry with rigid insulation
L Slab on grade and concrete foundation
M Vapor barrier under slab
N Waterproofing and protective board at foundation
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
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PLATFORM FRAMING
6.8
Contributor:
Timothy B. McDonald, Washington, DC.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
PLATFORM FRAMING—SECTION
6.9
BEAMS
6.12
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
JOISTS BEARING ON RIBBON
6.14
HEAVY-TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
Heavy-timber construction is characterized by large, exposed timber columns, beams, and other structural members, joined together by traditional pegged mortise and tenon or similar joints. Heavy
timber uses rectangular solid wood framing members that are
nominally a minimum of 5 in. (127 mm) in both dimensions. Heavytimber fabricated timber frame modules are called bents. Bents
run perpendicular to the ridge, and include the primary columns,
beams, girders, rafters, and knee braces. Bents are typically
spaced 10 to 16 ft (3 to 4.9 m) on center.
WOOD JOISTS SUPPORTED ON STEEL BEAM
6.10
Heavy-timber structures are typically enclosed with stressed-skin
insulated panels, leaving the frame totally exposed on the interior.
Heavy-timber construction is being updated with modern materials
such as glue-laminated members and proprietary concealed metal
connections.
BALLOON FRAMING
BALLOON FRAMING
6.13
GLUE-LAMINATED CONSTRUCTION
The term glue laminated (glulam) refers to an engineered, stressrated product made of wood laminations bonded with adhesives,
with the grain approximately parallel lengthwise. Laminated pieces
can be end-joined to form any length, be glued edge to edge to
make wider pieces, or be composed of bent pieces curved during
the laminating process.
STANDARD WIDTHS
6.15
NOMINAL
WIDTH
WOOD JOISTS SUPPORTED ON WOOD BEAM
6.11
NET FINISHED WIDTH
3 (76)
2-1/8 (54)
4 (102)
3-1/8 (3 for southern pine) (79, 76)
6 (152)
5-1/8 (5 for southern pine) (130, 127)
8 (203)
6-3/4 (171)
10 (254)
8-3/4 (8-1/2 for southern pine) (222, 216)
12 (305)
10-3/4 (10-1/2 for southern pine) (273, 267)
14 (356)
12-1/4 (309)
16 (406)
14-1/4 (362)
FIRE SAFETY
Similar in nature to those of heavy timber, the self-insulating qualities of glue-laminated construction cause the members to burn
slowly. Good structural details, elimination of concealed spaces,
and use of vertical fireblocking contribute to its fire resistance and
ability to retain its strength longer than unprotected metals.
Therefore, building codes generally classify glue-laminated construction as heavy-timber construction if certain minimum dimensional requirements are met. Codes also allow for calculation of
one-hour fire ratings for exposed glue-laminated members.
Contributors:
Timothy B. McDonald, Washington, DC.
Joseph A. Wilkes, Wilkes and Faulkner, Washington, DC.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
POST AND BEAM CONSTRUCTION
Although used historically for larger buildings, post and beam construction is now generally confined to buildings of three stories or
fewer. Its main advantages are simplicity of elements and details,
combined with the potential for visual integration and bold structural and architectural forms.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
LAMINATED WOOD POST AND BEAM
6.16
Structure and interior are unified in post and beam construction.
Because the structural elements in this system are exposed to
view, as are portions of the mechanical system, care is required in
the visual integration of these components and in the design and
appearance of hardware used to join the wood members. Certain
parts of the mechanical system can be concealed within interior
partitions and exterior walls. The sizing of structural members and
joinery details may be influenced more by considerations of visual
proportion and appearance than strictly by the loading and stress
conditions involved.
LEGEND
A
B
Rigid conduits run through decking
Roof deck covered with roofing felt moisture barrier; rigid
insulation board between sleepers. Standing seam metal roof
over sleepers
C Plywood sheathing and wood roof, laminated tongue-andgroove decking, nominally 2-1/4 in. (57) thick, laid over
the beams
D Air supply and return ducts
E Lighting fixtures
F Window assembly
G Wood siding
H Heavy glue-laminated wood beams
I Carpeting
J Exposed wood frame and plywood sheathing
K Wood stud framing
L Drywall
M Clay tile flooring
N Slab on grade and concrete foundation
O Vapor barrier under slab
NOTES
6.16a. The underside of the laminated tongue-and-groove decking is
exposed to interior view and should be specified for appearance grade.
b. A vapor barrier is placed toward the occupied side, and the voids are
filled with batt or rigid insulation.
c. The exterior is sheathed in plywood and finished with diagonal wood
siding.
d. Kitchens, lavatories, and other areas requiring both odor removal
equipment and greater amounts of fresh air are separated by walls and
covered by suspended or furred ceilings.
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
POST AND BEAM CONNECTIONS
6.17
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
MILL CONSTRUCTION
Mill construction uses a combination of fire-resistant brick walls
with heavy-timber interior construction. It is characterized by large
open floor spaces and daylight streaming through large windows.
Although this type of construction is rarely used today, many of
these buildings still stand, and have been converted into office
spaces, housing and studios for artists, and museums.
SECTION THROUGH JOIST BEARING
6.20
STEEL FRAMING
Iron and steel, and their alloys, are usually the most cost-effective
metal choices for structural applications. Steel is a ferrous metal.
Nonferrous metals contain little or no iron, generally have good
corrosion resistance, and are nonmagnetic. Nonferrous metals
include copper and aluminum. Desirable properties of different
metals can often be combined by mixing metals together to form
alloys.
METALS
6.19
FERROUS
(CONTAIN IRON)
NONFERROUS (CONTAIN LITTLE
OR NO IRON)
Steel
Copper
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Iron
Tin
SECTION THROUGH STEEL JOIST
6.21
Magnesium
Bronze and brass
Lead
Zinc
Titanium
TYPES OF STEEL
Steel comprises the various alloys of iron and carbon. More than
90% of the steel manufactured into finished products is carbon
steel.
SPACED BEAM BEARING ON INTERIOR COLUMN
6.18
• Carbon steel: a higher carbon content increases metal strength
and hardness but reduces its ductility and weldability.
Reasonably strong but poor resistance to corrosion. Used in
structural shapes such as welded fabrications or castings, metal
studs and joists, fasteners, wall grilles, and ceiling suspension
systems.
• Galvanized steel: application of zinc to the surface of carbon
steel or steel alloys to prevent corrosion; either hot dipped or
electroplated.
• High-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steels: better corrosion resistance than carbon steels; chosen when weight is a consideration
and higher strength is specified.
The most commonly used framing systems for steel construction
include open-web steel joists, rigid frames, framed tubes, braced
cores, space frames, and moment-resisting frames.
OPEN-WEB STEEL JOISTS
Steel construction with open-web joists and bearing walls yields
buildings that have relatively large interior clear spans and flexible
interior layouts. The open webbing of the joist provides a lightweight structure that is easily penetrated by mechanical systems.
The bottom chords of the joists are used for suspension of interior
finishes, lighting fixtures, and air diffusers in finished areas,
although they may be left uncovered.
Open-web steel joists are usually covered by 2-1/2 to 3 in. (64 to
76 mm) of concrete on steel decking. Concrete thickness may be
increased to accommodate electrical conduit or electrical/communications raceways. Precast concrete, gypsum planks,
or plywood can also be used for the floor system.
Ceiling supports can be suspended from or mounted directly to the
bottom chords of joists, although suspended systems are recommended because of dimensional variations in actual joist depths.
Contributor:
Timothy B. McDonald, Washington, DC.
FABRICATED FIREPROOFED STEEL
COLUMNS
Fabricated fireproofed steel columns (lally columns) are structural
units that consist of load-bearing steel columns filled with concrete. This creates a column with increased load-bearing capacity
in a space no larger than a standard column. Lally columns have
fire-resistant characteristics when a layer of fireproofing material
encases the structural column. Fire ratings typically range from
two to four hours.
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
STEEL FRAME WITH CURTAIN WALL
Steel frame and curtain wall construction allows for off-site fabrication of frame and envelope components, easy shipping to the
site, and rapid assembly at the site. The steel and concrete in the
floors are designed to act as a composite diaphragm, providing a
thin, lightweight structural element with or without an access floor.
The access floor is advantageous in office environments that need
especially flexible interior layouts. This system keeps all wires and
cables in the space below the finish floor (generally not less than 4 in.
[102 mm] deep) and out of wall cavities. Although access floors
may add to overall floor-to-floor heights, the access floor conceals
the most visually obtrusive distribution elements.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
STEEL FRAME WITH CURTAIN WALL
6.22
The envelope is structurally independent of the steel frame, providing flexibility in weight, size, and configuration of the envelope
system. Curtain wall units are preassembled at the factory.
Mechanical systems, hidden in floor or ceiling plenums or both, can
be accessed through removable panels in ceiling or floor systems.
A suspended ceiling provides space for the distribution of internal
services, but it tends to be used principally for overhead lighting
and ductwork.
RIGID FRAMES
Rigid frame construction combines columns and a beam or girder
welded together to make a rigid connection. Such a frame can
carry vertical loads and resist horizontal forces, either wind or
seismic. Rigid frame buildings are usually single story. The roofs
are generally sloped, usually at least 1 in 12.
Because they span fairly long distances relatively cheaply—widths
range between 30 and 130 ft (9.1 and 39.6 m)—rigid frame structures are used for recreational buildings; warehouses; light industrial buildings; and commercial buildings, such as supermarkets,
automobile dealer showrooms, and garages. Bay sizes are usually
20 to 24 ft (6 to 7.3 m) but may be extended to 30 ft (9.1 m). The
roof profile is most often configured as a symmetrical gable, but
such a profile is not a structural necessity. Some manufacturers
offer precast concrete and masonry siding. Pre-engineered buildings most often use rigid frames for roof and wall supports.
RIGID STEEL FRAME
6.23
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
Steel decking welded to frame
Built-up roofing or single-ply membrane on rigid insulation
Suspended acoustical tile
Ducts with diffusers, either suspended from structure in
ceiling plenum or placed in floor plenum beneath access floor
Curtain wall units
Steel with welded and bolted connections
Fluorescent light fixture in ceiling
Electrical wires and cables placed in concrete floor
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Insulated spandrel panels
Gypsum wallboard
Systems furniture
Carpeted access floor system
Steel decking welded to primary frame members, with
cast-in-place concrete topping
Waterproofing and protective board with foundation drain
Slab on grade with concrete foundation
Vapor barrier under slab
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
FRAMED STEEL TUBE
In the framed tube system, structural steel members form the
load-bearing exterior perimeter wall; this wall is designed so the
entire building becomes, in effect, a structural steel tube.
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
SPACE FRAME
6.26
The framed tube system is most economical for very tall buildings.
The World Trade Center towers in New York were framed tube construction. The Sears Tower in Chicago is the most conspicuous
existing example of this construction system. Systems like that of
the Sears Tower, a combination of nine framed tubes in a 3 3
array, are sometimes called bundled tubes.
FRAMED STEEL TUBE
6.24
BRACED CORE
In the braced core system, walls around elevator shafts and stairwells are designed to act as vertical trusses that cantilever up from
the foundation. The chords of each truss are building columns; the
floor beams act as ties. Diagonals placed in a K-pattern (occasionally in an X-pattern) complete the truss. Braced core systems can
be used efficiently in single-story buildings as well as in buildings
over 50 stories. Braced frames are cost effective, but disrupt the
floor plan if not carefully located around typical core elements such
as stairs, shafts, and toilet rooms.
BRACED CORE
6.25
SPACE FRAMES
A space frame is a three-dimensional truss with linear members
that form a series of triangulated polyhedrons. It can be seen as a
plane of constant depth that can sustain fairly long spans and varied spatial configurations. The prime attributes of space frame
structural systems are their light weight; their inherent rigidity;
their wide variety of form, size, and span; and their compatible
interaction with other building support systems, primarily HVAC.
Metal space frames are classified as noncombustible construction
and can usually be exposed when 20 ft (6 m) above the floor.
However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system or a fire-rated
ceiling may be required.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
Built-up roofing and rigid insulation
Space frame and metal deck
Ducts suspended from hubs of the frame
Light fixtures
Glass block panel
F
G
H
I
J
Concrete masonry unit (CMU) bearing wall
Brick veneer and rigid insulation
Wood flooring
Slab on grade and concrete foundation
Vapor barrier
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
SPACE FRAME SUPPORT TYPES
6.27
SUPERSTRUCTURE
LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL FRAME AND BRICK VENEER
6.28
LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL FRAMING
Lightweight steel frame bearing wall construction is often used in
low-rise commercial and residential buildings. Speed of construction,
noncombustibility, and relative light weight are key advantages of
this system. The space between studs eases insulation and
accommodates piping and electrical distribution.
The lightweight cold-formed steel members are load bearing, and
beams, columns, channels, headers, and other elements can be built
up from standard steel shapes and sections. The frame’s rigidity
depends on cross-bracing, the distance from exterior corner to
exterior corner, and the type and layout of fasteners used. Sheathing
both sides of the frame also provides some lateral stability.
The advantages of cold-formed steel framing include its light weight,
dimensional stability, speed and ease of assembly, resistance to
moisture and decay, and, in some cases, readier availability than wood
framing members. Also, steel framing members are frequently made
from recycled scrap and can be endlessly recycled.
Prepunched holes in the studs provide easy routing of plumbing
and electrical lines. Most codes require the use of electrical conduit or sheathing of the prepunched stud opening to avoid stripping
the insulation as wires are drawn through.
Interior gypsum board applied to steel studs, along with exterior
sheathing, provides additional lateral bracing.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
Ridge flashing
Shingles and roofing felt
Metal roof frame (C-stud brace, -rafter, -channel, -joist)
Ducts with diffusers
Suspended acoustical tile
Gypsum board
Brick veneer
Window assembly
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Carpet
Ceramic floor tile
Batt insulation
Metal floor frame (C-joist), steel deck, and concrete topping
C-stud assembly, wiring threaded through wall assembly
Resilient floor tile
Dampproofing
Slab on grade with concrete foundation
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SUPERSTRUCTURE
STAGGERED STEEL TRUSS
Staggered truss construction is most often used for double-loaded
residential-type occupancies, including hotels, high-rise apartments,
nursing homes, and hospitals. This system is best suited to multiunit
residential or hotel buildings of 7 to 30 stories. Such building types
usually have highly repetitive floor plans and can benefit from
systems that integrate objectives regarding structure, interior unit
separations, fire compartmentalization, and acoustical privacy. The
system easily allows for long structural bays, permitting a high
degree of flexibility in unit interiors. The ground floor is free of trusses
and interior columns and thus is suitable for parking or retail
commercial use. The system’s light weight reduces foundation size.
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
STAGGERED STEEL TRUSS
6.29
Because the trusses extend from floor to ceiling, with openings for
corridors and elevator doors only, horizontal running of pipes, wiring,
and ductwork can be difficult. For this reason, separate unit-by-unit
heating and air-conditioning systems are often preferable. Utilities are
typically fed upward through chases and risers on outer walls, with
service or supply units placed to either side on each floor; end wall
stair enclosures are also used for this purpose. Most sprinkler
systems are laid out in this fashion as well. The smooth surface of
concrete deck planks can provide interior ceiling finishes, if desired.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
Rigid insulation under single-ply roofing and ballast
Ducts with diffusers, and sprinkler system; underside of
concrete planks either painted or covered with acoustical
ceiling tile
Precast hollow-core concrete plank deck
Staggered story-high steel trusses
Tile
Gypsum board
Window assembly
H
I
J
K
L
Precast shear panels
Steel columns
Conduit fed through vertical chases in outer walls
Joints at floor planks grouted, tops carpeted
Precast exterior wall panels that support floor slabs on
both top and bottom chords
M Slab on grade with concrete foundation
N Vapor barrier with waterproofing with protective board
O Precast stiffener beams
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
MASONRY STRUCTURES
Masonry construction is composed of building units of natural or
manufactured products usually held together with mortar. Masonry
bearing walls are usually one-story structures. Roof spans up to 60
ft (18.3 m) can generally be accommodated.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
STEEL BAR JOIST WITH BEARING WALL
6.30
Types of masonry building units include:
•
•
•
•
Concrete masonry units (CMUs)
Brick
Glass unit masonry
Stone and cast stone
Masonry units can be assembled into solid walls, cavity walls, or
veneered walls. They may be unreinforced or reinforced with metal
wall ties or steel reinforcing bars inside grout-filled cavities and
joints. Masonry walls are constructed of either solid or hollow
masonry units, with joints filled with mortar. Typically, they are constructed in parallel sets to support steel, wood, or concrete spanning systems. It is common for masonry walls to be spanned by
open-web steel joists, timber or steel beams, or concrete slabs.
Masonry materials expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture content. Clay masonry units absorb water and
expand. CMUs shrink as they dry after manufacture.
Movement joints are designed to control these changes. Movement
joints are located each 100 to 125 ft (30.5 to 38.1 m) along unbroken
lengths of masonry walls. They are also placed at changes in wall height
or thickness; at columns, pilasters, and wall intersections; and near
corners. They are additionally found on both sides of openings greater
than 6 ft (1.8 m) wide, and on one side of openings less than 6 ft.
Masonry bearing or shear walls typically have a minimum thickness
of 8 in. (203 mm). With reinforcing, this can be reduced to 6 in. (152 mm).
Solid 6-in. masonry walls in single-story buildings are limited to 9 ft
(2.7 m) in height. In many applications, single-wythe walls are
reinforced. Nonreinforced single-wythe walls are used in interior
construction where no loads, including lateral loads, or other
forces are anticipated.
MASONRY BEARING WALL WITH STEEL BAR
JOIST
Masonry bearing walls and metal joist roofs are among the simplest
and easiest to design and build. The height to which masonry bearing
walls can be built without resorting to lateral bracing is limited, so
they are used most frequently in one-story structures.
Bearing wall and bar joist roof building systems employ masonry
walls bearing on a turndown slab on grade or conventional spread
footings. The walls support a roof structure of open-web steel bar
joists, through which mechanical distribution systems are threaded.
Roof spans up to 60 ft (18 m) can generally be accommodated. The spacing and depth of joists is related to the spanning capability of the roof
decking material and the requirements for loads on the roof structure.
Steel open-web joist and bearing wall construction yields buildings
that have relatively large interior clear spans and flexible interior
layouts. The open webbing of the joists provides a lightweight
structure that is easily penetrated by mechanical systems. The bottom
chords of the joists are used for suspension of interior finishes,
lighting fixtures, and air diffusers in finished areas, although they may
be left uncovered.
Suspended interior ceilings are nearly always preferred to directly
attached interior ceilings. Finished ceilings attached directly to the
bottom joist chord are not only difficult to alter but must be
designed to accommodate the high degree of deflection the roof
assembly will experience. If ductwork is to be housed within the
depth of the joist, headers or branches must be fed through the
joist webs, perpendicular to the spanning direction.
MASONRY BEARING WALL AND METAL
JOIST ROOF
Masonry bearing walls and metal joist roofs are among the simplest
and easiest to design and build. The relatively low cost of the system
makes it attractive for speculative projects, as does the fact that
contractors find this construction method familiar and easy to erect.
Retail commercial facilities often require flexibility in lighting,
partitioning, and mechanical systems and large expanses of columnContributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland, based on
Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John
Wiley & Sons, 1986).
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
Rooftop mechanical unit
Built-up roofing and rigid insulation
Steel decking and open-web steel joists
Exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS)
Suspended acoustical tile, sprinkler system suspended from
structure in ceiling plenum
Fluorescent light fixture in ceiling
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Ductwork
Concrete masonry bearing wall and concrete footing
Glazed interior face on concrete masonry unit (CMU)
Resilient tile
Canopy assembly
Vapor barrier and dampproofing
Slab on grade
Window assembly
and wall-free space; the envelope and structural systems chosen
often reflect these demands.
related to the spanning capability of the roof decking material and
the requirements for loads on the roof structure.
The height to which masonry bearing walls can be built without
resorting to lateral bracing is limited, so they are used most
frequently in one-story structures. Roof spans up to 60 ft (18.3 m)
can generally be accommodated. The spacing and depth of joists is
Suspended interior ceilings are nearly always preferred to directly
attached interior ceilings. Finished ceilings attached directly to the
bottom joist chord are not only difficult to alter but must be
designed to accommodate the high degree of deflection the roof
assembly will experience.
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FL O O R CO NST RUCTION ASSEMBLIES
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
F L O O R CO NST RU CT IO N ASSEMBLIES
WOOD FLOOR FRAMING
WOOD ROOF TRUSS AND WOOD FLOOR TRUSS
6.31
In a standard wood framing system with prefabricated roof and
floor trusses and exterior sheathing, the trusses are built at the
factory to engineering specifications.
Open-web trusses allow threading of wiring, piping, and ductwork
without on-site drilling or cutting, thus greatly speeding and easing
the installation of heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. Openweb wood trusses permit longer clear spans than conventional
timber framing, leaving greater flexibility for the location of interior
partition walls that need not be load bearing.
Prefabricated roof and floor trusses eliminate much field labor,
thus speeding up on-site construction; help ensure dimensional
stability; and may eliminate the need for intermediate load-bearing
partitions. Longer clear spans are possible with floor trusses than
with generally available dimension lumber. The smaller wood components used in prefabricated trusses are more readily available
from sustainably grown sources, as opposed to the older-growth
trees harvested for larger standard lumber sections.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Shingles and roofing felt with metal flashing
Wood roof truss and plywood sheathing
Acoustical tile
Wood frame
Batt insulation
Gypsum board
Wood floor truss and plywood subfloor
H
I
J
K
Ducts and diffusers
Lapped wood siding
Window assembly
Slab on grade, concrete masonry foundation wall, and
concrete footing
L Carpet
M Below-slab perimeter ducts
57
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
FLOOR CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLIES
FLOOR FRAMING WOOD BEAMS
6.34
WOOD FLOOR FRAMING MEMBERS
6.32
FRAMING MEMBER TYPE
DESCRIPTION
COMPOSITION
[NOMINAL DIMENSIONS]
Dimension lumber
Short span, less than 24-0 (7.3 m)
Dimensional lumber [2 8, 2 10, 2 12]
Laminated veneer lumber
Short to medium span, 16-0 to 30-0 (4.9 to 9.1 m)
1-3/4 (44 mm) thick laminated joists
Wood I-joists
Small to medium span, 20-0 to 60-0 (6 to 18.3 m)
Lightweight 3/8 (10 mm) laminated strand lumber, oriented
strand board, or plywood web; 1-1/2, 2, or 3 (38, 51, 76 mm)
wide laminated veneer lumber or lumber flange
Shop-fabricated wood trusses
Medium span, 40-0 to 60-0 (12.2 to 18.3 m)
Trusses [2 4], wood chords and webs, steel plate
connectors
Metal web wood joists
Medium to long span, 40-0 to 60-0 (12.2 to 18.3 m)
Wood chords, 20-gauge steel webs
Medium to long span, 40-0 to 60-0 (12.2 to 18.3 m)
Wood chords, 1 to 1-1/2 (25 to 38 mm) diameter tubing
webs, depths to 40-0 (12.2 m)
Long to very long, span 60-0 to 100-0
(18.3 to 30.4 m)
Double [2 6] chords, 2 (51 mm) diameter webs, depth to
63 (1.6 m)
TYPES OF FABRICATED TRUSSES
6.33
WOOD I-JOIST FLOOR FRAMING DETAIL
6.35
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FL O O R CO NST RUCTION ASSEMBLIES
FLOOR DETAILS AT BEARING INTERIOR PARTITIONS
6.36
FLOOR CANTILEVERS
6.37
STEEL JOIST FLOOR FRAMING
Joists may come factory-punched, with openings of approximately
1-1/2 by 4 in. (38 by 102 mm) on center.
NOTE
6.37 a. Any extension greater than 2 ft (610 mm) must be engineered.
b. If space above is to be heated, insulate between joists and provide
cuts in blocking as shown.
Contributors:
Timothy B. McDonald, Washington, DC.
Joseph A. Wilkes, Wilkes and Faulkner, Washington, DC.
John Ray Hoke, Jr., FAIA, Washington, DC.
FRAMING OF FLOOR OPENING
6.38
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
FLOOR CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLIES
FLOOR JOISTS BEARING ON FOUNDATION
6.40
FLOOR FRAMING AT EXTERIOR WALL
6.39
FLOOR DECKS AND SLABS
CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS
CONCRETE SLABS
6.41
SLAB TYPE
USES
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Flat plate
Moderate spans. Hotels, motels, dormitories, condominiums.
Most economical floor system; has the lowest structural thickness.
Inexpensive formwork, ceilings may be exposed, fast erection,
flexible column location.
Penetrations for piping and ductwork through slab near columns
must be avoided. Spandrel beams may be necessary. Excess concrete
for longer spans, low shear capacity, greater deflections.
Flat slab
Buildings supporting very heavy loads. Warehouses, industrial
structures, parking structures.
When live loads exceed 150 psf (7.182 Pa), flat slabs are by far the
most economical.
Formwork is costly.
Banded slab
High-rise buildings; same use as flat plates if flying forms can be
used more than 10 times.
Advantages of a flat plate; permits a longer span in one direction.
Resists greater lateral loads in direction of beams. Typically
posttensioned, minimum slab thickness.
Must reuse formwork many times to be economical.
Joist slab
Best scheme if slabs are too long for a flat plate and the structure
is not exposed. Slab thickness between joints is determined by fire
requirements. Most economical if beams are the same depth as the
joists. Appropriate building types: schools, offices, churches,
hospitals, public and institutional buildings, buildings with moderate
loadings and spans.
Minimum concrete and steel; minimum weight, thus reduced column
and footing size; long spans in one direction; accommodates
poke-through electrical systems.
Unattractive for an exposed ceiling; formwork may cost more than
flat plate.
Skip joist slab
Same uses as for joist slabs, especially for longer fire ratings.
For large projects, should be less expensive than a joist slab.
Uses less concrete than joist slab; incurs lower steel rebar placing
costs; joist space is used for mechanical systems; permits lights
and equipment to be recessed between joists.
Similar to joist slab; joists must be designed as beams; forms may
require special order.
One-way beam
and slab
Parking garages, especially with posttensioning.
Long span in one direction.
Long span of about 60 ft (18.3 m) must be prestressed unless beams
are quite deep. Shallow beams will deflect excessively. Beams
interfere with mechanical services; more expensive forms than
flat plate.
Waffle slab
Prominent buildings with exposed ceiling structure; same types as
are suitable for flat slab, but with longer spans.
Longer two-way spans; exposed ceiling pattern; heavy load capacity.
Drop panels can be diamond shaped, square, or rectangular.
Formwork costs more and uses more concrete and steel than a joist
slab. Column spacing should be multiples of pan spacing to ensure
uniformity of drop panels at each column.
Two-way slab
and beam
Portions of buildings in which two-way beam framing is needed for
other reasons; industrial buildings with heavy concentrated loads.
Long span in two directions; small deflection; can carry
concentrated loads.
High cost of formwork and structural interference with mechanical
systems.
NOTES
6.40 a. Continuous bridging is required between each joist above a
beam. Solid blocking in other spaces may be used in lieu of bridging.
b. When a bearing wall is above, studs must align with joists below.
Contributors:
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.
Kenneth D. Franch, PE, AIA, Aguirre, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Charles M. Ault, Setter, Leach, & Lindstrom, Architects & Engineers,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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FL O O R CO NST RUCTION ASSEMBLIES
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FLAT PLATE
6.42
JOIST SLAB
6.45
WAFFLE SLAB
6.48
FLAT SLAB
6.43
SKIP JOIST SLAB
6.46
TWO-WAY SLAB AND BEAM
6.49
BANDED SLAB
6.44
ONE-WAY BEAM AND SLAB
6.47
PRECAST CONCRETE DECKS AND
SLABS
Natural-weight (150 psf) or lightweight concrete (115 psf) is used
in standard precast concrete slab construction. Concrete topping is
usually normal-weight concrete with a cylinder strength of 3000
psi. All units are prestressed.
METAL FLOOR DECKS
Metal floor decks provide a working platform, eliminating temporary wood planking in high-rise use. Composite decks provide positive reinforcement for concrete slabs. Both noncomposite and
composite decks serve as forms for concrete, eliminating the need
for forming and stripping. Acoustical treatment is possible. Electric
raceways may be built into the floor slab. Metal floor decking provides economical floor assemblies.
ELECTRICAL TRENCH DUCTS
Electrical raceways may be built into floor slabs by using cellular
deck or special units that are blended with plain deck. Two-way
distribution is achieved by using trench ducts that sit astride the
cellular units at right angles.
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ELECTRICAL TRENCH DUCT
6.50
ROOF CONSTRUCTION
FLOOR CONSTRUCTION EXPANSION
CONTROL
SEISMIC JOINT COVERS WITH FLOORING INSERT
6.53
A large selection of prefabricated assemblies to cover interior
expansion joints is available. Fire-rated barrier-type inserts are
available and applicable to most assemblies.
Expansion joint covers that will respond to differential movement,
both laterally and horizontally should be provided at joints in structures, located where seismic action may be expected or where differential settlement is anticipated.
EXPANSION JOINT COVER AT FLOOR AND WALL
6.52
FLOOR DECK ACCESSORIES
A convenient, economical means of supporting lightweight acoustical ceilings is to attach a suspension system to hanger tables at
side laps, pierce tabs driven through the deck, or prepunch tabs in
the roof deck. Do not use this tab-and-metal deck arrangement to
support plaster ceilings, piping, ductwork, electrical equipment, or
other heavy loads. Such elements must be suspended directly from
structural members or supplementary subframing.
FLOOR DECK ACCESSORIES
6.51
ROOF CONSTRUCTION
ROOF TYPES AND FRAMING
Interior design and construction can interact with roof framing in
the placement or removal of interior partitions and during the
installation of ceilings and ceiling-mounted equipment. Interior
space is often shaped by roof forms, and structural elements may
be exposed to view.
Skylights must be carefully integrated with roof framing. Check
code and manufacturer’s requirements for all ventilation hole sizes
cut in blocking web.
Contributors:
Donald Neubauer, PE, Neubauer Consulting Engineers, Potomac,
Maryland.
Walter D. Shapiro, PE, Tor, Shapiro & Associates, New York, New York.
Paul Bonsall and Robert D. Abernathy, J. N. Pease Associates, Charlotte,
North Carolina.
GABLE ROOF
6.54
FLAT ROOF
6.55
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ROOF CONSTRUCTION
GAMBREL ROOF
6.56
MANSARD ROOF
6.57
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
SHED ROOF
6.59
COLD-FORMED STEEL ROOF TRUSSES
6.60
SHOP-FABRICATED WOOD
TRUSSES
HIP ROOF
6.58
Shop-fabricated wood trusses have been used in building
construction since 1953, when the metal connector plate was
invented. The metal plates are punched with barbs that grab onto the
wood truss, thus reducing the hand nailing required to fabricate a
structure.
This system is primarily used for roofs with either pitched or parallel chord trusses. Individual trusses are cut from 2 4 or 2 6
TYPICAL PITCHED CHORD ROOF TRUSS
6.62
Contributors:
Timothy B. McDonald, Washington, DC.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.
WOOD I-JOIST SKYLIGHT FRAMING DETAIL
6.61
dimensional lumber and can be spaced 24 in. (610 mm) or 48 in.
(1,219 mm) on center. For typical residential construction, 24 in.
(610 mm) on center is used. Exceptionally long spans are possible
with shop-fabricated wood trusses, allowing the large, unencumbered interior spaces often required in commercial, agricultural, and
other nonresidential building types.
Truss chords and web members are placed in a vertical, plumb
position, and maintain that position, resisting applied design loads
throughout the life of the structure.
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GLUE-LAMINATED CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURAL GLUE-LAMINATED SHAPES
6.63
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
ROOF CONSTRUCTION
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ROOF CONSTRUCTION
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ROOF DECKS AND SLABS
ROOF STRUCTURE ASSEMBLIES
6.64
TYPE
FIGURE
MEMBER
SIZES
DEPTH
CEILING
REQUIRED
SPAN
SERVICE
PLENUM
THERMAL
CAPACITY
IMPACT
SOUND
AIRBORNE
SOUND
Wood rafter
5 to 13
(127 to 330 mm)
Nom. joist 2 6,
8, 10, 12
Up to 22-0 (6.7 m) For visual or fire
protection purposes
Between rafters—
one way
Low
Poor
Fair
Shop-fabricated
wood truss
Varies 12 to 120
(305 to 3,048 mm)
—
30-0 to 50-0
(9.1 to 15.2 m)
For visual or fire
protection purposes
Between trusses
Low
Poor
Fair
Cold-formed
metal truss
Varies
—
100-0 to 200-0
(30.5 to 61 m)
For visual or fire
protection purposes
Between trusses
Low
Fair
Fair
Steel joist
(concrete)
11 to 75
(279 to 1,905 mm)
Steel joists 8 to 72 Up to 96-0
(203 to 1,829 mm)
(29.3 m)
For visual or fire
protection purposes
Between joists
Medium
Fair
Fair
Steel joist
(wood roof)
10 to 32
(254 to 813 mm)
Steel joists 8 to 30 Up to 96-0
(203 to 762 mm)
(29.3 m)
For visual or fire
protection purposes
Between joists
Low
Poor
Fair
Steel frame
4 to 12
(102 to 305 mm)
plus beam depth
Concrete plank
20-0 to 60-0
(6.1 to 18.3 m),
generally below
35-0 (10.7 m)
For visual or fire
protection purposes
Under structure
High
Fair
Fair
Precast concrete
4 to 12 (102 to
Concrete plank
305 mm) slab, plus 16 to 48 (406 to
beam depth
1,219 mm) W, 4 to
12 (102 to 305 mm) D
20-0 to 60-0
(6.1 to 18.3 m),
generally below
35-0 (10.7 m)
No; provides
finished flush ceiling
Under structure
High
Fair
Fair
One-way
concrete slab
4 to 10 (102 to
—
254 mm) slab, plus
beam depth
10-0 to 25-0
(3 to 7.6 m), more
with posttension
No
Under structure
High
Good
Good
Two-way ribbed
concrete slab
8 to 24 (203 to
610 mm)
Standard dome
forms 19 19
(483 483 mm),
30 30 (762 762 mm), 6 to 20
(152 to 508 mm) D
25-0 to 60-0
(7.6 to 18.3 m),
more with
prestressing
No
Under structure
High
Good
Good
Concrete flat
slab
5 to 16
(127 to 406 mm)
Min. slab thickness Up to 40-0
5 (127 mm) without (12.2 m), more with
drop panel, 4
prestressing
(102 mm) with one
No
Under structure
High
Good
Good
Source: Adapted from Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, and Mehmet T. Ergene, architect, Roger K. Lewis and Associates, Washington, DC.
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ATTIC VENTILATION
METAL ROOF DECKING
Some of the many types of metal roof decking include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
STAIRS AND RAMPS
Roof decking
Composite deck
Permanent forms for self-supporting concrete slabs
Raceway (composite or noncomposite)
Acoustical metal decking
Acoustical cellular deck (composite or noncomposite)
Vented roof deck (used with lightweight insulating concrete fill)
Small openings up to 6 by 6 in. (152 by 152 mm) or 6 in. diameter
usually may be cut in a roof or floor deck without reinforcing the
deck. Openings up to 10 by 10 in. (254 by 254 mm) or 10 in. diameter require reinforcing of the deck either by welding a reinforcing
plate to the deck all around the openings or by providing channelshaped headers and/or supplementary reinforcing parallel to the
deck span. Larger openings should be framed with supplementary
steel members so that all free edges of the deck are supported.
Ventilation of attics can cause as many problems as it solves, if not
designed and constructed carefully. The best understanding of the
interrelated issues surrounding the control of heat, air, and moisture (HAM) inside attics, and the transfer of HAM to the building
interior, suggests that, like crawl spaces, it may be preferable to
treat the attic as part of the interior conditioned environment. This
is especially true when heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
(HVAC) equipment and ductwork are located in the attic.
VENT APPLICATIONS
6.67
METAL ROOF DECK SECTION
6.65
METAL ROOF DECK TYPES
6.66
TYPE
FIGURE
REMARKS
SPAN
WIDTH
MAXIMUM
LENGTH
Economy
Most economical deck for shorter spans; use with
1 or more insulation
2-6 to 8-0
(0.8 to 2.4 m)
32 to 33
(813 to 838)
42-0 (12.8 m)
Narrow rib (1 wide)
Use with 1/2 insulation; maximum surface area
on top for adhering insulation
4-0 to 11-0
(1.2 to 3.4 m)
36 (914)
42-0 (12.8 m)
S TAIR S A ND R AM P S
STAIRS
Stairways are an essential component in the circulation and egress
systems of most buildings. In the United States, they are also the
site of accidents that, annually, result in approximately 4,000 deaths
and 1 million injuries requiring hospital treatment. For these reasons, stairway design is strictly controlled by building regulations.
REGULATIONS
The information contained in this section summarizes most
International Building Code (IBC) and access regulation requirements. The information in this chapter is based on IBC 2009 and
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Check authorities having local jurisdiction for additional requirements.
Contributors:
Donald Neubauer, PE, Neubauer Consulting Engineers, Potomac,
Maryland.
Walter D. Shapiro, PE, Tor, Shapiro & Associates, New York, New York.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
Erik K. Beach, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Consult the IBC for stairway requirements to determine dimensional
limits for treads, risers, landings, and stair widths. Verify that local
codes are not more restrictive. Refer to the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) for accessibility requirements regarding stairs.
Treads and risers within a flight must be uniform in size within
close tolerances. Treads must be slip resistant. Carpeting or other
stair coverings should be applied securely and should not create a
nosing radius greater than permitted. Handrails, guardrails, and
stairways themselves must meet structural load requirements.
handrails. Only requirements for handrails apply in existing buildings. These requirements do not apply where there is an accessible route between floors served by the stairs.
Access regulations in some localities require that flooring material
strips of contrasting color be located at the top approach to a stair
and at the lowest tread. These markings are intended to aid the
visually impaired in identifying the limits of the stair. The application of such markings may be appropriate even where not required,
particularly where a high proportion of elderly or visually impaired
users are anticipated.
ACCESSIBILITY
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that all
newly constructed stairs that are part of a means of egress must
comply with requirements for accessible treads, risers, and
STAIR TYPE
Stair type refers to its design and plan layout. Stair types vary and
are subject to code requirements. Stair type selection depends on
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the space available, the starting and ending points required of the
stair, and the appearance desired. Egress stairs must be enclosed
as required by building codes, but the designer can vary the openness of nonegress stairs.
STAIR DIMENSIONS
Layout refers to the overall horizontal and vertical dimensions
required to meet functional and building code requirements. This
includes determining the width, total rise, and run of the stair as
well as space for landings.
Minimum stair widths are defined by building and accessibility
codes, based on occupancy, tread and riser dimensions, handrail
dimensions and positions, headroom requirements, and distance
between landings.
STAIR TYPES
6.68
Tread and riser dimensions are proportionally related to each
other. The tread and riser proportion, or pitch, affect safety as well
as the ease of using the stair. Code requirements are minimums.
Details of construction include how the treads and risers are supported, handrail profiles and construction, materials used, and
other finish considerations, including slip resistance.
Maintain a minimum headroom of 6 ft 8 in. (2,032 mm).
Avoid flights with fewer than three risers, to minimize tripping hazards. If one or two risers are used, increase the tread depth and
clearly mark the level changes.
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The use of door alcoves is recommended to prevent stairway doors
from obstructing the egress travel path.
STAIRS AND RAMPS
RETURN STAIR PLAN LAYOUT
6.69
MINIMUM WIDTH
The minimum width of any straight stair is 36 in. (914 mm) when
the occupant load is less than 50. The minimum width is 44 in.
(1,118 mm) when the occupant load is 50 or more. Handrails may
encroach no more than 4-1/2 in. (114 mm) on each side. For large
occupancies, calculate the minimum width according to the exit
width provisions of the IBC. When the stair serves an area of evacuation assistance, the minimum clear width between handrails
must be 48 in. (1,219 mm).
In residential occupancies, wider stairways allow for easier movement of furniture. For commercial occupancies, wider stairways
allow for more comfortable circulation when two people are passing or carrying objects.
HORIZONTAL STAIR LAYOUT
Steps involved in sizing the horizontal layout of the stair are as follows:
1. Determine the riser height: The number of risers required determines the number of treads required.
• For standard straight stairs, begin the calculation by taking
the total rise of the stairway, in inches, and dividing by 7 in.
(179 mm). This is a comfortable riser height and is the maximum allowed for most commercial stairways.
• If the result is not a whole number, select the next-highest
whole number and divide that number into the total rise. This
establishes a riser height of less than 7 in., which is a whole
number and is the number of risers required.
• The number of treads is one less than this number for a
straight-run stair and two less for a return or L-shaped stair
(the landing takes the place of one tread).
• For straight-run residential stairways where allowed by code,
divide by 7.75 in. (197 mm). This is the maximum allowable
riser height for Group R-3 occupancies and within dwelling
units in Group R-2 occupancies.
2. Determine the proportion between the riser and the tread
dimensions: Stair dimensions are based on the normal stride of
a person while ascending and descending a stair.
• Several formulas relating rise and tread have been proposed
through the years, but one of the most common is:
2R T = 25 or T = 25 – 2R
where R is the riser height and T is the tread depth.
• The IBC specifies a minimum tread depth of 11 in. (279 mm) for
commercial stairs and 10 in. (254 mm) for residential stairs.
• For straight-run, L-shaped, T-shaped, and wide-U stairs, the
total run is the number of treads multiplied by the tread depth.
• For return stairs, an unequal number of risers and treads in
the lower and upper flight is recommended, to allow the first
riser of the upper landing to lead the last riser of the lower
landing by one tread depth. The handrail can then make a
clean switchback without having to offset vertically.
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR STAIRS
1. Width of stair:
• Dwelling stairs: minimum 36-in. (914-mm) treads
• Public exit stairs: minimum 44-in. (1,118-mm) treads
• Rescue assistance area (ADA): 48 in. (1,219 mm) between
handrails
2. Treads:
• Dwellings: 10 in. (254 mm) minimum (nosing to nosing)
• Other (ADA): 11 in. (279 mm) minimum (nosing to nosing)
• Uniform depth within one flight
3. Risers:
• Dwellings: 7-3/4 in. (197 mm) maximum
• Other (ADA): minimum 4 in. (102 mm); maximum 7 in. (178
mm)
• Uniform height within one flight
4. Nosing: maximum 1-1/4 in. (32 mm) with 60° under nosing; maximum 1/2 in. (13 mm) radius at edge
RETURN STAIR SECTION LAYOUT
6.70
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HANDRAIL AND GUARD HEIGHTS
HORIZONTAL LAYOUT
6.71
Per 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the height of a
handrail above stair nosings should be 34 to 38 in. (864 to 965 mm).
For open stairways more than 30 in. (762 mm) above the floor, the
IBC also requires a guard 42 in. (1,067 mm) above the nosing in
addition to a handrail.
Guards should be 42 in. (1,067 mm) minimum in most commercial
construction. The IBC allows guards to be 36 in. (914 mm) on opensided walking surfaces in Group R-3 occupancies (dwellings).
Guards on the open sides of stairs in Group R-3 occupancies and
within individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies must be
a minimum of 34 in. (864 mm) measured from the nosing. Where
the top of a guard also serves as a handrail on the open sides of
stairs in Group R-3 and individual dwelling units of Group R-2 occupancies, the top of the guard must not be less than 34 in. (864 mm)
and not more than 38 in. (965 mm) above the nosings.
Handrails should be easy to grip and fit the hand. The recommended diameter is 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in. (32 to 38 mm) for round handrails
and a similar size for an elliptical or rounded square-edge section.
Handrails should be structurally designed so that both downward
(vertical) and lateral (horizontal) thrust loads are considered.
Extensions of handrails at the top and bottom of stairs may affect
the total length of the required run. Verify extensions required by
local codes or 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design when
designing a stair.
Handrails must extend beyond the top and bottom treads, as
required by code. At the inside turn of return stairs, the handrail
must be continuous. The ends of the handrail must return to either
the wall or a guard, or to the floor, or they must be continuous to
the next handrail of an adjacent stair flight.
The IBC and ADA require a minimum clearance of 1-1/2 in. (38 mm)
between the inside of the handrail and the wall. Some studies have
suggested that a better dimension is 2 in. (51 mm). This larger
dimension is good for general graspability and works better for a
person wearing gloves. For children, an additional handrail should
be 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 in. (29 to 32 mm) in diameter and mounted 22 to
28 in. (559 to 710 mm) above the nosing line.
RAILINGS AT WALLS
6.73
LANDINGS—SECTION
6.72
HANDRAILS, BALUSTRADES, AND
GUARDS
HANDRAILS
Handrail requirements are governed by building and accessibility
codes. Typically, handrails are required on both sides of stairs.
Exceptions include dwelling units and private dwellings. In these
cases, only one handrail is required. Handrails are not required for
changes in room elevations of three or fewer risers in dwelling
units and sleeping units in Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies.
Handrails are also not required in Group R-3 occupancies where
there is a single riser at an entrance or egress door. Handrail gripping surfaces must be continuous, without interruption by newel
posts or other obstructions. Handrails in dwelling units are allowed
to have newel posts at landings and volutes at the lowest tread.
For wide stairways used as a means of egress, intermediate
handrails are required so that all portions of the stairway width are
within 30 in. (762 mm) of a handrail. On monumental stairs,
handrails must be located along the most direct path of egress
travel.
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
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HANDRAILS
6.74
HANDRAIL DIMENSIONS
6.75
STAIRS AND RAMPS
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FULL WALL STRINGER
6.78
ELEVATION OF FACE STRINGER
6.76
NOTCHED WALL STRINGER
6.79
NO WALL STRINGER
6.77
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Section 505.3 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
require handrails to be continuous along their lengths and not
obstructed along their tops and sides. Their bottoms may not be
obstructed for more than 20% of their lengths.
WALL BRACKETS
6.80
Horizontal projections must be a minimum of 1-1/2 in. below the
bottom of the handrail’s gripping surface, with a different requirement for some larger handrails.
Section 505.10 requires handrails to extend at the slope of the stair
flight for a horizontal distance equal to a minimum of one tread
depth past the last riser nosing.
PLAN SHOWING HANDRAIL EXTENSIONS
6.83
ACCESSIBLE HANDRAIL AND GUARDRAIL DIMENSIONS
6.81
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR METAL STAIR
HANDRAILS
The IBC and ADA require handrails to be circular in cross section, with
a dimension between 1-1/4 and 2 in. (38 and 51 mm). Other shapes
are allowed if the perimeter dimension is between 4 and 6-1/2 in. (102
and 165 mm) and the maximum cross-sectional dimension does not
exceed 2-1/4 in. (57 mm). The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible
Design require that handrail gripping surfaces have rounded edges.
HANDRAIL GRASPABILITY
6.82
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
The 2009 IBC requires that handrails be easily grasped and allows
for two types, Type I and Type II. Type I handrails are required for
most construction, but Type II handrails are also allowed for Group
R-3 (residential) occupancies, within dwelling units in Group R-2
occupancies, or accessory to the individual dwelling units in Group
R-2 occupancies. Edges must have a minimum radius of 0.01 in.
(0.25 mm).
1. Stair rails:
• Height in dwellings: 36 in. (914 mm)
• Height in exit stairs: 42 in. (1,067 mm)
• Arrange rails so that a sphere 4 in. (102 mm) in diameter cannot be passed through
• Arrange rails to discourage climbing
• Concentrated load nonconcurrently applied at the top rail
must be 200 pounds force (1,156 N) in vertical downward and
horizontal directions. The test loads are applicable for railings
with supports not more than 8 ft (2.4 m) apart
2. Handrails:
• Dwellings: on one side only, required
• Other (ADA): required on both sides
• Height: 34 to 38 in. (864 to 965 mm)
• Grip surface: 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in. (32 to 38 mm)
• Clearance at wall: 1-1/2 in. (38 mm)
• Projecting or recessed
• Extension at top of run: 12 in. (305 mm)
• Extension at bottom of run: horizontal depth of tread
• When a guardrail more than 38 in. (965 mm) high is used, a
separate handrail should be installed
• Nothing should interrupt the continuous sliding of hands
3. Regulators and standards: building codes, ADA, ASTM
International, American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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STRINGER DETAILS
6.84
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
TREADS, RISERS, AND NOSINGS
TREADS
The minimum dimensions for stair treads are indicated in the building
codes. If space permits, research has shown that slightly deeper
treads than the minimum are more comfortable and safer to use.
Tread material should be nonslip, but not so rough that feet may be
caught on the nosing.
RISERS
Straight, vertical risers are permitted by the IBC and the ADA;
however, treads with nosings are more comfortable for the user.
Treads must be designed to follow requirements that prevent sharp
or abrupt edges, which may catch a person’s foot and present a
safety hazard. Open risers may not be used in most situations.
STAIR ELEMENTS
6.86
RAILING DETAILS
6.85
RISER DESIGN
6.87
NOSINGS
The IBC limits the amount of nosing overhang to 1-1/4 in. (32 mm),
whereas the ADA limits the amount to 1-1/2 in. (38 mm). A 1-in.
(25-mm) overhang is usually sufficient.
The ADA limits the radius of the leading edge of a tread to 1/2 in.
(13 mm), whereas the 2009 IBC limits the radius to 9/16 in. (14 mm).
To comply with both regulations, use a maximum radius of 1/2 in.
(13 mm).
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
WOOD NOSINGS
6.88
STAIRS AND RAMPS
WOOD STAIR SECTION
6.90
AREA OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE
The ADA and building codes identify requirements for areas of rescue assistance. Areas of rescue assistance are stairway clear
widths that allow for easier maneuverability of rescue personnel
and physically challenged persons, as well as the clear dimensions
at specified areas on landings provided as waiting areas for a person in a wheelchair.
PLAN DIMENSIONS REQUIRED FOR RESCUE
ASSISTANCE (ADA)
6.89
TREADS AND RISERS AT HOUSED STRINGER
6.91
WOOD STAIRS
Wood stairs used in private, residential applications usually are not
governed by the ADA; however, wood stairs in commercial facilities
and places of public accommodation must conform to 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design.
Verify requirements that may differ from the general recommendations provided here. In general, a minimum interior stair width
of 36 in. (914 mm) should be provided.
The minimum headroom is 6 ft 8 in. (2,032 mm), as measured
vertically from a diagonal line connecting tread nosings to the
underside of the finished ceiling or stair landing directly above
the stair run. The recommended headroom is 7 ft (2,134 mm).
Only handrails and stair stringers may project into the required
width of a stair. Use the following guidelines:
• The maximum handrail projection is 4-1/4 in. (114 mm).
• To comply with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, no
projections are allowed into the minimum required stair width.
• The width of a landing or platform should be at least as wide as
the stair.
• The maximum vertical rise of a stair between landings is 12 ft
(3,658 mm).
• The riser height should be 4 in. (102 mm) minimum and 7 in. (178
mm) maximum.
• The tread depth should be 11 in. (279 mm) minimum, measured
from riser to riser.
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Janet B. Rankin, AIA, Eric K. Beach, and Annica S. Emilsson, Rippeteau
Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
The Baumgardner Architects, Seattle, Washington.
• Variation in adjacent treads or risers should not exceed 3/16 in. (5
mm). The maximum variation allowed in the tread depth or riser
height within a flight of stairs is 3/8 in. (10 mm). 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design require uniform treads and risers.
• Nosings project 1-1/4 in. (31 mm) maximum. Verify building codes
and 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design requirements.
• Open riser stairs do not comply with 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design.
CLOSED RISER STAIR—WOOD FINISH
6.92
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STAIRS AND RAMPS
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DIMENSIONED LUMBER STAIR
6.93
CLOSED RISER STAIR—CARPET FINISH
6.94
METAL STAIRS
Metal stairs are normally constructed of steel and fabricated in the
shop to fit the dimensions required by the opening in which they
are to be used.
Treads and landings are typically filled with 1-1/2 to 2 in. (38 to
51 mm) of concrete. A finish material can then be applied over the
concrete. Balusters are anchored by welding, bolting, or screwing
them to the stringers. Glass balusters are anchored into a special
U-shaped channel, which is attached to the edge of the stringer. A
similar detail can be used for glass railings.
METAL PAN STAIR SECTION
6.96
OPEN RISER STAIR
6.95
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
The Baumgardner Architects, Seattle, Washington.
Janet B. Rankin, AIA, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
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STAIRS AND RAMPS
U-TYPE CONCRETE STAIRS
6.97
FREESTANDING CONCRETE STAIR
6.98
HELICOIDAL CONCRETE STAIR
6.99
CANTILEVER CONCRETE STAIR
6.100
NOTES
6.97 a. Consult structural engineer for reinforcing steel placement.
b. Verify required dimensions and clearances for code compliance.
6.98 Limit hinge dimension to requirements of stair.
6.99 Use of helicoidal concrete stairs depends on a fixed-end support
and small support deflection.
6.100 a. Reinforcing steel must develop full bond in masonry walls and
have full development length in concrete walls.
b. Detail of shear key is similar to Detail C in Figure 1.145.
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Krommehoek/McKeown and Associates, San Diego, California.
Karlsberger and Companies, Columbus, Ohio.
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STAIRS AND RAMPS
ALTERNATE STAIR TYPES
Alternate stair types include winding stairs, curved stairs, and spiral
stairs. Generally, the IBC does not allow these types of stairs to be
used for egress except within private dwelling units. Spiral stairs
may also be used as egress from a space not more than 250 sq ft
(23 sq m) and serving not more than five occupants.
When these alternate stair types are allowed, they must meet the
minimum dimensional requirements of the codes. Riser heights for
curved and winding stairs must meet the code maximums of 7 in.
(178 mm) for commercial stairs and 7-3/4 in. (197 mm) for residential stairs. Riser heights for spiral stairs must be such that a
clear headroom of 78 in. (1,981 mm) is provided, but in no case can
the riser height be greater than 9-1/2 in. (241 mm).
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
Spiral stairs are available with 22-1/2°, 27°, and 30° angle treads.
The most common are 27° and 30° tread angles because these can
maintain at least a 7-1/2-in. (190 mm) dimension 12 in. (305 mm)
from the center pole. Tread selection depends on the riser height
desired, the total rise, the headroom clearance requirements, and
the top and bottom riser orientation.
CURVED STAIR ELEVATION
6.105
Critical minimum headroom dimensions should be calculated based
on a three-quarter turn of the stair, even if a full 360° turn is being
used to travel the full rise.
SPIRAL STAIR PLAN VIEW
6.103
WINDING STAIRWAY
6.101
CURVED STAIR PLAN
6.106
SPIRAL STAIR DETAIL
6.104
SPIRAL STAIRS
Spiral stairs are composed of wedge-shaped treads supported
from a central column, usually 4 in. (102 mm) in diameter.
Prefabricated spiral stairs are commonly made from steel.
Spiral stairs are available in custom sizes. To meet building code
requirements as a means of egress, stairs must be at least 5 ft (1.5 m)
in diameter to meet the 26 in. (660 mm) clear-width requirement,
assuming a 4 in. (102 mm) center post. Larger diameters increase
perceived comfort, ease of use, and safety.
CURVED STAIR REQUIREMENTS
6.107
SPIRAL STAIR ELEVATION
6.102
CURVED STAIRS
Design considerations for curved stairs are similar to those for spiral stairs. A fabricated steel tube serves as a one-piece stringer to
which treads are bolted or welded. Risers can be open or closed.
Curved stairs may be part of a means of egress when they meet
the following dimensional requirements:
• The radius inside the stairway must be at least twice the width
of the treads.
• Treads must be a minimum of 10 in. (254 mm) at the narrow end,
and at least 11 in. (279 mm) when measured at a point 12 in.
(305 mm) from the narrower end of the tread.
• In residential occupancies, treads must be at least 6 in. (52 mm)
at the narrow end.
Alternating tread devices are not permitted as egress, except in
very limited storage or manufacturing occupancies for areas under
250 sq ft (23 sq m).
NOTE
6.102 For clarity, only one baluster per tread is shown.
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
David W. Johnson, Washington, DC.
The Baumgardner Architects, Seattle, Washington.
Janet B. Rankin, AIA, Rippeteau Architects, Washington, DC.
Charles A. Szoradi, AIA, Washington, DC.
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RAMPS
STAIRS AND RAMPS
RAMP AND RAMP LANDING EDGE
6.109
ACCESSIBLE RAMPS
Ramps on accessible routes are required to comply with 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design. The standards require that ramp
runs have a running slope not steeper than 1:12 (rise over run),
with some exceptions for space limitations in existing sites, buildings, and facilities.
To accommodate the widest range of users, guidelines recommend
the provision of ramps with the least possible running slope.
Wherever possible, accompany ramps with stairs for use by people
who find long ramps a greater barrier than stairs, for example,
individuals with heart disease or limited stamina.
The cross slope of a ramp is the slope of the surface perpendicular
to the direction of travel, measured rise over run. 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design limit cross slopes of ramp runs to
a maximum of 1:48.
Changes in level other than running slope and cross slope are not
permitted on ramp runs. Surfaces must be stable, firm, and slip
resistant. Carpet or carpet tile must be firmly attached, with a firm
cushion or pad where either is used. Acceptable pile textures
include level loop, textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut
pile. The maximum allowable pile height is 1/2 in. (13 mm).
Exposed edges of carpet must be fastened to the floor surface and
trimmed along their entire length.
Edge protection is required on each side of ramp runs and at each
side of ramp landings, with some exceptions. A curb or barrier
must prevent passage of a sphere 4 in. (102 mm) in diameter,
where any portion of the sphere is within 4 in. (102 mm) of the finish floor or ground surface.
In assembly areas, aisle ramps adjacent to seating that are not
serving elements required to be on an accessible route are not
required to comply with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
COMPONENTS OF A RAMP
6.108
RAMP EDGE BARRIER
6.110
RAMP HANDRAILS
Provide continuous handrails at both sides of ramps and at the
inside of handrails of switchback or dogleg ramps. If handrails are
not continuous at bottom, top, or landings, provide handrail extensions. The ends of handrails must be returned smoothly to floor,
wall, or post.
HANDRAIL DESIGN
6.111
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RAIL AT RAMP
6.112
EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
EXTERIOR WALL WEATHER
BARRIERS
CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Of primary importance to the shell of a building is the mediation
between the exterior and interior environment. Proper design and
detailing of the building enclosure requires an understanding of the
specific characteristics of the desired interior environmental conditions and the specific exterior environmental conditions on both
a macro and a micro scale.
DEFINITIONS
• Air barriers: Materials that form a continuous envelope around
all sides of the conditioned space to resist the passage of air. An
air barrier may or may not be a vapor retarder.
• Vapor barriers and retarders: Terms used interchangeably.
Materials that have a high degree of resistance to vapor diffusion. Their placement in an enclosure assembly will affect wetting and, more importantly, drying of the assembly.
• Insulation: A material that slows the flow of heat through conduction.
• Radiant barriers: A material, usually metallic or shiny, that
reflects radiant thermal energy.
• Weather or water-resistant barrier: A material that is resistant
to the penetration of water in the liquid state, or is waterproof.
It may or may not be an air barrier or vapor retarder. The face
of the weather barrier is sometimes called the drainage plane.
• Barrier wall: A wall that prevents absorbed moisture from penetrating to the interior.
INTERIOR CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
Environmental conditions to be maintained within the building also
influence the design of the shell. Buildings with the following
requirements need particular attention to system selection and
detailing, in concert with consideration of the exterior climate:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
High or low levels of humidity
Tight temperature tolerances
Pressure differentials to the exterior
High-reliability containment
Acoustic isolation
Protection from blast or forced entry
High indoor air quality
Other extraordinary requirements
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HEAT, AIR, AND MOISTURE
In addition to the obvious structural loads, the building enclosure
must resist the transfer of heat, air, and moisture (HAM). The laws
of physics dictate that heat always flows from hot to cold. Air
moves through building enclosures by passing through porous
materials or through holes and gaps in nonporous materials, based
on differential air pressures. Moisture in the liquid state is water
that occurs as rain, snow, and groundwater. Moisture in the vapor
state moves through enclosures from zones of higher to lower
vapor pressures.
EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
COLD CLIMATES
6.114
• Include highly reliable enclosure systems to control HAM in all
climate zones, without relying on building mechanical systems to
dry interior air.
• If metal stud backup systems are used, do not place thermal
insulation between the studs.
• Any paint or wallcovering is allowed on the interior finish.
For residential buildings in cold climates, heat loss through the
enclosure may be the largest component of total energy consumption. For large commercial buildings in moderate environments,
daylighting schemes may save more energy, even though they may
result in an enclosure with lower thermal resistance.
HOT, HUMID CLIMATES
6.115
HOT CLIMATES (ZONES 1, 2, AND 3)
• The mechanical system must provide dehumidification of interior air for drying.
• Avoid any vapor-impermeable interior finishes such as vinyl wallcoverings that will trap moisture.
• A radiant barrier may be incorporated into the cavity.
• Taped joints in sheathing, board insulation, or a combination
may provide an air barrier.
• An air barrier is crucial to limit moisture transport through
imperfections in the vapor retarder.
ALL CLIMATES
6.113
Most jurisdictions require compliance with an energy conservation
code. ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Code are common
model codes. These minimum standards should be exceeded by 20
to 50%, if possible.
EXTERIOR ENCLOSURE WALLS
BASIC EXTERIOR WALL ASSEMBLY
TYPES
Exterior wall assemblies fall into three basic categories:
• Barrier walls
• Drainage walls
• Pressure-equalized walls
MIXED CLIMATES (ZONES 3 AND 4)
• All materials must be relatively vapor permeable to allow drying
in both directions, because seasons change the direction of heat
flow and vapor drive.
Contribute to minimizing energy usage
Incorporate environmentally sensitive materials
Ensure good indoor air quality and occupant comfort
Be durable
For high-performance building projects, the enclosure could help
generate energy, return nutrients to the environment, and filter
pollutants. Buildings are major consumers of energy, so the enclosures should be part of a strategy to reduce energy consumption.
In fact, creating a well-performing enclosure is considered to be
the first step in reducing energy usage, ahead of other more
sophisticated strategies, such as high-performance mechanical
systems. A thorough understanding of the interior and exterior
environments is paramount.
ALL CLIMATES (ZONES 5 TO 8)
• Any paint or wallcovering is allowed on the interior finish.
• Mechanical system is not required to dry interior air.
The building shell should be a major part of the sustainable strategy. At a minimum, the shell should:
•
•
•
•
INTERIOR CONSIDERATIONS FOR
CLIMATE ZONES
COLD CLIMATES (ZONES 5 TO 8)
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY
BARRIER WALLS
MIXED CLIMATES
6.116
Most barrier walls rely on the thickness of water-resistant materials to absorb moisture and then dry when precipitation stops.
Typical assemblies include:
• Cast-in-place concrete
• Precast concrete
• Concrete masonry units
Face-sealed barrier walls rely on a perfect continuous seal at the
exterior face. Common assemblies include:
• Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
• Windows with a single sealant bead
DRAINAGE WALLS
Drainage walls resist air and moisture penetration with an outer
layer that blocks the bulk of precipitation and an inner water barrier. At drainage cavity walls, a cavity of 3/4 in. (19 mm) or more is
present in front of the drainage plane. If the water barrier is not
also an air barrier, then another layer of the wall assembly must
serve as an air barrier.
Common drainage cavity walls include:
• Brick veneer
• Some metal panels
Typical internal drainage plane walls include:
• Portland cement stucco over lath and a weather barrier
• Wood or vinyl siding
• Water drainage EIFS
PRESSURE-EQUALIZED WALLS
Pressure-equalized rainscreen walls use a drainage cavity, with the
air pressure in the cavity approximately equal to the exterior air pressure. Typical pressure-equalized rainscreen walls include some
unitized stone or metal panels and many curtain wall systems.
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EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
EXTERIOR WALL SKIN
TILT-UP CONCRETE
Tilt-up concrete is a fast, economical method of enclosing a building
with durable, load-bearing walls. Tilt-up construction consists of
reinforced concrete wall panels cast in a horizontal position on
site, then tilted up with a crane into their final vertical position.
They are usually cast on the concrete ground slab built for the
building under construction, although molds of other materials are
sometimes used.
The site-cast panels are the load-bearing elements for the roof
members, and they provide both interior and exterior finish. The
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
building shell can be erected quickly, permitting interior work to proceed along with final joining and sealing of the envelope panels. The
clear spans produced by the bar joist roof structure and the option
for a hung ceiling allow interior partitions to be freely located.
Tilt-up walls have been used in a variety of building types and
heights, especially in single-story buildings with large, uncomplicated
exteriors. The system is also used for multistory low-rise projects.
Significant savings in time and formwork costs can be achieved,
and the long lead times required for precast or structural steel
components are often averted. Because most of the forming and
erection work is done within the floor slab area, tilt-up systems
work well in confined construction sites.
EXTERIOR WALL ASSEMBLIES
6.117
EXTERIOR WALL ASSEMBLY
NOMINAL WALL THICKNESS
UNSUPPORTED HEIGHT
U-FACTOR
CONTROL OF HEAT, AIR, AND
MOISTURE (HAM)
AIRBORNE SOUND
TRANSMISSION RESISTANCE
CMU
8
Up to 13-0 (4 m)
0.56
Very poor HAM
Good
CMU (insulated)
12+
Up to 20-0 (6 m)
0.20
Very poor A and M, average H
Good
CMU and brick veneer (interior
insulation)
4 + 2 + 4+
Up to 13-0 (4 m) with filled cavity
0.19
Poor A and water transmission
Excellent
Wood stud
6
Up to 20-0 (6 m) where
L/d < 50-0 (15.2 m)
0.04
Average HAM
Poor to fair
Metal stud
5
Up to 13-0 (4 m)
0.10
Average A and M. Add insulation
over sheathing to increase thermal
performance
Poor to fair
Brick veneer on metal stud
4 + 2 + 6
Up to 15-0 (4.6 m)
0.10
Average A and M. Add insulation
over sheathing to increase thermal
performance
Good
Insulated sandwich panel
5
See manufacturer’s literature
0.05 (see manufacturer’s
literature)
Field-assembled systems generally
lower performance; factory-insulated
systems average performance
Poor to good (see manufacturer’s
literature)
Concrete (insulated)
8+
Up to 13-0 (17-0 with
reinforcement)
0.13
Poor M. average H and A
Good
Concrete and brick veneer
(insulated)
4 + 2 + 8+
Up to 13-0 (4 m); 17-0 (5.2 m)
with reinforcement
0.13
Average HAM
Excellent
Precast concrete
4+
Up to 12-0 (3.7 m)
0.85
Same as above
Good
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EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
TILT-UP CONCRETE
6.118
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
Skylights
Built-up roofing and rigid insulation
Steel deck and open-web steel joists
Ductwork in open-web steel joists
Radiant heat panels in suspended ceiling
F
G
H
I
J
K
Fluorescent light fixture
Window assembly
Precast concrete panels
Resilient tile flooring
Slab on grade and concrete footing
Rigid insulation
Source: Based on Richard D. Rush, AIA, The Building Systems Integration Handbook (John Wiley & Sons, 1986).
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EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
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TILT-UP CONCRETE PANEL DETAILS
6.119
PRECAST CONCRETE ARCHITECTURAL WALL
PANELS
It is important to carefully distinguish between the more specialized
architectural wall panel and the structural wall panel that is a
derivative of floor systems.
Form liner molds provide a wide variety of smooth and textured
finishes. Finishes after casting (but prior to hardening) include
exposed aggregate, broom, trowel, screed, float, and stippled.
After hardening, finishes include acid etched, sandblasted, honed,
polished, and hammered rib.
It is customary to select a color range, as complete uniformity
cannot be guaranteed. White cement offers the best color
uniformity; gray cement is subject to color variations even when
supplied by one source. Fine-aggregate color requires control of the
mixture gradation; coarse-aggregate color provides the best
durability and appearance.
Contributors:
Haynes Whaley Associates, Structural Engineers, Houston, Texas.
Robert P. Foley, PE, Con/Steel Tilt-Up Systems, Dayton, Ohio.
Sidney Freedman, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago,
Illinois.
SINGLE-WYTHE MASONRY WALL SECTION
6.120
MASONRY EXTERIOR WALLS
CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT EXTERIOR
WALLS
Single-wythe CMU walls may be either load bearing or non–load
bearing supported by the building frame. CMU walls are subject to
significant movement from shrinkage caused by initial drying and
then ongoing movement caused by temperature and moisture content variations.
Masonry units for the wall may be structural, though architectural
units may provide more design options. Architectural units include
split-faced, scored, integrally colored, ground-faced, and specially
shaped or sized units. Glazed CMU and structural clay tile also may
be used and are advantageous because they are less absorptive.
Single-wythe masonry walls function as mass barrier walls. They
absorb moisture during precipitation and then dry out. Control of
heat flow is typically accomplished by adding insulation to the interior side or by inserting insulation into the cores of the CMU.
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WALL ANCHORAGE DETAIL
6.121
EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
CLAY MASONRY WALLS
Clay masonry, including brick used in veneer walls, can provide
some of the most cost-effective, high-performance exterior wall
assemblies available. The brick veneer must be supported by a
structural backup, most typically CMU, wood studs, or cold-formed
steel framing, but may also be placed over structural concrete or
precast concrete.
MASONRY CMU BACKUP
6.122
Source: Courtesy of Tom Van Dean, AIA, Kling.
Contributors:
Grace S. Lee, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Stephen S. Szoke, PE, National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon,
Virginia.
Brian F. Trimble, Brick Industry Association, Reston, Virginia.
BRICK VENEER ON WOOD FRAMING
6.123
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EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
BRICK VENEER ON CMU
6.124
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
THIN BRICK VENEER
Thin brick veneer, also referred to as adhered veneer, is an application of thin brick veneer units between 1/2 and 1-3/4 in. (38 and
44 mm) thick on a backing system. The thin brick can be adhered to
a stud backing, attached to a concrete masonry backing, cast into
a concrete panel, or laid into a preformed modular panel. Thin brick
panels can be prefabricated or laid in place, depending on the size
or intricacies of the project.
DIAGONAL STABILITY BRACING ANCHORAGE
6.127
THIN BRICK VENEER ON CMU
6.125
WINDOW OPENING
6.128
THIN BRICK VENEER ON WOOD OR COLD-FORMED
METAL FRAMING
6.126
DOOR OPENING
6.129
COLD-FORMED METAL FRAMING AND
BRACING
Lightweight steel framing is cold formed, which means the components are manufactured by brake forming and punching galvanized
coil and sheet stock. Cold-formed framing members consist of two
basic types of components that are C-shaped in section: One type
has 1/4-in. (6-mm) flanges folded inward; the other has no flanges.
Studs, joists, and rafters are made with flanges to stiffen them so
they will more readily stand vertically. Components without flanges
(called tracks) have unpunched solid webs. For added strength,
tracks are sized slightly larger than the flanged members so the
tracks will fit snugly inside them as sill or top plates or as part of
posts or headers.
Cold-formed metal framing is strong and versatile. The strength and
load-carrying capacity of a member can be increased simply by
increasing the thickness, or gauge, of the metal; the dimensions of
the member, or the spacing, do not necessarily have to be increased.
There is little limitation on the length of steel framing members;
joists or studs may be fabricated in lengths up to 40 ft (12.2 m).
The disadvantages of cold-formed metal framing include lack of
insulating qualities; difficulty in cutting, compared to wood; and
dangerously sharper edges.
Contributors:
Grace S. Lee, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Stephen S. Szoke, PE, National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon,
Virginia.
Brian F. Trimble, Brick Industry Association, Reston, Virginia.
Anthony Golebiewski, AIA, Kling, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Eric Glastier, Alexandria, Virginia.
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HEAVY FIXTURE ATTACHMENT
6.130
EXTERIOR VERTICAL ENCLOSURES
PARTITION-TO-WALL CONNECTION
6.134
EXTERIOR WOOD STUD SYSTEM
6.136
BACKING FOR CABINETS
6.131
HEAVY-TIMBER SILL—WIRE CHASE DETAIL
6.137
NAILABLE BASEPLATE
6.132
HEAVY-TIMBER WALL CONSTRUCTION
Heavy-timber structures are typically enclosed with stressed-skin
insulated panels, leaving the frame totally exposed on the interior.
Heavy-timber construction is being updated with such materials as
glue-laminated (glulam) members and proprietary concealed metal
connections.
INFILL WOOD STUD ASSEMBLY
6.135
WALL INTERSECTION FRAMING
6.133
Contributors:
Joseph A. Wilkes, FAIA, Wilkes and Faulkner, Washington, DC.
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.
Tedd Benson and Ben Brungraber, PhD, Benson Woodworking Company,
Inc., Alstead New Hampshire.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
SURFACE-MOUNTED WIRE CHASE AT FOAM CORE PANEL
6.138
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RO O F WINDOWS AND SK YLIGHTS
STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
There are two main types of structural building panels:
BUILDING ST RU CT U R E AN D SH E LL
TYPICAL WIRE CHASE LOCATIONS IN PANELS
6.140
FIELD-ASSEMBLED WALL PANEL
6.141
• Stressed-skin panels: These are manufactured by gluing and
nailing plywood skins to both sides of a wood frame, resulting in
a unit that performs like an I-beam. Stressed-skin panels are not
necessarily insulated.
• Structural foam core panels: These fall into two groups: sandwich panels and unfaced panels. Sandwich panels are rigid-foam
panels faced with two structural-grade skins, usually made of
OSB or plywood. Unfaced structural foam core panels look like
panels of stick framing with thermal insulation between the
members, instead of blanket insulation. Interior and exterior finishes are applied to these panels in the field.
The skins of structural building panels resist tension and compression, while the wood frame or core resists shear and prevents
buckling of the skins.
All structural foam core panels are insulated with a core of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene, or urethane foam,
ranging in thickness from 3-1/2 to 11-1/2 in. (89 to 292 mm).
TYPICAL INTERMEDIATE PANEL SPLINE DETAIL
6.139
PANELIZED WALL CLADDING
It is possible to panelize major pieces of complete wall assemblies.
Panels are typically one structural bay wide and either one story
high (if the design includes punched windows) or one spandrel high
(if a horizontal strip window design is used).
FACTORY-ASSEMBLED WALL PANEL
6.142
Panelization provides a variety of benefits. Erection of the enclosure can be faster and safer and done during inclement weather,
and factory fabrication provides a higher level of quality control
and tighter tolerances.
PANEL ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS
• Structural supporting frame: This is usually designed as a truss,
•
•
•
•
•
to span from column to column, and is fabricated from structural steel shapes and/or cold-formed metal framing.
Sheathing: Galvanized steel sheets are used to help provide
structural rigidity; gypsum sheathing is also common.
Air barrier/vapor retarder: These are required when gypsum
sheathing is used.
Insulation: This is installed in the air space. Blanket insulation
installed between the studs may be acceptable in some climates, but is not recommended.
Rainscreen panel: Nearly all claddings that are used in drainage
cavity or pressure-equalized wall assemblies are good candidates for panelization. These include brick, cast stone, and
dimensional stone; aluminum composite material and plate
architectural metal panels; formed metal panels; terracotta;
resin-based panels; and EIFS.
Interior finish: Normally, gypsum board is installed at the project site on furring or studs.
INSULATED METAL PANEL WALL
ASSEMBLIES
Metal wall panels fall into two primary categories: field assembled
and factory formed. Metal wall panels span between 4 and 15 ft
(1.2 and 4.6 m), depending on the gauge of the metal, the panel
thickness, and the wind load. The finish on metal panels can be raw
galvanized sheet or any number of various factory-applied finishes,
ranging from baked enamel to high-performance polyvinyldene fluoride (PVDF) coatings.
RO OF WIND O WS AND SK YLIGHTS
Skylights provide daylight to interior spaces and can reduce dependence on electrical lighting. In passive solar designs, skylights are
used to admit direct solar radiation, thus enhancing space heating,
and when vented properly, to induce convective airflow, reducing
cooling loads through natural ventilation.
Skylights are available as units (which are shipped to the site ready
to be installed) or as framed assemblies of stock components (which
arrive fabricated for site assembly). Both fixed and hinged skylights
are manufactured. The hinged variety can be opened manually or by
remote-control devices for venting. Frames are typically mounted on
a built-up fabricated or site-built curb, with integral counterflashing;
they can be assembled with or without insulation.
Contributors:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
Eric K. Beach, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Self-flashing skylight units are available with or without curbs.
Those without curbs are intended only for pitched roof assemblies
and are not recommended for roof assemblies with finished spaces
below.
Framed skylight assemblies are custom designed by manufacturers
to meet the necessary wind, roof, and dead loads of the assembly
itself. When a skylight is pitched beyond a certain angle, it must be
designed to resist environmental factors, as does a curtain wall
assembly. Roof drainage for rainwater and storm water can limit
skylight dimensions. Many skylights are face sealed as a barrier
system, but some are available as a pressure-equalized rainscreen
system.
In determining the desired form and size of the skylight
unit/assembly, consideration should be given to:
• Environmental conditions, including orientation and winter and
summer solar penetration angles at the site
• Prevailing wind direction and patterns
• Precipitation quantity and patterns
• Adjacent topography and landscaping (shade trees, etc.)
• Coordination with the HVAC system
• Use of shading, screening, or light-reflecting/bouncing devices
• View desired relative to view obstructions, street lights
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BUILD ING ST RU CT URE AND SHELL
ROOF WINDOWS AND SK YLI G H T S
FLAT-PANEL UNIT SKYLIGHT—SLOPED ROOF
6.143
FLAT-PANEL UNIT SKYLIGHT—SECTION
6.144
DOME UNIT SKYLIGHT—FLAT ROOF
6.145
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
7
FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
Building construction materials are tested for four criteria related
to performance during a fire:
• Fire resistance is the material’s ability to resist burning while
retaining its structural integrity.
• Flame spread measures the rate at which flames travel along
the surface of a material.
• Fuel contributed is a measure of how much combustible matter
a material furnishes to a fire.
• Smoke developed is a measure of the surface burning characteristics of a material.
The fire-resistance rating is expressed in hours, determined by
precisely conducted laboratory tests. When installed, each assembly must match the tested assembly. Many tests are proprietary,
but the International Building Code (IBC) includes a series of
generic assemblies with associated ratings.
Several methods, both active (sprinklers) and passive, are possible
for protecting building structures from fire. Designing for fire protection might include dividing a building into isolated modules with
a limited number of penetrations for fire-rated doorways, electrical conduits, and ducts. Modules could be protected with sprayed
fire-resistive materials, sprinklers, or both, depending on use,
occupancy, potential exposure to abusive environments and individuals, and requirements of authorities having jurisdiction.
FIRE-RETARDANT WOOD
TREATMENT
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED
ASSEMBLIES
Modern fire-retardant treatment (FRT) of wood consists of pressure
treatment with aqueous solutions of various organic and inorganic
chemicals, followed by kiln drying to reduce moisture content.
A fire-resistance rating denotes the length of time a construction
assembly can withstand fire and still serve as a barrier to fire and
confine its spread to the area of origin. Fire spreads from one area to
another when the barrier collapses, there are openings in the barrier, or sufficient heat is conducted through the barrier to exceed specified temperature limitations. The ratings are expressed in hours.
Interior fire retardants meet Class I ratings, which are required by
code for vertical exits and special areas. Class II ratings are
required for horizontal exits, but this rating is rarely reached with
untreated wood.
Fire retardants come in interior and exterior types. Interior fire
retardants are used on wood trusses and studs. Interior Type A
wood is appropriate for interior and weather-protected applications with less than 95% relative humidity.
FRT INTERIOR WOODWORK
Instead of solid lumber, it is often desirable to build members of
treated cores clad with untreated veneers 1/29 in. (0.08 mm) thick
or less. Most codes discount this narrow finishing in determining the
flame spread index of the wood, permitting the use of untreated
wood in about 10% of the combined wall and ceiling surface area.
FRT lumber and plywood can be lightly sanded for cosmetic cleaning after treatment. Painting and staining are possible but not
always successful, particularly transparent finishes. Test finishes
for compatibility before application.
Fire-rated partitions with hourly ratings are identified in building
codes for specific uses. Fire-resistance-rated partition types are
as follows:
• Nonrated: Includes ceiling-height (constructed from floor to
ceiling) and full-height partitions (from floor to underside of
structure above) not requiring a fire-resistance rating. Fullheight partitions may have gypsum board facing up to or extending above the ceiling or fully enclosing the full-height studs.
• One hour: Separates different uses or occupancies, such as partitions between tenant spaces and public corridors in office
buildings, or as indicated by building codes. One-hour partitions
are used for smoke separation within a building.
• Two hour: Encloses vertical openings within a building, including
elevator and mechanical shafts, exit stairwells, and mechanical
and electrical rooms. Two-hour partitions are used for fire separation and smoke or fire separation within a building.
• Three hour: Separates and encloses higher-hazard areas.
• Four hour: Encloses very high hazard spaces.
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I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
FULL-HEIGHT ONE-HOUR FIRE-RATED
PARTITIONS
Full-height one-hour fire-rated partitions are typically used to separate different occupancy types.
ONE-HOUR FIRE-RATED FULL-HEIGHT PARTITION
WITH ACOUSTICAL INSULATION
7.1
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FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
TWO-HOUR FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS
Two-hour partitions are used at mechanical rooms, electrical closets, and other areas, as required by building codes.
TWO-HOUR-RATED PRECAST CONCRETE JOISTS
7.4
TWO-HOUR FIRE-RATED FULL-HEIGHT PARTITION
WITH TWO LAYERS OF GYPSUM BOARD
7.2
TWO-HOUR-RATED CEILING OR COLUMN
7.5
ONE-HOUR FIRE-RATED COLUMN
7.6
TWO-HOUR FIRE-RATED COLUMN
7.7
GYPSUM BOARD AT CEILINGS, BEAMS,
AND SOFFITS
TWO-HOUR-RATED OPEN-WEB STEEL JOIST
7.3
THREE-HOUR FIRE-RATED COLUMN
7.8
NOTES
7.1 a. The 3-3/4 in. (95 mm) partition type may not accommodate backto-back devices, such as junction boxes.
b. Sound attenuation insulation provides improved acoustical properties
with a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 45.
7.2 a. Seal all joints, penetrations, and openings with fire-rated sealant
when the assembly is used as a rated partition.
b. Provide fire dampers where ducts penetrate partitions.
c. Can be used as a nonrated partition when increased security and
sound attenuation is desired. STC rating of 50 to 54.
7.3 1/2 in. (13 mm) Type X gypsum board or veneer base applied to gypsum board furring channels 24 in. (610 mm) on center (O.C.).
7.4 5/8 in. (16 mm) Type X gypsum board or veneer base screwattached to gypsum board furring channels 24 in. (610 mm) O.C.
7.5 a. Two layers of 5/8 in. (16 mm) Type X gypsum board or veneer base
around beam.
b. Outside corners of the face layer of gypsum board are protected by
crimped or nailed steel corner beads, 0.020 in. (0.5 mm) thick.
7.6 a. 1/2 in. (13 mm) gypsum board or veneer base layer tied to column with 18-gauge wire 15 in. (380 mm) O.C.
b. Face layer of 1/2 in. (13 mm) gypsum board or veneer base is applied
with laminating compound over the entire contact surface.
7.7 a. Base layer of 1/2 in. (13 mm) gypsum board or veneer base fastened to 1-5/8-in. (41 mm) metal studs.
b. Face layers of 1/2 in. (13 mm) Type X gypsum board or veneer base
are attached to studs to provide a cavity between boards on the flange.
c. Face layers across the web opening are laid flat across the base layer.
7.8 Three layers of 5/8 in. (16 mm) Type X gypsum board or veneer base
screw-attached to 1-5/8 in. (41 mm) metal studs located at each corner.
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FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED
OPENINGS
DOOR OPENINGS FOR MEANS OF EGRESS
7.9
Fire-resistance-rated assemblies for openings, used to protect
against the spread of fire and smoke, consist of a fire-rated door
or window with frame, hardware, and accessories, including gasketing. Each component is crucial to the overall performance of the
assembly as a fire barrier. Choices to be made regarding the enclosure of openings in fire-rated walls include:
• Fire-resistance-rated wall requirements
• Size of opening
• Means of egress, including required size per occupancy, quantity and location, direction of egress flow and operation of enclosure, hardware requirements, and window egress requirements
• Materials and finishes
• Security
• Visibility and glazing
DEFINITIONS
The terms defined here are commonly used in relation to fireresistance-rated openings:
• Automatic: Providing a function without the necessity of human
intervention.
• Fire barrier: A continuous membrane, either vertical or horizontal (e.g., a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly), that is designed and
constructed with a specified fire-resistance rating to limit the
spread of fire and restrict the movement of smoke.
• Fire-resistance rating: The time, in minutes or hours, that materials or assemblies have withstood fire exposure in accordance
with the test procedure of NFPA 252.
• Labeled: Equipment or materials marked with the label, symbol, or
other identifying mark of an organization concerned with product
evaluation and acceptable to the local jurisdiction. This organization must periodically inspect the production of labeled equipment.
The manufacturer, by labeling the product, indicates compliance in
a specified manner with appropriate standards or performance.
• Noncombustible: A material that, in the form in which it is used
and under the conditions anticipated, will not aid combustion or
add appreciable heat to an ambient fire.
• Self-closing: As applied to a fire door or other protective opening, means the door is normally closed and is equipped with an
approved device that will ensure closure after the door has been
opened.
• Smoke barrier: A continuous membrane, either vertical or horizontal (e.g., a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly), that is designed
and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. A smoke
barrier may or may not have a fire-resistance rating.
FIRE PROTECTION CRITERIA
NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives,
establishes minimum criteria for installing and maintaining assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, ceilings, and
floors from the spread of fire and smoke.
Manufacturers of fire doors and window units locate metal labels
in accessible, but concealed, locations—the hinge edge of doors,
for example. These labels must remain in place, unpainted, uncovered, and unaltered.
TYPES OF OPENINGS
The hourly protection rating for openings depends on the use of the
barriers—whether as exit enclosures, vertical openings in buildings, building separation walls, corridor walls, smoke barriers, or
in hazardous locations. In most codes, class designations have
been replaced by hour classifications such as the following:
• 4-hour and 3-hour openings: Located in fire walls or in walls that
divide a single building into fire areas.
• 1-1/2-hour and 1-hour openings: Located in multistory vertical
communication enclosures and in 2-hour-rated partitions providing horizontal fire separations.
• 3/4-hour and 20-minute openings: Located in walls or partitions
between rooms and corridors with a fire-resistance rating of
one hour or less.
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED STEEL FRAME ELEVATIONS
7.10
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N
WINDOW EGRESS REQUIREMENTS
7.11
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FRAMES FOR FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED OPENINGS
7.12
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FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
GLAZED OPENINGS
Glazed openings in fire-resistance-rated walls must conform to
size limitations meeting rated glass and other approved material
requirements. Multiple panels are permitted, but the aggregate
area of all panels and openings must not exceed 25% of the wall
surface. Refer to specific codes for details.
MAXIMUM DOOR SIZES
7.15
DOOR TYPE
SIZES AND NOTES
Single door
4-0 10-0 (1.2 3 m) with labeled single-point
or three-point latching device
Pair of doors
8-0 10-0 (2.4 3 m) active leaf with labeled
single-point or three-point latching device
4-0 8-0 (1.2 2.4 m) with fire exit hardware
GLAZED FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED OPENING
7.14
8-0 10-0 (2.4 3 m) inactive leaf with labeled
two-point latching device or top and bottom bolts
8-0 8-0 (2.4 2.4 m) with fire exit hardware
SPRAY-APPLIED FIRE-RESISTIVE
COATINGS
Sprayed fire-resistive materials protect structural steel in both
concealed and exposed applications. They include low-density
cementitious and sprayed-fiber products, used predominantly for
concealed locations, and a variety of medium- and high-density
products, used for exposed locations that require a more finished
appearance and greater resistance to physical abuse, air erosion,
high humidity, and deterioration from weather, ultraviolet (UV)
light, and chemical exposure.
EXPOSED APPLICATIONS
For exposed applications, sprayed fire-resistive materials are higher in density, compressive strength, bond strength, and hardness
than those for concealed applications. Suggestions for high-density products include exposed interior areas protected by deluge
sprinkler systems and areas subject to contact, physical abuse,
high impact, chemical exposure, high humidity, air, and erosion.
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED DOOR CLASSIFICATIONS
7.13
NOTE
7.15 Table lists maximum door sizes for hollow metal doors, all classes.
Size requirements for wood doors are similar.
Contributors:
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts.
Daniel F. C. Hayes, AIA, Washington, DC.
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SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Examples of areas where denser sprayed fire-resistive materials
might be considered are parking garages, loading docks, piers,
cargo facilities, warehouses, manufacturing plants, mechanical
rooms, elevator machine rooms, shafts, air-handling plenums,
stairwells, cleanrooms, gymnasiums, and swimming pools.
The following products are used for exposed applications:
•
•
•
•
Exposed cementitious sprayed fire-resistive materials
Exposed sprayed-fiber fire-resistive materials
Foamed magnesium oxychloride fire-resistive materials
Intumescent mastic fire-resistive coatings, including waterbased formulations, non-water-based formulations, and thin
films
Indoor air-quality issues related to sprayed fire-resistive materials
include particulate inhalation, particulate eye and dermal irritation,
volatile organic chemical (VOC) emissions and absorption, and contamination by biological agents. Sensitive environments may have
stringent requirements for the control of particulate matter in
indoor air, VOC emissions, and potential pathogens. The removal
and replacement of sprayed fire-resistive materials can be a significant source of indoor air pollution.
BOARD FIRE PROTECTION
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N
WALL PENETRATION FIRESTOPS
7.16
Board fire protection includes calcium silicate and slag wool fiberboards, and is used for fire protection of steel columns, steel
beams, metal- and wood-framed walls, and solid walls. These
materials form the encasing material for various assemblies with
fire-resistance ratings. Another use for mineral fiberboard fireproofing is the protection of HVAC ducts.
The use of board protection instead of sprayed fire-resistive materials eliminates the cleanup of a wet residue and possible delays
for drying that result from using sprayed material. Board fire protection is also less likely to corrode metal substrates.
PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS
When selecting penetration firestop systems, the designer has to
understand both what the local building code requires and how
authorities having jurisdiction will interpret and enforce its provisions. Fire ratings required for each firestop system application
are based on the analysis of building code requirements. If this
analysis does not provide a clear answer, obtain interpretations of
authorities having jurisdiction.
S E I SM IC CO NSID E R ATIONS
BASIC SEISMIC DESIGN
PLATE TECTONICS
According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s crust is divided into constantly moving plates. Earthquakes occur when, as a
result of slowly accumulating pressure, the ground slips abruptly
along a geological fault plane on or near a plate boundary. The
resulting waves of vibration within the earth create ground
motions at the surface, which, in turn, induce movement within
buildings. The frequency, magnitude, and duration of the ground
motion, physical characteristics of the building, and geology of a
site determine how these forces affect a building.
In an earthquake, buildings designed to the minimum levels required
by model codes often sustain damage. Early discussion with an
owner should explore the need to limit property loss in an earthquake and the desirability of attempting to ensure continued building
operation immediately afterward. To achieve these results, it may be
necessary to make design decisions based on the seismic conditions
of a site rather than on code requirements.
SEISMIC CODES
Seismic codes are confusing unless you are a civil or structural
engineer. IBC Sections 1613 through 1623 provide the seismic
requirements for each Seismic Category; reading the International
Building Code Commentary will help architects and designers to
really understand what it is saying.
EARTHQUAKE TYPES
In a minor earthquake, a structural site resists minor levels of
earthquake ground motion with no structural damage and with only
minor damage to nonstructural features, such as glazing, architectural finishes, and suspended ceilings. Such ground motion may
occur many times during the economic life of a building and typically lasts only a few seconds.
In a moderate-level earthquake, buildings resist moderate levels of
earthquake ground motion with minor repairable structural damage and, possibly, some extensive nonstructural damage. Such
ground motion could occur once or twice during the economic life
of a building. The 1994 Northridge earthquake produced this level
of ground motion throughout the Los Angeles area.
In major earthquakes, buildings resist a level of earthquake
ground motion that has an intensity equal to the strongest that has
Contributors:
Grace Construction Products, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
either been experienced or forecast for the building site without
collapse but possibly with some major structural as well as extensive nonstructural damage. Such ground motion may or may not
occur during the economic life of a building. The 1906 San
Francisco earthquake produced motions of this intensity throughout northern and central California.
BASE SHEAR AND DRIFT
7.18
SEISMIC DESIGN
LOAD PATH
Load path refers to the path that seismic forces take from the roof
to the foundation of a structure. Typically, the load travels from the
diaphragms through connections to the vertical lateral
force–resisting elements and on to the foundation by way of additional connections. This path should be direct and uninterrupted.
Seismic design begins with, and codes require, the establishment
of a continuous load path.
LIFE SAFETY
The intent of the seismic design provisions of the IBC is to prevent
injuries and loss of life, not to minimize property damage. These
minimum criteria are considered to be prudent and economically
justified for the protection of life safety.
BASE ISOLATION
7.17
SHEAR WALLS AND DIAPHRAGM
7.19
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FORCE DIAGRAMS
7.20
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SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
SEISMIC LOAD TRANSFER
7.24
FLOOR AND ROOF DIAPHRAGM
7.25
GROUND RUPTURE
7.21
WALL SECTION FOR CONVENTIONAL WOOD
FRAMING
7.26
FLOOR AND ROOF DIAPHRAGM
GROUND SHAKING
7.22
LIQUEFACTION
7.23
SEISMIC DETAILING FOR
DESIGNERS
When detailing architectural and mechanical elements for seismic
resistance, the designer’s primary concerns are to minimize falling
hazards and to maintain a normal egress route. Features such as
masonry chimneys, parapets, light fixtures, suspended mechanical
equipment, large ductwork, and heavy pipes are potential falling
hazards. Cabinets and bookcases can block exits if they fall. An
additional concern for designers working with sites in earthquakeprone areas is the need for a building to remain in operation after
an earthquake.
SEISMIC LOAD TRANSFER
Each diaphragm in a building must resist the seismic effects in both
directions of all the mass above it, as well as of its own mass. The
seismic loads caused by the roof mass must be transferred to the
wall, and the wall must be designed to resist both the effect of the
mass of the roof and the mass of the wall. These combined loads
must then be transferred to the floor below, which must be
designed to resist the effect of both its mass and the load applied
by the wall above. In turn, walls below must resist these loads,
until the force reaches the foundation, which must be able to resist
the combined loads from the rest of the building.
Contributors:
Jane Clark, AIA, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle, Washington.
Dan Fenton, PE, EQE International, Seattle, Washington.
Diaphragms—the roof, floor(s), and shear panels in walls—must
be designed to resist forces created by the dead-load mass of the
structure and applied seismic loads. In wood frame construction, a
diaphragm is typically a structural panel made of a skin (sheathing)
stretched over and fastened to ribs (wood members such as 2 4s). The resulting construction is stiff and strong enough to transmit forces to resisting systems such as the foundation.
Connections must be designed to transfer lateral forces and
restrain overturning motion.
Lateral forces can be either perpendicular or parallel to the structure. The load from each part of a building that it creates as the
building shifts from the movement of the earth must be transferred
to adjoining elements—roof sheathing to rafters to top plates to
wall sheathing, and studs to bottom plates to floor sheathing and
framing, and so on—until the lowest level of floor framing, from
which the load moves to the foundation. In slab-on-grade construction, the load moves finally from the wall sheathing and studs
to the bottom plates.
The roof diaphragm comprises roof sheathing, roof framing
(rafters, top chord of truss, etc.), and blocking. The ceiling
diaphragm comprises ceiling finish material (e.g., gypsum wallboard) and ceiling framing (joists, lower chord of trusses, etc.).
Roof-to-wall anchorage consists of hold-down anchors to resist
uplift forces and nailing to resist shear forces. The wall diaphragm
comprises wall sheathing, wall framing, and sheathing fasteners.
The floor diaphragm comprises floor sheathing, floor framing
(joists, trusses, etc.), blocking, and so on. Wall-to-floor anchorage
consists of hold-down anchors and shear connectors (e.g., nails).
Floor-to-foundation anchorage consists of hold-down anchors to
resist overturning forces and anchor bolts 1/2 in. (13 mm) in diameter at 6 ft (1.8 m) to resist shear forces.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
WOOD WALL SHEAR PANEL
Shear panels that consist of framing members and sheathing
panel(s) or diagonal sheathing members provide the principal lateral resistance to shear loads.
WOOD WALL SHEAR PANEL
7.27
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N
BRACED WALL SPACING
7.28
Sheathing panels are made of plywood or oriented strand board
(OSB) for structural panels, gypsum sheathing, or fiberboard.
Diagonal wood sheathing boards or strapping can also be used.
I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION COMPONENTS
GYPSUM BOARD ASSEMBLIES
Gypsum board assemblies are composed of gypsum board panels
and the wood or metal support systems to which they are attached.
These systems include structural and nonstructural interior partitions and ceiling assemblies.
Critical factors in the design of gypsum board assemblies include
the following:
• Fire resistance: Ability of a wall to serve as a barrier to flame,
smoke, and/or heat
• Acoustics: Ability to attenuate or absorb sound
• Moisture resistance: Ability to avoid damage from moisture or
mold
• Abuse resistance: Sturdier materials will require less maintenance and repair
• Aesthetics: Ability to emphasize details and finishes
• Sustainability: Use of recycled and renewable raw materials
Gypsum board is typically installed by screwing (and sometimes
nailing or stapling) it to studs or furring channels. It can also be
directly glued to masonry or concrete.
Contributors:
Jane Clark, AIA, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle, Washington.
Dan Fenton, PE, EQE International, Seattle, Washington.
David S. Collins, FAIA, American Forest and Paper, Cincinnati, Ohio.
CMU WALL WITH PLUMBING CHASE AND METAL
STUD PARTITION
7.29
METAL STUD PARTITION
7.30
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WOOD STUD PARTITION
7.31
Page 96
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
DOUBLE-STUD PLUMBING CHASE
7.33
GYPSUM BOARD
Gypsum board (also called sheet rock or gyp board ) is the generic
name for a family of sheet products consisting of a noncombustible
gypsum core faced with a paper surface. Certain gypsum board
assemblies provide fire resistance and sound transmission reduction of varying degrees. Gypsum board may be finished with paint or
other applied finish materials, such as a wallcovering, wood, or tile.
Mold and moisture dynamics has grown as an increasingly important design and specification concern with materials that have
absorptive characteristics and are prone to mold and mildew problems. Gypsum board must be properly installed, finished, and provided with adequately designed and operated climate control systems to avoid these problems.
The North American gypsum industry has developed a responsible
and environmentally conscious attitude toward issues of reclamation, preservation of natural resources, recycling and waste management, and otherwise protecting the environment. Over 90% of
the gypsum board paper used comes from recycled materials. The
industry increasingly uses synthetic gypsum to manufacture gypsum board. This raw material is a by-product, or waste, from other
manufacturing processes as well as the desulfurization of flue
gases in fossil fuel power plants.
GYPSUM BOARD TYPES
A number of specialized gypsum panel products and gypsum
boards have been developed for specific uses, including:
CMU WALL WITH METAL HAT CHANNEL FURRING
7.32
CONCRETE WALL WITH METAL HAT CHANNEL
FURRING
7.34
• Gypsum wallboard for interior walls and ceilings
• Gypsum ceiling board for interior ceilings, 1/2 in. (12.7 mm)
thick, with a sag resistance equal to 5/8-in. (15.9 mm) wallboard
• Type X gypsum board for fire-resistance-rated building systems
• Fiber-reinforced gypsum panels for interior and exterior walls,
ceilings, and tile base
• Gypsum sheathing for exterior walls and roof systems
• Glass mat gypsum substrate for use as sheathing on exterior
walls and ceilings
• Gypsum soffit board for use on exterior soffits and ceilings
• Water-resistant gypsum backing board (green board ) for use as
a tile base and in wet areas (contingent on building code restrictions) where wetting is intermittent
• Glass mat water-resistant gypsum backing board for use as a
tile base and in wet areas (contingent on building code restrictions) and where moisture and direct water flow are present
• Gypsum backing board for use as a base for multi-ply systems
• Gypsum lath for use as a base for gypsum plaster; available in
16-in. (406-mm) widths
• Gypsum plaster base (blue board ) for use as a base for veneer
plaster
• Gypsum shaft liner board for shaft, stairway, and duct enclosures
• Predecorated gypsum board for accent walls, offices, and movable partitions
• Foil-backed gypsum board for use as a vapor retarder
• Gypsum fiber underlayment for use in residential floor construction
• Fiber-reinforced panel, 1/4 to 3/8 in. (6 to 9 mm) thick
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N
TYPICAL BOARD USES AND SIZES
7.35
THICKNESS
TYPICAL USES
WIDTH
LENGTHS
1/4 (6.4 mm)
Remodeling, double-layer walls, curved
surfaces, sound attenuation
48 (1,220 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0 (2,440, 2,745, 3,050 mm)
5/16 (7.9 mm)
Manufactured housing walls and ceilings
48 (1,220 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0, 12-0 (2,440, 2,745,
3,050, 3,660 mm)
3/8 (9.5 mm)
Remodeling, base for rigid panels, double-layer
walls and ceilings, curved surfaces
48 (1,220 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0 (2,440, 2,745, 3,050 mm)
1/2 (12.7 mm)
Any interior and some protected exterior uses
48 (1,220 mm)
12-0 (3,660) also available
54 (1,370 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0, 12-0, 14-0, 16-0
(2,440, 2,745, 3,050, 3,660, 4,270, 4,880 mm)
5/8 (15.9 mm)
Any interior and some protected exterior uses
48 (1,220 mm)
12-0 (3,660) also available
54 (1,370 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0, 12-0, 14-0, 16-0
(2,440, 2,745, 3,050, 3,660, 4,270, 4,880 mm)
3/4 (19.0 mm)
Interior walls, shaft walls, area separation
walls, party walls, fire walls, stairways,
duct enclosures
24, 48 (610, 1,220 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0, 12-0 (2,440, 2,745,
3,050, 3,660 mm)
1 (25.4 mm)
Interior walls, shaft walls, area separation
walls, party walls, fire walls, stairways,
duct enclosures
24 (610 mm)
8-0, 9-0, 10-0, 12-0 (2,440, 2,745,
3,050, 3,660 mm)
TYPES OF EDGES
Gypsum board sheets come in a variety of edge types. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Square
Tapered
Rounded tapered
Beveled
Double beveled
“V” tongue and groove
GYPSUM BOARD BEAD AND TRIM
ACCESSORIES
PAPER-FACED METAL BEAD AND TRIM
Paper-faced metal bead and trim is applied using setting-type, taping, or all-purpose joint compound instead of nails to bond the bead
to gypsum panel surfaces.
PAPER-FACED METAL GYPSUM BOARD ACCESSORIES
7.37
GYPSUM BOARD EDGE TYPES
7.36
TYPE
Outside corner tape-on bead
USE
90° outside corners
DESCRIPTION
Any wallboard thickness
Inside corner tape-on trim
True 90° inside corner
Any wallboard thickness
Offset outside corner
tape-on bead
135° outside corners
Any wallboard thickness; smaller bead height for less joint compound fill
Offset inside corner
tape-on bead
Inside corners greater than 90°
Any wallboard thickness
3/4 (19 mm) bullnose
outside corner tape-on bead
Rounded 3/4 (19 mm) radius,
90° corner angle
Gypsum panels 1/2 or 5/8 (6 or 16 mm) thick
Inner cove tape-on trim
Rounded 3/4 (19 mm) radius,
90° inside corner
Gypsum panels 1/2 or 5/8 (6 or 16 mm) thick
Bullnose offset outside
corner tape-on bead
Rounded 135° offset outside corner
Used for bay windows and similar applications
Offset inner cove
tape-on trim
135° inside corners
Forms smooth cove
1-1/2 (38 mm) bullnose
outside corner (Danish)
tape-on bead
Broader, gentler corner than 3/4 (19 mm)
radius bullnose
Gypsum panels 1/2 or 5/8 (6 or 16 mm) thick
Corner reinforcing tape
Flexible tape for straight, sharp corners
at any angle
Cathedral and drop ceilings, arches, around bay windows; also used to
join drywall partition to plastered wall in remodeling, and for repairing
chipped and cracked corners
L-shaped tape-on trim
Used where wallboard abuts other
surfaces
Joints at suspended ceilings, beams, plaster, masonry and concrete walls;
also untrimmed door and window jambs
J-shaped tape-on trim
Used to finish rough gypsum board
panel ends
Used at window and door openings and casements
Outside corner microbead
Reduced height results in less joint
compound consumption
Extra-wide flanges for maximum corner coverage
Reveal tape-on trim
Solves problems with reveals on soffits,
wall offsets, ceilings, light boxes, other
architectural features
Paper flange on both trim legs eliminates need to caulk edge of reveal
details, provides cleaner, straighter line
97
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
METAL TRIM
CORNER TAPES
7.38
Metal trim is applied similarly to metal bead and provides protection and neat finished edges to gypsum panels. Consult manufacturer’s literature for proper use and installation.
METAL TRIM FOR VENEER PLASTER AT CASED
OPENINGS
7.41
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 214, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
METAL TRIM FOR VENEER PLASTER AT CEILING
INTERSECTIONS
7.42
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 26, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
A variety of metal and plastic framing and furring accessories are
available, including:
METAL BEAD
Metal bead is screwed, nailed, stapled, or attached with a clinchon tool to framing through the panels and concealed with joint compound. The exposed nose of the bead helps prevent outside corner
damage from impact and provides a screed for finishing. Consult
manufacturer’s literature for proper use and installation.
EXPANDED FLANGE CORNER BEAD
7.40
GALVANIZED STEEL REINFORCEMENT EXTERNAL
CORNER PROTECTION
7.39
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 25, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 24, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
• Metal angles are made of 24-gauge galvanized steel and are
used to secure 1-in. (25-mm) core board or liner panels at floor
and ceiling in laminated gypsum board partitions.
• Cold-rolled channels are made of 16-gauge steel and are used in
furred walls and suspended ceilings.
• Z-furring channels are made of 24-gauge steel and are used to
mechanically fasten insulation blankets, rigid insulation, and
gypsum board panels to concrete or masonry walls.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
GYPSUM BOARD ACCESSORIES
7.43
FRAMING AND FURRING ACCESSORIES
• Metal angles: Used to secure 1-in. (25-mm) core board or liner
at floor and ceiling
• Cold-rolled channels: Used in furred walls and suspended ceilings
• Resilient channel: Used for reducing sound transmission
through partitions and ceilings
• Z-furring: Used to mechanically attach insulation and gypsum
panels to interior side of concrete and masonry walls
• Metal furring channels: Hat-shaped sections used for screw
attachment of gypsum panels in walls and ceilings
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N
• Furring channel clips: Used in attaching metal furring channels
to cold-rolled channels
• Adjustable wall furring brackets: Used for attaching cold-rolled
channels and metal furring channels to interior side of exterior
masonry walls
REINFORCING TAPES
Joint tape is for use with joint compounds in the reinforcement and
concealment of flat joints and inside corners. It is approximately 2
to 2-1/2 in. (51 to 64 mm) wide and comes in various roll lengths
ranging from 75 to 500 ft (23 to 152 m).
There are generally two types of products:
FRAMING AND FURRING ACCESSORIES
7.45
CONTROL JOINTS
Control joints are typically stapled to the panel face. Made from
roll-formed zinc, they are used to minimize (not eliminate) cracking
induced by expansion and contraction in large ceiling and wall
expanses in drywall and veneer plaster systems. Where fire and
sound control are prime considerations, a seal must be provided
behind the control joint.
Control joints are deliberately created lines of weakness along
which cracking will occur. Control joints alleviate the stress that
would otherwise cause random cracking, by providing a control
pattern of straight lines.
Control joints should be installed where indicated on the plans or
specifications, typically at geometric discontinuities, such as corners, changes in the height or width of a surface, openings, and
large uninterrupted surfaces.
CONTROL JOINT
7.44
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 216, Control Joint No. 093, R.S.
Means Company, Inc., Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 33, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
• Paper tape for treatment with joint compounds is designed for
both embedding by hand and application with a mechanical taping tool; joint is covered with a thin layer of compound before
taping.
• Glass fiber tape for veneer plaster finishes comes with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing or plain back for fastening with
staples. Typically used when one-day joint finishing is required.
99
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JOINT TAPING TOOLS
7.46
Page 100
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
JOINT TAPES
7.47
FINISHES
Gypsum board panels are finished using reinforcing tapes and gypsum board taping, topping, or all-purpose compounds. Products
are available in site-mixed or ready-mixed formulations.
Taping compounds are designed for embedding tape. They have
excellent bond and crack resistance but are harder to sand and finish than topping or all-purpose compounds.
All-purpose joint compounds are good for taping, topping, and
repairing cracks. They perform with versatility for use as tape, finish, texture, laminate, or skim coat applications.
Topping compounds, which have low shrinkage and are easy to apply
and sand, are most suitable for second- and third-coat applications.
FRAMING
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Gypsum board is applied over wood or steel framing or furring. The
quality of the application is largely dependent on the accurate alignment of the framing or furring to which the gypsum board is attached.
WOOD FRAMING
Wood stud partitions are suitable for residential and light-commercial construction where combustible framing is permitted by
code. These designs include single- and double-layer gypsum board
facings, single- and double-row studs, those with insulating blankets, and those with resilient attachments. Performance values up
to two-hour fire resistance and an STC of 58 can be obtained.
The choice and installation of framing depends on a number of factors. In the case of wood framing, these include the species, size,
and grade of lumber used. Equally important are the height of the
wall, the frame spacing, and the maximum span of the surfacing
material.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 54, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 52, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Contributor:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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STEEL STUD FRAMING
MAXIMUM FRAME SPACING—GYPSUM BOARD CONSTRUCTION, DIRECT APPLICATION
7.48
APPLICATION
Single layer
Parallel
16 (406 mm)
Steel stud partitions are suitable for all types of construction.
Designs include single- and multilayer gypsum board facings, single- and double-row studs, those with sound attenuation or fire
blankets, and those with resilient attachments. Performance values up to four-hour fire resistance and an STC of 65 can be
obtained.
Perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
Steel studs are typically manufactured in two different styles:
Parallel
16 (406 mm)
Side walls
Parallel or perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
Parallel
16 (406 mm)
5/8 (15.9 mm)
Ceilings
Perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
Side walls
Parallel or perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
3/8 (9.5 mm)
Ceilings
Perpendicular
16 (406 mm)
Side walls
Parallel or perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
• Studs designed for non-load-bearing interior drywall partition
applications have a minimum 1-1/4 in. (31 mm) flange width on
both sides. The web design incorporates a cutout for bracing and
for electrical, communications, and plumbing lines.
• Studs designed for load-bearing drywall partition applications
have a 1-5/8 in. (41 mm) flange width on both sides. Cutouts in
the web accommodate bracing, utility service, and mechanical
attachments.
1/2 and 5/8 (12.7 and 15.9 mm)
Ceilings
Parallel or perpendicular
24 (610 mm)
Side walls
Perpendicular
See Note g.
PANEL THICKNESS
3/8 (9.5 mm)
1/2 (12.7 mm)
Double layer
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 101
LOCATION
Ceilings
APPLICATION METHOD
Perpendicular
Ceilings
MAXIMUM FRAME
SPACING O.C.
16 (406 mm)
Consult manufacturer’s literature for proper use and installation
STEEL STUD
7.50
WOOD FRAME, FIRE-RATED WALL SECTIONS
7.49
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 27, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
STEEL RUNNER
7.51
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 27, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
NOTES
7.48 a. Panel thickness:
•5/8 in. (15.9 mm) thickness is recommended for the finest single-layer construction, providing increased resistance to fire and transmission of sound.
•1/2 in. (127 mm) thickness is recommended for single-layer application in new
residential construction and remodeling.
•3/8 in. (9.5 mm) thickness is recommended for repair and remodeling over existing surfaces.
b. If fire rating is required, maximum frame spacing 16 in. (406 mm) O.C. for doublelayer:
•3/8 in. (9.5 mm) perpendicular or parallel side walls
•1/2 in. (12.7 mm) and 5/8 in. (15.9 mm) perpendicular side walls
•1/2 in. (12.7 mm) and 5/8 in. (15.9 mm) perpendicular or parallel ceilings
7.49 a. STC range 35 to 39.
b. STC range 45 to 49.
c. STC range 55 to 59.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
INTERIOR FRAMING LIMITING HEIGHTS
7.52
STUD DEPTH
PRODUCT
IDENTIFICATION
STUD SPACING
1-5/8 (41 mm)
(162S125-18/33)
24 (610 mm)
16 (406 mm)
2-1/2 (64 mm)
(250S125-18/33)
24 (610 mm)
16 (406 mm)
3-5/8 (92 mm)
(362S125-18/33)
24 (610 mm)
16 (406 mm)
4 (102 mm)
(400S125-18/33)
24 (610 mm)
16 (406 mm)
6 (152 mm)
(600S125-18/33)
24 (610 mm)
16 (406 mm)
CEILINGS—EXTERIOR WALL INTERSECTION
7.55
DESIGN LIMIT
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
5 psf (24.4 kg/m)
ALLOWABLE
DEFLECTION
25 GAUGE
MINIMUM
20 GAUGE
MINIMUM
L/120
9-9 (2,970 mm)
11-0 (3,350 mm)
L/240
7-11 (2,410 mm)
8-9 (2,670 mm)
L/360
7-1 (2,160 mm)
7-8 (2,030 mm)
L/120
10-7 (3,230 mm)
12-1 (3,680 mm)
L/240
8-4 (2,540 mm)
9-8 (2,950 mm)
L/360
8-2 (2,490 mm)
8-5 (2,570 mm)
L/120
11-10 (3,610 mm)
14-10 (4,520 mm)
L/240
10-7 (3,230 mm)
11-7 (3,530 mm)
L/360
9-3 (2,820 mm)
10-0 (3,050 mm)
L/120
13-3 (4,040 mm)
16-5 (5,000 mm)
L/240
11-3 (3,430 mm)
12-10 (3,910 mm)
L/360
9-10 (3,000 mm)
11-2 (3,400 mm)
L/120
13-9 (4,190 mm)
18-6 (5,640 mm)
L/240
13-5 (4,090 mm)
14-9 (4,500 mm)
L/360
11-7 (3,530 mm)
12-9 (3,890 mm)
L/120
15-4 (4,670 mm)
20-8 (6,300 mm)
L/240
14-4 (4,370 mm)
16-5 (5,000 mm)
L/360
12-4 (3,760 mm)
14-3 (4,340 mm)
L/120
15-1 (4,600 mm)
20-9 (6,330 mm)
L/240
14-2 (4,320 mm)
16-5 (5,000 mm)
L/360
12-4 (3,760 mm)
14-3 (4,340 mm)
L/120
17-2 (5,230 mm)
23-1 (7,040 mm)
L/240
15-4 (4,670 mm)
18-4 (5,590 mm)
L/360
13-4 (4,060 mm)
15-11 (4,850 mm)
L/120
16-9 (5,110 mm)
27-2 (8,280 mm)
L/240
16-9 (5,110 mm)
21-7 (6,580 mm)
L/360
16-9 (5,110 mm)
18-10 (5,740 mm)
L/120
19-9 (6,020 mm)
30-10 (9,400 mm)
L/240
19-9 (6,020 mm)
24-6 (7,470 mm)
L/360
17-11 (5,770 mm)
21-4 (6,500 mm)
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 133, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
STEEL STUD FRAMING SYSTEM
7.56
Source: Adapted from USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 27, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009. Copyrighted
work of USG Corporation.
STEEL STUD FRAMING
7.53
METAL FURRING CHANNEL
7.54
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 84, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Suspension system framing is a pre-engineered alternative to traditional framing for flat or curved drywall ceilings and soffits. These
grid systems are composed of a selection of main and cross tees
that can be used for a variety of suspended ceiling applications.
These systems include labor-saving accessories that reduce hanger wire and speed design details such as control joints, light fixtures, and utility framing.
The hot-dipped, galvanized steel system is suitable for direct screw
attachment of gypsum panels at interior and exterior locations.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG SA923, Gypsum
Board/Steel Framed Systems.
Drywall barrel vaults, archways, valleys, waves, serpentines, and
domes all have the flexibility to easily transition to flat ceilings, soffits, and acoustical ceiling suspension systems. All main tees
(straight and curved) can be easily field cut to specific lengths.
CEILING FRAMING
Suspended drywall and plaster ceilings can be framed with conventional framing materials or with a drywall suspension system.
The system includes Underwriters Laboratories (UL) fire-rated
designs with design flexibility to meet life safety codes and load
compliance specifications.
Metal framing typically includes the use of a carrying channel and
furring or hat channel suspended by 8- or 9-gauge hanger wire.
Steel stud framing typically includes the use of metal studs suspended by 8- or 9-gauge hanger wire.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 82, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
NOTES
7.52 a. The industry-wide product identification, created by the Steel
Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA), identifies the member depth,
style, flange width, and material thickness in mils.
b. Limiting-heights data is from ASTM C 754.
c. Limiting heights apply to walls constructed with a minimum 1/2-in.
(12.7-mm) thickness of gypsum board and with a minimum of one fullheight layer on both sides of the stud framing.
d. 25 gauge is equal to 18 mils, 0.01799 in., or 0.455 mm; 20 gauge is
equal to 33 mils, 0.03299 in., or 0.836 mm.
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DRYWALL SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH CROSS TEE
7.57
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Installation and Application Guides, Drywall Suspension Systems Users Guide AC3157, p. 11.
FLAT CEILINGS
7.58
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 79, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston,
Massachusetts, 2009.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 103
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
CURVED CEILINGS
7.59
GYPSUM BOARD ASSEMBLY DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
FIRE PROTECTION
Fire resistance refers to the ability of a wall, floor, or ceiling system to serve as a barrier to flame and confine it to the originating
area.
A fire-resistance rating denotes the length of time a given
assembly has withstood fire in controlled laboratory conditions,
according to ASTM procedures, without collapsing.
Partition assemblies must be able to remain standing and contain
or slow the spread of flame, smoke, and heat for a sufficient length
of time so that occupants are able to evacuate the building.
Fire-rated partitions with hourly ratings are identified in building
codes for specific uses. The UL Fire Resistance Directory and other
publications are referenced for fire-resistance ratings.
TYPICAL FIRE-RESISTANCE PARTITION TYPES
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 80, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston,
Massachusetts, 2009.
SOFFITS ON CEILINGS
7.60
• Nonrated: Includes ceiling-height (floor to ceiling) and fullheight (floor to underside of structure above) not requiring a
fire-resistance rating. Full-height partitions may have gypsum
board applied up to the ceiling, extending slightly above the ceiling, or extending to the underside of the structure above.
• One hour: Separates different occupancies or uses, such as partitions between tenant spaces and public corridors in office
buildings, or as required by building codes.
• Two hour: Encloses vertical openings within a building, including
elevator and mechanical shafts, exit stairwells, and mechanical/electrical rooms, or as required by building codes.
• Three hour: Separates and encloses high-hazard uses/areas or
as required by building codes.
• Four hour: Separates and encloses very high hazard uses/areas
or as required by building codes.
CEILING-HEIGHT PARTITION
7.61
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 80, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston,
Massachusetts, 2009.
Contributor:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
FULL-HEIGHT STUD PARTITION
7.62
ONE-HOUR STEEL STUD WITH CONTROL JOINT
7.64
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 105
TWO-HOUR PARTITION
7.67
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Publication SA
100/rev. 10-04, Fire Assemblies, p. 71.
TWO-HOUR STEEL STUDS WITH CONTROL JOINTS
7.65
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Publication SA
100/rev. 10-04, Fire Assemblies, pp. 68–69.
ONE-HOUR FIRE-RESISTIVE CONTROL JOINT
7.68
CEILING AND FLOOR ATTACHMENTS
7.63
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 173, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
ONE-HOUR PARTITION
7.66
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Publication SA
100/rev. 10-04, Fire Assemblies, pp. 68–69.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum
Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 192, R.S. Means Company, Inc.,
Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Publication SA
100/rev. 10-04, Fire Assemblies, pp. 68–69.
NOTE
7.62 This nonrated partition is used with ceilings installed within the
partitioned space. Full-height metal studs provide a stable partition.
Consult manufacturer’s literature for information on allowable heights
and transverse loading (e.g., shelving). The STC rating is 35.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
ONE-HOUR-RATED METAL ASSEMBLIES
7.69
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
UL Des U419
or U465
1
4-7/8 (124 mm)
40
49
51
UL Des U419
or U448
UL Des U419
or U448
1
1
3-1/2 (89 mm)
47
3-3/4 (95 mm)
4-7/8 (124 mm)
45
48
4 (102 mm)
50
41
DESCRIPTION
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum panels
Panels applied vertically or horizontally. Horizontal joints need not be staggered or backed by framing.
3-5/8 (93 mm) 25-gauge steel studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
Based on 3 (76 mm) sound attenuation fire batt (SAFB)
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels and 3 25 (76 635 mm) SAFB creased to fit cavity
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
2-1/2 (64 mm) 25-gauge studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
1-1/2 (38 mm) Thermafiber SAFB
Joints finished
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X panels, 2 (51 mm) mineral wool batts, horizontal joints directly opposite and finished
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X panels, 3-5/8 (93 mm) studs, 2 (51 mm) mineral wool batts, horizontal joints directly
opposite and finished
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Panels applied vertically or horizontally. Horizontal joints need not be staggered or backed by framing.
2-1/2 (64 mm) 25-gauge steel studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
1-1/2 (38 mm) Thermafiber SAFB
Joints finished
Based on NO Thermafiber SAFB
TWO-HOUR-RATED METAL ASSEMBLIES
7.70
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
UL Des U419
or U412
2
3-5/8 (92 mm)
NA
2
5-5/8 (143 mm)
4-1/2 (115 mm)
5-5/8 (143 mm)
4-1/8 (105 mm)
50
54
55
NA
2
6-1/8 (155 mm)
6-1/8 (155 mm)
5 (127 mm)
5-5/8 (143 mm)
48
56
56
NA
8-3/8 (213 mm)
8 (203 mm)
59
60
UL Des U419
or U411
UL Des U419
or U453
DESCRIPTION
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
1-5/8 (41 mm) 25-gauge steel studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Double-layer gypsum panels screw attached to channel, two layers screw attached to steel studs
Face layer joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
Based on 3-5/8 (92 mm) studs
Based on 2-1/2 (64 mm) studs, 1-1/2 (38 mm) mineral wool batts
Based on 3-5/8 (92 mm) studs, 1-1/2 (38 mm) mineral wool batts
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum panels
1-5/8 (41 mm) 25-gauge steel studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Double-layer gypsum panels screw attached to channel, two layers screw attached to steel studs
Face layer joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C panels, 3-5/8 (92 mm) studs
Based on 3-5/8 (92 mm) studs, 3 (76 mm) mineral wool batts
Based on 2-1/2 (64 mm) studs, 2 mineral wool batts
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
3-5/8 (92 mm) 20-gauge studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
3 (76 mm) Thermafiber SAFB
RC-1 channel or equivalent one side, spaced 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Double-layer gypsum panels screw attached to channel, one layer screw attached to steel studs
Face layer joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X panels, 6 (152 mm) 20-gauge structural studs, 5 (127 mm) mineral wool batts
Based on 1/2 (12.7 mm) panels, 6 (152 mm) 20-gauge structural studs, 5 (127 mm) mineral wool batts
THREE- AND FOUR-HOUR-RATED METAL ASSEMBLIES
7.71
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
UL Des U419
or U455
3
6-5/8 (168 mm)
NA
UL Des U419
or U435
3
DESCRIPTION
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
3-5/8 (92 mm) 20-gauge studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
RC-1 channel or equivalent side, spaced 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Face layer joints finished
7-1/4 (184 mm)
62
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X panels
9 (229 mm)
64
Based 6 (152 mm) 20-gauge structural studs, 5 (127 mm) Thermafiber SAFB
9-5/8 (245 mm)
65
Based on 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X panels, 6 (152 mm) 20-gauge structural studs, 5 (127 mm) Thermafiber SAFB, acoustical
sealant bead between panels and studs, dabs 8 (203 mm) O.C. between panel layers and stud side
4-5/8 (118 mm)
59
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
1-5/8 (41 mm) 25-gauge steel studs 24 (610 mm) O.C.
1-1/2 (38 mm) mineral wool batt
Optional veneer plaster
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 107
ONE-HOUR-RATED WOOD ASSEMBLIES
7.72
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
UL Des U327
1
5-1/4 (133 mm)
50
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
2 4 wood stud 16 or 24 (406 or 610 mm) O.C.
3 (76 mm) glass fiber batt
RC-1 channel or equivalent one side
Joints finished
UL Des U305
1
4-3/4 (121 mm)
34
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum panels
2 4 wood stud 16 (406 mm) O.C.
Joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
37
Based on studs at 24 (610 mm) O.C.
46
Based on studs at 24 (610 mm) O.C., 3 (76 mm) Thermafiber SAFB
DESCRIPTION
TWO-HOUR-RATED WOOD ASSEMBLIES
7.73
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
UL Des U301
2
6 (152 mm)
52
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum panels
2 4 wood studs 16 (406 mm) O.C.
Joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
UL Des U334
2
6-1/2 (165 mm)
59
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
2 4 wood studs 16 (406 mm) O.C.
2 Thermafiber SAFB
RC-1 channel or equivalent one side
Joints finished
62
Based on 6-1/4 (158 mm) fiberglass insulation, acoustical sealant bead at perimeter of partition
FURRED WALLS
Exterior walls are typically furred using wood or steel furring to
which the gypsum panels are screw attached. Furring can be erected either vertically (preferred) or horizontally. Wood furring should
be 2 2 nominal minimum size for nail application; strips may be
1 3 nominal size for screw attached.
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
DESCRIPTION
FURRING—WALL ELEVATION
7.74
Direct-attached furring channels can be fastened directly to the
interior face of the exterior wall or applied using adjustable wall
furring brackets and cold-rolled channels.
Freestanding furring typically consists of 1-5/8 in. (41 mm) metal
studs in top and bottom runners. For walls greater than 12 ft (3.7
m), use thicker (heavier gauge) studs or brace the stud at intermediate points to an available substrate or use a deeper stud
dimension.
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 87, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston,
Massachusetts, 2009.
Contributor:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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108 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
TYPICAL PERIMETER PARTITIONS
Page 108
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
GYPSUM BOARD TERMINATION AT CEILING
7.76
PERIMETER CONDITION WITH FULL-HEIGHT
METAL STUD
Metal studs are installed full height to the underside of the structure above, providing a more stable partition. Gypsum board
extends up above the ceiling, creating a more finished appearance.
Metal stud width allows for installation of selected standard
devices, such as shallow junction boxes. A vapor retarder on the
interior of the room (warm side of the partition) may be beneficial.
BENDING
Wet gypsum board is easily damaged and should be handled with
care. When the gypsum board dries thoroughly, its original hardness is regained.
BENDING RADII FOR DRY GYPSUM BOARD
7.78
GYPSUM BOARD
THICKNESS
FULL-HEIGHT PARTITION—3-1/8 IN. (79 MM) THICK
7.75
BENT LENGTHWISE BENT WIDTHWISEb
1/4 (6.4 mm)
5-0 (1.5 m)a
15-0 (4.6 m)a
5/16 (7.9 mm)
6-3 (1.9 m)
20-0 (6 m)
3/8 (9.5 mm)
7-6 (2.3 m)
25-0 (7.6 m)
1/2 (12.7 mm)
10-0 (3 m)a
b
5/8 (15.9 mm)
15-0 (4.6 m)
b
ARCHWAYS
Gypsum board may be applied to the inner face of almost any archway. For short radii, the gypsum board should either be moistened
or have the back paper scored across the width with parallel score
marks spaced approximately 1 in. (25 mm) on center with the core
broken at each cut.
GYPSUM BOARD FLOOR AND CEILING
FIREPROOFING ASSEMBLIES
Designs included here are suitable for all types of residential and
commercial buildings, including those with single- and double-layer
gypsum board facings and with sound attenuation blankets and
resilient attachments.
• Steel framed: Performance values up to four-hour fire resistance and STC 60 can be obtained.
• Wood framed: Performance values up to two-hour fire resistance and STC 67 can be obtained.
CURVED WALL FRAMING
Gypsum board may be used to form almost any cylindrically curved
surface. To prevent flat spots on the curved surface, framing members should be spaced closer together than required for typical flat
wall or ceiling surfaces. For minimum radius ends, framing spacing
should be not greater than 6 in. (152 mm) on center. Gypsum board
should be mechanically attached to framing using nails or screws.
PERIMETER CONDITION WITH METAL
FURRING CHANNEL
CURVED GYPSUM BOARD ASSEMBLY
7.77
The shallow depth of this type of partition does not allow for installation of some devices, such as junction boxes and receptacles.
Where gypsum board extends above the ceiling, it creates a more
finished appearance. A vapor retarder on the interior of the room
(warm side of the partition) may be beneficial.
Source: The Gypsum Construction Handbook, USG Corporation; Chicago, Illinois.
NOTES
7.78 a. Two 1/4-in. (6.4-mm) pieces bent successively may be used to
obtain a final thickness of 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) at the shorter bending
radius.
b. Shall not be permitted to be bent widthwise while dry.
c. Bending radii for dry gypsum board should be not less than those
given in table.
d. Gypsum board may be permitted to be bent to radii shorter than
those given in table if the face and back papers and core are thoroughly moistened.
Contributor:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 109
FLOOR ASSEMBLIES: 1- AND 1.5-HOUR-RATED C-JOIST
7.79
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
UL Des L524
RATING
(HOURS)
1
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
8-5/8 (219 mm)
NA
1/2 (13 mm) T&G plywood floor
7 (178 mm) 18-gauge steel joists 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Two layers 1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
11 (279 mm)
39
Based on 9-1/2 (242 mm) 16-gauge steel joists
11 (279 mm)
43
Based on 9-1/2 (242 mm) 16-gauge steel joists and 3 (76 mm) mineral wool batt
11-1/4 (285 mm)
56
Based on 9-1/2 (242 mm) 16-gauge steel joists and carpet pad
11-1/4 (285 mm)
60
Based on 9-1/2 (242 mm) 16-gauge steel joists and carpet pad with 3 (76 mm) mineral wool batt
DESCRIPTION
UL Des L524
1
9-1/4 (235 mm)
NA
3/4 (19 mm) floor underlayment
1/2 (13 mm) T&G plywood floor
7 (178 mm) 18-gauge steel joists 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Two layers 1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
GA-FC-1145
1
10-1/2 (260 mm)
NA
2 (51 mm) concrete on steel deck
6 (152 mm) 18-gauge structural steel joists 24 (610 mm) O.C.
RC-1 channel or equivalent
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
UL Des G564
1
13-7/8 (353 mm)
63
Carpet and pad
1 (25 mm) floor underlayment
SRM-25 sound mat
Corrugated steel deck min. 22 gauge
Min. 8 (203 mm) 16-gauge steel C-joists 24 (610 mm) O.C.
3-1/2 (89 mm) mineral wool or glass fiber batt
Drywall suspension system
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
UL Des G551
1
14 (356 mm)
63
Engineered wood laminate
Min. 1 (25 mm) floor underlayment
SRM-25 sound mat
Corrugated steel deck min. 22 gauge
9-1/4 (235 mm) 16-gauge steel joists 24 (610 mm) O.C.
3-1/2 (89 mm) mineral wool batt
Drywall suspension system
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
FLOOR ASSEMBLIES
7.80
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
DESCRIPTION
UL Des L549
1
8-5/8 (219 mm)
NA
One-hour-rated steel truss
Plywood flooring or floor underlayment over plywood subflooring
Steel trusses
Insulation optional in concealed space directly over gypsum ceiling membrane
RC-1 channels or equivalent
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
UL Des L542
1
13-3/4 (349 mm)
NA
One-hour-rated truss
23/32 (18 mm) plywood
12 (305 mm) parallel chord wood floor truss, 24 (610 mm) O.C.
Two layers 1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
UL Des L516
1
11-7/8 (302 mm)
59
One-hour-rated dimensioned lumber floor assembly
3/4 (19 mm) cementitious floor underlayment
Plywood subfloor
2 10 wood joists 16 (406 mm) O.C.
3 (76 mm) mineral wool batt
RC-1 channel or equivalent
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
Optional veneer plaster
UL Des L511
2
12-1/4 (311 mm)
NA
Two-hour-rated dimensioned lumber floor assembly
1 (25 mm) nominal wood subfloor and finished floor
2 10 wood joist 16 (406 mm) O.C.
RC-1 channel or equivalent
Two layers 5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
UL Des L570
1
12-7/8 (327 mm)
64
One- and two-hour-rated engineered joist floor assembly
1 (25 mm) cementitious floor underlayment
Optional SRM-25 sound mat
19/32 (15 mm) wood perpendicular
9-1/2 (242 mm) “I” wood joist spaced max. 24 (610 mm) O.C.
3-1/2 (89 mm) mineral wool insulation
RC-1 channel or equivalent
Two layers 1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
Joints finished
12-3/4 (324 mm)
65
Based on 3/4 (19 mm) cementitious floor underlayment and vinyl tile
12-7/8 (327 mm)
66
Based on 3/4 (19 mm) cementitious floor underlayment and ceramic tile
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 111
HORIZONTAL MEMBRANE
FIREPROOFING
Horizontal membrane fireproofing is typically used for fire-rated
corridor ceilings, stair soffits, and metal duct enclosures.
ONE- AND TWO-HOUR-RATED CEILING ASSEMBLIES
7.81
FIGURE
FIRE
TEST NO.
RATING
(HOURS)
SYSTEM
THICKNESS
STC
DESCRIPTION
NER-258
1
3-1/8 (79 mm)
NA
Horizontal membrane corridor ceiling and stair soffit
1 (25.4 mm) gypsum liner panels
2-1/2 (64 mm) steel C-H stud spanning horizontally 24 (610 mm) O.C.
5/8 (15.9 mm) Type C gypsum panels
NER-258
2
3-1/2 (89 mm)
NA
Horizontal membrane corridor ceiling and stair soffit
1 (25.4 mm) gypsum liner panels
2-1/2 (64 mm) steel C-H stud spanning horizontally 24 (610 mm) O.C.
1/2 (12.7 mm) Type C gypsum panels
GYPSUM BOARD STRUCTURAL
FIREPROOFING
STEEL BEAM INDIVIDUAL ENCASEMENT
PROTECTION
7.83
PARTIAL-HEIGHT PARTITION
7.84
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Association
Fire Resistive Design Manual, 18th ed., p. 15.
CANTED WALL
7.85
Steel column fire protection with gypsum board enclosures offers
fire ratings of two to four hours, depending on construction.
All column systems are tested with the column size specified in the
system. Fire-resistance ratings for the heavier steel columns are
not applicable to the lighter steel columns.
Beams, girders, and trusses should be protected by either a continuous ceiling membrane of either gypsum lath and plaster or gypsum board or by enclosing them individually.
MEMBRANE-PROTECTED STEEL BEAMS—
CONTINUOUS
7.82
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Association
Fire Resistive Design Manual, 18th ed., p. 15.
Contributor:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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112 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
SLOPED SILL
7.86
Page 112
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
REVEAL DOOR JAMB DETAILS
7.89
GYPSUM BOARD PARTITION REVEAL
7.87
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
The following is a sampling of the tools available to meet the needs
of drywall contractors. Consult manufacturer’s literature for proper use.
REVEAL WALL BASE DETAILS
7.88
NOTES
7.86 A sloped sill discourages sitting or the placement of trash.
7.87 Reveals may be inserted into walls using standard components of
varying sizes and configurations.
• Laser alignment tool: An extremely precise device that utilizes a
visible laser beam for all construction alignment jobs. Provides
maximum accuracy and speed for laying out partitions and leveling suspended ceiling grids.
• Power fastener driver: Used to drive fasteners into concrete or
steel for attachment of framing members. Available in air-driven
and powder-driven models.
• Channel stud shear: Cuts steel studs and runners quickly, cleanly, without deforming. Has fixed guides for sizes of 1-5/8, 2-1/2,
and 3-5/8 in. (41, 64, and 92 mm). For use with a maximum steel
thickness of 20 gauge.
• Chop saw: The chop saw’s abrasive metal cutting blade cuts all
steel framing members. Its steel base can be placed on a bench,
saw horse, or floor for fast and efficient gang cutting of members.
• Stud crimper: For setting and splicing metal studs, roughing-in
door holders and window headers, setting electrical boxes and
punching hanger wire holes in ceiling grids.
• Drywall saw: Short blade and coarse teeth for cutting gypsum
boards quickly and easily.
• Keyhole-type utility saw: Saw for cutting small openings and
making odd-shaped cuts. Sharp point and stiff blade can be
punched through board for starting cut.
• Circle cutter: Calibrated steel shaft allows accurate cuts up to
16 in. (406 mm) in diameter.
• Kick lifter: Device is designed to move the panel forward as it
lifts. Can be used for panels applied either perpendicular or parallel.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
• Panel lift: Cradle-type lifter allows one-person application of
drywall to side walls and sloped ceilings as well as level ceilings.
Tripod base with rollers for easy movement.
• Banjo: A box-type applicator that passes paper tape through a
compartment filled with joint compound so that both materials
are simultaneously applied to joints.
• Taping and finishing knives: 4-, 5-, and 6-in. (102-, 127-, and 152mm) knives are designed for taping, fastener spotting, angle
taping, and finishing; an 8-in. (203-mm) or wider knife for finish
coating. The two narrower knives are available with either plane
handle or with hammerhead handle. Other drywall finishing
knives are available with blade widths from 1 in. (25 mm) up to
24 in. (610 mm) Long-handle models also available.
• Hand sander: Sandpaper is attached with end clamps to the
3-1/4- by 9-1/4-in. (83- by 235-mm) baseplate. Models include
those with wood or aluminum handles.
• Pole sander: Long handle enables working areas with longer
strokes.
• Angle trowel: For interior corner finishing of veneer plaster and
drywall jobs. Similar tool with narrower blades available for conventional plaster. May also be used to evenly apply joint compound.
• Automatic taper: Tube-style device applies a metered amount of
compound onto the tape, places the tape on the wall, and cuts
the tape to length. Works for flat joints or corners.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 113
• Gypsum board dolly: For efficient transport of gypsum boards
around the floors of a building. The load, centered over large
side wheels, is easily steered and moved by one worker.
• Folding trestle horse: Top surface provides work surface or
stand-on work platform. Legs adjust in increments.
• Scaffold: Portable and easy to set up. Wheels lock for safety and
security. Wide variety of sizes and types of scaffold are available
to meet job requirements.
• Stilts: Convenient way to reach high areas on drywall, veneer
plaster, and plaster jobs. Gives applicator full mobility plus
height needed for ceiling work. Stilts have articulated joints to
flex with ankle movement. Available in fixed-height and
adjustable-height types.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED WITH GYPSUM BOARD
7.90
Source: Copyrighted work of USG Corporation, USG Gypsum Construction Handbook, 6th ed., p. 439, R.S. Means Company, Inc., Kingston, Massachusetts, 2009.
Contributors:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Sarah Bader, Gensler, Chicago, Illinois.
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114 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
Concrete masonry units (CMUs) are modular building units composed of aggregate particles embedded in a cementitious matrix.
Load-bearing units and concrete brick are commonly used in building core and shell construction. Non-load-bearing units may be
specified for partitions and are commonly used for fire protection
of steel columns and fire-rated partitions.
Concrete masonry units are available in a variety of colors, sizes,
textures, configurations, and weights, to accommodate design,
detailing, and construction. The textures may be smooth, ground,
split, ribbed, or otherwise prepared to maximize design versatility.
Smooth finishes and more color options are available with prefaced, integral glazed concrete masonry units.
ACOUSTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
The high mass of single-wythe concrete masonry unit walls results in
relatively high sound transmission class (STC) ratings. These ratings
are improved with the addition of furring, insulation, and gypsum
wallboard surfacing. Sound waves lose power as they vibrate through
the mass of the block, the air in the cavity, and the mass of the
wallboard before reaching the listening area. The more air that is in
the cavity wall, the higher is the STC rating. These walls have been
shown to have good resistance at most frequencies, including low
frequencies. CMU cavity walls for interior use can achieve STC
ratings up to 79.
Special products are available for spaces with high acoustical separation requirements. Both sound blocks and diffuser blocks have
STC ratings above 52.
Sound blocks are used for interior walls surrounding lecture halls,
swimming pools, and theaters. A sound block is a CMU with one
vertical slot per core, creating a Helmholtz resonator effect to
deaden sound.
Diffuser blocks are made of three interlocking units that combine
to make up a wall. They create a Helmholtz resonator for sound
absorption, and also provide good sound diffusion back into the
source room. Diffuser blocks are designed with space for horizontal joint reinforcement. Their cores can be filed with grout or with
insulating material.
SIZES AND WEIGHTS
Concrete masonry units are specified as width by height by length.
They are manufactured in both English and metric modular sizes.
NOTE
7.91 Metric conversions for CMUs and gypsum wallboard are given in
nominal industry standard dimensions.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
7.92
CONCRETE MASONRY WALL ACOUSTICAL
CONSTRUCTION
7.91
WALL TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STC
RATING
Interior cavity
wall
4 (100 mm) split-face block
1 (25 mm) air space
2 (51 mm) rigid insulation
8 (200 mm) CMU
1-1/2 (38 mm) wood furring
1-1/2 (38 mm) fiberglass insulation
65
Interior cavity
wall
4 (100 mm) split-face block
3-1/2 (89 mm) air space
2-1/2 (64 mm) fiberglass insulation
8 (200 mm) CMU
79
Interior cavity
wall
4 (100 mm) split-face block
3-1/2 (89 mm) air space
2-1/2 (64 mm) fiberglass insulation
4 (100 mm) CMU
66
8 CMU wall
8 (200 mm) CMU
50
8 CMU wall
system
8 (200 mm) CMU
2 (51 mm) Z-bars
1/2 (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard
51
8 CMU wall
system
8 (200 mm) CMU
2 (51 mm) Z-bars—2 sets
1/2 (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard
52
8 CMU wall
system
8 (200 mm) CMU
1-1/2 (38 mm) wood furring
1-1/2 (38 mm) fiberglass insulation
1/2 (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard
54
8 CMU wall
system
8 (200 mm) CMU
3 (76 mm) steel studs
1-1/2 (38 mm) fiberglass insulation
1/2 (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard, one side
59
8 CMU wall
system
8 (200 mm) CMU
3 (76 mm) steel studs
1-1/2 (38 mm) fiberglass insulation
1/2 (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard,
both sides
64
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TYPICAL CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT SHAPES
7.93
SINGLE-WYTHE MASONRY
Single-wythe masonry wall construction is common for many applications, both load-bearing and non-load-bearing and interior and
exterior walls. These single-wythe masonry systems are frequently used as interior partitions for fire protection.
Single-wythe walls may be insulated on the interior or exterior. The
insulation may be adhered or mechanically fastened directly to the
masonry, or it may be installed in conjunction with conventional furring or studding systems.
SINGLE-WYTHE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT WALL
7.94
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 115
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7.95
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ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE
Architectural concrete is a handcrafted, cast-in-place finish material. It differs in composition and quality level from conventional
structural concrete. Architectural concrete requires coordination
and quality control in the design and fabrication process. It is available in a wide variety of textures, colors, and finishes. Interior
applications include walls, stairs, and other areas of monolithic
exposed concrete.
Considerations for architectural concrete installations include:
•
•
•
•
Alignment and layout of architectural concrete formwork
Consistency of surface texture
Consistency of color
Monolithic appearance without cracks
Consult the American Concrete Institute for architectural concrete
design recommendations and information.
ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE DESIGN
Successful architectural concrete installations rely on the coordination of the designer, engineer, and contractor. Architectural concrete must be fabricated with as much precision as possible, as it
is almost impossible to correct once installed.
The three methods of modifying the appearance of a concrete surface finish are:
• Material variation, which involves changing the size, shape, texture, and color of the coarse and fine aggregate, particularly in
exposed aggregate concrete, and choosing white or gray cement
• Form variation, which involves changing the texture or pattern of
the concrete surface by means of form design, form liners, or
joint edge treatments
• Surface treatment, which involves treating or tooling the surface
after the concrete has cured
JOINT TYPES
• Construction joints occur where concrete work is interrupted
during construction, but they do not affect the structural integrity of the system.
• Form joints occur where formwork joins or meets.
• Control joints are placed to ensure that the concrete, which
shrinks as it cures, will crack in predetermined locations.
Factors influencing the location of cracks include the size and
shape of the concrete member, steel reinforcement, and protection as the concrete cures. Members longer than 10 or 15 ft (3
or 4.5 m) will crack randomly unless control joints are provided.
AGGREGATE
Aggregate greatly affects the final appearance of the concrete surface. Aggregate should be selected on the basis of color, hardness,
size, shape, gradation, method of exposure, durability, availability,
and cost. Aggregate hardness and density must be compatible with
structural requirements and weathering conditions. Sources for
coarse and fine aggregates should be kept the same for an entire
job to avoid variations in the final surface appearance, particularly
in light-toned concrete. Following are the common types of aggregate and colors available:
• Quartz is available in clear, white, yellow, green, gray, and light
pink or rose. Clear quartz is used as a sparkling surface to complement other colors and pigmented cements.
• Granite is known for its durability; it is available in shades of
pink, red, gray, dark blue, black, and white. Traprock, such as
basalt, can be used for gray, black, or green.
• Marble offers the widest selection of colors: green, yellow, red,
pink, gray, white, and black.
• Limestone is available in white and gray.
• Miscellaneous gravel, after being washed and screened, can be
used for brown and reddish-brown finishes. Yellow ochers,
umbers, buff shades, and pure white are abundant in riverbed
gravels.
• Ceramic exhibits the most brilliant and varied colors when vitreous materials are used.
• Expanded lightweight shale may be used to produce reddish-
Contributors:
Grace S. Lee, Rippeteau Architects PC, Washington, DC.
Stephen S. Szoke, PE, National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon,
Virginia.
Brian E. Trimble, Brick Institute of America, Reston, Virginia.
MASTERSPEC®, published by ARCOM, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
brown, gray, or black aggregate. Porous and crushable, this
shale produces a dull surface with soft colors.
EXPOSED AGGREGATE
An exposed aggregate surface is a decorative finish for concrete
work achieved by removing the surface cement to expose the
aggregate. Aggregates suitable for exposure may vary from 1/4 in.
(6 mm) to a cobblestone more than 6 in. (152 mm) in diameter. The
extent to which the pieces of aggregate are revealed is largely
determined by their size. Size is generally selected on the basis of
the distance from which it will be viewed and the appearance
desired.
SURFACE TEXTURE AND FORM LINER
Patterned forms and liners make it possible to simulate in concrete
the textures of wood, brick, and stone. The texture and resulting
shadow patterns conceal minor color variations or damage that
would be conspicuous and unacceptable on a smooth surface. Use
of rustication strips at joints in textured liners simplifies form
assembly.
INTEGRALLY COLORED CONCRETE
Colored concrete can provide a cost-effective simulation of natural
stone or other building materials. Two standard types of cement
are available, offering different shades of color: standard gray
portland cement and white cement.
Integrally colored concrete is made by adding mineral oxide pigments
to concrete mixes made with one of these two types of cement.
STONE WALLS
New technologies in stone quarrying and fabrication, including the
creation of thinner dimension stone and stone tile products, have
made this material widely used in interior applications.
Dimension stone is defined as quarried stone with usually one or
more mechanically dressed surfaces. These are thick slabs of
stone that are marked as they are cut for matched-pattern installations, such as book-matched or end-matched configurations.
Dimension stone tiles are less than 3/4 in. (19 mm) thick. They provide the natural beauty of a stone surface without the weight,
depth, and expense of dimension stone. However, their thinness
makes stone floor tiles more prone to cracking from impact or normal floor deflection. Stone tiles are installed by either the thickset
or the thinset installation method.
TYPES OF STONE
Stone is classified as igneous (formed by volcanic action), sedimentary (formed from deposits that have undergone consolidation
and crystallization), or metamorphic (created when other kinds of
rocks are changed by great heat and pressure inside the earth).
• Granite is a hard, durable, low-maintenance stone. It is a grainy
igneous rock that imparts a visual strength. Granite is relatively
uniform in color and texture.
Contributors:
Reginald D. Hough, FAIA, New York, New York.
D. Neil Rankins, RGAA/Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
• Marble is a metamorphic stone, identified by its variegated,
veined surface, and is valued for its range of colors and luxurious
surface. Marbles are comparatively soft, easily scratched stones
that require dedicated maintenance, especially if a polished finish is selected. Marbles can be polished, honed, sawn, sandblasted, bush hammered, split faced, tumbled, and acid washed.
• Limestone is a sedimentary stone, which varies in hardness,
density, and porosity from one type to another. Oolitic limestone
(eggstone) is made of spherical grains composed of concentric
layers. Limestone’s color range is limited to a neutral palette of
buff and gray. More commonly used as exterior cladding for
buildings, limestone is susceptible to staining. Limestone finishes include polished, honed, sandblasted, flamed, bush hammered, tumbled, and acid washed. Some varieties of limestone
can receive a high-honed (satin matte) finish with a higher
degree of reflectivity than the standard honed finish.
• Slate is a metamorphic stone, formed from shale and clay. Slate
splits easily into thin sheets. The finish resulting from the natural face is referred to as a cleft finish. Slate can also be sand
rubbed to a smooth finish or honed.
• Travertine, a sedimentary stone, is distinguished by its natural
cavities, formed by plants embedded during the rock’s formation, which must be filled to achieve a smooth surface. Filling
materials are typically portland cement, epoxy resins, or polyester resins. Though travertine is a type of limestone, some
types that take a polish are classified as marble. It is popular for
use as a flooring material, because its visual texture conceals
dirt much better than most other stones.
• Onyx is a decorative stone prized for its unique characteristics,
including colored and banded patterns. Onyx is formed from
quartz crystals, and the appearance can be enhanced by chemical treatment. Onyx is typically translucent, is relatively soft, and
is brittle in its natural state. Treatment with resins can improve
its performance and durability.
• Quartzite is a metamorphic stone, formed from recrystallized
sandstone. Quartzite contains silica, which contributes to its
density and durability. Quartzite is available in honed, sandblasted, and split- or cleft-faced finishes. Due to its composition,
quartzite is easily split, and bullnose or ogee-type details may be
difficult to fabricate.
• Sandstone is a coarse-grained sedimentary stone. It is composed of quartz and is bonded with silica, calcium carbonate, or
iron oxide. Different iron oxides provide variation in colors,
ranging from yellow, buff, and brown to reds. Related stone
types include bluestone, brownstone, and flagstone. Sandstone
can be honed, sawn, and split faced. Interior uses for sandstone
include wall panels, interior paving, furniture, and casework.
STONE FINISHES
The stone finish affects the perception of the color, the texture, and
the slip resistance of stone used in interiors.
• Polished finishes provide a mirror gloss with sharp reflections,
which brings out the stone’s full depth of color and pattern.
• Honed finishes have a satin or dull sheen with little or no gloss.
These surfaces are often good choices for commercial floors
because of their slip resistance; however, they are susceptible
to stain absorption.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 117
• Sawn finishes are textures that are not processed after the slab
has been sawn from the block of stone. The texture is typically
nondirectional and consists of circular markings and grooved
surfaces.
• Sandblasted finishes are achieved by blasting the stone surface
with sand to create a coarse, nondirectional texture. Depending
on the size of the grains of sand used in this surface treatment,
fine, medium, or coarse textures are created. Interior paving
stone with a sandblasted finish is inherently slip resistant,
although the texture will be worn down to a honed finish under
heavy pedestrian traffic.
• Acid-washed finishes are produced by the application of acidic
solutions to the stone surface to create a rustic texture. This texture is applied to calcium-based stones, such as marbles and
limestones; quartz-based stones such as granite are resistant to
this finish.
• Thermal, also known as flamed, finishes are achieved by the
application of intense flaming heat to the surface of the stone.
The finish texture is coarse and irregular, following the crystal
structure of the stone. A thermal finish is generally lighter in
color, and the stone characteristics are less pronounced than in
polished or honed finishes. Thermal finishes are typically applied
to granite.
• Waterjet, or hydro, finishes are created by the use of high-pressure water forces, which texture the surface and highlight the
color of the stone. Waterjet finish textures fall between honed
and thermal finishes.
• Cleft-face finishes are natural textures produced from cleaved,
naturally foliated stones, including slate and quartzite. Textures
vary according to the density of the stone; very dense stones
will cleave in flatter planes than less dense stones, which will
have a more irregular texture when split.
• Tumbled finishes impart an antique appearance to the stone.
Typically used on small stone blocks, the tumbling process softens edges and corners and rusticates the surface of the stone.
• Bush-hammered and tooled finishes are created by striking the
stone surface with tools to create surface texture. Stones
receiving a bush-hammered or tooled finish must be of a sufficient density and thickness to withstand the impact of the tools.
• Split-faced textures are similar to that of cleft-faced stone, but
are used on stones that are not naturally foliated. Split-faced
textures are created using either a guillotine or wedges, the latter of which are power driven into the stone. Surfaces created
range from fairly flat, consistent textures to textures similar to
rougher thermal finishes.
STONE MASONRY PATTERNS AND
VENEERS
Structural bond refers to the physical tying together of load-bearing and veneer portions of a composite wall. Structural bond can
be accomplished with metal ties or with stone units set as headers
into the backup.
Ashlar masonry is composed of squared-off building stone units of
various sizes. Cut ashlar is dressed to specific design dimensions
at the mill. Ashlar is often used in random lengths and heights.
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RUBBLE STONE MASONRY PATTERNS—ELEVATIONS
7.96
CUT STONE MASONRY PATTERNS—ELEVATIONS
7.97
GLASS UNIT MASONRY
Glass unit masonry, commonly referred to as glass block, is a
diverse building material whose many applications exhibit its multifaceted characteristics. The varying forms of glass block—type,
thickness, size, shape, and patterns—along with the methods of
installation can be combined to create unique design solutions.
Applications range from entire facades, windows, interior dividers,
and partitions to skylights, floors, walkways, and stairways. In all
applications, glass block units permit the control of light, both natural and artificial, for function or drama. Glass block also allows for
control of thermal transmission, noise, dust, and drafts. With the
use of thick-faced glass block or solid 3 in. (76 mm) bullet-resistant
block, security can also be achieved.
SECTIONS AT SUPPORTS
7.98
GLASS MASONRY UNIT TYPES
The basic glass block unit is made of two halves fused together
with a partial vacuum inside. Faces may be clear, figured, or with
integral relief forms.
Glass block is available in thicknesses ranging from a minimum of
3 in. (75 mm) nominal for solid units to a maximum of 4 in. (100
mm) nominal for hollow units.
SQUARE GLASS BLOCK SIZES
7.99
U.S. SIZES
6 6 (5-3/4 5-3/4 actual)
METRIC SIZES
AVAILABLE THROUGH
U.S. DISTRIBUTORS
115 115 mm
1⁄2 7-1⁄2
190 190 mm
8 8 (7-3⁄4 7-3⁄4 actual)
240 240 mm
12 12 (13-3⁄4 13-3⁄4 actual)
300 300 mm
Solid glass block units (glass bricks) are impact resistant and allow
through vision.
Surface decoration may be achieved with fused-on ceramic, etching, or sandblasting. A stipple pattern embossed on the exterior
face is also available.
Contributors:
George M. Whiteside III, AIA, and James D. Lloyd, Kennett Square,
Pennsylvania.
Building Stone Institute, New York, New York.
Alexander Keyes, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Christine Beall, NCARB, CCS, Austin, Texas.
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GLASS MASONRY UNIT TYPES
7.100
SPECIAL CORNER SHAPES
7.103
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 119
PANEL DIMENSIONS
MAXIMUM PANEL DIMENSIONS
7.104
End block units have a rounded, finished surface on one edge.
These units may be used to terminate interior partitions or walls or,
when installed horizontally, as space dividers.
END BLOCK
7.101
GLASS UNIT MASONRY STC RATINGS
7.102
STC
SIZE
PATTERN
ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION
31
8 8 ´ 3 (203 ´ 203 ´ 76 mm)
All patterns
31
8 8 ´ 3 (203 ´ 203 ´ 76 mm)
All patterns
Silicone system
37
8 8 ´ 4 (203 ´ 203 ´ 102 mm)
All patterns
Mortar
40
8 8 ´ 4 (203 ´ 203 ´ 102 mm) with LX fibrous filter
All patterns
Mortar
48
8 8 ´ 4 (203 ´ 203 ´ 102 mm) thick-faced block
Thick block
Mortar
53
8 8 ´ 3 (203 ´ 203 ´ 76 mm) solid units
Solid block
Mortar
Silicone system
BLOCK TYPE
AND FACE
THICKNESS
INTERIOR
AREA
SQ FT (SQ M)
INTERIOR
HEIGHT
INTERIOR
WIDTH
Standard 0.025
(0.6 mm)
250 (23.2)
20-0 (6 m)
25-0 (7.6 m)
Thinline series
85 (7.9)
10-0 (3 m)
15-0 (4.6 m)
Solid glass
brick 3 (76 mm)
100 (9.3)
10-0 (3 m)
10-0 (3 m)
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
PANEL ANCHOR CONSTRUCTION
7.105
GLASS BLOCK PARTITIONS AND
DETAILS
TYPICAL PARTITION WITH HORIZONTAL REINFORCING
7.107
CURVED PANEL CONSTRUCTION
Curved areas should be separated from flat areas by intermediate
expansion joints and supports. Expansion joints should be installed
at every change of direction of a multicurved wall, at points of
curved wall intersection with straight walls, and at center of curvature in excess of 90°.
PREFABRICATED PARTITIONS
MOVABLE WALLS
RADIUS MINIMUMS FOR CURVED PANEL CONSTRUCTION
7.106
BLOCK SIZE
INSIDE RADIUS
4 ´ 8 (102 ´ 203 mm)
32 (813 mm)
NUMBER OF BLOCKS
IN 90° ARC
13
JOINT THICKNESS
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
1/8 (3 mm)
5/8 (16 mm)
6 ´ 6 (152 ´ 152 mm)
48-1/2 (1,232 mm)
13
1/8 (3 mm)
5/8 (16 mm)
8 ´ 8 (203 ´ 203 mm)
65 (1,651 mm)
13
1/8 (3 mm)
5/8 (16 mm)
12 ´ 12 (305 ´ 305 mm)
98-1/2 (2,502 mm)
13
1/8 (3 mm)
5/8 (16 mm)
Movable walls, also referred to as relocatable or portable walls, or
as demountable partitions, are factory-fabricated, site-assembled
partition systems with a variety of wall surfaces. Connectors,
bases, and other components are designed as part of the system
and are installed with far fewer tools than required for constructed gypsum board partitions.
Recent improvements in design have led to systems with better
privacy, security, and ability to block sound. Solid panels designed
to reduce noise are available with sound transmission class (STC)
ratings ranging from 44 to 48.
FLEXIBILITY
Movable walls are increasingly used in offices to meet frequently
changing requirements. They save construction time as compared
to traditional, constructed gypsum board partitions, and may be
less expensive to install. Taping and sanding (and the dust and
debris these operations generate) inherent in standard gypsum
board wall construction is eliminated. Systems may even be reconfigured while an office space remains in use.
Movable walls are designed to be reconfigured without extensive
renewal or repair of floor and ceiling finishes. Some systems are
attached to the flooring and to the ceiling grid, which makes it possible to move the system with virtually no damage to these surfaces.
SUSTAINABILITY
Movable walls can help meet sustainability goals. Components can
be readily reconfigured and reused. Some products contain up to
30% recycled materials and are 70% recyclable after use. Their
flexibility leads to reuse rather than disposal, greatly reducing the
amount of waste destined for landfills.
Contributors:
Brian Cooper, AIA, and Jana Gunsul, AIA, DES Architects & Engineers,
Redwood City, California, with Nick Loomis, Senior Systems Engineer,
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 121
MOVABLE WALL TYPES
CONNECTIONS
WIRING
Today, movable wall systems typically consist of steel or extruded
aluminum frames, with glass or solid panels. Frames in some systems can span up to 10 ft (3 m) without intermediate supports.
Several manufacturers claim that their movable walls provide better speech privacy than gypsum wallboard.
Connection details from frame to frame and from frame to ceiling,
floor, or wall vary widely among manufacturers. Some of the
options available include:
Movable walls are typically designed to readily accommodate
power and data cabling. Access can be provided at the wall base
and at ADA-mandated and desk heights. Systems are available
with wall cavities that accept hard-wiring and quick-disconnect
systems as well as standard UL/CSA-approved boxes.
• Glass types include clear, translucent, opaque, patterned, double
glazed, and acoustical glass. Systems are available with
clerestory glazing.
• Solid materials include metal, laminate, fabrics, and wood
veneer.
• Some systems use modular cladding tiles in a wide variety of finishes, including smart whiteboards and fabric-wrapped mediumdensity fiberboard (MDF) core tackboards, back-painted glass,
and front and rear projection screens.
• Painted steel frame with flush frame-to-frame connections
• Dry butt-glazed glass-to-glass corners
• Standard panels that can be cut on-site to accommodate windowsills, columns, and other obstructions
• Carpet grippers and ceiling track clips that connect and release
without damaging interior finishes
• Acoustically sensitive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) zipper panel connector strips and angled or pivot corner connections
• Aluminum connection posts with two-, three-, and four-way connections
MOVABLE WALL POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS
CABLE WIRING
7.109
MOVABLE PANEL CONFIGURATIONS
7.108
Source: Teknion Corporation.
DOORS
Movable walls are available with a wide array of door types, including:
• Hinged glass doors 40 and 42 in. (1,016 and 1,067 mm) wide and
3/8 in. (10 mm) thick
• Hinged solid doors 40 and 42 in. (1,016 and 1,067 mm) wide and
1-3/4 in. (44 mm) thick
• Sliding glass doors
• Pocket doors 48 in. (1,219 mm) wide and 1-3/4 in. (44 mm) thick
that recess into 48-in. (1,219 mm) pockets inside wall panels
• Barn doors hung on the wall face, 40, 42, or 48 in. (1,016, 1,067,
or 1,219 mm) wide. Available in glass, solid, or solid with glass
insert
• Pivot doors
Source: Courtesy Steelcase Inc.
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WIRE MESH PARTITIONS
Wire mesh partitions are useful where security is needed in combination with visibility and air circulation, for example, in storage facilities, computer labs, and payroll distribution areas. The wire mesh
typically has 1-1/2-in. (38-mm) openings in a diamond orientation.
Smaller openings and square mesh are available at a higher cost.
Standard wire mesh partitions are freestanding panels bolted
together and supported by floor anchors. Panels are available in
widths from 9 in. (229 mm) to 60 in. (1,524 mm), with a maximum
height of 12 ft (3.7 m). Multiple panels can be stacked for greater
heights. A variety of hardware and accessories are available,
including ceiling panels, trimmed cutouts, hinged and sliding doors,
Dutch doors, drop-shelf and slide-up and side-hinged service windows. Components are factory-painted steel.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
PATH OF EGRESS
The path of egress is established by the authorities having jurisdiction. Additional means of egress may be needed, as the space is
effectively divided into two separate rooms when the operable partition is in place. In this case, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible
Design for the additional means of egress are typically enforced.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design–compliant pass doors
designed for accessibility are available. These pass doors have no
thresholds; they open and operate with no more than 5 lbf (22 N),
by hardware requiring no gripping or twisting to operate; and they
have a clear opening 32 in. (813 mm) wide with a 90° swing.
can be given silk-screened, embossed (raised), or debossed
(depressed) patterns. Fabric can be used as an interlayer. Dichroic
interlayers give the product an iridescent sheen. High-resolution
photographic images can be embedded in the panels. Custom interlayers are also available.
Panel finishes range from high gloss to opaque. A variety of textures can be applied to the surfaces, with the front and back
receiving different treatments, if desired.
STACKED PANEL STORAGE
7.111
OPERABLE PANEL PARTITIONS
Operable partitions allow the size of rooms to be tailored to specific events, making possible maximum utilization of space. They
are available as:
• Single-panel partitions: These are the most versatile solution for
the largest openings, remote storage pockets, and complex layouts. Suspended from an overhead track, they can accommodate wide variations in floor conditions. Single-panel partitions
are available with one- and two-hour fire ratings for multipurpose rooms, exhibition halls, and commercial buildings.
• Paired-panel partitions: These are the most efficient solution for
straight-line openings that do not involve multiple locations or
offset storage, such as classrooms, conference or meeting
rooms, or office space. Pairs of hinged-together panels are
stored at either or both ends of their run, and are relatively
quick and easy to set up.
• Continuously hinged panel systems: Panels connected with
hinges are operated electrically (with a key-operated switch) or
manually. Acoustical bottom seals set automatically when the
panel run is fully extended to avoid damage from misuse. They
are used in hotel ballrooms, gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms,
civic and convention centers, classrooms, and meeting and conference rooms.
PANEL STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS
Panel storage garages must be designed with the panel
manufacturers during the design development phase to ensure
that adequate space, size, and configuration are provided.
Configuration of the storage garage varies depending on the
selected system, as well as the garage door opening width, swing,
and closing hardware. Pocket doors with a variety of finish options
are available to conceal storage areas.
CONFERENCE ROOM WITH OPERABLE PARTITION
7.110
ARCHITECTURAL RESIN PANELS
FABRICATION
Architectural resin panels include partitions and wall inserts, shojistyle screens and dividers, railings and balustrades, interior windows, indoor signage, point-of-purchase displays, and furniture
and furniture trims. The panels are available as translucent or clear
sheets, with embedded materials and interlayers, and as prepatterned sheets. Some manufacturers also supply hardware and
edge trims for mounting sheets horizontally or vertically.
Most architectural resin panels can be laser cut, routed, welded,
drilled, die punched, and hot or cold bent. They can be joined by
screws, rivets, or bolts. Edges can be polished by commercial
edge-finishing equipment, sanding, solvents, flame polishing, or
buffing.
Many architectural resin products contain 40 to 100% preconsumer recycled resin. Panels with a uniform composition (without
other embedded materials) may be more easily recycled after use.
Some embedded materials, such as glass from beverage bottles,
may themselves have been recycled. Durable materials with long
lives will stay out of the waste stream longer, but may be more difficult to recycle at the end of their useful life.
Source: lauckgroup, Dallas, Texas.
NOTE
7.110 a. Panels are hung from overhead track fastened to structure
above for stability.
Contributors:
Margery Morgan, Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Stephen Luk, Brennan Beer Gorman Architects, New York, New York.
Among the decorative treatments available are embedded natural
materials such as shells, grasses, fibers, leaves, and twigs. Thin
wood veneers can be laser cut and encased in resin. Clear resin
can be used to embed stone and wood into thicker panels. Surfaces
Hardware available from architectural resin panel manufacturers
includes:
• Stand-offs: Raise panels off horizontal or vertical surfaces.
• Cable systems: Suspend panels from horizontal surfaces.
• Rod systems: Secure panels and support their weight from ceilings and walls.
• Door systems: Include sliding and hinged hardware for office
spaces, closets, and cabinets.
• Railing hardware: Used for stairways, balconies, balustrades,
and ramps.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
ARCHITECTURAL RESIN PANEL MATERIALS
7.112
RESIN
USES
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 123
RESIN PANELS AT TERRACE—SECTION
7.115
CHARACTERISTICS
APPEARANCE
SUSTAINABILITY
Acrylic resin
Paneling, partitions, lighting
and ceiling accents, interior
doors and windows
Translucent, lightweight,
impact resistant, thermoforms
into complex shapes
High-gloss, matte finish,
renewable surface, many
edge profiles available
Available as recycled resin
Chemical-resistant
acrylic resin
High-touch surfaces;
partitions; horizontal
countertops, tabletops;
sliding doors
Same as acrylic resin
Same as acrylic resin
Available as recycled resin
PETG resin (proprietary
licensed process)
Spaces requiring Class A/B
fire rating, large surface
areas, curved railings and
partitions
Low flammability, 1/2 weight,
40 times impact resistance
of glass, cold-forming bends
Very clear; wide range of
treatments, colors,
interlayers
Available with up to 98%
recycled resin
Polycarbonate resin
High-traffic areas, spaces
requiring greater safety
standards, large surface
areas
1/2 weight, 250 times impact
resistance of glass, low
flammability, good optical
properties, thermoforms
Similar to acrylic, but more
durable, glasslike
Not indicated as containing
recycled materials by
manufacturers
High-density polyethylene
Partitions, sliding doors
Structurally strong,
lightweight
Translucent sheets with
cellular core
100% postconsumer
recycled
Translucent resin solid
surfacing
Horizontal or vertical
partitions, countertops
Thick, stable, can support
structural load
1/2, 1, and 2 (13, 25, and
51 mm) sheets can be bent
into radius curves
Not listed as containing
recycled materials
RESIN PANEL STAND-OFF DETAILS
7.113
RESIN PANELS AT TERRACE—ELEVATION
7.114
HONEYCOMB PANELS
Source: Lumicor.
MAINTENANCE
Cleaning supplies for architectural resin panels must be carefully
selected with guidance from the manufacturer. Special plastic polishing kits are available. Do not use cleaners containing chlorine,
ammonia, or rubbing alcohol, which may cause discoloration.
Solvents such as acetone, alcohol, gasoline, benzene, and many
other similar chemicals should not be used. Abrasive cleaners
should not be used. Squeegees, scrapers, synthetic rags, and
paper towels containing calcium carbonate can scratch surfaces.
Antistatic sprays can be used to counteract dust-attracting electrostatic charges. A heat gun can be used to remove scratches and
scuff marks from PETG panels.
Honeycomb panels consist of thin, foil-like cellular metallic cores
bonded between lightweight facings. Panels are inherently stiff
and require minimal structural support. Manufacturer-supplied
parts minimize hardware and on-site labor. Interior honeycomb
panels can be used for interlocking wall systems, curved panels,
column covers, countertops, furniture, and doors.
Several types are available for interior and exterior use. Interior
products include:
• Fiberglass sheet facings are laminated to aluminum or polymer
honeycomb cores for panels 3/4 in. (76 mm) thick. Uses include
walls, doors, and ceilings. Wet applications such as showers and
saunas are possible. Can be used for vertical surfaces and
inlays in furniture.
• PETG, polycarbonate, or acrylic sheet facings are bonded to
tubular polycarbonate cores for panels 3/4 in. (76 mm) thick.
Uses are the same as above.
• Translucent polymer resin facings are cast directly onto aluminum or polymer honeycomb cores. These panels are 1 or 11/2 in. (25 or 38 mm) thick. Translucent polymer resin panels
are used for walls, sliding or pivot doors, ceilings, wet applications, and furniture. They are strong enough for tabletops, countertops, and workstation surfaces. Interlocking wall framing
systems are available from the manufacturer.
• Mica laminates bind mineral mica flakes with either fiberglass
and shellac (amber sheets) or alkyd vinyl resin (silver sheets) to
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create translucent laminate sheets. The mica flakes make up
over 90% of the panel material, and the panels can be recycled
into industrial-grade panels after use. They are used for walls,
doors, and ceilings, but require additional metal or wood framing. These panels can also be used for vertical surfaces, laminates, or inlays in furniture.
Page 124
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
GLASS GUARDRAIL
7.118
GLASS AND METAL GUARDRAIL
7.119
HONEYCOMB PANEL SQUARE CORNER POST
7.116
Source: © Panelite LLC 2009.
HONEYCOMB PANEL U-CHANNEL
7.117
CABLE RAIL END POST WITH TENSIONERS
7.120
Source: © Panelite LLC 2009.
INTERIOR SCREENS AND GUARDS
Railing systems are available for interior or exterior use with wood
or vinyl posts and cable, metal baluster, or glass infill panels.
Careful measuring is required. ADA-compliant systems are also
available.
Safety concerns about people climbing horizontal railings have limited their use. Cable railing systems are not easy to climb, as the
cables are very thin and flexible. Cable railings with tensioners are
available that allow installers to cut and tighten cable on-site.
Tensioner bases can accommodate angles up to 45° up, down, and
from side to side.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
COMMON TOP RAILS
7.121
WINDOWS AND GLAZING
GLASS
Glass is a hard, brittle amorphous substance made by melting silica (sometimes combined with oxides of boron or phosphorus) with
certain basic oxides (notably sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and lead) to produce annealed flat glass by a controlled cooling process. Most glasses soften at 932 to 2,012°F. Minute surface
scratches in manufacturing greatly reduce glass strength.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 125
SECURITY GLASS
7.123
ers. If laminated glass is broken, the glass remains bonded to the
interlayer, offering protection from injury; this makes it popular for
use in skylights.
LAMINATED GLASS
7.122
TINTED AND REFLECTIVE GLASS
Tinted glass was developed to control solar heat gain and glare.
Float glass is available tinted in green, bronze, gray, and blue, in
thicknesses ranging from 1/8 to 1/2 in. (3 to 13 mm). The glass
absorbs a portion of the sun’s energy due to its admixture content
and thickness; it then dissipates the heat to both the exterior and
the interior. The thicker the glass is, the greater the solar energy
absorption. Newer tinted glass types allow more visible light transmission, while blocking a higher percentage of infrared energy
than standard tinted glass.
FLOAT GLASS
LEADED STAINED GLASS
Generally accepted as the successor to polished plate glass, float
glass has become the quality standard of the glass industry. More
than 95% of the glass manufactured in the United States is float
glass. It is manufactured by floating molten glass on a surface of
molten tin. Because the molten metal is denser than the glass, the
two liquids do not mix together. This process produces a glass with
very uniform thickness and flatness. After forming, the glass is
cooled by a controlled process known as annealing.
Decorative stained glass is characterized by pieces of glass joined
together with lead cames (H-shaped strips) of various widths.
Varying the widths adds to the window’s decorative effect. Joints
are soldered on both sides of the panel. To prevent leakage, a mastic waterproofing material is inserted between the glass and the
came flange.
Annealing relieves internal strains that may have developed during
the manufacturing process. It ensures that the glass does not cool
and contract at different rates across its surface. If glass is not
annealed, it may fracture from differential stresses throughout the
sheet when it reaches room temperature. Float glass is available
in thicknesses ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 in. (3 to 22 mm).
STRENGTHENED GLASS
There are several types of glass with increased strength: fully tempered, heat strengthened, laminated, and wire glass.
FULLY TEMPERED GLASS
Fully tempered glass is produced by heating float glass and then
suddenly cooling it with special blowers. Fully tempered glass is
three to five times more resistant to impact, applied pressure, and
bending stresses than annealed glass, because the surface tension
must be overcome before the glass can be broken.
HEAT-STRENGTHENED GLASS
The heat-strengthened glass manufacturing process is similar to
that of fully tempered glass, except that the glass is only partially
tempered. Heat-strengthened glass is about twice as resistant to
breakage as float glass.
LAMINATED GLASS
Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass and an
interlayer material sandwiched together to form a single sheet.
Annealed, fully tempered, heat-strengthened, and wire glass types
can be laminated. Security glass (bullet or burglar resistant) and
acoustical glass are types of laminated glass using thicker interlay-
Contributors:
Jana Gunsul, AIA, DES Architects & Engineers, Redwood City, California.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
Another method of joining the pieces of glass is to band the edges
of the glass with a copper foil tape, burnished to the glass and then
soldered with a continuous bead of solder on both sides.
REFLECTIVE GLASS
WIRE GLASS
Wire glass has wire mesh or parallel wires rolled into the center of
the glass sheet. It is available in various patterns and pattern sizes
such as square-welded mesh, diamond-welded mesh, and linear
parallel wire. Pattern sizes range from 1/2 to 1 in. (13 to 25 mm),
depending on pattern type. Some distortion, wire discoloration, and
misalignment are inherent. If breakage occurs, the wire helps to
hold the glass fragments in the opening. However, sharp glass
edges can cause contact injuries. This is the standard glass type
used for fire-rated doors or partition assemblies.
SAFETY GLASS
Safety glass is glazing material that breaks in a way that reduces
the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries if shattered. Fully
tempered glass and laminated glass qualify as safety glass. Fully
tempered glass breaks into small cubical pieces. If laminated glass
is shattered, the broken glass adheres to the interlayer.
SECURITY GLASS
Security glass is composed of multiple layers of glass and/or polycarbonate plastic laminated together under heat and pressure with
a polyvinyl butyral (for glass) or polyurethane plastic (for polycarbonate) film. It is available in multilayer laminated glass, insulating, laminated insulating, and double-laminated insulating or
spaced configurations. Thicknesses range from 3/8 to 2-1/2 in. (10
to 64 mm) as a laminated product and up to about 4-3/4 in. (121
mm) for insulating and spaced construction products.
Reflective glass reduces the amount of incident light transmitted,
absorbed, and reflected by portions of the light and energy
spectrum, thus improving the energy balance within a building.
Typically, Type I (hard coat or pyrolitic) coatings, which are more
scratch resistant than Type II (sputtered or soft-coat) coatings, are
used on exposed glass surfaces. Reflective coatings are derived
from metals, and are applied to glass based on the glazing system
requirements. Pyrolitic reflective coatings on the outside surface
are susceptible to exterior environmental factors. Reflective
coatings on inner surfaces are protected from damage.
Reflective glass can be used in interior applications such as shower doors and enclosures, countertops, wall cladding, and furniture.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT GLASS
LOW-EMISSIVITY GLASS
Low-emissivity (low-E) glass was developed to address energy efficiency concerns for glazing. Hard or soft metallic coatings are
applied to the glass, based on application type. Low-E coatings provide more reflectivity for the shortwave solar energy that strikes
the glass at a high angle of incidence during the summer, while permitting this warmth to enter during the winter when the angle of
incidence is lower. Low-E coatings are applied to the inside (side 2)
on the first pane of glass in a double-glazed unit. The overall light
transmission rate is higher than in tinted and reflective glass types.
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INSULATING GLASS
Insulating glass acts as a barrier to conductive heat loss. Insulated
glass units are created by sealing an air pocket between two lights
of glass, separated by a spacer. The energy efficiency of insulated
glass can be increased by adding more layers of glass, or by the
use of thin heat-reflecting films suspended between the spacers.
Page 126
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
POLYMER-DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
7.125
Insulated glass dampens vibrations and sound. Insulated glass
units may be created to protect and seal specially treated glass,
such as sandblasted glass surfaces.
ACID ETCHING
In the process of acid etching, sandblasted glass is submerged in
a bath of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids to create a hardened,
sealed surface. The glass appears matte, with a soft, light-diffusing
quality. Depending on the coarseness of the sandblasting grit, the
etched texture may be relatively smooth or grainy. Acid-etched
glass may be coated or silvered. It does not show dust, dirt, or fingerprints, and is used in retail, residential, and commercial applications for tabletops, counters, shelving, wall cladding, stair
treads, and other interior architectural elements. Stencils and
etching creams are available to etch smaller areas of glass for signage, mirrors, and windows.
SOUND CONTROL GLASS
Laminated, insulating, laminated insulating, and double laminatedinsulating glass products are commonly used for sound control.
STC ratings from 31 to 51 are available, depending on glass thicknesses, air space size, polyvinyl butyral film thickness, and number
of laminated units used in insulating products.
SPECIALTY GLASS TYPES
TEXTURED GLASS
Textured patterned glass is also known as rolled or figured glass.
It is made by passing molten glass through rollers that are etched
to produce the design. Designs include flutes, ribs, grids, and other
regular and random patterns, which provide translucency and a
degree of obscurity. Usually only one side of the glass is imprinted
with a pattern. Patterned glass can be silvered, sandblasted, or
have applied colored coatings. One form of textured glass is
impression glass, in which a clear resin, applied to the glass, is
impressed with a pattern.
APPLIED FILMS
Applied films can be used to modify the appearance or performance of glass. Mylar films can be permanently bonded to the glass
with nonyellowing adhesives to create special designs. Tinted films
are used as a low-cost alternative to tinted glass in retrofits of
existing glass in commercial, residential, and automotive applications. Clear, tough films are available with a Category II safety
glazing alternative for glass that is too thin, textured, or shaped so
that it cannot be tempered. Applied films are used in jewelry store
windows and display cases, where additional protection is needed
without affecting the visual quality of the glass. Nylon-fiber-reinforced adhesive-backed films are used on the backs of mirrors for
wardrobe doors and wall cladding where safety is a concern but
where tempering would cause unacceptable visual distortion.
PHOTOVOLTAIC GLASS
There are two types of photovoltaic (PV) glass: crystalline silicon
sandwiched between two layers of glass, and thin-film amorphous
silicon applied to an interior-facing glass surface. When these
arrangements are exposed to sunlight, they generate either direct
current (DC) or alternating current (AC) power, which is transferred by concealed wiring to the building’s power system.
Pressure bar framing systems or structural silicone, flush-glazed
curtain walls and skylights, awnings, sunshades, light shelves, and
roof panels are some of the systems that can incorporate PV glass.
Both types of PV glass are used for opaque curtain wall spandrel
panels and can be used for curtain wall or skylight vision glass if
the quality of daylighting and visibility is acceptable.
PRIVACY GLASS
BLIND GLASS
Blind glass is float glass that is acid etched on both sides in a linear, offset pattern, obscuring visibility when viewed perpendicular
to the glass. Visibility through the glass is possible when viewing
at a 45° angle. Produced in 3/16- and 5/16-in. (5- and 8-mm) thicknesses, the thicker glass is more effective for a see-through effect,
while the thinner glass is suited to areas requiring more privacy,
such as in doors and in furniture applications.
MIRRORS
Mirrors are created by coating a piece of glass with a reflective
coating of silver, backed with copper, and protected by an epoxy
paint top coat. Tinted and clear glass may be silvered with the
pyrolitic process to produce mirrors.
ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS
Electrochromic glass switchable privacy glazing, identified as
polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), consists of liquid crystals
that are enclosed in transparent polymer capsules. The capsules are
sandwiched between two sheets of transparent electroconductive
film. When voltage is applied, the liquid crystals line up in rows,
allowing light to pass freely through the transparent film and glass.
Without voltage, the liquid crystals do not line up in rows. This
diffuses the light, making the glass appear opaque or obscure.
FORMED GLASS
POLYMER-DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL PRIVACY
GLASS
7.124
a nozzle. Different degrees of coarseness are used to achieve
varying levels of smoothness. The resulting granular-textured
surface is susceptible to the absorption of oils. Fingerprints and
dirt are typically visible on sandblasted surfaces unless treated
with an applied sealer. The sandblasted surface may be protected
by enclosing it within an insulated double-glazing unit.
CAST GLASS
Cast glass, also known as molded glass, is formed in molds, using
combinations of colors and textures to create the desired product.
Cast glass may be molded to precise dimensions and tolerances, or
it may be formed into art glass units. The casting process allows an
unlimited number of glass forms, colors, and textures to be created. Thicknesses and overall sizes are dependent on the design and
intended use for the cast glass. Cast glass products include glass
tiles, stair treads, countertops, artwork, and glass panels.
SURFACE TEXTURES
Surface textures on glass soften transmitted light, add decorative
designs, increase obscurity for privacy, or lightly fracture the glass
surface for a frosted effect. Surface-texturing processes can be
applied to clear, tinted, or reflective glass, prior to tempering.
SANDBLASTING
Sandblasting is used to create a translucent frosted effect of a
desired design on the glass surface. The glass is blasted with small
abrasive particles of sand and high-pressure air projected through
One-way mirrors are used for discreet observation, such as in lineup rooms in law enforcement facilities. These mirrors are created
by the use of a special reflective coating, which allows approximately 12% transmission and is reflective to the side with the highest light intensity. Light on the observation side is reduced by a
10:1 ratio, which maintains the reflective differential. One-way mirrors should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the lighting should be coordinated to provide secure
one-way visibility.
FIRE-RATED GLASS
Fire-rated glass is a transparent ceramic product. It can be used in
fire-rated partitions, in larger areas than typically permitted for
wire glass. Fire-rated glass may be polished, unpolished, or patterned (obscure).
Fire-rated or fire/impact-safety-rated insulated glass units (IGUs)
are composed of fire-rated glass and either tempered or annealed
float glass. These units are available in tinted, low-E, reflective,
one-way mirror, and art glass units.
Fire-rated and impact-safety-rated glazing is available that has an
intumescent gel layer between two panes of glass. When exposed
to heat and light, the gel layer turns opaque and blocks the transfer of radiant heat through the glass for a short period of time.
CUTTING AND EDGE TREATMENTS
POLISHED EDGES
Polished edges are created either by machine or by hand, using progressively finer sanding grits with a final polishing with a cork belt
impregnated with a polishing compound. If the glass is to be tempered, the sharp shoulders of the edge are sanded, or seamed, to
remove small cutting nicks, chips, and sharpness.
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BEVELED EDGES
Beveled edges on glass surfaces change the reflection angle of the
light and give a framed appearance to the glass. Bevels are ground
onto the face of the glass with a succession of diamond grinding
and polishing wheels. Beveled glass is tempered with the bevel
side down toward the horizontal rollers.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 127
RATED CORRIDOR GLAZING
7.127
WATERJET CUTTING
Waterjet cutting is a precise computer-controlled glass-cutting
method. High-velocity water is forced through a small ceramic nozzle,
combined with a fine abrasive used as a cutting medium. It is capable of cutting through multiple layers of glass and is useful when dissimilar materials such as metals are nested together with the glass.
INTERIOR GLAZING
CODE REQUIREMENTS
The IBC requires the use of safety glazing in hazardous locations.
Hazardous locations are those subject to human impact, such as
glass in doors, shower and bath enclosures, and glass sidelights in
partitions. Generally, tempered glass and laminated glass are considered safety glazing.
GLAZED PANEL REQUIREMENTS
7.128
GLAZING IN CORRIDORS
• Fire-protection-rated glazing includes 1/4 in. (6 mm) wire glass
set in steel frames and approved glass block. When this type of
glazing is used, the total area of glass cannot exceed 25% of the
area of the common wall separating two spaces or rooms.
• Fire-resistance-rated glazing includes products such as clear
ceramics, tempered glass, and insulated glass. These products
carry various fire ratings of up to two hours and are tested as
part of a wall assembly. The 25% limitation does not apply to
these types of products, although each manufacturer’s product
may have size limitations based on the fire rating of the product.
SECURITY GLAZING APPLICATIONS
Security glazing is composed of multiple layers of glass and/or
polycarbonate plastic laminated together. Depending on the degree
of security protection required, thickness can range from 3/8 in.
(10 mm) to approximately 2-1/2 in. (64 mm). Security glazing is
subject to size limitations.
Both types of glazing must have a label or other identification permanently affixed showing the manufacturer’s name, test standard,
and fire protection rating.
SECURITY TELLER WINDOW
7.129
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts.
GLAZING CONDITIONS
7.126
7.126 The most common situations where safety glazing is and is not
required are shown in figure. The IBC should be consulted for other conditions and exceptions.
7.127 a. Glazed panel assemblies in fire-rated walls must conform to the
size limitations indicated in figure and to wire glass and other approved
material requirements.
b. Multiple panels are permitted, but the aggregate area of all panels
and openings must not exceed 25% of the wall surface.
Requirements for glazing in doors are as follows:
• If wire glass is used, size limitations apply, based on the fire
door rating. Fire-resistance-rated glazing may be used, including
ceramic, special-tempered, and insulated glass. These products
do not have size limitations, except for those developed during
manufacturer’s testing.
• For most interior work, a 20-minute-rated door is required when
used in a one-hour fire-resistance-rated partition used as an
exit access corridor wall, and a 3/4-hour-rated door is required
when used in a one-hour partition other than a corridor wall.
Both doors require gasketing for draft and smoke control.
The IBC covers glazing in corridors. When corridor walls are
required to have a one-hour fire-resistive rating, any glazing in the
corridor wall must meet the requirements for interior fire window
assemblies. The allowable amount of glass depends on which type
of glass is used—fire-protection-rated glazing or fire-resistancerated glazing:
NOTES
GLAZING IN DOORS
Contributors:
Robert Thompson, AIA, Creative Central, Tigard, Oregon.
Jana Gunsul, AIA, DES Architects & Engineers; Redwood City, California.
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FIXED WINDOWS AND STOREFRONTS
FRAMED GLAZING DETAILS
7.130
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
FRAMELESS GLAZING DETAILS
7.131
ART GLASS WALL
Art glass can be incorporated into room dividers in such interior
spaces as restaurants, hotel lobbies, and residences. The designer
typically works with the artisan who fabricates the glass. The artisan may also install the glass into the wall to ensure proper handling and support.
ART GLASS WALL—SECTION
7.132
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
ART GLASS WALL—ELEVATION
7.133
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 129
OPERATING WINDOWS
DEFINITIONS
• Borrowed light: An interior wall opening or window that allows
light to be transferred into another space
• Clerestory: The portion of a wall above an adjacent roof level;
also, a fixed or operable window located in this part of a wall
• Dormer: A vertical window set above the line of a sloped roof in
a small projecting space with triangular side walls
• Internal dormer: A vertical window set below the line of a
sloped roof
• Mullion: A slender vertical member separating lights, sashes,
windows, or doors
• Muntin: A nonstructural member separating panes within a
sash; also called glazing bar or sash bar
• Oriel window: A bay window supported by brackets, corbelling,
or cantilevers
• Ribbon window: A horizontal band of fixed or operable windows
extending across a significant portion of the facade
• Sash: The basic unit of a window, consisting of frame, glazing,
and gasketing; may be stationary or operable
• Window wall: A continuous series of fixed or operable sashes,
separated by mullions that form an entire non-load-bearing wall
surface
WINDOW EGRESS REQUIREMENTS
When required for egress, such as in sleeping areas in residences,
windows must meet the following criteria:
1. Clear opening per sash must be a minimum of 5.7 sq ft (0.5 sq
m).
2. Bars, grilles, or screens must be releasable from inside without
use of tools or key.
3. Windows opening onto fire escapes have additional requirements; refer to codes.
4. Check with manufacturers for integral release hardware options
for awning, casement, pivot, or other windows.
5. Double-hung window units with fully removable sash that do not
require special tools, force, or knowledge to operate may offer
greater flexibility in unit selection to meet size requirements for
egress openings; verify with manufacturers and code officials.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
WINDOW TYPES AND FRAMES
WINDOW OPERATION TYPES
7.134
PARTS OF A WINDOW
7.135
WINDOW EGRESS REQUIREMENTS
7.136
Source: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts.
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RESIDENTIAL WOOD WINDOW HEAD DETAIL
7.137
RESIDENTIAL WOOD WINDOWSILL DETAIL
7.139
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 131
HINGED SWINGING DOOR
7.140
SLIDING POCKET DOOR
7.141
RESIDENTIAL WOOD WINDOW JAMB DETAIL
7.138
INTERIOR DOORS
SELECTION AND SPECIFICATION OF
INTERIOR DOORS
Basic interior door types include hinged swinging, sliding pocket,
folding, pivoted, bypass, and accordion doors. Standard materials
for interior doors include solid core and hollow wood, hollow metal
(steel), aluminum, and glass.
Interior doors can be sophisticated, complicated pieces of equipment. For example, automatic doors require power mechanisms
and controls; acoustical doors often use automatic door bottoms
that seal the door undercut as the door is closed; a coordinator
may be required to ensure that the inactive leaf of a pair of doors
closes before the active leaf. Consultants are often required to
ensure the proper selection and specification of interior doors.
TYPES OF DOORS
HINGED SWINGING DOORS
Hinged swinging doors are the most common type of door. They are
easy to install and the most convenient type of door to use but
require space for the door swing. They are available in a wide
range of materials and finishes, with multiple hardware options.
Fire-rated hinged swinging doors are available. Edges are easily
sealed to prevent the passage of smoke, light, or sound.
SLIDING POCKET DOORS
A sliding pocket door is hung on a track and slides into a space
within the width of the partition. No operating space is required for
a door swing. Sliding pocket doors are relatively inexpensive.
However, they are awkward for frequent use, difficult to seal
against light or sound, and cannot be used as an exit door.
Contributors:
John F. Kaulbach, AIA, Kling, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
John Carmody, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Stephen Selkowitz, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley,
California.
Daniel F. C. Hayes, AIA, Washington, DC.
SLIDING POCKET DOOR DETAIL
7.142
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
FOLDING DOORS
BYPASS DOORS
BIFOLD DOORS
A folding door consists of hinged door panels that slide on an overhead track. This uses minimum operating space. Folding doors are
often used as closet doors or as a visual screen to other spaces.
They may be awkward to use and cannot be used as an exit door.
Lower quality folding doors are prone to jumping their tracks.
Bypass doors are hung on a track; heavy doors may slide on a track
in the floor. No operating space is required. Bypass doors are generally used for closet doors. They are difficult to seal, awkward for
frequent use, and cannot be used as an exit door.
Bifold doors are wood or metal door pairs hinged together with pivots at the jamb. Track-guided hangers/trolleys allow the doors to
fold against each other when they open. Lower quality bifold doors
may tend to jump their tracks. Bifold doors require less floor space
than swing doors, but the thickness of the door panels reduces the
clear opening.
FOLDING DOOR
7.143
PIVOTED DOORS
Pivoted doors are center hung or offset hung, or balanced pivot
hardware may be required. Center-hung pivots allow the door to
swing in both directions. This style minimizes the appearance of
hardware, especially if center-hung pivots are used. Pivoted door
hardware has the capacity to support a large, heavy door. Balanced
doors require less space to operate and take less effort to open.
They may be used for concealed doors.
PIVOTED DOOR
7.144
BYPASS DOOR
7.145
BIFOLD DOOR
7.147
SURFACE SLIDING DOORS
Surface sliding doors, such as barn doors, slide on the surface of a
partition. They are used in offices with movable walls and for meeting rooms where a wider opening is desired and where the door
remains open or closed for longer periods of time.
Hardware for doors that are hung on the wall surface and mounted to slide across an opening is variously called barn door, industrial, sliding, or heavy-duty door hardware. Flat-track barn door
hardware consists of a wheel mounted on a strap that curves over
a horizontal surface-mounted track. Barn door hardware is used
for barns and stables but comes in a variety of designs that are
suitable for office and residential use.
Some surface sliding door systems come with floor-mounted
rollers. Ceiling- and soffit-mounted systems are available, some
with curved tracks.
OTHER DOOR TYPES
Other door types include overhead coiling and revolving doors.
Performance-based interior door types that are integrated into
openings of compatible performance include fire-rated, acoustical,
security, and ballistic threat-resisting doors.
Storefront, automatic-opening, and overhead coiling doors are
commonly provided as complete systems that are integrated into
the design.
DOOR HANDING
FLAT-TRACK BARN DOOR HARDWARE
7.146
The hand, or the handing, of a door refers to the standard method
of describing the way a door swings. Handing is used in the industry to communicate how a door swings and the kind of hardware
that must be supplied for a specific opening. Some hardware is
specific to the hand of the door due to the bevel on the strike side
of the door. Hardware that works on any hand of door is called
reversible or nonhanded.
Handing is determined by standing on the outside of the door looking at the door. If the door hinges on the left and swings away, it is
a left-hand door.
The corridor side is considered the outside of a room door, as is the
lobby side of a door opening into a room or the room side of a closet door. When the distinction between outside and inside is not
clear, the outside is considered the side of the door where the
hinge is located.
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DOOR HANDING
7.148
DOOR-OPENING COMPONENTS
7.149
WOOD STOPS
7.150
DOOR OPENINGS
Most swinging doors arrive from the manufacturer with the door
frame included. However, doorways may be left open without a
door, or doors may be retrofitted into existing openings. The framing of the doorway provides support for the door and its opening.
The trim (casing ) covers frame components and the edges of finish
materials, and supports the style of the space.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 133
The single-acting door, the most common door type, has a leaf that
operates in a swinging or sliding motion in only one direction.
Double-acting doors have a leaf that operates in two directions.
There is usually no stop present to restrict the motion of the door,
but when the door does have a stop, it can be released mechanically to permit access in an emergency.
FRAME OPENING TYPES
7.151
A balanced door is a single-action swinging door mounted on offset pivots. The leaf operates independently of the jamb, and the
elliptical trajectory of the leaf requires less clear floor space than
a conventional swinging door.
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SINGLE-ACTING DOOR
7.152
DOUBLE-ACTING DOOR
7.153
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
DEFINITIONS
• Casing : The finished, often decorative framework around a door
opening
• Double-egress door : A pair of doors within a single special
frame that swing in opposite directions to allow emergency
egress from either side; typically used where a fire or smoke
partition crosses a corridor
• Fire-door assembly : Any combination of a fire door, frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a specific
degree of fire protection
• Fire exit hardware : Panic hardware that is listed for use on firedoor assemblies
• Head : The horizontal portion of a door frame above the door
opening
• Jamb : The vertical members at the sides of a door opening
• Labeled: Equipment, products, or materials marked with the
label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an approved testing
organization that indicates compliance with standards for manufacture and testing
• Listed : Equipment, devices, materials, or services included in a
list published by a testing agency that have been shown to meet
applicable standards for use in fire-rated assemblies or that
have been tested and found suitable for use for a specified purpose
• Panic hardware : A door-latching assembly incorporating a
device that releases the latch upon the application of a force in
the direction of egress travel
• Prehung door : A door and frame combination fabricated and
assembled by the manufacturer and shipped to the site
• Sill : The horizontal members at the bottom of a door opening
• Undercut : The space between the bottom edge of a door and the
sill or threshold
PARTS OF A DOOR
7.156
DOOR NOMENCLATURE
7.155
ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
BALANCED DOOR
7.154
Door accessibility requirements are outlined below. For more information, consult the A2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
and ICC/ANSI A 117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and
Facilities, for additional requirements.
• For opening width compliance, use doors 3 ft (914 mm) wide.
• Kick plates are recommended on outside surface of doors along
accessible routes.
• Maximum opening force for interior hinged doors, sliding, and
folding doors is 5.0 lb (22.2 N). Minimum opening force for fire
doors is regulated by the local authority having jurisdiction.
• Door closing speed must be a minimum of five seconds from an
open position of 90° to an open position of 12°.
CLEAR WIDTH OF ACCESSIBLE DOORWAYS
7.157
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ACCESSIBLE DOOR FEATURES
7.158
STANDARD DOOR AND DOOR CLEARANCE
7.160
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 135
DOOR SIZES
Both wood and hollow metal doors are available in a variety of
standard widths. Custom doors can be made in any size, but, in
general, it is best to specify standard-width doors and vary the
height when ordering custom sizes.
Most door manufacturers do not offer a warranty if maximum
heights are exceeded.
STANDARD DOOR SIZES
7.161
ACCESSIBLE DOOR
7.159
WOOD DOORS
FACE MATERIAL
Wood doors are available with face materials of wood veneer, composite veneer, high-density plastic laminate, medium-density overlay, and hardboard. Veneers may be rotary cut, plain sliced, quarter sliced, or rift cut, and may be matched with random, slip, and
book-matched methods.
• Composite veneers are manufactured by slicing sustainably
grown hardwoods and then vat dying and pressing them into
new, composite manufactured logs. The composite logs are then
sliced to form new veneers that replicate other natural woods.
By using various colors of natural veneers and slicing angles of
the composite log, a nearly unlimited number of simulated wood
species and veneer patterns can be created. These veneers can
be applied to doors in the same way as natural veneers.
• Plastic laminate veneers provide a durable surface with hundreds of available colors and patterns.
• Medium-density overlay (MDO) faces are used to provide a
smooth, paintable surface that resists grain raising and moisture. For this reason, they are often used for exterior doors.
• Hardboard is used with three-ply construction for interior doors
that are to be painted and as a lower-cost option to MDO.
CORE TYPES
Hollow-core doors are typically used in residential construction
and for commercial doors subject only to light use. Institutional
hollow-core doors, with heavier stiles and rails and with additional blocking, have increased strength and resistance to warping, but
may cost as much as some solid-core doors.
Solid-core doors are more secure, more durable, more resistant to
warping, and allow less acoustical transmission. They are used in
most institutional and commercial projects.
Contributors:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Daniel F. C. Hayes, AIA, Washington, DC.
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HOLLOW CORE
7.162
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
PARTICLEBOARD CORE
7.163
MINERAL COMPOSITION CORE
7.164
WOOD DOOR TYPES
Wood door types include flush, panel, sash, louvered, Dutch, and
French. Flush doors are the most common type for both commercial and residential work. Dutch doors are designed so that the top
half can open while keeping the bottom closed, and may have a
transaction shelf. Louvered doors permit air to circulate, but also
allow sounds to pass. French doors are often used in pairs at residential patios.
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WOOD DOOR TYPES
7.165
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 137
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STILE AND RAIL DOORS
Panel doors consist of a framework of vertical (stile) and horizontal (rail ) members that hold solid wood or plywood panels, glass
lights, or louvers in place.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
STILE AND RAIL—RAISED PANEL
7.168
WOOD SLATS
7.169
The doors are made of solid or built-up stiles, rails, and vertical
members (muntins ), typically doweled according to applicable
standards. Stock material includes ponderosa pine, fir, hemlock, or
spruce and hardwood veneers. Hardboard, metal, and plastic facings are available in various patterns.
STILE AND RAIL TERMINOLOGY
7.166
DOOR GLAZING
Most building codes require all glass in doors to be safety glazed.
Insulated safety glazing is available for increased thermal or
acoustical performance.
Glazing core and edge strip materials are similar to those used in
flush doors. Face veneer is typically hardwood at 1/8 in. (3 mm)
minimum thickness. Typical profiles used for glazing trim work
include cove, bead, or ovolo.
PANELS
Flat panels are typically three-ply hardwood or softwood. Raised
panels are constructed of solid hardwood or softwood built up of
two or more plies. Doors 1 ft 6 in. (457 mm) wide or less are one
panel wide.
STILE AND RAIL DOOR DETAILS
7.167
SINGLE-RABBET FRAME WITHOUT CASING
7.170
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HIDDEN DOOR
7.171
HOLLOW METAL DOORS
DOOR TYPES
Hollow metal doors are doors constructed from sheet steel
attached to various types of cores. They are used in steel frames,
also constructed of sheet steel bent into various profiles.
HOLLOW METAL DOOR CONSTRUCTION—FULL
FLUSH
7.174
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 139
STANDARD HOLLOW METAL DOOR SIZES
7.176
STANDARD HEIGHTS
STANDARD
WIDTHS
1-3/4-IN. (44 MM)
DOORS
1-3/8-IN. (35 MM)
DOORS
2-0 (610 mm)
6-8 (2,032 mm)
6-8 (2,032 mm)
2-4 (711 mm)
7-0 (2,134 mm)
7-0 (2,134 mm)
2-6 (762 mm)
7-2 (2,184 mm)
7-2 (2,184 mm)
2-8 (813 mm)
2-10 (864 mm)
3-0 (914 mm)
3-4 (1,016 mm)
3-6 (1,067 mm)
3-8 (1,118 mm)
3-10 (1,168 mm)
4-0 (1,219 mm)
7-10 (2,388 mm)
8-0 (2,438 mm)
STEEL DOOR TYPES
7.177
SLIDING POCKET DOOR
7.172
HOLLOW METAL DOOR CONSTRUCTION—SEAMLESS
7.175
BYPASS DOOR
7.173
STANDARD HOLLOW METAL DOOR
SIZES
Custom doors can be manufactured to nearly any practical size;
however, standard widths should be used whenever possible.
NOMENCLATURE LETTER SYMBOLS
F
T
E
TE
L
LL
V
VL
Contributor:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Flush
Textured
Embossed
Textured and embossed
Louvered (top or bottom)
Louvered (top and bottom)
Vision light
Vision light and louvered
N
NL
GL
G
Narrow light
Narrow light and louvered
Half glass and louvered
Half glass (several options
available)
FG Full glass
FG3 Full glass, three panes
FL Full louver
D Dutch door
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STANDARD STEEL DOOR GRADES AND MODELS
7.178
FULL FLUSH OR SEAMLESS
LEVEL
1
TYPE
Standard duty
MODEL
MSG NO.
IP INCHES
SI MM
1
20
0.032
0.8
Full flush
18
0.042
1.0
Full flush
16
0.053
1.3
Full flush
2
2
Heavy duty
1
3
Extra heavy duty
1
Seamless
2
Seamless
2
Seamless
3
4
Maximum duty
1
CONSTRUCTION
Stile and rail
14
0.067
1.6
2
Full flush
Seamless
Source: SDI-108, Steel Door Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.
CORE CONSTRUCTION
Four types of cores are commonly used for hollow metal doors:
honeycomb, steel stiffeners, foam plastic, and mineral board:
STANDARD HOLLOW METAL FRAMES
7.179
• Honeycomb cores: These are made from heavy kraft paper
formed into hexagonal cells ranging from 1/2 in. (13 mm) to
about 1 in. (25 mm) in size. The core is impregnated with phenolic resin to resist moisture, mildew, and vermin.
• Steel-stiffened cores: These are used in doors as vertical stiffeners spaced between 4 and 6 in. (102 and 152 mm). Cavities in
between are usually filled with fiberglass insulation. Steel-stiffened cores are used primarily for exterior doors, where high
rigidity is important.
• Foam plastic cores: These cores are filled with either polystyrene or polyurethane, both highly insulating material.
Polystyrene is used for typical exterior doors, and polyurethane
is used where extreme protection from frigid cold is important.
Both insulation types melt at relatively low temperatures, which
may prevent using a factory-applied, hot baked-on paint system.
• Mineral cores: These are constructed with a fire-resistive material similar to gypsum board. Mineral cores are used on labeled
doors where a temperature-rise limit is required.
HOLLOW METAL FRAMES
FRAME TYPES
Door frames can be factory or field assembled. All frames must be
adequately anchored at the jambs and floor according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Light-gauge metal frames are constructed of head and jamb members, with or without a transom panel, of aluminum (45-minute
maximum rating) or light-gauge steel (1.5-hour maximum rating).
They consist of a single frame that slips over the partition.
Separate casing trim pieces are then snapped onto the edges of
the frames. These frames are available in 18-, 20-, and 22-gauge
thicknesses.
Pressed steel (hollow metal ) frames have head and jamb members, with or without solid or glazed transoms or sidelights, of 18gauge or heavier steel (3-hour maximum rating). This frame is
required for most metal doors.
Steel frames are generally made from one piece of sheet steel bent
into the required profile in either a double-rabbet or a single-rabbet configuration. These frames are available in 12-, 14-, 16-, and
18-gauge thicknesses.
BUTT AND WRAPAROUND FRAMES
For butt or flush frames:
• Use anchors appropriate for the type of wall construction; a
minimum of three per jamb is required.
• Grout frame with mortar or plaster as used in wall.
• Caulk frame at wall.
• Trim may be used to cover joint at wall line.
BUTT FRAME/FLUSH FRAME
7.180
NOTE
7.178 Stiles and rails are 16 gauge; flush panels, when specified, are 18
gauge.
7.180 Dimension A is a minimum of 3 in. (76 mm) in area of pull or knob
hardware. Check dimension B on hinge side for door swing greater than
90°.
For wraparound frames, the basic wall dimension is less than the
throat opening dimension. Use anchors appropriate for the type of
wall construction; a minimum of three per jamb is required. Fill the
frame with mortar or plaster as used in the wall. Grout a frame
installed at a masonry wall.
WRAPAROUND FRAME
7.181
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 141
STOREFRONT FRAMING
STANDARD STEEL FRAME
7.182
Storefront framing consists of extruded aluminum sections assembled to form door and glazed openings. It is similar to aluminum
door frames and partition systems, except it is designed for exterior applications and does not accommodate gypsum wallboard
partitions. It is often used for interior applications if exterior framing has to be matched or when partition system framing does not
provide the necessary size, finish, or profiles available in storefront
systems.
The height of entrance doors is typically 7 ft (2,134 mm). Typical
door widths are 3 ft (914 mm), a pair of 2 ft 6 in. (762 mm), and a
pair of 3 ft (914 mm).
ALUMINUM DOOR FRAMES AND
PARTITIONS
used as part of a partition system that includes sidelight framing,
partition supports, and base trim.
Aluminum door frames and partition systems are often used in
place of wood or hollow metal frames because of their crisp, sharp
corners and available finishes or because they can match the
shape and finish of exterior storefront or curtain wall systems.
Aluminum door frames can be used alone, but are most typically
Aluminum door frames and interior window framing can be used in
standard metal stud framed walls. Some manufacturers integrate
them into a demountable or movable partition system, where prefinished gypsum wallboard panels are attached to aluminum tracks
and connectors.
TYPICAL ALUMINUM FRAME
7.183
Contributor:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
GLASS DOOR PARTS
7.185
TYPICAL STOREFRONT
7.184
GLASS DOOR SECTION
7.186
GLASS DOORS
Glass doors are constructed primarily of glass, with fittings to hold
the pivots and other hardware. Their strength depends on the glass
rather than on the framing. Glass doors are generally constructed
of 1/2- or 3/4-in. (13 or 19 mm) tempered glass.
Glass doors may be installed within an opening or as part of an allglass entrance system. If used alone, glass doors may be set within
a wall opening with or without a frame, or they can be installed
between glass sidelights. The same type of fitting used on the door
is generally used for the sidelights. Although jamb frames of aluminum, wood, or ornamental metal can be used, they are not necessary, and the glass sidelights can be butted directly to the partition.
The minimum configuration for a glass door requires some type of
door pull and a corner fitting at the top and bottom (sometimes
called the shoe) to hold the pivots. Some manufacturers provide
hinge fittings that clamp on the glass and support the door in much
the same way as a standard hinged door.
If the door is used for egress, the local building code may require the
use of special hardware that allows the door to be locked from the
outside, but still allows the door to be unlatched and opened from
the inside with a single push on a push bar. Glass doors are heavy
and may require a power operator or a balanced door system.
ALL-GLASS ENTRANCES
All-glass entrances, commonly used for interior storefronts,
include glass doors and surrounding glazing that does not use visible framing members. Instead, special fittings are used to clamp
adjacent glass pieces together and to support the glass doors. The
glass, typically 1/2 or 3/4 in. (13 or 19 mm) thick, is installed in
channels set in the floor and above the ceiling. Glass fins, for additional lateral support, may be placed perpendicular to the main
glass plane and attached with silicone sealant.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 143
OTHER DOOR TYPES
GLASS DOOR INSTALLATIONS
7.187
AUTOMATIC DOORS
Automatic door operators open and close doors upon activation of
a manual or automatic device. They are commonly used for accessible entrances and other doors where hands-free operation is
desired. They can control swinging, sliding, and folding doors.
MANUAL ACTIVATION
Manual activation devices include push-buttons, push plates, pull
cords, radio controls, and elbow switches. These are available as
inset- or surface-mounted controls. Elbow switches should be
mounted 43 in. (1,092 mm) above the floor.
AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION
Automatic devices use photocells, contact mats, or motion detection equipment. Photocells detect the interruption of a light beam
near the door and direct the controls to open the door. Contact
mats are surface mounted or recessed in the floor in front of the
door. Pressure exerted on the mat activates the door-opening controls. When mats are used for double doors, a safety mat should be
used on the swing side of the doors. Motion detection equipment
uses microwaves or infrared beams to detect movement and the
presence of people.
Automatic door operators may be used to open standard wood or
metal doors provided by another manufacturer, or may be supplied
as a complete package that includes doors, operators, controls,
and other accessories.
GLASS DOOR CONFIGURATIONS
7.188
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver,
Colorado.
Tom Bader, AIA, Wheeler Kearns Architects, Chicago, Illinois.
TYPICAL ALL-GLASS ENTRANCE
7.189
AUTOMATIC DOOR
7.190
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DOOR HARDWARE
COMMON DOOR HARDWARE TERMS
• Cylinder (of a lock) : A cylindrical-shaped assembly containing
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the tumbler mechanism and the keyway, which can be actuated
only by the correct keys
Deadbolt (of a lock) : A lock bolt having no spring action or bevel,
and which is operated by a key or turnpiece
Door bolt : A manually operated rod or bar attached to a door,
providing a means of locking
Doorstop : A device to stop the swing or movement of a door at
a certain point
Electric strike : An electrical device that permits releasing of the
door from a remote control
Exit device : A door-locking device that grants instant exit when
someone presses a crossbar to release the locking bolt or latch
Flush bolt : A door bolt set flush with the face or edge of the door
Lockset : A lock, complete with trim such as handles,
escutcheons, or knobs
Mortise : A cavity made to receive a lock or other hardware
Mortise lock (or latch): A lock designed to be installed in a mortise rather than applied to the door’s surface
Rabbet : The abutting edges of a pair of doors or windows,
shaped to provide a tight fit
Reversible lock : A lock that, by reversing the latch bolt, may be
used for any door handing
Rose : A trim plate attached to the door under the handle, sometimes acting as a handle bearing
Strike : A metal plate or box that is pierced or recessed to
receive the bolt or latch when projected; sometimes called the
keeper
Page 144
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
A complete lockset for an entrance door handle includes a mortise
lock, a handle outside, and a knob and rose inside.
Accessible doors require lever hardware; knobs do not meet these
requirements.
Double push-pull bars may be used on the pull side of single-acting
doors or on either side of double-acting doors.
DOOR HARDWARE LOCATIONS
7.192
LATCH AND LOCK TYPES
Based on use characteristics, there are four main types of latches
and locks:
• Passage: Latches can be operated by a handle from either side
at all times.
• Privacy: The outside handle is locked by a push-button inside (or
if a deadbolt latch, by a turn) and unlocked by an emergency key
outside.
• Entry: The outside handle is made inoperative by mechanical
means, other than a key, on the inside. The latch bolt is operated by a key in the outside handle or by manual means at the
inside handle.
• Classroom: The outside handle is locked from the outside by a key.
When the outside handle is locked, the latch bolt may be retracted by a key from the outside or by rotating the inside handle.
In all cases, the latch bolt can be operated by a handle from either
side.
A mortise bolt is a miniature deadlock, with the bolt projected or
retracted by a turn of the small knob.
Face the outside of the door to determine its hand. The outside of
the door is the key side, or the side that would be secured should
a lock be used. This would usually be the exterior of an entrance
door or the corridor side of an office door.
BOLT MECHANISMS
7.191
DOOR HINGES
ELEMENTS OF A HINGE
7.193
DOOR OPENING HARDWARE
DOORKNOBS, HANDLES, PLATES, AND BARS
7.194
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 145
FINISHES FOR ARCHITECTURAL
HARDWARE
LOCK TYPES
7.195
Metals commonly used in architectural hardware are brass,
bronze, iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and zinc. The properties of stainless steel, including rust resistance, easy maintenance,
and high-luster finish, make it highly suitable for architectural
hardware. Aluminum is often alloyed with other metals and can be
used instead of cast iron for applications such as doorstops,
handrail brackets, and hooks. Forged iron is often used for special
decorative trim, such as early-American hand-forged pieces. When
selecting metals and their finishes, factors to consider are rust
resistance, durability, and appearance.
• Natural finishes have the color of the base metal and are low
luster (satin finish) or high luster (polished finish).
• Antiqued and distressed finishes are used to give the appearance of an antique.
• Oil-rubbed bronze produces a dark, oxidized finish.
• Common plated finishes are chromium or brass, bronze, and
nickel plating.
Matching door hardware finishes with other components of a project may be required. One method to ensure a close match is to
specify the actual metal alloy number to be provided for plated finishes, for example, UNS No. C32000 for brass (leaded red brass).
This method is, however, more costly than using manufacturer’s
standard finishes, and may not be available for some types of door
hardware. Further, even if the metal alloy of a plated finish matches, if the underlying base metal is not the same, the finished
appearance will be slightly different. Whether you are matching finishes or just referencing Builders Hardware Manufacturers
Association (BHMA) finish numbers, verify the actual finish by
requesting samples from manufacturers. Match plate samples for
some finishes are available from BHMA.
DOOR CLOSERS
When properly installed and adjusted, a door closer should control
the door throughout the opening and closing swings. It combines
three basic components:
PRIVACY LOCK
7.196
For lavatory or other privacy doors:
• Either lever operates latch bolt (except when outside lever is
locked by inside push-button).
• Button automatically releases by turning inside lever or closing
door.
• Door can be unlocked, when necessary, by operating outside
turn button.
• No emergency key is required.
• Inside lever is always active.
Contributors:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
DOOR CONTROL
Door control, in the main, involves locks such as the following:
• Electric strike: This lock provides remote release of a locked
door without retracting the latch bolt by releasing the electric
strike lip, sometimes called a keeper or gate. When the door
closes, the beveled latch bolt rides over the lip and falls into the
strike pocket. Keeping the handle on the secure side free to turn
allows free egress from that side.
• Electrified mortise lock: This is a standard mortise lock that has
been modified so that the ability to turn the handle can be controlled electrically. The unsecure side of the door can be electrically or manually controlled.
• Electromagnetic locks: There are two varieties of electromagnetic locks: standard and shear. The standard electromagnetic
lock can only be used on doors that swing in one direction.
Electromagnetic locks fail safe (unlock when not powered) and
provide a holding force of 600 to 1,650 lb (272 to 748 kg). A
shear lock is an electromagnetic lock fully concealed in the door
and header or frame. It can be used on bidirectional doors. It
fails safe and has a holding force of up to 2,700 lb (1,225 kg).
• Electrified exit devices (panic bars): These are standard panic
bars modified to allow electrical control from the unsecured
side. They are manufactured with a rim device, a mortise lock, or
a vertical rod device. Vertical rod devices are typically used
where there is no mullion to accept a latch bolt. The secure side
must always be mechanical, to allow unimpeded egress, or have
a release mechanism nearby.
• A power source, to close a door
• A checking source, to control the rate at which the door closes
• A connecting component such as an arm that transmits the closing force from the door to the frame
Additional features also available in many types of closers include
back check, delayed action, adjustable spring power, and a variety
of hold-open functions (regular, fusible link, and hospital).
A full range of closer sizes are available to suit various door dimensions, locations, and job conditions. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be considered carefully.
Closers with delayed-action features give a person more time to
maneuver through doorways. They are particularly useful on
frequently used interior doors such as entrances to toilet rooms.
The ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines require a closing speed of at
least 3 seconds; ANSI requires 5 seconds. Adjustable speed
controls are available.
Door closers may be surface mounted or concealed in the door,
frame, or floor. There are three places to mount surface closers:
hinge side, parallel arm, and top jamb. A wide variety of brackets,
including corner and soffit types, are available to meet varying
door and frame conditions.
Surface-mounted and concealed-in-door closers are used exclusively for single-acting doors; floor closers and frame-concealed
closers may be used for either single- or double-acting doors.
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7.197
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION CO MPO N E N T S
CONCEALED DOOR CLOSERS
7.198
EXIT DEVICES
Door exit devices are characterized by a bar across the width of
the door’s interior surface, which reacts to pressure from an exiting person. They are designed to allow a person egress without the
use of hands. Exit devices can be designed to lock on the exterior
and to sound an alarm when opened from inside.
Panic hardware is a door-latching assembly that incorporates a
device that releases the latch upon the application of a force in
the direction of egress travel
Fire exit hardware is panic hardware that is listed for use on
fire-door assemblies.
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INT E R IO R CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 147
PANIC HARDWARE
7.199
THRESHOLDS
Threshold profiles vary among manufacturers. The standard length
is 18 to 20 ft (5.5 to 6 m), or thresholds may be cut to size. A 1/4or 1/2-in. (6- or 13-mm) offset allows a lower exterior surface and
resulting improved resistance to water penetration. Assembled
thresholds combine components to allow saddles to be made to
any width; joints will not show, as the fluting pattern is identical.
TYPICAL ASSEMBLED THRESHOLDS
7.201
LEVEL BEARING THRESHOLD
7.200
ACCESSIBLE THRESHOLDS
Level changes at thresholds up to 1/4 in. (6 mm) may be vertical,
without edge treatment. Level changes between 1/4 and 1/2 in. (6
and 13 mm) must be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. An
abrasive finish is recommended for the threshold surface.
Thresholds are typically limited to 1/2-in. (38-mm) maximum
heights. However, some standards allow a 3/4-in. (19-mm) height
beveled at a 1:2 maximum slope for existing or altered thresholds
and patio sliding doors in some dwelling units.
Contributors:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
Tim Shea, AIA, Richard Meier & Partners Architects, Los Angeles,
California.
ACCESSIBLE THRESHOLDS
7.202
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THRESHOLDS AT CERAMIC TILE FLOOR
7.203
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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION COMPO N E N T S
BOTH DOORS SWINGING IN
7.206
• Pedestal systems are composed of either a threaded rod or a
telescoping tube, which supports the panel at the corners (or at
the edge of the floor perimeter). It is considered good practice
to adhere pedestal bases to the subfloor to resist horizontal
forces. This system can be adjusted to accommodate a lowheight requirement similar to the low-profile system described
previously.
There are two basic types of pedestal systems: stringerless and
stringer systems.
STRINGERLESS SYSTEMS
Stringerless systems consist of pedestals located so that each
pedestal head supports four panels at one of their corners.
Stringerless systems provide maximum access to the underfloor
cavity. Stringerless understructures can be less stable laterally
than those with stringers and are less capable of withstanding lateral forces from earthquakes and other sources.
DOOR OPENINGS FOR MEANS OF
EGRESS
Doors that can be used as a means of egress include the following:
ENTRANCES AND VESTIBULES
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES
According to the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines 2004, revolving
doors are not allowed to be part of an accessible route.
The distance between two hinged or pivoted doors in series, as in
an entry vestibule, are required to be a minimum of 48 in. (1,220
mm) plus the width of the doors swinging into the space.
DOORS SWINGING IN SAME DIRECTION
7.204
Two panel types are available for stringerless pedestal systems:
gravity-held and bolted-down panels.
RAISED FLOOR AT PERIMETER
7.207
• Revolving doors: These may be used if they do not supply more
than 50% of the egress capacity and if the leaves collapse under
opposing pressures with a resulting exit path at least 36 in. (914
mm) wide. At least one exit door must be located in close proximity.
• Power-operated doors: These may be used if they can be opened
manually in the event of a power failure with a maximum force
of 50 lb (222 N).
• Horizontal sliding doors: These may be used if they comply with
eight criteria, including the capability to be operated manually in
the event of a power failure with no special effort or knowledge.
• Access-controlled doors: These may be used if they comply with
six criteria. Refer to the IBC for additional information.
• Security grilles: These may be used if they do not provide more
than 50% of the required egress and if they remain open during
the time the space is occupied.
Refer to national, local, and accessibility codes for details.
RAISED FLOOR CONSTRUCTION
RAISED ACCESS FLOORS
BOTH DOORS SWINGING OUT
7.205
Access flooring consists of panels and an understructure system.
This system creates a chase underneath the floor for wires, cables,
and, in some cases, an air distribution plenum. Access flooring systems are often used in general offices, data centers, computer
rooms, and cleanrooms. Multilevel access flooring systems are
available that incorporate two or more continuous cavities beneath
the floor panels to house wireways and an air distribution plenum.
Some of the benefits of an access flooring system are:
ACOUSTICAL PERFORMANCE
• Complete flexibility for air distribution and electrical/data connectivity
• Improved energy efficiency and lower building operational costs
due to the ease of reconfiguration
• Greater end user productivity due to individual temperature control
• Reduced construction time
UNDERSTRUCTURES
UNDERSTRUCTURE TYPES
There are two types of access flooring understructures: low-profile
systems and pedestal systems.
• Low-profile systems provide a low-height access floor, typically
less than 4 in. (102 mm). Spaced plastic or metal supports incorporate cable management systems and provide support at regular intervals across the panel. Typically provided by a furniture
manufacturer, this system can be used in both new and existing
buildings; however, it is most commonly used in existing buildings that are under renovation to minimize the effect on the finished floor to finished ceiling distance.
Contributor:
Daniel F. C. Hayes, AIA, Washington, DC.
Jane Hansen, AIA, DeStefano & Partners, Chicago, Illinois.
Sara Bader, Gensler, Chicago, Illinois.
Tile Council of America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Airborne sound transmitted from one room to another through the
access flooring and the underfloor cavity is another consideration
when selecting a panel type and assembly for partitioned areas
requiring acoustical privacy. Currently, ASTM has formed a working
group to create a draft document for testing sound transmission in
access flooring assemblies, but it has not been released at this time.
Standard finished floor heights are available from 6 to 36 in. (152
to 914 mm).
Standard cornerlock pedestals are used to support floor panels for
6 to 30 in. (152 to 762 mm) finished floor heights by their corners.
Perimeter pedestal heads support panels that are used against a
perimeter wall, or where two different types of floors meet.
Pedestal bases should be at least 16 in. (406 mm) square.
Stringer grid patterns 2 by 2 ft (610 by 610 mm) provide the greatest accessibility for areas with frequent cable changes and additions. Grid patterns 2 by 4 ft (610 by 1,219 mm) and 4 by 4 ft (1,219
by 1,219 mm) are also available.
Plenum dividers may be located anywhere under the panel due to
the flat underside of the panel.
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ACCESS FLOORING UNDERSTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
7.208
THERMAL AND MOISTURE
PROTECTION
INTERIOR JOINT SEALANTS
Joint sealants occur at transitions between dissimilar materials
and at junctures within long runs of similar materials to control
cracking.
Four sealant types are popular for use in interiors:
• Silicone sealants are the most expensive and most durable and
have the best movement capability, but they are too soft for use
in floor joints.
SEALANT JOINT TYPES
7.209
NOTE
7.208 Apply pedestal adhesive between perimeter head and cut panel.
Contributors:
Kelly Hannon, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Sara Bader, Gensler, Chicago, Illinois.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 149
• Urethane sealants have good movement capability and cure harder than silicone. They resist penetration when used in floor joints.
• Latex sealants are inexpensive and are often used in applications with little movement or exposure to moisture.
• Synthetic rubber sealants are inexpensive, have good adhesion, and
remain permanently tacky. They have little movement capability.
MOVEMENT
If movement is expected in the joint, a bond breaker rod or tape
should be inserted under the sealant to prevent three-sided adhesion.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
I N T E R IO R FINISH E S
VISUAL DISPLAY SURFACES
Board surfaces are made of resilient, hard-coated polyester
mounted on an aluminum composite backboard. They are compatible with dry-erase markers, and are designed to be easy to clean.
CHALKBOARDS AND MARKERBOARDS
DRY-ERASE WALLCOVERINGS
Porcelain-enamel markerboards and chalkboards are composed
of a porcelain-enamel face sheet laminated to a stabilizing core
material with a moisture barrier backing. The backing sheet can be
aluminum foil, aluminum sheet, or galvanized steel sheet. The core
material can be 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick hardboard, 3/8 in. (10 mm)
thick particleboard, or fiberboard 3/8 or 1/2 in. (10 or 13 mm)
thick. Aluminum or wood frames and chalk trays can be factory or
field applied. Map rails and flag holders are also available.
Standard sizes are a maximum of 48 in. (1,220 mm) high and 16 ft
(4.8 m) long. Combination units that join markerboards, chalkboards, and tackboards in a variety of sizes and configurations
within a unifying frame provide versatility in classrooms and
meeting rooms.
Dry-erase wallcoverings are available in 75 to 100 ft (230 to 305 m)
flexible rolls 48 to 60 in. (1,220 to 1,525 mm) wide. A nonwoven
polyester cellulose backing is laminated to a pigmented vinyl with
a top surface of a thermoplastic film that permits it to be used as
a markerboard with dry-erase markers. Ferrous powder can be
added to the vinyl during the manufacturing process to produce a
magnetic surface. A thin, self-adhesive version is recommended
for resurfacing existing chalkboards for use as markerboards.
INTERIOR SPECIALTIES
Water-based and solvent-based paints that are made for use with
dry-erase markers are available in white and other colors. Acrylic
latex chalkboard paint for use with chalk is available in black.
To cover an entire wall, dry-erase wallcovering should be applied
horizontally (railroaded ) with the seams out of the main writing
and viewing areas of the wall. Seams are practically invisible when
double-cut. The standard roll length is 100 ft (30.5 m), except for
the grid surface, which is 98 ft (30 m), and the magnetic surface,
which is 75 ft (2.3 m).
INTERACTIVE MARKERBOARD
7.211
TACKBOARDS
Tackboards are available in a variety of surface materials and manufactured types. For stability, tackable surfaces are usually laminated to a substrate. Standard sizes, usually to a maximum of 48
in. (1,220 mm) high and 16 ft (5 m) long, are available from most
manufacturers. Wood or aluminum trim is available in various profiles. Tackable surfaces include the following:
• Natural cork: Self-healing, resilient surface in a soft, light-brown
color. For tackboards, 1/4-in. (6-mm) thickness is the most common.
• Plastic-impregnated cork: Integrally colored natural cork that has
been treated with binders, impregnated with plastic, and surface sprayed with a plastic coating that provides a washable,
durable surface. Usually 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick and laminated to a
burlap backing. A variety of colors are available.
• Vinyl fabric: Type II, medium-duty vinyl fabric.
• Fiberboard: Recycled wood fibers are compressed without
formaldehyde-containing adhesives into panels with heavyweight jute fabric (burlap) coverings. These acoustically absorptive panels are paintable.
INTERIOR SIGNAGE
Interior signage is a critical element in the success of interior
spaces. Signage is used as a means of wayfinding, where users are
provided with a system of navigational cues to guide them through
an architectural environment. Interior signage is the most important component of this navigation system, used for information,
direction, destination identification, and depiction of regulatory
conditions and emergency locations, such as stair exits.
INTERACTIVE MARKERBOARDS
Interactive markerboards are products on which touch recognition
software allows presenters to write with a variety of common
instruments, erase with the palm of their hand, and move objects
with a fingertip. Interactive whiteboards are undergoing rapid
development and becoming widely used by educational institutions
and businesses. They are available either alone or with integrated
short throw projectors positioned above the board. Control panels
may be integrated into the board or remotely located. Adjustable
mounts are available that facilitate use at a variety of heights.
Interior signs may be visual, tactile, digital, or a combination of multiple information techniques. Local codes and ADA Standards provide
information on regulated sign types.
CHALKBOARDS AND MARKERBOARDS
7.210
Interior signs may be freestanding, wall mounted, floor mounted,
or suspended from overhead ceilings or structures. Signs may be
framed or unframed, custom designed, and fabricated or specified
from a premanufactured modular sign product line.
SIGNAGE PROGRAMS
Successful interior sign programs are created based on a
recognizable signage hierarchy, with different levels and types of
signage determined by the decision points along the user’s
wayfinding path. A flow of information, from general to specific,
greatly assists the visitor in wayfinding.
Source: Walltalkers, Fairlawn, Ohio.
DRY-ERASE WALLCOVERING SEAM PLACEMENT
7.212
Source: Walltalkers, Fairlawn, Ohio.
Source: Walltalkers, Fairlawn, Ohio.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
SIGN CATEGORIES
Interior signs and graphics may be categorized into six basic types:
brand/identity, informational, directional, identification, regulatory,
and warning.
• Brand/identity signs and graphics, including company logos,
brand colors, patterns, and identity graphics, convey proprietary
corporate brand messaging.
• Informational (operational) signs, including lobby directories and
locator maps, provide general location and overall wayfinding
information and tell about an environment’s operations.
• Directional signs, such as office floor directories and corridor
directional signs, provide more specific local wayfinding information for areas or departments.
• Identification signs mark a point of arrival or entry (office, stair,
or amenity) and may feature changeable inserts if the room
occupant or function is temporary. Rooms and spaces having a
permanent function, such as restrooms and stairwells, are furnished with permanent graphic information. Local codes and
ADA requirements may determine sign types.
• Regulatory signs, such as fire egress maps, elevator lobby code
signs, and maximum occupancy signs, may be mandated by local
codes and regulatory agencies. Many regulation signs are
required to address life safety concerns. ADA requirements
apply to many regulation signs.
• Warning graphics, including policy signs and hazard markings on
interior glass walls or alarmed doors messages, may be mandated by local codes and regulatory agencies.
Two additional sign categories that may be considered for specific
applications are honorific, such as donor recognition signs or
installations, and interpretive, where signs and graphics describe
the meaning or history of an environment.
SIGNAGE SYSTEMS
Custom-designed signs require input from a sign designer, require
more up-front lead time for design, and may be more expensive to
manufacture than modular sign systems, but they allow a program
to be tailored to a client’s brand, space, and needs. The alternative
is selecting signs from a modular product line. Companies offer premanufactured signage systems that address the needs for moduWALL-MOUNTED CUSTOM SIGNS
7.213
larity, flexibility, and consistency within a family of signs, with quick
turnaround. Modular signage systems are available with changeable modular elements for flexibility and often include ADA signs.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 151
INTERNATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SYMBOLS
7.215
ACCESSIBLE SIGNAGE
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design establish guidelines for accessible signage. All signage required to be accessible
must meet these requirements, as well as any applicable local or
state accessibility standards.
ACCESSIBLE SIGN CATEGORIES
Accessible signs must be provided in permanent rooms and
spaces. Directional, informational, and overhead signs do not
require tactile and Braille lettering, but they must meet 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design criteria.
• Signs identifying rooms and spaces, whose function will not easily or readily change, must include tactile and Braille text. An
office identification sign with a temporary room occupant may
include a nonaccessible name plaque in addition to the accessible room identification sign.
• Wall-mounted signs that provide direction to or information
about functional spaces are not required to include tactile and
Braille lettering. However, they must meet requirements for
character proportion and height, sign finish, and contrast.
• Signs that are projected or suspended overhead must meet
requirements for clearance, character proportion and height,
sign finish, and contrast.
• Building directories, menus, and all other signs that provide
temporary information about rooms and spaces, such as the
current occupant’s name, are not required to comply with ADA
Standards.
"• Exit signs at doors at exit passageways, exit discharges, and exit
stairways must meet tactile requirements.
• Directional exit signs and signs at areas of refuge must comply
with requirements for visual characters and features.
Source: Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Washington, DC.
VOLUME-CONTROLLED TELEPHONE
7.216
ENTRANCES, RESTROOMS, AND BATHING
FACILITIES
The International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA, or “wheelchair symbol”) must be displayed at accessible facility entrances if all
entrances are not accessible. Directions must be provided from
inaccessible entrances to accessible ones. Similar guidelines apply
to restrooms and bathing facilities.
• Exit signs at doors at exit passageways, exit discharges, and exit
stairways must meet tactile requirements.
• Directional exit signs and signs at areas of refuge must comply
with requirements for visual characters and features.
PERMANENT ROOM SIGNS
ASSEMBLY AREAS
The International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss must be displayed where assistive listening systems are provided, along with
a description of the specific listening system.
AREAS OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE
WALL-MOUNTED UPDATABLE SIGNS
7.214
Areas of rescue assistance must be identified. If an illuminated exit
sign is present, an illuminated sign stating “Area of Rescue
Assistance,” including the ISA, is required. Instructions must be
posted within the area on how to use the area during emergencies.
Inaccessible exits must be identified, and signs are required to
direct visitors to accessible exits and areas of rescue assistance.
FIELD
•
•
•
•
•
Minimum height 5/8 in. (16 mm), uppercase
Tactile text, raised, minimum 1/32 in. (0.8 mm)
Sans serif or simple serif font
Characters must contrast with background
Grade 2 Braille
PERSONNEL NAME STRIPS
• As temporary signs, exempt from the ADA design guidelines
TYPICAL PERMANENT ROOM SIGN
7.217
PUBLIC TELEPHONES
Text telephones must be identified with the International
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) symbol. Volumecontrol telephones must be identified by the International Symbol
of Access for Hearing Loss.
Source: ASI-Modulex, Dallas, Texas.
Contributor:
Tom Horton, Gensler, San Francisco, California.
Source: ASI-Modulex, Dallas, Texas.
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RESTROOM SIGNS
Information on the nearest accessible restroom is required only
when not all restrooms are accessible.
INTERIOR F INISHES
HEIGHT OF TACTILE CHARACTERS ABOVE FINISH
FLOOR
7.220
SYMBOLS
Symbols, or pictograms, are used to identify amenities and services,
usually accompanied by the written description.
SYMBOLS
7.222
FIELD
• Minimum height 6 in. (152 mm)
• Pictogram border or background field
• Pictogram not required to be raised
ROOM DESIGNATION
•
•
•
•
•
Minimum height 5/8 in. (16 mm), uppercase
Tactile text, raised, minimum 1/32 in. (0.8 mm)
Sans serif or simple serif font
Text may not be within background field
Grade 2 Braille
TYPICAL RESTROOM SIGN
7.218
must be located between 48 and 60 in. (1,220 and 1,525 mm) above
the floor or ground. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
require tactile characters on signs to be located 48 in. (1,220 mm)
minimum above the finish floor, measured from the baseline of the
lowest tactile character, and 60 in (1,525 mm) maximum above the
floor, measured from the baseline of the highest tactile character.
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that a tactile sign at a door should be mounted alongside the door on the
latch side. For double doors with one active leaf, the sign should be
located on the inactive leaf; where both leaves are active, it should
be mounted to the right of the right-hand door. Signs may be located on the nearest adjacent wall where there is no wall space available on the latch side of a single door or to the right of a right-hand
door. Signs containing tactile characters should be located with a
clear floor space of 18 by 18 in. (455 by 455 mm) minimum, centered on the tactile characters, beyond the arc of any door swing
between the closed position and the 45° open position. Signs with
tactile characters are permitted on the push side of doors with
closers and without hold-open devices.
Source: ASI-Modulex, Dallas, Texas.
Many interior environments with kitchen or breakroom facilities
have recycling bins or cabinets that require labeling. Using pictograms is a way to provide quick recognition of the appropriate
recycling container, as silkscreen or vinyl applications.
RECYCLING SYMBOLS
7.223
SIGNAGE MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.221
OVERHEAD SIGNS
• Minimum height 3 in. (76 mm), uppercase
• Minimum 80 in. (2,032 mm) from underside of suspended or projecting sign to finished floor
TYPICAL OVERHEAD SIGN
7.219
SIGNAGE MATERIALS
Source: ASI-Modulex, Dallas, Texas.
EMERGENCY EGRESS SIGNS
Some local jurisdictions require additional signage to respond to
the need for improved egress and area identification in the event
of an emergency for buildings over three stories high. The sign
types listed here are in addition to the code-required signage for
these spaces:
Source: ASI-Modulex, Dallas, Texas.
TACTILE MESSAGES AND MOUNTING
HEIGHTS
Tactile messages with raised characters and Braille are required
on signs provided as permanent designations of rooms and spaces.
ANSI/ICCA117.1 allows either combined tactile/visual characters
or separate tactile characters with redundant visual characters.
Room numbers, room names, exit stairs, and restrooms are examples of spaces with “permanent” designations. Tactile characters
Contributors:
Tom Horton, Gensler, San Francisco, California.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland
•
•
•
•
•
•
Exit route toward stairwell entries
Stairwell identification
Additional area of rescue assistance identification
Elevator car identification
Evacuation floor plans with emergency equipment locations
Work space and office locator maps
DETECTABLE WARNINGS
Detectable warnings are required at passenger transit platforms
whose edges border a drop-off where no screen or guard is provided and on most curb ramps. The detectable warning should be a
strip of truncated domes, 24 in. (610 mm) wide, which contrasts
with the adjacent walking surface.
Signs are available in numerous materials and finishes. Typical
materials include:
• Photopolymer (for raised, tactile messages on ADA signs), in
varying colors
• Acrylic, natural and painted
• Metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper,
etc.), in varying finishes
• Glass
• Wood, natural and painted
• Solid surface materials and polymers
Operational signs, such as main lobby directories, are available as
illuminated and nonilluminated units, typically furnished with glass
or acrylic covers and metal frames or housings.
SIGNAGE GRAPHICS AND TEXT
Signage graphics and text vary based on the sign type, design, and
ADA requirements. Review overall sign types required for a project
to assess 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design or other regulations, which may affect signage graphics or text aesthetics. Sign
messages and graphics may be applied directly to interior archi-
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INTERIOR F INISHES
tectural surfaces, or contained on sign plaques or assemblies.
Typical applications include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Silk-screened graphics
Vinyl graphics
Digital imprinting on vinyl
Cast, etched, or paint-infilled metal
Sandblasted, silk-screened, or vinyl-applied glass
Fused materials
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Changeable signs typically require manual replacement of an insert
or other hard-copy text or graphic. Computer interfaces for signage
address the need for flexibility and changing information, mapping,
routing, and messages. They may be used at locations where 2010
ADA Standards for Accessible Design requirements for static signs
are not required, such as in main lobby directories or at information
booths at the entrance to conference rooms. Some sign systems
have video technology capabilities integrated into the sign system.
ELECTRONIC KIOSK
7.224
entirely from recycled materials, and innovative graphics application techniques provide more design opportunities for banner display constructions.
STANDARD BANNER FABRICS
Common fabrics used for banners include vinyl laminates, vinylcoated mesh, vinyl-coated polyester, acrylic-coated polyester,
nylon, solution-dyed acrylic, solution-dyed modacrylic, and spunbonded polyolefin. Metal and plastic pieces have been made into or
sewn onto banners for visual variety. Decorative elements, lighting,
and many other materials can be incorporated into banners.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 153
Chair rails were traditionally used to protect walls from chairs as
they were moved out from dining tables. They are used in restaurants to keep table edges and chair backs from damaging walls.
Residential chair rails are typically 32 in. (813 mm) above the finish floor, but can be placed higher or lower depending on furniture
dimensions. Chair rails are available in wood and synthetic materials in a wide variety of styles. They provide a visual separation
between the upper and lower wall, and can be used where two wall
finishes meet.
BUMPER GUARD
7.226
WALL AND DOOR PROTECTION
MATERIALS
Wall and door protection prevents damage from people kicking or
leaning on surfaces, from rolling carts and equipment, and from
maintenance equipment. Materials used to protect walls and doors
include:
• PVC plastic: This durable plastic is used for corner guards, crash
rails, rub rails, etc.
• Polycarbonate plastic sheet: Polycarbonate is used for wainscot.
• Aluminum extrusions: Aluminum is used for corner guards,
crash rails, rub rails, etc.
• Stainless steel: This durable metal is used for wainscot and for
corner guards, crash rails, rub rails, etc.
• Solid wood: Used for wainscot paneling or for corner guards,
crash rails, rub rails, etc., solid wood shows abuse but can be
refinished.
• Particleboard: This is used for wainscot (typically in dock areas),
but may show abuse.
CHAIR RAILS
7.227
WALL GUARDS AND CHAIR RAILS
Wall guards, panels, and trim are typically attached to a finished
wall surface with adhesive or screws. For all wall and corner guard
installations, it is important to provide backup blocking behind
areas where fasteners are attached; this is particularly necessary
for handrail-type guards.
Types include:
DIRECTORY AND INFORMATION KIOSKS
A common information sign feature used as an introduction to larger facilities with complex wayfinding challenges, multiple tenants,
or significant public access is a directory kiosk. These kiosks are
generally freestanding, but may also be wall mounted where there
are space constraints. Kiosks may incorporate static “You Are
Here” orientation maps (internally illuminated or nonilluminated),
tenant directories with modular message strips, video flat screens,
or electronic dynamic sign displays.
INTERIOR SIGNAGE INSTALLATION
Interior signage installation varies with the application, substrate
or mounting surface, sign weight, and other factors, which should
be reviewed with the signage manufacturer and installer. Signage
requiring mechanical fastenings may require additional blocking or
support to the wall surface to ensure stability. Consider sign
mounting with mechanical fasteners, if they can be integrated into
the look of the sign, to avoid the use of high-VOC glues and adhesives. Wall-mounting options for small signs include:
•
•
•
•
•
Mechanical fastening
Vinyl tape
Silicone adhesive
Velcro
Magnetic tape
BANNERS
TYPES
Traditionally, banners have been pole mounted, wall mounted, or
wall hung, similar to the way flags are displayed. Today, however,
the availability of a wide variety of banner fabrics, some made
Contributor:
Tom Horton, Gensler, San Francisco, California.
• Stainless steel wall guard may be manufactured as a preassembled length from field dimensions.
• Aluminum wall guard is made of 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick anodized
aluminum.
• Thin wall guard is used for light to medium duty with minimal
space requirements A rigid vinyl cover is mounted on a continuous
aluminum retainer. Thin wall guard is available with tapered ends
to avoid contact with hospital beds, carts, and dollies.
CRASH RAILS
7.225
HANDRAILS
Impact-resistant plastic handrails are available with germ-fighting
plastic surfaces and aluminum alloy interiors. They are designed to
be easy to install and are used in healthcare facilities.
Solid wood handrails are available in oak, beach, birch, maple, and
other woods. They can be made with curves, and are available with
stainless steel intermediate supports.
Handrails made with heavyweight PVC veneers bonded to mediumdensity fiberboard (MDF) are sturdy, noninstitutional in appearance, and easy to maintain.
HANDRAILS
7.228
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DOOR PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Door protection plates are fabricated from architectural aluminum,
brass, or stainless steel, or from plastic laminate, 1/8 in. (3 mm)
thick clear acrylic plastic, or black or brown high-impact polyethylene.
Page 154
INTERIOR F INISHES
INCREASED PRIVACY COMPARTMENTS
7.231
PHENOLIC CORE UNITS
• Kick plate: This rectangular surface protects the bottom of the
push side of doors subject to scuffing from foot traffic. Kick
plates are recommended for all doors subject to normal use and
especially for doors using a closer.
• Armor plate: This product protects the lower half of doors from
abuse by hard carts, trucks, and rough usage. An armor plate is
usually applied to the push side of single doors and both sides
of double-acting doors.
• Stretcher plate: This plate protects doors at specific areas
where consistent contact is made by service carts or other
equipment. It is usually applied to the push side of doors.
• Mop plate: A mop plate protects the bottom of the pull side of
doors subject to cleaning and mopping procedures.
Phenolic core panel materials are fabricated by fusing multiple layers of resin-impregnated core sheets or cellulose fibers with thermosetting resins to melamine facing sheets. Panels resist damage
from moisture and impacts. The melamine surfaces resist damage
from chemicals, urine, stains, and abrasion; however, they can be
scratched with hard objects to expose the core. The core is
exposed on panel edges and is either black or brown.
SOLID POLYMER UNITS
DOOR KICK PLATE DIMENSIONS
7.229
PANEL MATERIALS
TYPE
Kick plate
HEIGHT
WIDTH
8 to 24 (203 to 610 mm)
22 to 48
(559 to 1,219 mm)
Armor plate
26 to 48
(660 to 1,219 mm)
22 to 48
(559 to 1,219 mm)
Stretcher plate
6 to 8 (152 to 203 mm)
22 to 48
(559 to 1,219 mm)
Mop plate
4 to 6 (102 to 152 mm)
22 to 48
(559 to 1,219 mm)
DOOR KICK PLATES
7.230
resistant but can be scratched with sharp instruments. Plastic laminate units are not suitable for areas subject to moisture or high
humidity because prolonged exposure can cause delamination of
the facing from the core.
Toilet compartments are often categorized by finish or construction. Common finish categories include the following:
• Metal, including baked enamel and stainless steel
• Polymers, including plastic laminate, phenolic core, melaminefaced particleboard cores, FRPs with particleboard cores, solidsurfacing materials, and solid-surfacing veneers
• Stone, including marble, granite, and some limestones
Factory-finished hardwood units (which are generally used for highcost installations) are also available. Materials may be combined; for
instance, compartments may have plastic laminate doors and panels
with stainless steel pilasters. Baked-enamel and plastic laminate
panels are also available with stainless steel edge strips.
METAL TOILET PARTITIONS
Metal units include stainless steel units with sound-deadening honeycomb cores made from resin-impregnated kraft paper, and
baked-enamel units. Where grab bars are attached, metal compartment manufacturers provide wood or particleboard reinforcement or through-bolting kits.
Solid polymer units are fabricated from high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) panels, and resist damage from moisture and impacts. Surfaces resist staining, as well as marking with
pens and pencils. PP panels are harder and more scratch and dent
resistant than HDPE panels, and are virtually graffiti-proof. Colors
and patterns are homogeneous through the thicknesses of solid
polymer panels, so scratches can sometimes be burnished out.
STONE TOILET PARTITIONS
The most common varieties of stone used for stone toilet compartments are marble and granite. Limestone that is compact and
dense and capable of taking a polish is suitable for use in toilet
compartments and can be marketed as either limestone or limestone marble.
Polished finishes are most commonly specified for marble and
granite toilet compartments. Honed finishes are less frequently
specified because they more readily absorb stains.
MOUNTING STYLES
Mounting styles include overhead-braced, floor-anchored, ceilinghung, and floor-and-ceiling-anchored styles. Baked-enamel, stainless
steel, plastic laminate, and phenolic core units are generally available
in all four mounting styles. Solid polymer units are generally available
in overhead-braced and floor-and-ceiling-anchored styles.
STANDARD PARTITION MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.232
STAINLESS STEEL UNITS
Stainless steel units have excellent long-term durability. They are
corrosion resistant, and stains may be removed with commercial
stainless steel cleaners. They resist denting and marring, but can
be scratched with a sharp instrument. Scratches can sometimes be
removed by buffing.
PUSH AND PULL PLATES
Push plates are available in brass, bronze, plastic, stainless steel,
and aluminum. A variety of designs and sizes are made; standard
sizes include:
•
•
•
•
3-1/2 by 15 in. (89 by 381 mm)
4 by 6 in. (102 by 152 mm)
6 by 16 in. (152 by 406 mm)
8 by 16 in. (203 by 406 mm)
TOILET COMPARTMENTS
SELECTION CRITERIA
When selecting toilet enclosures, screen types, and mounting
styles, consider requirements for maintenance, vandal and moisture resistance, supporting construction, and methods for repairing damaged units.
Taller-than-average doors and panels are used to help ensure privacy. Systems that incorporate a lap joint at doors and pilasters to
eliminate vertical sightlines into compartments are available from
a number of solid polymer and phenolic core unit manufacturers.
Some metal units can be modified to include stops and fillers to
eliminate vertical sightlines at doors.
BAKED-ENAMEL UNITS
The term baked enamel is used to describe various pigmented,
organic coatings. The baking process is used to accelerate the solvent evaporation or, for thermosetting coatings, to elevate temperatures to the point required to convert the film to a polymerized
form. Manufacturers usually describe finishes as electrostatically
applied enamel, high solids, or powder coatings.
Steel units with baked-enamel finishes are the most economical
and widely available type of toilet compartment, but they have the
least durable finishes. They are not suitable for areas subject to
moisture; although finishes resist corrosion, the panels are susceptible to rust. Finishes are generally adversely affected by chemicals and acids but are resistant to stains made by items such as
felt-tip markers or lipstick as long as the staining agent is promptly removed.
POLYMER TOILET PARTITIONS
Plastic laminate, phenolic core, and fiberglass-reinforced panels
are the more affordable choices for polymer toilet partitions. Solidsurfacing materials and solid-surfacing veneers are also available.
PLASTIC LAMINATE UNITS
Plastic laminate units with particleboard cores are resistant to normal wear, acids, and alkalis, as well as to stains made by felt-tip
markers, lipstick, and similar materials. Surfaces are abrasion
Contributor:
Suzanne Simpson, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
• Overhead-braced compartments are the most economical in initial cost; they provide a sturdy installation without the substantial structural connections required for other mounting styles.
The majority of installations use this mounting style.
• Floor-anchored compartments are the least stable of the mounting styles when resisting lateral loads; hence, they require substantial connections to a structural concrete slab to provide a
rigid installation. They are generally not suitable for schools or
other installations subject to high abuse.
• Ceiling-hung compartments when used in combination with wallhung fixtures, produce unobstructed floor areas that make
maintenance easier. Generally, the maximum ceiling height recommended for this style is 96 in. (2,438 mm). Separate overhead
steel support framing is required.
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• Floor-and-ceiling-anchored compartments are exceptionally
strong and are used where vandal resistance is required. Most
manufacturers limit pilaster heights to 108 in. (2,743 mm).
Pilasters are attached to the floor using the same devices as
overhead-braced or floor-anchored styles, depending on the
manufacturer. Separate overhead support framing is required.
STANDARD COMPARTMENT LAYOUTS
7.233
Contributors:
American Sanitary Partition Corporation, Ocoee, Florida.
MASTERSPEC®, published by ARCOM, Salt Lake City, Utah.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 155
OVERHEAD-BRACED COMPARTMENTS
7.234
CEILING-HUNG COMPARTMENTS
7.236
FLOOR-ANCHORED COMPARTMENTS
7.235
FLOOR-AND-CEILING-ANCHORED COMPARTMENTS
7.237
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INTERIOR F INISHES
other end. For long bays with a single bench, make 3-ft (914-mm)
breaks at 15-ft (4.6-m) intervals.
LOCKER ROOMS
DESIGN
The most widely used arrangement of lockers is the bay system, with
a minimum 4 ft (1,219 mm) circulation aisle at each end of the bays.
Ordinarily, the maximum number of lockers in a bay is 16. Locate dry
(shoe) traffic at one end of the bays and wet (barefoot) traffic at the
GYMNASIUM AND POOL LOCKER ROOM
7.240
Benches should be, minimally, 8 in. (203 mm) wide and 16 in. (406
mm) high. Traffic breaks of 3 ft (914 mm) minimum width should
occur at maximum intervals of 12 ft (3.7 m). Main traffic aisles
should be wider. Avoid lockers that meet at a 90° corner.
RECOMMENDED MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.238
LOCKER ROOM
7.239
LOCKER TYPES
Storage lockers come in many sizes and configurations. Dressing
lockers are full height (single tier). The number of dressing lockers
should be equal to the peak period load plus 10 to 15% to allow for
expansion.
Locker types include:
• Single-, double-, triple-, and four-tier stacked heights
• 3, 4, 5, and 6 high boxes
• Duplex (two side by side), two-person (side by side with two top
horizontal shelves), and double-door (single lock)
• Ski and golf equipment styles
• Cubbies (open storage) for child care
LOCKER ROOM DIMENSIONS
FUNCTION
A
B
C
Recreation
2-2 (660 mm)
1-8 (508 mm)
3-6 (1,066 mm)
School
2-6 (762 mm)
2-6 (762 mm)
4-0 (1,219 mm)
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ACCESSIBILITY
LOCKER TYPES
7.241
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that where
lockers are provided in clusters, at least 5%, but no less than one,
should be accessible. Storage elements and operable parts are
required to comply with at least one of the required reach ranges.
Lockers are available with adjustable shelf locations to meet these
requirements. ADA-compliant benches are also available.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 157
LOCKER SECTION
7.244
COMMON LOCKER SIZES
7.242
LOCKER TYPE
Standard lockers
WIDTHS
9 (229 mm)
DEPTHS
HEIGHTS
12 (305 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
15 (381 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
18 (457 mm)
12 (305 mm)
12 (305 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
15 (381 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
18 (457 mm)
21 (533 mm)
15 (381 mm)
12 (305 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
15 (381 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
Lockers and racks can slide and/or overturn during seismic activity, injuring building occupants or blocking exits. The hazard increases with the occupancy density and the height of the units. The center of gravity of a locker rises with the height of the unit, thus
increasing the possibility of overturning in an earthquake. Fixtures
should be bolted onto heavy-gauge studs above their center of
gravity. If lockers or cabinets cannot be anchored, locate them
away from exits, hallways, and doors.
18 (457 mm)
21 (533 mm)
18 (457 mm)
24 (610 mm)
18 (457 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
21 (533 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
21 (533 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
Standard school storage lockers
9 (229 mm)
12 (305 mm)
12
(305 mm)
24 (610 mm)
12 (305 mm)
12 (305 mm)
12 (305 mm)
Standard school dressing lockers
12 (305 mm)
12 (305 mm)
60 (1,524 mm)
Cubbies
12, 15, 18 (305, 381, 457 mm)
15 (381 mm)
48 (1,219 mm)
24 (610 mm)
72 (1,828 mm)
COMMON LOCKER SIZES
7.243
Contributors:
BFS Architectural Consulting and Interior Design, YMCA of the USA,
Chicago, Illinois.
Frederick C. Krenson, AIA, Rosser Fabrap International, Atlanta,
Georgia.
LOCKERS—SEISMIC ANCHORING
7.245
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FIREPLACES AND STOVES
The fireplace and chimney are usually large elements in residences, but their scale can be adapted to any architectural style.
Fireplaces and heating stoves are also occasionally found in nonresidential buildings, such as restaurants. Although the purpose of
the residential fireplace has changed over the years from heating
to decoration, increasing public interest in renewable forms of
energy has instigated a new demand for fireplaces for heating
homes.
Fireplace design and construction are governed by building and
mechanical codes. The main function of the fireplace and chimney
is to sustain combustion and carry smoke away safely. Their design
is based on empirical data proven with years of safe performance.
One of the most important design decisions is the location of the
fireplace. To prevent heat loss to the exterior, it is best to locate a
fireplace at the center of the house. A fireplace should not be located opposite an outside door or near an open stairway leading to an
upper floor, a forced-air furnace, or a return air register.
Three distinct types of fireplaces are currently used in residential
applications.
• Single-face fireplace styles, the most popular, include the conventional fireplace, the Rumford fireplace, the Rosin fireplace,
and air-circulating fireplaces.
• Multiface fireplaces are also popular; they include the seethrough fireplace, the corner fireplace, and the freestanding
fireplace.
• The masonry heater (or masonry stove) is a specialized type of
fireplace, and is the most efficient of these types.
Page 158
INTERIOR F INISHES
MASONRY FIREPLACES
Single-Face Construction
Most masonry fireplaces are built on-site using common masonry
materials (brick, mortar, etc.) and custom metal supports (lintels,
dampers, etc.).
The most common format for open masonry fireplaces has been with
a firebox that is enclosed in masonry with only one side (face) open
to the room. Typical single-face construction allows for an excellent
combustion environment, increasing combustion temperatures and
reflecting a significant amount of heat into the room. However, open
single-face fireplaces must also exhaust the fire, smoke, and heat
through a throat and smoke chamber into a flue, thus powering the
flue, in order to maintain a constant flow to the exterior atmosphere.
Following the route of the chimney backward, it geometrically
projects into the room at the lintel; this projection is called the
chimney breast.
Two methods of design and construction clearly illustrate the range
and features of functional fireplaces, both traditional and modern
in design. This discussion details two contrasting solutions:
• Traditional fireplaces, essentially constructed using all-masonry
components, with clay-lined chimneys sited on exterior walls.
• Modern fireplaces utilizing components that are not as traditional; for example, metal chimneys located within the building envelope. Typically, modern fireplaces still maintain firebrick fireboxes.
TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Site-built fireplaces are typically designed to operate as open systems, without closed doors but including screens, and to be capable of either burning wood or housing certain gas appliances. This
is the classical form for the fireplace, used for direct radiant heat
and ambience.
Properly designed, a fireplace will perform as intended, not spill
smoke into the room, and provide supplemental heat during the
peak of the fire.
FIREPLACE DESIGN
Masonry fireplaces must be set on footings and foundations built
on firm soils.
Typically, all-masonry fireplaces are constructed with brick, stone,
or block from footing to termination, and lined with firebrick in the
firebox and clay tiles in the chimney above the smoke chamber. With
more refined internal geometry, modern fireplaces are typically
built at various levels of a building and can be set on engineered
slabs supported by steel frames. In this era of pollution control and
energy awareness, the modern fireplace incorporates advanced
insulations and stainless steel to house sensitive exhaust, confining
fuel loads to smaller hearths that complete combustion.
Traditional fireplace construction supports a damper at a narrowing of the firebox throat, at least 8 in. (203 mm) above the opening
in the facade. A tapered smoke chamber transforms the rectilinear
flow of air and smoke from the fireplace into a square or round
flue.
MODERN CONSTRUCTION
Modern fireplace construction utilizes advanced materials to optimize performance and integrate with building programs. Air ducts
and insulation protect steel-reinforced slabs, and continuously
sloped rear walls reflect heat both into fuel loads for better combustion and toward the room for greater efficiencies. Insulated
smoke chambers, lined with heavy steel forms, clay tiles, or firebrick, continue the cause of better draft—key to vigorous and
clean combustion and safe for stick frame construction. Typically,
there are concrete masonry unit (CMU) casings, isolated from the
hot internal chambers, which form permanent structural housings;
these are reinforced in seismic areas.
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TRADITIONAL MASONRY FIREPLACE—SECTION
7.246
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 159
TRADITIONAL MASONRY FIREPLACE—ELEVATION
7.248
TRADITIONAL MASONRY FIREPLACE—PLAN
7.249
TRADITIONAL MASONRY FIREPLACE DIMENSIONS
7.247
A
B
C
D
E
G
H
24
(610
mm)
24
(610
mm)
16
(406
mm)
8
(203
mm)
3-1/2 32
(813
(89
mm) mm)
F
18
(457
mm)
29-1/2 13-1/2 10
(749 (243 (254
mm) mm) mm)
I
J
30
(762
mm)
28
(711
mm)
16
(406
mm)
8
(203
mm)
3-1/2 36
(914
(89
mm) mm)
24
(610
mm)
29-1/2 13-1/2 10
(749 (243 (254
mm) mm) mm)
36
(914
mm)
30
(762
mm)
16
(406
mm)
8
(203
mm)
4
(102
mm)
38
(965
mm)
28
(711
mm)
29-1/2 13-1/2 12
(749 (243 (305
mm) mm) mm)
32
42
(1,067 (813
mm) mm)
18
(457
mm)
8
(203
mm)
4
(102
mm)
30
40
(1,016 (762
mm) mm)
31-1/2 15-1/2 12
(800 (394 (305
mm) mm) mm)
36
48
(1,219 (914
mm) mm)
20
(508
mm)
8
(203
mm)
36
4-1/2 42
(115 (1,067 (914
mm) mm) mm)
33-1/2 17-1/2 14
(851 (445 (356
mm) mm) mm)
38
54
(1,372 (965
mm) mm)
22
(559
mm)
8
(203
mm)
35-1/2 19-1/2 16
42
4-1/2 46
(115 (1,168 (1,067 (902 (495 (406
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
24
40
60
(1,524 (1,016 (610
mm) mm) mm)
8
(203
mm)
5
(127
mm)
48
48
37-1/2 21-1/2 18
(1,219 (1,219 (953 (546 (457
mm) mm) mm) mm
mm)
NOTES
7.247 a. The flue liner outside dimensions (O.D.) are equal to the inside
dimensions (I.D.) of the flue liner (J) plus at least 2 in. (51 mm).
b. Consult manufacturers for flue liner sizing that matches or is the next
size larger on round and square liners; for example, 15 in. (381 mm)
round liner (I.D.) for 14-in. (356 mm) sizing, or 16 in. (406 mm) square
liner (O.D.) with 1 in. (25 mm) wall thickness.
c. Minimize use of rectangular liners to optimize fireplace flue performance.
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
Opening width
Opening height
Firebox depth, which assumes a minimum masonry facade
thickness of 4 in. (102 mm) to achieve a minimum coderequired hearth depth of 20 in. (508 mm)
Throat
E
F
G
H
I
J
Recommended minimum net horizontal opening with damper
blade fully open, which varies by manufacturer
Firebox height
Smoke chamber height
Total interior dimension
Smoke chamber opening
Flue inside dimension
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INTERIOR F INISHES
MODERN MASONRY FIREPLACE—SECTION
7.250
MODERN MASONRY FIREPLACE—ELEVATION
7.252
MODERN MASONRY FIREPLACE DIMENSIONS
7.251
A
B
C
D
H
I
J
K
36
(914
mm)
30
(762
mm)
20
(508
mm)
11-1/2 5
(292 (127
mm) mm)
E
41-1/2 20
(1,041 (508
mm) mm)
F
G
31
(787
mm)
13
(330
mm)
12
(305
mm)
17
(432
mm)
33-1/2 20
42
(1,067 (851 (508
mm) mm) mm)
11-1/2 6
(292 (152
mm) mm)
24
45
(1,143 (610
mm) mm)
31
(787
mm)
13
(330
mm)
12
(305
mm)
17
(432
mm)
21
40
48
(1,219 (1,016 (533
mm) mm) mm)
13-1/2 6-1/2 53-1/2 24
(243 (165 (1,359 (610
mm) mm) mm) mm)
34
(864
mm)
15
(381
mm)
14
(356
mm)
18
(457
mm)
54
22
43
(1,372 (1,092 (559
mm) mm) mm)
13-1/2 6-1/2 56-1/2 28
(292 (165 (1,435 (711
mm) mm) mm) mm)
36
(914
mm)
17
(432
mm)
16
(406
mm)
19
(483
mm)
24
47
60
(1,524 (1,194 (610
mm) mm) mm)
13-1/2 7
(292 (178
mm) mm)
60-1/2 32
(1,537 (813
mm) mm)
38
(965
mm)
19
(483
mm)
18
(457
mm)
20
(508
mm)
26
58
72
(1,829 (1,453 (660
mm) mm) mm)
16
(406
mm)
7
(178
mm)
23
41
40
64
(1,625 (1,016 (1,041 (584
mm) mm) mm) mm)
22
(559
mm)
21
(533
mm)
78
29
65
(1,981 (1,651 (737
mm) mm) mm)
18-1/2 8
(470 (203
mm) mm)
25
44
83-1/2 48
(2,121 (1,219 (1,118 (635
mm) mm) mm) mm)
24
(610
mm)
23
(584
mm)
31
72
96
(2,438 (1,829 (787
mm) mm) mm)
21
(533
mm)
25
46
60
9-1/2 93
(242 (2,362 (1,524 (1,168 (635
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
24
(610
mm)
24
(610
mm)
MODERN MASONRY FIREPLACE—PLAN
7.253
LEGEND
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Opening width
Opening height
Firebox depth
Throat: Modern construction utilizes taller than codeminimum throats of 8 in. (203 mm), incorporating firebrick
above the chimney breast until the throat is reached.
Minimum opening
Firebox height
Smoke chamber height
NOTES
7.251 a. Metal chimneys must be listed to UL 103HT and be tested for
use with masonry fireplaces.
b. Exterior dimensions are typically 2 or 4 in. (51 or 102 mm) greater
than interior dimensions, and typically require 2-in. (51-mm) clearances
to combustibles.
H
I
J
K
Total interior dimension: Most codes require minimum
firebox and smoke chamber masonry thicknesses of 8 in.
(203 mm) when at least 2 in. (51 mm) of ASTM firebrick is used.
Smoke chamber opening
Flue inside dimension
Interior face of chimney to centerline of flue
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 161
INTERIOR SITING
Without exception, it is better to place both fireplace and flue within the conditioned interior of a building, where fires and exhausts
benefit from warmer conditions and more vigorous flows from
taller chimneys. Ideally, this is the modern setting that also incorporates insulated chambers for even better and more efficient conditions.
CRITICAL CODE-REQUIRED CLEARANCES
7.254
MULTIFACED CONSTRUCTION
Designers are given wide leeway by current codes to create visual
options for fire viewing from different rooms or from a range of
points in a single room. However, more openings and/or open
faces create challenges for fireplace operations. Unless fuel loads
increase with opening sizes, the same heat is powering flues that
must maintain airflows/pressures over larger areas. Dual-face, or
see-through, fireplaces must be carefully constructed and have
taller chimneys to create adequate draft for their additional opening conditions.
DUAL-FACED, TWIN-FLUE FIREPLACE
7.256
As fireboxes increase in size, so must the throats and smoke chambers. However, if the fuel-loading areas and chimney height do not
increase proportionally as well, then the building blocks for good
performance will be absent. Larger fireboxes also require greater
care in sizing and design.
DUAL-FACED, SINGLE-FLUE FIREPLACE
7.255
STRUCTURAL OBSTACLES
Firebox flues should prevail in the competition for building space,
but sometimes there are significant structural obstacles that
require adaptation by the fireplace. That said, smoke chambers
must have balanced and symmetrically placed flue connections,
and chimneys cannot be offset by greater than 30° off vertical, and
only with a maximum of two offsetting runs.
Contributor:
Walter Moberg, Moberg Fireplaces, Inc., Portland, Oregon.
Brian E. Trimble, PE, Brick Institute Association, Reston, Virginia.
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PROJECTED FIREPLACES
OPEN SUSPENDED DESIGN
Some design programs seek even greater fire-viewing potential,
with openings on three sides, or faces. Traditionally, peninsula
designs with steel columns have provided a variety of multisided
geometries.
For the ultimate in fire viewing, suspended hoods sometimes found
in restaurants offer aerodynamic exhausts over custom masonry
bases. Typically, these aerodynamic hoods are engineered with
exhaust fans (as in kitchens). Alternatively, there are UL-listed fireplaces with fireboxes and hearths that are suspended completely
in the air, and some that even rotate for alternate viewing positions.
PENINSULA FIREPLACE WITH STEEL COLUMNS
7.257
OPEN AND SUSPENDED FIREPLACE
7.259
WALL FINISH REQUIREMENTS
CODE REQUIREMENTS
The International Building Code (IBC) limits the use of interior finish materials based on their flammability, the occupancy group, and
the areas of the building in which they are used. Materials and finishes are classified according to their flame spread and smoke
developed characteristics when tested in accordance with ASTM E
84, Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building
Materials (Steiner Tunnel Test).
Interior finish materials refer to the exposed surfaces of walls and
ceilings, including partitions, wainscoting, paneling, and other finishes applied structurally or for decoration, acoustical correction,
surface insulation, or similar purposes. Trim such as baseboards,
window and door casings, or similar materials used in fixed applications are not included. Trim cannot exceed 10% of the area in
which it is located.
Interior finish requirements also do not apply to finishes less than
0.036 in. (0.9 mm) thick applied directly to the surface of walls or
ceilings or to the exposed portions of structural members complying with Type IV construction requirements.
DEFINITIONS
• Noncombustible: A material that meets the requirements of
ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in
a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C. This means that the material
MODERN FIREPLACE PROJECTED FROM
REINFORCED WALL
7.258
will not ignite or burn when subjected to fire. Noncombustible
also includes composite materials, such as gypsum wallboard,
that are composed of a surfacing not more than 0.125 in. (3 mm)
thick that has a flame spread index not greater than 50, as long
as the structural base is noncombustible.
• Flame resistant: A material that restricts the spread of flame in
accordance with NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for
Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. This test is commonly
referred to as the Vertical Ignition Test.
• Trim: Picture moldings, chair rails, baseboards, handrails, door
and window frames, and similar decorative or protective materials used in fixed applications.
• Combustible: A material that will ignite and burn, either as a flame
or glow, and that undergoes this process in air at pressures and
temperatures that might occur during a fire in a building.
CLASSIFICATION OF FINISHES
7.260
CLASS
FLAME SPREAD
SMOKE DEVELOPED
A
0 to 25
0 to 450
B
26 to 75
0 to 450
C
76 to 200
0 to 450
WALL FINISH APPLICATIONS
As vertical surfaces, walls generally receive less impact than
floors. However, certain occupancies are liable to damage from
impact or abuse. Others have special sanitation and maintenance
requirements.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS, SHOWER ROOMS,
AND LOCKER ROOMS
Walls in public toilet rooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms
should be of materials resistant to moisture and should have surfaces that are easily cleaned. All exterior corners in locker rooms
should be rounded.
Walls within 2 ft (610 mm) of urinals and water closets must have
a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface, to a height of 4 ft (1,219
mm) above the floor. The material used cannot be a type that is
adversely affected by moisture. The exceptions include dwelling
units, guest rooms, and toilet rooms that are not accessible to the
public and do not contain more than one water closet.
Shower compartments must have floor and wall finishes that are
smooth and nonabsorbent and that are not affected by moisture.
Wall finishes must extend to at least 70 in. (1,778 mm) above the
drain inlet.
Contributors:
Walter Moberg, Moberg Fireplaces, Inc., Portland, Oregon.
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver, Colorado.
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that have been repaired or bricked-up openings. Paint for application to brick masonry walls should be durable, easy to apply, and
have good adhesive characteristics. The primary concern should be
the characteristics of the surface conditions of the wall. Proper
surface preparation is as important as paint selection. Previously
painted brick surfaces often require the greatest effort. Exposed,
unpainted brick can be appreciated for the building history
revealed by its idiosyncracies. Paint can be removed from existing
walls if the bricks were in good condition prior to being painted.
REQUIRED NONABSORBENT SURFACE
7.261
PLASTER
Conventional plaster provides superior wear resistance compared
to taped gypsum board assemblies. Though it is preferred to attain
a uniform, monolithic surface, plaster finishes are more labor
intensive than taped gypsum board assemblies, require greater
skill, and can take as long as two days to cure. For these reasons,
plaster finishes are most commonly used in restoration to match
existing conditions and in high-end installations.
INSTALLATION
Plaster is applied in a series of coats of progressive refinement.
Two-coat plaster is applied as a base coat followed by a finish coat.
Three-coat plaster is applied first as a scratch coat followed by a
brown coat and, finally, a finish coat.
INTEGRAL WALL FINISHES
INTERIOR BRICK WALLS
BRICK
Brick interior walls may be either load bearing or nonstructural.
Bricks are laid in bonds to increase stability and strength. Interior
walls faced with brick often have another material behind.
Although standard building brick is widely used, there are many
colors, textures, and sizes of brick available. The level of refinement produced by uniform brick assembled with accuracy contrasts with bricks made to look older, rougher, and even as though
they had been burnt in a fire. Antique salvage bricks are used for a
historic or rustic appearance. Walls can intentionally be built with
irregularities and curves that are more organic in form than a flat,
rectilinear brick wall.
Facing brick is used where appearance is important; it is made in
special colors and textures for surfacing walls. Ceramic glazed
brick is used as facing brick, and is installed in the same manner
as facing brick. Thin brick veneer units are fired clay units with normal face dimensions but a reduced thickness. They are used in
adhered veneer applications.
The size of a brick establishes the scale of the wall. Because fewer
large units than smaller units are required to build a wall of a given
size, labor costs are generally less for larger bricks.
Brick color is determined by raw materials and firing temperatures. Colors range from reds and burgundies to whites and buffs,
with manufacturers producing more than 100 colors.
Wall ties should be placed at least every 24 in. (610 mm) vertically
and 36 in. (914 mm) horizontally, or every 4-1/2 sq ft (0.42 sq m) in
a staggered pattern. Expansion joints should be located on each
side of a corner at 4 to 10 ft (1.2 to 3 m) from the corner. However,
on straight walls, the expansion joints need only be spaced at 3/4
in. (19 mm) per 100 ft (30.5 m) of wall. Flexible anchors are used
to connect to columns and beams.
SPECIFYING BRICK
Brick selection is based on aesthetics, physical properties (compressive strength and absorption, both of which affect durability),
application (moisture penetration, movement of materials, and
structural loads), cost, and availability.
In the United States, the nominal dimensions of standard bricks
are 4 by 2-2/3 by 8 in. (102 by 68 by 203 mm). The actual bricks are
smaller, and the nominal dimensions add an allowance for the mortar joint. Three standard bricks with mortar total 8 in. (203 mm)
vertically. When specifying the size of units, dimensions should be
listed by thickness, then by height, and, finally, by length. The
dimensions given should be specified, not nominal, dimensions.
Textures of brick include smooth, wire cut (velour), stippled, bark,
or brushed. Mortar can get into the spaces in rough-textured brick
and make cleaning more difficult. Both the brick’s texture and the
profile and depth of mortar lines enhance the play of light and
shadow.
THIN BRICK
SUSTAINABILITY
MORTAR
Brick manufacturing uses raw materials efficiently, typically close to
their source. Processed clay and shale removed in the forming
process prior to firing are returned to the production stream. Culls
after firing are ground and used as grog (fired, ground-up clay) with
the prepared material to reduce shrinkage, or crushed for use as
landscaping materials.
Colored mortars are produced through the use of colored aggregates or suitable pigments. White sand, as well as ground granite,
marble, or other stone, usually have permanent color and do not
weaken the mortar. For white joints, white sand, ground limestone,
or ground marble is used with white portland cement and lime.
Clay bricks have relatively low embodied energy. The majority of
kilns in the United States use gas as a fuel source, though a third
of the brick currently produced is fired using solid fuels such as
sawdust and coal. Biomass is being introduced as a fuel for brick
making.
FINISHES AND MAINTENANCE
The market for recycled bricks reclaimed from demolition sites
continues to grow. The mortar is cleaned off each brick by hand.
Recycled bricks are often taken directly from the demolition site to
the construction site, without need for warehousing.
Contributor:
Corky Binggeli, Materials for Interior Environments, John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken, NJ, 2008.
Thin fired clay units referred to as thin brick are used as interior or
exterior wallcoverings. Thin brick veneer is formed from shale
and/or clay and kiln fired. These thin brick units resemble facing
brick, but are only 1/2 to 1 in. (13 to 25 mm) thick.
Colorless coatings are generally applied to interior walls to facilitate cleaning or provide a gloss; water repellency and breathability are generally not concerns. A film-forming product such as a
waterborne acrylic (acrylic emulsion) or urethane can be used to
improve gloss and ease of cleaning. Both are durable in applications where there is no exposure to ultraviolet light.
Interior brick walls may be painted to increase light reflection or
for decorative purposes. Walls are also painted to conceal areas
Three-coat plaster applications are required on all metal lath and
on edge-supported gypsum lath used in ceilings. Three-coat applications are preferred on gypsum lath assemblies, but two-coat
applications are acceptable where gypsum lath is properly supported and on masonry plaster bases such as porous brick, clay
tiles, and rough concrete masonry units.
Plaster can be constructed as a solid plaster partition stabilized
with proprietary ceiling runners and metal base anchors. Solid
plaster partitions 2 in. (51 mm) thick are made by applying threecoat plaster to both sides of metal lath on 3/4 in. (19 mm) channel
studs, or with metal lath on a 1/2 in. (13 mm) gypsum lath or 1 in.
(19 mm) core board.
Plaster can also be applied directly to brick, clay tile, or concrete
masonry where the surface is rough and porous enough to produce
a good bond. A bonding agent is used when plaster is applied
directly to dense, nonporous surfaces such as concrete.
SOLID PARTITION TERMINALS
7.262
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PLASTER OVER SOLID GYPSUM LATH
7.263
Page 164
INTERIOR F INISHES
DEFINITIONS
• Base coat : A plaster coat applied before finish coat, scratch
CORNER BEADS
7.268
coat, and blow coats in three-coat plaster
• Brown coat : In three-coat plaster, the second coat; in two-coat
plaster, the first coat
• Finish coat : The final coat of plaster, which provides the decorative surface
• Gypsum : Hydrous calcium sulfate, a natural mineral in crystalline form
• Gypsum lath : A sheet having a gypsum core, faced with paper,
used as a base for plaster; also perforated for interior use
• Hydrated lime: Quicklime mixed with water on the job, to form a
lime putty
• Plaster: A cementitious material or combination of cementitious
materials and aggregate that, when mixed with water, forms a
plastic mass that sets and hardens when applied to a surface
• Portland cement: A manufactured combination of limestone and
a claylike substance for exterior or wet-atmosphere applications
• Scratch coat: In three-coat plastering, the first coat, which is
then scratched to provide a bond for the second, or brown, coat
• Stucco portland cement: A type of plaster used in exterior applications
• Three-coat plaster: The preferred application for all substrates;
required over metal lath
• Two-coat plaster: An acceptable application on gypsum lath and
on the interior face of rough concrete block, clay tile, or porous
brick
FURRING AND LATH
GYPSUM AND PLASTER LATH—TWO-HOUR FIRERATED PARTITION
7.264
Furring generally consists of channels or Z-shapes attached to the
underlying wall (or structure for ceilings) for attaching gypsum or
metal lath while allowing an air space. Resilient furring is often
used on a cementitious substrate to reduce sound transmission.
JOINT REINFORCEMENT
7.266
GYPSUM VENEER PLASTER
Veneer plaster is applied as a thin plaster coat (skim coat) to a gypsum board surface. It provides a much harder surface than regular
gypsum board and hides joints completely, making an ideal surface
for paint. Blueboard—gypsum board with a blue paper face that
bonds well with a plaster skim coat—comes in the same standard
sheets as regular gypsum wallboard. Blueboard is finished by
quickly taping and plastering the joints and then applying one or
two coats of plaster, each about 1/8 in. (3 mm) thick, to the entire
surface of the board.
PLASTER OVER METAL OR GYPSUM LATH AND
METAL STUDS
7.265
The final veneer plaster surface does not necessarily have to be
painted; it can also be colored before application. Because veneer
plaster can be applied immediately after joint treatment, and a second coat, if desired, can be applied soon after, the process is a oneday treatment, rather than the three days typically required for
gypsum board installation. There is also no need to sand the surface and thus no dust to clean up.
ORNAMENTAL PLASTER
EXPANSION SCREEDS
7.267
Molding plaster is used for ornamental trim, running cornices, and
other cast-plaster pieces. This specialty plaster has a very fine
grain and is ideal for sharp detail when used for cast work.
Plaster cornices can be reproduced by making a template of the
piece’s profile. Smaller sections of decorative plaster ornamentation can be attached to larger cornices. A finished plaster cornice
can weigh over 50 lb (23 kg).
Contributors:
The Marmon Mok Partnership, San Antonio, Texas.
James E. Phillips, AIA, Enwright Associates, Inc., Greenville, South
Carolina.
Walter H. Sobel, FAIA, Walter H. Sobel and Associates, Chicago, Illinois.
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TRADITIONAL CAST PLASTER
7.269
GLASS FIBER REINFORCED GYPSUM FABRICATION
7.270
GLASS FIBER REINFORCED GYPSUM
GFRG FABRICATION PROCESS
Glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG), sometimes referred to as
glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) or as fiberglass reinforced gypsum
(FRG), is a remarkably lightweight, nontoxic, noncombustible composite of gypsum slurry and glass fiber. It is cast in molds at a manufacturing plant and shipped to the project site.
GFRG products are cast in polyurethane or latex molds by either
hand laying or spraying. The finish face of GFRG is smooth and
resembles a plaster surface. The back-side appearance is bumpy
and irregular, resembling the inside of a fiberglass boat hull, with
glass fibers and structural members often visible.
GFRG is used in such applications as column covers, decorative
domes, coffered ceilings, and other architectural elements that
were previously available only in plaster. GFRG manufacturing
techniques can produce thin, high-strength shapes that are inherently flame resistant.
GFRG is suitably lightweight for ceilings or other applications in
which weight is a concern. Standard gypsum wallboard finishing
techniques are required for installation. GFRG products can be
field-cut for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or other penetrations
with the use of conventional gypsum board tools.
Contributors:
M. Kitty Myers, AIA, and Gabrielle Sapponara, Anshen & Allen,
Architects, San Francisco, California.
James E. Phillips, AIA, Enwright Associates, Inc., Greenville, South
Carolina.
The Marmon Mok Partnership, San Antonio, Texas.
Casting Designs, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 165
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CONIFEROUS AND DECIDUOUS TREES
7.273
GFRG COLUMN COVERS
7.271
WOOD SOURCES
To conserve and preserve wood resources, choose certified wood,
where possible. Composite and engineered wood salvaged from
lumber production make use of otherwise wasted materials.
Reclaimed woods can replace imported exotic hardwoods from
unregulated sources and markets. Less wood can be used by minimizing job-site waste and with careful detailing.
FOREST CERTIFICATION
Wood in North America is increasingly available from certified
forests. Major programs certifying forestland as sustainably and
responsibly managed include:
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): International organization
that requires documentation of the chain of custody of wood
products as well as product labeling. The FSC sanctions thirdparty certifiers.
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): Certification program run
by the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA).
• American Tree Farm System: Certification program for smaller,
nonindustrial forest landowners.
• Sustainable Forest Management Program: Developed by the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
RECLAIMED WOOD
Reclaimed wood can be uniquely beautiful as well as environmentally friendly. Sources for reclaimed wood include:
WOOD WALL FINISHES
Wood is a renewable material that uses less energy to process
than many other materials. It has low toxicity and is biodegradable.
Wood may enhance thermal performance, interior acoustics, and
even fire resistance.
Imported wood and rare hardwoods may originate in noncertified,
poorly managed forests, primarily in tropical countries. Veneers use
rare materials more economically than in solid wood. Using woods
from certified sustainable sources is the better choice.
WOOD CLASSIFICATION
Tree species are divided into two classes—softwood and hardwood—but these terms do not describe a wood’s hardness or density. Basswood, for example, is classified as a hardwood but is
actually relatively easy to cut or scratch. Softwoods are defined as
coniferous trees, evergreens that have needles instead of leaves.
Softwoods, by far the more widely used type of wood, are used as
framing lumber and in decorative moldings. Hardwoods are from
deciduous trees, which have broad leaves that are shed each winter; these include fruit and nut trees. Hardwoods are often used as
flooring and furniture components.
HARDWOODS AND SOFTWOODS
7.272
SPECIES
SOFTWOOD (S) OR
HARDWOOD (H)
HARDNESS
Ash
H
Hard
Basswood
H
Soft
Beech
H
Hard
Birch, yellow
H
Hard
Cedar, western red
S
Soft
Cherry, American black
H
Hard
Fir, Douglas
S
Medium
Hickory
H
Very hard
Maple, hard
H
Very hard
Maple, soft—“natural”
H
Medium
Oak, English brown
H
Hard
Oak, red
H
Hard
Oak, white
H
Hard
Pecan
H
Hard
Pine, ponderosa
S
Medium
Pine, southern yellow
S
Medium
Redwood
S
Soft
Teak
H
Hard
Walnut, American Black
H
Hard
Source: Adapted from AWI, Architectural Woodwork Institute, Reston,
Virginia.
• Demolition of old buildings
• Dead, fallen, diseased, or nuisance trees in urban and suburban
areas
• Orchard trees cut for replacement
• Careful reclamation of fallen trees from lakes and rivers
• Usable wood safely reclaimed from demolition landfills
• Wood by-products from secondary manufacturers
SOLID WOOD
Several different wood products are available for use in interior
construction and furniture manufacturing. Traditional solid wood is
giving way to the consistency and affordability of a variety of wood
composite panels such as particleboard, plywood, medium-density
fiberboard, and hardboard.
Solid wood is used where durability and strength are of concern,
for example, in countertop or table edges and chair legs. Unlike
veneers or plastic laminates that must be replaced when damaged,
solid wood can be sanded down and refinished.
The method by which solid wood is sawn affects its appearance
and usability:
• Plain-sawn lumber, the most common type of sawn lumber, produces the least waste and requires the least labor. The cuts are
made tangentially to the annual growth rings, which, when
viewed from the end of the board, are 30° or less to the face of
the board.
• Quarter-sawn lumber, available in certain species, is more costly
to produce than plain sawn. The growth rings, when viewed from
the end of the board, are 60° to 90° to the face of the board.
Quarter-sawn lumber is often preferred for wood flooring;
because of its uniform surface, it tends to wear more evenly.
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• Rift-sawn lumber is cut with the growth rings at 30° to 60° to the
face of the board. In certain species, primarily oak, rift sawing
produces flecks on the surface of the board.
WOOD COMPOSITE PANELS
Panel core products are architectural wood panels made from
wood material that is cut or formed into sheet products. These are
used alone (with or without a finish) or laminated together with
other veneer products to make plywood. Panel cores serve as the
substrate for laminates and veneers.
The use of formaldehyde as a bonding material is a health concern;
seek formaldehyde-free products or alternative materials. Panel
core products suitable for architectural use include:
•
•
•
•
Industrial-grade particleboard core
Moisture-resistant particleboard core
Fire-retardant particleboard core
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core and moisture-resistant
MDF core
• Veneer core (plywood)
• Hardboard core
INDUSTRIAL-GRADE PARTICLEBOARD CORE
To make industrial-grade particleboard core, heat and pressure
are used to bond together synthetic resin or binder and wood particles of various sizes. Among its many uses are as a substrate for
high-quality veneers and decorative laminates.
When used as panels without any surface layers, the product is
called particleboard. When used with wood veneer on the surface,
the panels are referred to as particle core plywood. Particleboard
core is classified into three densities, dependent on weight per
cubic foot:
• Low density: Less than 40 lb (18 kg) per cu ft (0.028 cu m)
• Medium density: 40 to 50 lb (18 to 23 kg) per cu ft (0.028 cu m)
• High density: More than 50 lb (23 kg) per cu ft (0.028 cu m)
MOISTURE-RESISTANT PARTICLEBOARD
CORE
• Softwood plywood panels are made with softwood face veneers,
and are used for underlayment or other concealed construction
applications. They are seldom incorporated into finished architectural woodworking projects because of the instability of the
core material and core voids.
HARDBOARD CORE
Hardboard is made of interfelted fibers consolidated under heat
and pressure to a density of 31 lb (14 kg) per cu ft (0.028 cu m) or
more. Available with either one side (S1S) or two sides (S2S)
smooth, hardboard is often used for casework backs, drawer bottoms, and divider panels. Architectural woodworkers typically use
two types of hardboard core: standard (untempered) and tempered, which is standard hardboard that has been subjected to a
curing treatment to increase its stiffness, hardness, and weight.
PANEL FACING MATERIALS
Wood panel products are classified in two main facing material categories: decorative laminates/overlays and wood veneers.
In panel construction, the thinner the facing material, the less
force it can generate to cause warping. The thicker the substrate,
the more it can resist a warping movement or force.
DECORATIVE LAMINATES, OVERLAYS, AND
PREFINISHED PANEL PRODUCTS
This finish surface category can be broken down into the following
broad groups:
• High-pressure decorative laminates are formed under heat and
pressure from resin-impregnated kraft paper substrates with
decorative plastic face materials and a clear protective top
sheet. This assembly, commonly called plastic laminate, offers
resistance to wear and many stains and chemicals. Common
uses include casework exteriors, countertops, and wall paneling.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 167
• Thermally fused decorative panels are flat pressed from a thermoset polyester or melamine resin-impregnated web, and most
have been laminated to industrial particleboard or medium-density fiberboard substrates when they arrive at the woodwork
fabricator. Performance is similar to that of high-pressure decorative laminates. Common uses include casework interiors, furniture, shelving, display materials, and decorative paneling.
• Thermoplastic sheets are semirigid sheets or roll stock extruded from a nonporous combination of acrylic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The materials are impact resistant and minor
scratches and gouges are less conspicuous due to the throughcolor property.
• Medium-density overlays are made from pressed resin-impregnated paper overlays, and are highly resistant to moisture. They
are available applied to cores suitable for both interior and exterior uses. The seamless panel face and uniform density offer a
sound base for opaque finishes and paint.
• Vinyl films, foils, and low-basis-weight papers are decorative
facing materials that, although they have limited use in custom
architectural woodworking, are suitable for some installations.
WOOD VENEERS
Wood veneers are produced in a variety of industry standard thicknesses. The slicing process is controlled by a number of variables,
but the thickness of the veneer has little bearing on the quality of
the end product.
There are two types of veneers, hardwood and softwood.
Hardwood veneers are available in many domestic and imported
wood species and are normally plain sliced, but certain species can
be rift sliced, quarter sliced, or rotary cut. Softwood veneers are
usually sliced from Douglas fir, but pine and other softwoods are
available. Most softwood veneer is rotary cut. Plain-sliced and
quarter-sliced (vertical grain) softwoods may be obtained by special order.
HARDWOOD PLYWOOD CORE TYPES
7.274
Moisture-resistant particleboard core is medium-density industrial
particleboard that is bonded with resins that are more resistant to
swelling when exposed to moisture.
FIRE-RETARDANT PARTICLEBOARD CORE
Medium-density industrial particleboard may be treated during
manufacture to carry an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class A
fire-rating stamp (flame spread 20, smoke developed 25). This
material can be used as a substrate for paneling where a Class A
rating is required.
MEDIUM-DENSITY FIBERBOARD CORE
MDF is made from wood particles reduced to fibers in a moderatepressure steam vessel and then combined with resin and bonded
together under heat and pressure. The surface is flat, smooth, uniform, dense, and free of knots or grain pattern. MDF is useful as a
substrate for paint, thin overlay materials, veneers, and decorative
laminates. The homogeneous edge allows machining and paint finishes. MDF is one of the most stable mat-formed panel products and
is widely used as an architectural panel. Some MDF is bonded with
a moisture-resistant resin to produce a water-resistant product.
VENEER CORE (PLYWOOD)
CHARACTERISTICS OF CORE MATERIAL PERFORMANCE
7.275
PANEL CORE TYPE
Industrial particleboard,
medium density
FLATNESS
VISUAL
EDGE
QUALITY
SURFACE
UNIFORMITY
DIMENSIONAL
STABILITY
SCREWHOLDING
ABILITY
BENDING
STRENGTH
AVAILABILITY
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Fair
Fair
Good
Readily
Readily
Plywood is made up of wood or wood products that are sandwiched
between two layers of wood veneer, top and bottom. Plywood is made
up of alternating layers of thin veneer. Adhesive is placed between the
layers, and the panels are pressed until the adhesive is set; heat is
often used to speed the cure. The two outside layers, often selected
for species, grain, and appearance, are called the face veneers.
Medium-density fiberboard
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Good
Good
Veneer core plywood
Fair
Good
Fair
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Readily
Lumber core plywood
Good
Good
Good
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Limited
Combination core, composite
crossbands
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Limited
Particleboard and MDF are commonly used as a core for plywood.
Layers of wood veneer or solid lumber can also be used. There are
generally two categories of plywood:
Combination core, composite
innerply
Good
Fair
Good
Good
Good
Good
Limited
Moisture-resistant
particleboard
Excellent
Good
Good
Fair
Fair
Good
Limited
• Hardwood plywood panels are faced with hardwood or decorative softwood veneers over a core material such as mediumdensity particleboard, MDF, and low-density lumber. They are
used for decorative purposes.
.
Moisture-resistant MDF
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Good
Good
Limited
Fire-rated particleboard
Excellent
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
Good
Limited
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INTERIOR F INISHES
The manner in which a log segment is cut in relation to the annual
growth rings of the tree determines the appearance of the veneer.
Individual pieces of veneer, referred to as leaves, are kept in the
order in which they were sliced for reference during installation.
The group of leaves from one slicing is called a flitch and is identified by a number and the gross square feet it contains. The faces
of the leaves with relation to their position in the log are identified
as the tight face (toward the outside of the log) and the loose face
(toward the inside, or heart, of the log).
line through the center of the log. A combination of cathedral and
straight-grain patterns results, with a natural progression of pattern from leaf to leaf.
Most veneers are taken from large trees, but some are sliced from
fast-growing trees, dyed, and reglued in molds to create simulated
grain patterns. The color of these reconstituted veneers is established during manufacture because the high percentage of glue line
resists staining.
Rift-cut veneers are produced most often in red and white oak,
rarely in other species. Note that rift veneers and rift-sawn solid
lumber are produced so differently that a match between them is
highly unlikely. In both cases, the cutting is done slightly off the
radius lines, minimizing the fleck associated with quarter slicing.
TYPES OF VENEER CUTS
Plain, or flat, slicing is most often used to produce veneers for
high-quality architectural woodwork. Slicing is done parallel to a
Quarter slicing, roughly parallel to a radius line through the log
segment, simulates the quarter-sawing process used with solid
lumber. In many species, the individual leaves are narrow as a
result. A series of stripes is produced, varying in density and thickness among species. In red and white oak, fleck (sometimes called
flake) is a characteristic of this slicing method.
RIFT-SLICED (RIFT-CUT) VENEER
7.278
PLAIN-SLICED (FLAT-SLICED) VENEER
7.276
ROTARY-CUT VENEER
7.279
QUARTER-SLICED VENEER
7.277
VENEER MATCH TYPES
7.280
To create rotary-cut veneers, the log is center mounted on a lathe
and peeled along the path of the growth rings, like unwinding a roll
of paper. This provides a bold, random appearance. Rotary-cut
veneers vary in width, so matching at veneer joints is extremely
difficult. Most softwood veneers are cut this way. Rotary-cut
veneers are the least useful in fine architectural woodwork.
MATCHING BETWEEN ADJACENT VENEER
LEAVES
It is possible to achieve certain visual effects by the manner in
which the veneer leaves are arranged. Rotary-cut veneers are difficult to match; therefore, most matching is done with sliced
veneers.
Book matching: This is the most commonly used match in the
industry. Every other piece of veneer is reversed so adjacent
pieces (leaves) are opened like the pages of a book. Because the
tight and loose faces alternate in adjacent leaves, they reflect
light and accept stain differently. The veneer joints match, creating a symmetrical pattern that yields a maximum continuity of
grain.
Slip matching: Adjoining leaves are placed (slipped out) in
sequence without being turned; thus, all of the same face sides
are exposed. The grain figure repeats but joints do not show
grain match.
Random matching: Veneer leaves are placed next to each other
in a random order and orientation, producing a casual board-byboard effect in many species. Conscious effort is made to mismatch the grain at joints.
End matching: This method is often used to extend the apparent
length of available veneers for high wall panels and long conference tables. End matching occurs in two types:
• Architectural end match: Leaves are individually book or slip
matched, alternating end to end and side to side. Architectural
end matching yields the best continuous grain patterns for
length as well as width.
• Panel end match: Leaves are book or slip matched on panel
subassemblies, with sequenced subassemblies end matched,
resulting in some modest cost savings on projects, where
applicable. For most species, panel end matching yields a
pleasing, blended appearance and grain continuity.
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Running match: Each panel face is assembled from as many
veneer leaves as necessary. This often results in an asymmetrical appearance, with some veneer leaves of unequal width.
Balance matching: Each panel face is assembled from an odd or
even number of veneer leaves of uniform width before edge
trimming.
Balance and center matching: Each panel face is assembled
from an even number of veneer leaves of uniform width before
edge trimming. Thus, there is a veneer joint in the center of the
panel, producing horizontal symmetry.
SPECIAL WOOD VENEER MATCHING OPTIONS
7.281
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 169
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WOOD FINISHING
Finishing operations include the application of stains and a protective topcoat. Finishing protects the wood surface from permanent
staining by sealing the pores; it also guards against damage to the
wood surface caused by heat, dirt, and spills, and enhances the
beauty of the wood grain and color.
Concerns regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have led to
the development of water-based finishes. Recent improvements
have increased the clarity and durability of these wood finishes.
STAINS
Stains are transparent or opaque coatings that penetrate and color
a wood surface without masking its inherent grain. Stains can be
used to change the color of a piece of wood. For example,
mahogany is usually stained a deep red-brown to modify its natural light orange color. Sometimes wood is stained to resemble a different species.
LACQUERS
Lacquers dry by the evaporation of their strong solvents. The solvents evaporate so fast that lacquers are typically spray applied,
rather than brushed on. Lacquers may or may not contain pigments
and are the most popular commercial furniture and casework finishes. Standard, or noncatalyzed, lacquers can be touched up easily or recoated, because the solvent in each coat slightly dissolves
the previous coat, forming a monolithic finish. They are the most
commonly used furniture finishes.
Page 170
INTERIOR F INISHES
Catalyzed lacquers, like noncatalyzed lacquers, contain nitrocellulose. They dry faster than standard lacquers, so dust is even less
likely to settle on the curing coat and contaminate the finish.
Catalyzed lacquers are harder than standard lacquers and are
moderately easy to touch up. They are very hard and brittle and
tend to splinter and spiderweb.
TYPICAL USES
VARNISHES
Varnishes cure by evaporation of the solvents, oxidation of the oil,
or both. Polyurethane, added to make a varnish resistant to water
and alcohol, is often used as a wood floor finish. Conversion varnishes, like the lacquers, are very durable and fast drying, forming
thick coats. They have superb resistance to a variety of common
chemicals.
Wood panels 1 in. (25 mm) thick or less may be solid lumber panels or made from veneer over plywood or composition boards. The
stiles and rails are typically made from solid wood or veneered
boards. Rim and lip moldings and other trims are made almost
exclusively from solid wood.
Acrylic and vinyl lacquers are available, which do not have a nitrocellulose base, as do noncatalyzed and catalyzed lacquers.
POLYESTER AND POLYURETHANE FINISHES
Polyester and polyurethane coatings are known for their excellent
chemical resistance and very durable, dense, and smooth finishes.
When pigmented, they resemble high-pressure decorative laminates. They require special skill and equipment for application and
are expensive. Spectacularly shiny gloss levels can be achieved
with these coatings. Polyesters are basically 100% solids once
applied and are extremely difficult to touch up. Like polyesters,
polyurethanes exhibit hardness and excellent resistance to chemicals but are much easier to apply.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Lacquer, nitrocellulose
Interior trims, furniture, paneling,
ornamental work
Repairable, widely available, quick
drying
Low durability and resistance to most
solvents and water, yellows over time
Lacquer, precatalyzed
Interior furniture, casework, paneling,
ornamental work, stair parts (except
treads), frames, windows, blinds,
shutters, doors
Repairable; stain, abrasion, and
chemical resistance
Some yellowing, moderate build
Lacquer, postcatalyzed
Same as above
Repairable; finish clarity; stain, heat,
abrasion, and chemical resistance
Same as above
Latex acrylic, water
based
Same as above
Low VOCs, finish clarity for some types,
stain and yellowing resistance
Low durability and solvent and heat
resistance, slow drying time
Varnish, conversion
Interior furniture, casework, paneling,
ornamental work, stair parts, frames,
windows, blinds, shutters, doors
Durable, widely available, good build
Occasional lack of finish clarity
Oil, synthetic
penetrating
Furniture or trims requiring a very low
sheen or close-to-wood appearance
Close-to-wood, antique look, low sheen
Labor-intensive application and
maintenance, occasional refreshing
finish required, low resistance to most
substances
Vinyl, catalyzed
Interior kitchen, bath, office furniture,
and laboratory casework
Durable, widely available, fast drying
Occasional lack of finish clarity
Acrylic, cross-linking,
water based
Interior furniture, casework, paneling,
ornamental work, stair parts, frames,
windows, blinds, shutters, doors
Durable; excellent abrasion, solvent,
stain, and chemical resistance; moisture
resistant; moderately fast drying
Possible discoloration over time
UV curable, acrylated
epoxy, polyester, or
urethane
Interior doors, paneling, flooring, stair
parts, and casework where applicable;
consult finisher before specifying
Low VOCs, durable, nearly 100% solids
usage, quick cure
With UV finish, requires handheld UV
lamp to repair; easy repair with
lacquers or conversion varnish
UV curable, water
based
Same as above
Low VOCs, quick cure
Same as above
Polyurethane, catalyzed
Interior floors, stairs, high-impact areas, Durable, good build
some doors, some exterior; generally
not used for casework, paneling,
windows, blinds, shutters
Slow drying, very difficult to repair;
some formulas hazardous to
spray-apply without makeup suits
Polyurethane, water
based
Interior furniture, casework, paneling,
ornamental work, stair parts, frames,
windows, blinds, shutters, doors
Improved durability; excellent abrasion,
solvent, stain, and chemical resistance;
moderately fast drying; moisture
resistant
Tannins in some wood species may
cause discoloration over time
Polyester, catalyzed
Interior furniture, casework, paneling,
ornamental work, windows, blinds,
shutters, some doors
Durable, good build, can be polished
Not widely available, slow curing,
requires special facilities and skills,
very difficult to repair, brittle, inflexible
finish
NOTE
7.282 Finishes are available transparent or opaque, except for oil, synthetic penetrating, which is transparent only.
WOOD PANELING
Wood paneling consists of a series of thin sheets of wood panels
framed together by strips of wood, vertical stiles, and horizontal
rails. Wood paneling includes shop-fabricated wall paneling that
may be fabricated as solid lumber paneling, wood veneer paneling,
and plastic laminate–faced wood paneling. Board paneling fabricated from standard profile boards is considered finished carpentry, and should not be confused with wood paneling, classified as
architectural woodwork.
WOOD FINISHING SYSTEMS
7.282
SYSTEM
WOOD WALL PANELS
Mortise and tenon or doweled joints are used to join stile to rail.
Stile-to-stile joints at outside corners are spline joints or lock
miters; inside corners are butt jointed. Because of its stability, plywood is preferable to solid lumber or other materials as backup.
STILE/RAIL TO PANEL JOINERY
7.283
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INTERIOR F INISHES
WAINSCOT WITH RAISED PANEL AND FLUSH
MOLDING—SECTION
7.284
Contributors:
Greg Heuer, Architectural Woodwork Institute, Potomac Falls, Virginia.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
FULL-HEIGHT WALL PANEL—SECTION
7.285
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 171
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CURVED PANELED WALL
7.286
NOTE
7.286 AFLAC Customer Service Center in Columbus, Ohio. The woodworker was Columbus Cabinet Company, Columbus, Ohio. The project
was originally published in Design Solutions, Winter 2000. Designed by
Hecht, Burdeshaw, Johnson, Kidd & Clark, Columbus, Georgia, and
Opelika, Alabama.
Page 172
INTERIOR F INISHES
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INTERIOR F INISHES
WOOD ADHESIVES
Synthetic adhesives for bonding metals, concrete, glass, rubber,
plastics, and wood are used to manufacture products such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and laminated timbers. They
can also be used during construction to adhere ceramic tiles to
floors or walls and to attach gypsum board and other construction
products.
TYPICAL WINDOW TRIM
7.288
Currently, most adhesives use organic solvents, but water-based
adhesives are gaining in popularity because they do not emit harmful vapors, are easy to clean up, and can be discarded as regular
trash. Many jurisdictions are enacting clean air statutes that,
among other things, target organic solvents as air pollutants.
Organic solvents also can have adverse effects on the workers
who apply them, as well as on future building occupants. One drawback to most water-based adhesives, however, is that they tend
only to resist water, whereas the solvent-based adhesives are
waterproof.
INTERIOR WOOD TRIM
Wood trim is, generally, a decorative treatment applied after wall,
floor, and ceiling finishes have been installed. It can be made of flat
or molded wood, and can consist of single pieces of wood or be
built up of several pieces that give a more complex and decorative
appearance. Trims made of MDF with durable plastic finishes are
also available.
Interior trim conceals joints between different materials and
blocks air infiltration through walls, which typically is greatest at
material joints. Interior trim also frames wall and ceiling openings
(door and window/skylight trim), defines planar edges (crown and
base molding), and acts as a visual divider between dissimilar
materials (chair rail).
TYPICAL CASING PROFILES
7.289
The Architectural Woodwork Institute differentiates wood trim
according to its length: Standing trim refers to the trims of fixed
length delivered to the job site (i.e., door jambs and casings, window stools, etc.); running trim refers to the trims of random,
longer length delivered to the job site (i.e., base, chair rail, crown
molding, etc.).
COPED, SCARF, AND MITER JOINTS
7.287
TYPICAL WOOD TRIM AND MOLDING
7.290
Contributor:
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 173
TYPICAL DOOR CASING AND BASE TRIM
7.291
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Stools are used as interior caps on windowsills and may receive
casing from above and an apron below. They are specified by the
width of the rabbet and the degree of the bevel.
TYPICAL STOOLS
7.292
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INTERIOR F INISHES
Cap or rake moldings are used above door and window heads and
at the top of wainscots.
TYPICAL COVE MOLDINGS
7.298
TYPICAL CAP OR RAKE MOLDINGS
7.295
Bed moldings are similar in use and size to cove moldings and may
be used at the bottom of built-up cornices and at other vertical-tohorizontal junctions.
Base moldings are used to trim the intersections of a wall or cabinet and the floor. Base may be one piece (with an integral base
cap) or flat with an optional base cap. Separate caps and shoes are
flexible and facilitate a close fit to uneven wall and floor surfaces.
Crown moldings are applied alone at the joint between the wall and
ceiling, or together with other moldings in a built-up cornice, typically toward the top of the cornice assembly; they are measured
edge to edge.
TYPICAL BED MOLDINGS
7.299
TYPICAL CORNICE TRIM
7.296
TYPICAL BASE MOLDINGS
7.293
Often integrated with cornices, picture moldings are used as continuous projecting supports for hanging picture rail hooks. Picture
rail hooks are available to fit these profiles.
TYPICAL PICTURE MOLDINGS
7.300
Stops are applied to the jamb to guide operable window sashes
and stop doors in a closed position. Stops may also be used as a
component of built-up moldings, typically base or cornice moldings.
TYPICAL STOPS
7.394
TYPICAL CROWN MOLDINGS
7.297
Panel strips, battens, and astragals are used in panels to conceal
joints, over window jamb edges in multiple-opening windows, and
as astragals at meeting joints of double-leaf doors.
TYPICAL PANEL STRIPS, BATTENS, AND ASTRAGALS
7.301
Cove moldings are similar to crown moldings, but may be smaller
in size and have less detail. Cove moldings are also used at inside
corners, such as wall to wall or ceiling to wall or as a component
of built-up moldings.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
Chair rails were originally meant to protect the wall surface from
chair backs. Chair rails should be located to align with the chair
backs in the room, either alone or atop wainscot paneling.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 175
WALL TILE TYPES
Ceramic wall tiles are modular surfacing units of fired clay and
TYPICAL BACKBANDS
7.305
other ceramic materials. They provide a permanent, durable,
waterproof surface for interior walls, and are available in bright or
matte glazes in a wide range of colors and surface designs. Wall
tiles are usually 5/16 in. (8 mm) thick. They are available in square,
hexagon, and octagon shapes, as well as some custom shapes.
TYPICAL CHAIR RAILS
7.302
Glazed ceramic wall tiles have a nonvitreous body and bright,
matte, or crystalline glazes that are impervious to water.
Decorative thin wall tile is glazed tile with a thin, usually nonvitreous body intended for decorative interior residential use. Because
it is not resistant to breakage, it is not recommended for commercial applications or use on floors.
TYPICAL PANEL MOLDINGS
7.306
Cementitious backer boards made of portland cement or treated
gypsum and lightweight aggregate can be used under thinset tile
and as a water-resistant base for tile regularly exposed to water
(such as a shower surround).
Standard sizes for ceramic wall tiles include:
• 4-1/4 by 4-1/4 in. (108 by 108 mm)
• 4-1/4 by 6 in. (108 by 152 mm)
• 6 by 6 in. (152 by 152 mm)
Half-rounds are used to conceal vertical and horizontal joints.
Quarter-rounds are used at inside corners and as base shoes.
Base caps are applied at the top of the baseboard, flush against
the wall. Backbands are typically applied as trim at the outer edge
of door and window jambs and heads, to form a built-up two-part
casing. Panel moldings are typically used as door and wainscot
trim, mitered together and arranged in rectangles.
TYPICAL ROUNDS AND BASE CAPS
7.303
Small ceramic mosaic tiles with a porcelain or natural clay body
are used glazed or unglazed for walls. These small tiles are usually face- or back-mounted on sheets to make handling easier and
installation quicker. Standard and custom designs can be ordered.
TILE WALL FINISHES
Specialty wall tiles include glass tiles, handmade and custom tiles,
and special sizes.
CERAMIC TILE
Ceramic tile is fabricated from clay or a mixture of clay and ceramic materials. Natural clay is most commonly used, but porcelain is
also available. Porcelain tile is fine grained and smooth. It can be
formed into sharply detailed designs.
Tile dimensions are typically nominal. Ceramic tile thickness is usually 3/8 or 1/2 in. (10 or 13 mm). Refer to the manufacturer’s data
for specific tile and trim piece dimensions.
WALL TILE TRIM SHAPES
Ceramic wall tiles come in a variety of trim shapes for finished
angles and edges. A sanitary base is a coved tile set at the intersection of the floor and wall. Its curved angle helps to prevent dirt
from accumulating and makes cleaning easier.
Ceramic wall tile trim pieces include:
ANSI A137.1, Specifications for Ceramic Tile, quantifies the four
levels of water absorption for tile. The density and porosity of the
tile determine its capability to absorb moisture. In general, the
lower the water absorption level, the better the stain resistance of
the tile.
TILE COMPOSITION AND GLAZE
Ceramic tile is made from either natural clay or porcelain, and is
glazed or unglazed.
TYPICAL OUTSIDE CORNER TRIM
7.304
• Porcelain tile is a ceramic mosaic or paver tile generally made
by the dust-pressed method. It is dense, impervious, fine
grained, and smooth with a sharply formed face.
• Natural clay tile is a ceramic mosaic or paver tile with a distinctive, slightly textured appearance. It is made by the dustpressed or plastic method from clays that have a dense body.
• Glazed tile has an impervious facial finish of ceramic materials
that is fused to the body of the tile. The body may be nonvitreous, semivitreous, vitreous, or impervious.
• Unglazed tile is a hard, dense tile of uniform composition that
derives color and texture from the materials used in its fabrication.
Bead: Rounded horizontal bead for top edges
Bullnose:
• Surface bullnose with a flat bottom and eased top edge
• Surface cap with a flat bottom and rounded top edge, used
horizontally or vertically
• Corner bullnose with two rounded finished edges to complete
a corner where horizontal and vertical bullnoses meet
Curb: Tile curb for horizontal use
Base:
• Cove base to connect to floor tile
• Stack-on cove base with coving on the bottom and a flat edge
on the top to accommodate wall tile
• Rounded top cove base, used where wall tile is not installed
above the base
• Surface base with a coved lower edge and an eased top edge
WATER ABSORPTION OF CERAMIC TILE
7.307
TYPE
Contributors:
Greg Heuer, Architectural Woodwork Institute, Potomac Falls, Virginia.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
Corky Binggeli, Materials for Interior Environments, John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken, NJ, 2008.
WATER ABSORPTION
CERAMIC MATERIAL
Natural clay
USE
Nonvitreous
More than 7%
Not for use in continually wet locations
Semivitreous
More than 3%, but not more than 7%
Natural clay
Not for use in continually wet locations
Vitreous
0.5 to 3%
Natural clay
For use in continually wet locations
Impervious
0.5% or less
Porcelain
For use in continually wet locations; superior
wear resistance
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INTERIOR F INISHES
ONE-COAT METHOD
7.311
WALL TILE TRIM SHAPES
7.308
DRYSET MORTAR (CEMENTITIOUS MORTAR)
7.312
TILE INSTALLATION
There are two basic steps in tile installation: setting and grouting.
Setting fixes the tile to the substrate with mortar or adhesive.
Grouting fills in the spaces between the tiles, binding them into a
continuous surface. Tile, mortar, and grout selection are interdependent. Ceramic wall tile may be applied with either the thinset or
the thickset process. Grouts for wall tiles are available in a wide
variety of colors. Highly pigmented grouts may bleed onto contrasting colored tiles.
CEMENT MORTAR
7.309
THICKSET INSTALLATION
COATED GLASS-MAT BACKER BOARD
7.313
Thickset installations use portland cement. A mortar bed is laid 3/4
to 2 in. (19 to 51 mm) thick. Accurate floor slopes to drains can be
installed, and reinforcement with metal mesh or waterproof membranes is possible. Waterproof membranes are flexible sheets or
liquids that cure to a seamless membrane; they are used in applications that are regularly or continually exposed to water. Both
thickset and thinset installations can incorporate waterproof membranes.
THINSET INSTALLATION
Thinset installations are the most popular (accounting for approximately 90% of installations in the United States) and can be as thin
as 3/32 in. (2.4 mm). All methods other than conventional portland
cement applications are considered thinset. Bonding materials
include dryset mortar, latex portland cement mortar, organic adhesive, epoxy mortar or adhesive, and modified epoxy emulsion mortar. Thinset application requires a continuous, stable, and undamaged surface.
Cementitious backer boards are sometimes used as an underlayment for thinset installations. Cementitious backer boards are
made of portland cement or treated gypsum and lightweight aggregate, and are designed to provide a water-resistant base for
ceramic tile installations regularly exposed to water, for example,
a shower surround.
MORTAR
Mortars are categorized as cementitious and noncementitious.
Adhesives are also popular for use in fixing tiles to the substrate.
The one-coat method is used for remodeling or on surfaces that
present bonding problems. It is the preferred method of applying
tile over gypsum plaster or gypsum board in showers and tub
enclosures.
Coated glass mat backer board is used in wet areas over dry, wellbraced wood or metal studs. Stud spacing should not exceed 16 in.
(406 mm) on center, and metal studs must be 20 gauge or heavier.
NOTE
7.309 Use cement mortar over masonry, plaster, or other solid backing
to provide firm anchorage for a metal lath. This is the preferred method
for showers and tub enclosures, and is used in remodeling.
Contributor:
Tile Council of North America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina
LATEX PORTLAND CEMENT MORTAR
7.310
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SETTING MATERIALS
7.314
TYPE
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 177
MOVEMENT JOINTS
7.315
DESCRIPTION
FEATURES
CEMENTITIOUS
Portland cement mortar
Portland cement and sand, in proportions of 1:5 for floors;
portland cement, sand, and lime, in proportions of
1:5:1/2 to1:7:1 for walls
Most surfaces, ordinary installations
Dryset mortar
Portland cement with sand and additives imparting water
retention; used as a bond coat for setting tile
Thinset installations
Latex portland cement
mortar
Portland cement, sand, and special latex additive;
used as a bond coat for setting tile
Latex additives improve adhesion, reduce water absorption,
and provide greater bond strength and resistance to shock
and impact; required for large-unit porcelain-bodied tile
Epoxy mortar
Epoxy resin and epoxy hardeners
Chemical resistant
Modified epoxy emulsion
mortars
Emulsified epoxy resins and hardeners with portland
cement and silica sand
High bond strength; little or no shrinkage; not chemical
resistant
NONCEMENTITIOUS
Furan resin mortar
Furan resin and furan hardeners
Chemical resistant
Epoxy adhesives
Epoxy resin and epoxy hardeners
High bond strength and ease of application; not optimal
chemical resistance
Organic adhesive
For interior use only; ready to use (no addition of liquid);
cures by evaporation
Not suitable for continuously wet applications or
temperatures exceeding 140°F
GROUT
MOVEMENT JOINTS
Grout is used to fill joints between tiles and is selected with a compatible mortar. Grout is either a portland cement–based mixture or
a mixture of other compounds to enhance its performance or ease
its installation. The type and size of tile, service level, climatic conditions, tile spacing, and individual manufacturer’s recommendations are factors that should be considered when selecting grout.
Movement in the structure and the substrate must be accommodated by the ceramic tile installation. For quarry tile and paver tile,
the movement joint width should be the same as the grout joint, but
not less than 1/4 in. (6 mm); for ceramic mosaic tile and glazed
wall tile, the movement joint should be at least 1/4 in. (6 mm), but
never less than 1/8 in. (3 mm). In addition to expansion joints,
there are several types of movement joints, as follows:
Portland cement–based grout is a mixture of portland cement and
sand (for floors) or lime (for walls) and is used for thickset installations. Portland cement–based grouts include commercial portland cement grout, sand portland cement grout, dryset grout, and
latex portland cement grout.
Grouts based on mixtures of other compounds include solid epoxy,
furan, silicone, and mastic grouts. Mastic grout eliminates the need
for mixing on-site.
• Epoxy grout is a two- or three-part mixture (epoxy resin hardener with silica sand filler) that is highly resistant to chemicals and
has great bond strength. This grout and furan grout are made for
different chemical and solvent resistance.
• Furan resin grout is a two-part furan mixture (similar to furan
mortar) that resists high temperatures and solvents.
• Silicone rubber grout is an elastomeric mixture of silicone rubber. It has high bond strength, is resistant to water and staining,
and remains flexible under freezing conditions.
Silicon, urethane, and modified polyvinyl chloride are used in pregrouted ceramic tile sheets.
• Control joints or contraction joints are formed, sawed, or tooled
grooves in the concrete substrate, used to create a weakened
location where the controlled cracking of the concrete can occur.
• Construction joints are located where two separate placements
of concrete meet and where reinforcement may be continuous.
• Isolation joints are installed where adjoining areas of a concrete
substrate may move in three directions and where the formation
of cracks is to be avoided.
• Cold joints are formed when the size of a concrete slab is too
large for one pour, and successive pours are required. Cold
joints may crack with movement of the slab. Some slabs are saw
cut at regular intervals to provide controlled cracking locations.
MATERIALS
Movement joints in tile installations use backup strips or sealants.
Backup strips are flexible and compressible types of closed-cell
foam polyethylene, butyl rubber, or open-cell and closed-cell
polyurethane. These strips should be rounded at the surface that
contacts the sealant.
Sealants used are silicone, urethane, or polysulfide. Silicone sealants
are used on interior vertical tile surfaces. Mildew-resistant silicone
sealants are useful in wet areas. Urethane sealants are used in interior horizontal tile installations.
LOCATIONS
All expansion, control, construction, cold, and seismic joints in the
structure should continue through the tile work, including such
joints in vertical surfaces. Joints through tile work directly over
structural joints must never be narrower than the structural joint.
Expansion joints should be installed in the following circumstances:
• In general, 24 to 36 ft (7.3 to 11 m) in each direction
• For tile work exposed to direct sunlight or moisture, 12 to 16 ft
(3.7 to 4.9 m) in each direction
• Where tile work abuts restraining surfaces such as perimeter
walls, dissimilar floors, curbs, columns, pipes, ceilings, and
where changes occur in backing materials
Contributors:
Tile Council of North America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Winnie Cheng, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
Jess McIlvain, AIA, CCS, CSI, Jess McIlvain and Associates, Bethesda,
Maryland.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
GLASS TILE WALL FINISHES
STONE WALL FINISHES
Glass tile is impervious to water and is heat and thaw resistant. It
can be used on walls of all types, as well as on floors, countertops,
and exterior and underwater surfaces. Applications include kitchen
backsplashes, showers and baths, saunas and steam rooms, as
well as feature walls and columns in residential and commercial
spaces. Glass tile surfaces are easily cleaned with pH-balanced
soap and water or mild tile cleaners.
TYPES OF STONE
GRANITE
Granite can be used on interior walls in many finishes, ranging
from highly polished to a rough thermal finish. A waterjet finish is
a texture between honed and thermal that brings out the color of
the stone. It will appear slightly darker than a thermal finish.
Granite is much harder than marble, and is therefore more costly
to fabricate and finish.
TYPES
There are four main types of glass tiles:
Fused glass consists of clear or translucent glass backed by a
visible opaque color layer. Fused glass is available in many small
and large sizes, and is often etched or coated.
Cast glass is made by putting chunks of glass into a mold and
heating them until they melt together, creating a layered appearance. It is used for most recycled glass products.
Sintered glass is made from glass powder pressed into dies and
heated to fuse the particles. Color is added to the powder or
applied to the milky, scratch-resistant surface. Tiles are usually 1
by 1 in. (25 by 25 mm), but may be up to 3 by 3 in. (76 by 76 mm).
Smalti are small hand-cut pieces of textured tiles used primarily for art mosaics. They are made from a glass paste or glaze of
silicon melted with sodium or potassium carbonate. Metals are
added for stability and metal oxides for color.
The two most common surface treatments for glass tiles are:
Slumping: Glass (usually plate glass) is curved into convex or
concave shapes by firing in relief molds at relatively low temperatures.
Etching: A thin, translucent layer is produced on the surface of
the tile by one of three methods:
• Abrasion by sandblasting or laser cutting
• Acid etching with a chemical such as hydrofluoric acid
• Application of an additional cloudy glass surface on top of the
tile
METAL WALL TILES
Metal tiles can be used on walls, but are generally not recommended for floors, where they are liable to being scratched and
can be permanently damaged. Installation in showers, bathrooms,
and kitchen areas where puddling may occur is not recommended.
Metal tiles should not be used around pools, wet or dry saunas, or
fountains, where they may be damaged by chemicals in water.
Avoid their use on countertops where they may come into contact
with acid juices, colas, or damaging cleaners.
Metal tiles conduct heat, and should be installed a minimum of 41/2 in. (115 mm) from stove burner elements, and at least 6 in.
(152 mm) from fireplace openings.
STONE FACING
Numerous types of stones can be used for stone facing; however,
consideration should be given to the selection of a stone that is
appropriate for the intended use.
Stone facing is available in two basic types: dimension stone panels and dimension stone tiles. Marbles and other stones that might
be considered too soft for flooring can usually be used for stone
facing, with the proper reinforcement and installation.
DIMENSION STONE PANELS
MARBLE
Marble varieties that are not recommended for exterior use can be
successfully used in interior wall panel applications, if properly
prepared for vertical installations. Heavily veined marbles, prized
for their aesthetic qualities, are examples.
SERPENTINE MARBLE
Green varieties of marble, called serpentine marble, are sensitive
to water and are prone to warping when wet. When installing serpentine stone, use setting materials that do not contain water, such
as water-cleanable epoxy adhesives.
GREENSTONE
Greenstone, a general term for metamorphosed igneous basaltictype rock, is typically available in honed or cleft finishes, and is not
suitable for a highly polished finish, due to the stone structure.
Greenstone contains minerals that give it a green appearance:
actinolite, chlorite, or epidote.
DOLOMITIC LIMESTONE
Dimension stone is defined as quarried stone with usually one or
more mechanically dressed surfaces. These are thick slabs of
stone that are marked as they are cut for matched-pattern installations, such as book-matched or end-matched configurations.
Dimension stone facing panel dimensions typically range from larger-dimension units with face areas up to 48 sq in. (310 sq cm), and
3⁄4 in. (19 mm) or more thick.
DIMENSION STONE TILES
Stone tiles are fabricated under different conditions from dimension stone panels and are not typically matched to create patterns,
such as book matching or end matching. The greater variation in
stone color, pattern, and texture is common in stone tile.
Stone tile modules are dimension stone units that do not exceed 4
sq ft (0.37 sq m) and are less than 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) thick. Stone tiles
are typically 12 by 12 in. (305 by 305 mm) up to 24 by 24 in. (610
by 610 mm), and 1⁄4, 3⁄8, or 1⁄2 in. (6, 10, or 13 mm) thick. They
are usually furnished with a protective backing such as fiberglass
to improve their strength.
Dolomitic limestone is more widely used for interior stone facing,
as it is typically not as porous as oolitic limestone (which contains
small spheres of calcium carbonate formed around sand grains or
shell fragments), and is often polished similar to marble. It is also
available with a smooth honed finish, a textured sandblasted finish,
or a split-face finish.
Granite and marble stone tiles 1/4 to 1/2 in. (6 to 13 mm) thick are
available, usually with a face dimension of 12 by 12 in. (305 by 305
mm). Tiles can be directly applied to a wall with adhesive or thinset mortar, similar to flooring applications. Tiles are not recommended for walls over 8 ft (2.4 m) high.
SLATE
MARBLE WALL FACING
Patterns
Slate is commonly used as a contemporary interior floor or wall finish. It is available in a palette of dark, rich colors, including green,
black, purple, and red. Slate splits easily into thin sheets. The finish resulting from the natural face is referred to as a cleft finish.
Slate can also be sand rubbed to a smooth or honed finish.
TRAVERTINE
Travertine is distinguished by its natural cavities, formed by plants
embedded during the rock’s formation, which must be filled to
achieve a smooth surface. Filling materials are typically portland
cement, epoxy resins, or polyester resins. Travertine is actually a
kind of limestone, but some types that take a polish are classified
as marble. It is popular for use as flooring because its visual texture conceals dirt much better than most other stones.
Stone with distinctive texture and markings, such as certain marbles, lends itself to specific pattern arrangements. The markings
vary depending on whether the marble veneer is cut with or across
its setting bed. Dimension stone panels are available in the following patterns:
• Blend pattern: Panels of the same variety of stone but not necessarily from the same block are arranged at random.
• Side-slip pattern: Panels from the same block are placed side by
side or end to end in sequence, to ensure a repetitive pattern
and blended color.
• End-matched pattern: Adjacent panel faces are finished, and
one panel is inverted and placed above the other.
• Book-matched pattern: Adjacent panel faces are finished, and
one panel is placed next to the other.
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MARBLE WALL FACING PATTERNS
7.316
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 179
TYPICAL FINISHES AND COMMON SIZES OF INTERIOR STONE WALL PANELS
7.317
STONE
GRADE
FINISH
MINIMUM
THICKNESS
MAXIMUM FACE
DIMENSION
NOTES
Granite
Building (exterior)
Veneer
Masonry
Polished
Honed
3/4 to 1-1/4
(19 to 31 mm)
5-0 5-0
(1,524 1,524 mm)
This very hard and durable surface is not likely to stain.
Many colors and grains are available.
Marble
Group A (exterior)
Group B
Group C
Group D
Polished
Honed
1/2 to 7/8
(13 to 22 mm)
4-0 7-0
(1,219 2,134 mm)
The most colorful and interesting marbles are in
Groups B, C, and D; however, some filling of natural
voids may be required. Many colors and patterns are
available.
Limestone
Select
Standard
Rustic
Variegated
Smooth
Tooled
Polished
7/8 to 3
(22 to 76 mm)
4-0 9-0
(1,219 2,743 mm)
Soft and easy to shape, but shows wear and may
discolor over time. Colors range in the buffs and grays.
Slate
Ribbon
Clear
Natural
Cleft
Sand
Rubbed
Honed
1 to 1-1/2
(25 to 38 mm)
2-6 5-0
(762 1,524 mm)
Ribbon stock is distinguished by its ornamental integral
bands, which are usually darker than the rest of the
stone. Colors range in the pastel hues.
INSTALLATION OF STONE PANELS
ANCHORING SYSTEMS
BASE DETAIL
7.320
Wire-tie anchoring systems with plaster or mortar spots are the
traditional methods for installing interior stone facing. Mechanical
anchoring systems fasten stone directly to the backup wall, eliminating the need for additional studding and gypsum board and providing verifiable seismic restraint.
STONE FACING WIRE ANCHOR CONNECTION
7.318
STONE PANEL ON WOOD STUDS
7.321
SOFFIT DETAIL AT WALL
7.319
.
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7.322
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INTERIOR F INISHES
MORTAR BEDS
Mortar beds can be used when installing thin stone tiles and thin
panels in a thick portland cement mortar system consisting of
metal lath, a scratch coat, and a float coat. The stone tile is set into
the float coat.
THINSET BEDS
Thinset installations are appropriate for vertical application of stone
tiles and thin panels up to 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) thick. The stone is set in
the same manner as ceramic tiles, directly on the substrate of gypsum board or cementitious backer units, using specific thin-bed setting systems. Adhesives used with thinset installations should be
nonstaining, especially when installing light-colored stone.
TYPICAL HORIZONTAL JOINTS
7.324
WIRE AND BOX ANCHOR TO GYPSUM BOARD
7.323
Mechanical Anchoring Systems
In mechanical anchoring systems, the stone is kerfed (grooved or
notched) on the back side and is restrained by the use of straps or
clips. Anchor systems may be fastened to metal studs through gypsum board. Exterior anchors may also be used with metal channel
struts, eliminating the need to coordinate stud locations with
anchor locations. This type of anchor may still require plaster-setting spots.
INSTALLATION OF STONE TILE
Stone tile may be installed in a full mortar bed, in a thinset mortar
bed, or with an adhesive. Thin stone tiles are typically not
restrained by ties or anchors; therefore, their installation has limitations. Tiles that are installed above 8 ft (2.4 m) high must be
additionally restrained with anchors.
Interior stone anchoring systems must be compatible with the
stone and substrate. Stone facing may be installed on gypsum
board construction, masonry, or concrete walls. Butt joints are not
recommended due to potential spalling (surface chipping or scaling) if movement occurs in the structure.
Contributors:
Mark Forma, Leo Daly Company, Washington, DC.
George M. Whiteside III, AIA, and James D. Lloyd, Kennett Square,
Pennsylvania.
Alexander Keyes and Darrel Downing, Rippeteau Architects, PC,
Washington, DC.
TYPICAL CORNER DETAILS
7.325
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METAL WALL FINISHES
TYPES OF METALS
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel is an iron alloy that is inherently corrosion resistant
because of the addition of chromium. Stainless steels contain at
least 11.5% chromium. Nickel or molybdenum is added when maximum corrosion resistance is required. Stainless steel is used in
the construction of handrails, floor plates, wall panels, hardware,
fasteners, and anchors. Decorative shapes and statuary can be
cast in stainless steel. It is popular for use in commercial interiors
as column covers and railings, hardware, wall panels, and numerous other products. Its durability, finish retention, and other properties also make it useful for equipment used in food preparation
and other commercial equipment, furniture, accessories, and finedining utensils.
ALUMINUM
Unlike the ores of gold and silver, aluminum ore is not found free in
nature. It is always chemically combined with other elements and
must therefore be extracted. The majority of the aluminum used
today in the United States comes from recycled sources.
Aluminum is soft and flexible, allowing it to be easily fabricated. It
is light in weight yet remarkably strong. Aluminum is an excellent
thermal and electrical conductor; electrical wiring is often made of
aluminum. Aluminum is used for door frames and hardware, interior window frames, horizontal louver blind slats, and contemporary
furniture.
FINISHES
Because it is inherently corrosion resistant, aluminum often
requires no special finish. A protective oxide film forms rapidly and
naturally on the surface when exposed to air.
Finishes are frequently applied to aluminum for decorative purposes. Because aluminum’s natural oxide film does not always provide
a good bonding surface for coatings, the surface is converted to
one with improved adhesion if a coating is desired. Conversion
coatings are generally used to prepare the metal for painting but
can also be used as final finishes.
COPPER
Copper is readily available, easily fabricated, and corrosion resistant under a wide range of conditions. Good thermal and electrical
conductivity, corrosion resistance, and easy forming and joining all
make copper and its alloys useful in construction. Copper is not
affected by alkaline chemicals and so is often used where metalto-masonry contact is required. In interior applications, the greatest use of copper is in electrical wiring; it has the second highest
conductivity of any material (silver is only slightly higher). Copper
is also popular for use in plumbing supply pipes and fittings.
Copper can be made harder and stronger by adding small amounts
of tin.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 181
BRONZE AND BRASS
FINISHES FOR METALS
Bronze was originally a copper-tin alloy, but the term today is used
to identify other alloys with a bronze color, including aluminum
bronzes, silicon bronzes, and leaded phosphor bronzes. Phosphor
bronze is a copper-tin-phosphorus alloy; leaded phosphor bronze is
composed of copper, lead, tin, and phosphorus.
FINISHING PROCESSES
AMP 500, Introduction to Metal Finishing, describes the three
Brass, a copper-zinc alloy, is commonly used for door hardware
and upholstered furniture tacks. Some brass alloys may be called
bronzes even though they have little or no tin in them.
When a metal is identified as bronze, the alloy cannot contain zinc or
nickel; if it does, it is probably brass. Architectural brasses and
bronzes are actually all brasses; they are used for doors, windows,
door and window frames, railings, trim and grilles, and finish hardware. Muntz metal (also called malleable brass, is a bronze alloy that
resembles extruded architectural bronze in color. Muntz metal is
available in sheet and strip, and is used in flat surfaces in architectural compositions in connection with extruded architectural bronze.
DISSIMILAR METALS
When dissimilar metals are connected by an electrolyte, a current,
called a galvanic current, flows from one to the other. An electrolyte is any liquid that conducts electricity, for example, water.
The current causes one of the metals to deteriorate, and this reaction is called galvanic corrosion. The threat of galvanic corrosion is
greatest in exterior applications where materials are exposed to
rain or high humidity. However, even in interior applications, galvanic corrosion is of concern. Dissimilar metals in contact with
each other, including nails, screws, and bolts, must be coated with
or separated by a nonabsorbent, nonconductive material.
Metals that are higher on the galvanic scale will corrode when they
are electrolytically connected to metals that are lower on the scale.
The metal that is more anodic will corrode, or lose material to, the
metal that is more cathodic. The farther apart metals are on the
scale, the more rapid the corrosion.
In addition to the dissimilarity of metals, the amount of metal also
plays a part in galvanic corrosion. The less noble (inactive or inert)
metal will more likely corrode severely if its surface area is small
in comparison with the more noble metal. For example, aluminum
(more noble) screws used to fasten a sheet of stainless steel (less
noble) to a wall would present a serious corrosion problem in the
presence of an electrolyte, but stainless steel screws in an aluminum sheet most likely would perform acceptably.
GALVANIC SCALE
Metals at the top of the following list—the anodic end—are more
noble, and will corrode in the presence of an electrolyte when connected to metals below them on the list.
Zinc
Aluminum
Galvanized steel
Cadmium
Mild steel, wrought iron
Cast iron
Stainless steel, Types 304 and 316 (active)
Lead-tin solder
Lead
Brass, bronze
Copper
Stainless steel, Types 304 and 316 (passive)
Almost half of the copper that is used in the United States is recycled rather than newly mined. About half of the recycled copper is
postconsumer waste, while the remainder is manufacturing scrap.
Prolonged exposure of an untreated copper surface results in a
brown and, eventually, green patina. Polishing the surface to
remove the oxide film can restore copper’s appearance. The metallic surface can also be preserved by the application of a transparent coating.
Source: Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
(SMACNA), Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, 5th ed., Chantilly, Virginia, 1993
.
basic finish types—mechanical, chemical, and coating—for various metals. Application environments, service requirements, and
aesthetics together determine which metal finish or coating is best
to specify. Finishes are usually selected for both appearance and
function. Chromium plating on metal bathroom water faucets and
handles or baked enamel on sheet metal lighting fixtures, for
example, must be attractive as well as functionally protective.
MECHANICAL FINISHES
Mechanical finishes are accomplished by buffing, grinding, polishing, or otherwise texturing the metal surface for a specific appearance.
As-fabricated finishes comprise the texture and surface appearance given to a metal by the fabrication process.
Buffed finishes are produced by successive polishing and buffing
operations using fine abrasives, lubricants, and soft fabric wheels.
Polishing and buffing improve edge and surface finishes and render many types of cast parts more durable, efficient, and safe.
Patterned finishes are available in various textures and designs.
They are produced by passing an as-fabricated sheet between two
matched-design rollers, embossing patterns on both sides of the
sheet, or between a smooth roller and a design roller, embossing
or coining on one side of the sheet only.
Directional textured finishes are produced by making tiny parallel
scratches on the metal surface using a belt or wheel and fine abrasive or by hand rubbing with steel wool. Metal treated this way has
a smooth, satiny sheen.
Peened finishes are achieved by firing a stream of small steel shot
at a metal surface at high velocity. The primary aim of shot peening
is to increase the fatigue strength of the component; the decorative and slip-resistant finish is a by-product. Other nondirectional
textured finishes are produced by blasting metal, under controlled
conditions, with silica sand, glass beads, and aluminum oxide.
CHEMICAL FINISHES
Chemical cleaning cleans the metal surface without affecting it in
any other way. This finish is achieved with chlorinated and hydrocarbon solvents and inhibited chemical cleaners or solvents (for
aluminum and copper) and pickling, chlorinated, and alkaline solutions (for iron and steel).
Etched finishes produce a matte, frosted surface with varying
degrees of roughness by treating the metal with an acid (sulfuric
and nitric acid) or alkali solution.
The bright finish process, not used widely, involves chemical or
electrolytic brightening of a metal surface, typically aluminum.
Conversion coating is typically categorized as a chemical finish, but
because a layer or coating is produced by a chemical reaction, it could
be considered a coating as well. Conversion coatings typically prepare the surface of a metal for painting or for receiving another type
of finish but are also used to produce a patina or statuary finish.
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COATINGS
Organic coatings on metal can provide protection and serve decorative purposes. Protective coatings include primers or undercoats, pigmented topcoats in hidden areas, and clear finish protective coatings. General categories of organic coatings include
paints, varnishes, enamels, lacquers, plastisols (resin and plasticizer mix), organosols (finely divided or colloidal insoluble material
suspended in an organic liquid), and powders. Application techniques include dipping and spraying.
Electrodeposition is similar to electroplating, except that organic
resins are deposited instead of metal. The coating builds up to a
uniform thickness without runs or sags and can be deposited into
the deeply recessed areas of a complex shape. The process of electrodeposition does not waste paint and emits low levels of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs); however, it has limited coating thicknesses, and after the first coat, subsequent coats must be sprayed.
Powder coating is perhaps the best known environmentally acceptable painting process. The paints are solventless and therefore safer.
Coating powders include epoxies, polyurethanes, acrylics, and polyesters. Powder coatings are either thermoplastic or thermosetting.
All three coating types are used extensively on aluminum. Carbon
steel and iron require finishes to stabilize the metal surface.
Copper alloys are commonly finished with both mechanical and
chemical methods. Stainless steel is most frequently finished by
mechanical means.
DECORATIVE METALS
WROUGHT IRON
Wrought iron is a form of iron with a relatively soft and malleable
fibrous structure. The term, which means “worked” iron, is widely
associated with decorative metal. Wrought iron is relatively pure
iron with low carbon content. Iron with such low carbon content is
scarce today, so most fabricators use steels containing combinations
of iron with a higher percentage of carbon for ornamental details.
Low-carbon steel or mild steel are the most desirable of these.
Steel and iron are the metals most frequently used for decorative
metal work. Other popular metals are aluminum (favored for its
light weight and rust resistance), polished bronze, brass, and copper. Blacksmiths primarily produce custom work today; a smaller
proportion of their work is restoration.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
CRIMPED AND WELDED MEMBERS
7.329
STANDARD PERFORATION PATTERNS
7.330
LAMINATED AND PERFORATED METAL
SHEETS
Finished metals are available in sheet form either as solid metal or
laminated to high-pressure laminate (HPL) or phenolic backer
sheets. These products are recommended for vertical and lightduty horizontal surfaces; manufacturers recommend protection
with glass for other horizontal uses. Finished metal sheets can be
bent into radiused corners if not attached to backer sheets.
PERFORATED METAL SHEETS
Perforated metals were created to fulfill industrial needs such as
minimizing the weight of a particular component or controlling the
passage of fluids or gases. As an architectural component, perforated metals can be used as control devices or simply as decoration. Perforated metal panels are considered acoustically transparent and may appear to be visually solid, depending on the size
of the perforations.
Perforated metals retain a great deal of their strength and ventilate well, so they are often employed in furniture and other
designs.
Common finishes for perforated material include:
• Powder coat or wet paint finishes on carbon steel
• Brush finished, anodized, or painted finishes on aluminum
• Bright, brushed, or electropolished finishes on stainless steel
and brass
BAR ENDS
7.326
NONSTANDARD PERFORATION PATTERNS
7.331
INTERSECTING MEMBERS
7.327
CORNER CONDITIONS
7.328
Contributors:
Edward R. Estes Jr., Norfolk, Virginia.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
SLOTS
7.332
•
•
•
IPA
NUMBER
PERFORATIONS
OPEN
AREA
LINE
207
1/8 3/4 (3 19 mm)
41%
Side staggered
208
1/8 1 (3 25 mm)
43%
Side staggered
•
•
WALL SURFACE COVERINGS
SYNTHETIC WALL FINISHES
PLASTICS
Plastics comprise a widely diverse group of materials; worldwide,
there are about 15,000 different plastic formulas available. Like
metals, plastics can be alloyed (mixed) with other such materials to
improve performance characteristics. Many plastics have long,
multisyllable chemical titles, and manufacturers often devise trade
names for better marketability. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene is best known by the trade name Teflon.
All plastics share three common traits:
• With few exceptions (silicone is one), plastics are based on the
carbon atom.
• Plastics are derived from petrochemicals.
• All plastics are polymers, which are giant molecules, composed of
up to millions of relatively light, simple molecules. Polymerization,
the formation of these giant chains, is basic to the formation of
plastics. Polymers are characterized by high molecular weight,
outstanding stability, and strength provided by an intermolecular
force that prevents easy destruction.
COMPONENTS
Resin (like polymer, an alternative term used for plastic) is the basic
ingredient of plastic. Resins are combined with fillers, stabilizers,
plasticizers, pigments, and other components to form plastics.
face hardness, and chemical resistance. They are lightweight,
colorfast, and do not yellow with age. Acrylics are used for skylight glazing, safety glazing, and paint resins.
Polystyrenes: Inexpensive and easy to process, polystyrenes
have clarity, hardness, and excellent colorability. They are used
for light fixture diffusers, core material for doors, wood-grainpatterned chair parts, and mirror frames.
Vinyls: This large group of sturdy, flexible plastics off-gas volatile
organic compounds (VOC)s. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is used as an
interlayer in safety glass. Polyvinyl fluoride is used as a fireretardant textile coating for airplane interiors and as a whiteboard surfacing material. The most common form, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is used for floor coverings, window blinds, upholstery
material, and wallcoverings.
Alkyds: Alkyds are oil-modified polyesters. These plastics exhibit moderate heat resistance, a rapid cure cycle, and good mold
flow characteristics. Alkyds are used as a paint coating.
Melamines: Hardness, clarity, and stain resistance are characteristics of melamines. They are difficult to scratch or cut and do
not yellow with age. Most laminating resins for both low- and
high-pressure laminates are melamines.
Polyesters: Polyester is widely used in textiles for bedding,
drapery, and upholstered furniture. It is used for upholstery
cushions and insulating material in pillows, comforters, and
other furnishings. Polyester is used with glass fibers to form
fiberglass. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester is used to
make beverage bottles and Mylar.
High-pressure decorative laminates (HPDLs) consist of a sandwich
of melamine-impregnated overlay and decorative surface papers,
over phenolic resin–impregnated papers. These layers are pressed
under temperatures exceeding 265°F and high pressure. Unlike
thermoset decorative laminates, sheets of HPDLs are adhered to
the surface of substrates, such as particleboard, which can then be
trimmed and edge banded.
The four most common types of HPDL sheets are:
Plastics are commonly categorized as either thermoplastic or thermosetting materials.
Vertical-type plastic laminates designed for use on vertical surfaces include:
• Thermoplastics become soft when heated and can be remolded
repeatedly without affecting the properties of the plastic.
Thermoplastics harden when cooled and require the addition of
plasticizers to increase their flexibility.
• Thermoset plastics are permanently hardened after undergoing
an irreversible chemical change during processing. Once they
are set, they cannot be softened and remolded.
• Fire-rated laminates with a fire-retardant-treated kraft phenolic
core, available in 4 by 8 ft (1.2 by 2.4 m) and 4 by 10 ft (1.2 by 3
m) sheets with either a matte or a gloss finish. They are used for
interior fire-rated doors, wainscoting, wall panels and dividers,
as well as cladding for furniture, cabinetry, and fixtures in airports, hospitals, office buildings, and schools.
• High-wear laminates with enhanced abrasion and scuff resistance
are available in 3, 4, and 5 ft (0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 m) widths and 8,
10, and 12 ft (2.4, 3, and 3.7 m) heights with a matte finish. Highwear laminates are used for wainscoting, wall panels, and
cladding for checkout counters and fixtures in restaurants, fastfood establishments, and banks.
• Acrylics: These have the clarity of glass, good weatherability, surContributor:
McKey Perforating Company, New Berlin, Wisconsin.
HIGH-PRESSURE DECORATIVE LAMINATE
7.334
with melamine resin and then applying it to a substrate (usually
particleboard) under low pressure and low heat. The substrate is
cut to the required size and shape, and the thermoset decorative
laminate is applied, effectively sealing in the substrate. Polyesterimpregnated paper is also used on thermoset decorative laminates. These panels are often used as interior panels and shelves
in casework. They are not as durable as high-pressure decorative
laminates, but they are far less expensive.
• Fillers are added to impart a certain characteristic property,
such as durability or heat resistance. Some fillers, called extenders, may be added to decrease the amount of relatively expensive plastic required and to increase the mass of the product.
• Stabilizers lend protection against degradation of the plastic
resulting from exposure to environmental conditions such as
ultraviolet rays and even oxygen.
• Plasticizers are mixed with the resin to increase flexibility,
resiliency, and impact resistance. The addition of plasticizers
lends the required flexibility to sheet vinyl so that it can be rolled
without cracking.
Synthetic materials used for covering and finishing interior wall
surfaces include:
LOW-PRESSURE LAMINATE
7.333
PLASTIC LAMINATES
Thermoset decorative laminates, sometimes referred to as lowpressure laminates, are made by impregnating laminating paper
• HGS: Used for most horizontal surfaces, for example, countertops, this type can be bent to a radius of approximately 6 in. (152
mm).
• CLS: Manufactured as a thin sheet, CLS is used for vertical applications, typically inside casework, where it will not be required
to withstand heavy wear. CLS should not be used as a balancing/backer sheet for countertops.
• BKL: These economical, nondecorative sheets are used on the
side of the substrate hidden from view to prevent warping as a
result of changes in temperature or humidity.
• HGP: HGP is used for tightly radiused curves, for example, at the
edge of a formed countertop.
TYPES
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 183
DECORATIVE WALL SYSTEMS
MODULAR WALL TILES
Decorative wall systems consisting of modular, interchangeable
tiles are designed to extend in any direction and can be custom
sized to a given space. The flat tiles with curved outlines are positioned within grooved extrusions, either in a continuous line or in
alternating convex and concave rows. The easy-to-change tiles create a woven or wavelike three-dimensional surface that hides
imperfections or unevenness in the wall on which they are mounted, eliminating the need for surface preparation.
The extruded aluminum frames in which the tiles are placed are
lightweight and easy to install on existing walls, or on a wood stud
framework covered with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or similar material. They can also be installed flush with surrounding
walls and ceilings, or in recesses. Light sources can be installed in
recessed mountings behind tiles, or between the aluminum extrusions. The air spaces created by the curving surface absorb sound
and reduce acoustical reverberation within the room.
Tiles are available in translucent resins and with finishes including
wood veneer, plastic laminates and polypropylenes, printed PETG
polyethylene terephthalate, a form of PET, and printed, anodized, or
powder-coated metals.
SCULPTURAL WALL PANELS
Sculptural wall panels for interior wall finishes are available in at
least two types:
• Sculptural mineral composite (also called cast rock) panels with
low relief designs
• Carved relief panels with recessed grooved designs
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184 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
SCULPTURAL MINERAL COMPOSITE PANELS
Sculptural mineral composite panels create a low relief surface
that generates a texture of shadows and highlights. The 32 by 32
in. (813 by 813 mm) panels are assembled with steel-reinforced
interlocking joints into a visually seamless surface.
Made of cementitious mineral composites, the panels are extremely hard and dense, yet flexible. They are fire resistant, do not emit
VOCs, and are relatively lightweight, weighing between 1.5 and 2.5
lb (0.7 and 1.1 kg) per sq ft (0.09 sq m). Repair methods are similar to those for gypsum wallboard, without the face paper.
INTERIOR F INISHES
DEFINITIONS OF SIX WALLCOVERING CATEGORIES BASED ON PERFORMANCE
7.337
CATEGORY
USE
For decorative purposes
Wallcoverings are not tested. Wallpaper and other primarily residential
wallcoverings fall into this category.
II
Decorative with
medium serviceability
Primarily decorative but more
washable and colorfast than
Category I wallcoverings
In addition to the testing required for minimum washability and
colorfastness, wallcoverings are tested for maximum flame spread and
smoke development. Primarily for residential use.
III
Decorative with high
serviceability
For medium use, where abrasion
resistance, stain resistance,
scrubbing ability, and increased
colorfastness are more necessary
than for Category II wallcoverings
In addition to the testing required for Category II wallcoverings,
wallcoverings are tested for minimum scrubbing ability, stain resistance,
and crocking resistance. They meet more stringent requirements.
Primarily for residential use.
IV
Type I commercial
serviceability
For use where higher abrasion
resistance, stain resistance, and
scrubbing ability are necessary in
heavy consumer and light
commercial use
In addition to the testing required for Category III wallcoverings,
wallcoverings are tested for maximum shrinkage and minimum abrasion
resistance, breaking strength, tear resistance, blocking resistance, coating
adhesion, cold-cracking resistance, and heat-aging resistance. All test
methods listed in the standard apply to Category III wallcoverings, but the
wallcoverings meet more stringent requirements for colorfastness and
scrubbing ability than Category III wallcoverings. Appropriate for private
offices, hotel rooms, and areas not subject to unusual abrasion or
heavy traffic.
V
Type II commercial
serviceability
For use where better wearing
qualities are required and exposure
to wear is greater than normal
Tested according to more stringent requirements for scrubbing ability,
abrasion resistance, stain resistance, tear resistance, and coating
adhesion than Category IV wallcoverings. Appropriate for public areas
such as lounges, dining rooms, public corridors, and classrooms.
VI
Type III commercial
serviceability
For use in heavy-traffic areas
Category VI wallcoverings are tested for the highest scrubbing ability,
abrasion resistance, breaking strength, tear resistance, coating adhesion,
and maximum shrinkage. Category VI, Type III wallcoverings are
commonly used in high-traffic service corridors where carts may bump
into the walls.
CARVED RELIEF PANELS
Carved relief panels have designs created by recessed grooves in
wood. One available type is then covered with formed laminate for
a very durable white or colored surface. Another is made of
reclaimed wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified
sources. Fire-retardant and water-resistant cores are also available. The panels can be sawn, nailed, screwed, glued, and cleat
mounted.
WALLCOVERINGS
Wallcoverings offer improved durability over paint finishes while
providing texture and pattern to the wall surface. Wallcovering
types include textiles, vinyl, wallpapers, fiberglass, and wood
veneer. The use of vinyl wallcoverings is declining due to environmental and health concerns, and manufacturers are seeking more
environmentally acceptable alternatives, including fibrous polyester cellulose materials.
GUIDELINES FOR CALCULATING ONE LINEAL YARD
OF WALLCOVERING
7.335
WALLCOVERING WIDTH
SURFACE TO BE COVERED
54 (1,370 mm)
13 sq ft (1.2 sq m)
36 (910 mm)
9 sq ft (0.8 sq m)
COMMENTS
Decorative only
Sculptural mineral composite wall panels are designed for interior use
only. They are not a substitute for gypsum wallboard in code-required
fire-rated walls, where they may be installed over the wallboard.
Surfaces are finished with a manufacturer-approved low-VOC wall
sealer and then painted with interior paint, preferably applied with
an airless sprayer. A final coat of flat paint helps to hide seams.
White and light colors increase shadow contrast.
DESCRIPTION
I
TEXTILE WALLCOVERINGS
Not all textiles are suitable for use as wallcoverings. Textile wallcoverings are not appropriate in applications where wear resistance is a concern. Some of the fabrics that are used include polyester, linen, wool and wool blends, damask, and velvet.
Textiles must be back-coated to be installed as wallcovering. The
backing provides a barrier to prevent adhesives from bleeding
through and ruining the finish face of the fabric. Backings also provide the dimensional stability required for a textile to withstand the
stretching and smoothing operations of wallcovering installation.
Two common types of back-coating treatments are paper backing
and acrylic latex backing. New products are being developed to
replace the use of latex backing in most commercial projects.
• Paper backing involves laminating paper to the reverse side of
the textile. This process stiffens the textile for easier installation.
The textile assumes properties similar to those of wallpaper.
• Acrylic latex coating involves stretching the textile in a frame
and applying a latex compound. The textile retains some of its
inherent flexibility and is much less dimensionally stable than
paper-backed textiles. Latex backings can improve ravel resist-
WALLCOVERING DURABILITY CLASSIFICATIONS
7.336
PROPERTY
CATEGORY II:
DECORATIVE WITH MEDIUM
SERVICEABILITY
CATEGORY III:
DECORATIVE WITH HIGH
SERVICEABILITY
CATEGORY IV:
TYPE I COMMERCIAL
SERVICEABILITY
CATEGORY V:
TYPE II COMMERCIAL
SERVICEABILITY
CATEGORY VI:
TYPE III COMMERCIAL
SERVICEABILITY
Minimum colorfastness
23 hr
46 hr
200 hr
200 hr
200 hr
Minimum washability
100 cycles
100 cycles
100 cycles
100 cycles
100 cycles
Minimum scrubbing ability
—
50 cycles
200 cycles
300 cycles
500 cycles
Minimum abrasion resistance
—
—
200 cycles (220 grit)
300 cycles (220 grit)
1,000 cycles (220 grit)
Minimum breaking strength:
MD (machine direction)
CMD (cross machine direction)
—
—
—
—
40 lb (178 N)
30 lb (133 N)
50 lb (222 N)
55 lb (245 N)
100 lb (445 N)
95 lb (423 N)
Minimum crocking resistance
—
Good
Good
Good
Good
Minimum stain resistance
—
Reagents 1 to 9
Reagents 1 to 9
Reagents 1 to 12
Reagents 1 to 12
Minimum tear resistance
—
—
12
25
50
Maximum blocking resistance
—
—
2
2
2
Minimum coating adhesion
—
—
2 lb/in. (17.8 N/5 cm)
3 lb/in. (26.7 N/5 cm)
3 lb/in. (26.7 N/5 cm)
Minimum cold cracking
—
—
No change
No change
No change
Minimum heat aging resistance
—
—
Pass
Pass
Pass
Maximum flame spread
25
25
25
25
25
Maximum smoke developed
50
50
50
50
50
Maximum shrinkage:
MD (machine direction)
CMD (cross machine direction)
—
—
—
—
2
1
2
1
2
1.5
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INTERIOR F INISHES
ance and seam slippage. The use of latex-coated textile wallcoverings may increase installation costs. Often, this wallcovering’s
lack of rigidity requires that the adhesive be applied to the wall,
rather than to the back of the wallcovering. This process is more
labor intensive and requires a higher degree of skill.
STEINER TUNNEL TEST
7.340
CODE REQUIREMENTS
In the language of the codes, textiles include materials having
woven or nonwoven, napped, tufted, looped, or a similar surface.
Textile wallcoverings must meet either of the following conditions:
• They must have a Class A flame spread index and be protected
by automatic sprinklers. When used to limit the spread of fire,
sprinklers in this instance only have to be installed where the
textile wallcoverings are used.
• They must meet the criteria of NFPA 265, Standard Methods of
Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of
Textile Wall Coverings on Full Height Panels and Walls, when
tested in the manner intended for use, using the product mounting system, including adhesive.
NFPA 265 is commonly referred to as the Room Corner Test, and
was developed exclusively for textile wallcoverings. It was
designed to simulate more realistic circumstances than the Steiner
Tunnel Test, which mounts materials on the ceiling of the test
chamber. The wall substrate, adhesive, and textile wallcovering to
be used are installed in a near full-scale room and tested. This test
determines the contribution to a room fire made by a wall finished
with a textile wallcovering.
FABRIC ATTACHED TO WALL FLAMMABILITY
REQUIREMENTS
7.338
APPLICATION
FLAMMABILITY TEST
Stretched-fabric wall systems
Steiner Tunnel Test
Freestanding furniture panels
Steiner Tunnel Test
Tackboards
Steiner Tunnel Test
Acoustical panels
Steiner Tunnel Test
Wallcoverings
Room Corner Test
ROOM CORNER TEST
7.339
WOOD VENEER WALLCOVERINGS
Wood veneer wallcovering is made by bonding veneer slices, about
1/64 in. (0.39 mm) thick, to a woven backing material. The resulting
wallcovering is thin enough to be pliable along the grain lines but too
thick to be flexible in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the
wood grain). The inherent flexibility of wood veneer wallcovering
allows easy installation around columns and other curved surfaces.
Wall surface imperfections tend to telegraph through the thin
veneer. In areas where the substrate cannot be prepared to a
smooth, level surface, veneered plywood panels are a better
choice. Buckling and warpage caused by moisture can be a significant problem for this kind of wallcovering. It is not recommended
that wood veneer wallcovering be applied to the interior surface of
an exterior wall unless the finish face of the wall is furred out and
dampproofed.
VINYL WALLCOVERINGS
Vinyl products are durable and flexible, and have been a mainstay of
commercial interior wallcoverings for years. However, they are
petroleum based, emit VOCs, are not generally recyclable, and
release toxic gases if burned. Because it is impermeable to water,
vinyl wallcovering can harbor mold and mildew under its surface.
Some manufacturers offer water-permeable vinyl wallcoverings that
allow walls to breathe. Environmentally conscious architects and
designers are advised to seek alternatives to vinyl wallcoverings.
Wood veneer wallcoverings are available prefinished or unfinished. Unfinished veneers must be stained and finished after they
are installed. Some finishes, for example, penetrating oils, can
have an adverse effect on the wallcovering adhesive. Coatings
applied to the surface of installed wood veneer should be approved
by the wallcovering manufacturer.
The installation of wood veneer wallcovering is similar to the
installation of other types of wallcovering; however, the sheets
must be butted together and cannot be overlapped and trimmed.
WALLPAPERS
OTHER TYPES OF WALLCOVERINGS
Manufacturers are developing Type II commercial wallcoverings
that have the durability and ease of maintenance of vinyl wallcoverings, but which are free of chlorine and PVCs. These products are
typically nonrecyclable and do not contain recycled materials;
unlike vinyl, however, they can be incinerated or landfilled.
Microvented products are available for use in environments where
mold and mildew growth are problems.
Polyester and co-polyester microfilament fiber wallcoverings printed with water-based inks and with low VOC emissions are available
from some manufacturers. They are advertised as 100% recyclable,
including construction waste and postuse material.
Fiberglass wallcovering is composed of fiberglass yarns adhered
together. Fiberglass wallcovering is inherently flame resistant and
is suitable for use in reinforcing fragile or deteriorating wall surfaces. It is permeable, making it intrinsically mold and mildew
resistant. Fiberglass wallcoverings must be painted after installation. This wallcovering type provides a textured pattern only, not a
color. Typically, a latex paint is selected to maintain the breathability of the wall.
INSTALLING WALLCOVERINGS
It is important to determine the manner in which the wallcovering
will be installed. Consult the manufacturer and distributor for information. Textured wallcoverings may show up as distinct panels
when reversed. If problems are encountered, three test strips
should be installed in a nonreversed pattern and their appearance
evaluated.
INSTALLING WALLCOVERINGS
7.341
Contributors:
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver, Colorado.
Bob Pielow, Pielow Fair Associates, Seattle, Washington.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 185
Wallpapers are composed of a paper face and a paper backing.
They are not commonly used for commercial applications because
of their fragility and poor wear resistance. However, the scratch,
stain, and abrasion resistance of wallpaper can be improved by
requiring that the finish face be coated with a clear vinyl film.
Vinyl-coated papers, consisting of a paper substrate coated with
acrylic/vinyl or solid PVC with a total thickness of 2 to 5 mils (0.05
to 0.13 mm), are scrubbable and peelable or strippable. They are
suitable for use in residential kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry
rooms, but not for commercial applications.
Custom wallpapers begin as sketches, references, or concepts. The
wallpaper designer may work with graphics or photographs and
develop repeats and layouts, leading to strike-offs and final products.
Hand-printed wallpapers are block printed by hand or silk
screened. Block printing is usually done in two colors with linoleum
blocks hand cut from drawings. The natural irregularities of hand
printing result in subtle variations. Hand silk screening is somewhat less time consuming but still retains a soft, handmade
appearance. Hand-screened prints are available on handcrafted
hemp, linen, jute, and on woven and recycled papers.
A variety of natural-fiber materials are used for paper-backed wallcoverings, some of which are Class A and E-84 rated. Widths are
pretrimmed or untrimmed and range from 36 to 45 in. (914 to 1,118
mm) for pretrimmed, and 53 or 54 in. (1,346 or 1,372 mm) for
untrimmed. Materials include grass cloth, rush cloth, raffia, hemp,
bamboo, kenaf reed, and abaca. Other materials used include cork
and handcrafted, rice, or woven paper. Paper-backed silk wallcov-
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186 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
erings are available, some with metallic or abaca materials included. More exotic options include embroidered cotton, wood veneer,
mother-of-pearl, mica, and glass beads. Gold and silver leaf, as
well as faux gold leaf, are available backed with colored papers for
use as wallcoverings.
Page 186
INTERIOR F INISHES
WALLCOVERING PATTERN REPEAT
7.343
Historic wallpapers from the 17th to 20th centuries are produced
from original documents or reproductions, often for use in historic restoration projects. Original antique wallpapers are available as well.
HANDMADE WALLCOVERINGS
7.342
WALLCOVERING RANDOM MATCH
7.344
WALLCOVERING DROP MATCH
7.345
ROLL SIZE AND SEAMS
Typically, residential wallcoverings range in width from 20-1⁄2 to
28 in. (521 to 711 mm). A single roll yields 27 to 30 sq ft (2.5 to 2.8
sq m). Single rolls are packaged and sold in double-roll quantities.
Double rolls have 56 to 58 sq ft (5.2 to 5.4 sq m) and are approximately 11 yards (10 m) long.
Pattern and seam placement may be critical. Large, complicated,
dominant pattern repeats may need careful placement to establish
a starting point. Dominant pattern repeats are often centered at
eye level, with the pattern matching at 72 in. (1,830 mm) above the
finish floor.
The three types of pattern matching include the following:
• Random match is the least wasteful type of pattern matching.
Panels do not align horizontally.
• Drop match patterns do not repeat at the same distance from
the ceiling line, creating the greatest potential for waste.
Patterns that match every third or fourth panel are referred to
as multiple drop matches.
• Straight match patterns match with the continuation of the pattern on the next panel. The pattern repeats at the same distance
from the ceiling line.
Contributors:
Carl Henschel, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
MASTERSPEC®, published by ARCOM, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 187
used to achieve a soft, upholstered appearance.
• Fiberglass blanket is a thick sheet of loosely intertwined fiberglass
strands. It is often used where acoustical absorption is a concern.
• Fiberglass board ranges in density from acoustically absorptive
panels with fair tackability to acoustically reflective panels.
• Mineral fiberboard is a composite of inorganic mineral fibers.
Unlike pressed, recycled paper products, mineral fiberboard is
dimensionally stable. It is more durable and impact resistant
than fiberglass board and can be microperforated where an
absorptive acoustical surface is required.
• Particleboard is a nailable core material. Plywood can warp and
is not recommended for use as a core material, but can be used
as nailable strips in panels of other core materials.
• Pressed recycled paper products can double as tackboards. They
are available uncovered for painting, or with burlap surfaces.
• Wood fiberboards are durable and paintable, and have good
acoustic properties if properly mounted. They can also be used
on ceilings.
WALLCOVERING STRAIGHT MATCH
7.346
PANEL INSTALLATION
Common acoustical panel installation methods include:
UPHOLSTERED WALL SYSTEMS
Upholstered wall systems, also referred to as stretched-fabric wall
systems, combine the luxuriousness of textile wallcoverings and
the practicality of a tackable or acoustically absorptive wall surface. Upholstered wall systems are site-constructed coverings that
stretch fabric taut over a frame and infill material. They can also be
used in ceiling installations.
FRAMING METHODS
The framing material is typically either a plastic extrusion or a
wood frame. An extrusion system holds the fabric in place by friction or with concealed fasteners, sometimes aided by an adhesive.
Concealed fasteners are used with a wood frame system.
CORE MATERIALS
7.347
MATERIAL
APPLICATION
Acoustical batting (polyester or
fiberglass)
Soft, upholstered appearance;
acoustically absorptive
Plywood
Nailable; acoustically reflective
surface
Mineral fiberboard
Tackable; acoustically absorptive
Fiberglass board
Durable; impact resistant
UPHOLSTERED WALL SYSTEMS
7.348
NOTES
7.348 a. No size limitation.
b. No size limitation. Limited in size to core and frame material and ability to enter building, for example, door opening and elevator cab sizes.
Contributors:
Tanya Nachia, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island.
Robin Staack, Boston Architectural Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
MASTERSPEC®, published by ARCOM, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Merve Yoneyman, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
FABRIC SELECTION
Upholstered wall systems require the selection of a highly stable
fabric. Upholstery-weight fabrics are good choices. The fabric
should be hydrophobic (does not readily absorb moisture); otherwise, seasonal changes in relative humidity may cause sagging and
rippling. A fabric that contains more than 30% rayon or viscose or
10% nylon fibers is typically not suitable for use in upholstered wall
systems. If the wall system is to perform as a tackable or nailable
surface, the selected fabric should be self-healing and snag resistant. For a seamless appearance, fabrics up to 120 in. (3,050 mm)
wide can be specified and installed horizontally (sometimes
referred to as railroading).
ACOUSTICAL WALL PANELS
Properly mounted acoustical wall panels can significantly improve
the acoustical absorption of a room. Placement, both horizontally
and vertically, is important in maximizing their effect. Thin textiles
applied directly to the wall surface have virtually no affect on
acoustic absorption.
PANEL CORE MATERIALS
Core materials can be combined in a panel to achieve the required
performance. For example, a nailable surface can be achieved by
inserting a plywood nailing strip into a panel with a fiberglass board
core material. Common panel core materials include the following:
• Polyester batting consists of fibers loosely intertwined and is
• Z-clips are the preferred method for temporary or movable panels. Z-clip panels require a reveal between the top of panel and
the ceiling so that the panels can be lifted and lowered into
place. The lower clip is fastened to the wall; the upper clip is fastened to the panel.
• Hook-and-loop tape: Mechanical fasteners should be used to
secure the hook tape to the wall. This method is often used with
adhesive to hold panels in place while the adhesive is setting.
Newer heavy-duty products are available.
• Impaling clips are fastened to the wall; the barbed projections
of impaling clips are pressed into the panel back. This installation method is not commonly used because of its inability to support substantial weight. It is also more prone to vandalism.
• Adhesive: Adhering an acoustical panel to a wall or ceiling with
adhesive is a permanent mounting method. Panels cannot be
removed without damaging them and the substrate.
PANEL TEXTILE SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
7.349
FABRIC
ATTRIBUTE
Color
SELECTION CONSIDERATION
Light-colored textiles show soil more readily than
dark-colored textiles.
Opacity
Core material should not read through the textile face.
Resilience
Nonbacked textiles ease stretching and do not impair
acoustical transparency.
Self-healing
Tackable and nailable panel textiles must be snag
resistant.
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188 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
Z-CLIP ATTACHMENT
7.350
Page 188
INTERIOR F INISHES
ACOUSTICAL WALL PANEL SECTION DETAIL
7.351
PAINTS AND COATINGS
INTERIOR WALL PAINTING
COATING SELECTION CRITERIA
Paint has three basic functions: to decorate, to protect, or to modify the performance of the substrate to which it is applied. Paint
ingredients, types, and applications all affect a coating’s performance. The following criteria are considerations for selecting the
appropriate coating for a given application:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Abrasion resistance
Adhesion
Impact resistance
Flexural qualities
Resistance to a given medium (e.g., chemicals)
Resistance to sunlight
Temperature resistance
Drying time (installation criteria)
Appearance
Wetting time
Emissive requirements (reflection and absorption)
Electrical insulation
INGREDIENTS
There are four categories of paint ingredients: pigment, thinner,
resin, and additives.
• Pigment provides color, hiding, and bulk.
• Thinner affects consistency and drying time and carries the pigment and resin to the substrate.
• Resin binds the pigment particles together and affects adhesion,
durability, and the level of protection of the paint film.
• Additives enhance the coating’s performance with specific desirable characteristics.
Source: StretchWall Installations, Inc., Long Island City, New York.
The term paint solids refers to the resin. A higher solids content
provides a thick, durable, opaque coating. The solids content of
paint can be specified by weight or by volume; volume of solids is
the better indicator of performance. Latex paints range from 25 to
40% volume of solids. Alkyd and oil-based paints can exceed 50%
volume.
PAINT FORMULATION
7.353
Pigments
+
Resin
=
Solids
+
Liquid
=
Solids
Paint
Fused solids
+
Liquid
=
Final coating
SHEEN
Source: StretchWall Installations, Inc., Long Island City, New York.
ACOUSTICAL WALL PANEL PLAN DETAIL
7.352
The presence of pigment reduces the gloss of the cured paint film.
By increasing the amount and dimension of the pigment particles in
relationship to the amount of resin, the resin’s level of gloss or the
texture of the paint is reduced. The texture of cured paint is called
sheen. Pigment color and sheen determine the light reflectivity of
a painted surface, which affects the perception of the color. The
more pigment that is present relative to the resin, the rougher textured, less reflective, and flatter is the paint’s appearance. A glossy
surface is achieved by a larger volume of resin that encases the
pigment.
PAINT SHEENS
7.354
SHEEN
Source: StretchWall Installations, Inc., Long Island City, New York.
REFLECTING ANGLES
High gloss
>65°
Semigloss
30° to 65°
Satin
15° to 35°
Eggshell
5° to 25°
Flat
>15°
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PAINT AND COATING TYPES
ALKYD PAINT
The solvent-thinned resin in alkyd paint is made from synthetic oils.
Alkyd resins are oil-modified polyesters made primarily from alcohol and acid. They are the most common paint resin. Alkyd paints
are faster drying, harder, and more durable, and have better color
retention properties than oil-based paints. They are easy to apply,
are washable, and have less odor than other paints using solvent
thinners.
LATEX PAINT
Most water-based paints are referred to as latex paint. Over 80%
of architectural coatings sold today are latex paints. They have less
impact on the environment than oil-based and alkyd paints and
lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emission levels. Leftover
paints can be mixed and reused.
Latex paints have very little odor and a fast drying time. Their
water-based thinner makes latex paints easy to apply, clean up,
and discard. Latex paints are porous; when applied, a latex coating
retains microscopic openings that allow it to breathe.
LOW-ODOR AND LOW-VOC PAINTS
During the curing process, solvent-thinned coatings (including latex
and most waterborne coatings) release VOCs into the atmosphere.
VOCs are measured in grams of organic solvent per liter of paint or
lb/gal (g/L).
The presence of odor in wet paint is related to the solvents used;
water-based paints are less odorous than oil-based and alkyd
paints. VOCs are often detectable by their odor, so low odor and
low VOC content are sometimes linked. Low-odor, low-VOC paints
allow painting contractors to work in occupied spaces without disturbing or potentially harming occupants.
Low-odor and low-VOC paints are comparable to other latex paints
in performance, although washability and stain removal may be
slightly less. They are primarily used on interior walls; some are
appropriate for trims as well. Wallboard as well as wood, hardboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and molded composite
trims should be primed first.
The colorants added to both oil-based and water-based paints can
also contain VOCs. In light-colored paints, only a little colorant is
used, but this can become more of a problem with heavily tinted
paints, especially where used in large quantities.
OIL-BASED PAINT
Oil-based paint requires less surface preparation than latex paint
and adheres better to surfaces that are dirty, shiny, or heavily
weathered. It is more resistant to abrasion.
The solvent-thinned resin in oil-based paint is made from organic
solvents, usually mineral spirits made from petrochemicals.
Binders can be synthetic resins derived from petroleum (alkyds,
polyurethanes, and silicones) or natural oils, such as linseed (from
flax seed), soya bean (from soybeans), tung (from china wood tree
fruit), safflower, and cottonseed oils. The environmental impact of
oil-based paints is much greater than that of latex paints, and disposal is more problematic.
PRIMERS
Primers make a surface more paintable by providing improved
adhesion for coatings. Primers are selected in relation to the characteristics of the chosen topcoat. Primers serve the following functions:
• Concealing the substrate surface so that the existing coating
color does not read through the paint
• Providing a barrier to prevent moisture from destroying the
paint bond
• Binding the substrate surface with the topcoat
• Limiting the paint absorption of a porous substrate, such as a
skim coat of plaster
• Reconditioning old paint to receive future paint coatings
• Acting as a rust inhibitor
COMMON PAINT ADDITIVES
7.355
ADDITIVE
PURPOSE
CATALYZED EPOXY PAINT
Catalyzed epoxy coatings resist chemicals, solvents, stains, physical abrasion, traffic, and cleaning materials. They have good adhesion and color retention. Catalyzed epoxies come in two parts,
resin and catalyst. They have limited pot life, hence are required to
be mixed just prior to use. When applied to a substrate, a chemical
reaction occurs that causes a dense hard film to form, similar to
baked enamel. Adequate ventilation must be provided during and
after application.
Catalyzed epoxy paints are used for high-traffic commercial and
institutional interiors and exteriors. Typical uses include schools,
stadiums, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Three types of catalyzed epoxies are commonly used in commercial
interiors:
• Polyester epoxies produce a tough glossy surface.
• Polyamide epoxies provide a flexible but durable film.
• Urethane epoxies are the most versatile of the epoxy coatings.
EPOXY ESTER PAINT
Epoxy esters are similar to catalyzed epoxy but have no pot life
restrictions and are packaged like conventional paint. The paint film
occurs due to oxidation rather than a chemical reaction triggered
by a catalyst. Epoxy esters are less durable than catalyzed epoxies.
FLAME-RETARDANT (INTUMESCENT) AND
FIRE-RESISTANT PAINTS
Flame-retardant paints slow the rate at which fire spreads by
delaying the ignition of the surface that has been coated. They are
used on combustible materials such as wood to achieve the
required flame spread ratings. These paints delay, but do not prevent, a fire from spreading.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 189
Flame-retardant paint is a foamlike material that is made with
either a water-based thinner or a solvent-based thinner. Flameretardant paints are intumescent and protect the substrate from
burning by swelling to form a charred layer of blisters when
exposed to extremely high heat.
Fire-resistant paints resist the spread of fire by not contributing to
the flame. They are less effective at controlling the spread of fire
than intumescent coatings.
MULTICOLOR COATINGS
Multicolor coatings are durable and scratch resistant. They add a
three-dimensional quality to a surface, similar to hand-sponge techniques. These coatings can be used on substrates as varied as concrete block, gypsum wallboard, ceramic tile, glazed block, textured
surfaces such as stucco, and metal. They are not recommended for
fabric surfaces. Multicolored coatings are suitable for areas of high
traffic, harsh environments, and repeated cleanings, such as hospitality, healthcare, educational, office, and manufacturing facilities.
Multicolor coatings can be solvent thinned or water thinned:
• Solvent-thinned multicolor coatings are composed of tiny bubbles
of different sizes and colors suspended in a nonpigmented solution. The separated beads of pigment remain separate until they
are spray applied. They burst upon impact with the surface.
Solvent-based coatings have higher VOC emissions and more odor
than water-based coatings, and dry considerably more slowly.
• Water-thinned multicolor coatings have been improved over the
years, and are available with good particle size ranges and durability. However, they may be less stain resistant than solventbased products. Acrylic multicolor coatings have extremely low
VOC levels, are breathable, and resist mold and mildew growth
on the paint film. These durable, abrasion-resistant, and easily
cleaned coatings are suitable for interior walls, columns, and
ceilings. They are not to be used on floors, exteriors, and where
water frequently collects.
STAINS
Stains made from dyes dissolved in either drying oil or water are
used as translucent or transparent coatings for wood. Pigmented
stains are opaque. Gel stain is a gelled form of oil-based stain suitable for use on wood, plywood, veneer, fiberglass, metal, and molded fiberboard.
VOCs emitted by stains are primarily from the solvent, which
makes up most of the product, rather than from the relatively small
amount of colorant. Oil-based stains clean up with mineral oil,
whereas water-based stains clean up with soap and water.
Oil-based stains use drying oil made from various plants, including
tung oil. The oil dries by absorbing oxygen from the surface, and
the air creates a tough elastic film that protects the wood. Wood
surfaces can be filled before staining for surface porosity and
smoothness, but fillers may cause stains to be absorbed unevenly.
Stain may be applied with a brush, spray, roller, or rag pad. Oilbased wood stains are suitable for use on floors, doors, woodwork,
furniture, and cabinetry.
Antiskinning agent
Prevents skin from forming in can prior to use
Biocide
Prevents spoilage resulting from bacterial
growth
Coalescent
Aids in formation of continuous film in latex
paint
Defoamer
Eliminates air from paint or reduces bubbling
upon application
Drier
Accelerates conversion of solvent paints from
liquid to solid state
Freeze-thaw stabilizer
Lowers latex paint freezing point
Mildewcide
Resists growth of mildew
Faux finishes typically comprise layers of paint and/or plaster and
are designed to mimic a natural material such as marble, wood
veneer, silk, suede, velvet, copper, bronze, silver, or gold, or to lend
the effect of an aged stone or plaster.
Surfactant
Stabilizes mixtures of resins or pigments in
solvents or water
Special paint finishes also utilize paint and plaster but seek to create an original finish not intending to mimic an existing material.
Thickener
Increases consistency of paint and prevents
separation of pigment in oil- and water-based
paints
INTUMESCENT PAINT
7.356
DECORATIVE PAINT FINISHES
Faux finishes are technically those that imitate natural materials
such as wood graining and marbleizing, but the term is often used
for any decorative painted finish. A faux finish or special paint finish can provide a means to add color and texture to interior walls
and offers a cost-effective alternative to fabric, stone, wood, or
other materials when durability is not an issue.
The simplest finishes typically consist of a base color, usually an
eggshell paint applied over a sanded and sealed wall surface, and
a colored glaze applied in a broken pattern such as a rag roll, a
sponge, a dragged glaze, or a color wash.
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190 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
More complex variations on these basic techniques involving multiple layers of glazes in various colors result in the classic faux
marbre (marble) and faux bois (wood) finishes. Faux stone and
antique plaster effects are usually achieved with layers of plaster
and glaze.
Modern metallic and iridescent paints allow myriad effects, some
resembling metals or mother-of-pearl, others existing without reference to natural materials. So-called Venetian plaster is the application of a thin veneer of plaster-like material in layers that can be
waxed and burnished to a soft sheen with metal blades.
All faux finishes are highly idiosyncratic, and the final effect is in
the hands of the individual who applies the material; hence, it is
critical to request samples for approval.
Trompe l’oeil is French for “fool the eye,” and it describes painted
decorative surfaces that use perspective and shadow to create the
impression of three-dimensional architectural objects. Grissaille is
monochrome trompe l’oeil.
Transparent paint layers are finish layers made from a neutral
base or glazing liquid. They can be applied in multiple layers, and
tend to darken and tint the color of the base coat. Glaze is a tinted
transparent coating that softens and varies the base coat.
Page 190
INTERIOR F INISHES
for testing carpet flammability with a methenamine tablet for carpets larger than 6 ft (1.8 m) in one dimension and greater than 24
sq ft (2.23 sq m) in area offered for sale in the United States.
MATERIAL
FLOORING RADIANT PANEL TEST
Floor coverings are not usually regarded as the primary cause of
flame spread during a fire. However, flooring material in corridors
has been observed to present problems in full-scale tests and actual building fires. In a fully developed fire, the combination of heat,
flame, smoke, and gases emanating from burning rooms surrounding a corridor can make a substantial contribution to flame spread.
ASTM E 648, Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of
Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source,
known as the Flooring Radiant Panel Test, exposes the floor covering sample to radiant heat and igniting flames. This test was
designed to simulate more realistic circumstances than the Steiner
Tunnel Test, which mounts materials on the ceiling of the test
chamber. The Flooring Radiant Panel Test is different from most
other flammability test methods because it measures an actual
property of the carpet system. It is not based on an arbitrary scale.
FLOORING RADIANT PANEL TEST
7.358
Stenciling is used to apply borders or larger repeats (resembling
wallpaper) in one or more colors with regular paint or textured
paint or plaster. A brocade stencil finish involves a decorative stencil in flat paint applied over a background of broken color in a satin
finish.
0.08
Carpet 0.4 (10 mm) thick
0.18
Fiberglass insulation 0.4 (10 mm) thick
0.22
Fiberboard insulation made from recycled
newspapers 1/2 (13 mm) thick
1.2
Prime urethane carpet cushion 1/2 (13 mm) thick
2.1
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF FLOORING
7.361
THICKNESS
THERMAL
CONDUCTIVITY
(U-VALUE)
Cork
1/8 (3 mm)
0.028
Linoleum
1/8 (3 mm)
0.087
Vinyl
3/16 (5 mm)
0.427
Wood
1/4 (6 mm)
0.199
Marble
5/8 (16 mm)
1.598
FLOORING
IMPACT NOISE RATING
Floors are subject to impact sound transmission noises such as
footfalls, dropped objects, and scraping furniture. Parallel to the
development of laboratory sound transmission class (STC) ratings
for partition constructions is the development of impact insulation
class (IIC) ratings. This is a single-number rating system used to
evaluate the effectiveness of floor construction in preventing
impact sound transmission to spaces beneath the floor. The current
IIC rating method is similar to the STC rating method.
FLOOR FINISH CODE REQUIREMENTS
Floor finishes regulated by the International Building Code (IBC)
include carpet, combustible materials installed in or on floors of
Type I or Type II buildings, and flooring in certain exit and exit
access areas of particular occupancies. Floors of traditional materials, including wood, vinyl, linoleum, terrazzo, and resilient floor
covering, are not regulated. ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines contain requirements for accessible flooring.
CONTROLLING SOUND
FLOOR COVERING FABRIC APPLICATION AND
FLAMMABILITY TESTS
7.359
FLOOR COVERING
FLAMMABILITY TEST
Carpet in corridors
Flooring Radiant Panel Test
Carpet tile in corridors
Flooring Radiant Panel Test
Area rugs
Methenamine Pill Test
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
Uninsulated floors can be responsible for 10 to 20% of the heat
loss in a home. Carpet helps to reduce heating and cooling energy
costs where there is a difference in between indoor and outdoor
air temperature under the floor. Carpet is recommended to reduce
heat loss from timber or elevated slab floors.
Carpet fibers are natural insulators with low heat conductance values.
In addition, the fine surface pile fibers trap insulating air. Carpet has
the best insulation properties of common flooring materials. With
fiberboard insulation and pad, it can achieve an R-value of 3.3.
Contributors:
Faith Baum, AIA, IIDA, Faith Baum Architect, Lexington, Massachusetts.
David Ballast, FAIA, Architectural Research Consulting, Denver, Colorado.
Bob Pielow, Pielow Fair Associates, Seattle, Washington.
Julia Purinton, Medusa, Ipswich, Massachusetts
0.07
Plywood 0.4 (10 mm) thick
ACOUSTICAL CONTROL
FLOOR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
METHENAMINE PILL TEST
7.357
R-VALUE
Concrete 4 (102 mm) thick
Source: Arcobel, Houston, Texas.
Subtractive painting techniques involve applying and then removing wet paint with sponges, rags, plastic, or other materials to create visual texture.
METHENAMINE PILL TEST
ASTM D 2859, Standard Test Method for Ignition Characteristics of
Finished Textile Floor Covering Materials, prescribes the standard
R-VALUE COMPARISONS
7.360
There are three types of sound that building designers concern themselves with. Impact sound is generated by anything coming in contact
with the flooring. Airborne sound comes from anything that creates
noise. The third type of sound is resonance, or that portion of impact
or airborne sound that reverberates or echoes within the room.
Most nonresidential building codes require wall and floor/ceiling
assemblies to transmit a reduced level of impact and airborne
sound. The codes call for a minimum 50 dB sound reduction and
reference STC 50 and IIC 50 as standards.
SOUND CONTROL
7.362
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FLOORING FINISH APPLICATIONS
SHOWER, LOCKER, AND TOILET ROOMS
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 191
CONCRETE FLOOR FINISHES
7.363
The shower room should be directly accessible to the drying room
and locker room that it serves. When a shower room is designed to
serve a swimming pool, the room should be located so that all must
pass through showers before reaching the pool deck.
TYPE OF
TREATMENT
Veneer concrete
Thin cementitious topping ranging from 3⁄16 to 2 in.
(5 to 51 mm); may be colored and stamped.
Veneer coatings can be susceptible to chipping. Use a thicker coating in
high-traffic areas.
Separate wet and dry toilet areas are recommended. Wet toilets
should be easily accessible from the shower room. When designed
for use with a swimming pool, wet toilets should be located so that
users must pass through the shower room after use of toilets.
Integral color liquid
and dry pigments
Provides uniform color throughout; nonfading and
weather resistant.
Usually available in pastels and earth tones. Color cannot be saturated
without compromising the structural integrity of the concrete. Light
colors work best if white sand and aggregate are used. Use the same
concrete supplier for consistency, and make sure the same batch of
concrete is used for the entire load. Batch color at plant if possible.
A test slab should be poured and approved prior to starting a job.
Acrylic stain
(methyl methacrylate
copolymer)
Mar, scratch, stain, and water resistant.
Can be used on vertical surfaces. May be used to restore color to an
older structure.
Acrylic sealer (as
above, except clear)
Anti-graffiti; provides a clear protective film, which
prevents the penetration of spray paint, etc.
Can be used on vertical surfaces.
Nonyellowing
oxidized acrylic
Sealer with a wet look.
Used for washed aggregate, ground face block, split-block, or
sand-blasted concrete.
Stamped concrete
Texture is stamped into concrete to mimic patterns of
brick, slate, stone, tile, etc.
Control and pour joints must be handled very carefully. Plan them to
work with the stamped pattern selected. Control joints should be saw
cut at least one-third of the slab thickness and should be installed once
every 12 to 15 ft (3.6 to 4.5 m).
Stamped concrete
with colored release
agents (synthetic
iron oxides for color)
Gives additional color and serves as a stamping tool
release agent.
Can be used in conjunction with integral or dry shake color when
imprinting the concrete.
Dry-shake color
hardeners
Powdered cementitious material containing hard
aggregates. When in-service conditions require
concrete slabs with improved surface hardness,
shake-on hardeners may be applied, floated, and
troweled into the plastic concrete surface. Lightfast
and weather resistant. Not classified as a topping.
Hand-broadcasted across the concrete surface and floated into the slab
after the bleed water has evaporated.
Floors should be of impervious material, such as ceramic or quarry tile, with a carborundum-impregnated surface, and should slope
toward the drains. Concrete floors with a nonslip surface, if used,
should be treated with a hardener to avoid the penetration of odors
and moisture.
HARD FLOORING
CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEMS
Concrete floor systems consist of the following types:
Flat plate: This is the best system for moderate spans because
it is the most economical floor system and has the lowest structural thickness.
Banded slab: This system has most of the advantages of a flat
plate, but permits a longer span in one direction. It can resist
greater lateral loads in the direction of the beams.
Joist slab: This is the best scheme if slabs are too long for a flat
plate and the structure is not exposed.
Flat slabs: These are most commonly used today for buildings
supporting very heavy loads.
Skip joist slab: This floor system should be less expensive than
a joist slab for large projects; it permits lights and equipment to
be recessed between joists.
One-way beam and slab: This is the most favored scheme for
parking garages.
Waffle slab: Column spacing should be multiples of pan spacing
to ensure uniformity of drop panels at each column. Drop panels
can be diamond shaped, square, or rectangular.
Two-way slab and beam: This scheme is used where unattractive unless heavy concentrated loads must be carried.
CONCRETE FLOOR FINISHES
Concrete floor finishes include performance, decorative, and textured applications. Textures can be achieved by stamping patterns
into the uncured concrete surface.
DESCRIPTION
STONE FLOORING
Stone flooring, or paving, in interior applications is a durable
pedestrian traffic surface. Properly selected and installed, stone
flooring wears well over time. Stone flooring can convey a sense of
permanence and elegance, and is often used in lobbies and other
public spaces.
TYPES
Numerous types of stones can be used for flooring, including slate,
granite, travertine, marble, onyx, and sandstone. The selection of a
stone should be appropriate for the intended use. Not all stones
are capable of withstanding the traffic of commercial installations,
so a review of stone types with the stone fabricator or supplier is
recommended.
Stone flooring is available in two basic types: dimension stone,
which is installed in a thick mortar bed, and dimension stone tiles,
which are installed in a thick mortar bed or in a thinset installation,
similar to ceramic tile installations.
DIMENSION STONE TILES
Dimension stone is defined as quarried stone with usually one or
more mechanically dressed surfaces. These are thick slabs of
stone that are marked as they are cut for matched-pattern installations, such as book-matched or end-matched configurations.
Dimension stone tiles are less than 3/4 in. (19 mm) thick. They provide the natural beauty of a stone floor without the weight, depth,
and expense of dimension stone. However, their thinness makes
stone tiles more prone to cracking from impact or normal floor
deflection. Stone tiles are installed by either the thickset or the
thinset installation methods.
CONSIDERATIONS
STONE PAVERS
Most stones are adequately hard and sound to withstand the rigors of interior pedestrian and light vehicular traffic; however, each
stone should be reviewed to determine its appropriateness for a
particular paving application.
FINISHES
Stone finishes affect the perception of the color and the slip resistance of stone flooring. Common stone finishes include:
• Polished finishes are the most reflective. These high-maintenance finishes should be selected with care. For high-traffic
public areas, such as lobbies, polished floor finishes are often
eventually hidden under nonskid mats.
• Honed finishes have a dull sheen. These satin smooth surfaces
are often good choices for commercial floors because of their
slip resistance.
• Thermal (flamed) finishes are achieved by the application of
intense flaming heat to the surface of the stone. Thermal finishes are usually applied to granite.
• Waterjet finish is a granite finish between honed and thermal.
Created by high water pressure, a waterjet finish brings out the
color of the stone, making it slightly darker than the thermal finish.
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TYPICAL FINISHES AND COMMON SIZES OF STONE TILES AND PAVERS
7.364
STONE
TILES:
MINIMUM
THICKNESS
FINISH
TILES:
MAXIMUM
FACE DIMENSION
PAVERS:
MINIMUM
THICKNESS
PAVERS:
MAXIMUM
FACE DIMENSION
Ha
12 12
(305 305 mm)
1-1/4 to 4
(32 to 102 mm)
15 30
(381 914 mm)
N/A
Polished or
honed tiles
1/4 to 1/2 (6 to 13 mm) 12 12
(305 305 mm)
1-1/4 (32 mm)
24 24
(610 610 mm)
10
Limestone
Smooth
—
—
1-3/4 to 2-1/2
(44 to 64 mm)
24 36
(610 914 mm)
10
Slate
Natural cleft or
sand rubbed
1/4 to 1 (6 to 25 mm)
12 12 to 24 54
(305 305 to 610 1,372 mm)
1/4 to 1 (6 to 25 mm)
12 12 to 24 54
(305 305 to 610 1,372 mm)
8
Flagstone
Natural cleft or
semirubbed
1/2 to 4 (13 to 102 mm) 12 12 to 24 36
(305 305 to 610 914 mm)
1/2 to 4
(13 to 102 mm)
12 12 to 24 36
(305 305 to 610 914 mm)
8
Granite
Polished, honed, 3/8, 1/2 (10, 13 mm)
or thermal
Marble
STONE THRESHOLDS AND
TRANSITIONS
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design state that thresholds are considered changes in level, and are restricted in height
STONE THRESHOLDS AND TRANSITIONS
7.365
and bevel. Vertical changes in level must not exceed 1/4 in. (6 mm).
Changes in level between 1/4 and 1/2 in. (6 and 13 mm) in height
must be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. Ramps are
required for any changes in level greater than 1/2 in. (13 mm).
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STONE BASES
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 193
STONE STAIRS
GLAZED AND UNGLAZED TILE
Stone may be used on stairs as a finish material or can be supported by stringers to form structural treads. Fully supported treads are
typically 3/4 to 1-1/4 in. (19 to 31 mm) thick. Stair substrates may
be concrete or steel-framed treads and risers. Treads and risers are
installed in a similar manner as stone flooring units, although the
thinset adhesive method is recommended.
Ceramic tile is either glazed or unglazed.
CERAMIC TILE FLOOR FINISHES
Ceramic tile is fabricated from clay or a mixture of clay and ceramic materials. Natural clay is most commonly used, but porcelain is
also available. Porcelain tile is fine grained and smooth, and can be
formed into sharply detailed designs. The following types of ceramic tile are used for floor finishes:
• Ceramic mosaic tile is formed by either the dust-pressed or the
plastic method. Usually 1/4 to 3/8 in. (6 to 10 mm) thick with a
facial area of less than 6 sq in. (39 sq cm), it may be made of
either porcelain or natural clay and may be plain or have an abrasive mixture throughout. Ceramic mosaic tile is usually mounted
into units or sheets to facilitate handling and installation.
• Quarry tile is glazed or unglazed tile made by the extrusion
process from natural clay or shale. It usually has a facial area of
6 sq in. (39 sq cm) or more. Quarry tile may be specified with an
abrasive grit that has been embedded in the surface for use in
areas where slip resistance is a concern. Quarry tile can
become slippery when it is exposed to grease.
• Paver tile is glazed or unglazed porcelain, or natural clay tile
formed by the dust-pressed method, with a facial area of 6 sq in.
(39 sq cm) or more.
• Conductive tile has specific properties of electrical conductivity
but retains other normal physical properties of tile.
CERAMIC MOSAIC TILE SHAPES
7.368
• Glazed tile has an impervious facial finish of ceramic materials
that is fused to the body of the tile. The body may be nonvitreous, semivitreous, vitreous, or impervious.
• Unglazed tile is a hard, dense tile of uniform composition that
derives color and texture from the materials used in its fabrication.
INSTALLATION
Both thickset and thinset mortar installations can be used for floor
tiles.
THICKSET INSTALLATIONS
Thickset mortar installations prevent the tile layer from being
affected by minor cracking and movement of the substrate; this is
very important over concrete, where cracks could damage the tile.
Thickset installation is also used over structural slabs (not on
grade) or where vibration or deflection may affect structures.
Thickset mortar beds are used to level out uneven substrates. They
are also used to create slopes in the tile layer, for example, around
floor drains. Thickset mortar beds allow the installation of radiant
hydronic tubing for heated floors, and protect metal, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) waterproof pans.
The tile is adhered to a thickset mortar bed either when the mortar is just beginning to dry or after it is cured. The mortar bed may
be reinforced with wire, and either set over a cleavage membrane
that allows the mortar bed to float free of the substrate or be bonded directly to the substrate.
THINSET INSTALLATIONS
Thinset installations typically cost less than thickset installations
and are faster to install. Because the tile is bonded directly to the
substrate, variations or movement can affect the tile. A thinset layer
is typically not more than 3/16 in. (4.8 mm) thick. Thinset mortar is
not used to level surfaces, and will follow the plane of the substrate.
Medium-bed thinset mortars adjust for slightly larger variations in
the substrate than regular thinsets can. These thicker setting beds
with coarser aggregate are used with large, heavy, or thick tiles to
achieve a flat installation that will support the weight of the tile
while it cures.
FLOORING DETAILS—CONCRETE SUBSTRATE
7.369
CONTROL JOINT AND FULL MORTAR BED
7.367
Contributors:
Building Stone Institute, New York, New York.
George M. Whiteside III, AIA, and James D. Lloyd, Kennett Square,
Pennsylvania.
Tile Council of America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Winnie Cheng, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
Jess McIlvain, AIA, CCS, CSI, Jess McIlvain and Associates, Bethesda,
Maryland.
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STAIR NOSING PROFILES
7.372
AGGREGATE
Aggregate is the term used for the stone chips used in terrazzo,
which include all calcareous (such as limestone), serpentine, and
other rocks capable of taking a good polish. Marble and onyx are
the preferred materials. Quartz, granite, quartzite, and silica pebbles are used for rustic terrazzo and textured mosaics not requiring polishing. Other aggregate options include glass, synthetic
materials, granite, and shells.
Chips are graded by number according to marble industry standard
sizes. Chips that pass a given size screen are bagged and sold as
that size. Standard terrazzo is composed of #1 and #2 sized chips.
Venetian terrazzo contains size #3 through #8 chips. Terrazzo
with large 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick random fractured slabs of marble
is called Palladiana.
MATRICES
There are two basic types of matrices, or binders: portland cement
and resinous chemical binders. Color pigments are added to create
special effects. Limeproof mineral pigments or compatible synthetic mineral pigments are required for use with portland cement.
Portland cement matrices: Both white and gray portland cement
are used; the final color varies with raw materials that may come
from a wide variety of locations. White portland cement provides
precise color control and combines well with tinting pigments. Gray
portland cement provides less color uniformity and clarity; it normally costs less than white cement.
TERRAZZO
Terrazzo is a very low maintenance, seamless floor finish with the
luxurious look of stone mosaic and durability comparable to that of
concrete. Often selected for its decorative possibilities, terrazzo
artists can produce striking medallions or intricate inlaid patterns.
FLOORING DETAILS
The detailing of ceramic tile flooring at edges and where the tile
meets another material is critical in creating a smooth and durable
floor. Stair nosings are available for use with ceramic or stone
treads. Control and expansion joint profiles, designed for use with
stone or ceramic tile flooring, are also available.
Terrazzo is a mixture of a binder and crushed aggregate, typically
marble. Divider strips of brass, white alloy of zinc, or plastic are
used functionally as control joints, and aesthetically as design elements to separate fields of color. The use of metal dividers and the
size of panels may affect the installation system that is used.
EDGE PROTECTION AND TRANSITION PROFILES FOR FLOORS
7.371
Chemical matrices: Epoxy resin and polyacrylate are chemical terrazzo matrices. Resinous binders are used to install the thinnest
possible finish of terrazzo, as thin as 1⁄4 in. (6 mm); usually only
chip sizes #0 and #1 are used. Conductive terrazzo uses epoxy
and polyester resin as the binder.
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SURFACE TREATMENT
TERRAZZO MATRIX SYSTEMS
7.373
TYPE OF SYSTEM
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 195
DESCRIPTION
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Portland cement on
sand cushion or
bonded acid-washed
terrazzo
Up to #7 chip size
Can use breathable polyacrylate matrix
terrazzo topping
Interior or exterior use
Acid washed for added exterior slip
resistance
Breathable, not affected by moisture
vapor transmission
Accommodates substrate defects
Can be sloped to drains
Can be used with radiant flooring systems
Requires 2 (51-mm) depression for
installation
Limited color selection
No glass chips allowed
Panel size limitations
Long cure time
Epoxy resin matrix
terrazzo
1/4 or 3/8 (6 or 10 mm) thick resin
matrix veneer
Can be used over concrete or wood
substrate
#0 to #1 chip sizes, #2 maximum for
3/8 (10 mm) thick topping
Interior use only
Weight 3 to 4 lb/sq ft (1.4 to 1.8 kg/0.9 sq m)
Almost unlimited color range, color
uniformity
Marble, glass, synthetic, or granite
aggregates
Minimal divider strip requirements
Faster cure times
Substrate flatness requirement 1/2
(13 mm) per 10-0 (3 m)
Not breathable, may require moisture
vapor transmission barrier for slab
on grade
Polyacrylate-modified
cement terrazzo
Nominal 3/8 (10 mm) thick
Can be used over concrete or
wood substrate
Interior or exterior use
Chip sizes #0, #1, and #2
Weight 4.5 lb/sq ft (2 kg/0.9 sq m)
Glass chips acceptable
Breathable, not affected by moisture
vapor transmission
Can be acid washed for exterior
slip resistance
Substrate flatness requirement 1/2
(13 mm) per 10-0 (3 m)
Maximum panel size without metal
divider strips 8-0 8-0 (2.4 2.4 m)
Limited vibrant colors
TYPES OF TERRAZZO CLASSIFIED BY APPEARANCE
7.374
INSTALLATION SYSTEMS
Terrazzo installation systems combine matrix type, topping thickness, and an underbed (if any) with substrate selection. In a terrazzo installation, the binder and aggregate mixture are set in
place on the prepared floor surface. After the terrazzo surface has
cured, it is ground down to a smooth finish. The floor is then grouted to fill any voids, and sealed. A terrazzo floor consists of at least
70% stone. For renovation work, terrazzo can be installed over
practically any type of existing, stable hard-surface flooring.
Precast terrazzo units are routinely available, and almost any
shape can be produced. Examples include bases, windowsills, stair
treads and risers, shower receptors, floor panels and tiles,
planters and benches, and wall facings. Precast panels 1/4 or 3/8
in. (6 or 10 mm) thick are troweled, ground, and polished in the
manufacturing facility before installation. Precast terrazzo floors
can be installed at night and walked on the next day.
DIVIDER STRIPS
Terrazzo divider strips act as control joints, transitions between
colors, transitions between vertical and horizontal panels, and terminations adjacent to other floor finishes. They are also used to
create custom designs and patterns, including intricate logo artwork and lettering.
Contributors:
Tile Council of America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Schlüter Systems, Plattsburgh, New York.
Trey Klein, AIA, crayfish design, Belmont, Massachusetts.
John C. Lunsford, AIA, Varney, Sexton Syndor Architects, Phoenix,
Arizona.
Jason Dickerson, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
INSTALLED DIVIDER STRIPS
7.375
Because porosity can vary among stone types, the pores of both the
stone and the binder require the protection of a sealer to prevent
absorption of traffic dirt and stains. Sealers will produce a high
sheen and also highlight the natural colors of the aggregate. One or
more coats of a mop-applied water-based acrylic sealer designed
for terrazzo is recommended; this can be followed by an acrylic
water-based finish for daily or weekly buffing to a high sheen.
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A methyl methacrylate (MMA) system has a very fast cure time of
1 to 2 hours and it can be applied at much lower temperatures
allowing it to be used in freezers and refrigerated areas.
TERRAZZO INSTALLATION SYSTEM
7.376
Epoxy resin flooring comprises two-component systems that combine liquid resins and hardening/curing agents. Graded aggregates and mineral oxide pigments can be added to change color,
texture, and performance characteristics of the finished floor.
Static control epoxy resin flooring consists of carbon or other proprietary ingredients that have been added to the formulation for
epoxy resin flooring systems. In a static-control application, the
copper foil grounding grid is installed in the primer or base coat
and is connected to the building’s grounding system.
Polyurethane systems come in trowel-applied and poured, self-leveling formulations in thicknesses ranging from 1/8 to 3/8 in. (3 to
10 mm). Polyurethane is unaffected by freeze/thaw, live steam,
and continuous hot water cleaning. Uses include food-processing
facilities, commercial kitchens, freezers, and refrigerated storage.
Latex resin flooring is trowel applied and jointless. It offers low
absorption and good chemical resistance. Uses include showers,
laboratories, animal research housing, pharmaceutical plants, and
television studios.
TERRAZZO BASES
Terrazzo floor bases are designed to facilitate cleaning the angle
between the floor and the wall. Most base details include a small
cove where the floor and wall meet; canted bases open this up to
a wider angle. Precast bases are designed either as two pieces at
right angles or as a single piece with a cove. Bases can be set flush
with the wall surface, recessed back from the wall face, or with a
reveal between floor and wall materials.
POURED FLOORING AND TREATMENTS
Fluid-applied flooring systems provide seamless, durable coatings
over concrete and other rigid substrates for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications. They are usually installed with an
integral self-cove base.
Magnesium oxychloride flooring is a fireproof, trowel-applied,
seamless, hard-surface floor that is slip resistant when wet or dry.
Durable and simple to install, it is used primarily in commercial
kitchens and manufacturing locations such as welding shops. The
standard color is red, although some earth tones are available.
Fluid-applied athletic flooring: Unlike the other resinous floors
described in this section, fluid-applied athletic flooring is a resilient
system that replaces wood flooring in gymnasiums and multipurpose
rooms. Fluid-applied athletic flooring is much less expensive than
suspended wood floor systems. A typical installation is 1/2 in. (13
mm) thick, with the bottom 1/4 in. (6 mm) being the troweled cushion layer.
TERRAZZO BASES
7.377
Contributor:
National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, Inc., Terrazzo Specification
and Design Guide, Leesburg, Virginia.
Margery Morgan, Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Seamless quartz flooring is seamless decorative flooring that consists of ceramic-coated quartz or colored quartz aggregates in
clear epoxy. It is typically installed over a concrete substrate and
is used in laboratories, locker rooms, and light-manufacturing and
institutional facilities.
MEMBRANES
Membranes can be added to the composite of a fluid-applied flooring system to enhance its performance.
Waterproofing membranes may be installed under systems subject
to chemical spills that are located over occupied spaces.
Flexible reinforcing membranes, often containing fiberglass scrim
to maximize tensile strength, can be applied over the substrate to
help prevent cracks from telegraphing through the fluid-applied
flooring.
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MAGNESIUM OXYCHLORIDE FLOORING
7.378
LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is manufactured much like plastic laminate countertop surfaces. It can often be installed over existing flooring.
However, laminate flooring can be as expensive as solid wood, and
cannot be refinished if it gets damaged.
Laminate flooring is available as planks, usually about 8 in. (203
mm) wide and 4 ft (1.2 m) long, and as tiles. Both planks and tiles
have tongue-and-groove edges that are joined with glue. Laminate
trim pieces are available as well.
Laminate flooring is made up of four layers:
FLUID-APPLIED ATHLETIC FLOORING
7.379
• Top wear layer: This layer, made of cellulose paper impregnated
with clear melamine resins, resists dents, scratches, burns, and
fading.
• Design layer: A design is printed on paper strengthened with
resins. Designs are usually made to look like natural materials,
but repeats may be noticeable when installed on the floor.
• Core layer: This layer is made of engineered wood or fiberboard
saturated with resins for durability.
• Stability or balancing layer: Polymer-laminated paper on the
back of the flooring adds dimensional stability.
There are two methods of making laminate flooring:
High-pressure lamination involves laminating the top and bottom layers separately with heat and pressure, then fusing them
to the core with glue under more heat and pressure. High-pressure laminates are more impact and dent resistant than direct
pressure products.
Direct-pressure construction consists of assembling all the layers at once, then filling them with melamine resins under heat
and pressure, to harden them. Direct-pressure laminates are
less expensive than high-pressure laminates.
POLYURETHANE FLOORING
7.380
SEAMLESS QUARTZ FLOORING
7.381
LAMINATE FLOORING
7.382
GLASS FLOORING
7.383
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 197
Because laminate flooring is not glued, nailed, or stapled to the
subfloor, it will move as a unit when it shrinks or swells with
changes in humidity. To allow for expansion, a 1/4-in. (6-mm) gap
is left between the edge of the flooring and the walls. This is hidden by shoe molding. To keep expansion and contraction to a minimum, laminate flooring should be acclimated to building conditions
for at least 48 hours before it is installed.
An underlayment of solid panels is usually installed under laminate
flooring on a wood subfloor; alternatively, foam, cork, or other
underlayment materials can be used. The laminate flooring manufacturer may also recommend installation of a vapor barrier.
GLASS FLOORING
Glass floor panels are made from laminated glass, usually heat
treated for additional strength. Laminating glass ensures that the
panel will retain its structural integrity if the glass breaks. Fivelayer laminations are common. Heat-strengthened glass is preferable to fully tempered glass, because when fully tempered units
crack, they lose a higher percentage of their structural capacity.
Glass flooring is generally translucent, rather than fully transparent, for modesty, and because of the slip-resistant surface treatment. The walking surface is made slip resistant by sandblasting,
cast texture, fired-on frit, or applied coatings.
The glass panels are typically laid on gaskets over steel or aluminum frames, with traffic-grade silicone joint sealant. Panels can
be supported on point support systems similar to those used for
curtain walls. Laminated glass can also be used as a beam or joist
to support glass floor panels. Joints are supported with gasketed
shoes or clip angles.
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WOOD FLOORING
ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING
Wood flooring consists of solid or engineered wood products, and
is available in strip, plank, and parquet flooring. All wood floors
require regular maintenance to maintain their appearance.
Engineered wood flooring is available in strip, plank, or parquet
tiles. Hardwood face veneers are laminated to a dimensionally stable, multiple-ply substrate. Engineered wood floors are not as susceptible to moisture as solid wood flooring, and may be used in
below-grade areas, with the proper installation techniques.
Sustainable design issues should be considered in selecting wood
flooring products. Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of solid wood sources. Avoid the use of rare or unsustainably produced woods. Consider using reclaimed or recycled wood.
Engineered wood flooring products use limited amounts of more
exotic wood as veneer on less valuable substrates.
ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING
7.385
In hardwoods, plain-sawn lumber generally contains mostly flatgrained wood, while quarter-sawn lumber is nearly all vertically
grained.
Figuring is the pattern produced in a wood surface by annual
growth rings, rays, knots, and deviations from regular growth.
Medullary rays radiate from the core of the tree toward the exterior bark. They vary in height from a few cells in some species to 4
in. (102 mm) or more in the oaks; they are responsible for the flake
effect common to the quarter-sawn lumber in certain species.
GRAIN
Tangential grain is typically called flat grain; it is easily recognized
by its parabolic (arched) effect. Lumber is considered flat grained
when the annual growth rings make an angle of less than 45° with
the wide surface of the board.
TYPES
SOLID WOOD FLOORING
Solid wood flooring is available in many hardwood and softwood
species. It can be refinished multiple times. Solid wood flooring
should not be installed below grade, due to the possibility of moisture damage to the wood floor.
Radial grain is known as vertical or edge grain. It is generally more
stable than flat grain, and is less likely to expand or contract in
width with changes in moisture. Lumber is considered vertical
grained when the annual growth rings form an angle of 45° to 90°
with the wide surface of the board.
Oak is commonly used for residential floors. Red oak is dense and
resistant to wear, with a somewhat coarse texture. White oak is a
strong, durable wood with better water resistance than red oak. It
has a coarse to medium texture.
SELECTION
DURABILITY
Hard maple (Acer saccharum), not soft maple, is used for flooring. The
Maple
Flooring
Manufacturers
Association
(MFMA)
(www.maplefloor.org), states that beech and birch have physical properties that make them fully suitable as substitutes for hard maple. See
the manufacturers for available width and thickness combinations.
Wood flooring should be selected after considering pedestrian and
vehicular (cart) traffic, durability required, and potential damage to
floors; typical usage; exposure to moisture and sunlight; maintenance; wood floor appearance expectations; and other criteria
specific to the project.
The durability of wood flooring varies with the wood species and
the finish selected. Hardwoods, such as oak and maple, typically
perform better than softwoods, such as pine. Not all hardwoods
are suitable for wood flooring. The wood species hardness and the
cut of the wood flooring affect the wood’s ability to resist indentation, wear, and marring.
Southern pine grain may be specified as edge (rift), near-rift, or
flat.
The majority of woods specified for commercial flooring are hardwoods such as oak or maple. Best overall appearance, uniformity
of color, limited amounts of character marks, and minimal sap
marks indicate the most desirable wood flooring.
Western woods include Douglas fir, hemlock, Engelmann spruce,
Idaho white pine, incense cedar, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine,
sugar pine, western larch, and western red cedar.
Flooring is machined tongue and groove and may be furnished in any
grade. Grain may be specified as vertical (VG), flat (FG), or mixed
(MG). The basic size for flooring is 1 in. by 4 in. by 12 ft (25 mm
by 101 mm by 3.6 m); standard lengths are 4 ft (1.2 m) and longer.
WOOD STRIP FLOORING
Wood strip flooring for normal use is typically a nominal 3/4 in. (19
mm) thick, with an actual thickness of 25/32 in. (19.8 mm), in
widths ranging from 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 in. (38 to 57 mm). Lengths are
random.
WOOD CHARACTERISTICS
Annual growth rings are visible in the wood and vary in color and
density. The inner part of the growth ring is known as springwood,
and has relatively large cell cavities and thin cell walls.
Summerwood has smaller cell cavities and thicker, denser cell
walls than springwood. Growth rings, when exposed by sawing
methods, provide the grain and pattern in the wood flooring.
GROWTH RINGS IN WOOD FLOORING
7.386
WOOD PLANK FLOORING
Wood plank flooring is also typically a nominal 3/4 in. (19 mm)
thick, in widths ranging from 3 to 10 in. (76 to 254 mm), and is
available in random lengths.
WOOD PARQUET FLOORING
Wood parquet flooring consists of small wood strips, available in
individual slats, or is formed into panels or tiles that are arranged
to form a pattern. The thickness is typically 5/16 in. (7.9 mm) for
individual strips and square panels.
Source: National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, Missouri.
PARQUET FLOOR PATTERNS
7.384
Wood strip and plank flooring is quarter sawn (edge grain) or plain
sawn (flat grain) and typically milled into a tongue-and-groove
shape. Quarter-sawn strip flooring is considered to be more
durable, due to the exposure of the vertical grain of the wood. It is
also more expensive than plain-sawn wood, as more waste wood
is generated. Rift-sawn strips are generally associated with oak
flooring; it is also costly, as there is more waste than from quartersawn wood strips. Jointed, or square-edged, flooring is also available. End-grain wood blocks are durable flooring units, installed in
a jointed fashion.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 199
FLOOR UNDERLAYMENT FOR SOUND CONTROL
7.391
CROSS SECTION OF LOG
7.387
RECLAIMED WOOD FLOORING
Reclaimed wood is a source for flooring that does not deplete
existing forests. Old buildings that are condemned, abandoned, or
beyond repair, including barns, rural structures, factories and mills,
and tobacco barns, are carefully deconstructed, and flooring, siding, and timbers are salvaged. Some reclaimed flooring manufacturers supplement these sources with newly felled trees from tree
trimmers, developers, and landscapers; others use fallen or standing dead old-growth trees. Another source is narrow plank flooring
recycled from buildings where it was formerly installed.
WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION
Source: Maryrose McGowan, Specifying Interiors, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996, p. 171.
CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS
7.388
BOARD CHARACTERISTICS
7.390
Wood floors are installed over a plywood subfloor or over wood
sleepers. Strips or planks are blind nailed in tongue-and-groove
installations and face nailed in butt-jointed installations; parquet
floors are commonly set in mastic. Vapor barriers are installed when
the installation is slab on grade or below grade. Ventilation is
required in certain installations where moisture is a concern. Special
conditions require additional detailing for proper installation.
BLIND-NAILED TONGUE-AND-GROOVE WOOD
FLOORING
7.392
BOARD FLOORING THICKNESSES
7.389
UNDERLAYMENT SYSTEMS TO DAMPEN
SOUND
It is important to isolate wood flooring from the building structure
in order to control impact sound. Acoustical underlayments can
include cork, fiber matting, foam, or a composite membrane. Wood
flooring can be directly glued to the acoustical material, which is
glued to the subfloor. Engineered wood flooring can be floated over
a foam pad. Strip or plank flooring can be nailed to a plywood subfloor that is floated over a layer of acoustical material, as long as
the fasteners do not penetrate the acoustical material into the
building’s structure to create a sound path. Systems must also be
isolated from the wall. If impact sound is transmitted from the floor
to the walls, the effectiveness of the system is greatly reduced.
One basic key to peak performance is to avoid hard-surface transference points. The gap between the flooring system and the walls
is generally filled with the same material as the underlayment. A
small gap should be left between the base and shoe moldings and
the floor.
Contributors:
Tom Lensment, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island.
Annica S. Emilsson, Rippeteau Architects, P.C., Washington, DC.
National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, Missouri.
Suzanne Simpson, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Source: Maryrose McGowan, Specifying Interiors, John Wiley & Sons,
New York, 1996, p. 171.
STRIPS OVER PLYWOOD UNDERLAYMENT
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STRIPS OVER CUSHIONED SLEEPERS
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ORNATE WOOD FLOORING
WOOD SUBFLOORS
Vapor retarders are used between wood subflooring and the finish
floor to slow the upward movement of moisture, helping to prevent
occasional elevated moisture conditions below from buckling, cupping, or cracking the flooring. The National Wood Flooring
Association recommends a perm rating of no less than 0.7 and no
more than 50 for vapor retarders used between wood flooring and
wood subflooring.
Most ornate wood flooring contains certain common elements. The
field is the main body of the floor. The field can be composed of a
decorative pattern or straight flooring. A decorative element called
a medallion is sometimes inserted into the center of the field.
The field is often surrounded by a single board of contrasting color
called an accent strip. Borders are decorative bands of flooring
used to define an area such as the field of the floor. Borders may
have a pattern that continues around the room uninterrupted or
may be divided into segments. Corner blocks are used to divide the
border into segments. V-blocks are also used to divide the border
into segments but allow uninterrupted corners. An apron is an outside band of flooring that ties in the entire ornate design to the
walls of the room.
CONCRETE SLABS
Concrete can supply large amounts of moisture that can damage
wood flooring. A vapor retarder with a perm rating of 0.13 or lower
installed between the concrete and the wood flooring is imperative
to avoid future problems.
WOOD FLOOR FINISHES
STRIPS OVER SUBFLOOR ON WOOD JOISTS
7.395
Wood inlays can be made from full-thickness flooring or from
veneers affixed to plywood. The engineered type performs best due
to the stability of the plywood.
Wood floors must be finished to protect the surface from wear.
Applied finishes can be installed in the field or, in the case of engineered wood floors, they can be factory finished. Floor finishes do
not protect the wood from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light,
which can alter the appearance of the wood. Some species of wood
are more susceptible to change when exposed to sunlight; however, UV inhibitors are available to minimize fading.
Stone inlays are installed after the floor is installed and finished.
The stone is generally veneer around 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick, and is
mounted to a plywood backing.
FIELD FINISHES
Soft metals such as brass, aluminum, and copper can be inlayed
into wood floors. Ferrous metals that can rust are not recommended. Metal inlay material is generally 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick.
Unfinished wood flooring can be stained to achieve an exact color
match with other design elements or to mimic the appearance of a
softer wood that might not have met the performance expectations
of the installation.
Paint, stains, and dyes can be utilized to add accents to a wood
floor or imitate inlays of more expensive materials. Stains and dyes
should be directly applied to bare wood.
Before the application of a field finish, wood floors are sanded so
that they are level and smooth, and then one of several finishes is
applied. All of these finishes are subject to wear and must be
touched up or removed and reapplied during the life of the floor.
FACTORY FINISHES
Acrylic-impregnated (sometimes called irradiated polymer) wood
flooring is extremely durable. This finish imparts many of the qualities of resilient flooring to the wood, such as an increased resistance to abrasion and bacterial growth. The process involves
removing the air from the pores of dried wood and forcing liquid
acrylic into the voids. The plastic-filled wood is then irradiated
(exposed to radiation), causing the acrylic to polymerize.
VAPOR RETARDERS
Water vapor in buildings travels from areas of higher temperature
and relative humidity to areas of lower temperature and humidity.
The greater the vapor pressure difference, the faster the moisture
vapor will travel.
Aluminum oxide and polymerized titanium oxide finishes are
applied in multiple coats, and are very durable. Prefinished wood
flooring is also available with multiple coats of polyurethane or
other proprietary finishes.
The rate of diffusion through a material depends on the material’s
permeability (perm rating) and the degree of vapor pressure that
pushes the moisture through the material. Permeability is a measure of the amount of water vapor that can pass through a specified
material in a certain amount of time. The degree of permeability is
expressed in perms. Materials with high perm values allow more
moisture to pass through than those with lower perm values.
WOOD FLOOR FINISHES—FIELD APPLIED
7.397
Water vapor permeance is very sensitive to relative humidity gradients. In other words, the greater the difference in relative humidity
between the two sides, the more water vapor will pass.
CLASSES OF VAPOR RETARDERS
7.396
CLASS
PERMS
Vapor impermeable
0.1 perm or less
Vapor semi-impermeable
1.0 perm or less and greater than 0.1 perm
Vapor semipermeable
10 perms or less and greater than 1.0 perm
Vapor permeable
Greater than 10 perms
Contributors:
Charles Peterson, Gales Ferry, Connecticut.
FINISH TYPE
DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTICS
APPLICATION
Oil-modified urethane
Solvent-based polyurethane
Ambers
Easy to apply, 8-hour dry time
Water-borne acrylic
Appearance same as other
water-borne finishes
Least durable
Least expensive
Used for sealer, where
durability is not an issue
Moisture-cured urethane
Solvent-based polyurethane
Nonyellowing and ambering types
More durable, more moisture resistant
Satin or gloss finish
Extremely difficult to apply, strong odor;
professional applicator recommended
Conversion varnish
Two components: synthetic
resin, acid catalyst
Clear to slight amber
Durable
Extremely strong odor
Highly skilled professional applicator
recommended
Water-based urethane finishes
Water-based polyurethane
Clear, nonyellowing, not as durable as
solvent based
Mild odor, dries 2 to 3 hours
Two-component urethanes
Water-based polyurethae with
catalyst
Nonambering
Very durable
Catalyst quickly hardens finish layer
UV-cured finishes
Cross-links free radicals to cure
instantly
Most durable
Most chemical-resistant
Low VOCs
Site applied using UV light on mobile cart
Penetrating stain and wax
Solvent-based stain and wax
Soaks into wood pores, hardens to
protective penetrating seal
Low-gloss satin sheen
Maintain with solvent-based (not
water-based) waxes, buffing pastes, or
cleaning liquids made specifically for
wax-finished wood floors
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RADIANT HEATING AND WOOD FLOORS
ORNATE WOOD FLOORING
7.398
Radiant heating provides a very comfortable heat by directly warming the floor. Underfloor radiant heating is hidden in the subfloor
system. It does not waste valuable wall space with unsightly heating equipment. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer but also on convection, the natural circulation of heat within a
room, caused by heat rising from the floor.
Radiant heating systems are generally either warm water systems
or electric systems. The systems can be poured into a masonry mix
or fastened directly to the subfloor.
Radiant heating systems for wood floors are almost exclusively
hydronic (liquid) systems. They are the most popular and cost
effective type of heating systems for most climates. Radiant
floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing
laid in a pattern underneath the floor. The temperature in each
room is controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through
each tubing loop.
With the heating source located directly beneath the flooring, extra
care must be taken with the design and installation of the system.
Radiant heating systems can excessively dry out the wood flooring.
The maximum surface temperature of the subfloor should be limited to 85°F.
RADIANT-HEATED GLUE-DOWN, ENGINEERED, OR
SOLID PARQUET FLOORS
7.399
RESILIENT WOOD FLOORING
Resilient wood flooring is commonly used in athletic facilities. The
typical wood flooring species for sports facilities is maple, which is
preferred due to its density, fineness of grain, and nonsplintering
qualities. Beech and birch are also used by some manufacturers
for resilient wood floors. Finishes are typically transparent, and
supplemental markings may be added with approved materials and
techniques for floor striping and logos.
Wood sports floors are sanded, sealed, and finished with at least
two coats of sealer and two coats of finish. Game lines are painted between the last coat of sealer and the first coat of finish.
Game-line paint must be compatible with the sealer and finish.
BAMBOO FLOORING
Bamboo is a grass (not a wood, strictly defined). It grows quickly,
regenerates without replanting, and uses little fertilizer or pesticides. The bamboo is harvested, cut into strips, boiled in water with
a preservative, and pressed flat. The strips are then dried and laminated into solid boards, which are very hard and dimensionally
stable. Bamboo flooring is very durable; hardness tests indicate
that bamboo floors are comparable to red oak floors.
Contributors:
Charles Peterson, Gales Ferry, Connecticut.
Annica S. Emilsson, Rippeteau Architects, P.C., Washington, DC.
National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, Missouri.
Corky Binggeli, Materials for Interior Environments, John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken, NJ, 2008.
Bamboo boards are assembled in three ways: vertically, horizontally, and strand-woven. Bamboo strips 1 in. (25 mm) wide are
placed in flat side-by-side layers (horizontal) or are set on their thin
edges vertically. Strand-woven bamboo makes use of material left
over from the production of horizontal or vertical bamboo products.
Strands are intertwined, compressed, and bounded with a UV,
scratch, and moisture-resistant resin. The resulting very hard and
very durable material is cut into planks.
By itself, bamboo is an environmentally friendly material. However,
bamboo products such as flooring are often assembled using an
adhesive resin containing formaldehyde. Low-VOC bamboo flooring
with formaldehyde-free adhesives is available. Another environmental consideration is that bamboo products must be shipped a
great distance to reach the U.S. market.
Bamboo is available in two colors: natural and carbonized. Natural
bamboo is a creamy blonde color. Carbonized bamboo’s smoky
caramel color is a result of longer boiling, which caramelizes the
starches in the bamboo; it also reduces the hardness by 30%.
Some carbonized bamboo also includes carbon or charcoal.
Bamboo flooring is manufactured in tongue-and-groove strips
approximately 3-1/2 in. (89 mm) wide, 3/4 in. (19 mm) thick, and in
lengths up to 6 ft (1.8 m). A 3/8 in. (10 mm) thick material is available for glue-down application.
RESILIENT FLOORING
Resilient flooring provides a dense, nonabsorbent, pliant surface
that is generally quiet, comfortable to walk on, and easy to maintain. Resilient flooring types include sheet linoleum, cork, rubber,
sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, and leather. Factors to consider in choosing a
resilient flooring type include cost, performance, durability, availability, energy and natural resource use, biodegradability, recycled
content, recyclability, and toxicity.
TYPES
LINOLEUM
Linoleum produced for residential and commercial use today is significantly different from the linoleum used in mid-20th-century
kitchens and bathrooms. Linoleum is a suitable material for heavy
use in commercial installations. It is used where superior
resilience is required, such as the floors of dance rehearsal studios
and healthcare facilities. Linoleum products are available with cork
added for comfort and shock absorption, with recycled rubber
shock-absorbing subfloors attached, and for surface applications
on bulletin boards, walls, furniture, door panels, and cabinets.
Linoleum (derived from the Latin terms for “flax,” linum, and “oil,”
oleum) is composed primarily of linseed oil, obtained from the flax
plant. The oil is oxidized and mixed with a natural resin, such as
rosin tapped from pine trees, and combined with powdered cork
for flexibility and limestone for strength and hardness. Wood flour
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and pigments are added for color and colorfastness. Color is consistent from the face to the backing. For dimensional stability, this
mixture is bonded to a fiber backing (typically burlap) for linoleum
sheets or to a polyester backing for tile. Felt backings are used for
linoleum countertop or tack surface sheets.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
LAMINATED RUBBER TILE
7.401
Rubber flooring is dimensionally stable, sound absorbent, and
recyclable. It is resistant to heavy-impact loads, and is punctureresistant.
PROPERTIES
Linoleum is biodegradable and is considered an environmentally sustainable product. Linoleum is a superior thermal and acoustical insulator because of the air pockets found naturally in cork (50% air).
Linoleum thickness varies between 0.08 and 0.16 in. (2 and 4 mm).
It is naturally bacteria resistant and antimicrobial, preventing the
growth of dust mites. The antistatic properties of linoleum prevent
dust accumulation and reduce the potential for electric shock, and
conductive linoleum is available.
RUBBER ATHLETIC FLOORING
Flooring made of compressed rubber particles is available in rolls,
square tiles, and interlocking tiles for use in fitness clubs and athletic facilities. It is dense enough to withstand use in ice skating
rink surrounds and in weight rooms.
INSTALLATION
Linoleum can be cut by the waterjet process to produce custom
designs and logos. Linoleum seams can be heat welded for water
resistance, in areas over radiant floors and those exposed to direct
sunlight. Manufacturers can supply nonsoiling multicolor welding
rods that are invisible when installed in matching flooring.
LINOLEUM TILE
7.402
CORK
Cork is harvested from the outer layer of cork oak trees grown in
Mediterranean regions. The bark becomes loose approximately
every nine years, and is cut away. Composition cork is the most
common form of cork flooring; the bark material of the cork oak is
granulated, pressed with binders such as synthetic resins, and
then baked. The quality of composition cork varies according to the
quality and size of the granules, the type and quantity of the binder,
and the density (compression) of the mix.
Cork flooring is inherently antistatic, hypoallergenic, and nonslip. It
provides excellent acoustical and thermal insulation. Cork is also
used as an underlayment to increase the resiliency of other types
of finish floors. It is temperature sensitive and should not be used
in combination with underfloor heating systems.
The slip resistance of homogeneous rubber tile is enhanced by
adding raised surface patterns, although these may accumulate
dirt. This material is often used as stair treads and nosings.
Rubber athletic flooring is available in thicknesses of 5/32, 1/4,
3/8, and 1/2 in. (5, 6, 10, and 13 mm). Rolls are typically 4 ft (1.2
m) wide, and tiles 3 ft (0.9 m) square. Rubber athletic flooring is
usually solid black or black with 10 or 20% of a wide variety of colors; custom blends and other background colors are available.
Rubber athletic flooring can be installed on a variety of substrates,
including dry concrete and wood. Moisture in the substrate can
cause problems with the adhesives. Full glue-down application is
recommended, although taped installation is sometimes used in
areas with light use. Flooring materials should be unpacked or
unrolled and allowed to acclimate for at least 12 hours before
installation.
RUBBER ATHLETIC FLOORING
7.405
LEATHER TILE
7.403
TYPES
Unfinished tile is the standard cork flooring product form. Also
available are prefinished cork with a urethane top coating, vinylclad cork, or floating cork floors that either glue or mechanically
snap together and float over a thin cork underlayment. Cork sheets
and rolls are available with jute backing, but these are difficult to
install. Cork is naturally honey toned but is available in other colors.
VINYL
Today, environmental and health concerns are leading specifiers to
reject vinyl as a floor finish. Vinyl products do not break down in
landfills. Architects and designers should seek alternative materials that are less damaging to the environment and to human
health.
RUBBER
Rubber sheet or rubber tile flooring is composed of natural rubber
and/or synthetic rubber (styrene butadiene), mineral fillers, and
pigments. Rubber is an excellent finish for high-traffic areas.
Durable, resilient, and resistant to a wide variety of harsh chemicals and solvents, rubber flooring is naturally resistant to cosmetic burns. Rubber flooring can tolerate high traffic in public areas
such as transportation terminals. However, it can be dented by
heavy furniture or equipment concentrated on a small area.
RUBBER TILE WITH RAISED PATTERN
7.400
SHEET VINYL
COMPOSITION CORK TILE
7.404
Sheet vinyl flooring comes in 6 or 12 ft (1.8 or 3.7 m) widths and
forms a continuous finished floor covering. Because sheet vinyl
flooring has fewer joints than tile, it is used for applications where
spills, dirt, or bacterial growth are of concern. It has been commonly specified in hospital operating rooms or other areas where
resistance to bacterial growth or water penetration is required.
Homogeneous, or solid, sheet vinyl floorings, have no backing.
Homogeneous sheet vinyl has superior resistance to indentation,
rolling loads, and chemicals, and is suitable for heavy-wear applications because its appearance remains consistent even when
GRADES OF SHEET VINYL FLOOR COVERING WITH
BACKING
7.406
TYPE
I
II
Contributor:
Faith Baum, AIA, IIDA, Faith Baum Architect, Lexington, Massachusetts.
GRADE
WEAR LAYER
THICKNESS, MINIMUM
1
0.020 (0.51 mm)
2
0.014 (0.36 mm)
3
0.010 (0.25 mm)
1
0.050 (1.27 mm)
2
0.030 (0.76 mm)
3
0.020 (0.51 mm)
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worn. It contains much more PVC than backed sheet vinyls, making
it more resilient and more expensive.
Backed sheet vinyl is available in two constructions, felt, which
accounts for over 90% of current purchases, and fiberglass, a
newer process with more resiliency and a variety of installation
options. The upper layers of both types are the same, as follows:
• Protective top coat: Usually made of urethane, this layer resists
scratches and scuffs and facilitates ease of maintenance.
• Protective clear vinyl layer: This layer avoids rips, tears, and
TYPES OF VINYL SHEET FLOORING
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 203
gouges. A thicker clear vinyl layer results in improved appearance retention and durability.
• Printed vinyl design layer: A wide variety of designs and patterns are produced using the rotogravure process.
The bottom layers of the two constructions differ:
• Felt bottom layers are adhered directly to the subfloor.
• Fiberglass bottom layers are more dimensionally stable than
felt, and install without glue. A cushioning vinyl backing adds
resilience
VINYL TILE
Two types of vinyl tile are solid vinyl tile and the less expensive
vinyl composition tile (VCT). Solid vinyl tile, or homogeneous vinyl
tile, contains much more PVC than VCT, making it more resilient
and resistant to abrasion. Homogeneous vinyl tile has superior
indentation and rolling/load resistance. Because the pattern is
continuous through the thickness of the flooring, its appearance
will remain consistent when worn. Three classes of VCT are
defined by ASTM F 1066, Standard Specification for Vinyl
Composition Floor Tile:
• Type 1, solid color tiles
• Type 2, through-pattern tiles
• Type 3, surface pattern tiles
Vinyl composition tile is more brittle than vinyl sheet flooring because
it contains much less PVC. VCT is composed mostly of fillers with
comparatively small amounts of binder and pigments.
Vinyl tile is less expensive to install than sheet vinyl and easier to
replace in damaged areas. Tile layout should consider the center of
the room and the size of the last tile that falls at the perimeter.
Typically, it is desirable for the perimeter tiles to be as large as
possible and no smaller than a half-tile wide.
Vinyl tile is now available in three installation options, including the
following:
• Glueless: Adhesive tabs or spray adhesive
• Peel and stick: Self adhesive; no glue needed
• Full-spread : Adhesive applied with a trowel
LEATHER TILE
Leather tiles are typically cut from the center of a cowhide (usually a by-product of the food industry), where the fibers are tightest.
The leather is vegetable tanned and colored with penetrating aniline dyes. Leather tiles can be relatively expensive compared to
other resilient flooring choices. Leather tiles will have natural grain
and color variations. Leather tile flooring develops a patina over
time as it wears and oxidizes in light and air.
RESILIENT FLOORING SIZES
7.408
TYPE
COMPONENTS
THICKNESS
SIZES
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl resins with fiber back
0.065 to 0.160 (1.7 to 4 mm)
6-0, 10-0, 12-0 (1.8, 3, 3.6 m) wide
Solid vinyl tile
Vinyl resins
1⁄16 to 1⁄8 (1.5 to 3 mm)
9 9 (228 228 mm)
Vinyl composition tile
Vinyl resins with filler
0.050 to 0.095 (1.3 to 2.4 mm)
9 9 (228 228 mm)
Rubber tile
Rubber compound
3⁄32 to 3⁄16 (2.4 to 4.8 mm)
9 9 (228 228 mm)
Cork tile
Raw cork and resins
1⁄8 to 1⁄4 (3 to 6 mm)
6 6 (152 152 mm)
Cork tile with vinyl coating
Raw cork with vinyl resins
1⁄8 to 3⁄16 (3 to 4.8 mm)
9 9 (228 228 mm)
12 12 (305 ´ 305 mm)
12 12 (305 305 mm)
12 12 (305 305 mm)
9 9 (228 228 mm)
12 12 (305 305 mm)
RESILIENT FLOORING COMPARISONS
7.409
TYPE
RESILIENCE
DURABILITY
FINISH
MAINTENANCE
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
Cork
Very good
Absorbs moisture,
stains
Factory vinyl topcoat
or oil finish
Resists mold, mildew
Fades, yellows in sun
Do not wet mop
Natural, renewable material.
May be mixed with synthetic resins
Linoleum
Very good
Extremely durable
Manufacturer’s
two-layer water-based
finish, or waxed finish
Resists staining,
grease, burns
Natural biodegradable materials
Rubber
Very good
Durable enough for
high-use spaces
Slippery when greasy
May require sealer
Self-polishing floors
available
Raised patterns may
collect dirt
Mop regularly
Resists chemicals,
burns
Synthetic (styrene butadiene) or
natural rubber
Recyclable
Vinyl sheet
Very good
Moderately durable,
recommend min.
10 mil wear layer
No-wax finish (will lose
shine), or waxed finish
Resists staining,
grease, burns
Requires rebuffing or
recoating
Fading, blisters,
brittleness in sun
High PVC content
High VOCs
Toxic gases if burned, not recyclable,
not biodegradable
Solid vinyl tile
Good
Durable
Pattern throughout tile
Vacuum, wipe up spills
Less PVC than sheet vinyl, same
disposal problems
Vinyl composition
tile
Moderate
Moderately durable
Thin wear layer may
wear off
Resists staining,
grease, burns
Less PVC than vinyl tile, same
disposal problems
Source: Adapted from Corky Binggeli, Materials for Interior Environments, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2008.
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RESILIENT FLOORING
INSTALLATION
RESILIENT TILE
Most resilient floor tile is installed as manufactured without any
type of seam treatment; there are some exceptions such as products that are heat welded.
RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING SEAMS
Resilient sheet goods, such as sheet vinyl, linoleum, and sheet rubber, involve careful seaming techniques. Sheet flooring must be
trimmed at all edges that are to be butted together. Seams are
sealed either with a chemical seam sealer or by heat welding.
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RESILIENT BASE MATERIALS
7.410
MATERIAL
RESPONSE TO HEAT
FLEXIBILITY
Good
Excellent
$
Thermoplastic rubber
Expands
Better
Good
$$
Thermoset rubber
Expands
Best
Fair
$$$
WALL BASE
7.411
Welding uses a hot air gun designed for this purpose. The tip is
interchangeable. The proper size tip must be used based on the
diameter of the welding rod. If the tip is too large to accept the
welding rod, the floor covering material can be damaged during the
welding procedure.
CUSTOM DESIGNS
Historically, resilient flooring products have been used in combinations of colors to create distinctive visual designs. This can be as
simple as a border or checkerboard design in resilient floor tile or
as complex as a company logo or other artwork cut into the floor.
Skilled craftspeople can do this work by hand, but increasingly this
cutting is done using technology such as waterjet or ultrasonic cutting (laser cutting involves too much heat) that converts the
designer’s concept into a finished product that is delivered to the
job site ready to install.
RESILIENT BASE AND ACCESSORIES
Resilient wall base and flooring accessories are available in three
materials:
WALL BASE
Wall base conceals the joint where the wall meets the floor. Sheet
goods, such as linoleum or sheet vinyl, can form an integral, monolithic cove base to simplify maintenance.
There are three basic wall base profiles:
• Straight base is meant to be used with carpet.
• Cove base is meant to be used with resilient flooring.
• Butt-to base, sometimes referred to as sanitary base, is available from a limited number of manufacturers. It is installed prior
to the finish floor covering. The finish floor covering must be of
the same thickness as the butt-to-base flange. The base is
sealed to the floor and wall, creating an easy-to-clean, more
sanitary joint that is popular for healthcare applications.
Cove moldings support sheet vinyl, sheet linoleum, or other flexible
floor coverings when coved up the wall. Cap moldings help to finish the exposed edges of coved floor coverings, ceramic tile, or
wood paneling
TRANSITION MOLDINGS
Transition moldings create a smooth transition between different
flooring materials or flooring heights and act to conceal seams.
Snap-in moldings offer the advantage of wear-edge replacement
without disrupting the flooring installation.
Contributors:
Mia Alwen and Lerlux Sophonpanich, Rhode Island School of Design,
Providence, Rhode Island.
Christopher Capobianco, Christopher Collaborative Inc., Patchogue, New
York.
RELATIVE COST
Shrinks
Grooving resilient flooring to receive heat-welded seams can be
done by hand or with electric tools. Tools must be specifically
designed for heat-welded seams and must be the proper size,
based on the size of the manufacturer’s welding rod.
• Vinyl can be susceptible to shrinking when exposed to heat and,
as indicated above, has health and environmental problems.
• Thermoplastic rubber is a vinyl compound with a comparatively
small amount of rubber added for flexibility. Because of the high
vinyl content, it performs similarly to vinyl, but is more flexible.
• Thermoset rubber is vulcanized natural rubber. It is the most
flexible resilient base material and thus is easier to install and
better at hiding surface imperfections in walls and floors.
RESISTANCE GREASE/OIL
Vinyl
Source: Steven R. Breuer, AIA, LEED AP, lauckgroup, Dallas, Texas.
RESILIENT TRANSITION MOLDINGS
7.412
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STATIC-CONTROL FLOORING
The electronics and computer industries are the primary markets
for static-control flooring. There are two types of static-control
flooring: static dissipative and conductive. The basic difference is
the rate at which an electric charge moves through the floor.
TYPES
Static-control resilient flooring consists of resilient tiles or sheet
material applied to a substrate using static-control adhesive with
embedded grounding strips. Joints in the vinyl products can be
heat welded for a seamless installation. They come in various colors, some with a characteristic thin, black thread pattern caused by
the encapsulated carbon that provides the electrostatic control.
Integral self-cove bases can be constructed from the solid vinyl
tiles and sheet vinyl materials.
CARPET, CARPET TILE, AND MATS
CARPET CONSTRUCTION
Carpet construction refers to the carpet manufacturing method. The
three most popular construction methods for commercial carpet
construction are tufting, weaving, and fusion bonding. Commercial
loop carpets may be loop, cut pile, or combinations of the two. Handtufted carpets are often specified for hospitality applications. Knitted
and needle-punched carpets are available but less often specified.
Residential tufted carpets are often constructed with cut pile, level
loop, patterned loop, and cut and loop methods.
• Tufted carpets account for as much as 95% of the carpet produced in the United States.
• Woven carpets are made on a loom using the original carpet
construction method.
• Fusion-bonded carpet tiles dominate the carpet tile market in
the United States.
• Knitted carpets use more face yarn than tufting.
• Needle-punched carpets are formed by hundreds of barbed needles punching through blankets of fiber.
TUFTED CARPET
Compared to other carpet construction methods, tufting does not
require skilled labor and requires less expensive equipment to
manufacture. It is far less expensive and faster to produce tufted
rather than woven carpets. This process has enabled the mass production of an affordably priced, wide-width textile floor covering.
The tufted construction process is similar to sewing. Hundreds of
needles stitch simultaneously through a backing material. To hold
the tufted loops in place, the underside of the primary backing is
usually coated with a synthetic latex adhesive, a rubbery substance
that dries hard but remains bendable. A secondary backing material is then applied.
Primary backing materials are the woven or nonwoven fabrics into
which the tufts are inserted. They are typically olefin based, either
plain woven or spunbonded. A thin polymer coating is often applied
to bond the warp and weft threads and to minimize unraveling.
Contributors:
Steven R. Breuer, AIA, LEED AP, lauckgroup, Dallas, Texas.
Margery Morgan, Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 205
CARPET BACKING MATERIALS
7.413
MATERIAL
SOURCE
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Petrochemical
Toxic throughout life cycle; backing recycled with nylon face (downcycled)
Polyolefin
Petrochemical
Backing separated from face fiber for closed-loop recycling
Polyvinyl butyral (PVB)
Petrochemical; can be made from recycled
lamination sheets in safety glass
No chlorine as in PVC
Urethane
Petrochemical; some other sources, including
soybean oil
Generally not recyclable
Polypropylene
Petrochemical
Usually residential use
Jute
Natural plant product
Less durable than petrochemical products; residential use
Styrene butadiene (SB) latex
Synthetic petroleum-based water emulsion
Usually does not trigger latex allergies; manufacturing involves
toxic chemicals
CARPET BACKING SYSTEMS
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CONSTRUCTION
METHOD
TYPICAL BACKING OR
BACKING COMPONENTS
TYPICAL BACKCOATING
CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS
Tufted
Primary:
Woven polypropylene slit film
Nonwoven polypropylene or polyester
Secondary:
Woven leno weave polypropylene
Nonwoven polypropylene or polyester
Woven jute
Fiberglass reinforcement
Synthetic styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex
Polyurethane
Polyvinyl acetate
Ethylene vinyl acetate
Polyvinyl chloride
Amorphous resins
Thermoplastic polyolefin
Fusion bonded
Fiberglass matting
Polyvinyl chloride
Woven
Construction yarns may include:
Cotton
Jute
Polypropylene
Polyester
Viscose rayon
Blends or combinations
Similar materials to tufted, but usually thinner coatings
Hand tufted
Cotton canvas
Latex
Needle punched
(None typically used)
SBR latex
Acrylics
Ethylene vinyl acetate
SBR latex foam
Spunbonded olefin is inherently resistant to fraying or unraveling.
During the tufting process, the olefin fibers are pushed aside, minimizing the distortion of the backing. This helps ensure a uniform
pile height. Backings made of olefin are impervious to moisture and
are mildew resistant.
Adhesives used in tufted carpet are usually synthetic latex. Molten
thermoplastic compounds are also used. Adhesives permanently
anchor the tufts to the primary backing, preventing snags and
unraveling.
Secondary backing materials, sometimes referred to as scrims,
provide dimensional stability to the finished tufted carpet. A secondary backing is added for strength and stability. Secondary backing materials are often made of polypropylene, which is popular
because it is moisture resistant. Alternatives to secondary backings are attached carpet cushions, solid vinyl composites, and coatings referred to as unitary backings.
The standard dimension of most manufactured tufted carpet is a 12
ft (3.6 m) width, although some manufacturers provide 6 ft (1.8 m)
and 15 ft (4.5 m) widths for special applications.
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TUFTED CARPET
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INTERIOR F INISHES
ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
CARPET
The 2010 Standards for Accessible Design apply to floor finishes,
including carpet. Verify requirements with local code authorities.
The following issues should be considered:
• Changes in level up to 1/4 in. (6 mm) may be vertical and without an edge.
• Changes in level between 1/4 and 1/2 in. (6 and 13 mm) should
be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. Changes in level
greater than 1/2 in. (13 mm) should be accomplished by means
of a ramp.
• Carpet having a pile height of 1/2 in. (13 mm) measured from
the bottom of the tuft is allowed. Exposed edges should be
secured and have a transition strip. Pile heights over 1/2 in. (13
mm) must have a transition ramp between the surfaces.
• Carpet should be securely attached, have a firm cushion or backing, or no cushion, and have a level loop, textured loop, level cut
pile, or level cut/uncut pile.
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE CHANGES IN LEVEL UP TO 1/4
IN. (6 MM)
7.416
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE CHANGES IN LEVEL BETWEEN
1/4 AND 1/2 IN. (6 AND 13 MM)
7.417
ADA CARPET PILE THICKNESS
7.418
CARPET TILE
Carpet tiles provide ready access to a raised floor or easy replacement when soiled or worn. Tiles are available as 18 in. (46 mm),
19.7 in. (50 cm), 36 in. (91 cm), and sometimes 6 ft (1.8 m) squares.
Carpet tiles are often more expensive than broadloom carpets. The
seams are highly visible, which some manufacturers use as a modular design element. Pile types include cut pile and loop pile, along
with fusion bonding. Tiles are available with low levels of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). Some manufacturers offer tiles containing recycled and renewable raw materials, as well as return
and recycle programs. Common face fibers include nylon, polyester,
and wool.
Fusion bonding is the most common method of carpet tile construction. It is a thermoplastic process, whereby yarns are
attached to a backing material by means of adhesion rather than
stitching (as in tufted carpet) or weaving. The adhesive is applied
to the backing material, and the yarns are implanted in it. Because
the yarn is typically embedded between two parallel backings that
must be sliced apart, fusion-bonded carpet is necessarily cut pile.
Fusion-bonded carpet has the greatest percentage of yarn available for wear, but is more expensive than tufted carpet. The cut pile
construction of fusion bonding offers greater pile densities at comparable yarn weights than tufted constructions.
Dimensional stability is the prime characteristic in carpet tile selection. Tiles should be covered by warranty against shrinkage, edge
curling (also called tile lifting), and buckling.
Carpet tiles are installed with standard adhesives, releasable
adhesives, and mill-applied peel-and-stick adhesives. Adhesive
dots or tacking squares that attach tiles together at their edges are
also available. Carpet tile installation is easier and causes less
downtime and productivity loss than traditional carpet installation.
WOVEN CARPET
Weaving, the traditional method used for carpet construction, produces a carpet on a loom, integrating the pile and backing yarns
during the carpet construction. Most woven carpet is dimensionally stable as a result of the weaving process and does not require a
secondary backing, as a tufted carpet does. Weaving accounts for
less than 2% of the carpet market in the United States. Its primary
use is in the hospitality industry, where long-term durability and
intricate pattern detail are primary considerations. There are three
basic types of weaving processes: velvet, Wilton, and Axminster.
• Wilton carpets are limited to about five changes in yarn color. A
Wilton carpet is thick and heavy because every color yarn used
is carried beneath the pile surface.
• Axminster carpets enable virtually limitless patterns and colors,
because the colored yarns are inserted individually as required
by the design. Axminsters are cut pile face construction.
• Velvet carpets are made on looms that are similar to Wilton
looms, but without the Jacquard mechanism, so intricate details
and elaborate patterns are not available.
FUSION-BONDED CARPET
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 207
CARPET TILE INSTALLATION PATTERNS
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WOVEN CARPET
7.421
HAND-TUFTED CARPET
Hand-tufted rugs are most often custom designed for a specific
space. They are commonly made of wool and are popular for hospitality and high-end residential applications. Wool yarns are often
dyed specifically for a hand-tufted rug. Hand-tufted rugs are made
by inserting tufts one at a time by hand, with a tufting gun, into a
backing, which is typically cotton canvas. The tufts are not in parallel rows as in machine tufting or weaving. The back of a completed, hand-tufted custom rug is coated with latex. The surface of the
rug is finished by one of the following processes:
• Tip-sheared rugs are produced by cutting random loops that
project beyond the surface of the rug. This process adds texture
and visual interest to the level finished surface of the rug.
• Cut-and-loop rugs are continuously tufted like single-pile rugs.
Those portions of the rug surface that will be cut pile are tufted
in a deeper pile height and then cut down to the height of the
loop surface.
• Carved rugs incorporate three-dimensional designs into the rug
surface. After the tufting process is complete, electrically operated shears are used to cut patterns in the rug surface.
Nonrectilinear shapes are possible with hand-tufted rugs. Unlike
tufted or woven carpets, custom shapes and edge configurations
are available. Hand-tufted rugs are often used in circular or other
nonrectilinear applications and on spiral stair treads, where each
tread carpet is different. An unlimited number of colors is possible,
and intricate custom designs are often incorporated.
HAND-TUFTED CARPET
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WOOL CARPET PILE WEIGHT DENSITY
7.422
TYPE OF
TRAFFIC
AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC
LOCATION
PILE WEIGHT
DENSITY
PROJECTED
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Light
Up to 1,500 passages/week
(250/day)
Hotel guest rooms, private offices, small meeting
rooms
80 to 114
5 to 7 years
Medium
1,500 to 5,000 passages/week
(250–750/day)
Hotel guest corridors, conference rooms,
shops, larger offices
115 to 149
5 to 7 years
Heavy
5,000 to 15,000 passages/week
(750–2,500/day)
Restaurants, larger function rooms, open-plan
offices, large shops, hotel main corridors
150 to 199
5 to 7 years
Very heavy
15,000+ passages/week
(2,500+/day)
Hotel lobbies, office entrance areas, department
stores (ground floor), cash register counters, bars
200+
5 to 7 years
Source: Soroush Custom Rugs, Kensington, Maryland.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
HAND-TUFTED CARPET SPECIFICATIONS
7.424
TYPE OF
SPACE
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
PILE
CONTENT
FACE WEIGHT TOTAL WEIGHT PILE HEIGHT
TOTAL
THICKNESS
Wool has been used for centuries in the manufacturing of carpet,
and is still the standard against which other carpet fibers are judged.
It is generally the most expensive carpet fiber and is commonly used
in woven carpets. When exposed to flame, wool chars, rather than
melting like most synthetic fibers, making it naturally flame resistant. It dyes well and has good resistance to soil and wear. The outer
layer of a wool fiber is scaly, which diffuses light, thus hiding soil.
The inner core is composed of long, rounded cells that provide the
elasticity essential for excellent appearance retention.
High-traffic
public and
residential
spaces
Standard-traffic lobbies, boardrooms,
meeting rooms, bar areas, club
rooms, royal and presidential hotel
suites, grand staircases
100%
semiworsted
wool
56 oz/yd
(2 kg/m)
±105 oz/yd
(3.8 kg/m)
15/64 (6 mm)
5/16 (7.9 mm)
Very high
traffic public
spaces
Busy hotel lobbies, casinos,
reception areas, lounge areas,
ballrooms, main corridors in luxury
facilities, business service areas in
hospitality facilities, grand staircases
100%
semiworsted
wool
72 oz/yd
(2.5 kg/m)
±125 oz/yd
(4.4 kg/m)
16/64 (6.4 mm)
25/64 (9.9 mm)
Sisal is a strong, woody fiber produced from the leaves of the
agave plant, which is found in Central America, the West Indies,
and Africa. Used mostly in twine and rope, it has become a popular contemporary flooring fiber.
Extremely
heavy traffic
public spaces
Hotel lobbies that also function as
casino entrances, main promenade
areas
100%
semiworsted
wool
88 oz/yd
(3.1 kg/m)
±140 oz/yd
(5 kg/m)
16/64 (6.4 mm)
23/64 (9.1 mm)
WOOL AND NYLON FIBERS
7.426
Source: Soroush Custom Rugs, Kensington, Maryland.
CARPET FIBERS
A fiber is the fine, hairlike strand that forms the basis of a yarn.
Fibers are found in nature or are manufactured (synthetic) and are
categorized by their length as either staple or filament.
CARPET YARN PLIES
7.425
• Staple fibers are short, typically measured in centimeters or
inches. All natural fibers except silk are staple fibers.
• Filament fibers are long and continuous. Because synthetic
fibers are produced by extruding chemical solutions through a
device that resembles a showerhead called a spinerette, they
are filament fibers. However, they can be cut to staple fiber
lengths.
Yarns are formed by twisting fibers together to create a continuous strand. Yarns are classified in two types: spun and filament.
Spun yarns are composed of staple fibers twisted together.
Filament yarns are composed of continuous strands made from
either a spinerette-generated synthetic fiber or from silk. Bulked
continuous filament (BCF) yarns are continuous strands of synthetic fiber that are formed into yarn bundles without the need for spinning, which is required for all natural and staple synthetic fibers.
BCF generally offers better wear, but staple fibers provide the
much-sought-after wool-like appearance.
YARN DESIGNATIONS
Yarn designations express the relationship between length and
weight. The denier system is used for filament yarns; the yarn
count system is used for spun yarns.
Ply is the number of single strands of spun yarn twisted together
to form the yarn. Ply is not a measure of quality, but will affect the
appearance of a carpet. Higher-ply counts give a coarser, nubbier
texture.
Denier is a unit of yarn measurement equal to the weight in grams
of 9,000 meters of the yarn. The higher the denier, the heavier the
yarn and generally the better the strength, resiliency, and abrasion
resistance. Heavier-filament yarns are designated by higher denier
numbers. For example, a 15-denier yarn would be suitable for
sheer hosiery; a 2,200-denier yarn would be suitable for carpet.
Yarn count is a system similar to the gauge of a spun yarn’s weight.
Heavier yarns are designated by lower yarn count numbers. For
example, a 70-count yarn is quite fine, whereas a 10-count yarn is
thick and heavy.
PILE TYPES
Pile consists of yarns or fibers projecting from a substrate, acting
as a wear surface. The selection of a pile type depends on the
desired visual effect and performance expectations.
CARPET FIBER TYPES
Acrylic was one of the first synthetic fibers to be used successfully in the production of carpet. However, because the color and texture of acrylic fiber can be glossy and harsh, and because acrylic
carpet pile crushes easily, it is no longer recommended for use as
a commercial carpet fiber.
Nylon is the most popular carpet fiber. Nylon has excellent wearability,
abrasion resistance, and resilience; solution-dyed nylon is also
resistant to harsh cleaning chemicals and sunlight fading. However,
because of nylon’s excellent durability, appearance retention is a
concern. Long before a nylon carpet wears out, its appearance can be
permanently ruined. Nylon is extruded through a spinerette. Nylon
fibers are smooth and tend to be reflective or shiny.
Nylon 6.6 has a melting point of 493°F, high for a synthetic fiber,
though not a match for polyesters or aramids. This fact makes it
the most resistant to heat and friction and enables it to withstand
heat setting for twist retention. Its long molecular chain results in
more sites for hydrogen bonds, creating chemical “springs” and
making it very resilient. It has a dense structure with small, evenly spaced pores. This means that nylon 6.6 is difficult to dye, but
once dyed it has superior colorfastness and is less susceptible to
fading from sunlight and ozone and to yellowing from nitrous oxide.
Polypropylene is the lightest commercial carpet fiber. Polypropylenes
are known for their excellent stain and mildew resistance, low moisture absorbency, excellent colorfastness in sunlight, and high
strength. They also minimize static electricity. Olefin is a polypropylene. Polypropylene is commonly used in outdoor carpeting.
Polyester fibers are known for their color clarity and their capability to retain color. More popular for residential carpet applications
than for commercial uses, polyester has a luxurious feel.
• Cut pile yarns are at the same height. Durability depends on the
type of fiber used, the density of the tufts, and the amount of
twist in the yarn.
• Uncut pile yarns are at the same height. Level loop pile has a
pebbled surface texture that hides footprints and chair caster
marks, and is durable in high-traffic areas.
• Cut-and-loop pile combines cut and looped yarns to provide varied surface textures and sculptural effects. Cut-and-loop pile
type requires 100% latex penetration. Cut-and-loop pile with
more than 50% cut surface should meet cut pile guidelines.
• Random tip-sheared yarn produces contrasts between cut and
uncut loops of varying heights.
• Velvet or plush has a smooth cut pile. Yarn ends blend together
for a consistent surface appearance. This pile type shows footprints and shading marks. Textured plush helps hide footprints
and vacuum marks.
• Saxony is similar to velvet pile but has twisted yarn, which gives
definition to each tuft. The loops are cut during the construction
process. Saxonies are made with heat-set yarn, usually in a
dense, low-pile construction. This pile type shows footprints and
shading marks.
• Multilevel (patterned) loop uses uncut pile yarns at varying
heights.
• Frieze (pronounced free-zay) is a tightly twisted, heat-set yarn
that hides dirt well.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 209
CARPET DENSITY
PILE TYPES
7.427
Density, the amount of pile yarn per unit volume of carpet, is influenced by gauge (stitches per inch across the width), yarn size or
thickness, and pile height. A larger yarn can be tufted at a wider
gauge and receive the same density as a fine yarn at a small
gauge. For areas where heavy foot traffic is likely, a density of
5,000 to 7,000 or more may be necessary. Office spaces with moderate traffic require a density of 4,000 to 6,000. Because of the fundamental differences in the manufacturing processes, different
terms are used to describe carpet density for each type of carpet
construction.
CARPET TRAFFIC CLASS RECOMMENDATIONS
7.430
AREA
TRAFFIC
CLASS
TYPE OF SPACE
Airports
Administrative offices
Banks
I
Corridors/all public and ticket areas
III
Executive offices
I
Lobbies
II to III
Corridors
II to III
Teller windows
III
II to III
DENSITY MEASUREMENTS FOR TUFTED
CARPET
Gauge is used for the widthwise density measurement of tufted
Convention
centers
Auditoriums
Corridors and lobbies
III
carpet. It is the measure of the spacing of the tufting needles, center to center, across the width of the carpet. Gauge is measured in
fractions of an inch. For example, 1/8 gauge means that the tufting
needles are spaced 1/8 in. (3 mm) apart, producing eight yarn ends
per inch.
Places of
worship
Churches, synagogues, and mosques
I to II
Meeting rooms
II
Stitches define the lengthwise density measurement of tufted carpet.
They measure the number of ends tufted by the needles down the
length of the carpet. Generally, the number of stitches per inch and
the number of needles per inch are approximately the same.
Pile height is the length of a tuft from the backing surface to the tip
of the tuft. It is measured in fractions of an inch. Although a deep
pile may provide a more luxurious feel underfoot, it also has a
greater tendency to crush and show wear.
Lobbies
II to III
Golf clubs
Locker rooms and pro shops
III
Other areas
II to III
Healthcare
facilities
Executive and administrative offices
I to II
Hotels,
motels, and
apartments
Patient rooms and lounges
II
Lobbies, corridors, and nurses’ stations
III
Rooms
I
Corridors
II
Lobbies
III
Libraries,
museums,
and art
galleries
Administrative offices
I
Public areas
II to III
is the number of ends in a 27-in. (685-mm) width of carpet. A yarn
loop in the surface of a carpet is referred to as an end. The pitch
can be divided by 27 to compare widthwise density with that of a
tufted carpet. For example, if the pitch is 216, it is divided by 27,
which equals eight ends per inch, or 1/8 gauge in a tufted carpet.
Office
buildings
Executive or private offices
I
Clerical areas
II
To convert gauge to pitch, multiply needles (ends) per inch by 27;
for example, 1/10 gauge is equivalent to 270 pitch, or 10 ends per
inch 27; 1/8 gauge is 8 ends of yarn per inch 27 = 216 pitch.
DENSITY MEASUREMENTS FOR WOVEN
CARPET
Pitch is used to measure the widthwise density of woven carpet. It
The terms rows in Axminster and wires in Wilton and velvet carpets
refer to the number of ends per inch lengthwise. In woven carpet,
the pile height is referred to as the wire height, referring to the
height of the steel blades in the loom on which the tufts are
formed. Wire height is stated in decimals of an inch.
Corridors
II to III
Cafeteria
III
Restaurants
Dining areas and lobbies
III
Retail stores
Windows and display areas
I
Minor aisles, boutiques, and specialized
departments
II
Schools and
colleges
Major aisles, checkouts, supermarkets, etc.
III
Administrative offices
I
Classrooms and dormitories
II
Corridors and cafeteria
III
Source: BASF, Dalton, Georgia.
CARPET TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION
7.429
CLASS
TRAFFIC
WALK-ONS
PER DAY
I
Light
Up to 500
Areas that undergo a limited amount of traffic and where there
is some soiling
Executive offices, hotel bedrooms
II
Heavy
500 to 1,000
Areas that undergo frequent traffic flowing in the same direction
and where there is heavy dirt, grit, twisting, turning, and spillage
Hotel corridors, auditoriums,
school classrooms
III
Extra heavy
More than 1,000
Areas that are subject to extremely frequent and concentrated
traffic flowing in the same direction and where there is severe dirt,
grit, twisting, turning, heavy rolling, and spillage
Airports, bank teller window areas
CLASS I
Level loop
EXAMPLES
Source: BASF, Dalton, Georgia.
CARPET DENSITY GUIDELINES
7.428
PILE TYPE
DESCRIPTION
CLASS II
CLASS III
WEIGHT
DENSITY
WEIGHT
DENSITY
WEIGHT
16 oz/sq yd (0.6 kg/sq m)
3,600 oz/cu yd (2,772 kg/cu m)
20 oz/sq yd (0.7 kg/sq m)
4,200 oz/cu yd (3,234 kg/cu m)
24 oz/sq yd (0.8 kg/sq m)
DENSITY
4,800 oz/cu yd (3,696 kg/cu m)
Cut loop
20 oz/sq yd (0.7 kg/sq m)
3,600 oz/cu yd (2,772 kg/cu m)
24 oz/sq yd (0.8 kg/sq m)
4,200 oz/cu yd (3,234 kg/cu m)
28 oz/sq yd (1 kg/sq m)
4,800 oz/cu yd (3,696 kg/cu m)
Cut pile, not heat set
28 oz/sq yd (1 kg/sq m)
3,800 oz/cu yd (2,926 kg/cu m)
33 oz/sq yd (1.1 kg/sq m)
4,500 oz/cu yd (3,465 kg/cu m)
38 oz/sq yd (1.3 kg/sq m)
5,000 oz/cu yd (3,850 kg/cu m)
Cut pile, heat set
28 oz/sq yd (1 kg/sq m)
3,800 oz/cu yd (2,926 kg/cu m)
35 oz/sq yd (1.2 kg/sq m)
4,500 oz/cu yd (3,465 kg/cu m)
43 oz/sq yd (1.4 kg/sq m)
5,000 oz/cu yd (3,850 kg/cu m)
Source: BASF, Dalton, Georgia.
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NEEDLES (ENDS) PER INCH
INTERIOR F INISHES
CARPET INSTALLATION
CARPET GAUGE OR PITCH
7.431
GAUGE
Page 210
PITCH
3/8
2.7
1/4
4
73
108
3/16
5.3
144
5/32
6.4
173
1/8
8
216
1/10
10
270
5/64
12.8
346
1/16
16
432
1/20
20
540
1/25
25
675
CARPET PERFORMANCE
Wear resistance of a carpet, like that of other textiles, is affected
by many factors, such as the face and total weight, pile density,
type and length of the fiber, structure of the yarn, and the construction of the carpet.
Face weight, also referred to as pile weight or yarn weight, is the
weight of the pile yarn in ounces per square yard of carpet. It does
not include the weight of the backings or coating. The face weight
describes the amount of yarn in the wear surface of the carpet.
Total weight, or finished weight, includes the face weight and the
weight of backing materials, finishes, and coatings. It is expressed
in ounces per square yard of carpet. Total weight is less an indication of quality than is face weight.
Pile density is the weight of pile yarn in a given volume of carpet
face. It is determined by the number and size of the carpet tufts.
Pile density is the most important selection factor in high-traffic
installations. For example, nylon is a very durable fiber; however, if
the pile density of a nylon carpet is too low, crushing can occur; and
although the nylon may succeed in performance, it can fail in
appearance. Average pile density is determined by the following
formula:
There are two types of carpet installation: stretch-in and adhesive.
For broadloom carpet, there are three types of adhesive installation: direct glue-down, double glue-down, and the newest installation type, self-stick. Releasable adhesives can facilitate carpet
repair or replacement.
STRETCH-IN INSTALLATION
Stretch-in installation is the traditional method of carpet installation, whereby the carpet is stretched over a cushion and attached
at the perimeter with a tack strip. This is the most common installation method for residential applications and is used commercially for woven wool carpets and in areas where underfoot comfort
and luxury are required (e.g., hotel lobbies and boardrooms).
Stretch-in applications allow for easy removal and replacement of
the carpet and cushion. Because stretch-in carpet is secured only
around the perimeter, such installations can ripple, causing accessibility problems; hence, they may not be appropriate for large
areas and heavy commercial or rolling traffic.
ADHESIVE INSTALLATION
Direct glue-down installation is the most common method of commercial installation. It is economical and practical. The carpet is
glued directly to the floor without a cushion. This is the most
dimensionally stable installation method and is often required for
stair or ramp applications, even if different installation methods
are specified for other areas of the project. Proper substrate conditions are imperative for a successful glue-down installation.
Uneven substrates can cause irregular wear patterns.
Double glue-down installation combines the underfoot comfort of
stretch-in installation with the stability of the direct glue-down
method. The carpet cushion is adhered to the floor, and then the
carpet is glued to the cushion.
Self-stick installation involves applying a flexible adhesive layer to
the carpet backing, which is then covered with a protective plastic
film until installation. The labor involved in adhesive application and
the time required to ensure the proper tackiness are eliminated.
This type of carpet type typically comes in smaller widths, about
6 ft (1.8 m), for ease of manipulation during layout and installation.
CARPET TILE INSTALLATION
Carpet tiles can be applied over a variety of substrates, including
plywood, particleboard, and hardwood. They can be installed over
concrete that meets the manufacturer’s standards for moisture
vapor emissions and pH levels; highly porous concrete subfloors
may need to be sealed. Metal surfaces should be cleaned of dirt,
grease, and debris. Terrazzo, ceramic, marble, and slate floors
should have all cracks and irregularities filled before installation of
carpet tiles. Manufacturers do not recommend glue-down installation over sheet vinyl, laminated solid vinyl, or rubber flooring or
over some types of previously applied adhesives, unless all finishes or adhesives are first removed.
There are four methods of carpet tile installation: free-lay, fullglue, tack tiles, and self-stick.
• Free-lay installations involve applying a strip of adhesive about
every 15 ft (4.5 m) and around the room perimeter. Tiles in those
areas are anchored in place, and neighboring tiles are butted
snugly against each other.
• Full-glue installations should be specified where heavy or
wheeled traffic is anticipated. In this case, tiles are typically
installed with a “stair-step” technique. The installation grows
from the center of the room.
• Tack tiles are glue-free adhesive squares with very low VOC levels and no odor. They allow tiles to be attached to each other
rather than to the floor, creating a floating carpet tile surface.
• Self-stick installation is used when a tile has a preapplied pressure-sensitive adhesive coating covered with a protective plastic film.
CARPET INSTALLATION COMPARISON
7.432
STRETCH-IN
DIRECT GLUE-DOWN
DIRECT GLUE-DOWN
WITH ATTACHED CUSHION
DOUBLE GLUE-DOWN
36 W (oz/sq yd)
D (oz/cu yd) =
T (in.)
Patterned carpet is easier to match.
D (oz/cu yd) ÷ 26,944.67 = g/cu cm
More resilient than direct glue-down. Labor is usually less expensive.
Increased delamination strength
Improved carpet appearance
and improved edge ravel resistance. retention, comfort underfoot, and
overall performance.
Extends carpet life.
Suitable for rolling traffic and
ramp areas.
Effective moisture barrier.
Carpet bordering and inlay
simplified.
Less crushing and packing of pile.
Seams are more durable because
there is no vertical flex.
Improved thermal and acoustical
contribution.
Suitable for wheeled traffic area.
Adds insulation value (R-value).
Unrestricted as to size of area.
Elimination of second adhesive
requirement.
Size of installation area is not
restricted.
Higher sound absorbency (NRC)
values.
No restretch situations.
Responds better to vacuuming.
Facilitates access to electrical and
telephone lines under the floor.
where D is the density, W is the pile yarn weight, and T is the pile
height or thickness.
Pile yarn is the most expensive component in carpet manufacturing. For a given weight, a lower pile height and a higher pile density provide the greatest performance value. Abrasion resistance is
sometimes used as a relative measure of a carpet's durability.
Because modern synthetic fibers are highly resistant to abrasive
wear, wear resistance is not tested for as often as appearance
retention.
Appearance retention tests aim to simulate floor traffic with
mechanical devices. Pile appearance changes due to wear are
commonly tested by either of two methods: the hexapod tumbler
test or the Vettermann drum test.
Static control, the electrostatic discharge properties of carpet, may
need to be considered where sensitive electronic or computer
equipment is in use. Static electricity is created by the friction of
rubbing materials together—for example, the sole of a shoe and
carpet fiber. Static electricity does not become apparent until the
relative humidity drops below 40%. There are two methods for
enhancing the electrostatic discharge properties of carpet: the
incorporation of a conductive filament, typically carbon-loaded
nylon, or the application of topical treatments.
Contributors:
Carpet and Rug Institute, Dalton, Georgia.
Jennie Harden, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Cushion cost is eliminated.
Can be used over floors that may be Seam peaking is practically
unacceptable for direct glue-down.
eliminated.
Removal usually costs less than
removal of a direct glue-down
installation.
Buckling is minimized in buildings
that have heat and air conditioning
turned off for extended periods, such
as schools, churches, and theaters.
Corrective measures, such as seam
repair, are easier to perform.
Intricate border and inlay
capabilities.
Improved appearance retention and
foot comfort.
Combines cushioning benefits of a
separate cushion and of stretch-in
installation.
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CARPET COLORING METHODS
NOISE TRANSMISSION
Carpet coloring is accomplished by predyeing the carpet fibers
before the carpet is manufactured, or postdyeing the finished piece
of carpet. Most carpet is postdyed, because this process allows
manufacturers to respond quickly to the needs of the market.
The INR represents the sound insulation provided by a floor-ceiling
assembly from an impact noise. Sound levels are measured in an
isolated room below. The data is related to a minimum standard of
0 INR. Assembly ratings less than 0 are considered unsatisfactory.
Assembly ratings that are greater than 0 are deemed superior.
PREDYEING METHODS
There are two major predyeing methods: solution dyeing and yarn
dyeing.
Solution dyeing is commonly preferred in areas subject to sunlight
fading or spills, because the color is integral to the fiber. The dye is
combined with the fiber chemicals before the extrusion process.
The color of solution-dyed yarn is consistent throughout the fiber.
Solution-dyed yarns have excellent colorfastness qualities against
both sunlight and crocking, and can withstand cleaning with harsh
chemicals. Polyester, polypropylene, and nylon are commonly solution
dyed. Solution-dyed yarn holds a large share of the commercial
market but only a small portion of the residential market.
Yarn-dyeing methods involve either space dyeing, which is used to
apply multiple colors to the yarn before it is made into carpet, or
solid-color yarn dyeing.
POSTDYEING METHODS
With postdyeing methods, the carpet is dyed after the carpet has
been tufted onto its primary backing, and before a secondary backing has been attached. Common techniques include:
Beck or piece dyeing involves sewing batches of carpet into a
loop that is hung on a large reel inside a dye beck unit. The unit
moves the carpet through the dye liquid for a set period of time.
This results in excellent uniform color throughout the carpet.
Continuous solid-color dyeing can be used to create an almost
unlimited length of 12 ft (3.7 m) wide carpet from pieces sewn
end to end.
Printing: Patterns can be applied to carpet after the finishing
process. Printed carpet simulates the intricate patterns of
woven carpet at a much lower cost. Common techniques for carpet include screen printing and jet printing.
ACOUSTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Carpet is an important component of open office space because of
its sound-deadening properties. Although ceiling surfaces are the
most effective at absorbing office speech sounds, sound produced
by furniture movement and floor impacts can effectively be
absorbed by the proper selection of carpet and carpet cushion. In
hotels, carpeted guest rooms significantly reduce sound transmission to the rooms below. In churches and theaters, the noise generated by latecomers can be lessened without altering the carefully engineered acoustics of the space. In critical spaces such as
open-plan offices, broadcast studios, and theaters, the full details
of impact insulation properties and noise absorption characteristics should be considered.
One of carpet’s most important contributions to the appeal of a
space is its acoustical properties. The acoustical properties of carpet are measured in three ways:
• Noise reduction coefficient (NRC)
• Impact noise rating (INR)
• Impact insulation class (IIC)
In tests of carpet without cushion, greater pile weights were correlated with higher INR ratings. Cut pile carpets are somewhat
more effective in absorbing sound than loop piles. The fiber content
of the carpet has little effect on its capability to absorb sound.
SOUND ABSORPTION
The NRC is the average of four absorption coefficients measured at
frequencies from low- to high-pitched sounds and rounded off to the
closest 5%. The NRC is determined by ASTM C 423, Standard Test
Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by
the Reverberation Room Method. The NRC is used in calculating the
required amount of sound-absorbing material and can be used to
compare the sound absorption qualities of one material with another. The higher the NRC, the greater is the sound absorption.
The IIC also measures the sound insulation of a floor-ceiling
assembly, but the IIC differs from the INR, not in the test procedure, but in the numerical scale applied. IIC rates floor-ceiling
assemblies with positive numbers only in ascending order of efficiency. The higher the value, the less is the noise transmitted. An
IIC value can be estimated by adding 51 to the INR value.
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
Carpet contributes to the thermal insulation of a space. The total Rvalue of a carpet is more dependent on the total thickness of the
carpet than the fiber content.
When the carpet R-value is not available, multiply the total carpet
thickness measured in inches by a factor of 2.6 to approximate the
carpet’s R-value. R-values can be considered additive for any combination of materials. For example, a combination of carpet with an
R-value of 1.3 and a prime polyurethane cushion with an R-value of
1.6 will yield an overall R-value of 2.9.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Since the 1990s, the carpet industry has actively sought to reduce
chemicals used in carpeting products that might cause health problems. Chemicals used to produce some carpet backings, such as
synthetic latex resin, do have documented health and environmental problems. There is a wide variation in carpet emissions for
latex-bonded carpets, including wool carpets. Fusion-bonded and
CARPET TRANSITION DETAILS
7.433
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 211
needle-punched carpets that do not use SB latex backings may be
worth considering.
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) offers Green Label and Green
Label Plus testing and certification to indicate carpet, cushions,
and adhesives that emit low VOCs. The already low VOC emission
level of new carpet drops significantly after 24 hours, even sooner
with fresh air ventilation.
Once installed, carpets can contribute to indoor air quality problems
while in use. Carpet fibers can collect chemicals and dirt from outside the building; regular vacuuming is required, although not all
contaminants will necessarily be removed. Dust mites readily live in
carpets. Carpet fibers also trap VOCs, and can re-emit them later.
Wet carpet is an effective growth medium for mold and mildew.
CARPET TRANSITION DETAILS
The transition from one flooring material to another affects
accessibility and occupant safety. Changes in materials, such as
from carpet to ceramic tile or stone, may involve different flooring
heights. Even carpet-to-carpet transitions can create uneven
surfaces. The edges of carpet on finish floor surfaces require
special consideration to avoid fraying. Thresholds, where used,
must be able to transition between varying heights.
CARPET CUSHION
Carpet cushion can significantly extend the life of a carpet.
Environmental conditions, anticipated traffic, and desired feel
underfoot should be considered in the selection of a carpet cushion. Carpet cushions can be categorized as three types: felted fiber,
sponge rubber, and polyurethane foam.
Felted fiber cushions are made by needle punching natural fiber,
synthetic fiber, or a combination of the two, into a feltlike pad.
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Antimicrobial treatments are recommended for natural-fiber pads
because they are susceptible to mold and mildew. Fiber cushions
tend to have a firm feel underfoot. Over time, felted-fiber cushions
may be crushed under heavy wear.
Sponge rubber: Unlike felted-fiber cushions, rubber cushions are
highly compressible. Reinforced foam rubber has a smaller cell
structure than sponge rubber, thus providing more uniform support.
Sponge rubber cushions are generally open-cell foams, which are
less resilient than closed-cell foams. Carpet with a sponge rubber
cushion surpassed other cushions when tested for INR scores.
Polyurethane foam: The chemical compositions of polyurethane
foam (also called foam rubber) carpet cushions are similar, but their
different cellular structures affect their performance. Bonded
polyurethane foam (or rebond, as it is sometimes called) is manufactured from scraps of foam bonded together through an adhesive
and heat fusion process. Modified prime polyurethane foam is manufactured in a continuous sheet and, unlike densified foam, may
contain fillers. Densified foam is denser than modified prime foam
and is highly resistant to bottoming out. Rubber pad made from
recycled tire rubber that is dense and durable may be available.
Residential carpet cushion Class 1 is intended for light and moderate traffic such as living and dining rooms, bedrooms, and recreational rooms. Class 2 cushions may be used in Class 1 applications. Class 2 is designed for heavy-duty traffic, such as lobbies
and corridors in multifamily facilities, and all stair applications. The
maximum thickness for any product is 0.5 in. (13 mm).
CARPET RECLAMATION AND END-OFLIFE MANAGEMENT
Perhaps the greatest carpet-related environmental problem is the
amount of old carpet that ends up in landfills each year.
Carpet manufacturers are addressing this problem by recycling old
carpet materials back into carpet production, recycling old carpet
into alternative products such as building material and auto parts,
refurbishing old carpet into new carpet tiles, and reclaiming old
carpet so it can be reused or recycled.
CARPET REUSE
Aside from continuing to use existing carpet, the highest environmental recovery possible for used carpet is reuse. Some manufacturers pick up and return used carpet to their manufacturing facility for aggressive cleaning, rebulking, and, in some cases, redyeing
in a new pattern.
CARPET RECYCLING
A second alternative to landfill disposal is recycling. It costs money
to pick up old carpet, identify its face fiber, break the carpet down
into its components, convert these into new product, and transport
them to a manufacturing location. Companies providing carpet
recycling services charge money to cover investment of capital,
salaries, maintenance costs, energy costs, and other expenses.
Pricing for recycling services depends on current fuel charges,
material types, and the stage of processing, and vary with location
and available services.
The most common type of carpet in the United States today is tufted carpet with latex backing. Carpet recycling involves identifying
the face fiber (the most valuable part of the carpet); for tufted carpet, this is typically nylon 6.6, nylon 6, polypropylene (olefin), or
polyester. The face fiber makes up approximately half of the weight
of the carpet, although this varies with its construction.
The backing system is typically latex (used for most residential carpet) or PVC (most common in commercial carpet). Additional layers
are typically polypropylene, with calcium carbonate used as an
inert filler.
The recycling of used carpet components into new carpet is the
highest level of carpet recycling. It is difficult and costly to produce
new carpet from old carpet. Face fibers can sometimes be shredded and heated to extract raw materials, which can be purified for
use in new yarn. Backings may be reused as components of new
backing materials.
Contributors:
Jennie Harden, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Steven R. Breuer, AIA, LEED AP, lauckgroup, Dallas, Texas.
Kim McGhee and Lilliana Romerz, Boston Architectural Center, Boston,
Massachusetts.
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CARPET MATERIALS ACCEPTED FOR RECYCLING AND ENERGY PRODUCTION
7.434
RECYCLING
Nylon 6 carpet
Some vinyl-backed carpet tiles
Foam pad/rebond
ENERGY GENERATION
NOT ACCEPTABLE (OR ADDITIONAL CHARGE)
Nylon 6.6 carpet and mixtures
Polypropylene carpet
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) carpet
Jute-backed carpet
Cushion- or foam-backed carpet
Wet material
Carpet contaminated with construction debris (asbestos,
gypsum board) or trash
Wool fiber
Jute padding
Rubber-backed carpet and rubber pad
Excessively glued carpet
Double-stick carpet and pad
Tack strips and metal trim
Most of the carpet that is recycled is downcycled into products
such as composite lumber decking and sheets, tile backer board,
roofing shingles, railroad ties, plastic automotive parts, and stepping stones. Other products include reusable hay for sediment control on construction sites, sewage pipes, and concrete additives.
Some is recycled into carpet cushion.
ENERGY PRODUCTION
The final alternative for keeping used carpet out of landfills is incineration in industrial boilers. Burning the petroleum-based materials in carpet for energy produces more energy and fewer of some
types of emissions than coal. However, this method does have significant environmental drawbacks, and removes the materials from
the sustainable stream.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Although more efficient manufacturing is reducing excess carpet
waste, such as selvedges, trimmings, and shearings, the industry
has found creative uses for carpet by-products, such as carpet trim
and yarn scraps, to avoid the use of local landfills. These include
the following:
• Fiber and yarn that cannot be reused in manufacturing are
recovered for use in other products.
• Excess carpet is cut into rugs and mats and sold for other uses.
• Waste carpet trimmings, backing, and yarn often are sold to
recycling plants to be processed into such items as carpet cushion, furniture batting and cushions, reinforcing filler for concrete, fence posts, road underlayment, plastic lumber, and automotive parts.
• Polyethylene packaging, used to wrap carpet yarn spools and
other raw material, is recycled into plastic pellets to be sold to
extruders of film, plastic wrap, or plastic trash bags, or it is used
in molded items.
• Other materials used in the manufacturing process, such as
cardboard, paper, aluminum, wooden pallets, yarn cones, roll
cores, liquid containers, raw material packaging, and scrap
metal, are either reused or recycled.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Life cycle assessment (LCA) strives to compare the full range of
environmental and social damages assignable to products and
services, to be able to choose the least burdensome one. LCA succeeds in accurately measuring the impacts of the technology used
for delivering products, but not the whole impact of making the
economic choice of using it.
Life cycle assessment looks at raw material production, manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal, and includes transportation. It
can be used to evaluate the environmental performance of a single
product or of a company. Common concerns evaluated include
greenhouse gases, acid rain, smog, and ozone layer depletion, toxicity, habitat destruction and land use, and depletion of minerals
and fossil fuels.
WALK-OFF SYSTEMS AND MATS
Employing a walk-off system at all high-volume building entrances
provides a way to stop soil and contaminants from entering the
building via its occupants and visitors. The entry system should be
at least 15 ft (4.6 m) long and as wide as the entry door. Most dirt
from shoe soles is removed after the first five to six steps. Entry
systems should be routinely cleaned to ensure good working conditions. Types of walk-off systems include roll-up mats and permanent grilles or grates.
In addition to recessed assemblies, a variety of surface-applied
entrance mat systems are available. These include both roll-up and
permanently installed mats that are either modular or customized
to fit entrance spaces.
ROLL-UP MATS
Mats are a cost-effective way to ensure that dirt and moisture from
footsteps are removed at the entrance. Different types of mats
brush soil from shoes and can hold large amounts of dirt;
absorbent mats can prevent moisture from being tracked into the
building. These mats should be vacuumed daily in the heaviest-traffic areas and as infrequently as weekly in light-traffic areas. Most
mats contain recycled content.
PERMANENT WALK-OFF GRILLES OR
GRATES
Floor grille and grating systems, available in a wide range of styles,
are used in an increasing variety of building applications. A
recessed built-in system is a more permanent way to catch and
hold dirt particles, providing protection at the building entrance.
• Recessed systems are generally less than 1 in. (25 mm) deep.
• Shallow pit systems are 1 to 3 in. (25 to 76 mm) deep.
• Deep pit systems are more than 3 in. (76 mm) deep.
A typical grille or grate system is made up of a series of interlocking rails that run perpendicular to the traffic direction. Types of
tread surfaces include serrated aluminum, abrasive or nylon carpet, and rubber or vinyl filled.
FLOOR MATS
A wide range of interlocking resilient floor grid systems are available for wet and high-impact areas such as weight rooms, aerobics
studios, and other athletic facilities, as well as kennels and stables.
Systems are available for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Increasingly, flooring construction is specialized to specific athletic applications; for example, air-supported martial arts flooring is
available. In addition, individual removable mats ranging from 4 to
6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) wide are available in a variety of lengths for particular athletic applications.
Flooring for wet areas is used in pool areas, locker rooms, roof
play areas, and other locations where water flow to drainage systems must be maintained. Flooring for high-impact areas is used in
weight rooms and for aerobics classes, indoor children’s play
areas, and similar areas where impact or noise is an issue.
Verify that floor mats and grid systems occurring on accessible
routes or in areas required to be accessible meet the requirements
for changes in level.
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FLOORING FOR WET AREAS
7.435
CEILINGS
Ceilings often conceal the underside of the floor or roof above, and
may be part of a floor/ceiling assembly. The underside of a floor
showing the supporting beams may be finished to form a beam
ceiling. A cove (or coved ) ceiling has a concave surface at its edge,
eliminating the interior angle between the wall and the ceiling.
Coffered ceilings are made up of recessed panels that are usually
square or octagonal.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 213
LIGHT COVE ACOUSTICAL CEILING TO DRYWALL
CEILING/SOFFIT—SECTION
7.439
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
WOOD CEILING CONSTRUCTION
Ceilings can be framed on-site from 2 6 or 2 8 lumber resting
on exterior and interior walls. Partitions should be located to take
advantage of ceiling joists of 12, 14, 16 ft (3.7, 4.3, 4.9 m), or longer
even lengths to span from exterior walls to load-bearing interior
walls.
FLOORING FOR HIGH-IMPACT AREAS
7.436
CEILING SOFFITS
An interior soffit is a dropped section of a ceiling positioned along
the walls. Soffits are useful to change ceiling heights; as transitions between ceiling materials; and to conceal lighting housings,
ductwork, plumbing, and electrical conduit, and other equipment.
SOFFIT GYPSUM BOARD CEILING—SECTION
7.438
RECESSED MAT SYSTEM
7.437
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
ACOUSTICAL CEILING TO GYPSUM BOARD SOFFIT—
SECTION
7.440
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
GYPSUM BOARD CEILING TO GYPSUM BOARD
SOFFIT—SECTION
7.441
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
Contributors:
Jennie Harden, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Brosso, Wilheim & McWilliams, Baltimore, Maryland.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
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INTERIOR F INISHES
PLASTER CEILINGS
METAL LATH SUSPENDED FROM STEEL JOIST
7.442
FRAMING SYSTEMS
SUSPENDED PLASTER CEILING DETAILS
7.443
The traditional framing system consists of main supports of 1-1/2
in. (38 mm) cold-rolled channels (CRCs) spaced at 4 ft (1.2 m) on
center, with cross supports of 7/8 in. (22 mm) hat track spaced at
2 ft (0.6 m), on center, tied below the CRCs, installed at the desired
height with hanger wire. The gypsum board is then screwed into
the hat track.
A gypsum board ceiling grid system is made up of main beams and
cross tees that are suspended by hanger wire from the structure
above at the desired height. Very similar to an acoustical ceiling
panel grid, sections of the main beams lock together end to end
while cross tees span between the main beams. The ends of the
main beams and cross tees attach to the wall molding that runs
around the perimeter of the space. The face dimension of both the
main beams and the cross tees is 1-1/2 in. (38 mm), providing a
large flange to screw the gypsum board panels into. Spacing of the
main beams is typically 2 or 4 ft (0.6 or 1.2 m) on center, with the
spacing of the cross tees at 2 ft (0.6 m) on center.
GYPSUM BOARD ON CEILING SUSPENSION SYSTEM
7.444
PERIMETER DETAIL
GYPSUM BOARD CEILINGS, COVES,
AND SOFFITS
Gypsum board ceilings, both flat and curved, have been constructed
for decades using cold-rolled channels and hat track, all hung with
hanger wire.
Contributors:
M. Kitty Myers, AIA, and Gabrielle Sapponara, Anshen & Allen
Architects, San Francisco, California.
James E. Phillips, AIA, Enwright Associates, Inc., Greenville, South
Carolina.
The Marmon Mok Partnership, San Antonio, Texas.
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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TYPICAL GYPSUM BOARD VAULTED CEILING
7.445
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 215
COVE CEILING WITH CROWN MOLDING
7.447
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
GYPSUM BOARD DOME
7.446
COVE CEILING WITH RETURN AIR GRILLE
7.448
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
FINISHING
The finishing of gypsum board ceilings or soffits will be the same
using either the traditional framing system or the gypsum board
grid system. Finishing ceilings utilizes the same process as walls,
using joint compound at screw heads and using joint compound and
joint tape at gypsum board joints. The process involves floating the
joint compound smooth, applying additional coats after sufficient
dry time, and, finally, lightly sanding to make smooth. Typically, ceilings are painted with a primer and two coats of flat paint.
ACOUSTICAL SEPARATION
When gypsum board is used as a ceiling, it works well as a sound barrier to airborne sound transmission, and will have a relatively high
ceiling attenuation class (CAC) rating. It does not absorb sounds very
well, so it will have a low noise reduction coefficient (NRC) rating.
COVE CEILING LIGHT SOURCES
Light sources available for light coves are strip fluorescent, cold
cathode, neon, light-emitting diode (LED), and fiber optics.
Contributor:
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
COVE CEILING WITH RETURN AIR SLOT
7.449
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CURVED COVE CEILING WITH LIGHT FIXTURE
7.450
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INTERIOR F INISHES
ROOM ACOUSTICS
ACOUSTICAL TILE CEILINGS
Ceilings are often the largest sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting
surface in an interior space. The sound quality in a room is a combination of the sound absorbed and the sound reflected by materials in the room. Sound absorption is measured in sabins.
Acoustical tile ceilings are also known as concealed spline ceilings
or concealed ceiling suspension systems. The concealed ceiling
suspension system consists of a supporting grid that is completely
concealed, and mineral fiber acoustical tiles that provide a monolithic, uninterrupted ceiling plane, with up to 50% access to the
plenum. Acoustical ceiling tiles can also be installed directly to a
substrate with adhesives or staples.
Because most materials absorb more high-frequency sound waves
than low-frequency ones, it is typical to find more sabins in a room
at high frequencies than at low frequencies.
In general, sound energy that is not absorbed will be reflected;
thus, surfaces with low coefficients of absorption can be used to
encourage sound reflection when appropriate.
Distance and time comprise the two properties of sound. Indoors,
sound waves reflect off surrounding surfaces, building up energy
so sound drops off less quickly over distance or time than it does
outdoors. The reflecting sound energy in a room reaches a constant level as a function of the sound-absorbing units (sabins) in
the room.
Indoors, sound energy lingers; this decay is called reverberation.
The reverberation time (RT) is defined as the length of time, in seconds, it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB. Reverberation time is
directly proportional to the volume of a space and inversely proportional to the units of absorption (sabins) in it.
Shorter reverberation times greatly enhance speech intelligibility
and are imperative in listening environments for people with hearing impairments and for rooms with live microphones for teleconferencing.
INDOOR SOUND PATTERNS
7.453
LIGHT COVE ACOUSTICAL CEILING TO DRYWALL
CEILING/SOFFIT
7.451
Acoustical ceiling suspension systems are made of bent steel with
galvanized or painted finishes. Concealed tongue-and-groove, concealed Z, and concealed access styles are all available for 12 by 12
in. (305 by 305 mm) acoustical tiles that are fire rated.
ACOUSTICAL TILES AND ACOUSTICAL
PANELS
Acoustical tiles are not designed to be easily removed without
damage to the tile. They tend to be found in older and less styleconscious installations, and offer fewer size and finish options than
acoustical panels.
While acoustical tile installations provide a monolithic ceiling surface, installation can be more costly, and maintenance of the ceiling
tile is more difficult than with acoustical panel ceilings. An acoustical tile ceiling is not as easily accessible to above-ceiling areas as
acoustical panel ceilings with lay-in units. If access to the space
above is not an issue, an acoustical tile ceiling is an option when the
aesthetics and other conditions of the installation are appropriate
for the project.
Acoustical tiles are typically 12 by 12 in. (305 by 305 mm) with a
thickness of 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 in. (13, 16, or 19 mm). Acoustical panels are generally larger than acoustical tiles, and are installed in
exposed or semi-concealed ceiling grids.
Design considerations include fire resistance, high light reflectance,
durability, seismic conditions, humidity/sag resistance, antimicrobial resistance, acoustical properties, and color. Volatile organic
compound (VOC) emissions, recycled content, and LEED credits are
all characteristics to consider when selecting an acoustical tile ceiling that meets sustainable design goals.
CEILING TILE COMPOSITION
Composition of the various acoustical tile types used in commercial
construction include mineral fiber base and glass fiber base. A jute
fiber substrate that is completely recyclable is also available in
antimicrobial, nonsagging, 2 by 2 ft (610 by 610 mm) and 2 by 4 ft
(610 by 1,219 mm) lay-in panels. Cellulose base tiles are used primarily in residential construction and are not as durable as commercial-grade panel construction. Construction of mineral fiber
base acoustical panels is cast, wet-felted, and nodular, and is available in a number of textures and acoustical properties.
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
LIGHT POCKET WITH DRYWALL CEILING
7.452
ACOUSTICAL TILE TEXTURES
7.454
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
Contributors:
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Doug Sturz and Carl Rosenberg, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Mark A. Rogers, PE, Sparling, Seattle, Washington.
Jim Johnson, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
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SQUARE-EDGED KERFED TILE FOR CONCEALED
SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
7.455
incidence. NRC is important in any closed space where reverberation time and noise levels are an issue. Such spaces are open-plan
offices, conference rooms, lobbies, open work areas, classrooms,
gymnasiums, cafeterias, reception areas, healthcare exam rooms,
doctor’s offices, and retail spaces. The higher the NRC number, the
greater is the capability of the ceiling tile to absorb sound.
Articulation class is a measure of the reflected speech noise that
passes over the top of partitions, either wall or furniture, into
adjoining workstations. AC is important between adjacent workstation cubicles in open office spaces. A ceiling system with AC less
than 150 is low performance, whereas one with AC greater than
180 is high performance.
BEVELED-EDGED KERFED TILE FOR CONCEALED
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
7.456
FIRE RESISTANCE OR FIRE RATING
Fire-resistant ceiling panels and suspension systems are tested
along with the roof or floor construction type by Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) to create UL fire-resistant ceiling assemblies
that form a layer to contain a fire within a space. These assemblies
are assigned fire ratings of one, two, three, or four hours. After
establishing the hourly rating needed to meet the code requirements, the existing or designed roof or floor structural elements
are then determined.
Fire-resistance ratings of ceiling assemblies are tested by ASTM
International (ASTM) using three tests:
TEXTURES AND COLORS
Acoustical tiles are finished with varying textures, ranging from
fine to coarse. The typical color of acoustical tile is white, although
some manufacturers offer additional colors. Colors may affect the
light reflectance of the ceiling.
EDGE PROFILES
Common edge profiles are square or beveled with kerfed (grooved
or notched edge, which accepts and conceals the suspension system) or tongue-and-groove edges.
Square-edged acoustical tiles appear more monolithic when
installed; however, the joints are sometimes very obvious if the light
striking the ceiling is at a low angle of incidence. Acoustical tiles are
also subject to edge damage when the tiles are removed and reinstalled when access is needed to the plenum, thus requiring their
replacement with new acoustical ceiling tiles.
Beveled-edged tiles provide an eased edge, which creates a slight
shadow line between tiles. When moving the tiles after installation,
the use of beveled edges can minimize damage.
SOUND ABSORPTION AND SOUND
ISOLATION
In open office areas, the insulation of an acoustical tile ceiling will
improve the amount of acoustic privacy between partial-height partitioned workstations. Within closed offices or rooms, an acoustical
tile ceiling can improve the transmission of noise from one room to
another, if used with appropriate partition types. Manufacturers of
acoustical tile ceilings categorize the acoustical features of their
products according to industry standard designations for the range
of sound absorption.
Ceiling attenuation class (CAC), noise reduction coefficient (NRC),
and articulation class (AC) are the three acoustical categories that
are used to compare sound absorption between acoustical ceiling
tiles.
Ceiling attenuation class is a measure that rates the performance
of a ceiling system as a barrier to airborne sound transmission
through a common plenum between adjacent closed spaces, such
as offices. CAC is important between closed spaces and closed
rooms to adjacent spaces such as corridors, offices, conference
rooms, classrooms, learning areas, healthcare exam rooms, and
doctor’s offices. A ceiling system with a CAC greater than 25 is considered low performance, while one with a CAC of 38 or higher is
high performance.
Noise reduction coefficient is a measure that rates the overall
sound absorption of a material when used in an enclosed architectural space such as an office, where sound is reflected at angles of
Contributors:
Keith McCormack, CCS, CSI, RTKL Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.
Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Blythe + Nazdin Architects, Ltd., Bethesda, Maryland.
• ASTM E 119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials, measures in hours the degree to
which an entire assembly, not individual components, withstands fire and high temperatures. Specifically, it measures an
assembly’s ability to prevent the spread of fire between spaces
while retaining its structural integrity.
• ASTM E 84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials, measures the surface
flame spread and smoke development of a ceiling material. This
test establishes the relative rate at which a flame will spread
over the surface of the material. The rate is compared against a
rating of 0 for inorganic reinforced cement board and a rating of
100 for red oak.
• Building codes generally require that acoustical ceiling tiles typically must have a minimum Class A fire rating. Class A ceilings
have a flame spread rating of 25 or less and a smoke spread of
450 or less.
Fire-resistant ceilings are specially formulated to provide
enhanced resistance against structural failure. Fire-resistant suspension systems have patented expansion reliefs, to help maintain
the structural integrity of the ceiling.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 217
Light reflectance values are generally lower for those acoustical
tiles with textured and embossed patterns. Integrally colored tiles
may affect the LR value. Unless the ceiling surface is to be used as
a distributor of illumination, lower LR values may not be of concern.
SUSPENDED ACOUSTICAL PANEL
CEILINGS
Acoustical panel ceilings are composed of prefabricated ceiling
units, installed in a metal suspension system. They are used where
sound attenuation and accessibility to the ceiling interstitial or
plenum space above are desired. Acoustical ceilings are large visual elements within a space, and are design elements as well as
acoustical features. Partitions, light fixtures, ceiling diffusers,
sprinklers, and other devices are attached to or installed within
these ceilings, so coordination with the ceiling layout is critical.
Acoustical panels are installed on an exposed metal grid system
suspended from the underside of the structure above. Common
acoustical panel sizes are available in square and rectangular
shapes ranging from 24 by 24 in. (610 by 610 mm) to 24 by 48 in.
(610 by 1,220 mm), up to 60 by 60 in. (1,524 by 1,524 mm).
Thicknesses include 5⁄8 in. (16 mm), 3⁄4 in. (19 mm), and 1 in. (25
mm), with other thicknesses available for special applications.
Acoustical considerations, light reflectance, sag resistance, antimicrobial properties, VOC emissions, and durability concerns with
acoustical ceiling panels are the same as with acoustical tile ceilings. Because the panels are larger, acoustical performance may be
improved, but sag resistance should be taken into account when
determining panel size. Fire-resistant acoustical ceiling assemblies
are available, when used with applicable UL designs. Manufacturers
also address seismic concerns.
CEILING PANEL COMPOSITION
Several of the same types of materials used for acoustical tiles are
employed as acoustical panels: water felted, cast or molded, and
nodular. Special acoustical panels composed of a ceramic and mineral fiber composite are used where increased durability, cleanliness, and resistance to humidity and fumes are required. Mylarfaced acoustical panels are used in cleanroom areas, food service,
and other applications where ability to be cleaned is important.
The materials for fiberglass panels are processed from a molten
state into fibrous glass strands, and then formed into sheet and
board stock. A separate dimensionally stable facing material is
laminated to the fiberglass core to provide texture and pattern.
Backings are available to improve acoustical qualities of the fiberglass panels.
The quantity of light reflected by a surface is known as light
reflectance, defined in ASTM E 1477, Standard Test Method for
Luminous Reflectance Factor of Acoustical Materials by Use of
Integrating-Sphere Reflectometers.
Recycled content is increasing within acoustical panel manufacturers’ product lines, depending on the product selected. Many manufacturers are addressing the issue of sustainability within the
manufacturing process, and recycling of old ceiling panels is
becoming widespread.
Illuminance (the quantity of light striking a surface) is measured in
footcandles, or lux (metric measure). One footcandle is approximately 10 lux. A footcandle is the average illumination resulting
when 1 lumen of light falls on 1 sq ft (0.09 sq m) of surface. The
total number of lumens on a surface divided by the area of the surface equals footcandles.
Perforated metal ceiling panels offer durability, humidity resistance,
and low maintenance, along with great aesthetics and acoustics. The
standard material is electrogalvanized steel. Aluminum is also
available. Panels come in unperforated, microperforated, and extra
microperforated styles. Factory-applied powder-coated finishes add
extra durability, as well as scrubbable and washable surfaces.
Acoustical tiles with a high light reflectance (LR) provide greater
levels of reflected light from the ceiling plane. LR is measured in
values from 0.00 to 1.00. High-LR ceiling tiles are particularly effective in open office areas with indirect light sources, where glare is
reduced at the work plane and where spaces incorporate daylight
as a light source. Usable light is increased and is more evenly distributed. Acoustical ceilings that have a light reflectance above
0.83 are considered to be high-LR ceilings, but some products are
available that exceed this number and reflect more light. The maximum light reflectance of acoustical ceilings is 0.89 or 0.90. After
review of the planned illumination levels, high LR ceilings may
make it possible to reduce the number of light fixtures within a
space, thereby reducing initial installation costs and long-term
energy costs.
Wood ceiling panels can add warmth and character to a space. Wood
panels are available in a wide range of sizes and finishes; they are
available perforated or unperforated, formaldehyde-free, with a
Class A fire rating, and made from FSC-certified woods.
LIGHT REFLECTANCE
TEXTURES AND COLORS
Like most acoustical tiles, acoustical panels are finished with varying textures, ranging from fine to coarse. The typical color of
acoustical panels is white, although some manufacturers offer additional colors. Colors may affect the light reflectance of the ceiling.
EDGE DETAILS
Common edge details are square or tegular (reveal) shapes.
Acoustical panels with these edge details are easily dropped in
place within the suspension system and are pushed up to access
the ceiling plenum.
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218 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
Square-edged acoustical panels are economical and are installed
on the exposed ceiling suspension grid flanges. Square-edged panels do not conceal the suspension grid.
Page 218
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ACOUSTICAL PANEL CEILING ASSEMBLY
7.459
Tegular-edged acoustical panels have a reveal edge, which allows
the panels to extend below the suspension system, partially concealing the metal grid. Tegular edges can be square, angled,
beveled, stepped, or other special shapes, and are generally
selected for their appearance.
Beveled edges, often found on tegular-edged units, form an eased
edge condition, which softens the line of the perimeter of the
panel. When moving panels after the initial installation, beveled
edges can minimize edge damage due to accidental bumping of the
panel on the grid.
Step tegular panels offer designers more shadow lines.
Crown, coffer, and convex edges are available to create a coffered
ceiling using mineral fiber panels and standard ceiling grid.
Some manufacturers offer a downward accessible ceiling edge
that partially or completely hides the ceiling grid and creates the
look of a concealed spline ceiling. This edge is available on mineral fiber, fiberglass, wood, and metal ceiling panels.
ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
7.460
COFFERED EDGE
7.457
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
DOWNWARD ACCESS EDGE
7.458
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
EXPOSED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
CONCEALED SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Exposed acoustical ceiling panel suspension systems are composed
of main and cross-tee components, installed at the desired height by
hanger wires. The suspension system is typically fabricated from factory-coated steel. Additional types include galvanized steel systems
for improved resistance to moisture, and aluminum and stainless
steel for other special installation requirements. Fire-rated suspension systems are available with prenotched expansion relief segments to resist suspension system failure resulting from heat expansion of the grid.
Concealed acoustical panel ceiling suspension systems are
installed at the desired height by hanger wires, which support the
metal T- or Z-shaped grid components. The suspension system is
typically fabricated from factory-coated steel, with galvanized steel
systems available for improved resistance to moisture.
COMPONENTS
The visible components of an exposed ceiling suspension system
include interlocking main beams and cross tees, installed in a prescribed grid to accept the acoustical panels. Main beams are typically installed on hanger wires spaced at 4 ft (1,219 mm) on center along
the beam. Angle or channel-shaped moldings are used for perimeter
acoustical panel support. Hanger wires support the main and cross
tees from the structure above and are spaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and as project conditions require.
Many manufacturers are producing suspension systems with high
recycled content (HRC). They are manufactured from hot-dipped,
galvanized steel made from recycled steel produced in the United
States. The recycled content is between 57 and 66%. LEED credits
that apply to this are waste management, recycled content, and
local materials.
Contributors:
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Keith McCormack, CCS, CSI, RTKL Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.
Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Blythe + Nazdin Architects, Ltd., Bethesda, Maryland.
Concealed suspension systems for acoustical tiles integrate
above-ceiling access areas into the system. Access is upward or
downward, depending on the system. Care should be taken to prevent damage to the ceiling tile during installation and maintenance
of the system and above-ceiling elements.
COMPONENTS
The concealed suspension system is composed of interlocking
15/16 in. (24 mm) wide double-web main beams and cross tees.
Main beams are typically installed on hanger wires spaced at 4 ft
(1.2 m) on center along the beam. Angle or channel-shaped moldings are used for perimeter acoustical tile support. Hanger wires
support the main and cross tees from the structure above and are
spaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and as
project conditions require.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
Ceiling suspension systems for acoustical panels are designated
as light, intermediate, or heavy duty. Prior to specifying a suspension system, the anticipated loads on the ceiling should be
reviewed to determine the most suitable type.
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FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED SUSPENSION
SYSTEMS
Fire-resistance-rated suspension systems conform to the UL
design for fire-rated performance. Expansion points are provided
at specific intervals to alleviate stresses on the grid in case of fire.
Cross-tee end clips and other devices must be used as required by
UL and local codes. The acoustical panels installed within the fireresistant suspension system must also be of a fire-resistive
nature.
SHADOW MOLD WITH TEGULAR-EDGED ACOUSTICAL
PANEL 3/8 IN. (10 MM)
7.463
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 219
CROWN COFFER AND 9/16 IN. (14 MM) EXPOSED
TEE SYSTEM
7.466
SEISMIC DESIGN
For the installation of an acoustical panel ceiling in locations with
seismic design requirements, review suspension systems.
ACOUSTICAL CEILING PANEL INSTALLATION
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
There are many details for installation of suspended ceiling panel
systems in ceilings of other materials, and for ceiling and wall intersections. In addition, various types of panel edges have their own
suspension grid details. Coffered ceilings require specific edge
designs. In addition, perimeter air returns necessitate details that
integrate suspended ceilings with ceiling and wall construction.
FLUSH ACOUSTICAL CEILING PANEL AT GYPSUM
BOARD CEILING
7.461
PERIMETER SLOT AIR RETURN
7.467
SQUARE LAY-IN AND ALUMINUM CLEANROOM
PANEL
7.464
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
BEVELED TEGULAR DOUBLE REVEAL
7.465
L-MOLD WITH SQUARE-EDGED ACOUSTICAL PANEL
7.462
INTEGRATED ACOUSTICAL PANEL
CEILING SYSTEM
An integrated acoustical panel ceiling system consisting of a proprietary concealed extruded aluminum grid and panels that is 100%
accessible is available. A unique torsion spring and butterfly plate
permits individual panels to be hinged down or completely
removed for access to mechanical and electrical services in the
plenum space. The grid is suspended using hanger wires, rods, and
similar suspension components.
PANELS AND FINISHES
All panels are fabricated in a variety of types, sizes, geometric
shapes, vaults, thicknesses, and finishes. Panels can be covered
with fabric or vinyl, an acoustically transparent finish that looks like
gypsum board, or a unique metallic finish. Panels can also be perforated wood or wood plank sections.
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
Fabric panels have an aluminum concealed square edge, with 1/8
in. (3 mm) defined joint. The panel core has a density of 6 to 7 lb/cu
ft (96 to 112 kg/cu m). Panel thickness is 1 in. (25 mm) or 1-1/2 in.
(38 mm), with an NRC of 0.90 or 0.95, respectively. Panel sizes can
be up to 120 by 60 in. (3,050 by 1,525 mm).
Vinyl panels are framed like fabric panels. Vinyl corners are heat
sealed, and a 1 mil clear vapor retarder is adhered to the back
panel. Panel thickness is 2 in. (50 mm), with an NRC of 1.05. Panel
sizes can be up to 120 by 48 in. (3,050 by 1,220 mm).
Acoustically transparent panels are similar to fabric and vinyl panels with a 1/16 in. (1.5 mm) thick, 16 to 20 lb/cu ft (256 to 320
kg/cu m) high-density integral facer designed to receive a nonbridging acoustically transparent coating. A 1 mil clear vapor
Contributors:
Keith McCormack, CCS, CSI, RTKL Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.
Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Blythe + Nazdin Architects, Ltd., Bethesda, Maryland.
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Richard Riveire, AIA, DMJM/Rottet, Los Angeles, California.
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220 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
retarder is adhered to the back panel. Panel thickness is 1-1/16 in.
(27 mm), with an NRC of 0.90. Panel sizes can be up to 72 by 48 in.
(1,830 by 1,220 mm).
Wood finished panels are available in two types:
• Natural wood veneer finish: Acoustical absorption is achieved by
a patented perforation technology in combination with high-performance acoustical cores.
• Wood edge panels consist of a density mat faced core, 6 to 7
lb/cu ft (96 to 112 kg/ cu m), laminated between a layer of 1/4
in. (6 mm) thick face and a 1/8 in. (3 mm) high-density fiberboard (HDF) perforated backing board, with internal fire-treated
particleboard framing as required for edge conditions.
MOUNTING SYSTEMS
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CEILING MATERIALS
Translucent and perforated PVC membranes are available.
Translucent PVC material can be backlit, creating a luminous
appearance. Care should be taken to ensure that the frame profile
is not projected onto the backlit surface, creating a shadow.
Photographic-quality artwork can be printed on PVC membranes.
PVC systems are available in more than 100 colors. Custom colors
are also available, but typically only with a large order. Matte,
satin, suede, metallic, and reflective finishes are available.
The PVC fabric is virtually impermeable to air and moisture (waterstaining problems are eliminated), and can easily be cleaned with
a soft cloth and liquid cleaner. However, PVC is a petrochemical and
has problems with toxicity throughout its life cycle.
In the panel system with all panels fully accessible, concealed
extruded aluminum grids are suspended using hanger wires, rods,
and similar suspension components. The panels are held apart
from each other by the extruded aluminum grid by a ±1/8 in. (3
mm) defined joint. Using a special tool in that joint allows the panels to be pulled downward to gain access to the plenum space
above the ceiling system. A minimum of 5 in. (127 mm) is required
behind the panel for torsion spring clearances.
Polyester stretched ceiling systems can resemble plaster or gypsum board ceilings. Textile ceiling finishes must have a Class A
flame spread index and be protected by sprinklers.
Directly suspended acoustical ceiling panels are installed to a concealed metal suspension system. This system allows for every
other ceiling panel to be accessible.
Stretched ceiling systems offer a quick, dust-free installation without odors or fumes. These systems are installed relatively quickly;
however, experienced installers are required. All forms of penetrations and recessed or surface-mounted fixtures, including lighting,
alarms, sprinklers, and ventilation equipment, can be accommodated. Penetrations are all cut in the field to ensure a proper fit.
These systems can be installed over existing ceilings, commonly
gypsum board or acoustical tile suspension systems, either with or
without acoustical tile installed, depending on the acoustical characteristics required. For curved installations, wood or metal
frames can be used at the perimeter.
Panels can also be mounted using a mechanical Z-clip slide-andengage method of fastening directly to a firm substrate such as gypsum board, concrete, steel deck, or wood.
CANOPIES AND CLOUDS
Canopies and clouds appear to float above the space. They can be
flat circles, ovals, rounded squares, and squares, or take on more
vertical movement with serpentine forms, wave shapes, vaults, or
domes.
Clouds and canopies create acoustical absorbency or accent
options in a system that is easy to specify and install. They create
an ideal solution for acoustically challenging or open plenum space.
They reduce acoustical reverberation time in the space, reduce
noise levels, and increase speech intelligibility.
Some manufacturers are producing these clouds in kits, with all panels, grid, and trim cut to length in the factory, so the contractor is
only responsible for installing the cloud. Clouds and canopies can be
many different colors, materials, and perforated or unperforated.
DRYWALL CEILING WITH DRYWALL CLOUD—
SECTION
7.469
Antimicrobial and antifungal treatments can be integrated into the
ceiling material for applications such as hospital operating rooms,
cleanrooms, laboratories, and food preparation spaces.
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
INSTALLATION
ACOUSTICAL CEILING WITH ACOUSTICAL CLOUD
FIXTURE—SECTION
7.470
Access to mechanical space behind the ceiling is achieved by temporarily removing the flexible material. Lights, sprinklers, and
HVAC registers and grilles can be incorporated in the ceiling; penetrations are field cut.
PENETRATION AT LIGHT FIXTURE
7.468
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
METAL PANEL CEILINGS
Metal ceiling panels are available in a variety of sizes, including 24
by 24 in. (610 by 610 mm), 48 by 24 in. (1,219 by 610 mm), and 72
by 16 in. (1,829 by 406 mm). Edge styles include beveled concealed,
flush and square tegular, hook-on, nail-up, and lay-in. The panels are
available in a wide variety of face patterns, including 3, 4, and 6 in.
(76, 102, and 152 mm) square cells, diamonds, and many others.
STRETCHED CEILING SYSTEMS
Stretched ceiling systems utilize lightweight, long-span, continuous
sheets of prefinished material to create a large, smooth ceiling
plane or a warped, curved ceiling. The maximum span of a
stretched ceiling system is dictated by the material. Spans of up to
16 by 40 ft (5 by 12 m) are typical.
METAL PANEL WITH GYPSUM BOARD SPLINE
7.471
Stretched ceiling systems consist of three basic components: a
flexible ceiling material, a perimeter rail, and a fitting that attaches the material to the rail. The material is either a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane or a woven fabric, typically made of fireresistant polyester. The rail is mounted around the perimeter of the
space in either straight or curved configurations. Intermediate
supports are not commonly required because of the long spans
that are possible with stretched ceiling systems. Rails can be
either visible or fully concealed.
Source: Armstrong Ceiling Systems.
Contributor:
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
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ACOUSTICAL METAL PAN CEILINGS
Acoustical metal pan ceilings are used where aesthetics, durability, and ease of maintenance are desired. Metal pan ceilings are
available in many finishes and colors, providing a number of design
options and aesthetics. Acoustical metal pan ceiling units enclose
sound attenuation pads, which provide varying qualities of acoustical control at the ceiling plane.
rying channels hung from the structure above. Both types are suspended from hanger wires, with the main tees usually located at 48
in. (1,219 mm) on center, maximum. Cross-connector clamps are
installed at grid intersections of the main and cross tees to provide
added strength.
METAL PAN FEATURES
7.473
Metal pan ceilings are typically snapped or hooked in place on a
concealed suspension system or are installed as lay-in units on traditional exposed ceiling suspension systems. Products are available that incorporate an exposed suspension system and metal
pans with special edge details, providing a semiexposed, narrow
reveal installation. Metal pan ceilings can be integrated with air
diffusers and light fixtures, depending on the manufacturer’s product offerings.
SIZES
Linear metal panel dimensions vary by manufacturer, but a common module width range is from 2 to 8 in. (51 to 203 mm). Standard
lengths are commonly 12 and 16 ft (3.6 and 4.8 m), but can be tailored to a particular installation with custom lengths. Depths of
panels vary, with deeper panels providing a stronger linear effect
to the ceiling.
SIZES
Sizes of metal pans range from 12 by 12 in. (305 by 305 mm) to 24
by 24 in. (610 by 610 mm). Large units are available from some
manufacturers in square and plank-type pans. Standard metal pan
size offerings vary by manufacturer. Custom sizes are available.
MATERIALS
The most common material for linear metal ceilings is roll-formed
aluminum, with typical thicknesses of 0.020, 0.025, and 0.032 in.
(0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 mm). Aluminum linear panels are preferred for
high-humidity areas and in spaces where the environment fluctuates, as well as for exterior applications. Stainless steel performs
well, but is typically more costly than aluminum or steel panels.
THICKNESSES
Metal pans are commonly offered in 20 and 24 gauge for steel
pans, and 0.032 and 0.040 in. (0.8 and 1 mm) for aluminum.
The numerous metal finishes available provide various aesthetic
and design options. Steel pans can be galvanized, baked enamel,
powder-coated, or electroplated. Aluminum pans can be mill finished, anodized, or painted.
FINISHES
There are numerous metal finishes available for linear metal ceilings. Aluminum panels are available mill finished, anodized, or colored with a baked-enamel finish. Steel panels are available with
baked enamel, powder-coated, or electroplated finishes. Stainless
steel panels are available with brushed or mirror finishes.
Metal pans are available in standard flat panels, as well as in
curved and corrugated units.
INSTALLATION TYPES
Suspension systems for metal pan ceilings are similar to those
used for acoustical panel and tile installations. Classifications of
the suspension systems are typically intermediate and heavy duty,
depending on the type and weight of the metal pans.
Direct-hung suspension systems are hung from the structure
above. In indirect-hung systems, the main tees are attached to carMETAL PAN CEILING
7.472
Linear metal panels are available in smooth, perforated, or textured surfaces.
ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES
The acoustical qualities of metal pan ceilings vary depending on the
type of metal pan used, the perforation quantity and type, and the
project conditions. Sound waves are transmitted through the perforations in the metal pan, so the use of sound attenuation pads
reduces the sound transmitted. Sound is transmitted through the
ceiling plenum if ceiling-height partitions are installed; therefore,
sound attenuation panels will improve acoustics.
Fiberglass is the most common material for sound attenuation
pads. These pads are typically encapsulated so that no loose fiber
can become airborne, thus compromising the indoor air quality.
When perforated metal pans are installed without sound attenuation pads, a black backing scrim is installed inside the panel to
eliminate any visible elements above the ceiling. Some manufacturers provide mineral fiber inserts in the metal pans to improve
the ceiling attenuation class (CAC), which rates the ceiling’s capability as a barrier to sound transmission between spaces. The noise
reduction coefficient (NRC), a measurement of the capability of an
acoustical unit to absorb sound, is greater with fiberglass inserts
in the metal panels, but the CAC is lower. Nonperforated metal panels are generally rated with a low NRC range of 0.00 to 0.10. NRCs
for perforated metal panels range from 0.65 to 0.90.
RECYCLED CONTENT
Many manufacturers have integrated recycled materials into their
metal pan ceiling fabrication, although the percentage of recycled
content varies among manufacturers and products.
Contributors:
Keith McCormack, CCS, CSI, RTKL Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.
Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Blythe + Nazdin Architects, Ltd., Bethesda, Maryland.
Scott A. McAllister, AIA, LEED AP, Gensler, Dallas, Texas.
Linear metal ceilings are distinctive in appearance and are used
where strong linear aesthetics, durability, and ease of maintenance
are desired. Metal surfaces are available with many finishes and colors, allowing for a number of design options for the metal ceiling.
Special suspension systems allow installation of custom radius configurations, as well as flat horizontal ceilings. Linear metal ceilings
are typically installed as snap-in units on a concealed suspension
system, and some can accept companion integrated light fixtures.
Linear metal ceilings are fabricated from aluminum, steel, or stainless steel. Options include metal panel (slat) sizes, metal coating
types, colors, textures, and acoustical insulation. Linear baffle ceilings are also available, but typically are not installed with acoustical insulation.
Acoustical metal pan ceilings are typically fabricated from steel or
aluminum. Options include metal pan sizes, metal coating types, colors, textures, perforation patterns, and acoustical insulation pads.
SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
LINEAR METAL CEILINGS
TYPES
TYPES
Three common installation types are snap-in, hook-on, and lay-in.
Edge details are square, beveled, and reveal, and are shaped to
ensure proper engagement and alignment within the suspension
system. Perimeter tiles may be cut in the field, unless not recommended by the manufacturer. For integration of ceiling fixtures and
devices, factory-provided cutouts can be located in metal pans. This
requires the coordination of the entire reflected ceiling plan for
areas with metal pan ceilings.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 221
Profiles of linear metal ceilings include flat pans and planks, tubular, blade, and baffle shapes. Edge details are formed to ensure
proper engagement and alignment within the suspension system.
Metal panels intended for interior applications have a roll-finished
edge for added strength.
LINEAR METAL CEILING WITH SOUND INSULATION
7.474
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LINEAR METAL CEILING—HEIGHT CHANGE
7.475
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INTERIOR F INISHES
GRID TYPES
Suspended decorative grids are composed of U-shaped blades rollformed from sheet metal, formed into modular grid units, and suspended by a ceiling suspension system similar to those used on
typical acoustical ceiling installations. Some suspended grid products can support light fixtures, signage, speakers, and other
devices typically installed at the ceiling plane.
SHEET METAL AND STAMPED METAL
CEILINGS
Stamped metal ceilings are sometimes found in older buildings,
where they may be hidden under a newer suspended ceiling. Older
stamped metal ceilings can be rescued by carefully patching them
with pieces of matching material retrieved from places that will not
be seen in the new design. New stamped metal can be purchased
in sheet or modular tile forms. Stamped metal ceilings can be
painted; most are bordered by matching coves at the wall joints.
ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES
Acoustical properties of linear metal ceilings vary depending on the
type of metal pan used, type of sound attenuation used, and project conditions. Sound waves pass through the reveals between the
panels, so the use of sound attenuation above these gaps will
reduce the sound transmitted. Sound passes through the ceiling
plenum if ceiling-height partitions are installed in areas with linear
metal ceilings; therefore, sound attenuation batting above the ceiling will improve acoustics slightly. Microperforations are available
on some metal panel products, which improve the acoustical qualities of the system, especially if used in conjunction with sound
attenuation batting. NRC ratings average around 0.70 to 0.90,
depending on installation conditions.
Ceiling panels with wood veneer finishes are also available.
Perforated wood-finished panels can have acoustically absorbent
material inside. The panels are edge banded and some open downward for ease of access.
Manufacturers of ceiling panels provide wood and faux wood
options. Standard 2 by 2 ft (610 by 610 mm) metal ceiling panels
can be inexpensively powder coated with realistic printed images
of wood.
Suspended wood linear ceilings are attached with clips to a rail.
They are available in a variety of wood species, including oak, ash,
maple, poplar, and red cedar, with factory-applied finishes.
BEADBOARD PLANKS
7.478
Stamped metal ceiling products are highly sound reflective. They
are available perforated for better sound absorption.
Stamped metal ceiling tiles can be inserted into standard 24 in.
(610 mm) square ceiling suspension systems. These tiles simplify
installation and access for equipment. If the ceiling is to be painted, any grilles mounted in the grid can be painted to match.
STAMPED METAL CROWN MOLDING
7.477
SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
Concealed suspension systems for linear metal ceilings are similar
to those used for acoustical tile installations. Classifications of the
suspension systems are typically intermediate and heavy duty,
depending on the type and weight of the linear metal panels.
Carrier suspension systems are hung from the structure above by
hanger wires, with main tees usually located at 48 in. (1,219 mm)
on center, maximum.
GLASS FIBER REINFORCED GYPSUM
CEILING COMPONENTS
SUSPENDED DECORATIVE GRIDS
Suspended decorative grids are open-framework grids, used to
provide definition to the ceiling plane and to screen above-ceiling
elements. Grids do not enclose the ceiling plenum and are suspended from the structure above.
Decorative grids allow for easy access to lighting, HVAC, and sprinkler systems installed above the ceiling plane.
CELL PANELS
7.476
WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCT CEILINGS
There are a variety of wood products used for ceilings, including beadboard, wood decking or planks, and wood-finished ceiling panels.
Beadboard, 5/16 in. (8 mm) thick and around 3-1/2 in. (89 mm)
wide, can be used for ceilings. A routed groove down the center of
each plank creates the illusion of two narrow planks when
installed. Beadboard is installed at right angles to the ceiling joists.
Edges at walls are easily trimmed with molding.
Due to its light weight, glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG) is
popular for use in the fabrication of domed, coffered, and vaulted
ceilings. GFRG ceilings are suspended from integral fastening
points inserted during the casting process. Larger ceiling areas
may exploit the casting process by utilizing repeated forms from a
limited number of molds.
DOMED CEILING INSTALLATION
7.479
Wood decking or planks span beams to form the structural platform of a floor or roof. The underside of the planks may be left
exposed as the finished ceiling. Wood planks are typically 5-1/4 in.
(133 mm) wide and have V-shaped tongue-and-groove joints.
Channel groove, striated, and other machined patterns are available. There is no concealed ceiling space with such a system.
Wood ceilings are often finished with stains and varnishes. A dark
ceiling finish, especially a shiny one, may appear lower than it actually is. Combined with a dark-colored floor, it can create the illusion
of a flat, horizontal space.
Wood ceilings made from light-colored or highly patterned woods,
like knotty pine, can add warmth and character to a space. In some
cases, wood ceilings are painted, either to reflect more light or to
obscure unattractive wood.
Wood ceilings are usually highly sound reflective. Sometimes
designers use lattices or baffles of wood in an attempt to improve
sound absorption. Such efforts may improve sound diffusion but
must be topped with acoustically absorbent materials in order to
significantly increase sound absorption.
Contributors:
Keith McCormack, CCS, CSI, RTKL Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.
Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Blythe + Nazdin Architects, Ltd., Bethesda, Maryland.
Corky Binggeli, ASID, Materials for Interior Environments, John Wiley &
Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2008.
Source: Casting Designs, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas.
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COFFERED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN
7.480
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 223
CERAMIC TILE CEILINGS
7.481
COFFERED CEILING SECTION AT LIGHT COVE
7.482
Source: Casting Designs, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas.
CERAMIC TILE CEILINGS
Ceramic tile may be used for ceilings in showers and other small
spaces where water is present. Ceramic tile installations on cementitious backer board can be heavy and cumbersome to install overhead.
Source: Casting Designs, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas.
BUILD ING SE RVICE S
CONVEYING SYSTEMS
tem are supported by the hoist machine. The elevator and its counterweight are connected with steel ropes.
ELEVATORS
Hydraulic elevators use an oil hydraulic driving machine to raise and
lower the elevator car and its load. Lower speeds and the piston
length restrict the use of this system to heights of approximately 55
ft (16 m). Although it generally requires the least initial installation
expense, this elevator type requires more power to operate.
Hoistway: This is a vertical shaft for the travel of one or more elevators. It includes a pit and usually terminates at the underside of
the machine room in a traction system, and at the underside of the
roof over the hoistway in a hydraulic system.
SELECTION CRITERIA
SYSTEMS
An elevator system includes a hoistway, machine room, elevator
car, and waiting lobbies.
An elevator system is a major building component, and, as such,
must be carefully considered throughout the design process.
Decisions about the number, size, speed, and type of elevators for
an installation are based on a variety of factors, including the handling capacity and quality of service desired. Proper selection also
depends on the type of tenancy, number of occupants, and building
design (number of floors, floor heights, building circulation, and
other factors). In addition, passenger elevators on accessible
routes should comply with the requirements of the 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design.
Traction elevators are power elevators in which the energy is
applied by means of an electric driving machine. Medium to high
speeds and virtually limitless rise allow this elevator type to serve
high-rise, medium-rise, and low-rise buildings.
Machine room: For a traction elevator, this is usually located
directly above the hoistway, but may also be situated below, to the
side, or to the rear of it. The machine room contains elevator hoisting machinery and electronic control equipment.
Service elevators in industrial, residential, and commercial buildings are
often standard passenger elevator packages modified for service use.
Elevators should be located where they can provide efficient and
accessible service. The operational systems (hoistway pit and
machine room) and passenger spaces (lobby and elevator car)
must be accommodated as well.
Freight elevators are usually classed as general freight loading,
motor vehicle loading, industrial truck, or concentrated loading elevators. General freight loading elevators may be electric drum-type
or traction or hydraulic elevators.
Elevator car : Guided by vertical rails on each side, the car (also
called a cab) conveys passengers or freight between floors. It is
constructed within a supporting platform and frame. Design of the
car focuses on ceiling, wall, floor, and door finishes, and the
accompanying lighting, ventilation, and elevator signal equipment.
TYPES
Private residential elevators may be installed only in a private residence or to serve a single unit in a building with multiple dwelling
units. By code, elevators in private residences are limited in size,
capacity, rise, and speed.
The car and frame of a hydraulic elevator system are supported by
a piston or cylinder. The car and frame of a traction elevator sysContributors:
Tile Council of America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Jess McIlvain, AIA, CCS, CSI, Jess McIlvain and Associates, Bethesda,
Maryland.
Mark Forma, Leo Daly Company, Washington, DC.
George M. Whiteside III, AIA, and James D. Lloyd, Kennett Square,
Pennsylvania.
Elevator waiting lobbies : These are designed to allow free circulation of passengers, rapid access to elevator cars, and clear visibility of elevator signals. All elevator lobbies must be enclosed, with
the exception of those at the entry level of main buildings.
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GEARED TRACTION ELEVATOR
7.486
ELEVATOR TYPES
7.483
TRACTION ELEVATOR HOISTWAY TYPES
7.487
ELEVATOR TYPES BY USE
7.484
NEED/USE
PRIVATE
GEARED GEARLESS
RESIDENTIAL HYDRAULIC TRACTION TRACTION
Private residence,
very low rise,
low speed
X
—
—
—
Low rise,
low speed
—
X
—
—
Medium rise,
moderate speed
—
—
X
—
High rise,
high speed
—
—
—
X
Low initial cost
—
X
—
—
No penthouse,
lightweight
construction
X
X
—
—
Freight, low rise
—
X
X
—
Freight, high rise
—
—
X
—
TRACTION ELEVATOR WITH BASEMENT MACHINE ROOM
7.485
TRACTION ELEVATOR DIMENSIONS
RATED
LOAD,
LB (KG)
NOTES
7.485 This is a very specialized application, so consultation with experts
is advised. Traction elevators with basement machine rooms are used in
new and existing buildings where overhead clearance is limited.
7.487 Side-mounted counterweights allow an optional rear entrance
door.
A
B
C
D
E
2,000
(907)
5-8
4-3
7-4
6-11
3-0
(1,727 mm) (1,295 mm) (2,235 mm) (2,108 mm) (914 mm)
2,500
(1,134)
6-8
4-3
8-4
6-11
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,295 mm) (2,540 mm) (2,108 mm) (1,067 mm)
3,000
(1,361)
6-8
4-7
8-4
7-5
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,397 mm) (2,540 mm) (2,261 mm) (1,067 mm)
3,500
(1,588)
6-8
5-3
8-4
8-1
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,600 mm) (2,540 mm) (2,464 mm) (1,067 mm)
4,500
(2,041)
5-8
7-10
8-4
10-5
4-0
(1,727 mm) (2,388 mm) (2,540 mm) (3,175 mm) (1,219 mm)
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HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR DIMENSIONS
7.488
ACCESSIBLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Elevator cars must provide an emergency two-way communication
system between the car and a point outside the hoistway. Controls
must be located within accessible reach ranges. When the system
includes a handset, the cord must be at least 29 in. (735 mm) long.
The system must provide both audible and visible signals; it cannot
be limited to voice communication.
ACCESSIBLE CAR POSITION INDICATORS
Within elevator cars, audible and visible signals are required to
identify the location of the car. Visible signals at least 1/2 in. (13
mm) high must be provided for each floor the car serves; these signals must illuminate to indicate the floors at which the car stops or
passes. Audible signals for new elevators must be automatic verbal announcements that indicate the floor at each stop.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 225
LIMITED-USE/LIMITED-APPLICATION
ELEVATORS
Limited-use/limited-application (LULA) elevators must comply with
Part XXV of ANSI/ASME A17.1 and are permitted to be used as part
of an accessible route in certain conditions. Section 408 of the
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design cover technical requirements for LULA elevators. Check applicable accessibility regulations for permitted installations.
LULAs move more slowly than other passenger elevators and may
not be appropriate when large numbers of people must be served.
LULA ELEVATOR—NEW INSTALLATION
7.491
CONTROL PANEL HEIGHT
7.489
HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR DIMENSIONS LEGEND
RATED
LOAD,
LB (KG)
A
B
C
D
E
2,000
(907)
5-8
4-3
7-4
5-11
3-0
(1,727 mm) (1,295 mm) (2,235 mm) (1,803 mm) (914 mm)
2,500
(1,134)
6-8
4-3
8-4
5-11
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,295 mm) (2,540 mm) (1,803 mm) (1,067 mm)
3,000
(1,361)
6-8
4-7
8-4
6-3
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,397 mm) (2,540 mm) (1,905 mm) (1,067 mm)
3,500
(1,588)
6-8
5-3
8-4
6-11
3-6
(2,032 mm) (1,600 mm) (2,540 mm) (2,108 mm) (1,067 mm)
4,500
(2,041)
5-8
7-10
7-5
10-0
4-0
(1,727 mm) (2,388 mm) (2,261 mm) (3,048 mm) (1,219 mm)
ACCESSIBILITY
Elevators are often used to make buildings accessible to people
with limited mobility and to those using wheelchairs. Requirements
generally include the following:
• Elevator doors must open and close automatically and have a
reopening device that will stop and reopen the car and hoistway
door if the door is obstructed.
• Tactile designations at each jamb of the hoistway doors should
be 2 in. (51 mm) high. Include a five-pointed star at the main
entry level.
• Audible hall signals should sound once for cars traveling in the
up direction and twice for cars traveling down.
ACCESSIBLE ELEVATOR CARS
ANSI/ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, covers general elevator safety and operational requirements. It has
been adopted in virtually all jurisdictions. Consult the applicable
accessibility regulations for elevator exceptions. Model codes, the
Fair Housing Act, and the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines may all
have different thresholds for elevator requirements.
Inside dimensions of accessible elevator cars must meet the
following requirements:
• A 5/8-in. (16-mm) tolerance is permitted at 36 in. (915 mm) elevator doors, allowing the use of industry standard 35.4 in. (900
mm) clear-width doors.
• Any other car configuration that provides a 36-in. (914-mm) door
and either a 60 in. (1,525 mm) diameter or T-shaped wheelchair
turning space within the car is permitted.
INSIDE DIMENSIONS OF ACCESSIBLE ELEVATOR
CARS
7.490
DESTINATION-ORIENTED ELEVATOR SYSTEMS
Destination-oriented elevator systems assign passengers to specific cars by requiring them to enter their destination floor at a keypad
or by other means, such as use of a coded identification card.
Accessibility requirements for destination-oriented elevator systems
require both an audible signal/announcement and a visible signal to
indicate the car assigned. Therefore, the elevators in the bank must
be audibly and visibly differentiated, and the signals or announcements provided at the point of input must be the same as those provided at the car upon arrival.
A visible display is required in the car to identify the registered
destinations for each trip, and an automatic verbal announcement
is required to announce the floor as the car stops. Tactile signs at
hoistway jambs are required to identify not only the floor level but
also each car.
NOTES
7.488 a. A and B are clear inside dimensions.
b. Rated speeds are 75 to 200 ft (23 to 61 m) per minute.
7.489 An exception to requirements for control panel height is provided
for elevator cars serving 16 or more openings, for which controls as
high as 54 in. (1,370 mm) are allowed.
Contributors:
Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
INTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES AND
ELEVATORS
Multilevel buildings and facilities require accessible routes between all
levels, including mezzanines, unless exempted. Exemptions relating to
elevators include:
• ADA elevator exception: Buildings with only two floors are
exempt from providing an accessible route to the upper or lower
level. Buildings with less than 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) per floor,
regardless of height, are exempt from providing an accessible
route to upper or lower floor levels. Neither exception applies to
shopping centers, offices of professional healthcare providers,
public transportation terminals, or state and local government
facilities.
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• Building code elevator exception: Building codes generally
exempt a maximum aggregate area of 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m),
regardless of the number of levels. Similar to the ADA restrictions, this exception cannot be used in offices of healthcare
providers, passenger transportation facilities, or mercantile
occupancies with multiple tenants.
• Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (FHAG) elevator requirements: Accessible routes are required for buildings containing
dwelling units, and not public or common-use spaces. FHAG does
not require accessible routes to all levels. Instead, the existence
or lack of an elevator determines the extent of units covered.
When elevators are provided, they generally must serve all floors;
an exception is provided for elevators serving only as a means of
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access from a garage to a single floor. When elevators are not
provided, only the ground floor units are subject to the FHAG
requirements. In mixed-use construction, an accessible route is
required to the first level containing dwelling units, regardless of
its location. Consult FHAG for specific requirements.
• Levels not containing accessible elements or spaces: For facilities in which only a percentage of the spaces provided are
required to be accessible, such as assembly, residential, institutional, and storage facilities, building codes typically do not
require an accessible route to serve levels not containing
required accessible spaces. Separate requirements for dispersion of accessible elements and spaces may still require multiple accessible levels. Consult the applicable local code.
Contributor:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
An area of rescue assistance is defined in the 2010 ADA Standards
or Accessible Design as “an area which has direct access to an
exit, where people who are unable to use stairs may remain temporarily in safety to await further instructions or assistance during
emergency evacuation.”
For use as an area of rescue assistance, the elevator lobby and
shaft must be pressurized for smokeproof enclosure, as required
by the local building code. The pressurization system must be activated by smoke detectors in locations approved by the local building code. The system’s equipment and ducts must be of two-hour
fire-resistant construction.
ELEVATOR LOBBY DESIGNED AS AN AREA OF REFUGE
7.495
ELEVATOR LOBBY PLANNING
7.492
ELEVATOR PLANNING DETAILS
7.493
ELEVATOR LOBBY AS AREA OF RESCUE
ASSISTANCE
ELEVATOR LOBBY
7.494
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RESIDENTIAL ELEVATORS
Guidelines for selecting an elevator for a private residence can be
simplified to a few parameters. By code, residential elevators are limited in size, capacity, rise, and speed, and can be installed only in a
private residence or in a multiple dwelling as a means of access to a
single residence. Pre-engineered systems generally offer only a few
options for speed, capacity, aesthetic design, and electronic controls.
GLASS-WALLED ELEVATOR CAR
7.497
LOAD CAPACITY
The load capacity of drum-type machines is 500 lb (227 kg); the
speed is 30 ft (9.1 m) per minute. The load capacity of traction and
hydraulic machines is 750 lb (340 kg); the speed is 36 ft (11 m) per
minute.
PRIVATE RESIDENCE ELEVATOR
7.496
GLASS-WALLED ELEVATOR CARS
Observation and glass-back elevators travel outside of a hoistway
or in a hoistway open on one side. Machinery is concealed or
designed to be inconspicuous. Elevators may be engineered for
hydraulic, geared, or gearless use. Cabs can be custom designed
with more than 75% of wall area as glass. Only the rear panel is
glass in glass-back cabs. Safety barriers must be provided at floor
penetrations and the ground floor, completely surrounding that
part of the elevator not enclosed by the hoistway.
Elevator interiors offer unique and challenging design opportunities for designers. Passenger elevator car proportions are wide
and shallow to allow efficient movement into and out of the cab.
Changing these proportions can be very expensive. A typical size is
35 sq ft (3.2 sq m), with interior cab measurements of 6 ft 8 in. by
5 ft 4 in. (2,032 by 1,625 mm).
Elevator car interiors convey the design concept of the building
they serve. An elevator in a corporate business setting will have a
very different look from an elevator for a hotel, a hospital, a parking garage, or a high-rise residential building. Each particular car
should be viewed in its context and with its unique requirements.
Two types of elevator systems are commonly used in private residences: winding-drum machine and hydraulic elevators.
Standard residential elevator car size is 36 in. (914 mm) wide, 48
in. (1,219 mm) deep, and 80 in. (2,032 mm) high. Other available
car depths are 36 and 60 in. (914 and 1,524 mm). The dimensions
given here are appropriate for most applications. Section 409 of
the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design permits the use of private residence elevators in multistory dwelling and transient lodging units.
CAB SIZE
INTENDED USE
ELEVATOR SYSTEMS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE
• Winding-drum machine traction elevators employ a grooved
drum around which the hoisting cable wraps as it operates. This
elevator type does not require a counterweight or a machine
room above the hoistway, making it more practical for small
places than a standard traction system.
• Hydraulic elevators in private residences employ either a standard
holeless arrangement or a roped hydraulic machine. Both types
eliminate major construction and drilling, making the system economical and an excellent selection for retrofit applications.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 227
FINISH SELECTION
ELEVATOR CAB INTERIORS
Elevators log more passenger miles than any other means of transportation. The design of elevator cab interiors must respond with
durability, safety, and practicality.
TYPICAL ELEVATOR CAR INTERIOR
7.498
Interior finishes are applied to the inside face of the steel cab
walls. Manufacturers’ standard cab finishes are between 3/4 and
1 in. (19 to 25 mm) thick. The resulting inside clear cab dimensions
are measured from the inside face of the finished cab walls. These
dimensions, shown in the manufacturers’ literature as “cab size,”
are the minimum clear dimensions governed by code. If the designer is using custom interior materials in the cab in lieu of the manufacturer’s standard finishes, the applied finishes should not
exceed a thickness of 1 in. (25 mm).
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TYPICAL ELEVATOR CAR INTERIOR
7.499
CEILINGS AND DOORS
Certain steps may be taken at the early stages of a building’s elevator design that add a level of graciousness without adding a lot of
cost. Increasing the height of the car interior dramatically improves
the feel and is relatively inexpensive. However, increasing the
height of the entrances, which are typically 7 or 8 ft (2.1 or 2.4 m),
can have significant functional impacts that reduce elevator performance; higher, heavier doors must be propelled more slowly to
be safe.
The ceilings have to be securely fastened to the car top; they cannot come crashing to the floor during an emergency stop. Top
emergency exits are required for use as last-resort removal of
trapped passengers.
The minimum interior headroom required is 80 in. (2,032 mm),
even when movable ceiling panels are used to access the top
emergency exit. In buildings where there is no separate freight
elevator, passenger cars occasionally serve as the freight elevator.
The car should be designed so that the ceiling (which can be much
lower than the car top) can be lifted, allowing the transport of
much larger materials. Pad pins on the walls allow users to hang
protective coverings inside the cab. Providing pad pins is a good
practice in all cabs, regardless of whether there is a freight elevator in the building, because when tenants move in, all elevators
may be called upon to carry furniture.
ESCALATORS
Escalators are a very efficient form of vertical transportation for
very heavy traffic where the number of floors served is limited,
normally a maximum of five to six floors. Escalators are not usually accepted as a required exit.
Moving passenger conveyors are particularly useful in transportation terminals, sports arenas, and exposition centers where large
numbers of people must move long distances horizontally. The conveyors may be arranged in any combination of horizontal runs and
inclines with a practical maximum of 12°.
It is generally not economical to provide moving sidewalks for distances of less than 100 ft (30.5 m); for distances greater than 300 ft
(91.4 m), as their slow operating speed invokes passenger frustration. Narrower 26-in. (660-mm) units accommodate one adult; 40-in.
(1,016-mm) widths allow for both walking and standing passengers.
DURABILITY
Elevator cars are some of the most heavily trafficked areas in commercial interiors. Therefore, the materials used in elevators must
be as durable and tamper resistant as possible. Floor material
selection should consider eventual replacement.
The standard floor recess is 1/2 in. (13 mm). Hard-surface materials, including tile, terrazzo, and thinset stone, can be used with
high initial cost but very high durability.
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is often used in cars requiring high
durability and low cost, such as in parking garage elevators;
linoleum may be a more environmentally acceptable alternative.
Diamond-plate metal flooring is a good option for freight elevators
due to its hard surface and almost indestructible nature. Carpet is
the most widely used flooring material in elevator cars because of
its capability to dampen sound and its comfort underfoot; moreover, it has a relatively low initial cost when compared to stone,
tile, or terrazzo. Carpet in an elevator requires replacement nearly once every six months in areas subject to high traffic.
LIGHTING
The lighting for elevator cars requires particular attention,
because these are close environments where people, usually
strangers, have to stand fairly close to one another for up to two
minutes. Too much bright light is unflattering to skin and makes
Contributors:
Karen Gunsul, AIA, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle,
Washington.
John A. Tornquist Jr., CEI, Lerch Bates and Associates, Inc., Snohomish,
Washington.
people psychologically uncomfortable in such close quarters. To
prevent this discomfort, good lighting design requires a balance
between having the elevator cab bright enough so that passengers
can see into the elevator and feel safe entering it, yet low enough
to soften the view within the space.
The light levels in elevators do not need to be as bright as in an
office environment or a hotel corridor. Minimum car lighting is 5
footcandles (50 lux) measured at the car sill. Studies show that
using a standard parabolic-type lens fixture in the car ceiling is not
a good lighting solution. The lighting level, while meeting the minimum 5-footcandle (50-lux) requirement, is not enough to adequately illuminate the floor. The result, when the car door opens, is
that it can look dark, as if the lights in the car had been turned off
and the elevator is out of commission. Placing fixtures that wash
the walls of the car with light avoids this problem. A balance of
downlighting and sidelighting creates the best environment.
Providing a soft wash of light along the walls gives a nice reflected light on the passengers and highlights the handrail, giving focus
and sparkle to the car interior. The lights remain on in many cars
much of the time, so low-voltage lighting is a good idea for energy
savings. Any exposed lamps, whether fluorescent or incandescent,
must be shielded to prevent broken glass falling on passengers
below. Finally, lamps in elevator cars must be easily accessible
when it comes time to replace them.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 229
ESCALATOR PROFILE
7.500
ESCALATOR DIMENSIONS
NOMINAL ESCALATOR WIDTHS
SYMBOL
DESCRIPTION
32 (813 MM)
2-9 to 2-10-1/8 (838 to 864 mm)
40 (1,016 MM)
48 (1,219 MM)
3-4-7/8 to 3-5-7/8 (1,038 to 1,064 mm)
4-3/4 to 4-1-11/16 (1,238 to 1,262 mm)
A
Centerline to centerline of handrail
B
Nominal step width
24 (610 mm)
32 (813 mm)
40 (1,016 mm)
C
Wellway rough opening
3-11-1/4 to 4-1-1/16 (1,200 to 1,251 mm)
4-7-1/8 to 4-8-7/8 (1,400 to 1,445 mm)
5-3 to 5-4-5/8 (1,600 to 1,641 mm)
T
Working point (WP) to end of lower truss
7-1/2 to 7-8-3/4 (2,146 to 2,356 mm)
Same
Same
U
Top of handrail
3-3-3/8 (1,000 mm)
Same
Same
V
Depth of lower pit
3-5-5/8 to 4-0 (1,057 to 1,219 mm)
—
—
W
Top of handrail
2-7 to 2-10-1/8 (787 to 867 mm)
Same
Same
X
Depth of truss
2-11-3/8 to 3-2-11/16 (899 to 983 mm)
Same
Same
Y
Depth of upper pit
3-3-3/4 to 3-5-5/8 (1,010 to 1,057 mm)
Same
Same
Z
Working point (WP) to end of upper truss
8-2-1/2 to 8-5 (2,502 to 2,565 mm)
Same
Same
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230 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
Wheelchair lifts are suitable for retrofits of buildings that are not
barrier-free. Lifts are generally permitted as part of an accessible
route in alterations to existing buildings. Verify applicable regulations before selecting a specific type of lift.
Lifts are not generally permitted to be used as part of an accessible means of egress in new construction; therefore, in nonsprinklered buildings, horizontal exits or areas of refuge may be
required in spaces served by lifts.
When lifts are used in new construction, accessible means of
egress may be required from the spaces served by the lifts. Lifts
are generally permitted to be used as part of an accessible route
in new construction only to reach performing areas in assembly
occupancies, wheelchair spaces in assembly occupancies, spaces
not open to the public with an occupant load of no more than 5, and
spaces within a dwelling unit.
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INCLINED WHEELCHAIR LIFT REQUIREMENTS
7.503
TYPICAL RESIDENCE
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
42 (1,067 mm) high self-closing door: solid construction,
mechanical/electrical interlock, lower landing
36 (914 mm) high self-closing door: solid construction,
mechanical/electrical interlock, upper landing
42 (1,067 mm) platform side guard: not used as exit; solid construction
36 (914 mm) high platform side guard: not used as exit; solid construction
6 (152 mm) guard: permitted in lieu of side guard
6 (152 mm) guard: permitted in lieu of side guard
6 (152 mm) retractable guard: to prevent wheelchair rolling off platform
6 (152 mm) retractable guard: to prevent wheelchair rolling off platform
Door required at bottom landing
Underside obstruction switch bottom landing
Travel: three floors maximum
Travel: three floors maximum
Push-button operation by rider
Push-button operation by rider
CHAIR LIFT
7.504
STAIR LIFT OR PLATFORM (STRAIGHT RUN)
7.505
TYPICAL VERTICAL WHEELCHAIR LIFT
7.501
WHEELCHAIR LIFT
7.502
NOTE
7.504 The compact size of this chair lift may make this lift type more feasible than others for residential use.
Contributor:
Alan H. Rider, AIA, DMJM, Washington, DC.
Eric K. Beach, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Wilkinson Company, Inc., Stow, Ohio.
Cutler Manufacturing Corporation, Lakeland, Florida.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
STAIR LIFT OR PLATFORM—SIDE ELEVATION
7.506
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DUMBWAITERS
Dumbwaiters are small elevators typically used for conveying material in both commercial and residential applications. Capacity is determined by the maximum weight of the contents to be transported and
the size of the dumbwaiter car. Maximum capacity is 500 lb (227 kg).
Normal speed is 50 ft (15.2 m) per minute. The car platform may not
exceed 9 sq ft (0.84 sq m). Car heights may not exceed 4 ft (1.2 m).
Machines may be located above, below, or adjacent to the hatchway.
Drum-type machines have a maximum rise of 35 to 40 ft (10.7 to 12.2
m); traction-type machines have unlimited range of travel.
DUMBWAITER
7.507
CAPACITY, LB (KG)
Buildings also affect our water supply when they endanger wetlands. Runoff from pavement and buildings interferes with the natural cycle that returns precipitation to the ground for purification
and reuse.
18 (457 mm) 18 (457 mm) 24 (610 mm)
25 to 75 (11 to 34)
Designers and architects should consider the following:
20 (508 mm) 20 (508 mm) 30 (762 mm)
100 (45)
28 (711 mm) 24 (610 mm) 36 (914 mm)
150 to 250 (68 to 113)
DUMBWAITER CAR SIZE AND CAPACITY
7.508
WIDTH
DEPTH
HEIGHT
32 (813 mm) 30 (762 mm) 42 (1,067 mm) 300 to 350 (136 to 159)
36 (914 mm) 36 (914 mm) 48 (1,219 mm) 400 to 500 (181 to 227)
PLUMBING SYSTEMS
CONSIDERATIONS
A plumbing system is used to safely transfer liquids and gases to
and from a building and its site. Water supply, plumbing fixtures,
and waste piping may be the most common type of plumbing system within a building, but other types of plumbing systems may be
required, including plumbing for gas service, and, depending on the
facility type, services such as medical gases in a hospital.
Determining the fixture count, space requirements, and location of
toilet rooms within the building should be an early planning consideration of the design team. Other issues that should be considered in the design of the facility plumbing system include the control of noise, vibration, and piping condensation.
The potential flow of unhealthy and dangerous sewer gases back
into the building requires the use of water-filled traps at each fixture, as well as a system of venting to open air. There are code
requirements for the location of exterior vent openings.
Plumbing fixtures provide the most visible design elements in this
system; they are the parts of the building that occupants actually
touch and feel. Most other plumbing components are concealed
within the building construction.
WATER SUPPLY SUSTAINABILITY
The quality and quantity of clean water available for building use is
a major environmental issue. Decreases in water supplies have
already affected residents of the southwestern United States. Clean
water is unavailable to many of the world’s people, and is predicted
to become even scarcer in the near future. Less than 2% of the
earth’s water is fresh and available for use in groundwater, lakes,
and rivers. Six times the amount of water is used today than a century ago, and population demands are expected to continue to grow.
Climate change affects water quantity as patterns and intensity of
precipitation change, and floods and droughts increase. Rising sea
levels increase saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, and
increased precipitation leads to runoff of toxins and pollutants.
Drought and temperature increases raise the demand for water
for irrigation and livestock use.
Water and energy use are related. Water treatment and wastewater plants use energy to process and transport water used in
buildings. In addition, water is used to extract, refine, and process
fuels and run energy-producing equipment. Manufacturing requires
water to produce building products and interior finishes and furnishings.
Although we do not need to, we use expensive and energy-intensive drinking-quality (potable) water to flush wastes out of buildings.
Contributors:
Eric K. Beach, Rippeteau Architects, PC, Washington, DC.
Atlas Elevator Company, Chicago, Illinois.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 231
• Specify ultralow-flow faucets with aerators and automatic shutoff sensors.
• Specify toilets that meet or exceed Energy Policy Act of 1992
(EPAct) specifications.
• Specify waterless urinals.
CODES AND STANDARDS
Plumbing codes establish minimum acceptable standards for the
design and installation of plumbing systems and the selection of
the components they comprise. Requirements for plumbing system
design should be based on the adopted code of the jurisdiction of
the project. Tables and charts provided in this chapter are for preliminary planning purposes and should not be used for actual
design.
TOILET ROOMS
The spacing and location of plumbing fixtures and toilet rooms
should respond to occupant needs and code requirements. The
design professional should be aware of how water is piped to
plumbing fixtures and how waste is plumbed from fixtures, along
with general venting requirements. Additional design issues needing to be considered include coordination of plumbing fixture location with toilet compartments and urinal screens, toilet and bath
accessories, and tub and shower doors.
ACCESSIBILITY
Dimensional criteria for this section on accessible toilet rooms are
based on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and on
adult anthropometrics except as noted.
In new construction, all public and common-use toilet rooms are
generally required to be accessible.
Where multiple single-user toilet rooms or bathing rooms are clustered in a single location, no more than 50%, of the rooms for each
use at each cluster must be accessible. The accessible room(s)
must be identified by appropriate accessible signage where all
rooms are not accessible.
Single-user toilet and bathing rooms provided within a private
office are permitted to be adaptable, rather than fully accessible.
Replacement of the water closet and lavatory, changing the swing
of the door, and installing grab bars in previously reinforced walls
are steps permitted to make the room accessible.
Doors in accessible toilet compartments are not permitted to swing
into the required clear floor space at any fixture, except in singleuser rooms, where a clear floor space is provided beyond the
swing of the door.
Where toilet compartments are provided, at least one must be
wheelchair accessible. Where six or more toilet compartments and
urinals are provided in a toilet room, in addition to the wheelchairaccessible compartment, a 36 in. (914 mm) wide ambulatoryaccessible compartment is required for persons who can walk
short distances or with assistance. Toe clearance 9 in. (229 mm)
high and 6 in. (152 mm) deep is required at the front and at least
one side of accessible toilet compartments. Toe clearance is not
required when the compartment size exceeds the minimum dimension by 6 in. (152 mm) or more. Left- or right-handed configurations
are permitted.
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WOMEN’S TOILET ROOM WITH OPEN VESTIBULE
7.509
Source: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc., North Hollywood, California.
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MEN’S TOILET ROOM WITH DOUBLE OPEN VESTIBULE
7.510
Source: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc., North Hollywood, California.
LOCATION OF ACCESSIBLE FIXTURES AND ACCESSORIES
7.511
NOTE
7.511 The particular configuration of clear floor space affects the maximum and minimum heights of the controls. If the partition is greater
than or equal to 2 ft (610 mm) deep, the urinal clear floor space must
be 3 ft (914 mm) wide. If the partition is less than 1 ft 5 in. (430 mm)
deep, it may be 29 in. (737 mm) wide.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 233
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TOILET COMPARTMENTS
7.512
UNISEX TOILETS
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design allow the use of
unisex (or single-user) toilet rooms in alterations when technical
infeasibility can be demonstrated. Unisex rooms must be located in
the same area and on the same floor as the existing inaccessible
facilities.
SINGLE-USER TOILET ROOM—OUT-SWING
7.513
SINGLE-USER TOILET ROOM—RECESSED SINK
7.515
SINGLE-USER TOILET ROOM—IN-SWING
7.514
SINGLE-USER TOILET ROOM — T-SHAPED TURN
SPACE
7.516
Unisex toilet rooms are very helpful to a person with a personal
care assistant of the opposite sex, and the 2010 ADA STandards for
Accessible Design encourage their use in addition to accessible
single-sex toilet rooms in new facilities. Unisex toilet rooms may be
required by some codes in certain assembly and mercantile occupancies; this requirement applies when a total of six or more water
closets (or water closets and urinals) is provided in the building.
Unisex facilities must be located within 500 ft (152 m), and within
one floor, of separate-sex facilities. Doors to unisex toilet and
bathing rooms must be securable from within the room.
ACCESSIBLE TOILET ROOM LAYOUTS
Some of the toilet room layouts shown are similar; variations are
in the direction of the door swing and based on whether the width
or depth is the more constraining dimension. Dimensions show
comfortable minimums and preferred dimensions. Overall room
dimensions include a 2 in. (51 mm) construction tolerance. Each
layout shows the required clear floor space for the fixtures and the
doors.
For door maneuvering clearances, see the 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design for various requirements and conditions.
Variables include direction of swing, direction of approach, size of
door, and door hardware. Doors to bathrooms are assumed to be 36
in. (914 mm) wide, with a closer and latch for privacy.
Maneuvering clearances at the base of water closets and below
lavatories may vary due to fixture design. Confirm actual water
closet and lavatory dimensions for other makes and models.
ICC/ANSI 117.1, published by the American National Standards
Institute, requires the water closet clearance to be unobstructed
by lavatory or other fixtures. In order to facilitate side transfers,
the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design do not permit lavatories to overlap clear floor space at water closets, except in covered residential dwellings.
Accessibility requirements for toilet rooms vary; check the state
and local code requirements.
Contributors:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
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PAIRED TOILET ROOMS—OUT-SWING
7.517
WATER CLOSETS
7.519
RESIDENTIAL ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS
Residential bathrooms and single-use toilet rooms can be divided
into two general categories: private facilities such as those located in single- or multifamily dwellings, and public or institutional
facilities such as those located in nursing homes, hospitals, dormitories, or hotels.
PAIRED TOILET ROOMS—RECESSED SINKS
7.518
Wheelchair bathroom standards for dwellings are included in the
ICC/ANSI A117.1. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
In multifamily projects with mobility features 5% of the total
dwellings must meet the ICC/ANSI or 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design standards for full wheelchair accessibility.
ADAPTABLE BATHROOMS
ICC/ANSI A117.1 defines adaptability as the capability of certain
elements to be altered or added so as to accommodate the needs
of persons with or without disabilities, or to accommodate the
needs of persons with different types or degrees of disabilities.
Some codes and civil rights laws require provisions in certain residential bathrooms for adaptable features.
For single-family custom homes or remodeling projects, bathroom
designs should be specially tailored to the individual homeowners.
If a master bathroom is planned for a wheelchair user, for example, the design should reflect that person’s individual capabilities
and preferences.
MANEUVERING SPACE
All of the standards permit required floor space for fixtures to
overlap with required maneuvering space. 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design permit the bathroom door (in single-user facilities) to swing into any fixture clearance, if a clear floor space at
least 30 in. by 48 in. (762 by 1,219 mm) is provided outside of the
door swing.
BATHROOM ENTRY DOORS
ICC/ANSI and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
require installation of at least a 36-in. (914-mm) door to provide
the full 32 in. (813 mm) clear opening.
Contributors:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 235
CONVENTIONAL BATHROOM LAYOUTS—NOT
ACCESSIBLE
7.520
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ACCESSIBLE RESIDENTIAL BATHROOM LAYOUTS
7.521
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GRAB BARS
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require grab bars on
the side wall closest to the water closet and on the rear wall.
Reinforcement must be provided for the installation of grab bars
fully meeting all accessibility requirements, including length, installation height, and structural strength. Grab bar arrangement can
influence the floor plan of an accessible bathroom.
• Material: Stainless steel or chrome-plated brass with knurled
finish (optional).
• Installation: Concealed or exposed fasteners; return all ends to
the wall, intermediate supports at 36 in. (914 mm) maximum.
Use heavy-duty bars and methods of installation.
Other grab bars are available for particular situations.
Consult ICC/ANSI and ADA requirements, as well as applicable
local and federal regulations.
Grab bar criteria include:
• Size: 1-1/2 in. (38 mm) or 1-1/4 in. (32 mm) outside diameter
with 1-1/2-in. (38-mm) clearance at wall.
TOILET REAR WALL GRAB BAR
7.524
TOILET SIDE WALL GRAB BAR
7.522
ADA ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN’S WATER CLOSETS
7.523
DIMENSION
AGES 5 THROUGH 8
AGES 9 THROUGH 12
12 (305 mm)
12 to 15 (305 to 381 mm)
15 to 18 (381 to 457 mm)
Toilet seat height
11 to 12 (279 to 305 mm)
12 to 15 (305 to 381 mm)
15 to 17 (381 to 432 mm)
Grab bar height
18 to 20 (457 to 610 mm)
20 to 25 (508 to 635 mm)
25 to 27 (635 to 686 mm)
Dispenser height
14 (356 mm)
14 to 17 (356 to 432 mm)
17 to 19 (432 to 483 mm)
Water closet centerline
AGES 3 AND 4
CHILDREN’S TOILET ROOMS
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design consider spaces and elements specifically designed for use primarily by children to refer to
people 12 years old and younger. Plumbing elements and facilities
for children covered by these standards include toilet compartments, drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, and grab bars.
Grab bar heights for children are required to be a minimum of 18
in. (457 mm) and a maximum of 27 in. (686 mm) to the top of the
grasping surface from the finished floor.
Water closets and toilet compartments for children’s use vary
depending on the size, stature, and reach ranges of children aged
3 through 12.
Wheelchair accessible toilet compartments for children’s use are
required to be a minimum of 60 in. (1,524 mm) wide, measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 59 in. (1,499 mm) minimum deep,
measured perpendicular to the rear wall, for wall-hung and floormounted water closets. Toe clearance at the front partition is not
required for children where the toilet compartment is greater than
65 in. (1,651 mm) deep.
NOTES
7.521 a. ICC/ANSI Accessible refers to ICC/ANSI A117.1 accessible
units.
Contributors:
Kim A. Beasley, AIA, and Thomas D. Davies Jr., AIA, Paralyzed Veterans
of America Architecture, Washington, DC.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
Virginia A. Greene, VGA Architect, PC, Huntington, New York.
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LOCKER ROOMS AND SHOWERS
SHOWER ROOM DESIGN
The shower room should be directly accessible to the drying room
and locker room that it serves. When a shower room is designed to
serve a swimming pool, the room should be located so that all must
pass through showers before reaching the pool deck.
Separate wet and dry toilet areas are recommended. Wet toilets
should be easily accessible from the shower room. When designed
for use with a swimming pool, wet toilets should be located so that
users must pass through the shower room after use of the toilets.
INDIVIDUAL SHOWERS AND DRESSING ROOM PLANS
7.525
WATER SUPPLY PIPING
7.527
Contributor:
BFS Architectural Consulting and Interior Design, YMCA of the USA,
Chicago, Illinois.
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
TYPICAL SHOWER AND DRESSING ROOM DIMENSIONS
7.526
MINIMUM
OPTIMUM
Showers
3-0 3-6
(914 1,066 mm)
3-6 3-6
(1,066 1,066 mm)
Dressing rooms
3-0 3-6
(914 1,066 mm)
3-6 4-0
(1,066 1,219 mm)
DRYING AND WET TOILET AREA
The drying room should have about the same area as the shower
room. Provision for drainage should be made. Heavy-duty towel rails,
approximately 48 in. (1,219 mm) from the floor, are recommended. A
foot-drying bench 18 in. (457 mm) high and 8 in. (203 mm) wide is
desirable. An adjacent wet toilet is suggested. Avoid curbs between a
drying room and the adjacent space. The size of the towel service
area (which can be used for distributing uniforms) varies with the
material to be stored; 200 sq ft (18.6 sq m) is usually sufficient.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 237
DOMESTIC WATER DISTRIBUTION AND
PIPING
RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING DESIGN
Observe the following guidelines when designing plumbing for a
residence:
1. Do not exceed the number of drainage fixture units (DFUs)
allowed in a pipe.
2. The inside diameter of piping within and below a poured concrete floor cannot be less than 2 in. (51 mm).
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS) piping transmit water noise, so they should not be used
above areas such as a dining room or living room. For these
areas, consider cast-iron piping, which is quieter.
4. Minimize the use of 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 in. (31 and 38 mm) pipe as
drain line pipe, even if allowed by code. Such pipe, over the long
term, tends to clog, especially when used as a kitchen drain.
5. Maintain the pitch of the pipe at 1/4 in./ft (6 mm/305 mm) minimum.
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238 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
PLUMBING FIXTURES
A plumbing fixture is a device or appliance that is designed to supply water or receive waterborne waste, and may discharge into a
sanitary waste system. Ideal fixture materials should be nonabsorbent, nonporous, nonoxidizing, smooth, and easy to clean.
Plumbing codes usually mandate the number and type of fixtures
that must be provided for specific occupancy based on the capacity. Provisions for people with disabilities have been made an integral part of code requirements mandating the quantity and design
of spaces utilizing plumbing fixtures.
TYPICAL PLUMBING FIXTURE WATER SUPPLY AND
DRAINAGE
7.528
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Off-the-floor plumbing fixtures are often preferred because installation is done at the floor; floor-mounted installation is done at the
ceiling below the fixture, making it more labor intensive. Because
the waste piping is horizontal, the number of core drills required is
reduced. In addition, cleaning costs are lower.
A standard 3-1/2 in. (89 mm) wide partition may not be wide enough
to support common plumbing fixtures such as lavatories, sinks, and
drinking fountains. Placement of pipes prior to construction of the
partition may not have been within required tolerances, or a structural member might be located beneath the chase. There may be
additional plumbing fixtures on the same wall, or the supply pipes
for fixtures may serve other floors.
WATER CLOSETS
Water closets, urinals, and bidets generally have two parts: a
receptor for waste, which includes the drain trap, and a flushing or
water supply mechanism. Most are made of vitreous china. These
plumbing fixtures are generally grouped according to their flushing
action, which affects the bowl type, flushing mechanism, and
mounting method.
Special toilet types are sometimes used, such as vacuum vented,
composting, and chemical toilets.
FIXTURE FLUSHING ACTION TYPES
Current code requires that water closet flush valves and tanks be
limited to 1.6 gal (61 L), maximum, per flush of water. One way to
meet this requirement is with an exposed, battery-powered, sensor-activated electronic dual-flush water closet flushometer for
floor-mounted or wall-hung bowls. When installing some electronic flushometers in handicapped accessible stalls, the manufacturer
may recommend that grab bars be split or shifted to the wide side
of the stall.
PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
7.529
FACILITY TYPE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE
Stadiums, arenas, convention halls, terminals
1 to 100
1
101 to 200
2
Churches, auditoriums, theaters
Restaurants
Sports clubs, country clubs
Stores, malls, office buildings
Dormitories
FIXTURE COUNTS
Guidelines for the number of fixtures required include the following:
• In stores, malls, and office buildings, if employee facilities are
available for customer use, no additional lavatory fixtures are
necessary.
• Sports clubs and country clubs require one shower for each 40
persons up to 150, and an additional one shower for each 30
people over 150.
• Some codes require double or triple the number of water closets for women in stadiums, arenas, convention halls, and terminals. The same is true for churches, auditoriums, and theaters.
Consult local plumbing codes for exact requirements.
• Stores, malls, and office buildings with 16 to 75 employees are
required to have a minimum of one service sink per floor.
• Dormitories are required to have one laundry tray for each 20
people.
FIXTURE SUPPORTS
When a floor-mounted support cannot be installed, wall-mounted
supports can be used if the wall structure is strong enough to support the entire weight of the fixture. In such installations, the support arms are attached to a plate that is bolted directly into the
wall structure. Wall support is not necessary when the fixture is
freestanding.
NOTES
7.529 a. Some plumbing codes permit half of the required water closets to be urinals. Verify local code requirements.
b. Some plumbing codes permit half of the lavatories required to be
water closets. Verify local code requirements.
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
WATER CLOSETS
201 to 400
4
Additional 300
1
1 to 50
1
51 to 300
2
Additional 300
1
1 to 50
2
51 to 100
3
101 to 200
4
Additional 200
1
1 to 40
1
Additional 40
1
1 to 15 employees
1
16 to 40 employees
2
41 to 75 employees
3
Additional 60 employees
1
1 to 15 customers
1
16 to 40 customers
2
41 to 75 customers
3
Additional 60 customers
1
1 to 20
2
LAVATORY, TOILET, AND URINAL MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.530
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
1/1,000 people
1/1,000 people
1/200 people
1/75 people
1/100 employees
1/1,000 customers
—
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ONE-PIECE TOILET
7.531
TWO-PIECE TOILET
7.532
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 239
WALL-MOUNTED TOILET
7.533
Source: Duravit AG.
HIGH-EFFICIENCY TOILET—FLOOR MOUNTED
7.534
Source: Duravit AG.
Source: Duravit AG.
Source: Sloan Valve Company.
Contributors:
Nader Dubestani, PE, Sazan Group, Inc., Bellevue, Washington.
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
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HIGH-EFFICIENCY TOILET—WALL MOUNTED
7.535
WALL-HUNG WATER CLOSET PLUMBING CHASE SIZES
7.537
Source: Sloan Valve Company.
BACK-TO-BACK TOILET FIXTURES
7.538
MOUNTING TYPES AND CLEARANCES
Water closet flush valves and tanks can be installed on either floormounted or wall-mounted water closets. For rough-in dimensions for
water supply and sanitary waste, refer to the fixture manufacturer.
WATER CLOSET MOUNTING TYPES
7.536
BIDETS AND WASHLETS
A bidet is a low, basin-like plumbing fixture designed to be straddled, for bathing the posterior of the body. It is often designed to
sit next to the water closet. Although a bidet looks something like
a toilet, it functions more like a washbasin or bathtub. Bidets are
nearly universal in Arabic countries, popular in southern Europe,
and common in some parts of Latin America, North Africa, and
Asia. They are less well known in North America.
In the 1980s, paperless toilets were introduced in Japan. Called
washlets, these combination toilets and bidets are designed to dry
the user after washing. They are often equipped with seat warmers.
Toilet seat and bidet units are also available for converting existing
toilets.
Washlets can be helpful to people with limited mobility. Special
units with higher toilet bowls benefit persons using wheelchairs.
Electronic remote controls are also available.
BIDET
7.539
NOTE
7.537 Flush valve, fixture support independent of wall, horizontal waste
arrangement with no-hub cast-iron pipe.
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Jacqueline Jones, American Standard, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Philip Kenyon, Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin.
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URINALS
Urinals require flush valves as the source of the water supply.
Install urinals 21 to 24 in. (533 to 610 mm) on center, except for
accessible urinals. If used, urinal tanks should be 92 to 94 in.
(2,337 to 2,388 mm) above the floor.
Stall-type urinals are more easily accessed by a broader range of
persons, including those of short stature. ADA/ABA Accessibility
Guidelines 2004 for urinals require that the rim of either stall-type
or wall-hung urinals be a maximum of 17 in. (430 mm) above the
finish floor. The minimum depth from the outer face of the urinal rim
to the back of the fixture is 13-1/2 in. (345 mm). Clear floor space
positioned for forward wheelchair approach is required. Either
hand-operated or automatic flush controls that meet the 2010 ADA
Standards for Accessible Design are acceptable.
Waterless, touch-free urinals do not require supply plumbing, but
do require a wall outlet. They use proprietary technology, such as a
biodegradable sealant liquid in a replaceable sealed locking cartridge, to provide odor-free removal of urine to waste plumbing.
According to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, men’s
toilet rooms with only a single urinal are not required to have an
accessible urinal, but are required to provide an accessible toilet
compartment.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 241
Lavatories often have a raised back ledge that serves as a backsplash; deep ledges may serve as a shelf. They may be mounted on
brackets or concealed arms.
Exposed arm fixture supports are typically used with vitreous china
lavatories. When using lavatories of the flat-slab type (i.e., without
a backsplash), manufacturers typically require a space of 2 to 6 in.
(51 to 152 mm) between the wall finish and the rear of the lavatory to prevent water accumulation.
EXPOSED ARM FIXTURE SUPPORT
7.543
URINAL PLUMBING CHASE
7.541
URINALS
7.540
LAVATORIES AND SINKS
Lavatories have a shallow receptor designed primarily for washing
hands, arms, and face; sinks are generally deeper and designed
for general washing and disposal of liquid waste. Sinks can include
residential, commercial, and service applications.
Lavatories are generally one of three types: wall hung, installed in
or as part of a countertop, or pedestal. Vitreous china is the most
common material used in lavatories, though they are also available
in cast acrylic resin and enameled cast iron, enameled steel, stainless steel, and other metals.
Sink materials include stainless steel, enameled iron or steel, and
cast resin. The underside of stainless steel sinks typically is coated
with a sound-deadening material. Sink accessories may include
pull-out faucets, instant hot or chilled water dispensers, soap dispensers, and garbage disposers.
WALL-HUNG LAVATORIES
Wall-hung lavatories are available in many sizes, shapes, and
designs; exact dimensions and design will vary by manufacturer.
WALL-HUNG LAVATORY PLUMBING CHASE SIZES
7.542
NOTES
7.541 Wall hung, flush valve, fixture support independent of wall, horizontal waste arrangement, no-hub cast-iron pipe.
7.542 Fixture support independent of wall, no-hub cast-iron pipe.
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Jacqueline Jones, American Standard, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Philip Kenyon, Kohler, Kohler, Wisconsin.
WALL-HUNG SERVICE SINK
7.544
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BUILDING SERVICES
LAVATORY SPACE REQUIREMENTS
7.549
WALL-HUNG LAVATORIES
7.545
WASH AND SERVICE SINKS
Hand-washing sinks are used in food service and other facilities.
Stainless steel hand-washing sinks are available with infrared (IR)
sensors that turn water flow on and off when a person’s hands are
detected.
Industrial wash sink materials include stainless steel, terrazzo, and
cast resin. Most sinks have foot controls; some have hand controls or
sensors. Water is supplied from above, below, or through the wall.
Floor service sinks are available in stainless steel and terrazzo.
ACCESSIBLE LAVATORIES
Exposed pipes and water supply pipes located beneath accessible
lavatories must be insulated or located so as to protect users from
contact.
The FHAA does not require knee space, but the other standards do.
BUILT-IN LAVATORIES
Built-in (drop-in) lavatories come in a variety of sizes and shapes,
typically oval, rectangular, or circular. Built-in sinks may include single-, double-, and triple-bowl sinks. More specialized fixtures include
corner bowl sinks, and units with integral drainboards. Drainboard
areas may be used with single-, double-, and triple-bowl sinks.
Institutional kitchen sinks may have longer drainboards. Consult
manufacturers for exact dimensions, configurations, and options.
PEDESTAL LAVATORY
7.547
ACCESSIBLE FAUCETS
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require faucets and
other operable parts to be accessible from a clear floor space, and
placed within reach ranges specified. They must be operable with
one hand, and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the
wrist. The force required to operate the controls is limited to 5 lb
(22.2 N) maximum. Hand-operated metering faucets are required
to remain open for at least 10 seconds.
Both lavatories and sinks may be self-rimming, where the rim is
integral to the unit; rimless units are available for undercounter
installations. Lavatory bowls may also be mounted on top of a
countertop, although this is typically a residential application. Builtin lavatories and sinks may meet building code requirements for
accessibility if placed in an accessible counter.
ADA-compliant lavatory faucets are available with electronic controls, including ones with light-emitting diode (LED) color temperature indicators. Sensor-controlled faucets obviate the need for
hand operation.
PEDESTAL LAVATORIES
Pedestal lavatories may be either wall mounted or freestanding.
Consult manufacturers for specific designs, forms, and dimensions.
BUILT-IN LAVATORY
7.546
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
All accessibility standards except the FHAA standards include
requirements for a maximum sink depth. 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design and ANSI also include requirements for faucets,
mirrors, and medicine cabinets.
ACCESSIBLE LAVATORY
7.548
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BATHTUBS
Bathtubs are available in many shapes and installation types, and
are made of the following materials:
Fiberglass: An economical and common choice, gel-coated fiberglass (also known as fiber-reinforced plastic [FRP]) is lightweight and easy to install. A polyester gel coat is a pigmented
coating that is applied to the inside surface of a mold, becoming
an integral part of the finished piece. Because the material can
be molded, fiberglass bathtubs are available in a variety of
shapes. Although not as durable as cast iron or acrylic, fiberglass can easily be repaired.
Acrylic: Acrylic bath fixtures are usually reinforced with fiberglass. Because acrylic is light and easily formed into different
shapes, it is a good choice for whirlpools and other large tubs
that would be too heavy in cast iron. Acrylic also is a good insulator and thus keeps the water warmer longer.
Cast iron: Very heavy and extremely durable, traditional enamel-coated cast iron resists staining and scratching. It cannot be
molded as freely as acrylic or fiberglass, so there are fewer
shapes and styles from which to choose.
Enameled steel: This is a lighter-weight, less expensive alternative to cast iron.
Built-in bathtubs have an integral apron and tiling flange, for installation in a three-wall alcove. Drop-in designs are intended for deckmounted installations and typically have integral feet that support
the weight of the unit. Many whirlpool bathtubs are drop-in units,
although manufacturers may offer built-in units with a removable
apron for access to the pump.
power (0.4 to 2.2 kW), and the intensity of the flow varies accordingly. In-line heaters are recommended to keep the water warm
without refilling the tub.
DROP-IN WHIRLPOOL BATHTUB
7.552
The bathtub clear floor space requirements are similar to those for
water closets in that an approach direction is indicated (either perpendicular or parallel).
FHAA offers two different clear-space requirements; the designer
may choose to comply with either. Of these alternatives, Alternate
B is stricter because it requires clear space adjacent to the foot of
the tub.
Tub enclosures must not obstruct controls, interfere with transfer
from a wheelchair to the tub, or have tracks mounted on the tub
rim.
For tubs with a built-in seat at the head of the tub, the seat must
be 15 in. (381 mm) wide, and clear floor space must be provided in
front of the seat.
CERAMIC TILE TUB ENCLOSURE
7.553
FREESTANDING BATHTUB WITH LEGS
7.550
ACCESSIBLE BATHTUBS
7.554
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Tile Council of America, Inc., Anderson, South Carolina.
Whinnie Cheng, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode
Island.
Jess McIlvain, AIA, CCS, CSI, Jess McIlvain and Associates, Bethesda,
Maryland.
ACCESSIBLE BATHTUBS
Bathtub controls, other than drain stoppers, must be located on an
end wall between the tub rim and grab bar and between the open
side of the tub and the midpoint of the tub width. A 59 in. (1,499
mm) minimum length shower spray unit is required.
In whirlpool bathtubs, air mixed with water streams through jets in
the side of the tub, giving the whirlpool its soothing, therapeutic
character. Models may have 3 to 10 jets, including some aimed to
massage feet, back, and neck. Jet direction can usually be adjusted; some jets can also be adjusted to deliver a pulsating or steady
stream or to regulate intensity. Pumps range from 1/2 to 3 horse-
BUILT-IN BATHTUB
7.551
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 243
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SHOWERS
Materials for shower bases include acrylic with fiberglass reinforcement, enameled steel, and terrazzo. They may be manufactured units or built on-site.
Page 244
BUILDING SERVICES
SHOWER RECEPTOR CONSTRUCTION
7.557
COMMON SHOWER SIZES AND CONFIGURATIONS
7.559
Chrome-plated showerheads are available in a variety of finishes.
Volume controls adjust the flow to a maximum of 2.5 gal/min (9.4
L/min) to conserve water.
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that shower spray controls have an on/off control and deliver water no hotter than 120 degrees F.
TYPICAL SITE-BUILT SHOWER CONSTRUCTION
7.555
MANUFACTURED ONE-PIECE SHOWER STALL
7.558
SHOWERHEAD AND CONTROL HEIGHTS
7.560
SHOWER RECEPTORS
7.556
ACCESSIBLE SHOWERS
Accessible showers include both transfer stalls (where a bather
moves from a wheelchair to a bench or portable seat) and roll-in
stalls (where a bather remains seated in a special shower chair
and is either pushed by an attendant or self-propelled into the
stall). All accessibility standards require either wall reinforcing or
grab bars inside a shower. Seats may be fixed or foldable.
Requirements that apply to accessible showers include:
• Shower compartment thresholds are not generally permitted to
exceed 1/2 in. (13 mm). The design should anticipate water
escaping from the compartment.
• A fixed, folding, or removable seat is required in transfer-type
compartments. Seats in roll-in showers, where provided, should
be located on the wall adjacent to the control wall, and should
be folding-type seats. Seats can be rectangular or L-shaped; see
ICC/ANSI A117.1 for details.
Contributors:
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 245
Treatment can be carried out either by a public utility or on-site
with a private treatment plant approved by the local jurisdiction.
ACCESSIBLE SHOWERS
7.561
The building drain is the lowest portion of the drainage system
inside a building; it is the main line that carries effluent outside the
building. The building sewer is a continuation of the building trap
that runs from outside the building to the point of disposal. A stack
is a vertical pipe more than three stories high. A branch line is any
drainage line connecting to a stack or the building drain.
In the absence of public sewers, a private sewage disposal system
must be provided. The most commonly used is a facility septic tank,
which depends on bacterial action to change most solids into a liquid, which is then discharged into an underground absorption field.
The basic principle is to have the volume of effluent conditioned by
the septic tank and the discharge from the tank absorbed into the
ground as quickly as it is discharged. Laundry appliances should be
routed to separate dry wells, because the soap and other chemicals retard or stop bacterial action in a septic tank. Grease should
be disposed of separately.
• A 59 in. (1,499 mm) minimum length shower spray unit is
required.
• Shower enclosures, where provided, must not obstruct controls
or interfere with transfer from a wheelchair.
• In transfer-type showers, ICC/ANSI A117.1 requires a vertical
grab bar on the control wall a minimum of 18 in. (457 mm) long,
and 3 to 6 in. (76 to 151 mm) maximum above the horizontal grab
bar. The horizontal grab bar is 4 in. (102 mm) maximum inward
from the front edge of the bathtub. Other regulations may not
have these requirements.
DRAINAGE AND VENT PLUMBING
7.562
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Lawrence G. Perry, AIA, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mark J. Mazz, AIA, Hyattsville, Maryland.
SANITARY WASTE DRAINS AND VENTS
Sanitary waste systems convey waterborne effluent from plumbing
fixtures and other equipment to an approved point of disposal that
discharges into a facility sanitary sewer. The sanitary sewer system
receives all liquid waste (sanitary waste) except storm water or
unacceptably treated process or chemical waste. Effluent that contains bodily waste is referred to as soil. Clear water waste, such
as that from equipment, sinks, or showers, is referred to as waste.
Untreated waste containing chemical effluent must be treated
before discharge into the sewer system or the environment.
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TYPICAL CLEANOUT INSTALLATION
7.563
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BUILDING SERVICES
DECORATIVE WATER FEATURES
INTERIOR FOUNTAINS
Although interior fountains can be built with concrete or flexible
membrane pool bases, prefabricated fountain systems with fiberglass pools are easier to work with. Fiberglass pools are available
with dimensions from 4 to 24 ft (1.2 to 7.3 m) in an almost unlimited variety of standard and custom shapes. Pools up to 8 ft (2.4 m)
in diameter can be shipped ready to install; larger sizes must be
assembled before installation. Pools can be installed on a level
substrate, raised above grade, or recessed below the surface.
Pool components include, at a minimum, a pump, a light source,
and a nozzle. Typically, equipment includes a nozzle manifold, manual control valves, a junction box with penetration kit, and a control
panel. More elaborate components can include multiple pumps for
animated and musical systems.
The appearance of the fountain’s spray depends on whether the
nozzle produces a clear stream or an aerated spray, and whether
the nozzle is level dependent or independent.
WATERFALL SYSTEMS
There are many types of manufactured waterfalls available, including:
FIXTURE TRAPS
A fixture trap is a U-shaped section of pipe that is deep enough to
prevent the passage of sewer gas into a fixture. All fixtures directly connected to the sanitary drainage system must be trapped and
vented, unless waived by local codes. Traps must be capable of
draining a fixture rapidly, be self-cleaning, and have an accessible
cleanout. They must provide a liquid seal of at least 2 in. (51 mm),
or larger when required, and conform to local code requirements
regarding minimum size.
TYPICAL PLUMBING FIXTURE TRAP
7.564
VENT PIPING
The purpose of a vent system is to equalize the pneumatic pressure
(both positive and negative) within a facility sanitary sewage system
to plus or minus 1 in. (25 mm) of water column. Vent systems terminate in the outside air and connect indirectly to every fixture trap.
Each individual fixture vent must rise above the flood level of the fixture served before being connected to another vent line, so as not
to act as a waste line in the event the drain line becomes blocked.
Contributors:
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Westlake, California.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
• Freestanding waterfalls that may be completely self-contained,
without a water line or drain
• Translucent waterfalls with tempered, patterned, colored, cast,
or textured glass on both sides of cascading water
• Seamless water panels that can be used as surfaces for lightprojection of logos, images, or messages
• Built-in water features set into walls as focal points
• Custom-finished water panels with lighting, mechanical, and
water purification equipment concealed by finishes
• Three-dimensional waterfalls in many custom forms, including stainless steel columns, granite towers, and glass-walled structures
TYPICAL INTERIOR DRINKING FOUNTAINS
7.565
DRINKING FOUNTAINS AND WATER
COOLERS
Drinking fountains (DFs) only use water at ambient temperatures;
electric water coolers (EWCs) use an integral or remote chiller to
cool water for drinking. Design guidelines include:
• Use air-cooled condensers for normal room temperatures and
water-cooled units for high room temperatures and larger
capacities. Many models are available with hot and cold water
supplies, a cup-filling spout, or refrigerated compartments.
• Install half of the required fountains or water coolers as accessible, but design the layout so accessible fountains do not
obstruct movement of the visually impaired.
• Consult local building codes for the number of drinking fountains
or water coolers required.
The 2010 ADA Stndards for Accessible Design for drinking fountains include the following:
• Clear floor space centered on the unit is required for a forward
approach.
• A parallel approach is permitted at units for children’s use
where the spout is 30 in. (762 mm) maximum above the finish
floor and 3-1/2 in. (89 mm) maximum from the front edge of the
unit, including bumpers.
• Toe and knee clearances are also required.
• The spout outlet height is required to be 36 in. (914 mm) maximum above the finish floor, with the spout located 15 in. (381
mm) minimum from the vertical support and 5 in. (127 mm) from
the front edge of the unit, including bumpers.
• Accessible spout fountains for standing users are required to be 38
in. (965 mm) and 43 in. (1,092 mm) maximum above the finish floor.
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The water flow of accessible drinking fountains is regulated by the
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design to allow a cup to be used.
• Water flow for accessible drinking fountains should be at least
4 in. (102 mm) high and be located 5 in. (127 mm) from the front
of the unit.
• Where the spout is less than 3 in. (76 mm) from the front of the
unit, the water stream angle is required to be 30° maximum.
• Spouts between 3 and 5 in. (76 and 127 mm) from the front edge
must have a maximum 15° water stream angle.
TYPICAL INTERIOR ELECTRIC WATER COOLERS
7.566
DRINKING FOUNTAIN OR ELECTRIC WATER COOLER
MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.567
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 247
AQUARIUMS
Aquariums, which are most commonly known for housing aquatic
life, are typically larger tanks used for public, commercial, or residential applications. All aquatic enclosures must provide an environment that continually controls and monitors water quality and
temperature.
Primary considerations for any aquatics or aquarium facility
include water and air quality.
• Water quality : Whether it is municipal water, groundwater, or
surface water, water quality is paramount to the survival of all
species. Monitoring systems provide logging of data and alarm
notification. Control systems measure and control the pH and
salinity levels of the water.
• Air quality : Building ventilation is important in maintaining the
proper room temperature that will stabilize the water temperature of the aquatic tanks. This is crucial to preventing the growth
or spread of mold and fungi, which can have a negative impact
on air quality.
COMMERCIAL AQUARIUMS
The primary enclosure of an aquarium is a shatterproof tank.
Plastic tanks are lightweight and seamless, and available in various sizes up to 60 gal (227 L) or more. Depending on the size, some
aquariums are capable of being stand-alone systems that do not
require building service support. Stand-alone units are provided
with the pumps, tanks, filtration, and chillers required to maintain
the water quality and temperature. Tanks must be capable of withstanding temperatures up to 212°F, allowing for cleaning through a
cage washer and/or autoclave.
STAND-ALONE SHOWCASE TANK
7.568
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR HEATING
Solar heat continues to be developed as an energy source for heating buildings. Solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface in the
form of electromagnetic radiation.
Solar thermal collection systems can be used to provide heat for
space heating, domestic (potable) water service, and/or space
cooling. Of these applications, heating systems are common and
cooling systems are rare.
A solar heating system consists of an array of collectors, a storage
subsystem, and another subsystem, generally a very conventional
one, for distributing the heated fluid to points of use and returning
it to storage.
Pumps or fans are used to circulate the heat transfer fluid, and
control devices are used to start and stop these circulators.
Auxiliary or standby heat sources are generally needed to carry
part of the load when demand is exceptionally heavy and/or the
thermal storage is depleted due to long periods of unfavorable
weather.
Contributors:
K. Shahid Rab, AIA, Friesen International, Washington, DC.
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey
Chris Czenszak, GPR Planners, Inc., Purchase, New York.
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FLAT-PLATE COLLECTORS
Solar radiant energy can be put to use for low- and moderate-temperature applications with flat-plate collectors, in which a blackened sheet of metal is used to absorb the incoming radiation and
convert it to heat. This heat is then conducted to a fluid that passes through tubes or passages integral with or attached to the
plate. Single or double glazing of glass or a heat-resistant plastic
minimizes heat loss from the absorber plate by reducing convection and suppressing longwave radiation exchange with the sky.
The rear surface of the collector plate is insulated carefully, preferably with glass fiber that can withstand the relatively high temperatures (300 to 400°F) that can exist when the collector is exposed
to full sunshine with no heat transfer fluid flow. The entire unit is
contained within a weatherproof box, and connecting pipes or
ducts are provided to bring the transfer fluid to the collector and to
carry it away after it has been heated.
Evacuated tube collectors are also available; these consist of assemblies of glass cylinders and can provide higher-efficiency performance
TYPICAL FLAT-PLATE COLLECTOR—LIQUID COOLED
7.569
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than flat-plate collectors. Details of many types of solar collectors can
be found in the ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC Applications.
Performance test methods are given in ASHRAE standards.
WARM-AIR FURNACES
Warm-air furnace units are designed primarily for residential, small
commercial, or classroom heating. Cooling can be added to these
units by installing a cooling coil downstream from the furnace, with
refrigerant compressor and condenser located remotely outside
the building.
A duct system from the furnace unit can be installed above the ceiling or in a furred-down soffit. Distribution systems above the ceiling are usually the radial type with high wall registers. Duct systems also may be installed below living spaces, in a crawl space, or
in a basement.
Two- or three-story buildings using similar warm-air furnace and
cooling-coil combinations are centrally air conditioned via vertical
extension of the branch ductwork through walls and partitions. All
variations of warm-air heating and cooling systems recirculate
their air within the building envelope, making it a crucial design
requirement to leave adequate return air passage from each space
supplied with air to the furnace room.
HYDRONIC SYSTEMS
Active heating and cooling systems for buildings use either air or
water as the heat transfer medium. Heating systems that use
water are referred to as hydronic systems. Cooling systems that
use water are often referred to as chilled-water systems.
Water is a very efficient means of transmitting heat to different
areas of a building. Hot water carries almost 3,500 times more
heat than the same volume of air. Compactness is the principal
advantage of a hydronic system. Although varied in design, all
hydronic heating systems contain the following basic components:
•
•
•
•
Hot water boiler and its controls and safety devices
Expansion tank, also referred to as a compression tank
Water pump, also called a circulator
Terminal devices that transfer heat from the circulating water to
the various building spaces
• Piping
• Controls that regulate the system
Types of hydronic heating systems are often commonly referred to
by their terminal units, which include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fin-tube radiation units
Convectors
Fan-coil units
Radiant floor and ceiling systems
Cast-iron radiators
Steel panel radiators
FINNED TUBE RADIATION
Finned tube radiation units typically consist of a copper pipe on
which are mounted square aluminum or copper fins. Hot water
passes through the pipe, heating the pipe and, in turn, the fins. This
finned tube assembly is installed in a metal enclosure designed to
encourage convective air current over the hot pipe and fins. Cool
air enters the baseboard enclosure at the bottom, is heated as it
passes over the hot finned-pipe assembly, and exits the top of the
enclosure to heat the space. The heated air rises, is cooled by the
room’s heat loss, drops to the floor, and re-enters the finned tube
radiator to be reheated.
HYDRONIC SYSTEM
7.570
CONVECTORS
Convectors consist of one or more vertical tiers of finned tube radiation. They differ from the finned tube radiators only in that convectors have a much larger capacity. Convector units installed on
outside walls should have rear insulation to prevent significant
heat loss through the wall. This is especially important for
recessed convector units, because the R-value of the wall may be
reduced by the recess.
FINNED TUBE RADIATORS
7.571
Contributors:
Walter T. Grondzik, PE, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
John I. Yellott, PE, and Gary Yabumoto, College of Architecture, Arizona
State University, Tempe, Arizona.
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CONVECTORS
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RADIANT HEATING FLOOR LAYOUT
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RADIANT HEATING MAT WITH CERAMIC TILES
7.574
Source: Corky Binggeli, Building Systems for Interior Designers, 2nd
ed., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2010.
Radiant ceiling installations are less common in commercial interiors because a blanket of heated air forms at the ceiling and
remains there, which leads to a condition of stagnant air in a
closed room. Overhead radiant panels are often used to heat loading docks and other partially exterior spaces that do not require a
fine temperature control.
FAN-COIL UNITS
Fan-coil units can provide heating, cooling, or both. A fan-coil unit
is essentially a cabinet containing a hydronic coil assembly and a
motor-driven blower. Hot or cold water is piped to the unit. Control
of the blower is often given to the user. Fan-coil units do not usually provide dehumidification.
Dehumidification occurs when the room air is cooled below its dew
point as it passes over the cooling coil. A condensate pan and
drain line is often provided to collect and remove the condensate.
Recirculated room air can be filtered as it passes through the
return air filter at the base of the unit.
RADIANT FLOOR AND CEILING SYSTEMS
Radiant heating systems transfer heat from hot water tubing or
electric cables embedded in the floor or ceiling to a medium that
will distribute heat to the specified space. Hydronic radiant heating
is expensive because of the large amount of pipes and valves
involved. These systems are more popular in residential projects
than in commercial projects.
Radiant floors induce convective air currents in the room because
of the natural tendency of heated air to rise. Finish floors should
not be made of a thermal insulating material; ceramic tile and
wood flooring are suitable.
Contributors:
William R. Arnquist, AIA, Donna Vaughan & Associates, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Larry O. Degelman, PE, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Walter T. Grondzik, PE, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 249
RADIATORS
The classic rib-type cast-iron radiator was originally developed for
use in steam systems and later adapted to hydronic hot water systems. Each unit is connected to a water supply and return branch
and is normally equipped with an air vent. Hot water passes
through the unit and heats the cast-iron ribs, which then heat the
room by a combination of radiation and convection. The thermal
mass of the radiator itself, plus the contained water, provide a thermal lag that acts to smooth out rapid temperature variations.
The size and unsightliness of the classic ribbed radiator and the hazard of an exposed high heat source were two of the factors that led
to the development of flat steel radiators. The ribs of these units are
flat steel rectangular panels, arranged either vertically or horizontally. These units have a smaller thermal mass than cast-iron radiators. Some radiators are also available made from slender tubes,
rather than flat panels. Finishes are typically chrome or painted.
Towel warmer radiators range from about 26 to 61 in. (660 to
1,599 mm) in height, and are available 16, 20, 24, 30, and 36 in.
(406, 508, 610, 762, and 914 mm) wide. Most electric types are
available either hard wired or in plug-in models. Hydronic models
are typically closed loop, although stainless steel models may also
be used with open (domestic) systems.
ELECTRIC HEATING SYSTEMS
Electric heating systems for commercial use most commonly produce heat at the point of use. These systems, sometimes referred
to as space heating systems, have a number of advantages.
Installation costs are low because there is no need for a boiler or
furnace, and expensive piping or ductwork is not required. Electric
heat is also clean and quiet. However, electric heat is expensive in
most parts of the United States, and a separate cooling system is
required. Electricity used in these heating systems may come from
hydroelectric or coal-fired power plants or, less commonly, from
solar or wind sources.
Electric energy is ideally suited for local space heating because it
is simple to distribute and control. Electric heating systems are
widely used in residences, schools, and commercial and industrial
facilities. Heating units are placed in individual rooms or spaces
and may be combined into zones with automatic temperature controls. Electric in-space heating systems may utilize natural convection, radiant, or forced-air units.
• Natural convection units must be installed so that airflow across
the resistor will not be impeded.
• Radiant heaters are designed primarily to heat objects rather
than space. Current flowing through a high-resistance wire
heats up the element or surface of the unit. Heat is transferred
from the unit to surfaces or occupants primarily by radiation. For
an effective system, it is important to locate radiant heating
units carefully in relation to the objects being heated.
• Forced-air units combine convection heating with fan-powered
air circulation. Such units are available in a wide range of capacities to suit a variety of heating loads and occupancy types. Unit
ventilators are commonly used on an outside wall, where they
have access to outdoor air intake and can prevent cold air downdrafts from window areas.
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NATURAL CONVECTION UNITS
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RADIANT HEATING UNITS
7.576
FORCED-AIR UNITS
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HVAC SYSTEMS
The two major considerations in the design of a commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are the source
of energy (fuel) to be used and the method of distribution within
the building. Heat can be distributed in a building by air, water
(hydronic systems), or electricity.
Energy efficiency is a major concern with HVAC systems, and new
buildings and those undergoing major renovations are moving
away from large ducted systems isolated within the building interior and toward natural ventilation and other alternatives.
HEATING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
7.578
SYSTEM
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Air
Can also perform other functions, such as ventilation, cooling,
humidity control, and filtering.
Prevents stratification and uneven temperatures by mixing air.
Very quick response to changes in temperature.
No equipment required in rooms being heated.
Very bulky ducts require careful planning and space allocation.
Can be noisy if not designed properly.
Very difficult to use in renovations.
Zones are not easy to create.
Cold floors result if air outlets are high in the room.
Hydronic
Compact pipes are easily hidden within walls and floor.
Can be combined with domestic hot water system.
Good for radiant floor heating.
For the most part, can only heat, not cool (exceptions: fan-coil units
and valance units).
No ventilation.
No humidity control.
No air filtering.
Leaks can be a problem.
Slightly bulky equipment in spaces being heated (baseboard and
cabinet convectors).
Radiant floors are slow to respond to temperature changes.
Electricity
Most compact.
Quick response to temperature changes.
Very easily zoned.
Very expensive to operate (except heat pump).
Wasteful.
Cannot cool (except heat pump).
Source: Norbert Lechner, Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Design Methods for Architects, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2001.
Contributors:
William R. Arnquist, AIA, Donna Vaughan & Associates, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Larry O. Degelman, PE, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Walter T. Grondzik, PE, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
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AIR SYSTEMS
There are dozens of different all-air comfort conditioning systems,
each addressing the complex requirements of larger commercial
buildings. In large buildings, there is often a simultaneous demand
for heating, cooling, and ventilation. Rooms on the sunny side of a
building need cooling, rooms on the shaded side need heating, and
rooms in the building core require ventilation. Air circulates
through ducts with the aid of a blower.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 251
AIR SYSTEM
7.580
Of the many year-round all-air systems in use, the most common are:
•
•
•
•
•
Single zone
Multizone
Single duct or terminal reheat
Single-duct variable air volume
Dual duct
Because of their large size, air ducts require the most forethought
in design and planning, while electrical heat requires the least. An
air heating system requires 1 to 5% of the building’s volume for
ducts and air-handling equipment.
Underfloor air distribution systems are being used increasingly in
commercial office spaces with raised access floors.
COMMON DUCT SYSTEM LAYOUTS
7.579
VARIABLE AIR VOLUME AIR DISTRIBUTION
7.581
UNDERFLOOR AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems used with raised access
flooring are becoming the preferred way to distribute conditioned
air in many buildings. They offer improved thermal comfort, more
efficient ventilation, and better indoor air quality. The use of raised
access flooring for air distribution as well as cabling improves flexibility and reconfiguring of spaces. With smaller ceiling plenums
and floor plenums 8 in. (18 mm) or even lower, floor-to-ceiling
heights are increased. In addition, UFAD systems are being shown
to promote energy savings, and occupant satisfaction appears to
improve with better user control over the interior environment.
UFAD systems use the open space between the structural concrete
floor slab and a raised access flooring system to circulate conditioned air to supply outlets. Typically, conditioned air from an airhandling unit is ducted to the underfloor plenum, and then flows
openly to the supply outlets. The supply outlets are usually at floor
level, but can also be installed at desktop level or in partitions. Air
returns are usually at ceiling level, where return air can be carried
in an unducted plenum.
Contributor:
Jeff Haberl, PE, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
William R. Arnquist, AIA, Donna Vaughan & Associates, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Larry O. Degelman, PE, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Walter T. Grondzik, PE, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
The central air handler can deliver air in several ways:
• Through a pressurized underfloor plenum and into the occupied
space through passive grilles or diffusers
• Through an unpressurized underfloor plenum and into the space
with fan-driven supply outlets working in conjunction with the
central air handler
• Through ducts in the underfloor plenum to supply outlets; this
method is less energy and cost efficient
In humid climates, it is necessary to dehumidify outside air for use
as supply air to avoid condensation on cool structural slab surfaces.
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A noticeable amount of air movement across the body when there
is perspiration on the skin is experienced as a pleasant, cooling
breeze. When surrounding surfaces and room air temperatures are
3°F or more below the normal room temperature, that same air
movement can be experienced as a chilly draft. When the moving
airstream is relatively cooler than the room air temperature, its
velocity should be less than the speed of the other air in the room
to avoid the sensation of a draft. Air motion is especially helpful for
cooling by evaporation in hot, humid weather.
UNDERFLOOR AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
7.582
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Mechanical ventilation uses mechanical equipment to bring fresh
air into a building and exhaust stale air and contaminants. Fans,
either as stand-alone equipment or integrated into more complex
systems, are used for supplying, circulating, and exhausting air.
Unit ventilator fans on the outside wall of each room circulate room
air and replace a fraction of it with outdoor air. Window or throughwall air conditioning units can also be run as fans. A central heating and cooling system with coils of hot or chilled water tempers
the air in room ventilation units. Fixed location fans can provide a
reliable, positive airflow to an interior space.
Any time that air is exhausted from a building, makeup air must be
supplied. This can be done in a limited manner by infiltration
through the building envelope. Opening windows and doors can
also provide a supply of fresh air. When mechanical equipment
exhausts a large volume of air, makeup air is traduced through
vents in the building envelope and directed to the equipment
through ducts.
ROOM FANS
Fans can effectively cool small buildings. A person perceives a
decrease of 1°F per 15 ft per minute increase in the speed of air
past the body. The air motion produced varies with the fan’s height
above the floor; the number of fans in the space; and the fan’s
power, speed, and blade size. A slow-turning, ceiling-mounted paddle fan can extend a comfort range of 72 to 78°F up to about 82°F.
Ceiling fans range from 29 to 72 in. (737 to 1,829 mm) in diameter. Spaces over 400 sq ft (37 sq m) may be best served by more
than one fan.
CEILING FAN SIZING
7.583
ROOM SIZE, SQ FT (SQ M)
Up to 75 (7)
Source: © Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley.
DIFFUSERS, REGISTERS, AND GRILLES
The air supply and return devices are often the only element of an
HVAC system seen by building occupants. They have a direct impact
on thermal and acoustical comfort, as well as on indoor air quality.
Selection and specification of these devices are important parts of
the design process.
Three types of devices are used to supply and return air:
• Diffusers are generally intended for ceiling-mounted supply air
applications and are designed to provide good mixing of supply
air with room air.
• Registers are used for supply or return air applications and may
be appropriate for ceiling, side wall, or floor installations.
• Grilles are less sophisticated devices primarily intended for
return air applications.
Diffusers and registers are selected to deliver a specified airflow
with appropriate throw (in terms of both distance and direction)
and acceptable noise generation. Diffusers, manufactured of steel
or aluminum, are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, surface appearances, finishes, and installation detailing. Registers
come in a more restricted range of shapes and sizes. Grilles are
generally square or rectangular in shape.
VENTILATION
Ventilation is critical to human health. Fresh air supplies building
occupants with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. It also aids in
the removal of contaminants from the interior environment and can
help to maintain thermal comfort. Air motion may be caused by natural convection, may be mechanically forced, or may be a result of
the body movements of a space’s occupants.
NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural ventilation occurs without the use of fans and other
mechanical equipment. Convection will cause warm air to rise and
cooler air to descend. As long as there are openings in a building’s
envelope, differences in air pressure will bring in fresh air from
outside and allow indoor air to escape. A well-insulated building
with operable windows can aid in balancing the needs for fresh air,
energy conservation, and thermal comfort.
The natural convection of air over human bodies dissipates body
heat without additional air movement. When temperatures rise, air
movement must be increased to maintain thermal comfort.
Insufficient air movement is perceived as stuffiness as air stratifies, with cool air near the floor and warmer air near the ceiling.
FAN DIAMETER
29 to 36 (737 to 914 mm)
75 to 144 (7 to 13)
36 to 42 (914 to 1,067 mm)
144 to 225 (13 to 21)
44 to 48 (1,118 to 1,219 mm)
225 to 400 (21 to 37)
48 to 52 (1,219 to 1,321 mm)
Over 400 (37)
54 to 72 (1,372 to 1,829 mm)
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FAN HEIGHT
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EXHAUST AIR SYSTEMS
Exhaust fans remove odorous or overly humid air from bathrooms,
kitchens, and process areas. They create negatively pressurized
space that helps control the spread of odors. Exhaust fans may be
very noisy. Energy-efficient models are available.
In addition to ceiling mounts, exhaust fans come in models for mounting through the wall without ducting, with a concealed intake behind a
central panel that can be decorated to match the room. Other models
move air from one room to another through the intervening wall via
grilles on both sides.
LOCALIZED EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Industrial process areas, laboratories, and critical medical care
areas may require one or more fans and ductwork to the outside.
Kitchens, toilet rooms, smoking rooms, and chemical storage rooms
also should be directly exhausted to the outside. Photocopiers and
other equipment may need localized exhaust ventilation. Healthcare
and laboratory buildings often have “clean” and “dirty” zones. High
air pressure in clean areas and lower air pressure in dirty areas help
contain contaminants. Buildings with many exhausts have greater
heating and cooling loads.
In open offices with few walls, a designer can erect a barrier
around contamination-producing copying machines and provide
mechanical ventilation to task-ventilate the area immediately.
BATHROOM EXHAUST FANS
A bathroom fan should be located in the ceiling over the tub and
shower, or high on the exterior wall opposite the door. It should
discharge directly to the outside, at a point at least 3 ft (0.9 m) from
any opening that allows outside air to enter the building.
Residential bathroom fans are often combined with a lighting fixture, a fan-forced heater, or a radiant heat lamp. They should be UL
listed and connected to branch circuits protected by ground fault
BATHROOM VENTILATION
7.586
Source: Corky Binggeli, Building Systems for Interior Designers, 2nd
ed., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2010.
CEILING FANS
7.585
ENERGY STAR VENTILATION FAN
7.587
Source: Courtesy of RenewAire LLC.
Contributors:
Alfred Greenberg, PE, CEM, Murray Hill, New Jersey.
American Gas Association, Washington, DC.
National Kitchen and Bath Association, Hackettstown, New Jersey.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 253
circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Models are available with a high-efficiency centrifugal blower that provides virtually silent performance, and an illuminated switch that indicates when the fan is on.
Some models are available that activate automatically to remove
excess humidity, and some are designed to be easy to retrofit.
PUBLIC TOILET ROOM VENTILATION
Public toilet room plumbing facilities must be coordinated with the
ventilation system to keep odors away from other building spaces
while providing fresh air. The toilet room should be downstream in
the airflow from other spaces. The air from toilet rooms should be
exhausted outdoors, not vented into other spaces. By keeping slightly lower air pressure in the toilet rooms than in adjacent spaces, air
flows into, rather than out of, the toilet room, thereby containing
odors. Exhaust vents should be close to and above toilets.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN VENTILATION HOODS
Residential kitchen hoods work best when located directly over a
range, catching the hot air as it rises. Fans that pull from several
inches above the burner surface at the back of the stove and downdraft fans, including those on indoor grills, require significantly
more airflow to be effective. In general, wall-mounted hoods are
more effective than freestanding island hoods because there are
fewer air currents to blow fumes away from the hoods.
Range hoods vent through filters back into the room (self-venting)
or through ducts and filters to the outdoors. Accessories such as
fans, filters, and lights vary greatly in design configuration. It is
best to install a fan that is no larger than needed. Some ranges and
cooktops are equipped with downdraft venting, which may eliminate the need for an overhead range hood. Fans typically vent from
50 to 350 CFM (1.4 to 9.9 cu m/min) of air for standard residential cooktop use.
TYPICAL KITCHEN HOOD INSTALLATION
7.588
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greater resistance to physical abuse, air erosion, high humidity, and
deterioration from weather, ultraviolet (UV) light, and chemical
exposure.
COATING SELECTION
The primary consideration in selecting products for both concealed
and exposed applications is anticipating which exposure conditions
will prevail during the life of the structure.
CONCEALED APPLICATIONS
Applications whose removal is unlikely during the life of the building, or in locations not requiring access for servicing of building
environmental systems, appreciably reduce the risk of abrading or
damaging the sprayed fire-resistive material.
EXPOSED APPLICATIONS
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EXHAUST HOODS
Commercial kitchen hoods collect grease, moisture, and heat at
ranges and steam tables. Outside air may be introduced at or near
the exhaust hood with minimal conditioning and then quickly
exhausted; this saves heating and cooling energy.
Exhaust hoods remove air, water vapor, grease, and food odors
from the kitchen area, and air and water vapor from dishwashing
areas. Ovens and steam-jacketed kettles only require hoods that
remove air, heat, and water vapor; however, if large amounts of
grease from a broiler, charbroiler, fryer, or grill are present, the
hood system must extract this pollutant before the air is drawn
outside by fans. This is done with grease “cartridges” or with
stainless steel extractors, both of which violently blow the exhausted air around. The grease particles are collected in a trough for
easy removal, or are run out a drain.
TYPICAL EXHAUST HOOD REQUIREMENTS
7.590
Exposed applications present considerations that differ from those
for concealed applications. For interior applications, select products that have not only the desired finished appearance but also
the appropriate physical properties needed to resist deterioration
from physical abuse, high humidity, air erosion, and corrosive
atmospheres. A sealer or a topcoat may be recommended or
required by manufacturers to protect exposed products.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Many of the raw materials used in making sprayed fire-resistive
materials are obtained by mining, often from open pit mines.
Mines, especially open pit mines, and mining operations are environmentally costly. They cause erosion; pollute water, air, and soils;
and negatively alter and destroy ecosystems over large areas.
Mining operations and transportation of mined raw materials
require large amounts of energy. Wastes generated by mining,
such as quantities of excavated soils and rocks, tailings, and toxic
leachate, are difficult to dispose of. Tailing ponds, toxic leachate,
and mine runoff may need long-term containment and monitoring,
and are potential causes of pollution disasters.
Indoor air quality issues related to sprayed fire-resistive materials
include particulate inhalation, particulate eye and dermal irritation,
volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and absorption, and
contamination by biological agents. Sensitive environments may
have stringent requirements for the control of particulate matter in
indoor air, VOC emissions, and potential pathogens. The removal
and replacement of sprayed fire-resistive materials can be a significant source of indoor air pollution.
FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION
SYSTEMS
SMOKE AND FIRE DETECTORS
A fire progresses through four stages: incipient, smoldering,
flame, and heat. Different types of fire and smoke detectors are
designed to indicate problems at each stage.
medium- to high-velocity airflow, and in closed areas with little
airflow. In addition, they can be shielded against dirty, corrosive,
humid, very hot, and very cold conditions.
• Scattered-light photoelectric smoke detectors (Tyndall effect
detectors): A pulsed light-emitting diode (LED) light beam is
reflected from smoke particles and strikes the alarm cell. This
type of detector is used in commercial and high-quality residential applications. They have a low sensitivity to normal dust and
dirt accumulation or lamp aging, and require less maintenance
than other types.
• Laser beam photoelectric smoke detectors: This very high sensitivity laser diode source gives early warning. Laser beam photoelectric smoke detectors react to light scattered by particles;
they can differentiate between smoke and dust particles. They
are used in clean environments.
• Air-sampling detection systems: These systems draw air through
holes in pipes laid parallel to the ceiling plane over the protected
area. Air passes a sensitive optical device, often a solid-state
laser.
Flame stage detectors include:
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation detectors: These UV long-range, very
sensitive detectors react in milliseconds and respond to most
types of fires. They detect reflected UV radiation from walls and
ceilings, but can be blinded by thick black smoke. They are used
in highly flammable or explosive storage and work areas and to
detect fires of organic materials. Their use requires provisions
for rapid fire suppression and building evacuation.
• Infrared (IR) radiation detectors: IR radiation detectors detect
rapid flaming combustion and carbon dioxide production; they
react in seconds. They are used in enclosed spaces such as
sealed storage vaults. IR radiation detectors have less range
and lower sensitivity than UV detectors.
• Combined UV/IR radiation detectors: This hybrid type reduces
the number of false alarms. They are used in aircraft hangars,
fueling stations, and flammable storage areas.
• Spot units: These are mounted in the center of a protected area
to respond to hot air convection from a fire.
• Linear units: These respond to hot air convection from a fire
along the entire length of the unit. Linear units detect overheating of a surface without the presence of fire. They are used in
cable trays and bundles and for large, long equipment.
The effectiveness of smoke detectors is measured by the effect of
smoke on reducing visibility, or obscuration. Photoelectric detectors have the highest obscuration levels, followed by ionization
detectors.
Residential smoke detector use is covered by state and local codes,
which may require hard-wired, rather than battery-operated, detectors. The NFPA recommends smoke detectors in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a residence. Check
the local codes for specific requirements.
Incipient stage detectors include:
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
APPLIED FIRE PROTECTION
Several methods, both active (sprinklers) and passive, are possible
for protecting building structures from fire. Designing for fire protection might include dividing a building into isolated modules with
a limited number of penetrations for fire-rated doorways, electrical conduits, and ducts. Modules could be protected with sprayed
fire-resistive materials, sprinklers, or both, depending on use,
occupancy, potential exposure to abusive environments and individuals, and requirements of authorities having jurisdiction.
SPRAY-APPLIED FIRE-RESISTIVE COATINGS
Sprayed fire-resistive materials protect structural steel in both concealed and exposed applications. They include low-density cementitious and sprayed-fiber products, used predominantly for concealed
locations, and a variety of medium- and high-density products, used
for exposed locations that require a more finished appearance and
Contributors:
Alfred Greenberg, PE, CEM, Murray Hill, New Jersey.
American Gas Association, Washington, DC.
National Kitchen and Bath Association, Hackettstown, New Jersey.
Syska and Hennessy, Consulting Engineers, New York, New York.
Warren D. Bonisch, PE, Schirmer Engineering, Richardson, Texas.
• Ionization smoke detectors: These provide early warning with
instantaneous response once particles are detected. They are
used indoors to detect large particles in areas with low airflow.
Ionization smoke detectors are not used where warm air collects, or where particles are usually present. They require periodic cleaning and recalibration.
• Gas-sensing fire detectors: These are an early-warning type
often used with particulate detectors to detect combustion
gases.
• Wilson cloud chamber detectors: This is a very sensitive earlywarning type used in museums, data-processing spaces,
libraries, cleanrooms, and facility control rooms. Wilson cloudchamber detectors detect microscopic particles with few false
alarms. They require the expense of installing piping.
SMOKE DETECTORS
7.591
Smoldering stage detectors include:
• Projected-beam photoelectric smoke detectors: A beam transmitter and beam receiver on opposite sides of a space detect
particles in smoke; this requires unobstructed view. Projected
beam smoke detectors have a slower response than incipient
stage detectors. They are used in high-ceiling areas such as atriums, churches, malls, and auditoriums. They can be used with
Source: Corky Binggeli, Building Systems for Interior Designers, 2nd
ed., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2010.
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PROJECTED-BEAM SMOKE DETECTORS
7.592
fire doors and shutters, releasing locked doors, capturing elevators, and transmitting voice messages.
The simplest fire alarm system is a self-contained, UL-approved
residential smoke detector. It senses products of combustion,
sounds an alarm, and signals when the battery needs replacement.
Most municipalities require the use of smoke detectors in houses,
apartments, and motel or hotel rooms. Check local codes for
requirements.
SMOKE ALARM PLACEMENT
7.593
More complex systems are needed in buildings where public safety is an issue, such as schools, hospitals, office buildings, and other
commercial establishments or institutions. Although there are still
applications for small hard-wired and relay-operated alarm signaling systems, the trend is to use microprocessor-based digital multiplex systems that not only signal the presence of a fire but also
initiate other measures, including conditioning fans and dampers
for smoke control, closing fire doors and shutters, releasing locked
doors, capturing elevators, and transmitting voice messages. Voice
communication is required in high-rise buildings of specific group
occupancies. It is also recommended for large low-rise buildings to
enhance life safety.
AUDIBLE ALARMS
Audible alarms must have an intensity and frequency capable of
attracting the attention of those with partial hearing loss. Such
alarms should produce a sound that exceeds either the prevailing
sound level in the space by at least 15 dBA or the maximum sound
level with duration of 60 seconds by 5 dBA, whichever is louder.
Sound levels should not exceed 120 dBA.
VISUAL ALARMS
Visual alarms should be placed 80 in. (2,032 mm) above the highest floor level within the space, or 6 in. (152 mm) below the ceiling,
whichever is lower. In any space required to have a visual alarm,
generally all areas must be within 50 ft (15.2 m) of the signal (measured horizontally). In large spaces, such as auditoriums, exceeding
100 ft (30.5 m) across, with no obstructions over 6 ft (1.8 m) high,
devices may be placed around the perimeter, spaced a maximum of
100 ft (30.5 m) apart, in lieu of suspending devices from the ceiling.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 255
ATRIUM SMOKE MANAGEMENT
An atrium can be considered a large space of two or more stories.
Other large open spaces include enclosed shopping malls, arcades,
sports arenas, exhibition halls, and airplane hangars. The term atrium is used in a generic sense to mean any of these large spaces.
Atrium smoke management is regulated by building codes.
Currently, most codes prescribe atrium smoke protection that is
based on the zone fire model concept. Consult with a fire and
smoke consultant and mechanical engineer to review project conditions relating to atrium smoke management.
• Smoke control is reserved for systems that provide smoke protection by use of pressurization, such as a pressurized stairwell.
• Smoke management refers to systems that use any technique,
including compartmentalization, pressurization, airflow, and
buoyancy of hot smoke.
Using this terminology, atrium exhaust systems are smoke management systems because they rely on the buoyancy of hot smoke.
For smoke management purposes, smoke consists of the airborne
products of combustion plus the air that is mixed with them. The airborne products are combustion gases and solid and liquid particulates. The smoke being generated, exhausted, or vented is actually
air mixed with relatively small quantities of particulates and combustion gases. Because the concentrations of these other quantities
are relatively small, engineering design analysis for these smoke
management systems considers the specific heat, gas constant,
and other properties of smoke to be the same as those of air.
STRATIFIED SMOKE IN ATRIUM
7.596
MANUAL PULL STATION
7.594
PLUGHOLING
7.597
HORN/SPEAKER/VISUAL SIGNAL
7.595
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Fire alarm systems protect the environment they serve by sensing
products of combustion (smoke detectors) through the utilization
of manual alarm-initiating devices (pull stations), by sprinkler system activation (water flow switches), or by detecting sudden
increases in temperature (heat detectors).
Fire alarm systems can vary in size and complexity. They range in
size from a single, self-contained, residential smoke detector to a
microprocessor-based, digital multiplex system serving a complete
facility. A fire alarm system not only signals the presence of a fire
but also initiates other measures, including control of the fan and
damper systems for smoke containment and evacuation, closing
Contributors:
Richard F. Humenn, PE, Joseph R. Loring and Associates, Consulting
Engineers, New York, New York.
JRS Architect, Mineola, New York
Warren D. Bonisch, PE, Schirmer Engineering, Richardson, Texas.
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STAIR PRESSURIZATION
Stair pressurization is regulated by the building code. Generally, it
is limited to those enclosed exit stairs that serve normally occupied
floors (a) 75 ft (22.9 m) or higher above and (b) 30 ft (9.1 m) or
lower below the level of fire department access to a building. Fire
department access is generally defined as the elevation of the fire
lane serving the building.
The purpose of stair pressurization is to create a protected space
for firefighter operations. Essentially, air is added to the stair
enclosure via supply air fans, which creates a positive pressure
within the stair relative to the adjacent spaces served by that stair.
Hence, when activated, the air flows from the stair toward the
adjacent spaces. This airflow reduces the probability that smoke
will enter the exit stair.
The design parameters related to stair pressurization are many
and complex. (Refer to Principles of Smoke Management by Klote
and Milke.) Several, however, impact the project interior design.
Longer (i.e., taller) stair shafts may require the injection of supply
air at multiple levels of the stair enclosure. This will necessitate an
adjacent air supply shaft. This supply air shaft must be dedicated to
the stair pressurization system serving that stair, as it cannot be
shared or used to supply other mechanical needs.
One type of stair pressurization system requires vestibules located between the stair enclosure and adjacent spaces served by that
stair. The vestibule is typically a one-hour rated enclosure of specific height and width, and is provided with either mechanical supply/exhaust air or is open directly to the exterior. The theory is that
smoke from the adjacent space would enter the vestibule and be
vented mechanically or exhausted naturally through the opening to
the exterior, thereby reducing the probability of smoke entering the
stair enclosure.
POSITIVE PRESSURIZATION
7.598
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BUILDING SERVICES
ESCALATOR AND NONREQUIRED STAIRWAY
OPENINGS
A common building feature is to connect one or more levels with
either an escalator and/or a nonrequired stairway. The floor opening
created thereby is permitted to be open, provided the area of the
floor opening does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of
the escalator or stairway and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The number of
stories that can be open is limited by the occupancy of the connected spaces. NFPA 13 requires an 18 in. (457 mm) noncombustible
draft curtain with sprinklers 6 to 12 in. (152 to 305 mm) away from
the draft curtain, spaced 6 ft (1.8 m) on center around the opening.
The theory is that the heat and hot gases from a fire would reach the
draft curtain and be delayed, thereby activating the fire sprinklers.
Without the draft curtain, the heat and hot gases could pass
between two normally spaced sprinklers about 15 to 20 ft (4.6 to 6
m) apart, and rise up through the floor opening unchecked.
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
Three things are necessary for a fire to be maintained: fuel, oxygen, and a temperature high enough to start ignition or maintain
combustion. All fire-extinguishing methods remove one or all of
these elements, causing the fire to be extinguished.
Fires are classified as Class A, B, C, or D:
• Class A fires occur in solid, combustible materials, such as wood
and paper.
• Class B fires occur in combustible liquids, such as oil and gasoline.
• Class C fires are electrical in nature, such as a short circuit that
causes a spark capable of igniting other substances.
• Class D fires occur in metals with their own fuel supply.
Building occupancy and other specific areas within a building are
classified as light, ordinary, or extra hazard, according to the
potential for fire. Light hazard occurs in office buildings, schools,
and public buildings. Ordinary hazard is found in warehouses and
stores with large amounts of combustible material. Extra hazard
occurs where there is considerable potential for easily started,
large fires. These classifications are more fully explained in the
applicable NFPA standards.
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TYPES
Three general types of systems are used for suppression of fires:
water based, chemical based (either liquid or powder), and gas
based.
• Water-based systems use either water mixed with chemicals
that add fire-extinguishing characteristics or undiluted water to
cool the fire below ignition temperature or deprive it of oxygen.
• Chemical-based systems interfere with the combustion process
and deprive the fire of oxygen.
• Gas-based systems interfere with the combustion process and
deprive the fire of oxygen.
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
A sprinkler system uses water distributed through a network of
valves, piping, and nozzles whose primary purpose is to set off an
alarm and mitigate the effects of a fire, not necessarily to extinguish it. When a fire condition is present, the heat of the fire melts
the element of a closed sprinkler head, allowing water to discharge
automatically onto the fire.
ESCALATOR FIRE SAFETY
7.599
ELEVATOR LOBBY ENCLOSURES AND
PRESSURIZATION
The requirement for elevator lobby enclosures resides in the building code. Enclosures are generally required for elevators in high-rise
buildings, even if the building is protected by fire sprinklers. (The
exceptions to the requirement for lobbies include low-rise buildings,
open parking garages, street floor lobbies, and elevators that are
not located in an elevator shaft.) The requirement for enclosed elevator lobbies has recently been expanded to include fire department
access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators.
Elevator lobbies are generally enclosed with 1 hour fire-rated construction and 45 minute opening protectives. The size of the elevator lobby’s enclosure will be dictated by accessibility, fire department access elevator, and occupant evacuation elevator requirements.
Contributors:
John H. Klote, John H. Klote, Inc., McLean, Virginia.
Warren D. Bonisch, PE, Schirmer Engineering, Richardson, Texas.
Source: Based on drawing by Francis D. K. Ching in Building Codes Illustrated, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2007.
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TYPICAL SPRINKLER CONNECTION
7.600
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 257
SPRINKLER HEAD SELECTION CHART
7.602
SPRINKLER HEAD TYPE
STANDARD
COVERAGE
HIGH
EXTENDED
PRESSUREa COVERAGE RESIDENTIAL
DRY
FOAM
WATER
INSTITUTIONAL
Upright
X
X
X
—
X
X
—
Standard response
X
—
—
—
—
—
—
Quick response
X
—
—
—
—
—
—
Pendant
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Recessed pendant
X
X
X
X
—
—
—
Concealed pendant
X
—
—
X
—
—
—
Flush pendant
X
—
—
—
—
—
—
Horizontal side wall
X
X
X
X
X
—
X
Recessed horizontal side wall
X
X
—
X
X
—
—
Vertical side wall
X
—
—
—
—
—
—
Pendant with deep escutcheons
—
—
—
—
X
—
—
SPRINKLER HEAD TYPES
7.603
Sprinkler system types include the following:
• Wet pipe : This automatic system uses piping filled with water
under pressure and closed heads. When a fire condition exists,
the heat melts (fuses) a temperature-sensitive element in the
head, causing the head to open and water to flow.
• Dry pipe : This automatic system uses piping filled with air under
pressure and closed heads. The operating valve assembly is
called a dry pipe valve. An air compressor is required to make
up air lost through leakage. Both water and compressed air are
supplied only to the dry pipe valve. When a head fuses due to a
fire condition, it lowers the air pressure, opens the valve, and
permits water to enter the piping; the water then flows only
from the open heads.
• Preaction : This automatic system uses closed heads and piping
filled with air under atmospheric pressure. Water is supplied to
the operating valve assembly, called a preaction valve. An ancillary smoke or fire detection system initiates a signal upon detection of heat, fire, or smoke. The signal causes the preaction valve
SPRINKLER SYSTEM TYPES
7.601
NOTE
7.601 a. 300 psi (210,900 kg/sq m).
Contributors:
Michael Frankel, CIPE, Utility Systems Consultants, Somerset, New Jersey.
Jeffrey Meese, AIA, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
to open, allowing water to enter the piping system. Water will
not flow out of the heads unless they fuse due to a fire condition.
• Deluge : Used to protect high-hazard areas and specific equipment, this automatic system uses piping filled with air under
atmospheric pressure and open heads. An ancillary smoke or
fire detection system is required to initiate a signal upon detection of heat, fire, or smoke at the hazard being protected.
• Antifreeze : A wet pipe automatic system is filled with an
antifreeze solution instead of water to protect areas subject to
freezing but too small for a dry pipe system. Operations are similar to those of the standard wet pipe system.
• Water mist : This automatic system uses high-pressure water
flowing through nozzles designed to discharge very small
droplets of water directly onto a fire. A water pump is required
to produce the high system pressure.
TYPICAL SPRINKLER HEAD SPRAY PATTERNS
7.604
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FIRE SUPPRESSION CODE REQUIREMENTS
Fire detection and suppression refers to any fire alarm or fireextinguishing system that is designed and installed to detect, control, or extinguish a fire, or to alert the occupants or the fire
department that a fire has occurred. For dwelling units, the system
may be limited to smoke detectors. In commercial buildings, the
system may include many elements, such as smoke and heat
detectors, sprinklers, portable fire extinguishers, standpipes,
smoke control systems, manual alarms, and smoke and heat vents.
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TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER AGENTS
OBSTRUCTION CONDITIONS
7.606
The agent within a fire extinguisher is usually one of the following:
• Carbon dioxide : This colorless, odorless, electrically nonconductive inert gas is suitable for Class B and C fires.
• Wet chemical: This is an aqueous solution of organic or inorganic salts.
• Dry chemical : Powder of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and other chemicals similar to baking soda. It is commonly used for Class A, B, and C fires, but results in a mess once
discharged
• Water : Common, inexpensive, sustainable agent, but limited to
Class A fires. Water is used in nonfreezing locations.
• Halon and halocarbon : Clean agent that leaves little to no
residue. These agents can be listed for Class A, B, and C fires.
Higher costs than some agents. Halon is banned in Europe and
sent to the United States for reuse; new supplies cannot be produced. Alternative related materials are available.
• Film forming : Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) or film foamforming fluoroprotein foam (FFFF). Film forming agents are limited to Class A and B fires and used in nonfreezing locations.
The purpose of a fire suppression system is to extinguish or mitigate the effects of a fire. Selection of the extinguishing medium
most appropriate for a project is based on availability, compatibility, cost, and code requirements.
Although the design and layout of a sprinkler system is the responsibility of the mechanical engineer or fire protection contractor, the
preferred location of the heads is often based on the designer’s
reflected ceiling plan.
LOCATING SPRINKLER HEADS
For light-hazard occupancies such as offices, stores, and restaurants, one sprinkler head is required for each 225 sq ft (21 sq m)
of floor area if the system is hydraulically designed.
LOCATING FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
If obstructions are present, such as beam enclosures, dropped
ceilings, tall bookshelves, or high office system partitions, certain
horizontal and vertical dimensions must be maintained.
DEFINITIONS
• Noncombustible : A material that meets the requirements of
ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in
a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 °C. This means that the material
will not ignite or burn when subjected to fire. Noncombustible
also includes composite materials, such as gypsum wallboard,
that are composed of a surfacing not more than 0.125 in. (3 mm)
thick and that have a flame spread index not greater than 50, as
long as the structural base is noncombustible.
• Flame resistant : A material that restricts the spread of flame in
accordance with NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for
Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. This test is commonly
referred to as the Vertical Ignition Test.
• Trim : Picture moldings, chair rails, baseboards, handrails, door
and window frames, and similar decorative or protective materials used in fixed applications.
• Combustible : A material that will ignite and burn, either as a
flame or glow, and that undergoes this process in air at pressures
and temperatures that might occur during a fire in a building
SPRINKLER HEAD LOCATIONS
7.605
COMMERCIAL COOKING FIRE SUPPRESSION
The need for fire suppression systems to protect commercial cooking appliances is found in the fire code. Commercial cooking appliances are those that heat or cook food which results in the production of grease vapors, steam, fumes, smoke, or odors that are
required to be removed through a local exhaust ventilation system.
Examples include deep fat fryers, griddles, broilers, kettles,
ranges, and other equipment. A hood over such an appliance is an
air intake device used to capture grease and similar contaminants
before they enter a duct system.
Due to the production of grease, smoke, and other products, the
kitchen hood is required to be protected by an automatic fire suppression system. Portable fire extinguishers are required also, to
serve as a secondary backup.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire extinguishers are intended to be the first line of defense in the
early stages of a fire, when the fire is just starting and therefore
limited in size and intensity. The requirement for fire extinguishers
comes from the fire code.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXTINGUISHERS
Fire extinguishers are labeled based on the type of fire they are
designed to extinguish.
It is difficult to anticipate each and every use of a building and its
associated fire hazard. Therefore, it is best to specify multipurpose
fire extinguishers. (Multipurpose fire extinguishers are those extinguishers with one or more classification as listed above.)
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSIFICATIONS
7.607
FIRE
CLASSIFICATION
Contributor:
Warren D. Bonisch, PE, Schirmer Engineering, Richardson, Texas.
FIRE HAZARD
Class A
General combustibles, such as paper, wood,
and cloth
Class B
Flammable and combustible liquids, such as
paints, oils, and solvents
Class C
Energized electrical equipment
Class D
Combustible metals, such as magnesium
and titanium
Class K
Cooking appliances that can cause vegetable
or animal oil fires
Fire extinguishers need to be mounted off the floor by placing them
within a cabinet or on a mounting bracket securely attached to a wall.
An important goal is for the fire extinguisher to be readily visible in a
normal path of travel. Locating it behind a door or around a corner, for
instance, defeats the purpose of providing a fire extinguisher. A uniform spacing of fire extinguishers, especially from floor to floor and
within common areas, increases the likelihood that the extinguisher
will be found when needed. It also helps during inspections and maintenance. With greater concern for security, there are more locked
doors. Make sure fire extinguishers are located on the secured side
of a doorway so that travel back through a locked door is not required
to get a fire extinguisher and return to the fire location.
Fire extinguishers should be placed so that the top of the extinguisher is no more than 60 in. (1,524 mm) above the floor when the
extinguisher weighs no more than 40 lb (18.1 kg), and no more than
42 in. (1,067 mm) above the floor when the extinguisher weighs
more than 40 lb (18.1 kg). In no case can the extinguisher bottom
be less than 4 in. (102 mm) above the floor.
With the exception of the special hazards listed below, fire extinguishers are typically located based on travel distance and area of
coverage. Travel distance to a fire extinguisher can vary based on the
fire hazard, fire extinguisher size, and so on, but it should not exceed
75 ft (22.9 m) for a Class A rating. Lay the fire extinguisher locations
out on a floor plan, with the radius of the circle not exceeding 75 ft
(22.9 m). Make sure the circles overlap so that no floor area is
greater than 75 ft (22.9 m) of travel to a fire extinguisher. The maximum area per fire extinguisher with a Class A rating is 11,250 sq ft
(1,045 sq m). Class B fire extinguishers are limited to either 30 or 50
ft (9.1 or 15.2 m) of travel, based on the type of hazard.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER MOUNTING HEIGHTS
7.608
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER FLOOR PLAN
7.609
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 259
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
SURFACE RACEWAY SYSTEMS
7.610
WIRING DEVICES
ELECTRICAL BOXES
A junction box is an enclosure for housing and protecting electrical
wires or cables that are joined together when connecting or
branching electrical circuits. Junction boxes may be round, square,
or octagonal.
Boxes are mounted to wood floor structures (nonadjustable) or
cast-in-place concrete with leveling screws. Concrete boxes
include cast-iron, stamped-steel, or nonmetallic materials.
Metallic and nonmetallic boxes are available. Flush mounting in
concrete requires a concrete-tight box and rigid conduit and tubing. In concrete masonry unit (CMU) construction, raceway tubing
that is expressly designed to hold and protect electrical wires and
cables is threaded through cavities in the blocks.
Three common electrical box types include the following:
• Octagonal boxes are commonly used for flush ceiling outlets.
They may also be used as floor boxes for monument receptacles.
• Flush floor boxes are mounted to a wood floor structure (nonadjustable) or cast-in-place concrete with leveling screws. Concrete
boxes include cast-iron, stamped-steel, or nonmetallic materials.
This is a heavy-duty box, in comparison to a standard octagonal
floor box for monument receptacles.
• Utility electrical boxes are available in metallic and nonmetallic
versions. Knockout locations vary. Utility and exterior boxes are
not gangable; switch and masonry boxes may be. Flush mounting in concrete requires a concrete-tight box and rigid conduit
and tubing. In CMU construction, a raceway or tubing is threaded through the cavities.
Contributors:
Warren D. Bonisch, PE, Schirmer Engineering, Richardson, Texas.
William G. Miner, AIA, Architect, Washington, DC.
Charles B. Towles, PE, TEI Consulting Engineers, Washington, DC.
Richard F. Humenn, PE, Joseph R. Loring & Associates, Inc., Consulting
Engineers, New York, New York.
Gary A. Hall, Hammel Green and Abrahamson, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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ELECTRICAL BOXES
7.611
Page 260
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STANDARD MOUNTING HEIGHTS FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICES
7.612
RECEPTACLES AND SWITCHES
7.613
NOTES
7.613 a. The outlets and switches are those most commonly used. The number of gangs behind one wall plate depends on the type of devices used.
b. Symbols used are ANSI standard Y32.2.
c. Interchangeable (miniature) devices are available in various combinations using any of the following in one gang: switch, convenience outlet, radio outlet, pilot light, bell button. Combined gangs are available.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 261
GANG SIZE
7.614
GANG
HEIGHT
WIDTH
2
4-1/2 (115 mm)
4-9/16 (116 mm)
3
4-1/2 (115 mm)
6-3/8 (162 mm)
4
4-1/2 (115 mm)
8-3/16 (208 mm)
5
4-1/2 (115 mm)
10 (254 mm)
6
4-1/2 (115 mm)
11-13/16 (298 mm)
SWITCH AND OUTLET LOCATIONS
7.615
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
POKE-THROUGH SYSTEMS
Poke-through systems are used in conjunction with overhead
branch distribution systems that run in accessible suspended ceiling cavities to outlets in full-height partitions. When services are
required at floor locations without adjacent partitions or columns,
as in open-plan offices, they must either be brought down from a
wireway assembly (known as a power pole) or up through a floor
penetration containing a fire-rated insert fitting and flush or abovefloor outlet assembly. To install a poke-through assembly, the floor
slab must either be core drilled or contain preset sleeves arranged
in a modular grid. Poke-through assemblies are used in conjunction
with cellular deck and underfloor duct systems when the service
location required does not fall directly above its associated system
raceway.
With one floor penetration, the single poke-through assembly can
serve all the power, communications, and computer requirements
of a workstation. Distribution wiring in the ceiling cavity can be run
in raceways. The more cost effective method is to use armored
cable (BX) for power and approved plenum-rated cable for communications and data when the ceiling cavity is used for return air.
To minimize disturbance to the office space below when a pokethrough assembly must be relocated or added, a modular system
of prewired junction boxes for each service can be provided,
although it is more common to elect this option for power only. A
different type of working system must be selected for a floor slab
on grade, above a lobby or retail space, above mechanical equipment space, or above space exposed to the atmosphere.
The low initial cost of a poke-through system makes it both viable
and attractive for investor-owned buildings where tenants are
responsible for future changes, and for corporate buildings with limited construction budgets. Poke-through systems are effective when
office planning includes interconnecting workstation panels containing provisions (base raceways) to extend wiring above the floor,
reducing the number of floor penetrations needed for services.
Contributors:
Charles B. Towles, PE, TEI Consulting Engineers, Washington, DC.
Richard F. Humenn, PE, Joseph R. Loring & Associates, Inc., Consulting
Engineers, New York, New York.
Gary A. Hall, Hammel Green and Abrahamson, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Robert T. Faass, Consulting Engineer, Seabrook, Maryland.
Richard J. Vitullo, AIA, Oak Leaf Studio, Crownsville, Maryland.
POKE-THROUGH HARDWARE SYSTEM/ZONE JUNCTION BOX
7.616
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RAISED-ACCESS FLOOR SYSTEM
A raised-access floor system provides maximum flexibility and lowest cost to relocate or add service. When used in conjunction with
a modular system of power, communications and data wiring plugin receptacles, and cable connector sets, changes can be made
without an electrician or wiring technician. Access flooring systems have the highest initial cost of distribution system types.
Access floors can be provided with or without stringers, which are
used to minimize the “creep” effect. For a custom installation without ramps or steps, the base floor is depressed.
Access floors do not necessarily require an increase in floor-tofloor height, and if so, the height added is at a much lower per unit
cost than for the rest of the building. When special attention is
given to coordinating lighting with other elements in the suspended ceiling, or when lighting is provided below (as from the workstations), the cavity can be compressed to compensate for the
raised floor.
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RAISED-ACCESS FLOOR SYSTEM WITH MODULAR PLUG-IN DISTRIBUTION
7.617
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FLAT-CABLE WIRING SYSTEM
Flat cable originates at transition boxes located at various intervals along core corridor walls and columns that are individually
served from distribution centers in utility closets. Boxes can also
be cast in the floor or atop a poke-through insert. Cables are not
permitted to pass under fixed partitions and must be carefully
mapped out to minimize crossovers and clutter.
FLAT-CABLE WIRING SYSTEM
7.618
To install a service fitting, an interface base assembly must first be
secured directly to the concrete floor at the flat-cable location. The
base assembly stabs into conductors of the flat cable and converts
them to round wire. When the service fitting is attached, it is activated and ready for use.
Careful consideration must be given to the application of this system based on limitations that may or may not be acceptable under
different conditions. For example, it may be ideal for small areas or
renovation of existing buildings where the poke-through or power
pole systems are unacceptable or cannot be used. In new construction where poke-through has been chosen as the base building standard system, the flat-cable system is a viable solution in
areas where poke-through outlets cannot be installed, such as slab
on grade.
Carpet tiles are required by most building codes as the floor covering to be used over flat-cable installations to facilitate access to
the flat cable. Where frequent changes and additions are anticipated, the resulting wear and tear on expensive, glued-down carpet
tile may be a disadvantage.
Flat-cable systems are labor intensive to install. Actual installed
initial costs and outlet relocation costs are comparable to cellular
deck with trench header ducts.
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL WIRING
The general requirements for residential electrical wiring systems
include:
1. A minimum of one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet is
required in every habitable room, hallway, stairway, attached
garage, and outdoor entrance. An exception is in habitable
rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms, where one or more
receptacles controlled by a wall switch are permitted in lieu of
lighting outlets.
2. In every kitchen, family room, dining room, den, breakfast
room, living room, parlor, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room,
and similar rooms, convenience outlets must be installed so
TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL LAYOUT—SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
7.619
NOTE
7.619 A wide variety of UPS systems are available for smaller applications, ranging from desktop models for single microcomputers to floor
models that can supply several computers or other equipment.
Contributors:
Richard F. Humenn, PE, Joseph R. Loring & Associates, Inc., Consulting
Engineers, New York, New York.
Gary A. Hall, Hammel Green and Abrahamson, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Charles B. Towles, PE, TEI Consulting Engineers, Washington, DC.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 263
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264 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
that no point along the floor line is farther than 12 ft (3.7 m)
measured horizontally from an outlet, including any wall space
2 ft (0.61 m) or more wide, and the wall space occupied by sliding panels in exterior walls.
3. A minimum of two #12 wire 20 A small-appliance circuits are
required to serve small convenience outlets exclusively, including refrigeration equipment, in the kitchen, pantry, dining room,
breakfast room, and family room. Both circuits must extend to
the kitchen; the other rooms may be served by one or both of
them. No other convenience outlets may be connected to these
circuits, except a receptacle installed solely for an electric
clock. In kitchen and dining areas, convenience outlets must be
installed at each and every counter space wider than 12 in.
(305 mm).
4. A minimum of one #12 wire 20-A circuit must be provided to
supply the laundry receptacle(s), and it may have no other convenience outlets.
5. At least one convenience outlet must be installed in the bathroom near the basin and must be provided with ground fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection.
6. Code requires sufficient 15- and 20-A circuits to supply 3 W of
power for every square foot of floor space, not including
garage and open porch areas. Minimum code suggestion is one
circuit per 600 sq ft (55.7 sq m), but one circuit per 500 sq ft
(46.5 sq m) is desirable.
7. A minimum of one exterior convenience outlet is required (two
are desirable) and must be provided with GFCI protection.
8. A minimum of one convenience outlet is required in the basement and garage, in addition to the one in the laundry. In
attached garages, it must be provided with GFCI protection.
9. Many building codes require a hard-wired smoke detector in
the hallway outside bedrooms or above the stairway leading to
upper-floor bedrooms.
10. Disconnect switches are required for equipment.
Page 264
BUILDING SERVICES
FIRST-FLOOR AND BASEMENT PLANS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES
7.620
LEGEND
A. Mount convenience outlets at countertop locations 2 in.
(51 mm) above backsplash.
B. Mount convenience outlets 48 in. (1,219 mm) above finish
floor (AFF).
C. Range and oven outlet boxes should be wall mounted 36 in.
(914 mm) AFF. Use flexible connections to units.
D. Switch and outlet for exhaust fan. The switch should be cover
mounted adjacent to the fan wall opening. A separate switch
may be omitted if the fan is supplied with an integral switch.
E. Dishwasher outlet is wall mounted behind unit, 6 in. (152 mm)
AFF.
F. Equipped with self-closing waterproof cover with gasket.
G. Mount 42 in. (1,067 mm) AFF.
NOTES
7.620 a. Wiring shown as exposed indicates absence of finished ceiling
in basement level. All BX cable is run through framing members.
Attachment below ceiling joists is not permitted.
b. Connect to two incandescent porcelain lamp holders with pull chain.
Mount two evenly spaced ceiling fixtures in crawl space.
c. Connect to shutdown switch at top of stairs.
d. Boiler wiring safety disconnect switch should have red wall plate,
clearly marked “BOILER ON/OFF.”
Contributor:
Charles B. Towles, PE, TEI Consulting Engineers, Washington, DC.
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BUILDING SERVICES
LIGHTING
LOADS, CIRCUITS, AND RECEPTACLES FOR RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
7.621
APPLIANCE
TYPICAL
CONNECTED, VA
VOLTS
WIRES
CIRCUIT
BREAKER OR
FUSE, A
OUTLETS ON
CIRCUIT
NEMA DEVICE
AND
CONFIGURATION
KITCHEN
Range
12,000
115/230
3 #6
60
1
14-60R
Oven (built-in)
4,500
115/230
3 #10
30
1
14-30R
Range top
6,000
115/230
3 #10
30
1
14-30R
Dishwasher
1,200
115
2 #12
20
1
5-20R
Garbage disposer
300
115
2 #12
20
1
5-20R
Broiler
1,500
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Refrigerator
300
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Freezer
350
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
5-20R
LAUNDRY
Washing machine
1,200
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
Dryer
5,000
115/230
3 #10
30
1
14-30R
Hand iron
1,650
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
LIVING AREAS
Workshop
1,500
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Portable heater
1,300
115
2 #12
20
1
5-20R
Television
300
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Fixed lighting
1,200
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Air conditioner, 3/4 hp
1,200
115
2 #12
20 or 30
1
5-20R
Central air conditioner
5,000
115/230
3 #10
40
1
—
FIXED UTILITIES
Sump pump
300
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
Heating plant,
forced-air furnace
600
115
2 #12
20
1
—
Attic fan
300
115
2 #12
20
1 or more
5-20R
TYPICAL WIRING IN WOOD CONSTRUCTION
7.622
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 265
Light allows us to see, grow food, experience emotion, and perform daily functions. Windows, clerestories, and skylights were the
lighting tools used for most building types since we have been
using buildings for shelter.
Since Edison’s bulb, light source efficiency has improved over 100
times; today, 100 times more light can be produced using the same
amount of power. Lamp life has improved thousands of times,
allowing us to change a lightbulb every 50,000 hours (15 years)
instead of every 100 hours (10 days). New light sources such as
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are silicon based and can be computer programmed to change intensity, distribution, and color.
Every 6 months, a new lighting technology “leapfrogs” an old one,
similar to the way the computer industry has grown in the last two
decades. These technological advancements allow designers to
illuminate spaces more effectively than ever before. Basic principles of good lighting design have not changed, but the available
tools have changed dramatically.
A new awareness of design sustainably influences all components
of a project. Lighting uses approximately 20% of all energy within
a building, and there are many opportunities through careful
design to minimize lighting energy use without sacrificing quality.
It is a simple task to reduce lighting energy without considering the
impact on quality. Lighting standards have traditionally been identified in a quantitative approach of determining how many footcandles are needed. There is a movement in the lighting industry
toward more qualitative metrics such as:
• How bright should this be?
• What happens if I change that wall to a darker color?
• How much daylight should I allow into a space before it starts
causing too much glare?
The challenge for anyone designing lighting for a project is to
understand the basic principles and important qualitative issues
and apply these in a logical fashion. Light must enhance the environment, allow individuals to perform their tasks, and make our
world a safer and better place.
QUALITATIVE DESIGN ISSUES
Qualitative design issues are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Appearance of the space
Color of the space
Daylight integration
Direct glare
Flicker
Light distribution on surfaces
Light distribution on the task plane
Luminance (brightness) of room surfaces
Modeling of faces or objects
Points of interest
Reflected glare
Shadows
Source/task/eye geometry
Surface characteristics
Lighting system control
Depending on the project, some of these factors may be more
important than others. For example, the appearance of a hotel
lobby is extremely important, while an industrial factory’s appearance may not be. The color quality of the light in an office space will
be more critical than that in a parking garage. Uniform light distribution in a library stack is key, whereas nonuniform lighting in a
restaurant is desirable. Answers to these questions usually lead a
design in a specific direction.
NOTE
7.622 Figure shows typical wiring in wood construction. In metal stud
construction, cables are passed through precut openings in place of
field-drilled holes.
Contributor:
Charles B. Towles, PE, TEI Consulting Engineers, Washington, DC.
Stephen Margulies, IES, IALD, One Lux, New York, New York.
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266 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
QUANTITATIVE DESIGN
RECOMMENDATIONS
Qualitative recommenations address the following issues:
•
•
•
•
Illuminance levels
Uniformity
Luminance (brightness)
Glare
ILLUMINANCE LEVELS
Illuminance is the measure of incident light on a surface. It is
measured in lumens per square foot (footcandles [fc]) or lumens
per square meter (lux [lx]). This measure of light is easily calculated using the lumen method or, more accurately, using the pointby-point method. There are also computer programs that are relatively easy to use for more accurate analysis.
Illuminance does not determine how bright the surface will appear.
If the surface is light in color, then it will appear bright. If the surface is dark in color, then that same amount of incident light will
make it appear dark. This surface characteristic is called
reflectance and is measured as a percentage of light that is reflected from the surface divided by the light that is incident on the surface. A white surface such as a ceiling tile may be 80% reflective
while a medium-dark carpet may be 25% reflective. The higher the
surface reflectance the brighter a space will look.
How much light we actually need for a specific task has been a difficult question to answer. There are many factors that have an
impact on this decision. For example, when reading a document,
text size, glossiness of the paper, contrast between the typeface
and the paper, and the visual acuity of the individual reading the
document all influence how much light needs to be delivered to the
document in order to read it. Our aging population usually requires
more light because of their loss in visual acuity. This is why the
present recommended practice indicates a range of illuminance
levels for given tasks, and it is left to the designer to decide how
much is right.
The current illuminance categories with their associated light level
recommendations include:
Orientation and simple visual tasks: Visual performance is
largely unimportant. These tasks are found in public spaces
where reading and visual inspection are only occasionally performed. Higher levels are recommended for tasks where visual
performance is occasionally important.
Common visual tasks: Visual performance is important. These
tasks are found in commercial, industrial, and residential appliILLUMINANCE CATEGORIES AND ASSOCIATED LIGHT
LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
7.623
ILLUMINANCE
CATEGORY
LEVEL
Orientation
and simple
visual tasks
Common
visual tasks
Special
visual tasks
DESCRIPTION
LIGHT
LEVEL,
FC (LX)
A
Public spaces
3 (30)
B
Simple orientation for
short visits
5 (50)
C
Working spaces where
simple visual tasks are
performed
10 (100)
D
Performance of visual tasks
of high contrast and
large size
30 (300)
E
Performance of visual tasks
of high contrast and small
size, or visual tasks of low
contrast and large size
50 (500)
F
Performance of visual tasks
of low contrast and
small size
100 (1,000)
G
Performance of visual tasks
near threshold
300 to 1,000
(3,000 to
10,000)
NOTE
7.624 The values joined by lines illustrate the maximum recommended
luminance ratios between various surfaces.
Contributor:
Stephen Margulies, IES, IALD, One Lux, New York, New York.
Page 266
BUILDING SERVICES
cations. Recommended illuminance levels differ because of the
characteristics of the visual task being illuminated. Higher levels are recommended for visual tasks with critical elements of
low contrast or small size.
Special visual tasks: Visual performance is of critical importance.
These tasks are highly specialized, including those with very small
or very low contrast critical elements. Recommended illuminance
levels should be achieved with supplementary task lighting.
Higher recommended levels are often achieved by moving the
light source closer to the task.
The eye adapts to varying brightness very quickly. One can experience this adaptation when exiting a movie theater. When an individual walks out of a dark theater into a brighter lobby, it takes several seconds for the eye to adjust to the new environment.
Sometimes this causes momentary discomfort and a loss of visual
acuity. The same thing can happen when sitting at a desk viewing a
computer screen or reading a paper document.
Finishes of walls, furniture, desks, flooring, and ceilings are all
affected by this relationship. Other space types that warrant significant contrast ratios include restaurants and hotels; the higher
the contrast, the greater the drama.
UNIFORMITY
Lighting for various visual tasks can be enhanced by lighting uniformity, which is effected by luminaire distribution and spacing.
Within any lighted space, the light levels will vary. Spaces that are
too uniform lack visual interest, whereas spaces that are extremely nonuniform will look dramatic, which may or may not be appropriate. Even within a single room, the lighting intensity can vary.
Uniformity criteria are usually expressed in maximum to minimum
values or average to minimum values. This does not determine if the
space is bright or not but is an easy method to determine if there will
be underlighted areas. Looking at average light levels is not good
enough; it is important to look at the distribution of the light.
Light levels can vary by as much as 50%, and as long as that variation is gradual, a viewer will probably not perceive the difference.
It is not uncommon to have an office space designed to an average
of 35 fc (350 lx), with the levels varying from a high of 50 fc (500
lx) to a low of 25 fc (250 lx). This is perfectly acceptable as long as
the higher light levels correspond to desk locations and the lower
levels correspond to circulation or fringe areas.
RECOMMENDED LUMINANCE RATIOS FOR DESK
TASKS
7.624
TASK
RATIO
Between paper task and adjacent computer screen
3:1
Between task and adjacent surroundings
3:1
Between task and nonadjacent areas
10:1
MAXIMUM LUMINANCE RATIOS RECOMMENDED FOR
COMPUTER WORKSTATION
7.625
Certain tasks such as those in a library stack or an open-plan office
area require very uniform illumination. The lighting at the bottom
shelf of a library stack is often found to be 10 times less than the
lighting at the top shelf. Systems have been designed to solve this
challenging design problem and minimize the variation. Open office
areas should have reasonably uniform lighting so that when workstations are moved, a similar light level is produced at all locations.
Lighting in a restaurant or hotel lobby should have some variation
to create drama and visual interest. Sometimes what is selected
to receive less light is as important as what is given more light.
Illuminating a wall feature or a table in a restaurant and providing
less light in circulation areas is important. Providing uniform lighting
for a hotel check-in desk so the guests can easily see the transactions
is just as important as providing feature lighting on a piece of artwork
or another object or finish. This play of light and shadow is what
makes a space successful.
LUMINANCE
Luminance (brightness) is probably the most important criterion to
consider when designing a space. Luminance is what we see. This
is the amount of light energy that is reflected off a surface and
interpreted by our visual system. Although the analysis of luminance is somewhat complex, it is also very intuitive.
If the design of a project uses light-color finishes, then the space
will appear brighter than a space with darker finishes given the
same amount of produced illumination. It is possible to design for
less light and lower power with light finishes. At the same time, it
is always desirable to have some variation of brightness in a space
to create visual excitement. This factor, called the luminance ratio,
is the measure of one surface’s brightness as compared to adjacent surfaces. This is also known as contrast.
There are recommendations for luminance ratios for common
types of spaces such as offices, but the designer must consider this
factor for all types of spaces. The standards established for office
lighting are geared more toward visual acuity issues.
GLARE
There are two different types of glare the lighting designer needs
to be concerned about.
Direct glare occurs when the light source distributes light directly
into the eye of the individual. Extreme cases of this type of glare
are experienced when driving at night. The oncoming car’s headlights can cause severe discomfort and at times blinding.
Most interior luminaires (lighting fixtures) are designed to minimize direct glare. Some luminaires have significant output at
angles greater than 40° above horizontal, and care should be taken
to determine how much. Brightness in this high-angle zone should
be limited to 100 times the brightness of the zone surrounding it.
The best way to avoid the problem is to view all luminaires under
consideration; looking at the photometric test of a specific luminaire is also helpful.
Reflected glare is not as obvious but just as detrimental as direct
glare. This type of glare occurs when light reflected off a specular
(reflecting light like a mirror) surface is seen by the eye. A common
example of this occurs when reading a glossy magazine with the
light source reflected in the page, causing what appears to be a veil
in front of the document. This is sometimes referred to as a veiling
reflection and reduces the ability to see the task.
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BUILDING SERVICES
Reflected glare has influenced office lighting solutions for decades
because lighting systems were designed to minimize reflections in
computer monitors. Low-brightness light fixtures were used that
produced light only on the horizontal work plane without any higher-angle lighting. These types of luminaires were effective in reducing reflected glare, but they also produced spaces that appeared
dark and unappealing.
Most computer screens today are now diffuse; they can even be
used outdoors and are less sensitive to the light within the room.
This technology advancement has allowed the industry to improve
the equipment used for office lighting and provide users with
spaces that look brighter and are aesthetically more pleasing.
These systems are even more efficient than their predecessors
because inefficient louvering systems are no longer required.
Another example of reflected glare occurs when illuminating a
shiny surface such as a polished marble wall in a public space. It is
nearly impossible to light these types of walls without seeing the
reflection of the light sources in the stone. It is important to minimize this reflection; that can be done by studying where the light
sources are relative to observer locations.
DIRECT AND REFLECTED GLARE
7.626
LIGHTING DEFINITIONS
• Efficacy: The measurement of the relationship between the
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
amount of light and the amount of heat produced by both daylight and electric light sources; measured in lumens per watt
(lm/W)
Footcandle (fc): A unit of illuminance equivalent to the illumination produced by a source of 1 candle at a distance of 1 foot;
equal to 1 lumen incident per square foot
Illuminance: The measure of light striking a surface, in footcandles. Illuminance can be measured and predicted using calculations; also called illumination
Lamp: The electric bulb or tube within a luminaire
Lumen: A measure of the amount of light emitted by a light
source or falling onto a surface, regardless of directionality
Lumen method (zonal cavity system): A calculation method
based on the definition of average footcandles over an area
Luminaire: A structure that holds an electric lamp and its socket, wiring, and auxiliary equipment, such as ballasts
Luminance: Brightness
Luminance ratio: The measure of one surface’s brightness as
compared to adjacent surfaces
Lux (lx): A unit of illumination equivalent to 0.0929 fc
Photometry: The measure of light, especially with respect to a
luminaire
Photometric report : A report that describes the manner in which
light is emitted from a luminaire, presented in an industry standard format
Point-by-point method (inverse-square method): A variety of
methods used to determine maintained illuminance at a point on
a vertical or horizontal surface
Reflectance: The ratio of reflected light to incident light
Specular reflection: Reflection that occurs on a smooth surface,
such as polished glass, stone, or metal
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 267
ENERGY CODES
All projects must comply with local energy codes. The basis for
most energy codes is ASHRAE/IES 90.1. Versions 2001, 2004, and
2007 have been adopted by specific states. It is important to
understand which version of this code is required for the project as
the requirements have changed over the years. To see which energy code has been adopted by a specific state, go to
www.energycodes.gov, where there is a current listing by state.
The energy code mandates code minimum lighting controls and
allowable power densities for a particular space. Energy codes regulate the amount of power and the duration lights are in use. Most
codes require that lights be turned off when spaces are not occupied
by use of automatic controls such as occupancy or vacancy sensors
and time-controlled circuits. A lighting power budget reduces the
wattage of lighting installed in a building. The formula is:
Energy Use (kWh) = Power (W) Time (hr)
There are two methods of energy code compliance:
• Whole-building method: This method assigns a single value to a
particular building type and uses that number for the entire
gross area of the building. For example, an office building is
allowed 1 W/sq ft for a building of 1 million square feet, yielding
an allowable interior power allowance of 1 million watts.
• Space-by-space method: Each area is calculated, and a unique
power allowance is allocated for that area. For example, corridors are allowed 0.5 W/sq ft, open-plan areas are allowed 1.1
W/sq ft, conference rooms are allowed 1.5 W/sq ft, and so
forth. Usually, the allowances used in the space-by-space
method yield a higher power budget, but this method also
requires more analysis. The space-by-space method also has
additional power allowances for decorative lighting, visual display terminal (VDT) lighting, casework lighting, and multiple-system lighting as found in conference rooms.
According to the ASHRAE 90.1 – 2004 Building Area Method of calculation, office space is permitted 1.0 W/sq ft.
NOTE
7.625 Direct glare occurs with a head-up position, while reflected glare
happens when eyes are looking down at reading matter.
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268 I N T E R IO R CO NST RU CTION
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BUILDING SERVICES
ASHRAE SPACE-BY-SPACE METHOD
7.627
SPACE-BY-SPACE METHOD KEY
SPACE NAME
AREA TYPE
WATTS/
SQUARE
ALLOWED
FOOT
AREA WATTS
Office Enclosed 1 Office—enclosed
1.1
227
250
Office Enclosed 2 Office—enclosed
1.1
187
206
Office Enclosed 3 Office—enclosed
1.1
184
202
Office Enclosed 4 Office—enclosed
1.1
183
201
Office Enclosed 5 Office—enclosed
1.1
199
219
Office Enclosed 6 Office—enclosed
1.1
128
141
Office Enclosed 7 Office—enclosed
1.1
127
140
Office Open 1
Office—open plan
1.1
91
100
Office Open 2
Office—open plan
1.1
59
65
Elec/Mech 1
Electrical/
mechanical
1.5
108
162
Elec/Mech 2
Electrical/
mechanical
1.5
18
27
Corridor/
Transition 1
Corridor/transition
0.5
800
400
Corridor/
Transition 2
Corridor/transition
0.5
184
92
Restroom 1
Restroom
0.9
105
95
Restroom 2
Restroom
0.9
139
125
Lounge
Lounge/recreation
1.2
149
179
Office Enclosed 8 Office—enclosed
1.1
158
174
SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING DESIGN
Lobby 1
Lobby
1.3
240
312
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has developed the LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project certification process that rates each project for its efforts toward sustainable design. In order for a project to achieve LEED certification, it
must satisfy specific prerequisite requirements. The prerequisite
for lighting is complying with all of the requirements as stated in
ASHRAE 90.1P 2004. Additional voluntary strategies can be pursued to achieve even greater energy savings.
Lobby 2
Lobby
1.3
100
130
Conference 1
Conference/meeting/ 1.3
multipurpose
476
619
Conference 2
Conference/meeting/ 1.3
multipurpose
239
311
Total Allowed Watts: 1.01 W/
sq ft
—
4,148
Potential Decorative
Lighting Allowance:
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY ENERGY-SAVING STRATEGIES
7.628
CATEGORY
Potential VDT
Allowance:
STRATEGY
LEED CREDITS
Sustainable sites
Light pollution reduction:
Prevent spill of light into sky or
onto neighbor’s property
Use luminaires that produce lighting in a downward orientation. Most decorative
lantern fixtures will not comply with this requirement
1/2 to 1
Energy and atmosphere energy use
Optimize energy performance
Reduce below limits set by ASHRAE 90.1-2004
1 to 6
Commercial interiors:
Lighting power
15% below standard
1
New construction:
Building energy
Total Watts with
Special Allowances:
0
1.27 W/
sq ft
—
5,203
DAYLIGHT FACTOR
25% below standard
2
30% below standard
3
10.5% below standard
1
14% below standard
2
17.5% below standard
3
21% below standard
4
24.5% below standard
5
28% below standard
6
Indoor environmental quality:
Controllability of systems
Provide 90% of occupants with control over their lighting; can usually be achieved
with user-controllable task lighting at desk
1
Indoor environmental quality:
Daylight and views
Daylight factor of 2% and direct view of vision glazing (window or skylight) for 75%
of floor area
1
Daylight factor of 2% and direct view of vision glazing (window or skylight) for 90%
of floor area
Add 1
Lamp ratings of mercury content within lamps and analysis tools on manufacturer
Web sites can determine whether this LEED point can be achieved
—
Innovation in design:
Low-mercury lamps
1,055
Contributor:
Stephen Margulies, IES, IALD, One Lux, New York, New York.
Daylight can reduce the amount of electrical energy used for lighting. In meeting the ASHRAE standard requirements, the daylight
factor is influenced by:
• Size, shape, and transmittance of glazing
• Shading from exterior or interior
• Ceiling height
• Interior finishes
• Space planning
Blinds, drapes, and shades have no impact on the daylight factor,
although they are important in controlling energy use. Geographic
location and building orientation are also not considered for the
daylight factor. Some spaces may not have usable daylight because
of location, but the analysis still needs to be done.
ULTRAVIOLET WAVES
Ultraviolet (UV) light waves are responsible for skin cancers in
human beings. Daylight, which contains UV light, offers positive
physical and psychological benefits in interiors, but the amount of
direct UV from sunlight should be limited. Some lamp sources,
including fluorescent and HID, also emit UV.
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MERCURY
All high-efficiency lamps incorporate mercury, which is a neurotoxin that is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and various states. When lamps are disposed of in landfills,
mercury can find its way into the water supply. It accumulates in
the tissue of fish and moves up the food chain, eventually reaching
humans. Lamp manufacturers have dramatically reduced the mercury content in their lamps, but significant differences still exist
from one product to the next. Local collection for recycling is available for used lamps containing mercury.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 269
FLUORESCENT TUBE LAMP
7.629
LIGHT SOURCES
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Even though color rendering, lamp life, and efficacy ratings will normally dictate the general choice among incandescent, fluorescent,
high-intensity discharge (HID), and LED lamp families, there remain
other detailed factors to consider when selecting a specific lamp.
SMALL LIGHT SOURCES
In general, smaller light sources are much easier to focus, whereas large diffuse sources such as fluorescent tubes are quite difficult to direct. For example, the filament of a low-voltage halogen
multifaceted reflector (MR) lamp can be combined with a reflector
profile to produce anything from a very narrow spot to a very wide
flood. Small lamps with small filaments are usually better suited to
task lighting applications where precise control of beam pattern is
important. Larger light sources are more appropriate for ambient
background and illumination where light levels are fairly even.
STRAIGHT-TUBE FLUORESCENT LAMP SHAPES AND TYPICAL NOMINAL LENGTHS
7.630
LUMEN MAINTENANCE AND LAMP LIFE
Lamp life is influenced by various factors depending on the lamp technology being considered. Lamp position, operating voltage, operating
temperature, and hours per on/off operating cycle also may have a
significant impact. Dimming can be used to compensate for lamp
lumen depreciation, where lamp power is increased over time.
LABEL DESIGNATIONS
All lamps have a great deal of information coded into their labeling,
but different lamp families use different coding. This information may
variously include the lamp shape, wattage, base type and size, lamp
tube length in inches, lamp diameter in 1/8-in. (3-mm) increments,
reflector shape, color temperature, and beam spread pattern.
Here are some examples:
• An incandescent A-19 is the common 2.375 in. (60 mm) diameter lamp.
• An F25T8SPX30 is a 25 W fluorescent lamp with a T-pin base and
a 1 in. (25 mm) diameter bulb operating at a correlated color
temperature (CCT) of 3,000 K.
• A halogen 250PAR38SP coding designates a 250-W lamp with a
parabolic aluminized reflector, a diameter of 4.75 in. (121 mm),
and a spot-beam spread pattern, as opposed to a flood pattern.
Because manufacturers use slightly different coding, and new products are constantly being introduced, appropriate technical information should always be consulted. Some manufacturers also offer
a comparison chart of competing product brand equivalencies.
FLUORESCENT LAMPS
Fluorescent lamps combine good efficacy, good color, and long
lamp life at a reasonable first cost. A high-voltage starting current
from the fixture ballast starts a general fluorescent lamp. Each
time the lamp is started, an electrical current passes through an
inert and electrically nonconductive gas by first evaporating a
small drop of mercury held within the tube. The resulting photons
of ultraviolet (UV) light are then absorbed by phosphor coatings on
the lamp bulb, giving off visible light. The ballast then provides
reduced current that maintains the discharge of light.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) come in a wide variety of sizes
and shapes, as well as base mounting configurations, and may be
either self-ballasted or require an external ballast. The use of
triphosphors in CFLs gives them satisfactory color rendering with
a color rendering index (CRI) over 80 and CCT in the general range
of 2,700 to 5,000 K. CFLs are popular replacements for incandescent lamps because they offer light of about 4 times the efficacy
and 10 times the lamp life. They are increasingly competitive on
cost, efficiency, and color, even compared with some high intensity
discharge (HID) lamp technologies.
Fluorescent and HID lamps emit ultraviolet radiation at much lower
levels than are found in daylight but still should have UV filters.
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and require special recycling
procedures. Consider LEDs as an alternative.
INCANDESCENT LAMPS
Incandescent lamps generate light by heating a thin tungsten
metal filament with electrical current. To prevent oxidation, the filament is sealed in a bulb of inert gas.
The typical A-lamp incandescent has a color temperature range
from 2,750 to 3,200 K, which is warm and emphasizes reds while
dulling blue tints. They have a short life of about 750 to 1,500 hours,
but are inexpensive and easy to replace. Incandescent lamps are
much less energy-efficient than some other types, and their use is
increasingly being regulated.
Because incandescent lamps have a small point source of light
generated at the filament, effective reflector profiles can be
designed into a reflective lamp bulb enclosure or into the fixture
housing. This ease of control translates into a good match of beam
spread and beam pattern for task and display lighting because light
can be placed more specifically where it is wanted. Incandescent
lamps can be readily dimmed; dimming reduces the efficacy and
color temperature of incandescent nonhalogen lamps slightly, but it
greatly increases lamp life.
Halogen lamps are a form of incandescent lamp, but differ in the
type of inert gas used within the bulb, contributing to extended
lamp life. Halogen lamps have a rated life of about 2,000 to 3,000
hours, with very low lamp lumen depreciation. They offer a CRI of
100 at CCTs of 2,600 to 3,600 K. Halogen lighting is most appropriate in applications where precise control and ease of dimming are
important, such as display and accent lighting. Fluorescent and
other gas discharge lamps have a higher efficacy, so halogen lamps
should normally not be used where energy consumption and general room lighting are priorities.
Incandescent lamps come in several sizes and shapes. Their generic label takes the form WWSDDBB. Other terms may be used for
colored lamps, lamp base, or manufacturer-specific features.
• W: Wattage
• S: Shape, including general-service A lamps, reflector lamps,
elliptical reflectors, PAR (pressed aluminum reflector), candle,
globe, and decorative shapes
• D: Diameter of the lamp bulb in eighths of an inch
• B: Beam spread characteristic (spot or flood), if applicable
HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPS
High-intensity discharge (HID) lamp technology includes mercury,
metal halide, and sodium gas discharge lamps. In general, they
have high efficacy and low to average color rendering. Their most
common applications are industrial, commercial, roadway, and
security lighting.
Metal halide lamps were developed from mercury vapor lamp technology; they are now an excellent match of color, efficacy, and lamp
life. CRIs of 70 and 90 are common at CCTs of 2,500 to 5,000 K.
Metal halide lamps are appropriate for high-ceiling spaces where
lamps are turned on and off at long intervals. Metal halide lamps
require relatively long start times. Pulse-start lamps start faster
than probe-start metal halides, with a strike time of 1 to 4 minutes
and restrike time of 2 to 8 minutes, compared to probe-start times
of 2 to 15 minutes and 5 to 20 minutes, respectively.
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LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LAMPS
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are less than 1 sq mm (0.0015 in.) in
area. They radiate very little infrared (IR) heat and are highly energy efficient. LEDs can be designed to focus light.
As replacements for incandescent and fluorescent lighting, LEDs
are termed solid-state lighting (SSL) devices and are clustered in
arrays of several semiconductors to form a single lamp. Highpower white-light LEDs are used for illumination.
LED lamps operate on direct-current voltage and are polarity sensitive; improper connection can destroy them. Otherwise, they
have an extremely long life, typically about 10 years. LEDs usually
fail by gradual dimming rather than sudden burnout. They are
insensitive to vibration and temperature and are shock resistant.
Unlike some other highly efficient lamps, LEDs contain no mercury
and emit no UV energy.
BUILDING SERVICES
Induction lamps resemble general-service incandescent A-lamps,
but operate like gas discharge lamps. Induction lamps have no
strike or restrike time, no color shift with age, and low sensitivity
to operating temperature. They do require special fixtures, are not
currently dimmable, and may have a pink hue in the first few minutes of operation. At the end of the rated 100,000 hours of life, it
may be necessary to replace the entire induction system with its
lamp, power coupler, and high-frequency generator.
Light source standards include:
•
•
•
•
Color rendering index (CRI)
Correlated color temperature (CCT)
Lamp life
Efficacy
The color rendering index (CRI) has been established to assist the
designer in selecting light sources. The CRI rating system is on a
scale from 0 to 100. Historically, the more efficient a light source
was, the lower the CRI. Halogen light sources have the highest CRI,
while low-pressure sodium sources have the lowest CRI. There has
been a movement to improve the CRI of all light sources so that
good color rendering can be achieved with efficient light sources.
MINIMUM LAMP COLOR RENDERING INDEX
7.632
CRI
2,700
Halogen
3,000
Fluorescent
2,700 to 6,500
Metal halide
3,000 to 4,000
LED
2,700 to 6,000
Daylight
5,500 to 7,500
MINIMUM CCT LEVELS
7.634
LAMP CCT, K
APPLICATIONS
<2,500
Bulk industrial and security (HPS) lighting
2,700 to 3,000
Low light levels in most spaces (<10 fc [100 lx]);
general residential lighting; hotels, fine dining and
family restaurants, theme parks
2,950 to 3,200
Display lighting for retail and galleries; feature lighting
3,500 to 4,100
General lighting in offices, schools, stores, industry,
medicine; display lighting; sports lighting
4,100 to 5,000
Special application lighting when color discrimination
is very important; not commonly used for general
lighting
5,000 to 7,500
Special application lighting when color discrimination
is critical; uncommon for general lighting
APPLICATION
<50
Noncritical industrial, storage, and security lighting
50 to 69
Industrial and general illumination when color is of minor
important
70 to 79
Most office, retail, school, medical, and other work and
recreational spaces
80 to 89
Retail, work, and residential spaces when color quality
is important
90 to 100
Retail and work spaces when color rendering is critical
INDUCTION LAMPS
Induction lighting is a rapidly emerging and revolutionary lighting
technology. It is essentially fluorescent technology without lamp
cathodes. Induction lighting provides approximately 100,000 hours
of lamp life, which is about 10 times the life of HID sources, at
about 3 times the cost. They offer good efficacy and CRIs of 80 or
better at CCTs of 3,600 to 4,000 K.
CCT, K
Incandescent
Some light sources have better color rendering properties than others.
The monochromatic spectral distribution of yellow high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting, which is generally used only outdoors, can make
it difficult to determine the color of objects in the field of view. In a
retail establishment that is illuminated with halogen track fixtures,
all of the colors seem to be vibrant due to the well balanced fullspectrum spectral distribution of this lamp type.
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are used in television, computer, and small mobile device screens. They are also used as light
sources for general space illumination, and for large-area lightemitting elements. Although currently OLEDs emit less light per
unit than LEDs, they are likely to become a valuable light source in
the near future
CCTS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMON LIGHT SOURCES
7.633
LIGHT SOURCE
STANDARDS
COLOR RENDERING INDEX
LED
7.631
The correlated color temperature (CCT) is a reference standard
that correlates to a standard color and is identified in kelvins (K).
The higher the number, the cooler is the color of light source; the
lower the number, the warmer is the color of light source.
LAMP LIFE
Different light sources reach the end of their useful life at different
times. A traditional screw-in incandescent lamp lasts only 750
hours, whereas a new LED light source can last up to 50,000 hours.
If the lamps burn 10 hours per day, the incandescent lamp will have
to be replaced every 75 days (0.2 year), and the LED light source
every 5,000 days (13.7 years). Linear fluorescent lamps generally
last 20,000 hours, whereas compact fluorescent lamps last around
12,000 hours and metal halide lamps last 12,000 to 16,000 hours,
depending on the specific lamp.
Historically, light sources were classified as “warm” or “cool” colors.
Certain light sources, such as incandescent and halogen, are only
available in a single color. However, there are a variety of light sources
for which the apparent color of the light source can be selected from
a wide range; these include fluorescent, metal halide, and LED lamps.
The selection of light sources depends mostly on the application.
Even though LEDs last a long time, they may not be appropriate
because of output or cost, although both of these considerations
are improving. Specific projects, such as exterior roadway or parking area lighting, require light sources with a long life, because the
cost of lamp replacement is extremely high. Most office lighting
COLOR RENDERING
LUMEN
MAINTENANCE
CORRELATED COLOR TEMPERATURE
LIGHT SOURCE COMPARISON
7.635
SOURCE
BALLAST/
TRANSFORMER
OPERATING
POSITION
RESTRICTIONS
EFFICACY, LM/W
LIFE, HR
OPTICAL CONTROL
START TIME TO
FULL OUTPUT
Incandescent
No
None to few
Very good
Low
750 to 1,000
Good
Good
Instant
Tungsten halogen
No
None to few
Good to very good
Low
2,000 to 3,000
Good
Very good
Instant
Fluorescent
Yes
None
Fair to very good
High to very high
18,000 to 24,000
Fair to good
Fair to good
Instant to fast
Compact fluorescent
Yes
None to few
Very good
High
10,000 to 20,000
Good
Fair to good
Fast
Neon/cold cathode
Yes
None
—
Moderate
25,000+
Good
Poor
Fast
Deluxe mercury
Yes
None
Fair
Moderate
24,000+
Fair
Poor
7 to 9 min
Metal halide
Yes
Some
Fair to good
High
10,000 to 20,000
Poor to fair
Good
5 to 10 min
High-pressure sodium
Yes
None
Poor to fair
High to very high
24,000+
Fair to good
Good
3 to 5 min
White sodium
Yes
None
Good
High
—
Good
Good
3 to 5 min
Ceramic metal halide
Yes
None to some
Good
Moderate to high
10,000 to 20,000
Fair to good
Good
5 to 7 min
Low-voltage halogen
Yes
None
Good to very good
Low
2,000 to 4,000
Very good
Very good
Instant
LED
No
None
Very good
Very good
35,000 to 30,000
Very good
Very good
Instant
Contributor:
Stephen Margulies, IES, IALD, One Lux, New York, New York.
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projects use fluorescent lighting because of its low first cost, good
color, and reasonably long lamp life. LED lamp life is very dependent on thermal conditions; the hotter the environment, the shorter
the lamp life. When considering LED lamps, be very careful in
determining the application.
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 271
LIGHTING TOOLBOX
7.636
TYPE
APPLICATION
Recessed downlight
General lighting for circulation and public spaces
Recessed wall washer
Feature lighting for vertical surfaces
Recessed accent light
Feature lighting for objects
Recessed troffer
General ambient lighting
Linear pendant indirect
General ambient lighting
Linear pendant direct/indirect
General ambient lighting
Strip light
Utility fixture used in architectural linear coves for wall
and ceiling lighting
Recessed linear wall washer
Feature lighting for vertical surfaces
Track light
Feature lighting for objects
EFFICACY
Efficacy is the measure of the efficiency of a light source. There are
other factors that have an impact on overall system efficiency,
including luminaire efficiency (how much light comes out of the
optical device) and ballast or power supply efficiency.
Overall system efficiency begins with how much light is emitted
from the lamp for a given amount of electricity. This is measured in
lumens per watt, where the lumen is the most basic unit of light
energy and watts are a measure of power.
Incandescent light sources are highly inefficient, because they provide only 15 lm/W; by contrast, fluorescent light sources produce
up to 85 lm/W. To put this into perspective, a single 65 W incandescent lamp in a 10 by 10 ft (3 by 3 m) room will produce approximately 5 fc (50 lx). Two 32 W fluorescent lamps that use the same
wattage as the 65 W incandescent lamp will produce approximately 30 fc (300 lx). For the same amount of power, the fluorescent
solution provides six times the amount of light.
Metal halide light sources produce around 80 lm/W, and halogen
light sources produce approximately 20 lm/W. Federal legislation
has been enacted that will phase out the traditional incandescent
lamp in the next few years.
LED light sources continue to improve in efficacy every few months.
Manufacturers are now claiming around 30 to 40 lm/W for good
color quality white light. LEDs are expected to achieve 150 lm/W
within the next 5 years. When LEDs reach this efficacy, they will
probably replace many older light sources for suitable applications.
TOOLBOX
Just like a carpenter has a toolbox with an assortment of tools to
perform specific tasks, the lighting designer has an assortment of
the most commonly used lighting tools in his or her toolbox. Most
lighting tools can use a variety of light sources, depending on the
application.
REFERENCE IMAGE
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LIGHT COVE—6 IN. (152 MM) WIDE, 8 IN. (203 MM)
MINIMUM CLEARANCE
7.637
Page 272
BUILDING SERVICES
MIRROR LIGHT
7.640
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
ASSISTIVE-LISTENING SYSTEMS
Stadiums, theaters, auditoriums, lecture halls, and similar fixedseating assembly areas are required to provide assistive-listening
systems if these locations have a capacity of more than 50 persons
and fixed seating or if an audio amplification system is provided.
Portable systems may be acceptable.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that signs should
be provided at each covered assembly area or ticketing areas to
indicate the availability of the assistive-listening system.
ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONES
Wheelchair-accessible telephones are required by the ADA/ABA
Accessibility Guidelines where public telephones are provided. One
wheelchair-accessible phone is required on each floor or level
where phones are provided; where more than one bank (three or
more phones) is provided on a floor or level, at least one phone at
each bank must be wheelchair accessible. At least one phone per
floor or level must allow forward approach. Federal regulations
require all new telephone equipment to be hearing-aid compatible.
Clear floor space, unobstructed by bases, enclosures, or seats, is
required for wheelchair-accessible telephones by the ADA/ABA
Accessibility Guidelines. Telephones, enclosures, and related telephone book storage cannot encroach on the required clear floor
space, and must comply with the provisions for protruding objects.
LIGHT COVE—DOUBLE SIDE SOCKET T8 STRIP
7.638
INTERIOR WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONE
REQUIREMENTS
7.641
NUMBER OF TELEPHONES
PROVIDED ON A FLOOR
OR LEVEL
1 or more single units
EXIT AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING
RECESSED LIGHT COVE
7.639
Emergency lighting is required in almost every type of nonresidential occupancy. Emergency lighting is used in the event of a power
failure to provide adequate lighting so that the occupants can safely exit the building. Emergency lighting can be accomplished with
either dedicated, “normally off” light fixtures that use integral batteries for power or “normally on” fixtures that are part of the
architectural lighting system and are powered from the building’s
emergency generator or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system for full light output. Alternatively, fluorescent fixtures can use
integral inverter battery packs that provide significantly less than
full light output. These inverter packs come in various lumen output
ratings, and care must be taken to determine the appropriate unit.
Emergency light level requirements vary throughout the country but
the most common requirement is 1 fc (10 lx) average measured at the
floor as required by NFPA 101. Local requirements must be checked.
The areas that require emergency lighting can also vary throughout
the country. Some codes only require emergency lighting in the paths
of egress, and some require emergency lighting everywhere.
Contributors:
Stephen Margulies, IES, IALD, One Lux, New York, New York.
Vali Sorell, PE, Syska Hennessy Group, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina.
William R. Arnquist, AIA, Donna Vaughan & Associates, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Larry O. Degelman, PE, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Walter T. Grondzik, PE, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF
WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE
TELEPHONES
1 per floor or level
1 bank
1 per floor or level
2 or more banks
1 per bank
WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONES
7.642
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 273
• The number of people who will be required to view the image
• The worksurface requirement, if any, for any or all of the audience
• Code requirements for ingress, egress, and accessibility
GUEST ROOMS WITH COMMUNICATIONS FEATURES
PRESENTATION ROOM LAYOUT
In guest rooms that are required to provide communications features by the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines, it is advisable to
consider ensuring compatibility with adaptive equipment used by
people with hearing impairments. To ensure communication within
the facility and on commercial lines, provide telephone jacks that
are compatible with both digital and analog signal use.
Once the users’ needs are determined, the driving parameters
behind a presentation room layout are:
AUDIOVISUAL SYSTEMS
FRONT- AND REAR-PROJECTED IMAGES AND MARKING SURFACES
7.643
Audiovisual (AV) presentation facilities include various types of
presentation and conferencing spaces where audio and video content are utilized as a part of the room’s function. The impact on the
space includes not only the AV cable pathways and electronics but
also the size, shape, layout, and finishes of the space that support
the AV functions. The size, type, and location of displayed images
must be determined so that the space supports the presentation for
the intended audience, and any seating areas must be designed for
acceptable viewing. In addition, the acoustical environment must be
considered for the aural components of the presented material.
• The image size required based on the images to be viewed and
the detail viewing needed
• The image aspect ratio required based on the users’ content
Creating an optimum AV room layout is an iterative process based
on the above parameters for both new and existing spaces.
LOCATING AV SPACES
The location of spaces that include AV functionality must be considered with respect to the aural and visual requirements of the
space and the electronics. The location of a conference room on a
southern-facing exterior glass wall of a building in the northern
hemisphere will require attention to daylight control for the video
display to be usable. Likewise, interior AV spaces with glass walls
may require visibility control for both lighting and privacy issues.
Acoustical issues must also be considered to avoid excessive background noise in the AV space. Consider locating occupied AV
spaces away from mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, machine
rooms, and other noisy spaces. Also consider heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning (HVAC) service to the space to reduce noise
from HVAC terminal devices that may be located above or inside
the room. Typically, AV presentation spaces should be designed for
a noise criterion (NC) rating of 30 to 35, which is an indicator of the
background noise level. Spaces with a videoconferencing function
should be designed for NC 25 to NC30 background noise.
TRADITIONAL BLACKBOARD PRESENTATION MODE
7.644
PRESENTATION ROOMS
There are a wide variety of spaces that may be considered presentation rooms: training rooms, lecture halls, classrooms, boardrooms, and auditoriums are common examples. These spaces typically share common AV requirements of image presentation along
with audio media playback of program material and possibly
speech reinforcement, depending on the size of the space. Within
each of these categories, there are some common requirements.
Presentation furnishings include easels, lecterns, and portable
sound systems. An audiovisual presentation system often includes
the following equipment:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Video display (video projector, flat-screen video display)
Microphones, loudspeakers, and amplifiers
Routing switcher (becoming less common)
Remote control system
A computer, for presentations or to browse the Internet
Projector hookup for a portable notebook computer
Document/object camera, for use with printed documents or
small objects (becoming less common)
• Video equipment, including monitors, digital video disc (DVD)
players, and camcorders
Typically, each of these components is provided by a different manufacturer. AV integrators combine these various components and
ensure that they are properly installed.
For viewing images, the application and type of content should be
determined. For example, legibility of displayed characters and
symbols is of critical importance for instructional material in educational and other settings. In some spaces, more detailed image
viewing may be required, such as in medical or military facilities.
This will impact the image sizing requirements.
For the audio components, the need for audio program material must be
considered in terms of numbers of channels of playback (e.g., monaural,
stereo, or surround sound), and the need for reinforcement of speech
must be determined (e.g., in a large house of worship or an auditorium).
Contributors:
Flack & Kurtz, Consulting Engineers, New York, New York.
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas, and Timothy W. Cape, CTS-D,
Technitect, LLC, Decatur, Georgia.
Jeffrey E. Bollinger and Jason Martinez, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
IMAGE SIZING
7.645
TASK
DESCRIPTION
VIEW CALCULATION
General instruction
and presentation
Video, PowerPoint, and general static images, with text using font sizes
greater than 18 points
Farthest Viewer = 6 Height
Detailed viewing tasks
General instruction and presentation
Farthest Viewer = 4 Height
Detailed images or smaller font sizes
Viewing Web pages, software training with 10- to 12-point text, computer
programming instruction, medical image viewing, and mapping
All tasks
—
VIDEOCONFERENCE PRESENTATION MODE
7.646
Closest Viewer = 1 Width
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REAR-SCREEN PROJECTION
PROJECTION ROOMS
Rear-screen projection has several advantages over front-screen
projection. It is more forgiving of incident ambient light so that
acceptable contrast of the displayed image is possible, even with
some light spilling onto the screen. Front-projection screens, on
the other hand, reflect all incident light back to the audience, which
directly reduces the contrast ratio of the displayed image.
Rear projection involves the use of a translucent projection surface
(usually mounted in a wall frame) with a room dedicated to the
video projector(s), sometimes also housing racks of other AV
equipment. In this case, appropriate space must be allocated for
the video projector, its mount, and any other electronics that may
be located in the space. A rear-projection room should always be
provided with flat black wall, floor, and ceiling finishes.
Rear-screen systems require a projection booth behind the screen,
which takes up valuable floor space, but if space allows, it is often
a preferable approach. With the use of one or more mirror bounces
between the projector and the screen, the depth of the booth can
be reduced to a much shallower space than would be required
without the folding of the light path by the use of mirrors.
AV SUPPORT SPACES
For a complete AV system, audio and video components mounted in
the space with the user include equipment such as video displays,
loudspeakers, microphones, cameras, connector plates, and control
user interfaces. In addition, other devices will often be located outside the main user space. These may include AV control rooms,
equipment rooms, and rear-projection rooms.
AV CONTROL ROOMS
Separate projection booths, whether for rear-screen or forwardscreen projection, generally require more space than if the projector is located in the room itself. An enclosed projection booth provides a quieter environment, because the projector and other
equipment that has cooling fans are enclosed separately. It also
offers some advantage for equipment security, because the equipment is not exposed within the room and does not move around on
carts within the building. The booth may, however, require an operator within the room, as well as a means of communication
between the operator and the presenter.
LARGE-SCREEN DISPLAYS
For large-screen display of video images, current technologies
include:
For users and systems that require hands-on control or user support, there may be an AV control room that houses both AV technical personnel and AV equipment racks and other equipment. An AV
control room may also serve as a projection room for front-projection systems, especially in larger spaces such as auditoriums.
• Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
• Digital Light Processor, a proprietary digital micromirror display
• Digital image light amplifier (DILA)
AV EQUIPMENT ROOMS
Flat-panel displays are increasing in size as manufacturing methods improve. As of this writing, the largest LCD flat panel is about
108 in. (2,693 mm) diagonal. When displaying 45 lines of text, this
size image is legible to a viewing distance of about 30 ft (9.1 m)
under ideal conditions. For longer viewing distances, projection is
generally required to deliver good legibility. However, if a limited
ceiling height does not allow for a large enough image size for the
most distant viewer, then the system solution can include several
small displays arrayed farther back in the audience area, either
ceiling mounted or wall mounted, giving a shorter distance
between any given viewer and the nearest display. This approach
has the disadvantage of causing the audience to shift their focus of
attention between a presenter in the front of the room and a display that is likely to be off to the side.
AV systems serving a particular space may have their supporting
equipment located inside the room in a lectern, credenza, or inroom electronics rack. In other cases, the supporting equipment
(audio/video routers, codecs, control system processors, audio
mixers, amplifiers, etc.) may be located in an AV equipment room.
AV EQUIPMENT RACK MOUNTING
7.647
Other technologies for ultra-large images include laser projection
and the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Digital echo cancellers are used with the microphones and loudspeaker system to help provide an echo-free sound quality. In distance-learning applications, a camera that can automatically track
the movements of the instructor is often employed.
Contributors:
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas, and Timothy W. Cape, CTS-D,
Technitect, LLC, Decatur, Georgia.
Harry Spielberg, Cosentini Associates, New York, New York.
Jane Clark, AIA, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle, Washington.
Jim Johnson, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Jeffrey E. Bollinger and Jason Martinez, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
ACCEPTABLE VERTICAL VIEWING AXES
7.648
VIEWING AREA
CRITERION
Horizontal optimum
Within 45° off either side of the image
centerline
Horizontal acceptable
Within 45° off either side of the image
edge in plan
Vertical from eye level
Maximum 15° up to center of image
Maximum 30° up to top of image
SIGHT LINES
The vertical viewing angle is the angle from the viewer’s eyes to
the top of the image. For the optimum sight line, it should not
exceed 30° to 35° above the horizontal.
Vertical sight line studies provide information about how the image
area relates to both the seating area and the projectors in projected-image configurations. The typical concerns are that the screen
should not be too high above any viewer, and that video projectors
are not too far above or below the screen, which could require optical or electronic corrections for the image to display properly.
Another concern is simply the avoidance of obstacles between either
the audience and the display or a projector and the screen.
Many video projectors are available with optional lenses that allow
placement toward the front or at the center or rear of the room.
The majority of video projectors are designed to be elevated so
that the lens is approximately aligned with the top or bottom of the
image. For rear projection, the lenses are often designed to allow
the projector to be on the axis of the screen center.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 275
SIGHT LINES WITH FLAT FLOOR
7.649
SIGHT LINES WITH STEPPED FLOOR
7.650
SIGHT LINES FOR TWO-ROW OVERVIEW
7.651
HUMAN FACTORS AND AUDIOVISUAL
DESIGN
The design of an audiovisual facility within a finished interior space
presents a specific set of multidisciplinary challenges that must be
considered to ensure a successful system solution. Most AV systems have elements that affect the following trades and disciplines:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Architecture and interior design
Electrical
Information technologies
Telephony
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
Low-voltage cabling
Lighting
Acoustics
Structural
Ergonomics
In order to address the issues relating to the integration of audiovisual hardware into the architectural space, the starting point for
any AV system should be in the domain of ergonomics and human
factors, addressing the means and methods and dimensions to be
used to deliver visual and audible information to people gathered
in a room, whatever the dimension. Fundamental rules apply
whether it is a small meeting room or a large auditorium. The
design should initially be considered from the standpoint of an
audience member who is receiving visual and audible information
from a live presenter or through a display and sound system.
The two primary design goals are intelligibility and legibility.
Intelligibility defines the degree to which an audience member can
NOTE
7.651 Minimum sight lines should be based on a two-row overview. This
assumes that viewers can see between the heads of the people seated
in the row directly in front of them.
Contributors:
Jeffrey E. Bollinger and Jason Martinez, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Del Shuford, AIA, Gensler, Dallas, Texas, and Timothy W. Cape, CTS-D,
Technitect, LLC, Decatur, Georgia..
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clearly understand the spoken word of a presenter or recorded
material, as measured by the articulation loss of consonants.
Legibility relates to how well each audience member can comfortably read displayed words, numbers, and graphic elements. The
design parameters are first considered from the most distant viewer position, which is the worst seat in the house. If the person in the
farthest seat can see and hear clearly, then all closer seats will naturally be within acceptable margins.
AUDIO INTELLIGIBILITY
Equally important in AV design to having clear line of sight and legibility for the displays is the intelligibility of the spoken word. The
sound system should be designed and located to deliver crisp,
clear audio, free from any howling feedback or artifacts that
degrade the ability to understand. The target for the sound system
is to deliver audio at 10 to 20 dB above the ambient background
noise. This is achieved by using the proper types and directionality
of speakers based on architectural surfaces, room shape, and
seating areas.
Many architectural factors affect the clarity of the sound system,
including:
• Cubic footage of space, which affects how long the reverberation or echo is from walls, floor, and ceiling
• Surface finishes, which provide a degree of sound absorption
that reduces reverberation
• Dimensions of the ceiling, which affect the distance between a
microphone and speakers, thus having an impact on the amount
of loudness that can be achieved before howling feedback occurs
• Curved walls, which focus sound into hot spots and dead spots
• In large spaces, the width-to-length ratio of the room should not be
a perfect multiple or harmonic, which may cause standing waves
bouncing between surfaces; these negatively affect intelligibility
• Noise caused by HVAC fans and ducts, which adds to the background noise
Typically, the room criterion (RC) defines the amount of background
noise that is acceptable for different types of spaces that include
AV systems. It is essential to submit the target RC levels to the
HVAC engineers early in the design process to ensure that the system delivers the required noise levels. The lower the target number, the more costly are the methods used to achieve the goal.
NOTE
7.652 Speaker layout and density are based on ceiling height and
required coverage; lower density may be acceptable for less critical
applications.
Contributor:
Flack & Kurtz, Consulting Engineers, New York, New York.
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SPEAKERS AND MICROPHONES
VIDEO SYSTEMS
Speaker placement is very important for the proper operation of a
videoconference space. Program loudspeakers are often placed to
the left and right of the video displays to provide high-quality sound
reproduction, similar to that of a home stereo system. Speakers
recessed in the ceiling are most often used to reproduce sound
such as voices from the remote conference site. Their placement
and operation require careful setup and adjustment of a digital
audio processor, including echo canceling, level control, and equalization.
The major components of a video system are:
Microphones are placed at strategic locations in the videoconference space, preferably:
• On tables, for primary participant involvement
• On a stand, for secondary participant involvement
• Wireless, for a presenter or moderator
SPEAKER LAYOUT AND DENSITY
7.652
•
•
•
•
•
•
Camera, lens, and mount
Lighting system
Transmission system
Synchronization system
Video switching equipment
Video recorder, video monitor, and video controller
Digital video systems consist of Internet Protocol (IP) addressable
cameras, digital video recorders, network video management systems, monitors, and network video management software. Digital
video systems are network capable, and video can be transmitted
across local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) to
a centralized location and multiple network workstations.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 277
CEILING-MOUNTED PROJECTOR AND SCREEN
7.653
VIDEO TELECONFERENCE COMPONENTS
7.654
NOTE
7.653 Distance of the projector from the wall is variable based on
screen size and projector/lens selection
7.654 Keep camera as close as possible to eye height.
VIDEOCONFERENCE ROOM
7.655
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PROJECTION SCREENS
Projection screens can be fixed, motorized, or manual. Motorized
screens are more expensive and require some maintenance, but
they are less prone to jamming than manual screens. Screens are
available that have tensioning cables along the sides, which keep
the screen flat, in order to avoid distortion of the image; these are
especially useful for larger roll-downs or for critical imagery. The
location of projection screens should be coordinated with lighting
locations to avoid light spills onto the screen.
Recommended screen shapes (aspect ratios) should be based on
width-to-height ratios of:
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• 4:3 for standard video; 16:9 for high-definition video (such as
wide-screen DVDs)
• 1:1 for slides (where both vertical and horizontal orientations
will be used)
CONFERENCE CENTER
COMMUNICATIONS
Conference center communications commonly include long-distance learning, videoconferencing, television distribution, telephone, and Internet connections. Special features are required for
• 4:3, 5:4, or 16:9 for computer images
CONFERENCE ROOM FOR AV PRESENTATIONS AND VIDEOCONFERENCES
7.656
Contributors:
Robert Martino, Shen Milsom & Wilke, Inc., New York, New York.
Polysonics, Washington, DC.
Harry Spielberg, Cosentini Associates, New York, New York.
Richard H. Penner, Conference Center Planning and Design: A Guide for
Architects, Designers, Meeting Planners, and Facility Managers,
Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991.
functions such as videoconferencing, and future needs should be
considered when designing for future technology. A control room
may be required for receiving outside signals, recording, and transmitting programs throughout the facility and to other locations.
The construction of conference center audiovisual presentation
rooms requires special consideration. Locations of the rooms, privacy, acoustics, and other concerns should be addressed.
Exterior light and noise should not interfere with presentations. If
walls are glazed, provide blackout shades to eliminate glare. Zoned
lighting should be used to allow for dimming or turning off light fixtures
near video displays and projection screens. Noise from the exterior
should be reduced to less than 35 dBA to minimize distractions.
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INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 279
TIER-STYLE CLASSROOM FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
7.657
Reverberation should be maintained at less than 0.8 seconds for
improved acoustics. A gypsum board ceiling in the front half of the
space may be a useful sound reflector, amplifying sound to the audience. Nonrectilinear room shapes, especially circular and elliptical
forms, may affect acoustics; consult with an acoustical engineer.
LECTERN—READER’S SIDE
7.659
MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE LECTERN
7.660
The HVAC RC range should be kept as low as possible for greater
speech intelligibility: 20 to 35 is a desirable range (although RC 20
is almost never a realistic goal in a conference center environment); 30 is acceptable if the project faces budget constraints.
Allow sufficient space above ceilings for ductwork to be in round or
nearly square cross sections. Flat, wide ductwork may be noisy if
the wide sections of sheet metal vibrate.
VIDEOCONFERENCE ROOM SIZES
7.658
CAPACITY
ROOM SIZE
APPLICATIONS
1 to 2
Workstation or desk
Informal meetings
Interviews
Research
Development
2 to 3
9-0 12-0
(2,745 3,660 mm)
General business meetings
Interviews
Progress meetings
3 to 5
11-0 16-0
(3,350 4,880 mm)
General business meetings
New business development
Group sales meetings
Product demonstrations
6 to 8
15-0 17-0
(4,570 5,180 mm)
General business meetings
Branch site meetings
Capabilities demonstrations
Source: lauckgroup, Dallas, Texas.
AUDIOVISUAL AND PRESENTATION
EQUIPMENT
LECTERNS AND PULPITS
A lectern is a reading desk with a slanting top on which books, documents, or other materials are placed for reading aloud. The height
and/or slant may be adjustable. It should be noted that the term
podium is often used incorrectly as synonymous with lectern. A
podium is a raised platform, whereas a lectern is a stand that
serves as a support for notes of a speaker.
More complex units may serve as microphone stands, sometimes
with integrated computer and recording systems, in academic lecture halls. Many lecterns have built-in control panels for managing
the audiovisual media, lighting, draperies, and other technological
instruments. These can be custom made, or a control panel can be
specified for the manufacturer to install in a prefabricated unit.
Some provide space for mounting equipment, such as computers,
videocassette recorders (VCRs), and DVD players. Academic
lecterns are often attached or integrated into a large desk to
accommodate supporting material.
Contributors:
Jeffrey E. Bollinger and Jason Martinez, Acentech, Inc., Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Norman Jaffe, FAIA, Bridgehampton, New York.
Gulzer Haider, Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada.
In a church, a lectern serves as a stand for the Bible for scriptural readings; it is usually placed in front of the pews, facing the congregation. Where there is also a pulpit used for sermons, the
lectern is often placed on the opposite side of the altar.
Historically, the pulpit (Protestant) has been a fixed chancel/sanctuary furnishing. However, increasing demand for multiple
uses of worship space often requires that all furnishings be movable.
Among the most important features of a pulpit is an adjustable top, to
accommodate the different heights of speakers. A drop-down step
may also be desirable. A pulpit should include a concealed reading
lamp (especially where room darkening is employed), audiovisual
controls, and a built-in clock. Although lavalier (wireless) mircrophones are used extensively, it is important to provide a concealed
microphone cable raceway and pad the pulpit top, to minimize the
noise of rustling notes, which may be amplified by sensitive microphones.
PROJECTORS
The convenience of instant display of computer images, Web
pages, DVDs, and videotapes is making the video projector the
standard equipment in most rooms, displacing overhead projectors
and slide projectors.
With ceiling-mounted or ceiling-recessed projectors, video signals
are transmitted to the projector through one or more coaxial
cables. The projector can be remotely controlled, so access to the
projector is required only for maintenance. Several manufacturers
of retractable projector mounts provide a recessed ceiling installation. These are more costly than exposed projector installations
and require access for maintenance, but offer a clean-looking ceiling when the projector is not in use. Exposed installations will
require some space below the ceiling, to permit the lens to be at
the same height as the top of the image on the screen. The distance
required for the projector to be hung below the ceiling is a function
of the height of the top of the image area of the screen relative to
the ceiling. This must be considered when determining ceiling
heights and sight lines..
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SECURITY SYSTEMS
DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Defensible space can be created not only through the provision of
a hardened perimeter of physical barriers but also through the use
of architectural transitions used to define spaces. In transitioning
from a public to a private space, the following architectural devices
can be implemented:
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•
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•
•
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security desk location should be designed to allow for simultaneous
monitoring of security equipment and surveillance of all building
access points. A fire command room is often required near the firefighters’ point of entry to the building. Location of the security desk
in close proximity to this room is also desirable.
BUILDING ACCESS FLOOR LAYOUT
7.662
STAIRWAY SECURITY
Stairs can cause significant security problems in multitenant buildings. Stairs accessible from an unsecured space (for instance, the
exterior) may act as a shelter for the homeless or as a hiding place
for criminals, or may provide an unprotected means of access
between floors and an avenue for removing property from the
building. To mitigate these problems, stair access should be carefully controlled and monitored.
Access to the stairs should be controlled at the exit level. Stair
doors to the exterior may be established as exit-only or outfitted
with delayed-egress devices to discourage use. Stairs below and
above the exit level should not directly connect if the lower levels
are not secure. Stairs used for access to service spaces should be
separate from fire stairs, where possible.
Setbacks surrounding the perimeter
Flooring material change
Floor height increase
Ceiling height decrease
Narrowing a passage
The arrangement of furnishings within a space can promote a
sense of defensible space on the interior in the same manner that
landscaping can on the exterior. Walls surrounding secured spaces
should be installed deck to deck. Mechanical shafts or chases may
provide an unprotected means of access between floors.
Cameras and motion sensors may also be desirable for monitoring
activity in the stairs. They should be positioned to enable security
personnel to, first, identify perpetrators, and, second, give them
sufficient time to reach the exit before the intruders can escape.
SURVEILLANCE STRATEGIES
TERRITORIALITY
NATURAL SURVEILLANCE
Where humans have a sense of ownership in the property they occupy, and outwardly express this instinct through care and defense of
that property, less crime is perpetrated against them. Good maintenance and upkeep are the hallmarks of a well-cared-for property.
Where this is lacking, crime and vandalism are likely to follow.
Natural surveillance is affected by the layout of walls, windows,
and furnishings, as well as the amount of light.
To increase surveillance opportunities, design open space plans
with clear lines of sight. Provide windows for viewing outside the
perimeter, particularly at access points. Determine and eliminate
hiding places.
This can be a challenge to the design professional in a program
that also calls for openness and a great deal of public or community space. The design professional can promote the territorial
instinct by creating a sense of the unique for a place’s occupants,
selecting materials that are resistant to wear and vandalism, and
erecting signage to indicate that the area is protected and that
access is allowed for authorized users only.
Adequate lighting is critical. The lighting levels for certain periods
of operation are often overlooked. Emergency lighting should be
used to maintain appropriate minimum levels. Areas under closedcircuit television (CCTV) surveillance should be sufficiently illuminated at all times.
LOBBY SECURITY
MINIMUM INTERIOR LIGHTING LEVEL
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFETY
7.663
In general, building lobbies represent semipublic spaces. Visitors
and deliveries are received here, and in some high-rise facilities,
the lobby level is occupied by retail establishments. Security in the
main lobby serves to control access to the upper floors and
restricted areas of the building.
A 24-hour security desk within the lobby provides an excellent
means for security monitoring and response. In smaller buildings,
this may serve as the primary monitoring location. The lobby and
SECURE LOBBY LAYOUTS
7.661
SPACES
FOOTCANDLES
General
0.5
LUX
5
Elevation change (e.g., loading dock)
1.0
10
Entrances and stairs
2.0
20
Hazardous areas (e.g., machine room)
5.0
50
ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
Electronic surveillance systems allow monitoring of spaces in and
around a building. The system is composed of field devices used to
collect, distribute, monitor, and record signals.
Cameras and microphones are used to collect images and produce
a video/audio output signal. This signal is then distributed to monitoring and recording equipment, usually through a video management device.
Monitors or closed-circuit television (CCTV) are used for real-time
viewing and playback of recorded video. They come in a variety of
technologies, configurations, mounting options, and resolutions.
PERIPHERAL DEVICES
Peripheral devices include cameras, thermal imaging cameras, and
digital video recorders (DVRs).
Cameras are classified as either fixed or movable.
Source: Protection of Assets Manual, POA Publishing, Los Angeles,
California, 1999.
• Fixed cameras provide a fixed field of view (FOV).
• Movable cameras allow the view to be modified by panning the
camera left and right, tilting it up and down, and zooming in and
out with the lens.
Thermal imaging cameras are devices that sense waves of thermal
energy (infrared radiation) and convert them into a viewable image
of black-and-white shades. Hottest objects will be viewed as white,
coolest as black. Thermal imaging cameras do not require illuminators to operate and are less affected by weather and darkness
than other cameras.
Contributor:
Jeff Schroeder, Kroll Security Services Group, Bastrop, Texas.
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ELECTRONIC STRATEGIES
Electronic security strategies include providing equipment that can
reduce staffing needs or operational costs, creating a database of
activity that includes access and alarm events and video records,
and providing a means to centrally monitor and administer the system equipment.
Electronic security systems are divided into three types: field
devices, multiplexing and processing equipment, and administration
and monitoring equipment.
FIELD DEVICES
Field devices consist of switches, sensors, card readers, locks,
cameras, and communications devices.
SECURITY EQUIPMENT CLOSET—LARGE
7.664
The smallest console rooms are about 80 sq ft (7.4 sq m). The average console room and adjacent equipment room is several hundred
square feet. Larger facilities will have a control room approaching
1,000 sq ft (93 sq m) and perhaps a security suite of several thousand square feet.
SECURITY DESK DESIGN
There are three common options for security desk design: standard equipment racks, a custom desk, or a hybrid (custom surfaces
built around standard modules). Standard equipment is recommended for the typical console; custom and hybrid designs can be
expensive and should be reserved for special high-end applications.
Whether the operator will stand or sit will determine the overall
dimensions of the console. In lobbies, the operator should be able
to view the lobby area over the console. It is also preferable that
the operator be at or above eye level with the public when interaction is expected. A dais may be used to raise the console, or if the
operator will sit, an adjustable chair can be used. These factors
generally require that the portion of the console above the counter be less than 18 in. (457 mm) high.
SECURITY CONTROL ROOM DESIGN
Designing the security control room requires review of all aspects
of architectural design. The number of individuals and quantity of
equipment that the room will be required to house will govern its
overall size. Most control rooms are designed for one or two operators. Provisions for the following equipment should be considered:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Security monitor, keyboard, and printer
Card enrollment workstation with card supply
Key control cabinet
Door controls
CCTV monitors, control keyboard, switchers, multiplexers, and
recorder
Video review workstation
Security and elevator intercoms
Radio base station
Telephones
Auxiliary system monitoring and control equipment for fire
alarm, elevator, HVAC, lighting, and so on
Files and binders for security policies and procedures, guard
post orders, shift schedules, event logs, system and equipment
operating manuals
Lost and found
First-aid equipment
Traffic cones and temporary barriers
SMALL SECURITY DESK LAYOUTS
7.665
ADMINISTRATION AND MONITORING
EQUIPMENT
The aggregate size of security systems administration and monitoring equipment varies greatly from the partial floor tenant to the
large multiuse facility. In the smallest of facilities, the equipment
should be placed in a secured location that is readily accessible to
its administrator on a daily basis. Common locations are within the
local area network (LAN) room or facility administrator’s office.
Where a regular security presence justifies a dedicated room, it
should be located on the primary access level, near the core or
main access point of the facility.
Contributor:
Jeff Schroeder, Kroll Security Services Group, Bastrop, Texas.
MODERATE-SIZE SECURITY DESK LAYOUTS
7.666
INTE R I O R CO N ST RU CT I O N 281
A wide variety of standard console profiles are available. Different
profiles can be combined into one console. Console manufacturers
provide 30º and 45º wedges to fill the gaps in nonlinear console plans.
SECURITY DOORS AND FRAMES
Security doors provide protection from forced entry and penetration that cannot be achieved with standard wood or hollow metal
doors in standard steel frames. As with any security construction,
the expected level of threat must be defined before the door opening is designed and specified. This may range from simple forced
opening to high explosives.
SECURITY THREATS
There are three general types of security threats: forced entry,
penetration with tools or firearms, and destruction with explosives
or other types of blasts.
Low-security construction may range from heavy-gauge hollow
metal doors with steel frames securely anchored in hardened partitions to sophisticated assemblies supplied by a manufacturer
specializing in security doors.
SECURITY GLAZING
Security glazing is composed of multiple layers of glass and/or
polycarbonate plastic laminated together. Depending on the degree
of security protection required, thickness can range from 3/8 in.
(10 mm) to approximately 2-1/2 in. (64 mm). Security glazing is
subject to size limitations.
LAYOUT
To maximize resistance to forced entry, security doors must swing
outward (toward the attack side).
Walls must be constructed to meet the same level of resistance as
the windows and doors installed in them. The doors must be
anchored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to
attain the standard of resistance.
CERTIFICATION AND GUIDE
SPECIFICATIONS
Security doors should be certified as bullet resistant by an independent testing laboratory.
The Hollow Metal Manufacturers Association (HMMA), a division of
the National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers
(NAAMM), issues guide specifications for security doors and frames:
• HMMA 860 : For use in building projects where traffic is relatively light and hard usage is not anticipated
• HMMA 861 : For use in commercial and industrial applications
where rigorous use is anticipated, such as schools, hospitals,
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industrial buildings, office buildings, hotels, nursing homes, airports, and convention centers
• HMMA 862 : For use in applications where security is paramount
due to a high susceptibility to vandalism, break-in, and theft, such
as entrances and back doors of businesses, storerooms, warehouses, strip mall stores, apartments, and condominiums. HMMA
862 incorporates testing procedures and performance requirements promulgated by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for
Class IV doors (ASTM F 476), including jamb/wall stiffness test,
jamb/wall stiffness performance, door impact test, and door and
glazing panel impact-resistance performance.
• HMMA 863 : For applications in jails, prisons, detention centers,
and secured areas in hospitals or courthouses. HMMA 863
requires five tests: static load test, rack test, impact load test,
removable glazing stop test, and bullet resistance test.
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TYPICAL SECURITY DOOR HARDWARE AND
ACCESSORIES
7.668
WINDOW SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONS
7.669
CLASS
DESCRIPTION
Class I
Regular glazing in commercial sash with double locks; can be
wood frame
Class II
Heavy-duty sash with laminated glass or polycarbonate
glazing; if wood, sash must be reinforced or heavy; double
locks required
Class III
Heavy-duty sash with laminated glass over 1/4 (6 mm) thick
or polycarbonate glazing 1/4 (6 mm) thick. Lock should
include at least two heavy-duty dead lock bolts.
Class IV
Very heavy fixed frames with laminated glass over 1/4
(6 mm) thick. Security screen, bars, or shutters with special
locking device
SLIDING DOOR UNITS
Sliding glass doors are a particular concern in securing a building.
The locking devices should include vertical rod or lever bolts at top
and bottom; the frame should be solid or reinforced at the locking
points; the stile must also be reinforced at the locking points. The
operating panels should be designed so that they cannot be lifted
out of their tracks when in the locked position. Glazing and other
components should be installed from the inside so that entry cannot be gained by disassembly.
GLAZING DESIGN ELEMENTS
Multiple glazing systems provide a greater hazard to entry/exit
through broken-out windows. Reflective glazing impedes outside
daytime surveillance.
VAULTS
CONCRETE MODULAR VAULT SYSTEMS
Precast concrete modular vault panels are considerably lighter and
thinner than site-poured walls, and provide almost unlimited flexibility when sizing or locating a vault. Modular vaults can be expanded
or relocated as required, reusing existing components. Vault panels
are typically fabricated from a high-density composite concrete mix
with interlacing steel fibers and a welded grid of reinforcement bars.
Although manufacturers provide standard vault sizes and configurations, a modular vault design can be custom fabricated.
SLIDING GLASS DOOR
7.667
SECURITY DOOR HARDWARE
The appropriate door hardware is essential for effective access
control because problems frequently occur when inappropriate
hardware is provided. Many lock options are available, some of
which may require a specialized preparation of the door or frame;
however, not all electronic hardware options are available for each
door. Door hardware must first meet life safety codes for egress.
FAIL-SAFE AND FAIL-SECURE HARDWARE
Fail-safe door hardware is required on doors that are controlled in
the direction of egress. Fail-safe door hardware unlocks on loss of
power, whereas fail-secure door hardware remains locked on loss
of power. Fail-secure door hardware should be used where failsafe door hardware is not required. Electric latch retraction,
required on automatic doors, is not recommended. Fire-rated
doors require fire-rated hardware.
POSITION SWITCHES
The most common type of position switch is the concealed magnetic switch. Switches should be concealed whenever possible.
LOCKSETS
All locksets should incorporate a dead latch pin or similar device to
prevent loiding (forcing, of the door latch). Certain installations,
electrified strikes in particular, may warrant the application of an
astragal over the strike plate to prevent latch tampering.
Contributor:
Jeff Schroeder, Kroll Security Services Group, Bastrop, Texas.
LOCK OPTIONS
Clear spans of up to 19 ft (5.8 m) without the use of support beams
can be achieved by most modular vault systems, simplifying aboveground installations.
Common security door lock options include cylindrical electric,
shear, and delayed-egress locks.
SPECIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS
• Cylindrical electric: These are less costly than mortise locksets,
but not as secure as mortise locksets.
• Shear: This is a type of magnetic lock concealed within a door
header. It requires precise installation and more frequent
adjustment than other lock types.
• Delayed egress: Available in either a panic or electromagnetic
variety, a delayed egress lock provides up to a 30-second delay
before opening. They are not allowed in all jurisdictions.
DOOR HINGES
Out-swinging doors are more susceptible to tampering than inswinging doors. Nevertheless, out-swinging doors are required at
many exterior locations, where protection of the hinges and latches must be considered. Exterior hinges should not have hinge pins
that are easy to remove. Where possible, use concealed hinges or
fix the hinge pins by welding or other means.
WINDOW SECURITY
A higher grade of window is required for windows hidden from
public view and accessible from the ground or horizontally. This
includes residential windows accessible within 12 ft (3.7 m) vertically or 6 ft (1.8) horizontally, and commercial windows accessible
within 18 ft (5.5 m) vertically or 10 ft (3 m) horizontally.
The use of shades and window coverings may deter intruders,
depending on the ease of removal of these devices or the noise
from breakage. The use of lockable shutters or roll-down blinds is
very effective.
BANK SECURITY
Each financial institution sets the standards and defines the
requirements for security, equipment, and design, depending on the
location and nature of the facility. The designer must coordinate
equipment installation with the design of the space. The contract
documents should indicate the electrical devices that will be provided by the general contractor (such as open conduits to run wiring
for CCTV and burglary wires) and power for those devices, as well
as space and millwork for equipment. These items must be coordinated with the financial institution’s security equipment vendor.
ROBBERY ALARM SYSTEMS
Robbery alarm systems are commonly provided for banking offices
at which the police can ordinarily arrive within five minutes after an
alarm has been activated. Other financial institutions should be provided with appropriate devices for promptly notifying the police that
a robbery has occurred or is in progress. These systems are typically activated by initiating devices located at each teller’s station
or window and are safeguarded against accidental transmission.
BURGLARY ALARM SYSTEMS
Burglary alarm systems should be capable of promptly detecting an
attack on the outer door, walls, floor, or ceiling of each vault and
each safe not stored in a vault. Motion detectors are typically provided. The alarm system should signal the police, through an intermediary, indicating that a crime against the banking office has
occurred or is in progress. Where police cannot arrive within five
minutes, a loud bell that is audible inside and 500 ft (152 m) outside should be provided.
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FURNISHINGS
8
EQUIPMENT
The equipment included here applies across various interior applications. Refer to Chapter 9 interior Project Types for project-specific
equipment.
TOILET AND BATH EQUIPMENT
COMMERCIAL TOILET ROOM
ACCESSORIES
Manufacturers supply commercial toilet room accessories for
varying grades, depending on their intended use. Consult manufacturers for overall and rough-in dimensions of specific models.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design requirements affecting
toilet room accessories include:
• Limits on objects along circulation paths protruding over 4 in.
(102 mm) from the wall may affect selection and placement of
equipment.
• Access to controls and dispensed products should be between
15 and 48 in. (381 and 1,219 mm) above the finish floor for use
by people in wheelchairs.
• Hinged cover panels should not require more than 5 lb of force
(22.2 N) to open.
PAPER TOWEL DISPENSERS AND WASTE
RECEPTACLES
Paper towels may be dispensed as C-fold or multifold sheets or in
rolls. Some models are designed to be convertible from sheets to
rolls. Dispensers are available recessed, semirecessed, or surface
mounted, and may be combined with waste receptacles. Dispensers
are available in stainless steel and plastic.
Waste receptacles for toilet rooms can be wall mounted or stand
on the floor. Floor models are available with removable tops.
Receptacles are designed to hold from 1 to 33 gal (3.8 to 125 L).
Countertop-mounted circular waste chutes are designed to be
used with undercounter waste receptacles. Accessibility guidelines
require clearances under countertops; check applicable codes.
USES
CHARACTERISTICS
Prestige
Corporate headquarters
Class A office spaces
Important university and
public building spaces
Low to moderate traffic
Minimal use and abuse
High-quality materials and
equipment
Standard
Commercial offices
Healthcare facilities
Hospitality
Manufacturing plants
Moderate to heavy traffic
Some heavy use and abuse
Durability and budget
concerns
Heavy traffic
K–12 schools
Retail malls
Recreation projects
Transportation facilities
Extreme traffic flow periods
Vandalism
Very large capacity
Durability issues
HAND DRYERS
8.2
Source: Sloan Valve Company.
Contributor:
Charles A. Szoradi, AIA, Washington, DC.
Installation recommendations for hand dryers include:
• The mounting surface should be smooth and flat.
• Mount 24 in. (610 mm) minimum from basins; 20 in. (508 mm)
minimum from corners.
• Mount multiple hand dryers 20 in. (508 mm) minimum on center.
• Avoid installing hand dryers in narrow hallways and behind
swinging doors.
• The recommended mounting height for men is 40 in. (1,016 mm);
for women, 28 in. (711 mm); and for children, 30 in. (762 mm).
• The recommended accessible mounting height is 32 in. (813 mm).
TOILET TISSUE DISPENSERS
Toilet tissue dispensers are available recessed or surface mounted. Some models are designed to store extra rolls; others accommodate jumbo-sized rolls. Toilet tissue dispensers are designed
with shelves, and with sanitary product vendors and disposal units.
TOILET ROOM ACCESSORY QUALITY LEVELS
8.1
BUILDING
CLASS
HAND DRYERS
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Section 604.7 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
requires the toilet tissue dispenser to be located between 7 and 9
in. (178 and 229 mm) in front of the water closet, measured to the
centerline of the dispenser. The paper outlet must be between 15
and 48 in. (381 and 1,219 mm) above the finish floor. The 2010 ADA
standards may not allow large-roll dispensers, as they must be
mounted either 12 in. (305 mm) above or 1-1/2 in. (38 mm) below
the side grab bar and may not fit.
TOILET TISSUE DISPENSERS—RECESSED
8.3
EQUIPMENT
PRODUCT DISPENSERS AND DISPOSAL UNITS
BABY-CHANGING TABLES
Sanitary napkin and tampon vendor units are designed for exact
change or to give change; some models are convertible for various
coin amounts. Models can be fully recessed or semirecessed. For
accessible spaces, coin mechanism pull knobs should be operable
with one hand and no more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) of force without twisting motions. They are made in plastic and stainless steel.
Baby-changing tables are a great convenience to both male and
female parents, and are often included in public toilet rooms, especially in unisex toilet rooms, which typically have more room for
strollers. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require that
baby-changing tables and other equipment do not obstruct the minimum space needed to maneuver a wheelchair into position at a
water closet. Adding a baby-changing table will require exceeding
the minimum space requirements for an accessible toilet space.
Where provided, such convenience fixtures as baby-changing
tables must be accessible to people with disabilities as well as to
other users.
Toilet seat cover dispensers are available both surface mounted
and recessed.
Facial tissue dispensers are also made to be surface mounted or
recessed. They are designed to hold either 100 or 300 tissues.
Soap dispensers are manufactured in a large variety of designs.
The soap supply may be surface mounted, recessed into a wall, or
under a countertop. Soap dispensers are available in vandal-resistant and accessible models, in stainless steel or plastic.
BABY-CHANGING TABLE
8.5
Accessible soap dispensers over lavatories or countertops should
be mounted no more than 42 in. (1,067 mm) above the finish floor.
Push-buttons may be mounted up to 48 in. (1,219 mm) high,
depending on the depth of any obstruction to wheelchair use.
RECESSED SANITARY DISPOSAL UNIT
8.4
BATH AND SHOWER ACCESSORIES
Bath and shower accessories made for commercial and institutional applications include:
MIRRORS
Commercial toilet room mirrors are available with welded or channel stainless steel frames. Unframed and minimally framed mirrors
are also available. Available sizes range from 16 by 24 in. (406 by
610 mm) to 36 by 72 in. (914 by 1,829 mm). In addition to standard
mirrored surfaces, polished stainless steel, tempered glass, and
laminated glass surfaces are available.
Tilting mirrors that extend 4 in. (102 mm) from the wall at the top
and 1 in. (25 mm) at the bottom are available in widths of 16, 18,
and 24 in. (406, 457, and 610 mm) and heights of 30 and 36 in. (762
and 914 mm).
A full-length mirror can accommodate most people, including children and individuals using wheelchairs.
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design recommend that the top
edge of mirrors should be 74 in. (1,880 mm) minimum from the
floor to accommodate both ambulatory people and those who use
wheelchairs. The Standards require mirrors above lavatories or
countertops to be installed with the bottom edge of the reflecting
surface 40 in. (1,016 mm) maximum above the finish floor. Those
not above lavatories or countertops are to be installed with the
bottom edge 35 in. (889 mm) above the floor.
• Medicine cabinets: Specified with either left- or right-hand door
swings. Available surface mounted or recessed.
• Shower curtain rods: Heavy-duty rods are available, as are curtains and hooks.
• Soap dishes: Recessed and surface-mounted soap dishes,
including heavy-duty and vandal-resistant ones, are available.
• Toothbrush and tumbler holders are available.
• Folding seats for showers and dressing are available in phenolic resin, solid surfacing, and wood, with stainless steel, polished chrome, or other metal hardware finishes.
• Hooks: Robe, clothes, utility, hat, and coat styles. Hook strips with
three to four hooks and vandal-resistant hooks are also sold.
Recommended mounting height is 38 to 44 in. (965 to 1,118 mm).
• Stainless steel shelves: Available up to 28 ft (8.5 m) long; delivered and installed in multiple sections.
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VENDING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT AND CLEARANCE DIMENSIONS
8.6
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EQUIPMENT
CRUTCHES
8.10
VENDING MACHINE ROOM
8.7
WHEELCHAIRS AND SCOOTERS
Manual wheelchairs are hand propelled using rims mounted on
large front or rear drive wheels. Armrests are usually cut away to
allow closer access to tables and counters. Specialized wheelchairs are available for daily activities such as bathing and for athletic competitions such as basketball and tennis.
PERSONAL CARE EQUIPMENT
MOBILITY EQUIPMENT
CANES
Canes provide support by shifting some body weight to the user’s
arm and shoulder and by helping the user to maintain balance.
Long canes assist persons who are blind or visually impaired to
detect obstructions in their path of travel. Long canes are typically
36 to 48 in. (914 to 1,219 mm) long; they may fold, telescope, or be
rigid. Long canes may be used in either the touch technique, in
which the cane is moved side to side, touching the floor surface 6
to 8 in. (152 to 203 mm) outside each shoulder, or the diagonal
technique, in which the angled cane is held stationary with the tip
just above the ground surface.
LONG CANE
8.8
Contributor:
Charles Szoradi, AIA, Washington, DC.
WALKERS AND CRUTCHES
Walkers can provide some support for users, but primarily they are
used to help maintain balance. Folding walkers are generally made of
lightweight aluminum tubing and collapse to a width of approximately 4 in. (102 mm). Basket, or rolling, walkers are 27 to 28 in. (686 to
711 mm) wide and have three or four wheels and hand brakes.
Crutches reduce body weight stress on lower extremities by transferring force to either the user’s shoulders or forearms. Axillary
crutches have an underarm support to transmit forces to the user’s
shoulders. Nonaxillary crutches have handgrips and a forearm or
upper-arm cuff to distribute weight to the user’s forearms.
WALKER
8.9
Motorized wheelchairs are similar in overall size to manual wheelchairs, but they are heavier and generally less maneuverable. The
frames are not collapsible, although they can be partially disassembled. Users may need assistance transferring out of their
wheelchairs onto a seat, bed, or toilet fixture.
Motorized wheelchairs are usually controlled by a joystick, mounted on the chair arm. The joystick restricts access to tables, desks,
and other surfaces. Some motorized wheelchairs are operated by
sip-and-puff controls.
Individuals with impaired mobility or with stamina insufficient to
travel relatively long distances may use electric scooters. Some
compact scooters can turn and maneuver within parameters similar to those of wheelchairs. The scooter seat may swivel to facilitate its use in stationary positions, such as in front of a desk. Seat
heights are typically adjustable to suit the rider but arms may not
clear tabletops.
Bariatric wheelchairs are designed for very heavy people. They
have extra-wide seats and heavy-duty construction. Transport
chairs, sport, lightweight, and complex, highly configured models
are available as bariatric wheelchairs. Sizes vary, so check with the
manufacturer to verify wheel-to-wheel and closed widths.
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ISLAND STYLING STATIONS
8.16
BARIATRIC WHEELCHAIRS
8.11
SEAT WIDTH
WHEEL-TO-WHEEL WIDTH
OVERALL WIDTH
20 (508 mm)
USER WEIGHT, LB (KG)
300 (136)
27-1/2 to 30 (699 to 762 mm)
28-1/2 (724 mm)
22 (559 mm)
350 to 400 (159 to 181)
29-1/2 to 30 (749 to 762 mm)
31-3/5 (803 mm)
24 (610 mm)
400 to 600 (181 to 272)
32 (813 mm)
—
26, 28, 30 (660, 711, 762 mm)
700 (318)
—
—
MANUAL WHEELCHAIR
8.12
ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
8.14
BACKWASH SHAMPOO UNIT
8.17
MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR
8.13
BARBER OR BEAUTY SHOP AND SPA
EQUIPMENT
Barber shops, beauty shops, and spas make use of a wide variety
of specialized equipment. Spa and beauty shop arrangements are
often a combination of enclosed and open multicustomer stations.
Private treatment rooms require adequate sound insulation.
BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOP EQUIPMENT
To estimate the total area for a beauty shop, including reception,
styling and drying areas, shampoo room, and restrooms, allow
approximately 200 sq ft (18.6 sq m) per stylist. Beauty shops often
incorporate manicure and pedicure stations. The accompanying figures focus on equipment layout dimensions and clearances; equipment particulars vary by manufacturer.
WALL STYLING STATIONS
8.15
Contributors:
Kim A. Beasley, AIA, and Thomas D. Davies Jr., AIA, Paralyzed Veterans
of America Architecture, Washington, DC.
Salon Equipment International Inc., Bellflower, California.
CONVENTIONAL SHAMPOO STATION
8.18
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PEDICURE STATIONS
8.19
EQUIPMENT
LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Laundry facilities are categorized as community laundry rooms,
launderettes, or on-site (on-premise) commercial facilities. In all
commercial laundry rooms, include a floor or trench drain underneath or behind the washers to handle washing machine overflow
and sized to contain one complete cycle from all of the machines.
To maximize the space efficiency, utilize stackable dryers.
ACCESSIBILITY
SPA EQUIPMENT
Spa facilities often include a range of services other than beauty
shop treatments, including massage, hydrotherapy, skin care or
facial rooms, exercise facilities, and yoga and meditation spaces.
Rooms for yoga and meditation require storage for yoga mats,
balls, and mediation cushions. A minimum of 10% of the room area
should be allocated for equipment storage.
Temperature and lighting conditions for various uses may require
flexible design and control solutions. Wet and dry treatment rooms
require a treatment table, sink, lockable storage, a counter with a
mirror, and clothing hooks. Wet treatment rooms require a floor
drain, overhead shower or treatment shower, and an infrared heat
lamp recessed into the ceiling above the treatment table.
HYDROTHERAPY OR MASSAGE ROOM
8.20
Commercial laundries must be accessible to persons with disabilities. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require 1 or 2
accessible machines, depending on the total number. If front-loading
machines are provided, the bottom of the laundry compartment must
be 15 to 24 in. (381 to 610 mm) maximum above the floor. For toploading machines, the compartment must be 36 in. (914 mm) maximum above the floor. A clear floor area 30 by 48 in. (762 by 1,219
mm) centered on the machine must be provided for a parallel
approach, and operable parts must be within reach range. The 2010
ADA Standards include an exemption that permits a maximum height
2 in. (51 mm) above the limit for high reach over an obstruction.
COMMUNITY LAUNDRY ROOMS
In community laundry rooms such as in college dormitories or
apartment complexes, washing machines are generally residential
size and operated by coin or debit card. Consider the residential
profile when determining the equipment needs:
• For families, plan one washer and dryer for every 8 to 12 units.
• Young working adults require one washer and dryer for every 10
to 15 units.
• Older working adults need one washer and dryer for every 15 to
20 units.
• Students or senior citizens require one washer and dryer for
every 25 to 40 units.
LAUNDERETTES
A launderette is a commercial self-service laundry with coin-operated
equipment. For launderettes, plan a mix of single-, double-, and
triple-load washing machines; determine the size of dryer/tumblers
by considering the neighborhood and clientele expected.
ON-PREMISE LAUNDRY FACILITIES
To plan on-premise laundry facilities for beauty salons, healthcare
facilities, health clubs, hotels, or restaurants, estimate the approximate pounds of laundry use per day. The estimates will vary by
facility type based on the types of services offered and the weights
of the uniforms, towels, and linens.
Variables for hotels include type of hotel, number of rooms, and
hotel occupancy. Estimate 8 lb (3.6 kg) per room per day for a budget motel, 10 lb (4.6 kg) per room per day for a midrange
suite/hotel, and 12 lb (5.4 kg) per room per day for a resort or luxury hotel. Consider reductions to volumes in facilities that implement water conservation programs.
DRYER/TUMBLER SIZES
8.22
CAPACITY, LB (KG)
WIDTH
DEPTH
30 to 35 (13.6 to 15.9)
28 to 31-1/2 (711 to 800 mm)
39 to 45 (991 to 1,143 mm)
50 (22.7)
34 to 39 (864 to 991 mm)
47 to 50 (1,194 to 1,270 mm)
75 (34)
39 to 51-1/2 (991 to 1,308 mm)
53 to 87-1/2 (1,346 to 2,223 mm)
100 to 125 (45 to 56.7)
46 to 48 (1,168 to 1,219 mm)
65 to 87-1/2 (1,651 to 2,223 mm)
150 to 200 (68 to 91)
53 to 55 (1,346 to 1,397 mm)
62 to 96-1/2 (1,575 to 2,451 mm)
WASHER/EXTRACTOR SIZES
8.23
CAPACITY, LB (KG)
WIDTH
DEPTH
50 to 60 (22.7 to 27.2)
30 to 38-3/4 (762 to 984 mm)
42-1/2 to 45 (1,080 to 1,143 mm)
80 (36.3)
41-1/2 to 51 (1,054 to 1,295 mm)
41 to 51-1/2 (1,041 to 1,308 mm)
100 (45)
41-1/2 to 56-1/2 (1,054 to 1,435 mm)
48-1/2 to 54-1/2 (1,232 to 1,385 mm)
125 (56.7)
47 to 52 (1,194 to 1,321 mm)
58 to 61-1/4 (1,473 to 1,556 mm)
140 (63.5)
59 to 62 (1,499 to 1,575 mm)
56 to 59 (1,422 to 1,499 mm)
LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT GUIDE FOR HOTELS, MOTELS, AND RESORTS
8.24
SKIN CARE OR FACIAL ROOM
8.21
NUMBER OF ROOMS
EQUIPMENT TYPE
25 to 50
Washer/extractor
1 at 35 lb (16 kg)
Dryer
1 at 50 lb (23 kg)
Washer/extractor
2 at 35 lb (16 kg)
Dryer
2 at 50 lb (23 kg) or 2 at 75 lb (34 kg)
Washer/extractor
2 at 35 lb (16 kg) and 1 at 50 lb (23 kg)
Dryer
3 at 50 lb (23 kg) or 2 at 75 lb (34 kg)
Washer/extractor
2 at 50 lb (23 kg)
Dryer
3 at 75 lb (34 kg)
51 to 80
81 to 120
121 to 150
NOTE
8.24 Average two doubles per room at 80% occupancy.
Contributors:
Duane Fisher, Richard Newton Associates, Washington, DC.
Maytag Corporation, Newton, Iowa.
Multi-housing Laundry Association (MLA), Raleigh, North Carolina.
EQUIPMENT QUANTITY AT SIZE
SPACE REQUIRED
12-0 12-0
(3.7 3.7 m)
12-0 13-0
(3.7 4 m)
12-0 15-0
(3.7 4.6 m)
15-0 15-0
(4.6 4.6 m)
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TYPICAL PLANS FOR LAUNDRY ROOMS
8.25
FRONT-LOADING LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT
8.26
Contributors:
Duane Fisher, Richard Newton Associates, Washington, DC.
Maytag Corporation, Newton, Iowa.
Multi-housing Laundry Association (MLA), Raleigh, North Carolina.
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TELLER AND SERVICE EQUIPMENT
Teller and service equipment includes a wide range of transaction
equipment for the handling and transfer of money and other highsecurity items, including built-in and freestanding ticket windows,
package transfer units, and automated teller machines. There is a
wide range of specialized equipment in this category beyond what
is contained here.
FABRICATED TICKET AND CASHIER WINDOW
8.27
EQUIPMENT
TRANSACTION EQUIPMENT
Tellers, cashiers, and other transaction personnel should be effectively protected by ballistics-resi
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