Course Title: INTDSN 50, Codes and Specifications for Interior Design
Units: 3
Date Submitted: Feb., 1996
Updated: April, 2007
IGETC Area:
CSU GE Area:
Transfer: CSU

1. Catalog Description:

   Prerequisite: None

   This course explores federal regulations, building codes & standards, and specifications concerning life-safety issues, ADA, and universal design requirements relative to residential and contract design. Special attention is given to perform safety, testing, and compliance for interior products and finish materials.

2. Required Text and References:
   • Reznikoff, Sivon C. Specifications for Commercial Interiors. Watson-Guptill; Rev Sub edition (May 1, 1989) ISBN-10: 0823048934
   • Harmon, Sharon K. The Codes Guidebook for Interiors. Wiley; 3 Signed edition (March 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471650897
   • Division of the State Architect, CARM: California Accessibility Reference Manual (Spiral-bound) Builder's Book, Inc. November 2002, ISBN-10: 1889892327
   • Ching, Francis D. K., Winkel Steven R. FAIA; Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2006 International Building Code;Wiley; 2 edition (November 28, 2006) ISBN-10: 0471741892
3. Course Objectives:

   Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

   1. Analyze how professional and product liabilities occur in the Interior Design profession.
   2. Identify and define the purpose of the federal regulatory acts, standards organizations, and various codes that affect interiors.
   3. Compare building construction types and their relationship to building sizes.
   4. Identify occupancy classifications and how to calculate occupant loads.
   5. List the types of egress and how to determine exit locations, arrangements, capacity, and travel distance.
   6. Describe exit lighting and signage requirements.
   7. Explain the types of fire and smoke prevention, detection, and suppression systems.
   8. Knowledge of barrier-free accessibility and ADA requirements.
   9. Draft specifications with clearly communicated format and content.
   10. Evaluate performance criteria, health-safety factors, and universal design applications in estimating and preparing specifications for interior materials and products including: Flooring, wall finishes, window treatments, upholstered & casegoods furniture, and open office systems.
4. Student Learning Outcome(s):

   The student will:

   1. Given a set of programmatic and code parameters, students will produce a code analysis report detailing fire separation and exiting requirements.
   2. Students will produce a set of material specifications that met the requirements of current building codes for a commercial interior space.
5. Methods of Presentation:
   

   Illustrated lectures and demonstrations, visual aid and handouts, guest lectures

6. Course Content:
   

   Percentage of Term / Topic

       
   • 5%     Introduction and overview "Why Codes"? Purpose, requirements, compliance inspection, and implementation.
   • 10%   General Planning Criteria. Occupancy, path of travel, horizontal exiting, rated corridors. Regulations, standards, and codes.
   • 15%   Accessibility planning criteria, disability accommodation, spatial and circulation compliance. ADA requirements, ADA guidelines.
   • 10%    Accessible and special materials compliance - Slip coefficient, detectable warning, antimicrobial and recyclable.
   • 20%   Fire-life safety requirements.
   • 15%   Construction types.
   • 15%   Finish/materials standards overview - State of California compliance.
   • 5%     Testing standards - Combustion prevention, flammability, smoke density Methods of testing.
   • 5%     Signage, alarms, and telephone requirements.
   • 100% Total
7. Methods of Evaluation:
   

   (Actual point distribution will vary from instructor to instructor but approximate values are shown.)

   Topic / Percentage

   • Exams  90%
   • Quizzes  10%
   • Grades are determined on a percentage basis:
   • Grading:
   • A = 91% to 100%
   • B = 81% to 90%
   • C = 71% to 80%
   • D = 61% to 70%
   • F = Below 60%