PX Flash cards
Pass that test!!!
What is building commissioning?
This is the process of inspecting, testing, starting up, and adjusting building systems and then verifying that the systems are operating as intended and that they meet the design criteria
How does an independent furniture rep differ from a manufacturer’s rep?
Furniture representative is self-employed and may represent more than one manufacturer
What type of scheduling chart look like a bar graph?
A Gantt chart
What client-approved document should be available to the designer before the schematic design process begins?
Good business practice requires that a client-approved program be available before this phase of work begins
What are 5 of the most common variables that can affect the cost of a project when bidding occurs?
- Actual cost to the contractor and subcontractors
- Current competitiveness of the market
- Project schedule
- Desire of a contractor to get the job
- Level of profit required by the contractor
On an interior construction project, who is responsible for the final electrical drawings?
The electrical engineer
Which consultant is responsible for designing new openings in the floor of an existing building?
The structural engineer is responsible for designing openings in floor of this type of building
Which consultant must assist the interior designer when a project requires the installation of heavy equipment?
Structural engineer
Who may design a building sprinkler system?
May be completed by any of the following:
- Mechanical engineer
- Fire protection engineer
- Fire protection contractor
In determining the total time required for a project, who is responsible for estimating the construction time?
Contractor is responsible for this aspect of the total project schedule
Who is responsible for determining the accuracy and completeness of dimensions, details, and quantities on shop drawings?
Contractor
Who is responsible for providing any laboratory test, inspections, and reports required by the contract documents?
Owner
What is involved in generating a fee projection?
In this process, the total fee the designer will receive, after amounts for profit, overhead, and other expenses are deducted, is allocated to the schedule and to various staff members who will be completing the project.
What 4 task does the interior designer normally perform during the schematic design phase of a project?
- Prepares diagrams and drawings showing the general functional relationships required by the project
- Develops preliminary space plans
- Prepares design concepts, including colors, finishes and furniture
- Prepare a preliminary statement of probable project costs
What is the difference between a contractor’s general overhead and project overhead?
Contractor overhead is the cost of running business. Project overhead consists of those expenses incurred in completing a specific job that are not labor, material or equipment
What is the parameter method?
Method of estimating allows the interior designer to itemize components along with their unit costs
What is life-cycle cost analysis?
This is a method of determining the total cost of a building or building component or system. Initial costs are added to costs of financing, operation, maintenance, and disposal, estimate over the useful life of the material or system.
When a project is complete, who takes ownership of the contract document?
At the end of a job, the interior designer retains the right of ownership to these
What is considered to be the project cost?
This is the total cost to the owner of all components of a project, including construction, furniture, equipment the contractor’s overhead and profit, and the costs of managing or supervising construction
What kinds of expenses are not included in the project cost?
These include the designer’s professional fees, consultants’ fees, financing cost, and other costs that are the responsibility of the owner
What are the 4 stages of a product’s life cycle?
- Raw material acquisition
- Manufacturing
- Use and maintenance
- Disposal
What is embodied energy?
This is the energy required by a product or material for its extraction as a raw material, initial processing, and subsequent manufacture into a finished product.
In terms of its sustainability, what are the primary advantages and disadvantages of aluminum as a construction material?
Advantage high potential for recycling but disadvantage requires a large amount of energy for manufacturing
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
These are chemical that contain carbon and hydrogen and that vaporize at room temperature and pressure
What are post-industrial (or pre-consumer) materials?
These are scrap or trim materials generated in the manufacturing process that have recovered or diverted from solid waste.
What does post-consumer mean?
The adjective describes a material or product that has served its intended use and has been recovered from waste destined for disposal
What is outgassing?
This is the release of toxic gases from a material, typically after the material has been installed
What is the primary concern related to indoor air quality and paint?
With this wall finish, the primary concern related to indoor air quality is level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
What is sustainable design?
This term encompasses the various strategies employed to achieve a balance between the consumption of environmental resources and the renewal of those resources throughout the entire life cycle of a building
What is minimum diameter of a circle in which a wheelchair can turn?
60” (1525 mm)
When a door is approached perpendicularly to its opening, what is the minimum maneuvering clearance for wheelchair access at the strike side of the door opening on the pull side of the door?
18” (455 mm)
How high above the floor must a grab bar be mounted?
33” - 36” (840 mm - 915 mm) aff
What is the maximum allowable slope for an accessible ramp?
1 vertical unit for every 12 horizontal units, or 8.33%
In addition to a specific diameter and mounting height, what other handrail feature is required on an accessible stairway?
This feature must extend beyond the upper and lower risers
Where are detectable warnings required?
On walking surfaces in front of hazardous vehicular areas.
According to ADAAG regulations, what is the maximum vertical reach dimension for accessibility?
For front or side approach is 48” (1220 mm)
Under previous regulations, a 54” (1370 mm) dimension was allowed for a side approach
What is the minimum clear floor space required to accommodate one stationary wheelchair?
30” x 48” (760 mm x 1220 mm)
What is the minimum clear width of accessible toilet stall?
60” (1525 mm)
To be classified as accessible what is the maximum allowable vertical change a floor level?
Must not exceed 1/4” (6 mm)
For an accessible ramp, what is the maximum rise allowed between landings?
30” (760 mm)
According to ADAAG regulations, what two types of alarms are required for accessibility?
- Audible Alarm
* Visible Alarm
For a corridor in commercial construction, what minimum width is required and what width is recommended?
44” (1118 mm) required and 60” (1500 mm) is recommended
What are two sustainable types of wood flooring?
- bamboo
* palm wood
What does the certificate of occupancy (or use and occupancy) letter provide?
This letter is issued by the AHJ and allows the client to occupy a building or portion of a building after the final inspection
What is the primary model building code used in the United States?
International Building Code (IBC)
In the United States, what document gives jurisdictions the basic authority to adopt and enforce building codes?
The basic authority for this comes from the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It gives police powers to the states, which in turn either use that authority to adopt codes or pass that authority on to local jurisdictions.
What two types of product labels does Underwriter Laboratories (UL) provide?
- Listed labels
* Classified labels
What is the Steiner tunnel test, ASTM E84?
This is standard test for determining the surface burning characteristics of finish materials and the smoke developed index of the same materials
According to the International Building Code (IBC), what is a fire partition, and where is it used?
The IBC defines this as a wall assembly having a fire-resistance rating of one hour, used on
- walls separating dwelling units
- walls separating guest rooms in group R-1, R-2, & I-I occupancies
- walls separating tenant spaces in covered malls
- corridor walls
What two situations require the construction of a fire barrier?
This type of fire-resistance-rated wall is required as
- a separation where there are different occupancies
- an enclosure where there are vertical exits
What is the maximum percentage of wall or ceiling area that combustible trim (such as trim made of wood) can occupy in a room?
No more than 10% of a wall or ceiling area
What is an occupancy class and what is it used for?
This is a usage classification assigned to building or interior space. It differentiates various types of fire hazards & the life-safety characteristics of various uses
What is an accessory occupancy?
This is a space or room that is used in conjunction with the main occupancy, but containing no more than 10% of the floor area of the main occupancy
What is an incidental use area?
This is an area that is ancillary to the main occupancy, but has the same classification. It must be separated from the main occupancy by a fire barrier, be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, or both
What is fire-resistance-rated glazing?
This is glass or some other glazing material that has been tested according to ASTM E119 as part of a fire-resistance-rated wall assembly
In regard to interior design, what is a guard, and what dimension must it have in commercial construction?
This is a building component installed to prevent falls from an elevated area. Its required minimum height is 42” (1067 mm) AFF
What are the 3 parts of a mean of egress?
- Exit access
- Exit
- Exit discharge
What is an exit passageway?
This is a horizontal, fully enclosed, fire-resistance-rated portion of an exit that is used only as a means of egress to an exit discharge or public way
What is an occupant load factor?
This is the amount of floor space that a building code presumes is occupied by one person in a particular occupancy
How is the occupant load of a space calculated?
To calculated this value for a space, the total area in square feet (or square meters) is divided by the occupant load factor
What is a common path of egress travel?
This is the portion of an exit access that occupants are required to traverse before two separate and distinct paths of egress travel to two exits become available
What are the 2 main factors in determining if a space requires two exits rather than just one?
The 2 main factors that determine how many of these are required are the space’s occupancy and its occupant load
In a building that has been fully equipped with sprinklers, when two exits are required in a space, what is the minimum separation required?
1/3 the diagonal distance
What is an exit access travel distance?
This is the distance an occupant must travel from the most remote point within a building to the entrance of the nearest exit
How is minimum exit width calculated?
Multiplying the occupant load of a space by the appropriate factor given in the building code
For an occupant load greater than 50, what is the absolute minimum corridor width?
In this instance, the minimum corridor width is 44” (1118 mm)
Within a means of egress system, what are exit access areas?
Within a means of egress system, these are ares that do not provide a protected path of travel & which lead to the entrance of an exit.
In the International Building Code (IBC), even fired-rated corridors are included in this category
What is the maximum allowable projection of a door into a corridor when the door is fully opened?
Maximum allowable projection is 7” (178 mm)
What is the minimum clear width of an exit door?
32” (813 mm)
In commercial construction, what is the maximum height of a stair riser, and what is minimum depth of a stair tread?
The maximum height of the riser is 7” (178 mm), & the minimum depth of the tread is 11” (279 mm)
What is an area of refuge?
This is an area of a building where person unable to use stairways can safely await instructions or assistance during an emergency evacuation
If an object is between 27” (685 mm) and 80” (2030 mm) above the floor, what is the maximum allowable protrusion of that object from the wall?
An object must not protrude more than 4” (100 mm) from a wall
What are 2 types of glazing that can be used in hazardous locations, and what test must they pass?
- Tempered glass
- Laminate glass
But only if they pass the testing requirements of 16 CFR 1201, Category II
In regard to building codes, what are reference standards?
These are standards written by standards-writing organizations (rather than by the authors of a particular building code) that are made part of a code by specific reference
What is a public way?
This is an street, alley, or similar parcel of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky that is at least 10’ (3048 mm) wide and permanently appropriated to the public
Under what conditions would a wood veneer not have to adhere to flame spread requirements?
When a wood veneer is less than 0.036” (0.9 mm) thick and applied to a noncombustible material, these requirements do not apply.
What is displacement ventilation?
This is an air distribution system in which supply air originates at floor level and rises to return air grilles in the ceiling
What is a three-way switch?
This is a device that allows users to control a light from two different locations
What are the 2 most important variables in controlling sound transmission through a building element?
- Mass
* Stiffness
What is the sound transmission class (STC) of a partition?
This is a single-number rating of a partition’s ability to reduce sound transmission.
In a large room, where is the most effective place to install a sound-absorbing material?
In a large room, the ceiling is the most effective place to install this material
What are five basic ways to control sound transmission through a partition?
- Increase the mass
- Provide additional resilience
- Insulated the cavity
- seal all cracks between construction components
- Provide sealed openings, such as doors and windows
What are some ways to increase speech privacy in a large space?
Five ways to accomplish this are to
- use highly absorptive ceiling materials
- use space dividers to reduce sound transmission
- create distance between noisy activities
- arrange hard surfaces to minimizes reflected sound
- use a well-designed background masking system
What is a daylight factor (DF)?
This is the ratio of the indoor illuminance at a point on a horizontal surface to the unobstructed exterior horizontal illuminance
What are the components of a fire-rated door assembly?
These consist of the door itself (including glazing, if any), the frame, and the hardware
What is a sole plate?
This is a horizontal wood member that serves as the base for the studs in a wood stud partition
What are the common differences between residential and commercial construction of wallboard partitions?
1st typically uses wood studs with x/” (13 mm) wallboard, while the second typically uses metal studs with 5/8” (16 mm) wallboard
What four characteristics distinguish a fire-rated, suspended acoustical ceiling from a non-rated standard ceiling?
- it is only part of an entire fire-rated floor/ceiling assembly
- its tiles must be rated mineral tiles
- it uses hold-down clips
- it must have expansion slots in the grid
What are the two major types of concrete structural systems?
- cast-in-place
* precast
What type of concrete system is likely to be found where floor-to-floor heights are kept to a minimum?
A flat plat construction system would probably be used in this situation
What are live loads?
These are the weights of people, furniture, and movable equipment
What type of load is created on a building by the force of wind or an earthquake?
Lateral load
What is required at the top of a partition to accommodate deflection of the floor above?
A slip joint is required at the top of a partition to compensate for this condition
What is a core drill?
This is a small hole with a diameter of 2” - 4” (50 mm to 100 mm) drilled through a concrete floor to accommodate conduits for electrical, telephone, and data wiring
Why should post-tensioned concrete slabs never be cut into?
The tendons of this construction element should never be cut because they are under high stress
What are joists, and what are they typically made of?
These are horizontal repetitive elements used to support floors. they are typically made from wood members with nominal width of 2” (50 mm)
What is the typical spacing for residential studs and joists?
These construction elements are typically spaced 16” (406 mm) on center
What is a chase wall?
This consists of two runs of studs separated by space large enough to accommodate pipes
What is an access door?
This is an opening used to provide access to mechanical and electrical components behind walls
What is a dedicated circuit?
This is a circuit that contains a single electrical outlet
What is compartmentation in interior design?
This is the practice of separating areas of a building with fire-rated construction in order to contain a fire to one area and limit its spread
What two methods are used t measure speech privacy in open offices?
- articulation class
* articulation index
What are four types of fire detection devices?
- photoelectric detectors
- rise-of-temperature detectors
- ionization detectors
- flame detectors
What are five causes of building movement that must be considered when detailing?
- dead-load deflection
- lateral loading from wind or seismic activity
- water absorption
- live-load deflection
- temperature changes
What is a tolerance?
This is the amount of allowable variation from a given line, dimension, or size
What is char?
This is material remaining after an incomplete combustion
What is considered a minimum coefficient of friction for safety?
For safety, a value of 0.5 is considered to be minimum for this coefficient
What is the 701 test?
This is a common name for the vertical ignition test developed by the National Fire Protection Association, which is used to test the flammability of draperies, curtains, and other window treatments
What is the CAL TB 133 test?
This test evaluates the response of an actual sample of furniture to an open flame
It is also known as NFPA 266 or the full seating test
What is the Wyzenbeek test (also known as ASTM D4157) used for?
Abrasion resistance of woven textile fabrics
What does “FOB factor” mean?
This means that the title for goods purchased is transferred at the factory. The manufacturer pays for loading the goods onto a truck or train, and buyer pays the transportation costs and is responsible for damage during shipping
Who is responsible for making the acceptance inspection of furniture or fixtures?
The owner is responsible for this aspect of FF&E delivery
What is stain resistance?
This is a material’s resistance to a change in appearance after the application and removal of another material
What fabric is made from fibers of flax plant?
Linen
What is fuzzing?
This describes the appearance of a fabric when small fibers work out of the yarn onto the surfaces
What are 3 common cushion materials?
- polyester batting
- polyurethane foam
- cellulosic batting
What is indentation load deflection?
This is a measure of the firmness of foam used for furniture
What are the 6 basic components of an owner-vendor agreement (or owner-contractor agreement)?
- the agreement itself
- the conditions of the contract (general, supplementary, and other)
- the drawings
- the specifications
- all addenda
- all modifications issued after the execution of the agreement
What are 5 of the responsibilities of the owner during furniture installation?
- providing facilities for delivery, unloading and staging
- providing a route from the delivery point to the final placement point
- giving a firm schedule to contractor for unloading facilities
- paying for costs due to the owner’s failure to conform to the schedule providing security
How is the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) important to interior design projects?
This document governs the sale of goods in the United States and is applicable to purchase and delivery of furniture and other moveable items
What is the commonly used measure of a flooring material’s slip resistance?
The coefficient of friction (COF) is typically used as measure of this characteristic of a flooring material
On an interior construction project what is a contractor’s typical profit range (as a percentage)?
5% to 15% is a typical range for this budget item on an interior construction project
What is a cost index, and how is it used?
This number relates construction or other costs to base amount. it is used to account for the variables of geographical location and inflation over time
What is a discount rate?
This is a number used to convert future costs to their equivalent present values
What is the thin-set method of installing stone flooring?
This method of installing stone flooring uses either a special mortar about 1/8” (3 mm) thick or an adhesive
What are the 2 broad classifications of paint?
- water-based
* solvent-based
In terms of wallpaper installation, what is a drop match?
This method of wallpaper installation is used when one piece must be raised or lowered in relation to adjacent pieces to continue the pattern.
What are 4 common ways to install fabric wallcovering?
- applied directly, using an adhesive
- using custom fabric panels
- using a proprietary stretch-wall system
- using acoustic panels
What is a tackable acoustic fiberglass?
This is noncombustible fibrous glass mat bonded with a resinous binder and formed into a rigid board with a finish of thin, rigid fiberglass mesh
What is high-pressure decorative laminate (HPDL)?
This is a common finishes material used with millwork, made from kraft paper overlaid with a patterned or colored sheet and layer of melamine resin
What are the 4 basic types of traditional wood flooring?
- strip
- plank
- block
- end-grain block
What are four disadvantages of using a thick-set application for stone flooring?
The disadvantages of using this application method for stone flooring include
- added weight to the subfloor
- longer installation time
- additional thickness
- additional cost
What are the 3 grades of vinyl wallcovering?
- Type I, light duty
- Type II, Medium duty
- Type III, heavy duty
What is primary benefit of using a hydrophobic fabric wallcovering?
This type if fabric wallcovering does not absorb and hold moisture, so it does not sag or distort
What is quarter sawing?
This is a method of sawing lumber in which the saw cut line is mostly perpendicular to the tree rings in a quarter section of the log
Which method of sawing or slicing veneers produces a characteristic cathedral grain pattern in most species of wood?
Plain sawing, or plain slicing, produces this appearance in most wood species
What is a flitch?
This is the collection of veneers that have been sliced off the same log
What is a purchase order, and why is it used?
This form gives the receiving party all the necessary information to supply goods or services and authorizes the purchase of the items listed on the form
What 3 safety factors must be considered when selecting construction materials and detailing?
- structural
- fire
- human contact
When are furniture specification used?
These are used on large commercial projects when the designer and client want bids from one or more dealers for the items and accessories to be purchased, and when the dealers will be accepting responsibility for ordering, installing, and billing client
What is the purpose of a performance specification?
This kind of document shows what results the final construction assembly must achieve without stating exactly what the product must be or what procedures must be followed
What is a proprietary specification?
This is the most restrictive kind of specification because it requires the use of specific manufacturers’ products
Which parts of a specification should include requirements for sustainability?
In a specification, requirements for this aspect of interior design, which encompasses energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and other areas, are included in Division 01, General Requirements, and in each appropriate technical
Which CSI division would contain the specification for interior signage?
CSI Division 10, Specialties, would contain the information for this
Which CSI division would contain the specifications for doors?
CSI Division 08, Openings, would contain the information for these
What does a design office use to maintain consistency, completeness, & accuracy when writing specifications?
A design office uses master specifications, or guide specifications, for this purpose
What type of specification specifies a proprietary material while still satisfying requirements for public bidding?
A base-bid, or approved equal, specification meets these requirements
What is reference standard specification?
This document describes the requirements for a product or process based on an accepted authority or test method, such as ASTM, ANSI or trade association
At a minimum, Which five items should be on the cover sheet of a set of drawings?
The items that should be on this include
- an index to drawings
- information required by the building department
- standard abbreviations and symbols used
- general notes
- designer’s and consultants’ names and contact information
What building code information is typically required on the cover sheet of set of interior design drawings?
This information typically includes the occupancy category or categories the construction type, the area of the interior space, the occupant load, and whether the building is sprinklered
Where should the interior designer go to verify what specific drawings are required to be submitted to the building department?
The local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) (building department) can verify this requirement for required documents
What is a key plan?
This is a very small-scale plan of a large building used on a floor plan sheet. It shows by shaded area which part of the larger building is drawn on that particular sheet
What is a site plan?
This is an overhead view of a building showing the roof of the building and surrounding site development
What is the purpose of blocking when shown on a woodwork detail?
This construction element is placed in a partition cavity to provide for secure attachment of woodwork to the partition
What is furring, and why is it used?
This construction element (either wood strips or light-gage metal) is used as an intermediate attachment when wallboard is applied over concrete or concrete block, or when additional depth is needed for electrical outlets or insulation
What type of glazing must be used for hazardous locations, such as sliding glass doors?
Either tempered glass or laminated glass must be used in these locations
Where would the exact methods of fabricating the interior designer’s millwork design be shown?
Millwork shop drawings would show these
What is the term for veneers that form a mirror image?
Book matching is used to describe this
What are joists?
These are horizontal, repetitive wood or metal structural members used to support a floor.
Who is generally responsible for providing the construction drawings for a commercial kitchen?
A kitchen or food service consultant is typically responsible for producing these
What are two purposes of a vent pipe?
This construction element is used to allow sewer gases to escape and to prevent siphoning of water out of traps
Where should the interior designer look to locate possible conflicts with ducts & other piping?
The mechanical and plumbing plans should be reviewed to locate these problem areas
On the electrical engineer’s power plan, how is a dedicated outlet indicated?
This is shown with a single home run indication to circuit breaker box
What information is always shown on the electrical engineer’s lighting plan but not always on the interior designer’s reflected ceiling plan?
Switching is always found on one plan but not necessarily the other
What is the purpose of a plumbing trap?
This element holds water and prevents sewer gases from entering the building
Which CSI MasterFormat division would contain the specifications for acoustical ceilings?
Division 09, Finishes, would contain the information for this overhead element
What type of specification should be used for a manufacturer’s custom-etched glass panels?
A proprietary specification would be used for this type of glazing element
What type pf specification could be used for gypsum wallboard?
A reference standard specification could be used for this type of partition product.
Which CSI MasterFormat division would contain the specifications for furniture?
Division 12
What is another term for raised panel construction?
Stile and rail paneling is another term for this type of construction.
What is a performance bond?
This is a statement by a surety company that obligates the surety company to complete construction of the owner’s project if the contractor defaults.
What is the purpose of a labor and material payment bond?
This is used to guarantee payment for labor and materials on a project if the contractor defaults or otherwise fails to make payments
At an owner’s request, a contractor may include alternates in a the bid documents. What is an alternate?
This is a construction item that could, at the owner’s discretion, be substituted for a similar item in the base bid to reduce project costs.
What is a unit price?
This is a set cost for providing a portion of the construction work that is based on an individual quantity, such as per unit or per square foot.
What is an allowance in interior design?
This is a set amount of money that the interior designer estimates will cover the cost of particular item (construction or furnishing) when that cost cannot be determined precisely at the time of the bid or negotiated proposal.
What are 4 types of written modifications that can be made after the execution of a contract?
- Change order
- Amendment to the contract
- Written Order for minor changes in the work
- Written interpretation by the interior designer
What is retainage (also called holdback in Canada)?
This is a percentage (usually 10%) of each payment to a contractor or vendor that is withheld by the owner for the purpose of protecting the owner against incomplete or defective work
What form does a vendor or contractor use to request a payment from the owner?
Application for payment form
In regard to interior design, what is substantial completion?
In a construction project, this is the stage when the work, or a designated portion of it, is sufficiently complete according to the contract documents that the owner can occupy or use the site, even though a few minor items may yet need to be finished or corrected.
Who has the authority to stop construction?
Owner
What is a change order?
This is a form used to authorize a change in contract time, contract cost, or both, made after the execution of the contract. It is generally prepared by interior designer and must be signed by the designer, contractor and owner
What are shop drawings?
These are detailed drawings, diagrams and other data prepared by subcontractor or supplier, that show exactly how the provider intends to supply and install work to meet the contract requirements. they are submitted to the contractor and interior designer for approval
What is the basic process for getting approval on submittals from subcontractors or suppliers?
- 1st the submittal is sent to the general contractor, who reviews it and then sends it to the interior designer for approval
- If the submittal also requires a review by one of the designer’s consultants, it sent to the consultant for review
- The submittal is then sent back to the contractor who returns it to the party who originally made the submittal
What are the interior designer’s obligations during construction observation?
During this phase of work, the interior designer must
- become generally familiar with the progress and quality of the work
- keep the owner informed about the progress of the work
- endeavor to guard the owner against defects in the work
- determine, in general if the work is progressing in such a way that it is in accordance with the contract documents
Who has the authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents?
The interior designer can reject work that does not conform to these
What is a claim in interior design?
This a demand or assertion by the contractor or owner seeking payment of money, an extension of time, or an adjustment or interpretation of the contract terms
What are two common types of construction claims?
Two common types are
- claims for additional time
- claims for concealed or unknown conditions
What are six things the interior designer is not responsible for during contract administration?
During this phase of a project, the designer is not responsible for
* the means, methods, or techniques of construction
* safety on the job site
* fabrication, shipment, or installation of construction elements or furnishings
* acts or omissions of contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers
* stopping the work if there are problems
receipt, inspection, and acceptance of furniture or fixtures
What is a construction change directive?
This is a written order, prepared by the interior designer, directing the contractor to make a change before the owner and contractor have agreed on the amount of adjustments in cost, time, or both
What are six common reasons why a designer might withhold payment to contractor?
- The work is defective
- the contractor failed to pay the subcontractors
- contractor has damaged the property of the owner or another contractor
- 3rd-party claims have been filed
- evidence exists that the work will not be completed on time
- the contractor failed to conform to the contract documents
What is a punch list (known in Canada as a deficiency list)?
This is a list of items made by the interior designer during the final inspection. it includes anything that needs to be completed or corrected by the contractor if not in accordance with the contract documents
What is a purchase order?
This is a document sent to a manufacturer or vendor that lists all the items to be purchased along with the prices, catalog numbers, & shipping information
What is required from a manufacturer after it receives a purchase order from the designer?
A confirmation or acknowledgment is required from the manufacturer after receiving this from the designer
What is a packing list?
This is a detailed list of item descriptions and quantities in a shipment that is attached to one of the items shipped
What is a drop ship order?
This is a request to ship furniture or other goods to an address different from the address of the company placing the order
What is a bill of lading?
This is a document that lists the contents of a shipment from a manufacturer or vendor
What is a freight bill?
This is the invoice from a shipping company
What is a sales agreement?
This is a document signed by the client that obligates the client to pay for the various items listed in the agreement
If all bids on a project exceed the owner’s budget, what four options options are available to the owner?
If this happens, the owner can
- rebid (or renegotiate) the contract
- authorize an increase in construction costs
- work with the designer to reduce the scope of the project
- abandon the project
What are seven of the items the contractor must submit to the owner during project closeout?
- the bond
- all warranties
- any extra stock of materials
- a set of record drawings
- the certificate of occupancy
- documentation required by final application for payment
- maintenance contracts and equipment operating instructions
What are the five basic activities of project management?
- planning
- monitoring
- coordinating and directing
- documenting
- closing out a project
What are the two common ways to notify prospective contractors that a project is being bid?
- Advertise for bids in local newspapers & trade journals
- send invitation to bid forms to prospective bidders
What is an addendum?
This is written or graphic document issued by the interior designer before the execution of the contract that modifies or interprets the bidding documents by additions deletions, clarifications or corrections
Under what conditions can a contractor propose substitutions during bidding?
Bidders must request written approval of these at least 10 days before bid opening. The request must include documentation showing that the proposal meets the requirements of the contract documents
what seven types of information are typically included in instructions to bidders?
- procedures for submitting bids
- where to obtain bidding documents
- procedures for opening bids
- submittals required with the bids
- bidders’ representation statements
- required bonds
- procedures for issuing addenda and other modifications
What is bid security?
This is a certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond requested by the owner to ensure that the successful bidder will fulfill the contract
How is mediation different from arbitration?
Mediation is a neutral third party facilitates and agreement between the disputing parties but the agreement is not binding
Arbitration is the third party hears arguments and renders a decision according to specified rules, and the decision is binding
What is a sole proprietorship?
This is a type of business that is owned by an individual who is personally liable for all debts of the company
What are some of the advantages of a partnership as a business organization?
- It is easy to form
- The work is spread among several owners
- The different and unique skills of several owners can be used
- Employees can be hired as necessary
What is a limited liability company?
Type of business that combines the advantage of a corporation with those of a partnership
What does general liability insurance cover?
This type of insurance covers a range of items, including property damage, personal injury caused by the designer or employees, and other liabilities if contractors or subcontractors do not have their own insurance
What type of insurance should an interior designer have to protect against fire and theft?
Property insurance covers these situations
What is direct personnel expense?
This is the expense of employee salaries plus the cost of mandatory and discretionary expenses and benefits
What is indirect labor?
This is all labor not charged to project or revenue-producing account
What is the chargeable ratio (or utilization rate) of a business?
For a business, this is the percentage of time or money spent on direct labor divided by the total time or money spent on direct and indirect labor in addition to vacation, holiday and sick leave
What type of license would an interior designer need in order to buy furniture at wholesale and sell it at retail?
sales tax license (or resale license)
In regard to interior design, what is agency?
This is a legal term for a relationship in which the interior designer acts on behalf of the client in dealings with a contractor or vendor
In legal terms, what is negligence?
This legal term describes the failure to use due care to avoid harming another person or another person’s property
In a designer’s contract, what purpose does an indemnification clause serve?
This type of clause attempts to hold harmless both the owner and interior designer for any damages, claims or losses resulting from the performance of others with whom the interior designer has no contractual relationship.
What is a contract?
this is an agreement between two parties in which one party makes an offer to receive something in return for services and the other part accepts the offer
What are seven common additional services, outside the scope of standard services, that may be provided by the interior designer?
- investigating exiting conditions or facilities
- making detailed inventories of materials or furniture
- assisting with graphics or signage
- assisting with the procurement of art
- receiving and accepting furniture on behalf of client
- making as-built drawings
- participating in selection interviews with prospective contractors
What are five ways an interior designer can charge for services?
- fixed fee
- an hourly rate
- a percentage of the project cost
- a rate per area (square footage) planned or designed
- reselling wholesale furniture purchases at retail prices
What are the four primary advantages of negotiating a contract?
- the owner can use a specific contractor
- a realistic project cost is developed from the beginning
- the contractor can assist in reducing the cost of the project
- the contractor can point out potential problems in the design
What two types of contracts are typically used on large commercial interior design projects?
This type of project calls for two contract types
- construction contract
- contract for furniture, fixtures, & equipment
What are liquidated damages?
These are monies paid by contractor to the owner for every day the contractor is late at completing a project.
What is the contract time?
This is the period from the starting dates established in the agreement to the time of substantial completion
What part of a contract agreement may be used to include unique contract elements that modify the general conditions of the Contract for Construction?
In a contract agreement, the supplementary conditions are used to modify these
What two things are required before an interior designer can resell furniture to client?
- resale license
* established credit
In interior design, what type of behavior is considered negligence?
Designer’s failure to use the care ordinarily exercised in similar cases by qualified designers and failure to use reasonable diligence and professional judgement
What are the three obligations of the interior designer during the bidding phase of a project?
During this phase of a project, the designer assists the owner (client) in preparing the documents and forms of agreement by
- filing the necessary forms for governmental approvals
- obtaining proposals
- evaluating the contractors’proposals
What are the six primary phases of design services, as outlined by the AIA Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner & Architect for Architectural Interior Design Services?
Primary phases of design services
- programming
- schematic design
- design development
- contract documents
- bidding or negotiation
- contract administration
How is a negotiated contract different from a bid (or tendered) contract?
With the negotiated contract, the owner selects a contractor to do work, and the two discuss the cost and terms of the contract.
With the bid contract several contractors view the contract documents and submit cost proposals
