Mike Jefferson S.

Tingzon October 28, 2018

10-14 Sir Mick

1. Standard sizes for building in feet/inches

1.1 Floor to ceiling

With six answers already, I didn't think I'd be answering this. But here in the U.S. the
height has been 9 feet to 10 feet on the main floor for at least 15 years now and for
condos as well. 9 feet the norm.

It was a big factor for property values starting in roughly 1990 or so and definitely in full
swing by 2000. Some of the most popular older housing built before then started losing
value as people opted to buy the homes with the 9 foot ceilings. 8 foot ceilings started to
feel claustrophobic in comparison.

Builders are always trying to find something you "must have" to turn you toward new
construction vs buying resale. 9' ceilings went over big and so much so that a few tried to
beat out the 9' ceilings by doing 10' ceilings, but that trend didn't last long and we are
back to 9' ceilings.

This as to flat ceilings vs vaulted ceilings, which have been around sparingly in one room
or two rooms for decades, depending on the home style.

Important to note that ceilings are often quoted as to the unfinished space and are slightly
shorter in the finished product. An "8' ceiling" can be 7', 6" or 7,8" and commonly known
as 8' but if you measure them, they are rarely a full 8'. Same can be true for 9' ceilings,
but less so and 9'6" is fairly common.

Two story ceilings became common in entry foyers in the 90's even for a flat ceiling.
Then two story rooms at the back of the house in a "great room" and they are making a
comeback. Those ceilings run from the ground floor to the top of the 2nd floor without
break, so roughly 16 to 18 feet in height.

The preference for a house built prior to 1984 or so is to have some areas with a vaulted
ceiling on the main floor, to compensate for the overall low ceiling height. In recent years
many of my clients have been adding skylights to these vaulted ceiling areas to beef up
the value.
 1.2 Doors

Exterior doors often are the most visible parts of a house and like interior doors, are
available in standard sizes. They range in width from 2 feet to more than 3 feet, and
in height from 6 feet, 8 inches to more than 8 feet. Standard thickness is 1 3/4 inches.

Standard Exterior Doors

Most building districts adhere to the International Residential Code, which requires the main
entry door of a house to be at least 36 inches wide and 80 inches high. The IRC doesn't place
restrictions on any other exterior door, however, and lumberyards stock other sizes. The most
common widths are 28, 30 and 32 inches. Exterior doors seldom are shorter than 80 inches, but
you can find doors 7 and 8 feet in height.

Rough-Opening Sizes
When framing a door opening, you must account for the thickness of the jamb and floor
covering, and you must allow for a gap on all sides of the door for smooth operation. When using
3/4-inch jamb material, framers usually add 2 inches to the width of the door and 2 1/2 inches to
the height -- more if the floor is higher than 3/4 inch. The rough opening for a standard 36-by-
80-inch door is 38-by-82 1/2 inches.

1.3 Windows

Standard Window Sizes

Home improvement and some window retailers carry windows identified by whole numbers for
standard-sized rough openings. Though the actual window measurements are usually 1/2 inch
less, the identifier is always a whole number for the rough opening. For example, sliding
windows designed to fit into a 2-by-2-foot rough opening are identified by the number 2020, but
have actual measurements of 23 1/2 by 23 1/2 inches. Windows that fit rough openings of 44 by
44 inches are identified as "3838" windows, because they are actually 3 feet, 8 inches wide by 3
feet, 8 inches long -- not including the 1/2 inch taken off for the actual window size. The "3838"
also identifies the window schedule on the blueprints.

A Half-Inch Less
A manufacturer identifies its windows by rough opening sizes but takes off a 1/2 inch on both
window dimensions to ensure ease of installation. When you install a window, the rough opening
must be fitted with flashing materials, and then the window must be centered in the space to
ensure it functions properly. The 1/2-inch reduction in the size of the window on both
dimensions allows the installer the room to do just that. Once the window is plumb, installers add
shims to it to keep it in place while they secure the window to the rough opening. Each
manufacturer may offer different sizes, but most provide windows with standard measurements.
Sliding Windows
While you can definitely order windows made to custom sizes, when you build a home or add
new windows, you can buy them "off the shelf" if you have standard-sized rough openings,
which makes for cheap house windows, or at least cheaper house windows. For example, all
windows are first fit by the horizontal width, then their height. Standard sliding window widths
are 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 inches wide; the windows themselves are actually 36 1/2, 47 1/2, 59
1/2, 71 1/2 and 83 1/2 inches wide to allow for installation. Standard heights are 24 inches, 36
inches, 48 and 60 inches. A 6-foot-wide by 4-foot-tall window is identified as "6040."

Picture Windows
Picture windows have similar standard dimensions, but with more options from which to choose.
These windows don't open, so they can be much wider and taller. Standard widths are 2 feet, 3
feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet and 8 feet. Standard heights in whole numbers range from 2 feet tall all
the way 8 feet tall, with additional window heights of 18 inches, 52 inches, 54 inches and 62
inches. Again, rough openings are in whole numbers, with 1/2 inch taken from each rough
opening size for the actual window size. It helps to look at a single-hung window size chart.

Double-Hung Windows
Rough opening widths for double-hung windows start at 24 inches, ranging all the way up to 48
inches, with additional window widths of 28 inches, 32 inches and 40 inches. Again, the actual
window size is 1/2 inch less than its rough opening. Double hung window heights vary from 36
to 72 inches tall, including window heights of 44, 52, 54 and 62 inches with 1/2 inch taken off
each measurement for the actual window size.

1.4 Parking space

In North America, the width of angled and perpendicular parking spaces usually ranges
from 2.3 to 2.75 metres (7.5–9.0 ft). For example, normal parking spaces in the city of
Dallas, Texasare 8.5 feet (2.6 m) wide, while compact spaces are 7.5 feet (2.3 m) wide.

Because the boundary between parking space and driving area is not always well-defined,
the length of a parking space is more difficult to establish. However, most angled and
perpendicular spaces are considered to be between 3.2 and 5.5 metres (10–18 ft) in
length. Though, in the United States, a parking space 10 feet (3.0 m) deep is uncommon
and most parking spaces will be within 16 to 20 feet (4.9–6.1 m), with 19 feet (5.8 m)
feet deep being the standard DOT recommended depth for standard perpendicular
parking.

Parallel parking spaces are typically cited as being approximately 2.76 metres (9.1 ft)
wide by 6.1 metres (20 ft) long.

During construction, the specific dimensions of a parking space are decided by a variety
of factors. A high cost of land will encourage smaller dimensions and the introduction of
compact spaces.[5] Many garages and parking lots have spaces designated for a Compact
 car only. These spaces are narrower than traditional spaces, thus allowing more cars to
park.

According to French standard “Norme NF P 91-100”, minimum width of parking spaces

range from 2.20 to 2.30 metres (7.2–7.5 ft) (See fr:Marquage du stationnement en
France). Narrow parking spaces such as in Vevey, Switzerland might make opening the
door difficult in a larger vehicle.

Larger cars are an issue when the size of the parking spot is fixed. Automobile
associations warn of this issue.A Swiss Association regulating parking space wants to
consider this issue for 2016.

In the United Kingdom the recommended standard Parking bay size is 2.4 metres (7.9 ft)
wide by 4.8 metres (16 ft) long. Recently there has been some controversy about most
UK parking spaces being too small to fit modern cars, which have grown significantly
since standards were set decades ago.

1.5 Classrooms

The Standard Size of a Classroom

Size Matters

The overall size and design of a classroom, whether at the preschool, college, or in -
between level, can seriously impact the student's ability to learn. Tiny, cramped areas
provide little space for activities or for the students and teacher to move freely. They
may easily become cluttered with school materials such as books and projects, causing
students (or the teacher) to feel closed in. On the other hand, an overly large or
spacious room may allow the students to spread out too much. This can cause a
discontinuity in the learning community, making it difficult for the educator to
facilitate peer to peer interactions, lectures, and group discussions.

Students Per Space

While it would be easy, and functional, to say t hat there is one set standard size for
any classroom, this is an impossibility in the modern school system. Some smaller
private schools may have rooms with a dozen or less children, while public schools
with little funding may be overcrowded and have larg e numbers of students in each
class. When considering the standard size of a classroom, it is best to break down
necessary dimensions by student numbers. One study by the University of Georgia's
School of Design and Planning Laboratory found that there is a minimum number of
square footage per student required in elementary and secondary school classrooms.
For example, 10 elementary school students require at least 539 square feet of space,
while 15 students need 784 square feet. Although this is not a conc rete standard, a
guide such as this demonstrates how class and room size clearly tie together.

Considerations

There are a number of factors that any classroom designer must consider when
standardizing for size. The first is the type of room necessary. Diff erent classrooms
fill different educational needs such as college level lecture or seminar rooms,
preschool areas, elementary school spaces, secondary rooms, or vocational/technical
sites. Each type of room will have its own standard or expected size based on
functionality. For example, a college lecture hall will typically hold at least 100
students and should allow approximately 12 square feet per student chair or desk area.
While considering size per seat, the standard classroom for each type of set up s hould
also include appropriate space for media and technology, windows, places to write or
test, and teacher/instructor areas and furniture (e.g., chair and desk).

Size of Students

Similar to square footage of classroom space per student, the size of the student in the
actual room can significantly change the standard. A standard room for an elementary
school class may look very different than that for a secondary school. This is
primarily due to the obvious fact that a first grader and an eleventh grader differ
widely in height and weight. Imagine a group of 20 seven -year-olds and another of 20
seventeen year-olds. These two classes clearly require varying degrees of space for
movement and comfort level. According to the University of Georgia's School of
Design and Planning Laboratory, the 20 elementary school children would need 1,029
square feet of classroom area, while the same number of secondary students require
over 300 more square feet to total 1,344.

1.6 Laboratory

RESEARCH LABORATORY

OVERVIEW
Research Laboratories are workplaces for the conduct of scientific research. This WBDG
Building Type page will summarize the key architectural, engineering, operational, safety, and
sustainability considerations for the design of Research Laboratories.
The authors recognize that in the 21st century clients are pushing project design teams to create
research laboratories that are responsive to current and future needs, that encourage interaction
among scientists from various disciplines, that help recruit and retain qualified scientists, and
that facilitates partnerships and development. As such, a separate WBDG Resource Page
on Trends in Lab Design has been developed to elaborate on this emerging model of laboratory
design.

BUILDING ATTRIBUTES
A. ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
Over the past 30 years, architects, engineers, facility managers, and researchers have refined the
design of typical wet and dry labs to a very high level. The following identifies the best solutions
in designing a typical lab.

LAB PLANNING MODULE

The laboratory module is the key unit in any lab facility. When designed correctly, a lab module
will fully coordinate all the architectural and engineering systems. A well-designed modular plan
will provide the following benefits:
 Flexibility—The lab module, as Jonas Salk explained, should "encourage change" within
the building. Research is changing all the time, and buildings must allow for reasonable
change. Many private research companies make physical changes to an average of 25%
of their labs each year. Most academic institutions annually change the layout of 5 to
10% of their labs. See also WBDG Productive—Design for the Changing Workplace.
 Expansion—The use of lab planning modules allows the building to adapt easily to
needed expansions or contractions without sacrificing facility functionality.

A common laboratory module has a width of approximately 10 ft. 6 in. but will vary in depth
from 20–30 ft. The depth is based on the size necessary for the lab and the cost-effectiveness of
the structural system. The 10 ft. 6 in. dimension is based on two rows of casework and
equipment (each row 2 ft. 6 in. deep) on each wall, a 5 ft. aisle, and 6 in. for the wall thickness
that separates one lab from another. The 5 ft. aisle width should be considered a minimum
because of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Two-Directional Lab Module—Another level of flexibility can be achieved by designing a lab
module that works in both directions. This allows the casework to be organized in either
direction. This concept is more flexible than the basic lab module concept but may require more
space. The use of a two-directional grid is beneficial to accommodate different lengths of run for
casework. The casework may have to be moved to create a different type or size of workstation.
Three-Dimensional Lab Module—The three-dimensional lab module planning concept
combines the basic lab module or a two-directional lab module with any lab corridor
arrangement for each floor of a building. This means that a three-dimensional lab module can
have a single-corridor arrangement on one floor, a two-corridor layout on another, and so on. To
create a three-dimensional lab module:

 A basic or two-directional lab module must be defined.

 All vertical risers must be fully coordinated. (Vertical risers include fire stairs, elevators,
restrooms, and shafts for utilities.)
  The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems must be coordinated in the ceiling to
work with the multiple corridor arrangements.

LAB PLANNING CONCEPTS

The relationship of the labs, offices, and corridor will have a significant impact on the image and
operations of the building. See also WBDG Functional—Account for Functional Needs.
 Do the end users want a view from their labs to the exterior, or will the labs be located on
the interior, with wall space used for casework and equipment?
 Some researchers do not want or cannot have natural light in their research spaces.
Special instruments and equipment, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
apparatus, electron microscopes, and lasers cannot function properly in natural light.
Natural daylight is not desired in vivarium facilities or in some support spaces, so these
are located in the interior of the building.
 Zoning the building between lab and non-lab spaces will reduce costs. Labs require 100%
outside air while non-lab spaces can be designed with re-circulated air, like an office
building.
 Adjacencies with corridors can be organized with a single, two corridor (racetrack), or a
three corridor scheme. There are number of variations to organize each type.

Illustrated below are three ways to organize a single corridor scheme:

Single corridor lab design with labs and office adjacent to each other.

Single corridor lab design with offices clustered together at the end and in the middle.
Single corridor lab design with office clusters accessing main labs directly.

 Open labs vs. closed labs. An increasing number of research institutions are creating
"open" labs to support team-based work. The open lab concept is significantly different
from that of the "closed" lab of the past, which was based on accommodating the
individual principle investigator. In open labs, researchers share not only the space itself
but also equipment, bench space, and support staff. The open lab format facilitates
communication between scientists and makes the lab more easily adaptable for future
needs. A wide variety of labs—from wet biology and chemistry labs, to engineering labs,
to dry computer science facilities—are now being designed as open labs.

FLEXIBILITY
In today's lab, the ability to expand, reconfigure, and permit multiple uses has become a key
concern. The following should be considered to achieve this:

FLEXIBLE LAB INTERIORS

 Equipment zones—These should be created in the initial design to accommodate
equipment, fixed, or movable casework at a later date.
 Generic labs
 Mobile casework—This can be comprised of mobile tables and mobile base cabinets. It
allows researchers to configure and fit out the lab based on their needs as opposed to
adjusting to pre-determined fixed casework.
Mobile casework
Mobile base cabinet
Photo Credit: Kewaunee Scientific Corp.
 Flexible partitions—These can be taken down and put back up in another location,
allowing lab spaces to be configured in a variety of sizes.
 Overhead service carriers—These are hung from the ceiling. They can have utilities like
piping, electric, data, light fixtures, and snorkel exhausts. They afford maximum
flexibility as services are lifted off the floor, allowing free floor space to be configured as
needed.
FLEXIBLE ENGINEERING SYSTEMS

Lab designed with overhead connects and disconnects allow for flexibility and fast hook up of
equipment.
 Labs should have easy connects/disconnects at walls and ceilings to allow for fast and
affordable hook up of equipment. See also WBDG Productive—Integrate Technological
Tools.
 The Engineering systems should be designed such that fume hoods can be added or
removed.
 Space should be allowed in the utility corridors, ceilings, and vertical chases for future
HVAC, plumbing, and electric needs.

BUILDING SYSTEMS DISTRIBUTION CONCEPTS

INTERSTITIAL SPACE
An interstitial space is a separate floor located above each lab floor. All services and utilities are
located here where they drop down to service the lab below. This system has a high initial cost
but it allows the building to accommodate change very easily without interrupting the labs.

Conventional design vs. interstitial design

Image Credit: Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Partnership
SERVICE CORRIDOR
Lab spaces adjoin a centrally located corridor where all utility services are located. Maintenance
personnel are afforded constant access to main ducts, shutoff valves, and electric panel boxes
without having to enter the lab. This service corridor can be doubled up as an equipment/utility
corridor where common lab equipment like autoclaves, freezer rooms, etc. can be located.

B. ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS
Typically, more than 50% of the construction cost of a laboratory building is attributed to
engineering systems. Hence, the close coordination of these ensures a flexible and successfully
operating lab facility. The following engineering issues are discussed here: structural systems,
mechanical systems, electrical systems, and piping systems. See also WBDG Functional—
Ensure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Once the basic lab module is determined, the structural grid should be evaluated. In most cases,
the structural grid equals 2 basic lab modules. If the typical module is 10 ft. 6 in. x 30 ft., the
structural grid would be 21 ft. x 30 ft. A good rule of thumb is to add the two dimensions of the
structural grid; if the sum equals a number in the low 50's, then the structural grid would be
efficient and cost-effective.

Typical lab structural grid.

Key design issues to consider in evaluating a structural system include:

 Framing depth and effect on floor-to-floor height;

 Ability to coordinate framing with lab modules;
 Ability to create penetrations for lab services in the initial design as well as over the life
of the building;
 Potential for vertical or horizontal expansion;
 Vibration criteria; and
  Cost.

MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
The location of main vertical supply/exhaust shafts as well as horizontal ductwork is very crucial
in designing a flexible lab. Key issues to consider include: efficiency and flexibility, modular
design, initial costs, long-term operational costs, building height and massing, and design image.
The various design options for the mechanical systems are illustrated below:

Shafts in the middle of the building

Shafts at the end of the building

Exhaust at end and supply in the middle

Multiple internal shafts

Shafts on the exterior
See also WBDG High Performance HVAC.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Three types of power are generally used for most laboratory projects:
 Normal power circuits are connected to the utility supply only, without any backup
system. Loads that are typically on normal power include some HVAC equipment,
general lighting, and most lab equipment.
 Emergency power is created with generators that will back up equipment such as
refrigerators, freezers, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, emergency lighting,
exhaust fans, animal facilities, and environmental rooms. Examples of safe and efficient
emergency power equipment include distributed energy resources (DER), microturbines,
and fuel cells.
 An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is used for data recording, certain computers,
microprocessor-controlled equipment, and possibly the vivarium area. The UPS can be
either a central unit or a portable system, such as distributed energy resources
(DER), microturbines, fuel cells, and building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
 See also WBDG Productive—Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces.
The following should be considered:

 Load estimation
 Site distribution
 Power quality
 Management of electrical cable trays/panel boxes
 Lighting design
o User expectations
o Illumination levels
o Uniformity
o Lighting distribution-indirect, direct, combination
o Luminaire location and orientation-lighting parallel to casework and lighting
perpendicular to casework
 Telephone and data systems

PIPING SYSTEMS
There are several key design goals to strive for in designing laboratory piping systems:

 Provide a flexible design that allows for easy renovation and modifications.
  Provide appropriate plumbing systems for each laboratory based on the lab programming.
 Provide systems that minimize energy usage.
 Provide equipment arrangements that minimize downtime in the event of a failure.
 Locate shutoff valves where they are accessible and easily understood.
 Accomplish all of the preceding goals within the construction budget.

C. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

COST SAVINGS
The following cost saving items can be considered without compromising quality and flexibility:

 Separate lab and non-lab zones.

 Try to design with standard building components instead of customized components. See
also WBDG Functional—Ensure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration.
 Identify at least three manufacturers of each material or piece of equipment specified to
ensure competitive bidding for the work.
 Locate fume hoods on upper floors to minimize ductwork and the cost of moving air
through the building.
 Evaluate whether process piping should be handled centrally or locally. In many cases it
is more cost-effective to locate gases, in cylinders, at the source in the lab instead of
centrally.
 Create equipment zones to minimize the amount of casework necessary in the initial
construction.
 Provide space for equipment (e.g., ice machine) that also can be shared with other labs in
the entry alcove to the lab. Shared amenities can be more efficient and cost-effective.
 Consider designating instrument rooms as cross-corridors, saving space as well as
encouraging researchers to share equipment.
 Design easy-to-maintain, energy-efficient building systems. Expose mechanical,
plumbing, and electrical systems for easy maintenance access from the lab.
 Locate all mechanical equipment centrally, either on a lower level of the building or on
the penthouse level.
 Stack vertical elements above each other without requiring transfers from floor to floor.
Such elements include columns, stairs, mechanical closets, and restrooms.

D. LAB AND PERSONNEL SAFETY AND SECURITY

Protecting human health and life is paramount, and safety must always be the first concern in
laboratory building design. Security-protecting a facility from unauthorized access-is also of
critical importance. Today, research facility designers must work within the dense regulatory
environment in order to create safe and productive lab spaces. The WBDG Resource Page
on Security and Safety in Laboratories addresses all these related concerns, including:

 Laboratory classifications: dependent on the amount and type of chemicals in the lab;
 Containment devices: fume hoods and bio-safety cabinets;
 Levels of bio-safety containment as a design principle;
 Radiation safety;
  Employee safety: showers, eyewashes, other protective measures; and
 Emergency power.

See also WBDG Secure / Safe Branch, Threat/Vulnerability Assessments and Risk
Analysis, Balancing Security/Safety and Sustainability Objectives, Air Decontamination,
and Electrical Safety.

E. SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS
The typical laboratory uses far more energy and water per square foot than the typical office
building due to intensive ventilation requirements and other health and safety concerns.
Therefore, designers should strive to create sustainable, high performance, and low-energy
laboratories that will:

 Minimize overall environmental impacts;

 Protect occupant safety; and
 Optimize whole building efficiency on a life-cycle basis.

For more specific guidance, see WBDG Sustainable Laboratory Design; EPA and
DOE's Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21), a voluntary program dedicated to improving
the environmental performance of U.S. laboratories; WBDG Sustainable Branch and Balancing
Security/Safety and Sustainability Objectives.

F. THREE LABORATORY SECTORS

There are three research laboratory sectors. They are academic laboratories, government
laboratories, and private sector laboratories.

 Academic labs are primarily teaching facilities but also include some research labs that
engage in public interest or profit generating research.
 Government labs include those run by federal agencies and those operated by state
government do research in the public interest.
 Design of labs for the private sector, run by corporations, is usually driven by the need to
enhance the research operation's profit making potential.

G. EXAMPLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA

For GSA, the unit costs for this building type are based on the construction quality and design
features in the following table . This information is based on GSA's benchmark interpretation
and could be different for other owners.

EMERGING ISSUES
LEED® Application Guide for Laboratory Facilities (LEED-AGL)—Because research facilities
present a unique challenge for energy efficiency and sustainable design, the U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) has formed the LEED-AGL Committee to develop a guide that helps project
teams apply LEED credits in the design and construction of laboratory facilities. See also the
WBDG Resource Page Using LEED on Laboratory Projects.

RELEVANT CODES AND STANDARDS

The following agencies and organizations have developed codes and standards affecting the
design of research laboratories. Note that the codes and standards are minimum requirements.
Architects, engineers, and consultants should consider exceeding the applicable requirements
whenever possible.

 29 CFR 1910.1450: OSHA "Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in

Laboratories"
 ANSI/ASSE/AIHA Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation
 ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
 Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
Standards
 Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition,
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and National Institutes of Health.
 GSA PBS-P100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service
 Guidelines for the Laboratory Use of Chemical Carcinogens, Pub. No. 81-2385. National
Institutes of Health
 NIH Design Policy and Guidelines, National Institutes of Health
 NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
 NFPA 45 Fire Protection for Laboratories using Chemical
 Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS)—organized by MasterFormat™
divisions, are for use in specifying construction for the military services. Several UFGS
exist for safety-related topics.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WBDG

BUILDING TYPES
Research Facilities, Animal Research Facility, Academic Laboratory, Government
Laboratory, Private Sector Laboratory, Office Building

SPACE TYPES
Laboratory: Dry, Laboratory: Wet

DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Accessible, Aesthetics, Cost-Effective, Functional / Operational, Productive, Secure /
Safe, Sustainable
BUILDING COMMISSIONING
Building Commissioning

1.7 Offices

How Much Office Space Do You Need?

A Guide to Help You Decide

Calculating how much office space your business needs is not an exact science—though,
unfortunately, you may feel the need to come up with an exact number. A real estate agent will
often ask you your requirements in terms of square feet, which he uses as a relative measurement
of which properties on the market are eligible for consideration. In addition to square footage, he
might also ask you for the number of permanent offices or rooms you'll require.

Average Space Requirements

Space requirements can vary tremendously by company, by industry, and even by geographic
area (think space-pressed Manhattan vs. spread-out Houston, for example). And then there's the
significant matter of office style.

At one end of the spectrum—much in vogue these days—is the open space plan, which has no
private offices: Everyone sits together, in one large room, in cubicle clusters or at tables. At the
opposite end of the continuum is the traditional hard-wall layout, full of private offices, large
conference rooms, and support rooms such as libraries, kitchens, and file rooms; though not as
hip, professions requiring privacy and confidentiality—law firms and financial institutions, for
example—prefer this sort of workplace.

You have to decide what variety of layout suits your business best: open space, closed space, or
a combination of both.

The estimates provided below are average space requirements—the number of square feet per
person or function that's typical at most companies. Consider them rules of thumb. Each can be
individually adjusted upward to provide a more spacious layout or downward to provide a more
efficient use of office space.

Employees Requiring Offices:

 President (400 square feet)

 Vice presidents (200 square feet)
 Managers (150 square feet)
Employees Requiring Cubicles:

 Engineers (175 square feet)

 Accountants (150 square feet)
 Secretaries (125 square feet)
 Customer service reps (125 square feet)
 Programmers (125 square feet)

Employees in an Open Area:

 Data entry (125 square feet)

 Clerks (125 square feet)
 Temps (100 square feet)

Permanent Rooms and Spaces:

 File room (200 square feet)

 Storage room or library (200 square feet)
 Mail room (125 square feet)
 Work room (125 square feet)
 Reception area (100 square feet plus 10 square feet per person waiting)
 Lunch or break room (75 square feet plus 25 square feet per person seated)
 Conference room (50 square feet plus 25 square feet per person seated)

Don't forget to think of other specialty areas particular to your operations. If you have advanced
technological needs, you might require a room for computers or servers, for example.

Cost Determinations

Ask your real estate agent how much the space costs per square foot. This could help you
determine your most important needs, and make sure the space where you desire to re-establish
your business is also cost-effective.

Don't forget that you will be purchasing or signing a lease that will lock you into this office
space for at least two to five years. Therefore, add 10 percent to 20 percent to the total square
footage that you calculated to accommodate future growth. Remember that the additional
expense of terminating a lease early and the cost of moving an office after only a short period of
time will be more than offset by having this additional space in reserve waiting to be used.
 1.8 Stairs

Standard Size of Stairs

Because they are implemented to ensure safety for all kinds of people, especially children and
the elderly, building codes are very specific and must be followed. Stairs have their own set of
rules within the code and it is important to learn them when planning your stairs. Every part of a
staircase needs to be designed accordingly, including even the smallest parts to the overall
structure.

Rise
Rise is the overall height of the entire staircase, from the lowest point to the highest point.
Staircases vary in shape, but their rise is an important measurement for determining where
landings are placed. Typically, a landing must be provided for every 12 feet (365.8 cm) of rise,
as per fire safety codes. Other than the code for landing placement, there is no rise length
requirement since every staircase is different.

Run
Run refers to the length of the staircase, regardless of height. Run is used in conjunction with the
rise and helps determine how many stairs there will be. Each individual step also has its own unit
rise and unit run -- the rise and run of each individual step. Standardized codes with unit rise and
run requirements make it easier to design a staircase, regardless of run of the entire staircase. A
staircase's run, however, is important if the staircase has one or more landings because there will
be multiple run lengths. These will vary depending on the particular staircase that you are
building.

Width
Width refers to both the individual step as well as the entire staircase. The width of one stair,
after all, will need to be consistent with the rest of the stairs. The stair's width usually varies
depending on the type of building the staircase is in, but for a normal residence, the standard
tends to be 3 feet, 6 inches (106.7 cm). The minimum, in most places, is 2 feet 8 inches (81.3
cm). If a staircase exceeds 44 inches (111.8 cm), handrails are required for both sides.

Unit Rise and Run

Unit rise is the vertical measurement of the height between two individual stairs. Unit run is the
horizontal measurement of from the front to the back of a single stair, which is known as the
"tread." Standard code requires that each stair tread fall between 9 inches and 11 inches (22.9 cm
and 27.9 cm) to allow people to safely ascend and descend stairs. Unit run is carefully considered
based on both safety and cost. Increasing the length of the run by the smallest unit of
measurement increases cost and the length of a staircase. Unit rise is normally about 7.5 inches
(19.1 cm).
 1.9 Walls
Minimum required wall thickness is 8" thickness ( 200mm thick ) for residential
buildings constructed with brick . If the buildings are with concrete pillar ( framed
structure ) / load bearing structure thickness of wall should should be 200mm . To reduce
the cost we can reduce the thickness to 100mm for internal partitions in framed structure .

If we are adopting RCC wall thickness can be 150mm (6" thick ).

For masonry wall, thickness can be 450mm to 600mm . Stone wall in GF can be 600mm
thick & in First floor 450mm .

Note:- In old buildings we can see brick work in lime mortar of 600mm thickness in
ground floor , 450mm in First floor & 300mm in 2nd floor .

Minimum wall thickness should be 200mm thick as standard size of bricks available is
200mm thick . After plastering thickness will become 230mm . Wall thickness should be
sufficient to cover up projections of beam & pillar . According to Vasthu & Fengsui
offset & projections are to be covered in our bedroom , Living, study room & office room
.These points are generating negative energy.

2.0 Preferred lot for building

You're building a house. Which do you do first? 1. Select a style and a plan OR 2.Select a
building lot?

Both approaches have merit. If your heart is set on a Spanish style adobe home, a heavily treed
lot may not make sense for you. Having an idea of the architectural style you prefer will
determine the size and characteristics of your building site.

You may run into problems, however, if you select a specific floor plan too soon.

You can always design a home to suit a landscape, but you may not be able to alter a landscape
to accommodate the specifications of predetermined house plans. The configuration of rooms,
the placement of windows, the location of the driveway and many other design elements will be
affected by the land you build on.

The land itself has long been the inspiration for truly great homes. Consider Frank Lloyd
Wright's Fallingwater. Constructed of concrete slabs, the house is anchored to a rugged stone hill
in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Compare Fallingwater with Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House.
Made almost entirely of transparent glass, this unearthly structure seems to float above a grassy
plain in Plano, Illinois.

Would the Farnsworth House seem as graceful and serene perched on a rocky hill? Would
Fallingwater make such a powerful statement if it sat in a grass field? Probably not.
Questions to Ask About Your Building Lot

Once you have located a promising building site for your new home, spend some time on the
building site. Walk the full length of the building site at different times of the day. If you are a
follower of feng shui, you may want to think about the land in terms of its ch'i, or energy. If you
prefer a more down-to-earth evaluation, think about ways the building site will influence the
shape and style of your home. Ask yourself:

 What are the general characteristics of the land? Is it green and woodsy? Rocky and
gray? Or, is it a vast open stretch with a golden hue? Will the prevailing colors of the
landscape change with the seasons? Will the home you imagine blend with the
landscape? Does the landscape suggest particular colors or materials you might include in
the design of your home?
 Can other structures be clearly seen from the building lot? What is the prevailing
architectural style? Will your proposed home fit the overall context of the neighborhood?
 Will the size of your proposed house be proportionate to the size of the lot? (You don't
want to squeeze a mansion onto a postage stamp!)
 Is there a street or road? Should the house face toward or away from the road?
 Where should the driveway be located? Will there be enough room for cars and delivery
trucks to turn around?
 Where are the most pleasing views? Where does the sun rise and set? Which views would
you like to see from the living areas? From the kitchen? From the bedrooms? Where
should windows and doors be placed?

 If you are in a northern climate, how important is it to face the south? Will a southern
exposure help you save on heating costs?
 Is the site flat? Are there hills or streams? Are there any other geological conditions that
might affect the design or placement of your home?
 How much landscaping will be required? Will preparing the land for building and
planting trees and shrubbery add to your final costs?

The waterfall views at Fallingwater may look idyllic, but for most of us, building on a rocky
hillside isn't practical. You want the site of your new home to be beautiful, but it must also be
safe... and affordable. Before you make a final decision, you'll need to consider a mind-boggling
list of technical details.

Check Your Building Lot For Common Problems

As you narrow your search for an ideal building site, don't scrimp on getting expert advice on
home building. Your builder can put you in touch with consultants with the legal and scientific
expertise to offer building advice. Your consultants will investigate the characteristics of the land
and explore zoning, building codes and other factors.
Land Conditions

 Soil. Has the property been a victim of hazardous waste? Are there pollutants that may
not be apparent to an untrained observer?
 Land Stability. Is the property is subject to land slides or sinkages?
 Water Drainage. Is the property located near a river? Are there hills or low spots which
may make your home subject to water runoff? Err on the side of caution. Even Mies van
der Rohe made a grievous mistake. He placed the Farnsworth House too close to a
stream, and his masterpiece suffered serious flood damage as a result.
 Noise. Is there a nearby airport, highway, or railroad? How disruptive is it?

Zoning, Building Codes and More

 Zoning. In five years, your beautiful views may be replaced by a highway or a housing
development. Zoning regulations will indicate what may be legally constructed in the
surrounding area.
 Building Codes. A variety of ordinances will affect the placement of your new home on
the lot. Regulations will specify how close you can build to the property line, roads,
streams, and lakes.
 Easements. Easements for electrical and telephone poles will limit the space you have
for building your home.
 Public Utilities. Unless the property is in a development of suburban tract homes, there
may not be easy access to electricity, gas, telephone, cable television or public water
lines. Sewers. If there are no municipal sewers, you'll need to know where you may
legally place your septic system.

Costs

You may be tempted to skimp on the cost of your land so that you can spend more money on
building your house.

Don't. The cost of altering an unsuitable lot is likely to be more expensive than purchasing land
that is meets your needs and your dreams.

How much should you spend on a building lot? There are exceptions, but in most communities
your land will represent 20% to 25% of your total building costs.

Advice From Frank Lloyd Wright

Building a house is often the easy part. Making decisions is stressful. In Wright's book The
Natural House (Horizon, 1954), the master architect gives this advice on where to build:

"When selecting a site for your house, there is always the question of how close to the city you
should be, and that depends on what kind of slave you are. The best thing to do is go as far out as
you can get. Avoid the suburbs—dormitory towns—by all means. Go way out into the country—
what you regard as "too far"—and when others follow, as they will (if procreation keeps up),
move on."

2. References

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/standard-entrance-door-dimensions-89777.html

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-typical-height-of-a-ceiling

https://www.hunker.com/13413620/what-are-standard-window-sizes

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-size-of-a-standard-parking-spot

https://classroom.synonym.com/standard-size-classroom-8682527.html

https://www.wbdg.org/building-types/research-facilities/research-laboratory

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-much-office-space-do-you-need-2533790

https://www.hunker.com/12568350/standard-size-of-stairs

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-standard-size-of-a-wall-residential-building

https://www.thoughtco.com/where-to-build-your-house-177559