BOMA Help Desk: Alternate Methodologies for Buildings not Addressed in BOMA Standards

Annie Leung: PWGSC; August 9, 2017

For buildings not addressed in the BOMA Standard Methods of Measurement, are there advantages or disadvantages with either following their suggested alternate methodologies versus applying an existing BOMA standard to the space?

We are evaluating the breakdown buildings from the construction gross area to the occupant area and eventually looking into a breakdown space from the hard walls down to cubicles and phantom walls. Examples below:

1. Schools
Alternate Methodology: Postsecondary Educational Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual – National Center for Educational Statistics
Reference: Mixed-Use (Z65.6 – 2012 – page # 57, 74)

2. Single family homes, duplex and triplex homes and row houses
Alternate Methodology: ANSI Z765 Square Footage – Method for Calculating – National Association of Home Builders
Reference: Mixed-Use (Z65.6 – 2012 – page # 74)

3. Hospital
Alternate Methodology: Joint Commission on Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
Reference: Mixed-Use (Z65.6 – 2012 – page # 74)

Alternate Methodologies Links:
National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) https://nces.ed.gov/

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) https://www.nahb.org/

Joint Commission on Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) https://www.jointcommission.org/

David Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; August 11, 2017

Hi Annie,

It's a difficult to say if there are advantages or disadvantages to using BOMA over some other methodology or vice versa. It depends on what you are trying to achieve when calculating the area. What is the purpose of the measurement? Is it for leasing, facility management or some other kind of valuation?

The general advantage of using the BOMA standard is that it is a well established and well accepted methodology of measuring buildings. It is widely known in the industry and ensures a certain level of consistency when applied correctly.

We have successfully used the BOMA Office standard for schools and hospitals before. Residential buildings, such as row houses and duplex/triplex structures are not compatible with the BOMA Multi-Residential Standard.

The Mixed-Use Standard is not appropriate for a building with a single use component.

The BOMA Gross Areas standard may be used for any building type but it does not provide a granular breakdown of areas at this time.

I hope this helps.