Chapter 22Selecting Interior Finishes

FinishesFunctional Parameters

Durability

Acoustical performance

Fire safety

Relationship to mech. & elect. services

Changeability

Fire resistance

Aesthetics

Design compliance / enhancement

Interior Finishes

One of the purposes - Conceal or accommodate the building servicesEquipment & distribution systems:

Mechanical (HVAC) Plumbing (water, sewer,storm) Sprinkler Electrical (power, communication, etc.) Vertical transportation Others: computer connections, vacuum, etc.

MPE System Installation

Shafts - vertical runs of pipe, duct, wiring, elevators, etc.Concealment and prevention of fire migration

Suspended Ceilings - Horizontal runs of MPE

Floors - services cast into floor, access flooring

Plumbing Chases - water, sewer

Mechanical Spaces - rooms, penthouse, roof, basement, mezzanines

Horizontal Runs of Duct

Horizontal runs of Piping

Overhead Rough-in: High Rise Corridor

Duct

Plumbing

Electrical

Sprinkler

CableTray

Duct

Overhead Rough-in; Low Rise Hotel Corridor

Plumbing

Unistrut

Cable TV

Electrical

Sprinkler

Plumbing Chase

Plumbing Underground

MPE Rough-in for Elevated Slab

Electrical

PlumbingSleeves

Partition Rough-in

Plumbing

Electrical

Partition Framing

to Conceal

Fan Coil Unit

Rooftop

Equipment

HVAC Equipment

Heating & Cooling

HVAC EquipmentCooling Tower (“ground” or roof mounted)

Roof Top Mechanical & Electrical Space (concealed)

Fiberglass Construction - Communications Transmission

Mechanical Equipment Room

Electrical Panels

Interior Finishes Sequence

Overhead Rough-in (duct, pipe, electric home runs/service) AND

MPE Vertical Distribution Systems (plg, duct, elec.)

Partition Framing (CMU, metal framing)

Partition Rough-in (plg, elec., communications, etc.)

Ceiling Framing & Rough-in (DW, acoustic grid, lights, HVAC, etc.)

Cabinetry, Built-in equipment and furnishes

Ceiling Finishes, Wall Finishes, Floor Finishes

Sequence depends on: Type of materials / systems used

Interior Finishes Sequence

Primary Considerations for Sequence:Need for subsequent operations - framing/RI

Priority for Location EX. - electric pipe vs. sewer

Durability of material Ability to withstand unconditioned Space- cabinetry/doors Ability to withstand construction abuse - soft vs. hard tile

Project Schedule RequirementsAvailability - lead time, field measurements

Considerations for Selecting Interior Finishes

Appearance

Durability & Maintenance

Acoustic Criteria

Fire Criteria

Relationship to MPE services

Changeability

Cost

Toxic Emissions

Appearance

Present / Carry out a particular ConceptInterior space - usage, feel, form, etc.LightingColorPatternTextureetc.

Durability & Maintenance

“Highly durable finishes generally cost more…”

Selection generally determined by “need”/useIntensity of use - “wear & tear”Water resistance requirementsCleanliness & maintenance requirements

Examples“hard” flooring in an airport vs. carpet in an officedrywall ceilings in a hospital vs. acoustic in retail/officeCMU in public restrooms or mechanical room vs. drywallVWC in a corridor vs. paint

Acoustic Criteria

“Interior finish materials strongly affect the quality of listening conditions and the levels of acoustic privacy inside a building.”

(They absorb or reflect sound - space use typ. determines)

Sound Transmission Class (STC) of PartitionsA measure of sound transmissionFull scale testing to determine STC ratingCan also use a field test to verify Requires - proper construction

partition, sealing MPE penetrations, doors, etc.

Acoustic Criteria

Ways to Reduce Sound TransmissionProper selection of materials / components

Floors, ceilings & walls

Proper installation

Sound absorbing insulation

Resilient partition mountings

Isolation of equipment

Sound Insulation and Resilient Mountings

to reduce sound transmission

Cement/Gypsum Self-Leveling Floor Covering to reduce floor-to-floor sound transmission

‘Insulates’ floor andSeals joint between

partitions & floor

Equipment Isolation Mount

Fire Criteria

Typically governed by Building Codes

Concerned with:Combustibility

Flame spread (how quickly fire spreads / material burns)

Fuel Contributed Rating (combustibility of material)

Smoke Developed Rating (smoke contribution)

“smoke, not heat, is the primary killer in building fires”

Fire Resistance

“Smoke” caulking @ MPE penetrations

Fire Resistance Ratings

Full Scale Tests to determine an assembly’s ratingMust maintain physical & structural integrityNot permit passage of flame or hot gasesInsulate to keep cool the side not exposed to the fire Openings

Restricted in size Must be protected to prevent passage of fire/gases

Doors - rated Duct - Fire/smoke dampers Piping - sleeves and sealant

Fire Damper with Fusible Link

PneumaticallyOperated

Fire Damper

Rated Opening in Exit Corridor

Rating Label on Corridor Doors

Changeability

How permanent are the interior finishes?Office, RetailChanges in services and finishes oftenLighter, easily changed construction materials

acoustic clg., drywall, moveable partitions, carpet, etc.

Government Building, TheaterChanges in services and finishes less often / seldom Heavier, harder to change construction materials

drywall clg., plaster, CMU, stone, hard tiles

Cost

First (initial) CostInstalled costHighly important with tight budget and/or short life

Life-Cycle CostFirst cost + maintenance + replacement + energy costsImportant if:

Building useful life is long Ownership is retained over an extended period Budget considerations allow higher initial cost

Toxic Emissions of Materials

Solvents, finishes, etc.

Airborne fibers

Susceptibility to mold/mildew

Radon Gas

Sick Buildings

Trends in Interior Finish Systems

Components vs Single system Constructed to accommodate changeEX: partitions anchored to grid, modular

Heavy to Lighter MaterialsEX: plaster/CMU to drywall, hard tiles to vinyl/carpetLess dead load, often less cost

Wet systems to “Dry” systemsPlaster to gypsum drywall to acousticTerrazzo to hard tile to carpet/vinyl