We know it can be difficult keeping track of all the different commercial real estate terms and definitions. And when it comes to space measurement terminology, definitions become even more granular.
To make it easy for you, we put together the 20 most important space measurement terms for you to have on hand whenever you need them.
Commercial Real Estate Terms and Definitions: Space Measurement
1. BOMA Standard Method of Measurement
The BOMA Standard is used to compute floor area in and around buildings via an agreed-upon, standard method of measurement.
BOMA method of measurement offers measurement standards for Office, Industrial, Gross Areas, Multi-Unit Residential, Retail, and Mixed-Use properties. The standard is updated over time. It is widely used by building owners, facility managers, leasing professionals, tenants, appraisers, architects, planners, and building measurement professionals. (See this blog for a roundup of more BOMA definitions to know.)
2. Boundary Area
The individual segments and extent of an area that defines the peripheral measurement of each floor.
3. Common Area Maintenance (CAM) Clause
Typically found in a shopping center Retail lease, this clause obligates the retail tenant to pay their proportionate share of the landlord’s costs of operating and maintaining the common areas of the shopping center.
4. Demising Wall
A wall that separates tenants.
5. Enclosing Walls
A wall that closes off a space.
6. Floor Service Area
The spaces on a floor that provide the necessary services or circulation required for the normal operation of that particular floor. Examples include electrical and telephone rooms/closets, janitorial rooms/closets, mechanical and utility rooms/closets, and restrooms.
Note: These areas are proportionately allocated to all occupants on that floor.
7. Occupant Area
The areas that include Tenant Area and Tenant Ancillary Area. Tenant Areas are the demised spaces suitable for individual tenant office occupancy. Tenant Ancillary Areas are those spaces located outside the physical boundaries of Tenant Area and include Extended Circulation, Interior Door Setbacks, and Ancillary Retail.
8. Occupant Storage Area
The spaces that include Occupant Storage Rooms and Occupant Storage Circulation.
Occupant Storage Rooms usually exist on floors such as basements, mechanical levels and parking levels. These spaces are used solely to provide storage for tenants and will not provide office occupancy. Occupant Storage Circulation is the area tenants use to access Occupant Storage Rooms.
9. International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS)
The International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) is a group of 90 professional and not-for-profit organizations from around the world, working together to develop and implement international standards for measuring property. IPMSC sets the IPMS measurement standards.
10. Major Vertical Penetration
An area which is open to below and accommodates Vertical Service Area (i.e. mechanical shafts), Vertical Circulation Area (i.e. stairs, elevators, and escalators) and their enclosing walls.
Note: This area is deducted from the Boundary Area and is not included in Rentable Area.
11. Occupant Storage Circulation
The area tenants use to access Occupant Storage Rooms.
12. Occupant Storage Rooms
Occupant Storage Rooms usually exist on floors such as basements, mechanical levels and parking levels. These spaces will be used solely to provide storage for tenants and will not provide office occupancy.
13. Rentable Area
Rentable Areas are the sum of the space tenants occupy and a portion of a property’s shared common space(s).
14. Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)
REBNY is New York City’s leading real estate trade association that represents agents and brokers; building owners, managers and developers; and an increasingly diverse array of other professionals involved in real estate. REBNY provides real-time resources, services, and information and works with government officials and other stakeholders to promote policies.
15. Rentable Square Footage (RSF)
Rentable Square Footage (RSF) is the area based on calculations provided by REBNY’s guidelines or BOMA’s standards. RSF is usually utilized to determine a tenant’s rent but may differ from the leased area.
16. Tenant Ancillary Area
Tenant Ancillary Areas are those spaces located outside the physical boundaries of Tenant Area and include Extended Circulation, Interior Door Setbacks, and Ancillary Retail.
17. Tenant Area
Tenant Areas are the demised spaces suitable for individual tenant office occupancy.
18. Usable Square Footage (USF)
Usable Square Footage (USF) is the actual square footage measured within a space’s demised walls. The USF of a space will vary depending on the standard of measurement (REBNY or BOMA) that is applied for the area calculations.
19. Vertical Circulation Area
These areas include stairs, elevators, escalators, ramps, lifts, etc.
20. Vertical Service Area
These areas include mechanical shafts, vents, pipes, HVAC ducts, service lines, etc.
Other Commercial Real Estate Terms and Definitions
Browse for more content covering additional commercial real estate terms and definitions:
- 5 BOMA Definitions to Know: Understand Space Measurement Terminology
- 20 Commercial Real Estate Terms to Know: Understand Your CRE Investment
- Building Management System vs Building Automation System: What’s the Difference
- Sustainability for CRE Buildings 101: What is Virtual Engineering for HVAC?
- What is a Net Zero Energy Commercial Building – And Why Should It Be on Your Radar
- Understand Your HVAC—Air Handling Units (AHU)
- Understand Your HVAC—Packaged Rooftop Unit (RTU)
- Understand Your HVAC—The Refrigeration Cycle
- Understand Your HVAC—Superheat and Subcooling
Space Measurement Tools to Consider
Now that you have a better grasp of some key space measurement terms, it’s time to consider how you can utilize a space measurement software solution at your property. With space measurement software, you can ensure your rentable square footage (RSF) metrics are always accurate and aligned with current BOMA or REBNY standards. And with Prism Plans you can create a central library for all your floor plans, stacking diagrams, and other key documents.
To continue learning more about space measurement and management solutions for your property, contact one of our experts today.
