Regulations and Benching Systems v. Cubicles

 Chapter 12 – Regulations

The final chapter in our course book, Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers, by Lisa M. Tucker, discusses the regulations pertaining to an interior designer. After reading, we are able to differentiate among codes, voluntary programs, ADA, and testing agencies, as well as identify certain key sustainable design guidelines. The chapter closes by providing us with information that helps us, as interior designers, to understand the path of egress and identify the phases of any and all design projects.

Phases of a Design Project

There are, at most, 6 phases within a design project. The first is programming which focuses on the interviewing the client(s) to create a user needs assessment and spatial analysis that is required for the project. Throughout this face, the accumulation of case studies and background research is expected, however, programming as a whole is not identified as a phase within a design project based off the Standard Form of Agreement. It is regarded as an additional service; however, it is exceedingly helpful to any interior designer to practice this phase on any and all of their projects.

The second phase is known as the schematic design process in which preliminary design is done to help one’s team produce a series of solutions (space plans) that are presented to the client. It should also be noted that within this process the design team conducts occupancy calculations, determines the required number of exits, and establish an egress path. The next phase can begin once all parties agree on a solution, or space plan. The third phase is where all selections for the project and changes needed are compliant with the client, in order for the implementation of finishes and materials to take place. This is know as the design development. The design team will also create hour-rated partition types and double check that all door, glass, and finish selections meet the requirements set by the building code.

The fourth phase is where the design team creates a final set of construction documents with all drawings and specifications. It is important to know that the cover sheet of these documents should contain information about all codes that apply to the project in addition to a map of the location and contact information of the primary design contact. This phase is often known as the contract documents phase. The fifth phase is construction administration which means going to the site and making sure the project is constructed consistent with the design intent, however, this is typically covered under a separate contract.

The sixth and final phase of the design process is referred to as post-occupancy evaluation. Even though it is not traditionally conducted, this phase is still considered one of the most important stages of design. This evaluation takes place some time after the building occupants move in and begin using the space. The purpose of this “visit” is to gather feedback about user satisfaction and understand how comfort and productivity are valuable information for future projects. Again, this is also covered under a separate contract.

Building Codes

All building codes are in implemented to protect the public, the one mentioned most often being the International Building Code (IBC) which was published in 2000. The IBC regulates all construction types except single-family residential design and has been adopted in every state, however, not all states use the latest version of the IBC. This code was organized to provide designers and contractors with all of the information they need to create a minimally competent, safe building and consists of 35 chapters. IN addition, the code covers the overall issues of a building including, egress, construction, building systems, and ends with information regulating specific materials and testing required.

It is crucial for an interior designer to be well versed in all sections of the code specifically to interior design. This includes use group and occupancy clarification, detailed requirements based off use and occupancy, types of construction, fire-resistance-rated construction, interior finishes, means of egress, and the interior environment. It is equally important to understand that each jurisdiction adopts its own codes, therefore, the use of familiarity with various parts of the code are important to different phases of the project.

Overall, the primary purpose for building codes is to get people out of a building safely in the event of a fire. This raises the discussion of fire-protection which can be broken into four areas: prevention, passive fire protection, detection and alarms, and fire suppression. Along with this, fire is broken into four stages: the incipient stage, smoldering or growth stage, flame or full developed stage, and decaying stage. The incipient stage is when oxygen, heat, and fuel combine in a chemical reaction resulting in a fire. The smoldering/growth stage is the shortest stage but the one where a flashover could occur. The flame or fully developed stage is the hottest phase, and the decaying stage is when fuel and oxygen become exhausted.

Application of the Building Code

Once a designer identifies the use group classification, he/she becomes available to several tables that can assist in space planning for a path of egress. Some codes only require one means of egress, however, there are some factors that effect the egress. Sprinkler systems, for example, determine the length of the path of travel, and not all occupancy groups require fire-rated separation. All egress corridors often require a one-hour rating when serving more than 30 people.

When it comes to large spaces, they must be subdivided to create compartments for smoke containment; this is known as compartmentalization. Generally, this is the process by which sections of a building are closed off during a fire or other emergency. Fire-rated walls and overall planning mechanisms contribute to this concept and are achieved in a couple different ways. The literal subdivision of large spaces into smaller, more controlled ones is just as effective as the inclusion of roll-down shutters and accordion-type doors. A common solution is a curtain board made of glass due to their help in reducing smoke spreading through a large space.

Industry Specific Regulations

Depending upon the project type, regulations, in addition to building codes, can be applied. Safety codes can be implemented to provide additional requirements for life safety in the event of a fire. These codes, like the NFPA Life Safety Code, addresses maintenance and operation to reduce the risk of a fire within a building. Testing agencies can also require compliance levels in various conditions to provide certified products and materials for a safe use within a project’s design. Similarly, the American Society for Testing and Materials test and create standards for safer products and service around the world, to better help designers in choosing the best product for the clients.

To sum up the chapter, Tucker talks about the accreditation and the different professional levelsan interior designer can acquire. Any person who takes and passes the LEED examination is considered an LEED Accredited Professional. The entry into this accreditation is through the LEED Green Associates exam where those who pass show an overall knowledge of green building and LEED rating systems. After this exam, a professional can take an exam within their specialization to become an Accredited Professional.

DISCLAIMER: This is last week’s blog discussion due to me mis-reading the syllabus!
Benching Systems v. Cubical Configurations

Benching Systems are considered to be large, shared desks with optional partitions, whereas cubicles are understood as individual workstations that provide workers with a measure of privacy, regardless of whether or not they are near a colleague. Some people within the design world believe that cubicles are better to use than benching systems because of their fluidity to go from a private setting to a more open one. This is seen more so today because of changing technology and the fact that cubicles now come in varying sizes. They can also implement clear windows to create what is known as a semi-private workspace. On the other hand, some designers view cubicles as outdate and claustrophobic and understand benching systems to be more practical within today’s office space. Contemporary and more modern office spaces today consist of a large amount of space with pockets of privacy throughout, even though there may be little to no interior walls implemented within the plan.

Whether a designer or client prefers one over the other, the overall goal of any workspace is to create an environment that produces productivity and increase efficiency. However, in 2020 when everyone was closing their doors and working from home, the thought of designing a workspace was not in the forefront of people’s minds. Companies, on the contrary, were thinking of ways to increase distance between people while still providing an open, airy feeling to a space and keeping people safe from spreading the virus. This, of course, occurred once hybrid work was put into place to create a sense of “normalcy” within our world. It also encouraged companies of all products (design related or not) to produce the safest, most effective product for their target audience. Everything became COVID 19-proof so that employees could go back to working in person and the use of both these work areas – benching systems and cubicles – do just that.