What are the institutional specifications for shops?
- Most are constructed either of a steel or concrete frame
- Services i.e. gas/water/electricity are brought into the unit and capped off at source
- Concrete floor and no suspended ceiling
- Let in a shell condition with no shop front, ready for the retailer’s fitting out works
What are the two main methods of construction for new office buildings?
- Steel frame: have less columns and a wider span between the columns
- Concrete frame: more columns, lower floor heights and a shorter span between columns
- Check the architects drawings and specification or building manual if you cannot see what form of construction*
What is the current institutional specification for offices (as defined by the British Council for Offices Guide to Office Specification, 2019)?
- Full access raised floors with floor boxes
- Approximate ceiling height of 2.6-2.8m
- Ceiling void of 350mm and a raised floor void of 150mm
- Maximised opportunities for daylighting, with 300-500 lux average
- Approximate floor loading of 2.5 to 3.0 kN / sqm with an allowance of up to 1.2 kN / sqm for partitioning
- Air conditioning and double glazed windows
- Passenger lifts
- Planning grid of 1.5m x 1.5m
- Maximum depth of 12-15m (shallow plan) or 15-21m (deep plan) to allow for natural light to the office area
- 1 cycle space per 10 staff and 1 shower per 100 staff
- 8-10 sqm general workspace density
What is the institutional specification for a Grade A office?
- Steel or concrete frames
- Steel frames less columns and a wider span
- Full access raised floors (150mm)
- Suspended ceiling (350mm ceiling void)
- LG7 compliant lighting
- Approx floor loading of 2.5/3Kn/sq m
- Air conditioning
- Double glazed windows
- Max depth of 12m – 15m
What are the different types of air conditioning systems?
- VAV - variable air volume (highest capital cost but most flexible)
- Fan coil - usually 4 pipe (lower initial costs and good flexibility but higher operating and maintenance costs)
- VRV - variable refrigerant volume. Invented by Daikin (lower capital costs but higher operating and maintenance costs)
- Static cooling - chilled beam and displacement heating. Natural approach to climate control (lower capital cost and operating costs but less flexibility
- Mechanical ventilation - when fresh air is moved around the building
- Heat recovery systems
- Comfort cooling - a simple form of air cooling system
What does LG7 lighting comprise?
Issued by the Society for Lighting and Light – for lighting offices – various rations – 5050 for task areas
What became illegal to use in air conditioning systems from 1st January 2015?
- Use and replacement of the low temperature refrigerant R22
- Existing R22 refrigerant systems needed to be modified to become more environmentally friendly
What is a shell and core fit out?
Where common parts of the building are completed, and the office floor areas are left as a shell ready for fit out by the occupier
What does Cat B spec mean?
Fit out to occupier’s specific requirements e.g. IT, Cellular offices
What is the difference between a Category A and Category B fit out?
- Category A: basic level of finish above that provided in shell and core. May include raised floors, suspended ceilings and internal surfaces, along with basic mechanical and electrical services
- Category B: fit out complete to the occupier’s specific requirements. May include installation of cellular offices, enhanced finishes and IT
What is the typical space allowance for offices?
1 person – 80/100 sq ft
What is the main method of construction for industrial buildings?
Steel portal frame building with insulated profiled steel cladding walls and roof
What is the institutional specification for an industrial warehouse?
- Steel portal frame with insulated profiled steel cladding and roof
- Min 30kn per sq m loading
- Brick and block walls to approx. 2 m
- Full height loading doors
- 3-phase electricity power
- Main services capped off
- 8m eaves height (where the roof meets the wall or overhangs the wall)
- 10% roof light
- 5-10% office content
- 40% site cover
What are the various types of Air Con for an industrial unit?
- VAV – air volume – most expensive but most flexible
- Fan coil – usually four pipe – lower capital costs and good flexibility but high operating costs
- Static beam – chilled beam cooler
- VRV Variant refrigerant volume
- Mechanical ventilation – where hot air is moved around the building
- Comfort cooling
