DIN EN 15221-6:2011-12

In order to support a consistent European approach to FM, this document provides a constructive framework with clear terms, definitions and principles for measuring floor areas and spaces in buildings and provides a common language amongst all stakeholders in the entire construction industry. The need for a harmonised European approach to area and space measurement is evidenced by the fact that many European countries currently use different rules and definitions for assessing building floor areas. Subsequently, it is difficult to interpret space measurement data from different countries and data comparisons are most likely to be inaccurate. It is this comparability of data which is eminently important for a wide range of decision-makers, such as planners and architects, economists and investors, owners and tenants, politicians and administrators, etcetera. Recent research by the European Committee of Construction Economists (CEEC) highlighted the fact that all European countries use similar elements for measuring floor areas in buildings. The way these components are grouped and coded, however, differs vastly between various countries. Subsequently, comparisons between the Net Internal Area of an UK building as measured by RICS with the Net Enclosed Area (Netto-Grundfläche) of a German building as measured by DIN or the Net Floor Area (Netto Vloeroppervlakte) of a Dutch building as measured by NEN are highly misleading as the floor areas are measured differently. The fact that measuring specific floor areas in one and the same building using different national standards result in variations up to 30 % clearly highlights the need for a harmonized European approach to area and space measurement. EN 15221-6 establishes a common basis for planning and design, area and space management, financial assessment, as well as a tool for benchmarking in the field of Facility Management. This standard covers area and space measurement for existing owned or leased buildings as well as buildings in state of planning or development. This standard presents a framework for measuring floor areas within buildings and areas outside of buildings. In addition, it contains clear terms and definitions as well as methods for measuring horizontal areas and volumes in buildings and/or parts of buildings, independent of their function.