ASTM E1667-95a(2018)

Standard Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility for Image to the Public and Occupants

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Each Facility Rating Scale (see Figs. 1-7) in this classification provides a means to estimate the level of serviceability of a building or facility for one topic of serviceability and to compare that level against the level of any other building or facility.  
4.2 This classification can be used for comparing how well different buildings or facilities meet a particular requirement for serviceability. It is applicable despite differences such as location, structure, mechanical systems, age, and building shape.  
4.3 This classification can be used to estimate the amount of variance of serviceability from target or from requirement for a single office facility or within a group of office facilities.  
4.4 This classification can be used to estimate the following:  
4.4.1 Serviceability of an existing facility for uses other than its present use.  
4.4.2 Serviceability (potential) of a facility that has been planned but not yet built.  
4.4.3 Serviceability (potential) of a facility for which remodeling has been planned.  
4.5 Use of this classification does not result in building evaluation or diagnosis. Building evaluation or diagnosis generally requires a special expertise in building engineering or technology and the use of instruments, tools, or measurements.  
4.6 This classification applies only to facilities that are building constructions, or parts thereof. (While this classification may be useful in rating the serviceability of facilities that are not building constructions, such facilities are outside the scope of this classification.)  
4.7 This classification is not intended for, and is not suitable for, use for regulatory purposes, nor for fire hazard assessment nor for fire risk assessment.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification covers pairs of scales for classifying an aspect of the serviceability of an office facility, that is, the capability of an office facility to meet certain possible requirements for image to the public and occupants.  
1.2 Within that aspect of serviceability, each pair of scales, shown in Figs. 1-7, are for classifying one topic of serviceability. Each paragraph in an Occupant Requirement Scale (see Figs. 1-7) summarizes one level of serviceability on that topic, which occupants might require. The matching entry in the Facility Rating Scale (see Figs. 1-7) is a translation of the requirement into a description of certain features of a facility which, taken in combination, indicate that the facility is likely to meet that level of required serviceability.  
FIG. 1 Scale A.11.1 for Exterior Appearance  
FIG. 1 Scale A.11.1 for Exterior Appearance (continued)  
FIG. 2 Scale A.11.2 for Public Lobby of Building  
FIG. 2 Scale A.11.2 for Public Lobby of Building (continued)  
FIG. 3 Scale A.11.3 for Public Spaces Within the Building  
FIG. 3 Scale A.11.3 for Public Spaces Within the Building (continued)  
FIG. 4 Scale A.11.4 for Appearance and Spaciousness of Office Spaces  
FIG. 5 Scale A.11.5 for Finishes and Materials in Office Spaces  
FIG. 6 Scale A.11.6 for Identity Outside the Building  
FIG. 6 Scale A.11.6 for Identity Outside the Building (continued)  
FIG. 7 Scale A.11.7 for Neighborhood and Site  
FIG. 7 Scale A.11.7 for Neighborhood and Site (continued)  
1.3 The entries in the Facility Rating Scale (see Figs. 1-7) are indicative and not comprehensive. They are for quick scanning to estimate approximately, quickly, and economically, how well an office facility is likely to meet the needs of one or another type of occupant group over time. The entries are not for measuring, knowing, or evaluating how an office facility is performing.  
1.4 This classification can be used to estimate the level of serviceability of an existing facility. It can also be used to estimate the serviceability of a facility that has been planned but not yet built, such as one for which single-line drawings and outline specifications have been prepared.  ...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2018
• ICS: 35.260 - Office machines
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.25 - Whole Buildings and Facilities

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1667-95a(2012) - Standard Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility for Image to the Public and Occupants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E1679-13 - Standard Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility, and for Determining What Serviceability is Provided or Proposed
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1679-95(2012) - Standard Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM E631-06 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2006
• Refers: ASTM E1679-95(2005) - Standard Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM E1334-95(2005) - Standard Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM E631-93a(1998)e1 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 28-Jul-2000
• Refers: ASTM E1679-95(1999) - Standard Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1999
• Refers: ASTM E1334-95(1999) - Standard Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1999
• Referred By: ASTM E1765-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Multiattribute Decision Analysis of Investments Related to Projects, Products, and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E1700-16 - Standard Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility for Structure and Building Envelope<rangeref></rangeref >
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018

Overview

ASTM E1667-95a(2018), Standard Classification for Serviceability of an Office Facility for Image to the Public and Occupants, sets out a recognized framework for classifying how well an office facility meets requirements related to its image, both for the public and for the people who use it. Developed by ASTM International, this classification uses pairs of scales to estimate and compare levels of facility serviceability for specific topics, such as exterior appearance, public spaces, finishes, signage, and neighborhood context. The approach is applicable to new, existing, or planned office facilities, regardless of location, age, or physical differences.

This standard is widely used by building owners, facility managers, architects, and consultants to assess and benchmark the serviceability of office environments with a focus on image and user perception, supporting high-quality decision-making in facility planning, design, and management.

Key Topics

The standard provides scales for the following areas critical to the serviceability and image of office facilities:

• Exterior Appearance
  Evaluates the overall visual impression and maintenance of the building's outer façade.
• Public Lobby
  Assesses the quality, accessibility, and appeal of the main entrance or lobby area.
• Public Spaces Within the Building
  Looks at spaces accessible to both occupants and visitors, including corridors, waiting areas, and shared amenities for their appearance, comfort, and suitability.
• Appearance and Spaciousness of Office Spaces
  Reviews how office areas project openness, organization, and professional image to occupants and visitors.
• Finishes and Materials in Office Spaces
  Classifies the quality and appropriateness of furniture, finishes, and surface materials in working areas.
• Identity Outside the Building
  Addresses signage, branding, and features that establish the facility's external identity and ease of recognition.
• Neighborhood and Site
  Considers the relationship of the office to its surrounding site, including landscaping, traffic flow, and overall context within the neighborhood.

Each topic uses matched scales: one describing occupant requirements, and the other translating these into observable facility features, allowing users to classify service levels efficiently and consistently.

Applications

ASTM E1667-95a(2018) provides practical value in a range of real-world contexts:

• Benchmarking and Comparison
  Enables comparison of different office buildings or spaces based on how well they meet desired standards of image and serviceability, supporting strategic decisions in property selection and investment.
• Planning and Design
  Assists architects, designers, and planners in evaluating whether building concepts or schematic designs will meet occupant expectations for image and public perception.
• Facility Upgrades and Renovation
  Helps to identify gaps in current condition versus target serviceability for projects considering remodeling or repurposing of office space.
• Portfolio Management
  Allows facility managers and owners to assess and manage serviceability across multiple office properties, aiding long-term asset management strategies.
• User Needs Assessment
  Provides a structured approach for evaluating the alignment of a facility’s visual and functional attributes with the needs of its occupants and users.

It is important to note that this classification is designed for estimation and comparison, not for regulatory purposes or detailed building evaluation or diagnosis, which require specialized engineering expertise.

Related Standards

For broader context, the following standards and references are associated with ASTM E1667:

• ASTM E1334 - Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or Building-Related Facility (Withdrawn 2013), which provides detailed rating procedures compatible with E1667.
• ASTM E1679 - Practice for Setting Requirements for Serviceability of a Building or Facility and Determining What Serviceability is Provided or Proposed.
• ASTM E631 - Terminology of Building Constructions, offering key definitions.
• ISO 6240 - International Standard for Performance Standards in Building, regarding content and presentation.

For best practices in office facility serviceability classification and management, referencing these related documents alongside ASTM E1667 ensures a comprehensive approach aligned with internationally recognized standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E1667 −95a (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Classification for
Serviceability of an Office Facility for Image to the Public
1,2
and Occupants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1667; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1334. The scales in this classification are complimentary to
and compatible with Practice E1334. Each requires the other.
1.1 This classification covers pairs of scales for classifying
an aspect of the serviceability of an office facility, that is, the 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
capability of an office facility to meet certain possible require- standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ments for image to the public and occupants. standard.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 Within that aspect of serviceability, each pair of scales,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
shown in Figs. 1-7, are for classifying one topic of serviceabil-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ity. Each paragraph in an Occupant Requirement Scale (see
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Figs. 1-7) summarizes one level of serviceability on that topic,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
which occupants might require. The matching entry in the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Facility Rating Scale (see Figs. 1-7) is a translation of the
requirement into a description of certain features of a facility
2. Referenced Documents
which, taken in combination, indicate that the facility is likely
to meet that level of required serviceability.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.3 The entries in the Facility Rating Scale (see Figs. 1-7)
E1334 Practice for Rating the Serviceability of a Building or
are indicative and not comprehensive. They are for quick
Building-Related Facility (Withdrawn 2013)
scanningtoestimateapproximately,quickly,andeconomically,
E1679 Practice for Setting the Requirements for the Service-
how well an office facility is likely to meet the needs of one or
ability of a Building or Building-Related Facility, and for
another type of occupant group over time. The entries are not
Determining What Serviceability is Provided or Proposed
for measuring, knowing, or evaluating how an office facility is
2.2 ISO Document:
performing.
ISO 6240 International Standard, Performance Standards in
1.4 This classification can be used to estimate the level of
Building—Contents and Presentation
serviceability of an existing facility. It can also be used to
estimate the serviceability of a facility that has been planned
3. Terminology
but not yet built, such as one for which single-line drawings
3.1 Definitions:
and outline specifications have been prepared.
3.1.1 facility—a physical setting used to serve a specific
1.5 This classification indicates what would cause a facility
purpose. E631
to be rated at a certain level of serviceability but does not state
3.1.1.1 Discussion—A facility may be within a building, a
how to conduct a serviceability rating nor how to assign a
whole building, or a building with its site and surrounding
serviceability score. That information is found in Practice
environment; or it may be a construction that is not a building.
The term encompasses both the physical object and its use.
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.25
on Whole Buildings and Facilities. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1667 – 95a (2012). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1667-95AR18. the ASTM website.
2 4
Portions of this document are based on material originally prepared by the The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
International Centre for Facilities (ICF) and © 1993 by ICF and Minister of Public www.astm.org.
Works and Government Services Canada. Their cooperation in the development of Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
this standard is acknowledged. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1667−95a (2018)
FIG. 1Scale A.11.1 for Exterior Appearance
E1667−95a (2018)
FIG. 1 Scale A.11.1 for Exterior Appearance (continued)
E1667−95a (2018)
FIG. 2Scale A.11.2 for Public Lobby of Building
E1667−95a (2018
...