Regulations and Safety codes
A qualified interior designer will understand and use the relevant safety codes and necessary processes to design an effective space. Professional licensing and regulations protect the health and safety of the public from fraudulent, unqualified, and unethical practitioners. Each jurisdiction has its own specific rules for regulatory compliance. CIDQ strongly encourages interior design practitioners to be fully knowledgeable and in compliance with the requirements of the states and provinces in which they practice.
The phases of a design project recognize by both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) contract documents are:
Programming: In this phase, the designer will interview the
client(s) and create a user needs assessment and spatial analysis of what is
required for the project. Background research and case studies are collected
during this phase.
Schematic Design: Preliminary design of the project is done during
the schematic design phase. The design team will ordinarily produce a series of
solutions that are presented to the client until all parties accept a solution.
Design Development: Development of the design solution includes
all selections for the project and the changes needed to implement the actual
materials and finishes.
Contract Documents: The design team creates a final set of
construction documents that includes all drawings and specifications during
this phase.
Construction Administration: Going to the site to make sure the
project is being constructed consistent with the design intent of the project
occurs during construction Administration.
Post-Occupancy Evaluation: This stage takes place after the building occupants move in and are using the designed space. Gathering feedback about user satisfaction, comfort, and productivity provides invaluable information for future project designs.
The primary purpose of Building Codes is to get people out of the building safely in the event of a fire. It is structured so that designers must do certain things to prevent the easy spread of fire. These passive fire prevention measures include space-planning requirements for compartmentalization, fire-separation requirements such as rated corridors, walls, and doors, and the incorporation of fire detection and suppression devices.
Fire Separation: Has different uses within a building as well as
egress corridors, doors and stairs must maintain specific fire rated
separations in compliance with of chapter 10 of the IBC.
Movement: Along the path of egress and throughout the building is
addressed in the following areas by the IBC: egress, stairs, corridors and
exits.
Detection: Fire-detection equipment is used to detect smoke and/or
fire within a building. this can include many components such as detectors and
alarms with both audio signals and visual strobes.
Suppression: Fire-suppression equipment is used to extinguish a fire. Apparatus includes fire hoses, hand-held fire extinguishers, standpipe systems, and sprinklers within a building.
Interior Designers ensure all
public spaces comply with the ADA. The ADA is a
civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with
disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools,
transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general
public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities
have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Interior
Designers create and renovate spaces which follow the standards set forth by
the ADA in their daily practice. They are responsible for the process of
providing appropriate environments which correspond to the abilities and needs
of end users. In both commercial and residential settings, designers strive to
shape a world which those of every ability level can experience together.
These are some example of requirements:
·
Elevator controls, door
hardware, countertop heights
·
Height and depth of objects
protruding into a travel path or aisle
·
Doorway clearances
·
Ability and strength required
to operate doors
·
Existence of ramps and
handrails for accessibility
·
Mounting heights and
clearances for restroom fixtures
Herrick Chapel:
Erica, I like how you broke down the different building codes and the lists for emergency egress. I liked how you listed it in a format that was easy to follow. Your analysis of Herrick Chapel was very interesting and how it does have good ADA usage. Overall, you did a nice job!
ReplyDeleteErica, I really enjoyed your post this week it was nice that you broke down each of the codes discussed in the chapter and thoroughly talked about them. It was also nice that you discussed ADA requirements as well and then also brought that up in your case study on Herrick Chapel. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your assessment of Herrick Chapel. I think it was a really unique space considering the large variety of its uses. It was interesting thinking of all the ways that it could be improved to help meet ADA regulations and provide easy access for those with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteYour post was grea at explaining the regulations and safety codes. You did well at breaking down the design process. You also broke down the primary purpose of building codes and why they are important. I like when you mentioned the importance of fire suppression and detection, because if that has a good design it makes everything else about egress simpler.
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI love how you defined all of the main subjects that were talked about in the chapter. You did a great job at explaining them, but also keeping them simples. The chapel is a great building to do a case study on for there is room for improvement in that section. Since it is an older building is does not have access to all floor level, but it does achieve what is need for the ADA requirements to be passed. Overall, great blog!
I thought you did a great job of summarizing the chapter! Having the smaller sections with headings really helped organize the different terms and topics. I like that you focused on the chapel. The main space has good accessibility, but I definitely agree that there is room for improvement. Even something as simple as removing a few chairs here and there at the ends of some isles to allow for a wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteaisles*
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteYour Blog post this week was informative and thorough in presenting critical information that we learned about regulations and ADA. You also organized your information in a manner that was easy to read and enjoy. Herrick chapel was a great building to use as your case study. It does meet the basic codes and regulations but improvement can be made as you suggested. I wonder about the accessibility of the bathrooms? It does pose a problem in that there is no ramp to the center stage as Judson has so many guest speakers in that chapel. A speaker with disabilities would not be able to access that stage. Thank you for your thought provoking Blog entry. Total Points 50/50.