The Architect's Portable Handbook: First-Step Rules of Thumb for Building Design 4/e

By ("Pat") Patten ("Pat") ("Pat") Guthrie

The Essentials of Building Design--at Your Fingertips!

Fully updated with the 2009 IBC International Building Code, this practical guide delivers the key data you need in every step of an architectural project--from initial planning and estimating through design and completion. The Architect's Portable Handbook, Fourth Edition, provides the latest code and cost information, along with a wealth of easy-to-follow diagrams, charts, tables, and checklists for building materials, components, and assemblies. This is a must-have on-the-job companion for every design professional.

Get practical coverage of:

• Land planning
• Grading and drainage
• Soils
• Site improvements
• Landscaping and irrigation
• Green architecture
• Concrete
• Masonry
• Metals
• Wood
• Thermal and moisture protection
• Doors, windows, and glass
• Finishes
• Specialties
• Equipment
• Interiors
• Assemblies
• Conveying systems
• Plumbing and HVAC
• Lighting and electrical

• Language: English
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
• Release date: Mar 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9780071639163

Book preview

The Architect’s Portable Handbook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Patten (Pat) Guthrie, AIA, principal of John Pat Guthrie Architects, Inc., now retired. A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, Pat has been licensed as an architect in 13 states. He is also the author of Cross Check: Integrating Building Systems and Working Designs and Interior Designer’s Portable Handbook (published by McGraw-Hill) and Desert Architecture (self-published). Pat has taught at the FLW School of Architecture at Taliesin West. He and his wife Janet are the parents of two grown children, Eric and Erin. Pat’s avocations include world travel, art, sailing, and history.

THE ARCHITECT’S PORTABLE HANDBOOK

FIRST-STEP RULES OF THUMB FOR BUILDING DESIGN

FOURTH EDITION

BY PAT GUTHRIE ARCHITECT

Copyright © 2010, 2003, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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Dedicated to:

• Bill Mahoney of BNI (Building News Inc.) who encouraged me in the first edition

• Joel Stein, editor of the first edition

• My family (Jan, Eric, and Erin)

• The memory of my parents

The author wishes to thank Bill Mahoney of BNI Building News for providing some of the costs in this book.

Contents

How to Use This Book

Use this table as a checklist for the design of buildings.

__ PART 1. GENERAL

__ A. Practice (schedule of A/E services)

__ B. Systems Thinking

__ C. Specifications

__ D. Programming

__ E. Construction Costs

__ F. Construction Administration

__ G. Practical Math and Tables

__ H. Building Laws

__ 1. Zoning

__ 2. Code Requirements for Residential Construction (2000 IRC)

__ 3. Building Code (2009 IBC)

__ a. Occupant Load

__ b. Occupancy Classification

__ c. Allowable Floor Area

__ d. Allowable Building Height

__ e. Construction Type

__ f. Hourly Ratings

__ g. Occupancy Separations

__ h. Sprinkler Requirements

__ i. Fire Areas, Walls, Barriers, and Partitions

__ j. Fire Protection of Exterior Walls and Windows

__ k. Exiting and Stairs

__ 4. Accessibility (ADA requirements)

__ I. Structural Systems

__ 1. Construction Type by Code

__ 2. Long vs. Short Spans

__ 3. Loads

__ 4. Low- vs. High-Rise

__ 5. Lateral and Uplift

__ 6. Structural Components (A Primer)

__ 7. Rules of Thumb for Estimating Structural Sizes (Span-to-Depth Ratios)

__ J. Energy: Passive and Active Approaches to Conservation

__ 4. Checklist for Passive Building Design

__ 5. Checklist for Active Building Design

__ 6. Energy Code

__ K. Green Architecture (Sustainable Buildings)

__ L. Acoustics

__ 1. Room Acoustics

__ 2. Sound Isolation

__ PART 2. SITE

__ A. Land Planning

__ 1. Costs

__ 2. Slopes

__ 3. Site Selection

__ 4. Streets

__ 5. Parking

__ 6. Open-Space Proportions

__ B. Grading and Drainage

__ 1. Grading for Economy

__ 2. Maximum Slopes

__ 3. Desirable Grades

__ 4. Grades at Buildings

__ 5. Retaining Walls

__ 6. Earthwork Conversion Factors

__ 7. Earthwork Costs

__ 8. Drainage

__ C. Soils

__ D. Utilities

__ 1. Storm Drains

__ 2. Sanitary Sewer

__ 3. Water

__ 4. Power and Telephone

__ 5. Gas

__ 6. Fire Protection

__ E. Site Improvements

__ F. Landscaping and Irrigation

__ 1. General

__ 2. Materials

__ 3. Irrigation

__ PART 3. CONCRETE

__ A. Concrete Materials

__ B. Foundations

__ C. Concrete Members (Sizes and Costs)

__ PART 4. MASONRY

__ A. Masonry Materials

__ B. Masonry Members (Sizes and Costs)

__ PART 5. METALS

__ A. Metal Materials

__ B. Steel Members (Sizes and Costs)

__ PART 6. WOOD

__ A. Wood Materials

__ B. Wood Members (Sizes and Costs)

__ PART 7. THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION

__ A. Attic and Crawl Space Ventilation

__ B. Water and Dampproofing

__ C. Vapor Barriers

__ D. Radiant Barriers

__ E. Insulation

__ F. Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS)

__ G. Roofing

__ H. Flashing

__ I. Joints

__ PART 8. DOORS, WINDOWS, AND GLASS

__ A. Doors

__ B. Windows

__ C. Hardware

__ D. Glass

PART 9. FINISHES

__ A. Plaster

__ B. Gypsum Wallboard (Drywall)

__ C. Tile

__ D. Terrazzo

__ E. Acoustical Treatment

__ F. Wood Flooring

__ G. Masonry Flooring

__ H. Resilient Flooring

__ I. Carpeting

__ J. Paint and Coatings

__ K. Color

__ PART 10. SPECIALTIES

__ A. Toilet Partitions

__ B. Fireplaces

__ C. Graphics

__ D. Fireproofing

__ E. Operable Partitions

__ F. Bathroom Accessories

__ G. Sun Control

__ PART 11. EQUIPMENT

__ A. Residential Kitchens

__ B. Residential Laundries

__ C. Miscellaneous Costs

__ PART 12. INTERIORS

__ A. General Costs

__ B. Miscellaneous Objects

__ C. Furniture

__ 1. Miscellaneous

__ 2. Living/Waiting

__ 3. Bedroom/Guestroom

__ 4. Dining/Conference

__ 5. Restaurant Seating

__ 6. Office

__ D. Human Dimensions

__ PART 13. ASSEMBLIES

__ A. Roof Structure Assemblies

__ B. Floor Structure Assemblies

__ C. Walls

__ D. Ceilings

__ E. Flooring

__ PART 14. CONVEYING SYSTEMS

__ A. Elevators

__ B. Escalators

__ PART 15. MECHANICAL

__ A. The Plumbing System

__ 1. Fixtures Required by Code

__ 2. Water Supply

__ 3. Plumbing Fixtures

__ 4. Sanitary Sewer

__ 5. Rainwater/Storm Sewer

__ 6. Fire Protection

__ 7. Landscape Irrigation

__ 8. Gas

__ 9. Solar Hot Water Systems

__ B. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

__ 1. General

__ 2. Systems for Small Buildings

__ 3. Custom Systems for Large Buildings

__ 4. Diffusers, Terminal Devices, and Grilles

__ PART 16. LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL

__ A. Lighting

__ 1. General

__ 2. Daylighting (Natural Lighting)

__ 3. Electric (Artificial) Lighting

__ B. Power and Telephone

__ APPENDIXES

__ A. Building-Type Data

__ B. Location Data

__ REFERENCES

__ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

__ INDEX

How to Use This Book

The concept of this book is that of a personal tool that compacts the 20% of the data that is needed 80% of the time by design professionals in the preliminary design of buildings of all types and sizes and of the spaces between.

This tool is meant to always be at one’s fingertips (open on a drawing board or desk, carried in a briefcase, or kept in one’s pocket). It is never meant to sit on a bookshelf. It is meant to be used every day!

Because design professionals are individualistic and their practices are so varied, the user is encouraged to individualize this book over time, by adding notes or changing data as experience dictates.

The addition of rough construction costs throughout the book (making this type of handbook truly unique) will date the data. But building laws, new technologies, and materials are changing just as fast. Therefore, this book should be looked on as a starter of simple data collection that must be updated over time. New editions may be published in the future. See p. 43 for more information on costs.

Because this book is so broad in scope, yet so compact, information can be presented only at one place and not repeated. Examples of how to use the information are provided throughout. Information is presented in the form of simple ratios or coefficients that replace the need for commonsense judgment.

The whole book is laid out in checklist format, to be quickly read and checked against the design problem at hand.

Where is shown, refer to p. 657–660 for further explanation of references.

Notes pages appear throughout, on which the user is encouraged to keep further information in the form of notes or sketches.

This book is not a substitute for professional expertise or other books of a more detailed and specialized nature, but will be a continuing everyday aid that takes the more useful cream off the top of other sources.

1 GENERAL

__ A. PRACTICE

__ 1. Services: Use Schedule of A/E (Architectural/Engineering) Services on pp. 6-15 to plan the services for building design.

__ 2. Compensation (A/E Fees)

__ a. See App. A, item E, for A/E fees as a percentage of construction cost by building type.

__ b. Total services fees can be broken down as follows:

__ c. Of the total A/E fees, standard consultants' fees can be broken out as follows:

__ 3. Rules of Thumb for Business Practice

__ a. Watch cash flow: For a small firm, balance checkbook. For a medium or large firm, use cash statements and balance and income statements. Estimate future cash flow based on past, with 15% fudge factor, plus desired profit. Many architects (and businesses, in general) get in trouble by not immediately paying their bills (to consultants and vendors) as they are paid by their clients.

__ b. Have financial reserves: Six months' worth.

__ c. Monitor time by these ratios:

This tells what percent of total labor cost is being spent on paying work. The higher the percent the better. Typical range is 55 to 85%, but lower than 65% is poor. However, principals often have a 50% ratio.

This ratio is multiplied times wages for billing rates. Usually 2.5 to 3.0. Will vary with firm and time.

__ (3) Overhead rate: looks at total indirect expenses as they relate to total direct labor. An overhead rate of 180 means $1.80 spent for ea. $1.00 working on revenue-producing projects.

__ (4) Profit: measured as total revenue minus expenses. Expressed as percent of total revenue.

__ d. Monitor accounting reports: A financial statement consists of:

__ (1) Balance Sheet: Tells where you are on a given date by Assets and Liabilities.

__ (2) Earnings Statement (Profit and Loss): Tells you how you got there by Income less Direct (job) costs, and Indirect (overhead) costs = Profit, or Loss.

__ e. Mark up for Reimbursable Expenses (travel, printing, etc.): Usually 10%.

__ f. Negotiating contracts

__ (1) Estimate scope of services.

__ (2) Estimate time, costs, and profit.

__ (3) Determine method of compensation:

__ (a) Percent of construction cost

__ (b) Lump sum

__ (c) Hourly rates

__ (d) Hourly rates with maximum upset (not to exceed)

__ g. Contract checklist

__ (1) Detailed scope of work, no interpretation necessary.

__ (2) Responsibilities of both parties.

__ (3) Monthly progress payments.

__ (4) Interest penalty on overdue payments.

__ (5) Limit length of construction administration phase.

__ (6) Construction cost estimating responsibilities.

__ (7) For cost-reimbursable contracts, specify a provisional overhead rate (changes year to year).

__ (8) Retainer, applied to fee but not costs.

__ (9) Date of agreement, and time limit on contract.

__ (10) Approval of work—who, when, where.

__ (11) Ways to terminate contract, by both parties.

__ (12) For changes in scope, bilateral agreement, and an equitable adjustment in fee.

__ (13) Court or arbitration remedies and who pays legal fees.

__ (14) Signature and date by both parties.

__ (15) Limits on liability.

__ (16) Time limit on offer.

__ (17) Put it in writing!

__ B. SYSTEMS THINKING

In the planning and design of buildings, a helpful, all-inclusive tool is to think in terms of overall systems or flows. For each of the following checklist items, follow from the beginning or upper end through to the lower end or outfall:

__ 1. People Functions

__ a. Follow flow of occupants from one space to another. This includes sources of vertical transportation (stairs, elevators, etc.) including pathways to service equipment.

__ b. Follow flow of occupants to enter building from off site.

__ c. Follow flow of occupants to exit building as required by code, in case of an emergency.

__ d. Follow flow of accessible route as required by law.

__ e. Follow flow of materials to supply building (including furniture and off site).

__ f. Follow flow of trash to leave building (including to off site).

__ g. Way finding: do graphics or other visual clues aid flow of the above six items?

__ 2. Structural Functions

__ a. Follow flow of gravity loads from roof down columns, through floors, to foundations and soils.

__ b. Follow flow of lateral loads:

__ (1) Earthquake from ground up through foundations, columns, walls, floors, and roof.

__ (2) Wind from side walls to roof and floors, through columns, to foundations and the earth.

__ (3) Follow flow of uplift loads from wind and earthquake by imagining the roof being pulled up and that there are positive connections from roof to columns and walls (through floors) down to foundations and the earth.

__ 3. Water, Moisture, and Drainage

__ a. Drain the rain. Follow rainwater from highest point on roof to drain, through the piping system to outfall (storm sewer or site) off site.

__ b. Follow rainwater from highest points of site, around building, to outfall off site.

__ c. Follow rain or moisture at exterior walls and windows down building sides or weeped through assemblies to outfall. Remember: Moisture moves from more to less. Moisture moves from warm to cold.

__ d. Follow vapor from either inside or outside the building, through the skin (roof and walls) to outfall. Things get wet. Let them dry out.

__ e. Follow water supply from source to farthest point of use.

__ f. Follow contaminated water from farthest point of use to outfall (sewer main or end of septic tank).

__ g. Follow vapor flow into materials over year and allow for blockage, swelling, or shrinkage.

__ 4. Heat (flows from warm to cold)

__ a. Follow sun paths to and into building to plan for access or blocking.

__ b. Follow excessive external (or internal) heat through building skin and block if necessary.

__ c. Follow source of internal heat loads (lights, people, equipment, etc.) to their outfall (natural ventilation or AC, etc.).

__ d. Follow heat flow into materials over a year, a day, etc. and allow for expansion and contraction.

__ 5. Air

__ a. Follow wind patterns through site to encourage or block natural ventilation through building, as required.

__ b. Follow air patterns through building. When natural ventilation is used, follow flow from inlets to outlets. When air is still, hot air rises and cold air descends.

__ c. Follow forced air ventilation patterns through building to address heat (add or dissipate) and odors. CFM out equals CFM in.

__ 6. Light

__ a. Follow paths of natural light (direct or indirect sun) to and into building. Encourage or block as needed.

__ b. Follow paths of circulation and at spaces to provide artificial illumination where necessary. This includes both site and building.

__ 7. Energy and Communications

__ a. Follow electric or gas supply from off site to transformer, to breakers or panels to each outlet or point of connection.

__ b. Follow telephone lines from off site to TMB to each phone location.

__ 8. Sound

__ a. Identify potential sound sources, potential receiver locations, and the potential sound paths between the two.

__ b. Follow sound through air from source to receiver. Mitigate with distance or barrier.

__ c. Follow sound through structure from source to receiver. Mitigate by isolation of source or receiver.

__ C. SPECIFICATIONS

__ 1. Standard outline for writing specification sections:

__ a. General

__ b. Products

__ c. Execution

__ 2. Quick checklist on products or materials:

__ a. What is it and what does it do?

__ b. Who is it made by?

__ c. How to apply?

__ d. What does it cost?

__ e. Warranties?

__ 3. Detailed checklist on evaluating new products or materials:

__ a. Structural serviceability (resistance to natural forces such as wind and earthquake; structural adequacy and physical properties such as strength, compression, tension, shear, and behavior against impact and indentation).

__ b. Fire safety (resistance against the effects of fire such as flame propagation, burnthrough, smoke, toxic gases, etc.).

__ c. Habitability (livability relative to thermal efficiency, acoustic properties, water permeability, optical properties, hygiene, comfort, light, and ventilation, etc.).

__ d. Durability (ability to withstand wear, weather resistance such as ozone and ultraviolet, dimensional stability, etc.).

__ e. Practicability (ability to surmount field conditions such as transportation, storage, handling,