INT322KRM

 Building codes and regulations are very important to understand and follow. They help protect and assist occupants in many different ways. The primary purpose however, is to get people out a building as quickly and as safely as possible if there is a fire.  There are two main codes that we need to know as interior designers. The first is the IBC or International Building Code. This code regulates all construction types except for single-family residences. These fall into the IRC or International Residential Code. The IBC is organized into 35 chapters that vary in topic to cover all aspects of buildings, such as construction, egress, and building systems.  As previously mentioned, codes are primarily used to get people out of buildings safely if there is a fire. The main way this is done is through means of egress. Buildings need to have various paths for travel in case a fire blocks the way of one path.  Typically, these paths, especially egress paths are fire-rated...

 Interior design does not just focus on the aesthetics of a space but also it's practicality and function. This includes indoor environmental qualities like acoustics and indoor air quality. Acoustics are important to consider in a space because it affects peoples' interactions with the room and others in it. Rooms can be too quiet or too loud making it either too easy or too hard to hear others. There is a balance of sound that should be in the room, just like a balance of lighting or color. Indoor air quality is also important because it affects the health of those in the space. Poor air quality can lead to health problems down the road. Because we spend so much time indoors we must create and design healthy environments. Acoustics: Sound travels in waves and as humans, we can hear a range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Depending on a person's age, they may only be able to hear a smaller range. The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the sound. Because sound is a wave...