What should I include in my GFA?

The Gross Floor Area (GFA) is the total property square footage, as measured between the outside surface of the exterior walls of the building(s). It is also acceptable to measure from the inside perimeter of the exterior walls if that is more readily available. This includes all areas inside the building(s) including supporting areas. 

Include in GFA*: Lobbies All floors of a multi-story building Tenant Areas Common Areas Corridors Clubhouses Meeting Rooms Break Rooms Atriums (count the base level only) Restrooms Elevator Shafts, and other vertical penetrations Stairwells Mechanical Equipment Areas Basements Storage Rooms Laundry Rooms Garage Elevator Vestibules (if conditioned)

Do not include in GFA**: Parking Exterior spaces Balconies (fully-enclosed balconies that are conditioned may be included in GFA) Decks Patios Pavilions Outdoor pool decks Exterior Loading Docks Driveways Outdoor Covered Walkways Outdoor Courts (Tennis, Basketball, etc.) The interstitial plenum space between floors and ceiling (which house pipes and ventilation) Crawl Spaces Attics Garage Elevator Vestibules (unconditioned)

Notes:

• *GFA is not the same as rentable space, but rather includes all area inside the building(s). Rentable, or leasable, space is a sub-set of GFA.
• **Although you do not include any outside areas in your GFA, you do include the energy use associated with these areas. Our algorithms assume buildings have outdoor usage, too. The GFA refers specifically to interior space.  But the energy use evaluated in our algorithms should be all energy required to operate your building, which includes the energy used both inside and out.
• While you should never include any Parking GFA in your Property GFA, you may need to enter your Parking GFA if you do not submeter it. (See this FAQ for How do I enter parking?)
• If you are benchmarking only a tenant space within a building ("part of a building"), see: How do I benchmark a tenant space?

Related to

• compliance