Code Requirements, Laws, Standards & Sustainability - Part II Flashcards
The call buttons on an elevator must indicate when the call is ________ and ___________.
received
responded to
Hall lanterns must give
________ and _________ signals.
visual and audible
It is typical for the hall lantern to chime once for ____ and twice for _____.
up
down
The floor buttons on the inside of the car may be no higher than ____” above the floor.
54”
The emergency controls must be no more than ___” above the ground and must be ________ of the button display.
35”
in the center
Interior designers need to be familiar with the zoning conditions and covenants that apply in their jurisdiction, in particular when ___________________.
they are deciding whether to operate out of a home office
For one thing, there may be ______________ in place which will forbid home offices.
zoning restrictions
However, it is possible on occasion to obtain a ______________ which allows the operation of a business in a residential area.
zoning variance
This is usually possible if the designer can demonstrate that his or her business will not _________________.
disrupt the tranquility of the neighborhood
Finally, in some cases the conditions, _________ and restrictions of a neighborhood will ________ a home-based business. An interior designer should investigate these issues in his or her own neighborhood before considering a home-based business.
covenants
forbid
List the rating system that is endorsed by the United States Green Building Council.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
LEED offers four levels of achievement, what are they?
Certified, silver, gold, platinum
What is the name of a similar system (LEED) that is administered in Canada?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design BC
What is Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method and how is it rated?
Another system for promoting and certifying green building.
Buildings are awarded a rating ranging from pass to excellent.
The _______ _______ organization has developed a comprehensive system for evaluating the sustainability and environmental impact of design products.
Green Seal
The ______________ determines whether products meet indoor air quality standards.
Greenguard Environmental Institute
________________ certifies environmentally related product attributes and also identifies sustainable forests so that designers can acquire lumber and woodwork from responsible sources.
Scientific Certification Systems
Finally, ____________ is a set of international standards for durability and life-cycle assessment.
ISO 14000
The USGBC established the LEED standard for buildings of _____ ___________ - sustainable architecture.
high performance
Sustainable design is a relatively new system of building which strives to ___________ as much as possible during the life of a building.
conserve environmental resources
Increasingly, clients will be requesting interior designers to consult the LEED standards to save _____________________.
money through energy conservation and federal subsidies
By earning LEED certification, a building can win ______________ and _______________.
government subsidies and tax breaks
For the benefits, an interior designer needs to be familiar with the various ways to earn credit towards LEED certification. List actions that can contribute.
- Occupying a Brownfields site
- Occupying a building in which a storm water management plan has been implemented.
- Designing in a shady building
- Utilizing a green roof or a roof with a high solar reflectance index.
- Making sure at least half of parking spaces underground are covered.
- Ensuring at least 5% of total energy use is through on-site renewable energy
- Reducing the use of municipally-provided potable water
- Using a high-efficiency urination system.
- Devising a system to prevent exterior lighting from creating light pollution.
- Building within half a mile of a commuter rail or subway station.
- Providing secure bicycle storage.
Consistently poor indoor air quality can have serious health consequences for human beings. List some consequences.
It can exacerbate preexisting respiratory conditions, like asthma.
It can cause what is now known as sick building syndrome or building-related illness.
Sick Building Syndrome
In which individuals who live or work in a common space all develop respiratory problems, headaches, infections, and nausea.
Building-related Illness
Similar to Sick Building Syndrome, but symptoms do not immediately improve when the afflicted individuals leave the building.
There are also a number of reactions to _________, _______ exposure to toxic chemicals.
prolonged, low-level
The current restrictions on ____________ are part of the governmental effort to fight these problems.
volatile organic compounds
Interior designers can obtain LEED certification through abiding by _________/______ standards.
ASHRAE/IESNA
This often includes the use of __________ ___________, the air distribution system in which the supply of air comes from ______ level and leaves the room through grilles in the ceiling.
displacement ventilation
floor
Displacement ventilation does not require the air to be _________ as much and therefore, _________ energy consumption.
cooled
reduces
Under no circumstances should be ______________ used at any stage in the process.
chlorofluorocarbons
Designers should also reduce electricity use by ___________ as much as possible and placing low-use areas of the building on _______________ lighting systems.
incorporating daylight
motion-detector
Why does a designer need to perform a life-cycle assessment?
In order to develop a comprehensive idea about the environmental impact of a material
This includes attention to the four main stages of a material’s life cycle. What are they?
Acquisition
Manufacturing
Use/maintenance
Disposal
For a life-cycle assessment, the interior designer will also want to determine how the raw materials for the product is _______, ________, and ________. The designer will need to consider the installation, _____, and ________ of the product.
assembled, packaged, and delivered
use and maintenance
Finally, the designer will want to consider what is likely to happen to the product after _____________.
its period of usefulness has come to an end
List 12 criteria for the assessment of sustainability.
Embodied energy
Renewable materials
Recycled content
Energy efficiency
Use of local materials
Durability
Low volatile organic compound content
Low toxicity
Moisture problems
Water conservation
Maintainability
Potential for reuse and recycling
Embodied energy
The amount of energy it takes to extract, process and manufacture a product or material.
Renewable materials
It is better to use materials that can be naturally generated in a short period of time.
Recycled content
A material is considered more sustainable the more recycled content it contains.
Energy efficiency
Wherever possible, building materials should diminish the amount of energy required in a building.
Use of local materials
Reduces transportation expenses and the consumption of fossil fuels.
Durability
Entails higher initial cost but lower cost over the entire life-cycle.
Low volatile organic compound content
This criterion is particularly important with the use of adhesives, coatings and finishes. A building can earn LEED credits for reducing the VOC content.
Low toxicity
The worst gases emitted by design elements are formaldehyde and chlorofluorocarbons.
Moisture problems
Materials that tend to become moist can become infected with biological contaminants and unhealthy fungi.
Water conservation
As much as possible, an interior designer wants to select products that minimize the use of water.
Maintainability
Specifically, the degree to which a material can be effectively cleaned and maintained with nontoxic chemicals and cleaning supplies.
Potential for reuse and recycling
Wherever possible designers should opt for materials that can be used again. Products are considered reusable and recyclable even when they have to be converted into a different shape or format.
Many interior designers mistakenly believe that it is ______________ to use salvaged materials, but in fact these materials can be ______________, especially when the designer cultivates relationships with ____________.
more expensive
quite cheap
local junkyards and salvaged material dealers
In particular, designers should be on the lookout for salvaged ______, ______, and ________.
steel, aluminum, and copper
Aluminum is easily recycled, but __________ during manufacture.
uses a lot of energy
Steel, aluminum, and copper can be reused with excellent results, so long as they have not been covered with _________________.
damaging chemical compounds
Interior designers are discovering the benefits of reusing _______ and ________.
wood and plastics
The simplest wood product that can be incorporated is reclaimed wood. What is reclaimed wood?
High-quality lumber salvaged from old construction projects.
What are alternatives to wood?
Particle board and compressed veneer products.
Composite wood veneer
Made by cutting young, fast-growing trees into veneers, which are then dyed and glued into an artificial log. This log is then sliced again to create the final veneers.
Finally, interior designers may want to use wood products that come from _____________.
sustainable forests
As for plastics, interior designers should be sure to select plastic products that are _________, preferably those ______________ plastic materials.
recyclable
derived from previously used
True or false
Interior design and finishes are one of the most notorious polluters.
True
Designers are increasingly required to select environmentally conscious _______ and _______ for their projects.
chemicals
coatings
In terms of flooring, designers are increasingly drawn to carpeting made of short ___________, ______ flooring or ________ flooring.
nylon fiber
vinyl
rubber
The best adhesives at present are those based on ______ and those which use plant _______, primarily.
water
resins
In terms of wall finish, gypsum wall board can be purchased in a ____% recyclable format.
100%
More and more, furnishing manufacturers are developing products which are _______ and which make a positive impact on the environment. This is especially important because many of the furnishings of the past had ___________ coatings and were made of ____________ materials.
sustainable
hazardous
unsustainable
Designers should try to select furnishings made out of recyclable materials and covered with ________ that is free of _________.
upholstery
formaldehyde
All the fabrics should be __________ and colored with ______________ dyes.
biodegradable
nontoxic chemical
Finally, whenever possible designers can __________ or _________ older furnishings.
reuse or refurbish
Interior designers need to be conscious of the ways in which their plans will influence _________________.
indoor air quality
There is a risk of two kinds of contaminants. What are they?
Biological and chemical
Chemical contaminants
Most common is volatile organic compounds. Found in number of household products.
The _____ is currently developing strict programs for limiting the use of VOC’s.
EPA
Formaldehyde is another common _________ containment. Where is it found?
chemical
Found in interior adhesives
Biological contaminants include _______, ________, and ________. What do they need to grow?
Mold, mildew, and fungi
Moisture to grow
What are the nine biological contaminants found in buildings?
Mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, mites, pollen, animal dander, dust, and insects
What do mold and mildew thrive in most?
Moist, cool, dark areas
basements
Bacteria can develop ________ and cause _________.
anywhere
infection
Viruses are transmitted by ________, including ________.
animals
insects
Mites and insects can both thrive inside __________, and beneath __________. They are known carriers of disease.
Partitions
Flooring
___________ _________ is an allergen for many people and increases the amount of dust in a space.
Animal dander
_________ is a powderlike substance produced by plants.
Pollen
Dust is mainly composed of ________ ______ and tends to accumulate in ____________ areas.
human skin
high-traffic
Perhaps the most important piece of legislation on indoor air quality standards is the __________.
Clean air act of 1970
The clean air act of 1970 empowered the __________ to establish an update standards for indoor air quality .
environmental protection agency
A couple of the more common, voluntary industry standards are ASHRAE standard 62–______ and ASHRAE standard 62.2–______, which have to do with __________ and low-rise, residential buildings, respectively.
2001
2003
ventilation
The Greenguard Institute has also established a set of rigorous tests for a Interior Design _________ _________. These tests supplement the traditional assessments, which include ASTM D5116, ASTM D6670, ASTM E1333.
product emissions
List the five common hazardous materials found in buildings.
Asbestos
Vermiculite
Lead
Radon
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
Where is asbestos found and what can it lead to?
Asbestos is often found in older insulation, flooring, caulking and paint; the inhalation of asbestos fiber often leads to pulmonary fibrosis
How is vermiculite used and how is it dangerous?
Often used as insulation or in potting soil; often contains asbestos, which can be very dangerous when inhaled
Where is lead found and what can it lead to?
Lead is often found in older kinds of paint; consumption can lead to brain damage, growth disorders, and death
Where is radon found and what can it cause?
Radon is not found in building materials, but in surrounding water, rock, and soil; a known cause of cancer, especially when inhaled
Where can polychlorinated biphenyl‘s (or PCBs) be found and what can it cause?
Polychlorinated biphenyls are found in older, plastics and rubbers, fluorescent lighting tubes and paints; can accumulate in human and animal tissue, resulting in cancer and other health problems.
There are a number of ways for interior designers to incorporate recycling and reuse into their work. ___________ __________ is the process of using existing buildings and materials rather than creating new ones.
Adaptive reuse
Post industrial materials, also known as pre-consumer materials, or any scrap or trim materials created during the manufacturing process that have been ________ or ________ from ________ ________.
recovered
diverted
solid waste
Post consumer materials, or any materials or products that have _______________, but have been recovered from waste.
served their original purpose
In some cases, it will be impossible to recycle or reuse materials or even buildings. In this case is, interior designer should cooperate with ____________ __________ to find environmentally, responsible methods of removal and destruction.
disposal technicians
There are a few important regulations and ___________ __________ related to sustainability with which all interior designer should be familiar.
industry standards
To begin with, ASHRAE standard 90.1 describes the __________ _________ standards for all buildings except low rise, residential units.
energy efficiency
Standards for product life cycle, ________ sustainability, and ________ sustainability are established by ASTM E1991, E2114, and E2129, respectively.
building
product
The green seal organization has establish specific standards for ______ and ________.
paint and windows
Finally, the ______________________ act of _______ empowers the EPA to keep track of all of the chemicals used in household products.
toxic substances control act of 1976
During construction, there are a number of steps that are taken to allow the passage of_______ and ______ between the floors in a multi story building.
Pipes and cables
To create a __________ for ________ , (E.G., electrical, telephone and data), workers will make a small hole known as a core drill between two and 4 inches in diameter.
conduit for wiring
Creating core drills is easiest to do with ______________, and ______________ structure systems.
one-way pan joist
beam-and-girder
The process of creating floor penetrations is especially difficult with ________ concrete systems.
Post-tensioned
Post tension, concrete slabs should never be cut on the ________.
tendons
The ______________ rating of a building, depends on the flammability and resistance to fire of its major structural components, including the partitions, exterior walls, and shaft enclosures.
fire-resistive
The scale for indicating fire resistance is ______.
Hours
Commercial structures will be given a rating of _______________; indicating how long the structure can maintain its integrity, despite the presence of fire.
one, two or three hours
For the most part, decisions affecting the fire-resistive rating of a building will have been made _______ an interior designer becomes involved in a project.
before
If an interior designer finds it necessary to make changes in this line, he, or she will probably have to enlist the services of a __________ _________.
Construction contractor
Why does an interior designer need to know the general fire ratings of the common woodwork materials?
To maintain acceptable safety standards
Interior wood finish is regulated by building codes; _______ is not.
Trim
In addition, wood veneers are not required to abide by _______________ standards when they are less than 0.036 inch thick and applied to a _________________.
flame spread standards
non-combustible material
For the most part, any wood that has not been treated with ________ ____________ will have a flame-spread rating less than _____.
flame retardants
200
The strictest building code regulations apply to _______ ________ that are used on the walls or the ceiling; these materials are required to have the maximum _____________ rating, according to the relevant code.
wood panels
fire-spread
There are a number of __________ concerns surrounding wood work with which an interior designer needs to be familiar.
ecological
Increasingly, interior designers are trying to find materials and methods that help preserve the world’s ______ supplies.
timber
One way to preserve the worlds timber supplies is to purchase materials from _______ suppliers, who have been certified as _________ __________, meaning that they take steps to maintain a __________________.
lumber
sustainable growers
steady level of forestation
Another way to make woodwork greener is to use some ________ products. ________________ is a sustainable finishing product, made by placing veneers from common trees onto an artificial log, which can then be sliced into the final veneers.
synthetic
Composite wood veneer
