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Manual of Practice

Excerpt from Figure 2.7-A: Factors Affecting Built Element Performance from the 2005 Project Resource Manual -- CSI Manual of Practice



Amenity, Comfort -- Factors that affect the comfort, convenience, or pleasure of the occupants. Most are stated in positive terms, because they are the reason for the building's existence.
  • heat/cold
  • winds, draft
  • water instrusion, leakage
  • humidity, condensation
  • light, glare
  • sound, noise
  • convenience, accessibility
  • cleanliness
  • odor
  • appearance
  • texture, feel
  • privacy

Durability -- Relevant because the building consists of physical materials that will inevitably wear out. Most are framed as resistance to a negative or degrading influence, in terms of commonly specified properties of building materials.
  • life span
  • exposure to touch
  • moisture
  • corrosion, chemical action
  • rot, fungus, insects
  • dirt, grease, stains
  • cleaning, scrubbing
  • abrasion, scratching
  • impact, bending, loading
  • temperature changes
  • atmosphere, pollution
  • light, ultraviolet light
  • vandalism
  • animals
  • hurricane, tornado
  • flood
  • vehicular collision