(pronounced BIHL-ding STAN-derd)

It pretty much means what it says: a standard that is applied throughout a building or throughout a group of buildings. A standard of what? Well, almost anything…

• grades / types of finishes/ product: carpet, wallcovering, paint, colors, tile, window treatments, ceiling tile, etc.
• specifications on building operation systems / items: exit signs, sprinkler heads, door hardware, security keypads, smoke detectors, etc.
• regional safety code requirements: seismic construction, fire protection, structural definitions, etc.

Many times designers and architects must choose within a set of building standards set before them. Although choices may be limited, the purpose is to assure the overall continuity of a building, suppress costs and limit inventory for ease of ongoing maintenance. It makes sense, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying sometimes…