For consistent calculation of rentable square footage in industrial buildings, see BOMA’s updated floor measurement standard

by Brianna Crandall — April 17, 2020 — The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released the latest update to its floor measurement standard for industrial buildings, BOMA 2019 for Industrial Buildings: Standard Method of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.2-2019). This updated standard reflects changes within the industrial property sector since the release of the 2012 edition of the standard.

Starting in 1915, BOMA International published its first floor measurement standard for office buildings. BOMA’s suite of measurement standards expanded over the years to include other property types, including industrial, multi-unit residential, retail and mixed-used properties, plus a standard for measuring gross areas of a building.

These standards promote clear and transparent communication among all participants in real estate transactions, provide consistent calculation of rentable square footage, and allow accurate comparisons through a clearly understood method of measurement.

BOMA International first published its industrial standard with the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) in 2001. This standard was updated in 2004, 2009 and 2012. The 2019 Industrial Standard is intended exclusively for industrial and flex buildings and their associated structures and may be applied to single tenant, multi-tenant or multi-building configurations.

BOMA’s standards are regularly revised to ensure they address changing building design and use and are in compliance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development process, of which BOMA International is a member and ANSI Certified Standards Developer. The 2019 Industrial Standard also was revised to be more user-friendly and address frequently asked questions from the previous 2012 version of the standard.

The updated standard includes:

  • A unified methodology;
  • Single-Occupant and Multi-Occupant scenarios in one chart;
  • Inter-building areas fully implemented;
  • Capped Load Factor applied to individual occupants;
  • An easy-to-follow, step-by-step layout written in simplified language with helpful hints and detailed instructions; and
  • Compatibility with the International Property Measurement Standard for Industrial Buildings.

BOMA International Chair Scott O. Jones, PE, vice president with Jacobs, remarked:

The booming industrial sector is becoming more complex every year, and these nuances are reflected in this timely update to our Industrial Standard.

Offered in both print and eBook formats, BOMA 2019 for Industrial Buildings: Standard Method of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.2-2019) is available for purchase through the BOMA Online Store.