Space Database - Services

Resources

Measurement Standards

To make area calculation consistent and fair, standards need to be used. We need agreed-upon definitions of where measurements should be taken to and how common or shared space should be allocated.

Standard? Which Standard?

Although it is not the only one, the dominant standard that defines how to measure and calculate area in commercial buildings is published by BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association).

Other standards are occasionally used. For example, In Canada, the government (Public Works and Government Services) uses their own standard. Even the term 'BOMA Standard' can be misleading as there is more than one in use! There is a 1980 standard, a 1996 standard and there are different methods for calculating office, store and industrial areas. To learn more about each standard, click here.

Caveat Lessor

Three important things to keep in mind:

When requesting an area survey make sure you know which standard is required.

When referring to area in leases and contracts, ensure you clearly specify the standard used.

Make sure you understand the method used so you can explain and justify the numbers.

Resources

Here are some additional public support materials:

A list of area calculation standards and links to the original sources.
A very brief explanation of the BOMA 1996 Standard and an illustration of how we present survey results to you.