In April, following an ANSI prescribed consensus process that began in 2019, the latest version of the American National Standard for Single-Family Residential Buildings, Square Footage - Method of Calculating, ANSI Z765-2021 was approved and made available to the public. This standard, which has been in use since 1996, addresses the need for uniformity in calculating and reporting square footage (area) measurements of dwellings in the United States. Home Innovation Research Labs, an ANSI Accredited Standards Development Organization, served as Secretariat for the consensus process.
A brief introductory letter in the Standard provides an overview of the changes made in this iteration:
“Most of the approved modifications did not fundamentally change the standard, but rather provided additional clarity. Modifications approved during this most recent review and update process were mainly in the Commentary section and included: (1) Clearer instructions for how/when to account for staircases to unfinished areas; and (2) Clarifications within Figure 5.”
A full record of the actions taken throughout the consensus process is available on www.HomeInnovation.com/Z765. To purchase a copy of the new standard, visit the bookstore.
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