Administrative Services Division (ASD) - Realty Services - Definitions for Space Measurement |
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Rentable square feet refers to the area for which the tenant is charged rent. It is determined by the building owner and may vary by city or by building within the same city. Rentable square feet may include a share of building support/common areas such as elevator lobbies, building corridors, and
floor service areas. Floor service areas typically include rest rooms, janitor rooms, telephone closets, electrical closets, and mechanical rooms. Rentable square feet generally does not include vertical building penetrations and their enclosing walls, such as stairs, elevator shafts, and vertical ducts.
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Useable square feet refers to the area available for a tenant s personnel, equipment, and furnishings. Useable square feet is determined as follows:
If the space is on a single tenancy floor, compute the inside gross area by measuring between the inside finish of the permanent exterior building walls or from the face of the convectors (pipes or other wall-hung fixtures) if the convector occupies at least 50% of the length of the exterior walls.
If the space is on a multiple tenancy floor, measure from the exterior building walls as above and to the room side finish of the fixed corridor and shaft walls and/or the center of tenant separating partitions.
In all measurements, make no deductions for columns and projections enclosing the structural elements of the building and deduct the following from the gross area including their enclosed walls.
1. Toilets and Lounges (unless used exclusively by the Program)
2. Stairwells
3. Elevator and escalator shafts
4. Building equipment and service areas
5. Entrance and elevator lobbies
6. Stacks and shafts
7. Corridors in place or required by local codes/ordinances and required by GSA to provide an acceptable level of safety and/or to provide access to all essential building elements. Corridors deducted to determine occupiable space may or may not be separated by ceiling high partitions.