Preface

This is the third edition of CSA Z317.11, Area measurement for health care facilities. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2002 and 1982.

This Standard defines the methods by which certain commonly used measurements of floor area should be made. These provisions are intended to simplify the task of making comparisons between similar buildings for health care facilities in different parts of Canada.

Changes to this edition include the following:

a) alignment of terms and definitions with CSA Z8000;

b) additional definitions and requirements for interstitial space, mechanical space, net area, and shelled space;

c) addition of general requirements for scoping and planning of area measurement activities;

d) provision for measurement and recording of spaces that are not necessarily part of the component gross or building gross;

e) guidance on the relationship between this Standard and the commercial measurement methodologies that are often applied in leasing situations;

f) guidance on measurement of circulation space directly associated with certain room elements, such as multiple workstations; and

g) updated diagrams illustrating gross and net areas.

Scope

1.1
This Standard establishes requirements for area measurement in health care facilities (HCFs). It is intended to provide a basic, uniform system to

a) support HCF planning and design activities that require such measurements (e.g., functional programming, building and room design, administration, cost estimating, and funding of capital programs); and

b) facilitate meaningful comparisons between HCFs throughout Canada.

1.2
The measurement techniques established by this Standard apply to both existing buildings and new construction.

Note: When applying these measurement techniques to alterations and renovations of existing buildings, the user of this Standard is advised to exercise judgement in defining the limits of the areas measured and in relating area measurements to the cost of the work because of the widely varied nature of such work.

1.3
This Standard is applicable to all floor area measurements in a health care facility. It does not address measurements directly related to compliance with jurisdictional codes and regulations.

Note: When assessing building code compliance, the appropriate building code definitions apply.

1.4
In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Legends to equations and figures are considered requirements.

1.5
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.