Significance and Use

Each Facility Rating Scale in this classification provides a means for estimating the level of serviceability of a building or facility for one topic of serviceability, and for comparing that level against the level of any other building or facility.

This classification can be used for comparing how well different buildings or facilities meet a particular requirement for serviceability. It is applicable despite differences such as location, structure, mechanical systems, age, and building shape.

This classification can be used to estimate the amount of variance of serviceability from target or from requirement, for a single office facility, or within a group of office facilities.

This classification can be used to estimate the following: ( 1 ) serviceability of an existing facility for uses other than its present use; ( 2 ) the serviceability (potential) of a facility that has been planned but not yet built; and ( 3 ) the serviceability (potential) of a facility for which a remodelling has been planned.

The use of this classification does not result in building evaluation or diagnosis. Building evaluation or diagnosis generally requires special expertise in building engineering or technology and the use of instruments, tools, or measurements.

This classification applies only to facilities that are building constructions or parts thereof. (While this classification may be useful in rating the serviceability of facilities that are not building constructions, such facilities are outside the scope of this classification.)

This classification is not intended for, and is not suitable for, use for regulatory purposes, nor for fire hazard assessment nor for fire risk assessment.

1. Scope

1.1 This classification covers pairs of scales for classifying an aspect of the serviceability of an office facility, that is, the capability of an office facility to meet certain possible requirements for special facilities and technologies.

1.2 Each pair of scales shown in Figs. 1-6 printed side-by-side on a page, are for classifying one topic of serviceability within that aspect of serviceability. Each paragraph in an Occupant Requirement Scale (see Figs. 1-6) summarizes one level of serviceability on that topic that occupants might require. The matching entry in the Facility Rating Scale (See Figs. 1-6) is a translation of the requirement into a description of certain features of a facility that, taken in combination, indicate that the facility is likely to meet that level of required serviceability.

1.3 The entries in the Facility Rating Scale (See Figs. 1-6) are indicative and not comprehensive. They are for quick scanning, to estimate approximately, quickly, and economically, how well an office facility is likely to meet the needs of one or another type of occupant group over time. The entries are not for measuring, knowing, and evaluating how an office facility is performing.

1.4 This classification can be used to estimate the level of serviceability of an existing facility. It can also be used to estimate the serviceability of a facility that has been planned but not yet built, such as one for which single-line drawings and outline specifications have been prepared.

1.5 This classification indicates what would cause a facility to be rated at a certain level of serviceability, but it does not state how to conduct a serviceability rating nor how to assign a serviceability score. That information is found in Practice E1334 . The scales in this classification are complementary to and compatible with Practice E1334 . Each requires the other.

FIG. 1 Scale A.13.1 for Group or Shared Conference Center

FIG. 2 Scale A.13.2 for Video Teleconference Facilities

FIG. 3 Scale A.13.3 for Simultaneous Translation

FIG. 4 Scale A.13.4 for Satellite and Microwave Links

FIG. 5 Scale A.13.5 for Mainframe Computer Center

FIG. 6 Scale A.13.6 for Telecommunications Center

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E631 Terminology of Building Constructions

E1334 Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility

E1679 Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility

ISO Documents

Keywords

building; computer center; mainframe; conference center; facility; facility occupants; function; microwave communication; office; performance; rating; rating scale; requirements; serviceability; simultaneous translation; telecommunications center; use; video teleconference;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 35.260 (Office machines)

DOI: 10.1520/E1694-95AR12

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM E1694