UCAR
Building Numbering
&
Interior Signage
Standard
Rev A9
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(This Page Intentionally Blank)
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UCAR Building Numbering & Signage Standard
The following document details UCAR’s standard for defining and designing:
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Building numbering,
Floor numbering,
Section numbering,
Room numbering,
Corridor numbering,
Room signage, and
Interior way-finding signage.
This standard is to be followed for all new construction, building acquisitions or building renovations.
Minor floor remodels do not need to follow this standard. It is recommended that minor remodels
follow room numbering conventions already prevalent in the building being remodeled and strive NOT
to change room numbers associated with already installed and labeled building infrastructure (conduit
runs, telecom connections, HVAC, BAS etc.).
1.0 Standard Floor-Section-Room Number Format
1.1 Format Summary
A N N N N A A
Used For
Service Room Suffix Char #2
Subordinate Room/Cubicle or Service Rm Suffix Char #1
Room Digit #2 (0-9)
Room Digit #1 (0-9)
Section Number (0-9)
Floor or Basement Level Number (1-9)
B = Basement Level Indicator (otherwise not used)
Figure 1-1
Initial alpha char
 Basement level indicator
 Used in conjunction with the next digit, they indicate the specific basement level.
4 numeric digits
 1st digit indicates the floor. 2nd digit indicates section. 3rd & 4th digits indicate serial room
numbers 00-99.
 These 4 digits uniquely identify the space and location of 95%-99% of UCAR upper floor
spaces (the rest are cubicle groups & subordinate rooms which require 1 additional alpha
character for unique identification, plus basement rooms also require a prefix “B”).
 These 4 digits are assigned in a single flow per floor section that includes all space types so
that users, visitors and maintenance personnel are assisted in way-finding any type of space
by viewing corridor signage or the room signage for any other type of space.
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Alpha suffix #1 - used alone
 Used for subordinate rooms or for cubicles in groups
 Subordinate rooms are connected to parent rooms instead of directly to the corridor
 Subordinate rooms are not readily visible from the corridor outside the parent room.
 Cubicles in groups
o Are a special form of subordinate rooms where there may or may not be a parent
room with the same 4 digits (and no suffix)
o Each have a suffix letter (there are no parent cubicles without a suffix)
o Reduce rapid consumption of office numbers (due to small size of cubicles)
 Not used for single stand alone cubicles (these are numbered like regular 4 digit offices)
Alpha suffix #1 & #2 - used together
 Informational for permanent and semi-permanent spaces (see Table 1-1)
 Suffixes are not needed to uniquely specify or locate room. However, they are to be included
in any database and work order references and may be omitted ONLY on small infrastructure
labeling where it may be difficult to fit all the characters.
 Provides ready identification of special room purpose on drawings and room number listings
where the description of the room is often not included.
Permanent & Semi-permanent Space Suffixes
Category
Type
Suffix
Access Way (semi-permanent)
AW
Lobby/Reception
LB
Passage
Main Corridor
MC
Vestibule
VE
Electrical Room
ER
Janitorial Closet
JC
Service Room
Mechanical Room
MR
Telecom Room
TR
Men’s Lavatory
ML
Lavatory
Unisex Lavatory
UL
Women’s Lavatory
WL
Atrium
AT
Cooling Tower
CT
Vertical
Elevator
EL
Shaft
SH
Stairway
ST
Table 1-1
1.2 Format Examples
The following are typical examples of most types of room numbers generated by this Standard:
3235
3235A
3256
2122A
2122AW
2125TR
2315MC
B1024
B1024A
B2012MR
Typical office/room - 3rd floor, section 2, office 35
Subordinate room or closet off room 3235
Single standalone cubicle
1st cubicle in group of cubicles A/B/C/D etc.
Access Way used to pass to/from cubicles 2122A/B/C/D
Telecom Room - 2nd floor, section 1, room 25
Main Corridor – 2nd floor, section 3, centered on office position 15
Typical basement office/room - basement level 1, section 0, room 24
Subordinate basement office/room or closet off room B1024
Maintenance Room located in sub-basement level 2, section 0, room 12
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2.0 Numbering
2.1 Building Numbering
Building numbering is to be proposed by the Space Planning Project Manager and approved by the
FM&S Director. Buildings that are to become part of an existing campus should be numbered
similarly with regards to that campus. Campus building numbers traditionally follow the form
AAAAN or AAAAA, where the first two to four alpha characters refer to the campus and the last
numeric or alpha char is a serial reference to each building on the campus (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 or A, B, C,
D). It is acceptable that an alpha serial be a meaningful abbreviation (e.g., FLA for Anthes
Building). The alpha letters O & I should be avoided for all alpha chars if possible to avoid
confusion with the digits 0 & 1, especially the last character since by the above conventions the last
character is often (expected to be) a serial digit.
If a campus has a singular building, it is acceptable to code the building based on the campus
abbreviation only with no serial char (e.g., HAW, WY, CCC in Table 2-1). However, if additional
campus buildings are anticipated or likely, a serial character (e.g., 1) or other building reference
should be added up front for future differentiation. This is a good practice in general. If no
additional buildings were anticipated (only campus abbreviation used) and later more buildings are
added to the campus, the future building codes should start with the campus abbreviation followed
by either a numeric serial char (starting with “1”) or other appropriate alpha abbreviation (e.g.,
MARF for Marshall Field). For reference, the current list of official UCAR building numbers/codes
as of the last revision of this Standard is shown in the Table 2-1. Not all of these older buildings
follow the conventions of this Standard (e.g., FB, LOWS).
Campus Description
Center Green
Foothills Labs
Mesa Labs
Campus
Abbrev
CG
FL
ML
Building Description
Building 1
CG1
Building 2
CG2
Building 3
CG3
Building 4
CG4
Building 0
FL0
Building 1
FL1
Building 2
FL2
Building 3
FL3
Building 4
FL4
Anthes Building
FLA
Main Building
ML
Fleischman Building
Main Building
Marshall
MAR
Hawaii
HAW
Research Aviation
RA
Child Care Center
Wyoming
Bldg
Code
FB
MAR
Field (future unsponsered redesign)
MARF
Storage Building (future unsponsored building)
MARS
Logistics Operations Warehouse (Service)
LOWS
Mauna Loa Solar Observatory
HAW
Main Facility (Hanger)
RAF
CCC
Main Building
CCC
WY
Main Building (Supercomputing Center)
WY
Table 2-1
2.2 Floor Numbering
Floors are to be numbered consecutively increasing as they either rise or fall below grade level. The
floor in which the main entrance opens into will be considered the first floor of the building (with
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floor digit = 1) unless this floor is completely below grade and would naturally be considered a
basement level. Floors above grade are numbered 1 through 9 (the 1st digit in the Standard Room
Number Format). Floors below grade are numbered similarly but preceded by the letter “B” (e.g.,
B1, B2, B3). The digits ascend as the levels go lower. There is no floor with the floor digit = “0”.
2.3 Section Numbering
Floor sections (identified by the second digit) can be both helpful and detracting to proper wayfinding. Section numbers can be helpful to referencing an area of a building floor either verbally or
in signage. However, when there are no physical cues (building attributes) associated with a section
change, they can often create confusing and disconcerting discontinuities in office numbers for
persons who are way-finding. The following guidelines should be used to determine when and when
not to create a multiple sections on a floor.
When to use multiple sections on a floor
 When there are different areas of a building floor readily observable to a visitor through visible
physical building cues. Visible physical building cues include:
o Building sections (corridors) divided by normally closed doors
o Level shifts in floor (rare)
o An atrium or very wide corridor typically with furniture, kiosks or exhibits in center
o Two or more separate wings or clearly separate corridor directions from a building or
floor stairwell entrance (that do not connect on the far side of the building)
 When there are more offices in one physically different section of a building than can be
numbered using the digits 00 to 99 (following the room numbering conventions stated here).
However, when this occurs, before creating another section, consider first extending the
numbering within the large physical area into the next block of room numbers retaining a single
physical section for example called “100/200” with room numbers between 100 & 299.
o The room numbering flow should remain consistent and uneventful as it crosses into the
200’s. This preserves the natural flow of numbers that enhances way-finding when there
are no observable physical cues that would justify a section change to the visitor.
o While this avoids disconcerting room number discontinuities, it does run the risk of using
only a few numbers out of the next block of numbers (section 200 in this example)
seemingly wasting a lot of room numbers. However, needing all 1000 room numbers on
a floor is unlikely, so this is typically not a problem.
When to avoid multiple sections
 Avoid the temptation to break up a single physical area of a floor into smaller sub sections that
have no obvious physical cues (cues unconsciously justify the section change to the visitor).
Creating sections without physical cues creates disconcerting non-flowing discontinuities in
numbering down a corridor. It can even create numbers on either side of a normal corridor that
are totally unrelated (flop back and forth between two section numbers).
 Never create sections based on current occupant personnel or departments. Room numbers
represent a semi-permanent physical aspect of the building (not the occupants). Room numbers
proliferate into the infrastructure and documentation of a building and typically outlive the
current or planned occupant’s department configurations and sizes, and may outlive the current
occupants entirely.
How to delineate sections
 As mentioned previously, this should be done by physical building attribute (visual cues) as
noted above if at all possible.
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However, if no physical building attributes or observable cues exist to delineate sections, and it
is felt the floor is too big not to subdivide somehow into sections, then the following process will
help in way-finding design and minimize discontinuities. This process may seem
counterintuitive at first. Intuition might tell you to view the floor as logical blocks of rooms
delineated by corridors and then create your sections by grouping one or more of these blocks of
rooms. Resist that temptation. Rooms should not be blocked by corridors, but rather corridors
blocked by rooms. Consider this:
o Divide the floor up into “corridor blocks”. A “corridor block” is a corridor, from end to
end including “all and only” the rooms that “open” onto it on either side. In the case of
a perimeter corridor that follows the exterior of a building, this entire corridor (a potential
ring around the building), including all the offices on both sides, should be thought of as
one (donut shaped) corridor block. The advantage of blocking this way is that the rooms
down a corridor block can be easily and logically numbered without discontinuities.
o A corridor block can be a section onto itself, and depending on corridor layout and size
this can often be the least confusing and most logical approach.
o Multiple corridor blocks can also be grouped together into a single section “provided
there is a way to pass between the corridor blocks without leaving the section”. This
would be true if the corridor blocks intersect one another or if there is a crossing or
interconnecting corridor that can serve as an artery to the section. Numbering (as
described below) may actually flow best by using this artery corridor as the primary
corridor, with the corridors that pass down the individual corridor blocks as the
secondary corridors.
As mentioned above, resist the temptation to draw section dividing lines down the center of
normal width corridors that group one or more room blocks (where rooms are blocked by
corridors). This leads to unrelated numbers on either side of corridors. Sections should group
one or more “corridors blocks” (not room blocks).
How to assign numbers to sections
 When multiple sections are used, the first section to the left of the entrance (to the building or
floor) should be numbered section “100”.
 If there is a center (hub) area of the floor (where rooms are not clearly part of or along the
corridors of other sectioned portions of the floor), this hub area should be numbered section
“000”. For example a main centrally located lobby, staircase or elevator of a building would be
section “000”.
 If a floor has only one “physical area” and will therefore have only one section, this should be
numbered section “000”. This single section can naturally progress into the 100 block of digits if
more than 100 room numbers are needed.
 Numbering of the remaining sections should follow a left to right then front to back convention
(in that order) based on where the entrance to the section occurs relative to the main entrance. A
perceived deviation from this may occur if a section starts near the front of a floor and progresses
continuously to other areas of the floor. The clearest and most exaggerated example of this
would be (a single) section assigned to a continuous perimeter corridor block that follows the
entire exterior of a square building. This section would coexist in the front, rear and both sides
of the building. The important thing to consider in assigning the number to such a section is
where the section begins. If there were a front atrium entrance, this continuous ring would be
split there and the numbering would begin down this corridor to the left as section 100 and the
section would wrap around the building. If instead, this perimeter corridor was also physically
interrupted at the rear of the building, it could logically be viewed as two corridor blocks and
assigned two section numbers (100 and 200) with corridors that both begin at the front entrance
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to the building floor and wrap around either side. If this floor was large with many rooms in the
center, one or more additional sections (300, 400, etc) might be created to cover the offices along
the interior corridor blocks.
Do not skip or reserve section numbers. Minor future remodels will not likely create new
physical differences in a building (warranting the reserved section number). Complete floor
renovations that might create new physical cues will likely lead to a renumbering of rooms and
sections anyway. The rare possibility that a reserved section would get used one day is not worth
the confusion and questions it will definitely raise in the meantime.
There are more ideas and concepts covered under room numbering below that that may also
assist in sectioning design and numbering decisions.
2.4 Room Numbering
Room Number Assignment Conventions
Room numbering is critical to way-finding. Done properly, it becomes easy to define way-finding
signage at corridor intersections, and works together with that signage to take a person quickly and
directly to their destination without confusion or frustration.
 When assigning room numbers to rooms, the room numbers should always ascend based on the
occurrence of the next door as a visitor walks down the corridor. Because of the even/odd side
numbering convention, this may require skipping numbers (regularly) whenever two or more
doors appear on one side before the next door appears on the other. This natural skipping of
room numbers has the side benefit of offering (considerable) ability to remodel and add rooms
later.
 Attempts should be made to maintain vertical similarity in room numbering as long as it can be
done without sacrificing consistently ascending room numbers and without creating “out of
order” discontinuities on any floor.
o This is an important concept that helps maintain similar numbering of the permanent
rooms that are stacked (i.e., Telecom Rooms, Shafts, Stairwells, etc.).
o This may require skipping additional room numbers on one or more floors (if enough are
available to do so in the section) to keep the office numbers in sync or to re-sync them.
o Slight deviations in office numbering vertically between floors is normal and acceptable.
This is a result of the different door positions in the corridors and/or deviations in office
size. Re-syncing the numbering as you go by skipping a number or two as necessary
should be attempted as the numbers get out of sync for the above reasons.
o “Exact” number matching between floors is more important (helpful) for stacked
electrical service, telecom rooms, stairwells and lavatories. Extra effort should be given
to accomplishing this if possible.
o True vertical consistency may be impossible when floors layouts are similar but skewed
due to overhanging levels. In this case number the floors similarly ignoring the skew.
Also in this case if service rooms are truly vertically stacked they will likely end up
having different numbers (as the skew may force them into completely different corridors
on each floor).
o Achieving vertical similarity in room numbering is typically impossible (and attempts
may be abandoned) where corridor layouts on floors are significantly different. While
unfortunate, when this happens, Telecom Rooms and Stairwells WILL have different
numbers on different floors. It cannot be avoided. Resist making them the same and
loosing numbering order on the floor. Maintaining numbering order of these locations is
of higher importance than vertical/room number sameness.
 Even room numbers shall be assigned to:
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o Outside exterior offices and rooms all the way around the floor. This assures that
contiguous corridors spanning multiple sections from left to right from the entrance keep
the same type numbers (even/odd) on the same side the entire length of the corridor. This
method is common in hotels.
o Offices and rooms on the left side of interior corridors (as numbers ascend down the
corridor).
Odd room numbers shall be assigned to
o All offices and rooms on the opposite side of corridors from even numbered rooms (as
directed above).
General order of progression should always be left to right, and then for section numbers, front to
back. Examples consistent with this convention are:
o Lowest section number on left side of entrance, then increasing as you progress to right
side of building and further increasing (if necessary) as you move to the rear of the
building, with the highest numbered section in the right rear of building.
o First number in sequence is zero, an even number, so even numbers are on the left side of
internal corridors.
o The outside of the building in the first section (to the left) is on the left, so even numbers
are on the outside of building. Even numbers on the outside of the building are then
retained around the entire building.
o When in doubt, stick to this rule for consistency.
It is often best to number the floor with the highest density of rooms or most complexity. Use
the Maximum Future Office Density sketched-in drawing (discussed below) to determine this.
Room Number Assignment Procedure
Once assigned, room numbers end up in many places besides just doors and electronic databases.
They often appear on labels attached to many levels of infrastructure hardware including telecom
cables, terminal panels, conduit runs, breaker boxes, outlets, lighting wall plates, and BAS system
hardware and software. It is therefore very important that care be taken in the assignment of room
numbers in order to minimize the likelihood that a given room number will ever have to be changed
or reassigned at a future date, even after small or medium size remodels. This feat can be
accomplished by adhering to the following room assignment process. This process does not attempt
to address complete renovations, as these would most likely result in major or complete
infrastructure redesign, tear-out and re-installation anyway.
Determining Maximum Future Office Density
1. Sketch (onto each floor drawing) the maximum density of offices that one could reasonably
expect to occur in a very dense remodel. Consider yourself an architect requested by the user
to turn all existing non-office space into the maximum density of offices practical. Follow
the steps below to accomplish this:
a. Draw dotted lines around any available space that is not currently a walled office that
could become space for an office or a part of one. In the process, reclaim large
conference or other non-office spaces including any Access Ways (non-egress
corridors).
b. Subdivide these dotted line spaces (and any other large labs, conference rooms, or
oversized offices) down into standard size offices. Sketch the offices onto the
drawings. Sketch new Access Ways as necessary to create passages to all sketched in
offices.
c. DO NOT consider tearing out significant existing walled office space (e.g., many
slightly oversized offices) to create a few additional (smaller) offices. For example,
DO NOT consider turning five 120 sq ft offices into six 100 sq ft offices. This
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d.
e.
f.
g.
wouldn’t be reasonable. Besides if this should ever happen, there would most likely
be enough room numbers already skipped (due to the ascending numbering
convention and the location of current office doors) to facilitate the rare case of such
a remodel decision. On the other hand, if a row of offices are significantly oversized
compared to most others, assuring a number is skipped (reserved) may be appropriate.
Eyeball and use the same general minimum office size or pattern for future offices as
is used in the existing offices (no need to measure or calculate specific office sizes).
Do not reclaim or subdivide Permanent Spaces (as defined above). Only reclaim
Access Ways (semi-permanent) in the process.
Sketch offices into lounge & lobby seating/waiting areas and reclaimed Access Ways
(as these areas could become future reception desks, cubicles or even walled offices
and require room numbers). Again, do not sketch offices into permanent main
corridors, entrance lobby corridor space or other main passage, ingress or egress
spaces.
Sketch doors into these future offices following the same door pattern (if any) of
existing offices along the same corridor; as would likely be specified in a remodel
(e.g. existing pattern may be alternating two on left then two on right).
Assigning Room Numbers
2. Number all office rooms, both the existing and sketched potential future offices as if they
were all currently there ignoring (for now) the actual large rooms that you reclaimed and
subdivided. Follow the numbering conventions stated previously.
3. Now go back to the large rooms you just ignored and draw triangles around the numbers for
the sketched in offices that are closest to the actual doors of the large subdivided rooms.
The triangles indicate which of the multiple reserved room numbers will be used now for
these large rooms. Double check that the actual location of the large room door and the
number in the triangle yield a number that still flows in the ascending order of room numbers
down the corridor. You may need to adjust a room number or two here based on how closely
the sketched in room door and the actual door of the large room coincide relative to other
doors in the corridor.
4. If any room on the floor has multiple doors, assign the lowest room number (associated with
it’s multiple door locations) to the room. Each room should have only one room number (no
matter how many doors).
Numbering Subordinate Rooms
5. Rooms with subordinate rooms and closets (rooms that are not all visible from the corridor,
also sometimes called suites) employ an alpha suffix for the subordinate rooms.
a. The suffixes should be assigned to the subordinate rooms as A, B, C, D etc (skipping
I & O) from left to right in a clockwise rotation viewed from the entrance to the
parent room.
b. If there are subordinate rooms to the subordinate rooms, letter the sub-subordinate
rooms continuing in the same letter order sequence (do not start over at “A”) and in
the same clockwise fashion, before continuing on to the next subordinate room to the
parent. For example, if there is one closet within subordinate room A, the closet
would be assigned B. If there was a second subordinate room of the parent, it would
be assigned C and its closet D.
c. If there is an Access Way off the parent room with subordinate rooms on either side
of the Access Way, letter the rooms similarly in a clockwise fashion.
6. If a seemingly subordinate room is simply a room “behind” an open area that is defined as a
room (e.g., a lounge, open kitchen, reception counter) off a Main Corridor or Access Way,
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and the door to that seemingly subordinate room is clearly visible from the passage way, then
that room is not to be considered a subordinate room and should be assigned a unique 4 digit
room number like any other similar room.
Numbering Cubicles
7. An individual standalone cubicle is numbered with 4 digits like any other office.
8. Cubicles in a group are treated as a special form of subordinate rooms that may or may not
have a parent room.
a. The parent room may be a walled room or an open area where they are located. If it
is an open area then the parent room defaults to an Access Way that passes through
the area giving access to the individual cubicles.
b. If all the cubicles in the group are entered off of a common Main Corridor, then there
is no parent room or Access Way.
c. The Parent room or Access Way (if any) and all of the cubicles in the group are given
the same 4 digit room number code. The grouped cubicle room numbers are then
made unique by adding a single alpha character suffix A, B, C, D etc. to each cubicle.
The Access Way passing though the group will have the suffix AW. It is highly
likely that a Parent room containing multiple cubicles would also have an Access
Way down the center all sharing the same four digit code.
d. Multiple rows of cubicles with different Access Ways off the Main Corridor have
unique 4 digit codes assigned to each Access Way and cubicle group.
e. Cubicle groups with a central Access Way are lettered left to right as you pass down
the Access Way, similar to numbering doors in a corridor (A, C, E, G on left, B, D, F,
H on right) based on the entrance opening location to each cubicle.
f. Follow the “always ascending order” rule if there are multiple cubicle entrances on
one side before the next cubicle on the other side. In such a situation, since there is
no recognizable odd/even convention in alpha letters, it is acceptable to letter two
cubicles consecutively on one side of the Access Way before continuing to letter
them back and forth again so no letters are skipped (except in the situation of
reserving a letter discussed below).
g. If there are any large cubicles that might later be subdivided into two or more
cubicles, the smaller cubicles should be sketched onto the drawing and in this case
letters should be skipped (reserved) for these potential future cubicles.
h. If there is no central Access Way (all cubicles are in a line and entered directly from
the Main Corridor), then the position in the corridor of the first cubicle encountered
defines the 4 digit office number assigned to all of the cubicles and each cubicle is
given the suffix letters A, B, C etc. in order down the corridor (without further regard
for regular 4-digit office numbers or positions on the opposing side of the corridor).
Numbering Rooms on Short Corridor Offshoots or Stubs
9. When numbering rooms that wrap around a short stub or offshoot (< 6 ft long/deep) off the
Main Corridor, treat the rooms off the stub as being all on one side of the main corridor.
Therefore, the rooms off the stub would all be numbered with either even or odd numbers.
The rule of thumb is “if the person would not likely leave the main corridor (step into the
side corridor) to read the room number signs along the side corridor, then treat the side
corridor stub as if it were part of (one side of) the main corridor”.
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Numbering Rooms Along Intersecting Corridors
10. If the building is rather shallow and the corridor plan is not too complex (not a deep grid
pattern), as room numbering progresses down a primary corridor, when an intersection with a
secondary corridor (or Access Way) is encountered:
a. The room numbering path should deviate down that secondary corridor (if not already
numbered) to the left and then to the right numbering the rooms down both directions
of the secondary corridor before continuing farther down the primary corridor.
b. Room numbers should always ascend as you move down the secondary corridor away
from the primary corridor and stop at the intersection with the next corridor (or its
end).
c. Room numbers should then pick up again going the other way down the secondary
corridor from the primary corridor, starting the numbering again from the primary
corridor, and stopping again at its next intersection (or its end)
d. Then pick up numbering again down the primary corridor.
Important Corridor Intersection Concepts
The above technique promotes several important way-finding concepts discussed further
below. When in doubt these should help direct your corridor numbering path decisions.
 Take the visitor down (i.e., number) secondary intersecting paths as soon as possible
as doing so will typically yield the shortest way-finding path for the visitor to their
destination offices/room should their destination be down that secondary corridor.
 You want to help direct people to make correct turns whether they are observing the
way-finding intersection signs or just going by room number progression. The above
technique will create a gap in the primary corridor room numbers they are walking
down as they pass through an intersection. The discontinuity in the primary corridor
numbering (skipping of the block of numbers going down the side corridors) is
explained by the intersection way-finding sign. However, if the person misses that
sign and the room they want is down one of those side corridors, the next room
number they will see down the primary corridor will skip over their destination room.
This will cause them to stop and go back to the intersection and discover the proper
(shortest) path to their destination. In this case the discontinuity in the primary
corridor numbering assists the way-finding intersection signage. In addition, because
the primary corridor numbers still continue to increase, the gap does not significantly
distract people whose destination lies straight ahead.
 For simpler floor layouts it is often best when deviating and numbering down side
(2nd) corridors, not to number past any intersections that might occur with a 3rd
corridor (parallel to the 1st). You don’t want to deviate (in your numbering) too far
off the primary corridor and this next leg of the 2nd corridor (past the 3rd corridor) will
be picked up when the 3rd corridor is numbered.
 For complex floor plans, you should take a more considered approach and layout
shortest path scenarios from the main entrance to every corridor block on the floor.
This often ends up looking like traffic paths that take either a central corridor to
interior corridor blocks, or one of two path directions around the outside perimeter
corridor (following the exterior of building). In such complex interior layouts, it may
make sense to number the external ring (and possibly it’s off shoots) first (all the way
around), then number down the main interior artery corridor and it’s offshoot
corridor blocks. On the other hand, depending on the layout, you may choose instead
to direct the visitor down the interior artery path that includes corridor blocks
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numbered all the way up to the external ring block and NOT deviate at all off the
external ring corridor block (numbering its offshoots).
Buildings with central elevators and stairways present a bit of a conundrum in that
following these conventions on the first floor (where the entrance to the floor is at the
edge of the building) vs. the second floor (where the entrance to the floor is in the
center) may lead to different traffic patterns pointing to different sectioning or section
numbering. This is complicated when you try to maintain vertical similarity of
numbering between floors. There is no right answer here. The only suggestion
might be to consider the person entering the first floor as first walking to and starting
their way-finding from the center of the floor (like other floors), and designing and
numbering accordingly.
2.5 Corridor Numbering
All corridors are to have unique room numbers assigned to them and should be numbered last.
 A corridor is defined by any straight (or curved) stretch of passage within a single floor section
including offshoots/stubs < 6’.
 If a stretch of passage crosses multiple sections, it shall be divided at each section border into
separate (uniquely numbered) corridors.
 Assign a unique 4 digit number to number each Main Corridor and Access Way except Access
Ways that pass through cubicle groups (see below). Be sure to number sketched in Access Ways
as well. Use numbers that were skipped in the process of numbering the offices along the
corridors. Pick an available office number that is closest to the center of each corridor. In this
way each corridor can be readily ascertained by service personnel simply by walking to where
the office would be with that number and looking both ways down the corridor. They will be
standing in the center of the corridor in question. They know it is a corridor being referenced
(not an office) as there will be a suffix of either MC or AW on the number. Corridor numbers
can be even or odd.
 Add the suffix MC for Main Corridor or AW for Access Way to each corridor number. These
are defined as follows:
Main Corridors (MC)
Main Corridors are passages that are a main ingress or egress from the floor or building.
Main Corridor space is not department chargeable.
Access Ways (AW)
Access Ways are minor passages usually created for the purpose of accessing a limited
number of offices or cubicles. They can also be a shortcut between two Main Corridors
used exclusively to move about within the offices (not for ingress or egress). An Access
Way might also result from office and conference room space being laid out oddly or
sparsely leaving extra corridor spaces that could easily be reclaimed into office space if
the maximum density office design were implemented. At UCAR, Access Ways are
considered department chargeable space.
 Access Ways to cubicles use the same number as the cubicles located along the Access Way with
the addition of the AW suffix. Telecom and infrastructure labels (that include only the unique 4
digit or 4 digit + 1 alpha char room numbers) would use these four digits to refer to the Access
Way (like a parent room) and the 4 digit + 1 alpha number to refer to the cubicles (like
subordinate rooms).
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3.0 Room Signage
Room signage is important for more reasons than simply uniquely identifying the room. It is also a
critical part of way finding to other rooms. Logos and text on signage helps orient the user to the
departmental area they are in, giving reassuring confidence the visitor is in the right area. This can be
very helpful if the visitor has incomplete or inaccurate information about where they are going.
Consistent and proper location of signs is important for ease of viewing regardless of whether the door is
partially or completely open or from which direction the visitor is approaching the sign location.
 Room signage shall be designed by the architectural design team and provided by the construction
firm as part of the design and construction of all major renovations.
 Office and Conference Room signage will emphasize the room number (larger font and shown first)
over name/occupant.
 Service Room and Lavatory signage will emphasize room purpose (larger font and shown first) over
room number.
 Consideration and provision for a single company, entity, lab, division or department logo shall be
included on each room sign. A table listing logos to be associated with each room with suitable
electronic artwork is to be provided by UCAR (see Deliverables and Approvals below).
 Room identification signage shall be placed on the wall adjacent to the door. It may be placed on
either side as space permits and located to cause the least confusion with adjacent doors. If there is
no potential confusion or restrictions, place signage on the opening/handle side of the door. If space
is not available on either side of the door, then the sign can be placed on the door itself. Placement
of room signage on widows adjacent to doors should be avoided. If placement on a window is
necessary (i.e., walls and door itself are both glass), a backing plate is to be placed on the opposite
side of the window to cover over the method of adhesion.
 If a Main Corridor or Access Way (and rooms) lie behind a corridor door, then there is to be signage
on or near that door indicating the room numbers and passage way that lie beyond the door.
Because this is actually a form of way-finding signage it is covered under the section Way-Finding
Signage and should follow the design guidelines and use the materials specified for way-finding
signs.
Room Signage Specifications
 Kroy Criterion Series (see link below to sales literature) – these are a little more expensive than
alternatives but our experience has been that they are worth it as they are much more durable (do not
break when someone attempts to change the inserts)
 Black with rounded corners
 Clear non-glare polystyrene lens
 Digitally printed color cardstock-weight inserts – the artistic layout and design of these inserts
including proposed logo size and placement is the responsibility of the AE firm. A professional
artistic design theme is encouraged rather than simply black on white. A default typeface is
specified below, however other professional looking typefaces consistent with the artistic design will
be considered. A method of revising/producing future matching inserts must be readily available to
UCAR admin personnel.
 Size: 4”x8” for logo, room number and occupant name (#RC48BK – frame and clear lens)
 Default typeface – room number & occupant: To be provided by UCAR
 Font size – room number: To be provided by UCAR
 Font size – occupant name: To be provided by UCAR
 Lavatories shall use 8”x8” frames with standard white on black Kroy inserts in English with raised
lettering and Grade II Braille.
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Kroy Criterion Series Signage Information
http://www.kroysignsystems.com/KSS_Website/Products/Criterion%20Signs/Thumbnails.html
http://www.kroysignsystems.com/KSS_Website/Products/Criterion%20Signs/Downloads/Criterion.pdf
http://www.kroysignsystems.com/KSS_Website/Products/Criterion%20Signs/Downloads/Inj%20Molde
d%20Frame%20Sign.doc
Kroy Standard Lavatory, Stairwell & Elevator Signage Information
http://www.kroysignsystems.com/KSS_Website/Products/Regulatory/Regulatory.html
Kroy Signage Pricing
http://www.kroysignsystems.com/KSS_Website/To%20Order/Downloads/10_Price_Catalog.pdf
4.0 Way-Finding Signage
Way-finding signage is especially important to outside visitors. Even in a typically escorted visitor
environment, there are often times when visitors are unaccompanied. UCAR also has a large population
of Visiting Scientists, some from foreign lands. With a large multi-campus environment, visitors are
also UCAR colleagues visiting from other buildings or a different campus who are not familiar with
each building. Both UCAR employees and outside visitors want the ability to easily navigate and arrive
in a timely fashion at their destination without confusion or a disconcerting experience. Proper room
numbering and way-finding signage is critical to this experience.
 Way-finding signage shall be designed and provided as part of the construction of all major
renovations.
 Signage shall be defined and provided at each corridor intersection that describes the next corridor
block of room numbers in each available direction. This should not be an afterthought (after room
numbers have been fully assigned) as defining these signs often points out good and poor sectional
division and difficult way-finding paths.
 No sign is required at intersections where there is only one available path (e.g., 90o corner) in which
the same room section and room numbering progression is continued.
 There shall be similar prominent way-finding signage at the entrance to the floor from all stairways
and external doors. If the floor layout is complex, these entrance signs shall include a complete
floor layout showing clearly marked sections (preferably in color), and if practical, showing
individual rooms and room numbers.
 If a Main Corridor or Access Way (and rooms) lie behind a corridor door, then there is to be signage
near that door indicating the room numbers and passage way that lie beyond the door. In some
cases such doors may be mostly glass and represent a physical cue that would divide a floor into
sections. If so signage indicating the section beyond is sufficient. At other times a door to another
corridor can look nearly the same as a door to a room. In this case such way finding signage is
important to indicate that the door is not a room but another corridor. In this special case signage
placed on the door itself is acceptable as it is only important/needed when the door is closed
(obscuring the corridor beyond). The design and materials of this sign should follow the WayFinding Signage specifications.
 Way-Finding signage contents (room numbers and arrow directions) should be listed in a schedule
and corridor locations should be called out and labeled on CAD drawings.
Way-Finding Signage Specifications
 Kroy Criterion Series
 Black with rounded corners
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







Clear non-glare polystyrene lens
Digitally printed color cardstock-weight inserts – the artistic layout and design of these inserts
including proposed logo size and placement is the responsibility of the AE firm. A professional
artistic design theme is encouraged rather than simply black on white. A default typeface is
specified below, however other professional looking typefaces consistent with the artistic design will
be considered. A method of revising/producing future matching inserts must be readily available to
UCAR admin.
The design of the Way-Finding Signage inserts may reflect consistency with the design of the Room
Signage, however should not include department logo’s or other time-limited themes (i.e., these
signs should not require changing or updating if/when the occupants on a floor change).
Size: as design appropriate and necessary (typically 4”x8”, 8”x8”, 6”x12” & 12”x12”)
Stairwell signs shall use 8”x8” frames with standard white on black Kroy inserts in English with
raised lettering and Grade II Braille.
Default typeface: To be provided by UCAR
Font size – room numbers & text: To be provided by UCAR
Stairwell and “In case of fire”/elevator signage shall use 8”x8” frames with standard white on black
Kroy inserts in English with raised lettering and Grade II Braille.
5.0 ADA Compliance
UCAR is currently undergoing a review by a 3rd party consultant to determine requirements for ADA
compliance in our buildings. Should UCAR be required to provide raised text or Grade II Braille on
room and way-finding signage, this can be accomplished using special features of the Kroy Criterion
Series signage products. However, at this time it is not required to incorporate such ADA features
except on lavatory, stairwell & elevator signs. If these features are deemed necessary on other signage
for ADA compliance, the requirement for these features will be specified separately and considered a
change request by UCAR.
6.0 Deliverables & Approvals
6.1 Design & Implementation Tasks & Responsibilities
As noted below, most of the tasks involved in implementing this Standard are to be executed by the
Architectural/Engineering (AE) firm contracted by UCAR to provide interior building design and
construction documents. In the absence of such a firm on a project, these AE tasks shall be
implemented by the UCAR Facilities Project Manager.
Design
Stage
30%
60%
95%
100%
Task
Responsibility
Building number proposal
Prelim floor num/section layout proposal
Final building number
Final section layout & numbering
Prelim room numbering proposal
Prelim room & corridor way-finding sign artwork
Table of room sign logos & artwork files
Final room numbering drawings
Final room & corridor way-finding sign artwork
Prelim entrance way-finding sign proposals
Final entrance way-finding sign drawing
All final drawings & artwork provided in elec. form
Space Plan Proj Mgr
AE Firm
Space Plan Proj Mgr
AE Firm
AE Firm
AE Firm
Space Plan Proj Mgr
AE Firm
AE Firm
AE Firm
AE Firm
AE Firm
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Approval
FM&S Director
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
FM&S Director
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Fac & Spc Pln Proj Mgrs, NETS
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs, NETS
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Fac & Space Plan Proj Mgrs
Material procurement, fabrication and installation of all signage are to be part of the overall
construction bid and build process.
6.2 CAD Drawings & Layers
Deliverables and requirements with regards to CAD drawings or electronic files are generally
covered in the UCAR Computer Aided Drafting Standards. Part of that standard is the definition of
separate layers for each specific design element. Some elements (listed below) are important to the
display and printing of drawings for space planning purposes. These design elements are spread
across the EXST, DEMO, NEWW or FUTR (Future, not currently defined in CAD Standard) layer
status types. The AE firm is to double-check the following list of standard design elements to assure
they are located on their proper layers (and not intermixed) and add three additional layers (not
currently in CAD Standard) as indicated below.
Typical Design Elements (on EXST & NEWW layers)
 Permanent structure walls - interior and exterior, concrete, block, gypsum etc. - _<drawing
number>_
 Temporary/partial height walls and dividers - including cubicle walls (do not put these on
permanent wall layers) - _<drawing number>_
 Glazing- _<drawing number>_
 Doors- _<drawing number>_
 Door numbers (do not put on door layers or room number layers) – A-DOOR-IDENDEMO/EXST/NEWW
 Built-in cabinetry/furniture (do not put these on permanent or temporary wall layers and do
not put on removable furniture layer) - _<drawing number>_
 Removable furniture - conf tables, desks, cubicle desks, chairs, removable book shelves,
major un-fixed target equipment shown in labs and special rooms all go on appropriate
“FURN” (furniture) layers – (do not put on built in furniture, temporary/partial height wall
or fixture layers) - _<drawing number>_
 Fixtures - plumbing etc (do not put on furniture layer) - _<drawing number>_
 Dimensions - include any ADA dimensional indications or circles in lavatories on separate
layer (do not put ADA dimensional indicators on other layers) - _<drawing number>_
Room Identification & Signage Elements (on NEWW layers)
 Room numbers - A-AREA-IDEN-DEMO/EXST/NEWW
 Room descriptions (see list of descriptions to be used below) - A-AREA-NAMEDEMO/EXST/NEWW
 Room and way-finding signage locations & schedule callouts (Add, not in CAD standard) _<drawing number>_
Planning Elements (on new FUTR layers)
 Floor room numbering Section boundaries (Add on new separate, not in CAD standard) _<drawing number>_
 Proposed future highest density (sketched in) office outlines as dotted lines with all office
numbers reserved for their use in medium gray (Add on new separate, not in CAD standard)
- _<drawing number>_
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6.3 Room Descriptions
The following room descriptions should be used on drawings whenever applicable. Use of similar
but different nomenclature to reference these types of spaces should be avoided.
Category
Space Descriptor
Office
Cubicle
Desk
Office
Chemical Lab
Computer Lab
Computer Data Center
Instrument Lab
Production Build/Test/Ship
Auditorium
Break Room
Kitchenette
Coat
Dept Conf
Reservable Conf
Copier/Printer
Dining Seating
Exercise/Lockers
Food Service
Library
Lounge or Waiting
Mail Service/Logistics
Dept Mail Boxes
Security
Training
Cage
Chemical Storage
Department Storage
Files/Office Supplies
Hanger
Logistics Controlled Storage
Mezzanine
Access Way
Lobby/Reception (no seating)
Main Corridor
Vestibule
Electrical
Janitorial
Men's, Women's or Unisex
Lav
Mechanical
Telecom
Atrium (floor level)
Cooling Tower
Elevator
Shaft
Stairway
Floor below
Roof below
Cap below
Comp/Lab/Prod
Support
Storage
Passage
Service
Vertical
Comments
Use this only for space with no walls/dividers where a desk is intended
Implies some type of hazmat or special ventilation provisions
Special meaning. Do not use for gen departmental computer room
Kitchenette with seating & tables (see also lounge and kitchenette only)
Sink & appliances, no seating/tables (see also break room & lounge)
Typically small, medium or breakout conf room/areas
Typically large conference rooms
Cafeteria food service dining area
Cafeteria food service clean/prep/serve
Break area seating/tables only, general lounge or reception seating
Implies some type of hazmat or special ventilation provisions
Any general purpose storage area intended for office use
Airplane hanger
Intended for storage only
Cubical access, limited office access, inter-office traffic way
Open passage/corridor area, not seating area
Main ingress or egress
Electrical closet/room
Janitor's closet/room
Mechanical closet/room
Telecom closet/room
Elevator Shaft
High bay area indicates no floor on this level (i.e. open to below)
Label when outline of roof below appears on upper floor drawing
Label when outline of vestibule/other cap appears on upper flr drawing
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Room #
Suffix
AW
LB
MC
VE
ER
JC
ML/WL/U
L
MR
TR
AT
CT
EL
SH
ST