3.6 Interior Finishes
Emergency Evacuation Route Signage
Emergency evacuation route signage shall be posted in a
tamper resistant frame or engraved on a placard that is
Recommended Minimum Standards for Finishes in
mounted on the walls in each passenger elevator lobby,
Tenant Spaces. GSA has set minimum standards for the
freight elevator lobby, and any mechanical spaces that
quality of finishes. GSA provides a tenant improvement
may be occupied by contractors or other personnel not
allowance for finishes and features within its rental
familiar with floor layouts and exit locations. The minimum
charge. Within this allowance, the choices for interior
size of the signage shall be 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. This
finishes are the responsibility of the tenant. GSA
signage shall be depicted in either landscape or portrait
recommends the following as minimum standards. Where
form depending on the architectural layout and orientation
tenants choose finishes below these minimum standards,
of the elevator lobbies at each floor. {Also provide labeling
the tenant is responsible for above standard maintenance
as required in PBS ORDER 3490.1, Paragraph 7.d.(1), dated
costs. Codes may have a bearing on the type of finishes in
March 8, 2002.}
an area and shall be consulted. For fire safety requirements,
The signage shall consist of a CADD generated floor plan
see Chapter 7, Fire Protection & Life Safety, Interior
for each floor with the evacuation routes identified (show
routes to two different exits with directional arrows).
rather than continuous carpet over access flooring.
Provide a "YOU ARE HERE" designation pointing directly
Architects shall specify, where practicable, finishes that
to the signs final installed orientation. Also provide a main
contain recycled, renewable, and/or reusable materials and
heading titled "EVACUATION PLAN". This signage may
that eliminate or minimize the release of harmful
contain a zoomed in core area of the building (for a larger
substances during installation and use. Finishes shall be
view of routes) if all evacuation routes and evacuation
specified based on the value they provide over their useful
stairways are legibly shown. The signage shall contain a
life; considerations include maintenance and disposal
LEGEND for clarification purposes of any additional items
costs in addition to first costs.
shown on these evacuation plans. Also, include the
following statement on plans "IN CASE OF FIRE DO NOT
Carpets. Carpets should be used in all areas where
USE ELEVATORS - USE STAIRS".
acoustics are a concern, most notably in office working
areas. Carpet tile should be used whenever there is access
Registry of Builders and Designers. A plaque shall be
flooring, a cellular floor, or a ducted floor system, so that
placed inside the building with the names of the indi-
maintenance of systems under the floor can be done
viduals on the GSA project design team; the consultant
without destroying the carpet. Carpet tile is available in
architects and engineers; the onsite construction man-
hard back or cushion back, which maintains its overall
agers; and the construction workers will be inscribed
appearance longer and is more comfortable to stand and
on the plaque. The GSA Project Manager will provide
walk on than hard back.
the specifications for the design and construction of
the plaque.
Six-foot-wide (1800mm) cushion back broadloom carpet
can be used in many installations. Twelve-foot-wide
(3700mm) broadloom carpet without a cushion back or
separate pad is appropriate for use in low traffic areas. In
91
ARCHITECTURAL
AND
INTERIOR
DESIGN
3.6
Interior Finishes
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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