definitions

Balustrade A protective barrier such as a Wall, parapet, railings or other construction feature that enables Floor Area with one or more open sides to be used safely. See Part D.6 Boundary A physical, non-physical or legal line denoting the perimeter of an area to be measured. Building A construction providing shelter from the environment for occupants or contents, partially or totally enclosed by a roof, designed to stand in one place and comprising all levels within the construction. Clear Height The height within a level of a Building or section of a Building measured from the floor surface to the lowest point of the structural element above, ignoring the existence of any brackets, struts or fixtures and fittings. See Part D.4 Column A Building member (may also be known as a Pillar), generally cylindrical or rectangular in shape and having a maximum ratio of 4:1, comparing the longest and shortest horizontal dimensions, whose primary purpose is to provide structural support. (If the ratio is greater than 4:1, the element is treated as a Wall.) Component One of the main elements into which the Floor Area of a Building can be allocated. Component Area The Floor Area attributed to one of the Components. Covered Area The extent of the area of a Building covered by one or more roofs, the perimeter of which is sometimes referred to as the drip line, being the outermost permanent structural extension, exclusive of ornamental overhangs. Demising Wall A Wall, other than an External Wall, between adjoining occupiers’ space or an occupier’s space and Standard Facilities. See Part D.9 External Floor Area An external horizontal structure at any floor level of a Building with a Balustrade to the open sides, including generally accessible balconies, colonnades (with Balustrade), rooftop terraces, external galleries and loggias but excluding structures such as patios and terraces when not integral to the structural construction of the Building. External Wall The enclosing element of a Building, excluding appendages and ornamental features, which separates the interior area from the exterior. IPMS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MEASUREMENT STANDARDS All Buildings Part C: Definitions 5 Finished Surface The Wallsurface directly above the horizontal wall-floor junction, ignoring any part-height walls, cladding, fittings, skirting boards, cable-trunking, pipework and heating or cooling units. Floor Area The area of a normally horizontal, permanent, load-bearing structure, inclusive of areas occupied by Walls, Columns, stairs, staircase openings, lift shafts and other vertical penetrations, for all or part of each level of a Building. Internal Dominant Face (IDF) The inside surface area comprising more than 50 per cent of the lowest 2.75 m measured vertically from the structural floor surface, or to the ceiling if lower, for each Wall Section. If such does not occur or if the Wall Section is not vertical, the Finished Surface is deemed to be the IDF. See Part D.2 Internal Height The height within a Building or section of a Building measured from the floor to the lowest point of a ceiling, suspended ceiling, or similar defining feature. See Part D.4 Internal Wall A full-height Wall within a Building that separates one interior area from another. Mezzanine An intermediate or partial floor that is usually fully or partially open on one or more sides. Notional Boundary A non-physical line that forms part or all of a Boundary and is typically agreed as part of the measurement instruction or defined by a legal document. See Part D.7 Secondary Area A demised area forming part of the Building that supports the primary use of an exclusive use area. Sheltered Area Any part of the Covered Area that is not fully enclosed where the permanent structural extension above provides effective shelter. See Part D.8 Standard Facilities Shared areas in a Building that typically do not change over time, such as circulation areas, stairs, escalators, lifts/elevators and their motor rooms, toilets, cleaners’ cupboards, plant rooms, fire refuge areas and maintenance rooms. Wall A normally vertical element, whether or not load-bearing, that separates one area from another. Wall Section The lateral portion of an External Wall, where the inside finished surface area of each part of a window, Wall or other external construction feature varies from the adjoining lateral portion of External Wall, ignoring the existence of any Columns.