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Vertical circulation areas such as stairwells and elevator shafts at the lowest level are now included per the 2017 BOMA Office Standards. Does this mean that only on the lowest floor there could be an increase in rentable area? Also, did the standard change to exclude vertical service area unless the area penetrates downwards though the floor? Any clarification would help.
Hi Andrew,
All Vertical Circulation and Vertical Service Areas are included as Rentable Area at their lowest level. To be clear, that is not necessarily the lowest level of the building, but rather the lowest level of each individual vertical circulation or service area, which could be on any floor in the building. Simply put,if there is a floor, it's rentable area (usually Building Service Area). If there is no floor, it is not Rentable Area Major Vertical Penetration or VOID).
There are other new additions to the standard that may also increase the rentable area of the building; such as, balconies, finished rooftop patios and some Covered Galleries.
Thanks,
David