Alternate Measuring Methods
- Introduction
- BOMA - The Gross Areas of a Building: Methods of Measurement
- FAIR Method
- IFMA E1836-01
- Fixed, Capped, Gross and Custom Definitions
- Retail Plazas and Shopping Malls
- City of Toronto Zoning Non-Residential Gross Floor Area (NRGFA)
- Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
- Residential Homes, Apartments and Condominums
The Gross Areas of a Building: Methods of Measurement
In 2009, BOMA International published "The Gross Areas of a Building: Methods of Measurement". The purpose of the document is to standardize the methodology used in determining the Gross Building Area of all private and pubic building types, including; office, retail, industrial, residential and institutional, whether existing or non-existing. The document outlines two distinct measuring methods, known as "Construction Gross Area" and "Exterior Gross Area".
Construction Gross Area method includes all of the areas measured in the Exterior Gross Area method but also includes unenclosed areas within the building perimeter that has a structural floor, or are covered by a roof or canopy. This method is typically used to determine construction costs and replacement costs of a building.
Exterior Gross Area is essentially the same as the BOMA 1996 Gross Building Area. Exterior Gross Area is determined by measuring to the outside surface of the exterior of each floor without any deductions. The measurement includes structured parking but excludes the top level of a parking structure since all areas need to be enclosed in order to be included. The only unenclosed area that could be included in Exterior Gross Area is External Circulation, which is defined in our BOMA 2010 resource guide here. The Exterior Gross Area method is most commonly used for tax assessment purposes or for establishing lease rates in single tenant buildings.
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