Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design

The Book

• The editors of the eighth edition of "Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design" are Donald Watson, FAIA, NCARB, and Michael J. Crosbie, Ph.D. They organized book according to the construction sequence of most buildings, from the foundation up to the roof, then the interiors and mechanical systems. "Time-Saver Standards" provides typical design calculations and sizing criteria along with many construction details.

  Site planning and landscape architecture are covered in companion titles in the "Time-Saver" series, so these topics are only touched upon in this book. The book is not intended to replace a licensed architect or engineer as may be required by state law on a project.

Substructure: Foundations and Basement Construction

• The first part of "Time-Saver Standards" focuses on soils and drainage conditions, types of foundation, retaining walls and subsurface moisture protection.

Shell: Superstructure, Exterior Closure, Roofing

• Part B of "Time-Saver Standards" covers both the structure of a building and the building envelope including wall assemblies and roof types. The chapters about building structure design loads for wood, steel, concrete and masonry beam, columns, walls and floors and typical connection details. The chapters on the building envelope, called exterior closure by the editors, provides an overview of wall systems, insulation, waterproofing, windows and doors. Corrosion, building movement, drains and gutters is also covered. It includes a chapter about solar control strategies.

Interiors: Interior Constructions, Staircases, Dimensions

• Part C of "Time-Saver Standards" examines interior construction items, such as suspended ceiling systems, interior partitions and stairs. Ergonomic data and dimensions of the human figure are provided here, along with chapters on universal design, accessible design and design standards for pedestrian circulation. Parking and vehicular circulation requirements are included in this section.

Services: Conveying Systems, Plumbing, HVAC systems, Fire Protection, Electrical systems

• Part D of "Time-Saver Standards" deals with building services and systems (which are typically designed by engineers, not architects), primarily for coordination purposes. These systems covered by the book include: vertical circulation systems like elevators, plumbing, HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) systems, fire protection, electrical systems and lighting.

Appendices

• The appendices cover the a wide range of basic two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry and math formulas required by designers and drafters during the preparation of architectural plans. Part E also covers standard units of measurements and conversion factors between metric and imperial units.