Blog 12

 Phases of Design

There are different phases of the design process, including programming, schematic design, design development, contract documents, construction administration, and post-occupancy evaluation. In the programming phase of design, the interior designer interviews the client and learns what is needed for the job. They research and perform an assessment on the project. They determine things like the occupancy type and applicable codes.

During the Schematic design phase, the designer presents several possible design solutions until one is accepted. The design team determines things like the required number of exits and paths of egress. During the design development phase, the designer begins selecting all the materials and finishes to be used. The designer will also determine partition types as well as door and window selections, depending on the building codes. 

During the contract documents phase, the final set of construction documents is created. These contain all the applicable codes and important details about the design. During the Construction administration phase, the designer will visit the site and ensure everything is going smoothly and that the design intent is being portrayed correctly. The post-occupancy evaluation is conducted after the project is complete and the clients have moved into the space. This evaluation gathers feedback and ensures the design is satisfactory and successful. 

Building Codes

The International Code Council(ICC) creates a new International Building Code(IBC) every 3 years. The current code is the 2021 edition, which is known as ICC IBC-2021. The main purpose of building codes is to ensure people can exit a building safely in case of fire or other emergencies. Means of Egress is a big part of this. This displays the path occupants will take to exit the building in the case of a fire. There are four main principles of egress that a designer must consider. The first principle is that a designer must provide alternative paths of travel to avoid a fire. The second is that a design must protect occupants from fire and smoke. The third principle is that buildings must accommodate all occupants and their needs. The final principle is that the means of egress must be well-marked and illuminated. Emergency power must also be used to light the path of travel in case power is lost. A designer should first identify the occupancy classification to know how many means of egress are needed. They also must determine the width of the egress corridor and if a fire separation is needed. The designer must also determine if the building has a sprinkler system to determine the length of the path. 

In case of a fire, there are different processes a designer must consider to help keep people safe. Compartmentalization is a process that closes off sections of a building during a fire or emergency. There are also fire separators, which can be used to stop fire from spreading. They are seen mainly in egress corridors and must be fire-rated. Smoke detectors must also be included in the design. There are three main types of smoke detectors: smoke, heat, and flame detectors. These will detect something and trigger an alarm that has both audio and visual signals. Some alarms can also be manual. There is also fire suppression equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, standpipe systems, and sprinkler systems. 

Sprinkler systems are also very important for fire safety. They can allow for a longer traveling distance to emergency exits. It is important for a designer to understand the distance between where each sprinkler head should be placed, depending on the type of building. There are four main types of sprinkler heads. The pendant head is a surface-mounted fixture and hangs down from the ceiling. The concealed pendant is recessed into the ceiling. The upright fixture projects fully into a space. A side wall sprinkler is mounted on a wall. 

Designers must also be aware of the materials they are using and whether they are fire-rated or not. The highest cause of death in a fire is through smoke inhalation, not the fire itself. When materials burn, they release toxins into the air to be breathed in. Designers should refrain from using plastic products like plastic foam unless it’s concealed. Designers should also include exhaust hatches and fans. The IBC states requirements for interior finishes to ensure fire safety.

Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. It has been revised over time to ensure Standards for Accessible Design. It focuses on providing equal access in public buildings for people with disabilities. This includes people in wheelchairs, as well as the vision or hearing-impaired. Some of the key components for ADA include: ramps, doors, elevators, restrooms, signage, seating, etc. The compliant rule is also very important. It consists of the entire pathway a person must take throughout an entire building. Ramps also must be included to ensure people in wheelchairs can get from floor to floor. The maximum slope of a ramp is 1:12. There must be door clearances, and 36” doors are required. Doors must also have a lever, push bar, or other accessible hardware. Areas of refuge are also required. Every building must have at least one accessible restroom. This restroom should have enough room for a wheelchair to fully turn around. It must have proper heights for fixtures and contain grab bars for assistance. There should also be plenty of signs within a building that include Braille for the visually impaired. Designers must ensure there aren’t projections past 7 inches into corridors to protect the visually impaired.

Accessibility Evaluation

I looked at the Ohio Hall dorm story on campus because that is where I live. I first looked outside the building. It has a ramp to get onto the entrance concrete platform. It also has push buttons to open the front doors for someone in a wheelchair. This was good, but once inside the building, there was not much else that met ADA requirements. There were no ramps inside the building and no elevator. There are many stairs, which means a person in a wheelchair would not be able to live in our building very easily. There are 2 egress stairs on either end of the building, which is good for safety. There is no labeled area of refuge in the building. There is some signage throughout the building, but not a lot. There are exit signs at the entrance of the building and by each egress stair, but there’s not much else other than that. There are also no signs that include Braille. There are some projections, but the hallways are kept very clear for the most part. There are different areas of seating throughout the building, which is good. There are seating areas on each floor which are easy to access. I would say the main concern for the building is that there are many stairs and no interior ramps or elevators. The signage could also be improved and adding an area of refuge or labeling it better. Overall, I would say the Ohio Hall Dormitory is not a very accessible building. It would be very hard for someone in a wheelchair to live here, and also difficult for someone visually impaired.