ASTM E2619/E2619M-17 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E2619/E2619M-17 — Standard Practice for Measuring and Calculating Building Loss Features That Take Up Floor Area in Buildings. This practice defines methods to identify, measure, and calculate building loss features inside the exterior gross area of a floor and to determine actual and effective floor area unavailable for workplaces, furniture, equipment, or circulation when using standard furnishings and orthogonal furniture systems.

Abstract

This standard practice specifies procedures for quantifying the area taken by building loss features (for example major vertical penetrations, columns, perimeter encroachments, service areas and other interior encroachments) and for calculating both actual loss and an effective loss factor for use in space‑planning, design performance requirements, and comparative assessments of office facilities. It is intended for informational and performance-assessment use rather than for regulatory or fire‑risk determinations.

General information

• Status: Edition 2017 (E2619/E2619M‑17); later revisions exist (see FAQ).
• Publication date: Approved Oct 1, 2017; published in late 2017 (edition referenced as 2017).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 91.010.30 — Technical aspects (building and facility measurement / performance of buildings).
• Edition / version: E2619/E2619M‑17 (2017 edition).
• Number of pages: 11 pages (compact practice document).

Scope

This practice covers how to measure certain characteristics of a building, known as building loss features, within the exterior gross area of a floor and how to calculate the amount of actual and effective floor area unavailable for the placement of people’s workplaces, furniture, equipment, or circulation when using standard furnishings and orthogonal furniture systems. It can be used to set or evaluate performance requirements for office facility floor‑area efficiency and to supplement floor‑area measurement reports performed under other practices. The practice is not intended for regulatory purposes or fire‑risk assessment.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of building loss features (e.g., columns, major vertical penetrations, interior and perimeter encroachments).
• Measurement procedures for quantifying actual lost floor area within exterior gross area.
• Calculation methods for effective loss (loss factors) to reflect reduced usability of encroached space under standard furnishing scenarios.
• Guidance on using the practice to set or evaluate performance requirements for office designs and constructed facilities.
• Unit systems handling: SI and inch‑pound values treated independently (do not mix systems in a single calculation).

Typical use and users

Used by architects, facility managers, workplace planners, building owners, real estate analysts, and consultants to quantify and compare how much usable floor area is lost to fixed building features. Common applications include early design performance targets, lease and facility planning comparisons, post‑construction verification of delivered usable area, and assessments that support furniture planning and space programming.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and used alongside Practice E1836/E1836M (Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management), ANSI/BOMA floor‑measurement methods (for certain leasing measurements), and ASTM terminology standards such as E631. The practice is developed under ASTM Committee E06 (Performance of Buildings), Subcommittee E06.25 (Whole Buildings and Facilities).

Keywords

building loss feature, floor area measurement, actual loss, effective loss, loss factor, exterior gross area, interior encroachment, perimeter encroachment, columns, vertical penetrations, office planning, facility management, space efficiency, ASTM E2619.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is an ASTM standard practice (E2619/E2619M‑17) that provides procedures to measure and calculate the floor area taken up by fixed building features and to report actual and effective loss of usable floor area.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers identification and measurement of building loss features within the exterior gross area of a floor, calculation of actual lost area and effective loss factors for standard furnishing configurations, and guidance on using those results to set or evaluate performance requirements for office floor‑area usability.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Architects, workplace planners, facility managers, building owners, real estate professionals, and consultants who need standardized methods to quantify and compare usable floor area affected by fixed building elements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition (E2619/E2619M‑17) is a published edition; a subsequent revision/edition (documented as a 2026 edition) has been published, so the 2017 edition has been superseded by the 2026 revision for the most current requirements. Check the issuing body (ASTM) for the controlling, current edition and official effective date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a stand‑alone ASTM practice within the E06 committee portfolio but is often used alongside other ASTM and ANSI/BOMA practices for floor‑area measurement and facility management (for example E1836/E1836M and E631). It was developed and maintained by Subcommittee E06.25 (Whole Buildings and Facilities).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include actual loss, effective loss, building loss feature, floor area measurement, loss factor, exterior gross area, interior encroachment, perimeter encroachment, columns, vertical penetrations, office planning, facility management.