ID POST cheat sheet

Programming precedes design: collect client profile, occupancy schedule, storage inventory, adjacency priorities, and budget before any layout work.

Net assignable area plus circulation and wall thickness yields gross area; typical residential circulation allowance is 10–15% of net area in open plans and up to 20% in compartmented plans.

Clear floor space for a main walkway is 36 in (915 mm) minimum; 42–48 in (1070–1220 mm) is preferred where two people pass or doors swing into the path.

Furniture layout rule: allow 18 in (455 mm) between a sofa and coffee table, 30–36 in (760–915 mm) for main traffic routes, and 36 in (915 mm) in front of a dresser or closet.

Dining clearances: 36 in (915 mm) from table edge to wall for seating only; 44–60 in (1120–1525 mm) where chairs are pulled out and traffic passes behind.

Adjacency matrix and bubble diagram convert the program into zones; classify rooms as public, private, service, and circulation before drawing walls.

Universal design targets: 30 x 48 in (760 x 1220 mm) clear floor space at fixtures, 5 ft (1525 mm) turning circle in kitchens and baths, and 32–36 in (815–915 mm) clear door width.

Daylight and view priority: place primary living and work zones within roughly twice the window head height of glazing for useful daylight penetration.

Wood light-frame: repetitive studs at 16 or 24 in on center; interior nonbearing partitions may use 2x4 at 24 in o.c., bearing walls require engineering per code.

Type X gypsum board is 5/8 in thick with a glass-fiber core; it is specified for rated assemblies, not ordinary 1/2 in board.

Sound transmission class (STC) 50 is a common target for party walls between dwelling units; adding resilient channels and insulation raises STC several points.

Fireblocking is required in concealed wood-frame spaces at floor and ceiling levels, at soffits, and where chases pass between stories.

Anchor selection: use expansion anchors in concrete, toggle or snap-toggle in hollow gypsum board, and never rely on drywall anchors for overhead loads.

Slope and clearance: shower floors slope 1/4 in per foot to drain; a floor drain needs a trap and access for maintenance.

Door detailing: standard interior door height 80 in (2030 mm); rough opening equals door width plus 2 in and height plus 2 1/2 in for a typical frame.

Detail drawings must show substrate, attachment, joint treatment, and termination at adjacent finishes; specify sealant joints at dissimilar materials.

Egress path: two means of egress are generally required for dwelling units above certain story heights; a single exit is permitted only within code limits for small buildings.

Sleeping rooms require at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening with sill height and net clear opening meeting the adopted code; typical minimum net clear opening is 5.7 sq ft (0.53 sq m).

Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on each story; carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist.

Stair geometry: maximum riser 7 3/4 in (196 mm) and minimum tread depth 10 in (254 mm) for most residential stairs; handrail height 34–38 in (865–965 mm).

Guard height at open sides is 36 in (915 mm) minimum for dwelling units in the model code, with baluster spacing limiting passage of a 4 in (100 mm) sphere.

Hallway and stair minimum clear width is typically 36 in (915 mm); doors in the egress path must swing in the direction of travel only where the code requires it for occupant load.

Kitchen and bath require GFCI protection at receptacles serving countertops, within 6 ft of sinks, and in garages, outdoors, and unfinished basements.

Alterations trigger upgrade requirements: verify with the authority having jurisdiction whether egress, alarm, or accessibility upgrades are required when a permit is filed.

Specification format: MasterFormat divisions organize work; Division 09 covers finishes and Division 12 covers furnishings. Each spec section states submittals, products, execution, and warranty.

Textile performance: Wyzenbeek or Martindale abrasion results are not interchangeable; contract upholstery commonly specifies 30,000+ double rubs or 20,000+ Martindale cycles.

Flammability: upholstered furniture in public and some residential occupancies is specified to pass California Technical Bulletin 117 or the newer TB 117-2013 smolder test.

Resilient flooring: sheet vinyl and LVT differ in seam strategy and subfloor flatness tolerance, commonly 1/8 in in 10 ft for hard surfaces.

Wood flooring moisture: acclimatize solid wood to in-service conditions and verify subfloor moisture content; typical acceptable range is 6–10% for wood subfloors, per manufacturer.

Tile: porcelain has water absorption below 0.5%; use slip-resistant tile with a measured coefficient of friction of 0.60 or higher on wet floors.

Paint sheen: flat for ceilings and low-traffic walls, eggshell or satin for general walls, semi-gloss for trim, kitchens, and baths for cleanability.

Submittals and samples: retain approved samples as the standard of comparison; substitutions require written approval before installation.

Layer lighting into ambient, task, and accent; general illumination targets roughly 10–20 footcandles in living areas, 30–50 fc on kitchen counters, and 50–100 fc at task locations.

Color rendering: specify CRI 90+ for residential interiors; correlated color temperature of 2700–3000 K suits living spaces, 3500–4000 K suits task and utility areas.

Lumens per watt and fixture efficacy: compare delivered lumens, not wattage; LED replacement must match fixture dimming compatibility (forward or reverse phase, 0–10 V).

Acoustic absorption: sound-absorbing ceiling tile or acoustic panels reduce reverberation; target reverberation time under about 0.6 s in small rooms for speech clarity.

Background noise: continuous HVAC noise above NC 30–35 in living spaces becomes noticeable; specify equipment and duct lining to keep it below that.

Air and thermal comfort: ASHRAE 55 defines acceptable thermal comfort ranges; typical winter operative temperature is 68–75 F (20–24 C) and summer 73–79 F (23–26 C).

Daylighting control: photocell dimming near windows and occupancy sensors in baths, closets, and laundry reduce energy use and are often code-required.

Sound isolation between rooms depends on mass, decoupling, and sealing; a gap or back-to-back outlet can halve the effective STC.

Kitchen work triangle: the sum of the distances between sink, range, and refrigerator should be no more than 26 ft (7.9 m), with each leg between 4 and 9 ft.

Work aisle clearances: 42 in (1070 mm) between counters for a one-cook kitchen, 48 in (1220 mm) for multiple cooks; 36 in minimum at a single-cook galley.

Counter heights: 36 in (915 mm) standard; provide 30 in (760 mm) or adjustable-height work surfaces for seated users.

Bath clearances: 30 x 48 in clear floor space at lavatory, toilet, and tub/shower; 60 in turning circle in the room or an adjacent accessible approach.

Toilet placement: minimum 15 in (380 mm) from centerline to side wall and 21 in (535 mm) clear in front of the bowl for a standard installation.

Ventilation: bath exhaust must be ducted outdoors; intermittent fans are typically sized at 1 cfm per sq ft of floor area or per manufacturer, with makeup air provided.

Kitchen ventilation: range hood capture depends on cooking appliance output; gas ranges generally need higher exhaust rates, and duct runs should minimize elbows.

Storage planning: base cabinets 24 in deep, wall cabinets 12 in deep and 18 in above counters; corner and pull-out accessories reduce dead space.

Fee structures: hourly, fixed fee, percentage of construction cost, or cost plus; each must state scope, reimbursables, and what triggers additional services.

Owner-architect or owner-designer agreement: define standard of care, schedule, deliverables, number of revisions, and termination provisions in writing.

Construction documents: drawings plus specifications form the contract documents; changes require a written change order with cost and time impact.

Billing: retainage commonly 5–10% until substantial completion; pay applications should be certified and matched to schedule of values.

Schedule control: use a milestone schedule with submittal, procurement, and installation lead times; long-lead items such as cabinetry drive the critical path.

Risk management: carry professional liability and general liability insurance, verify contractor insurance certificates, and document site visits in field reports.

Submittals and RFIs: log every request for information and submittal with dates; the response time is a schedule variable, not a formality.

Substantial completion vs. final completion: punch list, closeout documents, warranties, and as-built drawings are separate closeout obligations.

Conflict of interest: disclose any financial interest in a specified product, supplier, or contractor before the client commits, and obtain written consent.

Competence rule: accept work only within your education and experience; engage a licensed architect or engineer for structural, mechanical, or life-safety design beyond your scope.

Confidentiality: client information, budgets, and personal data are not shared without permission; secure digital files and limit access.

Scope and fee transparency: put the scope of services in writing; verbal promises about cost or schedule create liability.

Communication record: confirm decisions, approvals, and client selections in writing with dates; verbal approvals are not documentation.

Cost estimates: distinguish budget, estimate, and bid; never guarantee a construction cost unless contracted to do so with defined assumptions.

Ethical marketing: do not claim certifications, licenses, or affiliations you do not hold; state credentials accurately.

Client relations: present options with trade-offs, document the client's selection, and disclose product lead times and substitution risks before ordering.