You can adjust the criteria for how your floor plans are measured with Giraffe360, which offers three measurement standards:
Default (Based on RICS IPMS 3C)
International (Based on IPMSC IPMS 4.2)
German (Based on WoFIV)
To change standards
Open the project for which you want to adjust the standards
Click on "Property data"
Click the pencil icon onto the "Measurements" card
Select the desired Area calculation standard
For more information on these standards click on the “?” next to area calculation standard and select different standards to compare their specifications. You can also refer to the table below in this article.
When you change measurement standards, all manually edited area measurements will be automatically reverted to original ones based on your chosen standard.
Click “Save & close”
To change Standards for all future projects
Click on “Presets” > Click on “Property data" > Select the standard in the Measurements section.
These changes will apply to all future projects and not just one specific project like in the floor plan editor.
Standard Comparison
| Default (RICS IPMS 3C) | International (IPMSC IPMS 4.2) | United States | German (WoFIV) |
Areas occupied by elements |
|
|
|
|
Exterior walls | Excluded | Excluded | Included (assumed thickness: 15.24cm/6in) | Excluded |
Interior walls | Excluded | Excluded | Included | Excluded |
Half walls | Included | Included | Included | Included if base area is less than 01. m2 and height less than 1.5 m otherwise excluded |
Columns and chimney breasts | Excluded | Excluded | Included | Included if base area is less than 01. m2 and height less than 1.5 m otherwise excluded |
Steps with one floor | Included | Included | Included | Included if 3 steps or less. Excluded if 4 steps or more |
Stairs between floors | Included at the starting level and excluded at all upper levels | Included at the starting level and excluded at all upper levels. | Included at the level they descend form | On level they start at included based on Reduced headroom principle. On upper levels stair opening area is excluded. |
Voids in floor | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded (when open-to-below or larger than stairs) | Excluded |
Lift shaft | Included at the starting level and excluded at all upper levels | Included at the starting level and excluded at all upper levels. | Included | Excluded |
Doors | Exterior wall - Included by Internal Dominant Face rule. Interior wall - Excluded | Excluded | Included | Excluded |
Window reveals | Exterior wall - Included by Internal Dominant Face rule. Interior wall - Excluded | Excluded | Included | Included if extend to floor and are more than 0.13 m deep, otherwise excluded |
Niches and openings | Exterior wall - Included by Internal Dominant Face rule. Interior wall - Excluded | Excluded | Included | Included if extend to floor and are more than 0.13 m deep, otherwise excluded |
Protrusions | Excluded, e.g. chimneys and windows that protrude beyond exterior wall and do not have a floor on the same level | - | - | - |
Floors |
|
|
|
|
Ground up | Included | Included | Included in GLA if finished and above grade | Included in Living area or in Usable area by Room/Space Type |
Basement floors | Included | Included | Excluded from GLA. Included in Finished | Excluded from Living area. Included in Usable area |
Reduced headroom |
|
| - |
|
Below 1 m | - | - | - | Excluded |
Above 1 m and below 2 m | - | - | - | Included in Living area by 50% |
Below 1,5 m | Included and stated separately | - | - | - |
Interior room types |
|
|
|
|
Attic | Included | Included | Excluded from GLA (if unfinished). Included in Unfinished | Excluded from Living area. Included in Usable area |
Garage | Included | Included | Excluded from GLA. Included in Unfinished | Excluded from Living area. Included in Usable area |
Shed | Included | Included | Excluded from GLA. Included in Unfinished | Excluded from Living area. Included in Usable area |
Exterior space types |
|
|
|
|
Balcony | Included but stated separately | Excluded but stated separately | Excluded from GLA. Included in Unfinished | Included in Living area by 25% |
Terrace | Included but stated separately | Excluded but stated separately | Excluded from GLA. Included in Unfinished | Included in Living area by 25% |
Rooftop | Included but stated separately | Excluded but stated separately | Excluded from GLA. Included in Unfinished | Included in Living area by 25% |