ABBREVIATIONS

ACT Acoustical Ceiling Tile

AWC Acoustical Wallcovering
BR Brick
CONC Sealed Concrete
CPT Carpet
CT Ceramic Tile
EPT Epoxy Paint
EXP Exposed
FWC Fabric Wallcoverings
GB Gypsum Board
HD Heavy Duty
HID High Intensity Discharge
MP Molded Plastic
PL Plastic Laminate
PLAS Plaster
PT Paint
QT Quarry Tile
RB Rubber Base
SV Sheet Vinyl
VB Vinyl Base
VCT Vinyl Composition Tile
VWC Vinyl Wallcovering
WD Wood
WM Walk-off Mats
WP Wall Paper
WRG Water Resistant Gypsum Board
FUNCTIONAL CRITERIA
All AMC buildings are categorized as either permanent or temporary. Permanent facilities are generally masonry or steel frame
construction, built for a specific purpose and intended to require minimum maintenance.
Temporary facilities are wood frame with little or no masonry, and are often relocatable and are intended to fill a short-term need of five
years or less without regard to degree of
maintenance. These temporary structures are often much older than their original intended use, and may have restrictions governing the
type and amount of renovation and alteration
that can be performed This presents a challenge for designers regarding quality standards and budget limitations.
AMC facilities also are divided into several facility types including:
◆ Residential ◆Maintenance/Warehouse
◆ Hospitality/Lodging ◆Recreation
◆ Food Service ◆Medical
◆ Office/Administrative ◆Educational
The main factors that affect finish material selection and application include foot traffic; presence of food, beverages, chemicals, grease
or other potential soilage; the type of activity that occurs; and the level of quality required.
The following paragraphs and charts illustrate the types of selections that would be appropriate in the various facilities. Use these
as generic guidelines for product selections. Each project may have considerations that require alternate choices. The designer
must research these with the user early in the project.

Some facilities do not fit easily into only one category: child development centers, fire stations, chapels, passenger terminals, and
flight line facilities are examples of multifunctional facilities. In these cases, the designer must use judgment in determining the
proper blend of interior finishes and furnishings. Examination of several categories may be necessary to compile the requirements for
projects in one of these facilities. Heavy-use areas include wet areas (i.e., kitchens, toilets, etc.), high-traffic areas, and areas
requiring maximum product durability. Medium-use areas are used every day, but not by large numbers of people. Generally they
are not wet areas, nor do they experience extreme wear-and-tear. Light-use areas are those which experience low traffic or may not be
used on a daily basis and will not subject finish materials to extreme use or wear.

INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

 A. RESIDENTIAL
Residential facilities are family housing and unaccompanied
personnel housing (dormitories). While the overall wear of
finishes is reduced in family housing units, they still contain
areas fitting all three categories of use. Heavy-use areas include
entrance foyers, kitchens, bathrooms, stairwells, and laundry
areas. Corridors, hallways, dayrooms, family living and dining
rooms would be considered medium-use areas. Bedrooms
would be light-use areas. Refer to the AMC Housing Guide,
the Commander’s Guide to Dormitory Excellence, and the
Commander’s Guide to Family Housing Excellence for more
details. See Table A below **

Materials Heav Mediu Ligh

y m t
FLOOR* D F D F D FH
CT, H CPT H CPT CPT
QT CT, SV Level loop CPT Cut pile
VCT, Level loop or Cut and Cut pile
Cut pile, loop or WD
WD
BASE CT, CT, RB, RB, RB, RB,
RB VB VB VB VB VB
VB WD WD WD WD WD
WALLS CT, VWC Type HDFWC, PT,WP, PT, VWC,
EPT, PL II PT EPT, PT, VWC VWC PT WP
VWC Type II
CHAIR RAIL MP, WD WD, WD WD, WD
PL, VB, RB VB, RB
WD
CEILING ACT, GB ACT GB GB GB
GB , GB
WRG
LIGHTING Fluorescen Incandesce Fluorescen Incandescent Incandescent Incandescen
t nt t t
Incandesce Fluorescen Incandesce
nt t nt
WINDOW Vertical Shades Vertical Shades Vertical Shades
COVERINGS* blinds Mini Mini blinds Mini Mini blinds Mini Mini
blinds blinds blinds Lined blinds blinds blinds
Lined draperies Lined Black-out Lined
draperies draperies draperies Lined draperies
Sheers Sheers draperies Sheers
FURNITURE Commercial NA mmercial Commerci NA
grade al
Co NA grade grade
UPHOLSTERY Vinyl NA Vinyl NA Fabric NA
and/or and/or 10,000
fabric fabric +
50,000 + 20,000 + double rubs
double rubs double rubs
INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

B. HOSPITALITY/LODGING
The hospitality/lodging category includes transient lodging
facilities of all types: quarters for visiting personnel, as well
as temporary living facilities for families arriving at or leaving
a base. Heavy-use areas include registration desks and lobbies,
entrance foyers, stairwells, elevators, and corridors. Also
included are wet areas such as laundry rooms, snack rooms, and
rest rooms. Medium-use areas include management and
administrative offices. Bedrooms are light-use areas.
Refer to HQ AMC Services Guide to Excellent Facilities for
more detail. See Table B below. ****

Materials Heavy Medium Light

FLOOR VCT, CT, CPT CPT
CPT/Level loop

BASE QT, CT, RB, VB RB, VB, WD RB, VB, WD

WALLS BR**, VWC, Type II VWC, Type VWC,

PL, CT,EPT, I, PT PT, FWC
PT, HDFWC

CHAIR RAIL MP, PL, WD Not Normally Used Not Normally Used

CEILING ACT, GB, WRG ACT, GB GB

LIGHTING Fluorescen Fluorescent Incandescent

t
Incandesce
nt
WINDOW Vertical Vertical Mini blinds
COVERINGS blinds Mini blinds Mini Black-out draperies
blinds Lined blinds Lined
draperies draperies
FURNITURE Commercial grade*** Commercial grade Commercial grade

UPHOLSTERY Vinyl or fabric Fabric rated 20,000 + Fabric rated 10,000 +

rated 50,000 + double rubs double rubs
double rubs
INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

C. FOOD SERVICE
Food service facilities include dining halls, flight kitchens,
open mess facilities (officers’ and enlisted clubs), snack bars,
and cafeterias. Most areas in these facilities can be considered
heavy-use because they are subject to high traffic and frequent
food and beverage spills. Management and administrative
areas would be medium-use. Special/private dining areas might
be considered light-use. See Table C below. ***

Materials Heav Medium Ligh

y t
FLOOR QT, CT, VCT, CPT* VCT, Level loop CPT Cut Pile CPT

BASE QT, RB, VB WD

CT,
RB,
VB
WALLS CT, VWC Type VWC Type I, PT VWC, PT
II or III, EPT, PL,
PT,

CHAIR RAIL MP, PL, WD Not normally used WD

CEILING GB, WRG, PLAS** ACT, GB GB

LIGHTING Fluorescen Fluorescen Incandescent

t t
Incandesce Incandesce
nt nt
WINDOW Vertical Vertical Lined
COVERINGS blinds Mini blinds Mini draperies
blinds blinds Lined Sheers
draperies Shades
FURNITURE Commercial grade Commercial grade Commercial grade

UPHOLSTERY Vinyl or fabric Fabric rated 20,000 + Fabric rated 10,000

rated 50,000 + double rubs + double rubs
double rubs
INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

D. OFFICE/ADMINISTRATIVE
Office/administrative facilities generally have the highest
concentration of occupants. These areas vary from private
offices, to open-bay work spaces filled with conventional and
modular furniture, to large systems furniture (pre-wired)
installations. Most administrative facilities will contain some
combination of the three types depending on the functions
performed by the occupants, as well as physical constraints of
the facilities. Heavy-use areas in an office environment include
entrances, foyers, lobbies, main circulation corridors, stairwells,
elevators, rest rooms, large conference or meeting rooms, snack
bars, and media production areas. Medium-use areas include
internal circulation, staff office areas, and small conference
rooms. Commanders’ suites and private conference areas are
light-use areas. See Table D below. ***

Materials Heavy Medium Light

FLOOR QT, CT, CPT* CPT/Level loop CPT/Cut pile
Level loop or Level loop

BASE QT, CT, RB, VB, WD RB, VB, WD RB, VB, WD

WALLS CT, HDFWC, HDFWC, PT, FWC, VWC, PT,

PL, EPT, PT, VWC Type II WD**
VWC
Type II & III
CHAIR RAIL MP, WD MP, WD WD

CEILING ACT, WRG ACT ACT, GB

LIGHTING Fluorescen Fluorescen Fluorescen

t t t
Incandesce Incandesce Incandesce
nt nt nt

WINDOW COVERINGS Vertical Vertical Vertical

blinds Mini blinds Mini blinds Mini
blinds Lined blinds Lined blinds Lined
draperies draperies draperies

FURNITURE Commercial grade Commercial grade Commercial with

some residential
grade pieces

UPHOLSTERY Vinyl or fabric Fabric rated 20,000 + Leather or fabric rated

rated 50,000 + double rubs 10,000 + double rubs
double rubs
 INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

E. MAINTENANCE/
WAREHOUSE
Maintenance/warehouse facilities
include all functional areas in which
vehicles or heavy equipment are
operated; chemicals are used; there is
exposure to weather, product dust and
dirt; and bulk items are stored. Most
areas within these facilities would fall
under the heavy-use heading since the
finishes are constantly subjected to
traffic, cleaning, abrasion, weather, or
other deterrents to durability. Some of
these facilities house administrative
areas which could be considered
medium-use areas if there are
transition areas separating them from
direct access to the heavy-use areas.
If a commander’s suite is included in
the facility, it could be listed as light-
use, again only if there is separation
from the high-use areas. See Table
E below. **

Materia Heav Mediu Ligh

ls y m t
FLOOR QT, VCT, CPT/ CPT/Cut pile
CT, Level loop
CONC

BASE CT, QT, RB, VB RB, VB VB, WD

WALLS PT PT, VWC VWC, HDFWC

CHAIR RAIL NA MP WD

CEILING WRG, EXP ACT ACT, GB

LIGHTING Fluoresce Fluorescent Fluorescen

nt HID t
Incandesce
nt

WINDOW COVERINGS Mini blinds* Vertical Vertical

 blinds Mini blinds Mini
blinds blinds Lined
draperies

FURNITURE NA Commercial Commercial with

grade some residential
grade pieces

UPHOLSTERY NA Vinyl or fabric Leather or fabric rated

25,000 + double 15,000 + double rubs
rubs
INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

F. R ECREATION
Recreation facilities encompass the
most diverse functions of all the
categories. They include gymnasiums,
fitness centers, golf course clubhouses,
bowling, youth and community
centers, skating rinks, libraries, and
theaters. These facilities contain mostly
high-use areas because of their high
volume of customers. Facilities such as
fitness centers have constant traffic
throughout the day, while facilities such
as theaters have a high concentration in
a short period. Golf course clubhouses
and bowling centers contain food
services. Bowling and fitness centers,
and skating rinks require special
finishes and attention to acoustical
control. See Table F below. **
 Materia Heavy Medium Light
ls
FLOOR CPT/Level loop* CPT/Level loop* CPT/Level loop*
VCT, WD, CT,
QT
BASE CT, QT, RB, VB CT, QT, RB, VB RB,VB

WALLS HDFWC, HDFWC, HDFWC,

AWC, VWC AWC, VWC AWC, VWC
Type II, PT Type II, PT Type II, PT
CHAIR RAIL MP, WD MP, WD WD

CEILING EXP, ACT, WRG EXP, ACT, WRG ACT, GB

LIGHTING Fluorescent Fluorescent Fluorescent

Incandescent, Incandescent, Incandescent,
HID HID HID
WINDOW COVERINGS Vertical Vertical Vertical
blinds Mini blinds Mini blinds Mini
blinds blinds Lined blinds Lined
draperies draperies
FURNITURE Commercial grade Commercial grade Commercial grade

UPHOLSTERY Vinyl, MP or Vinyl or Vinyl or

fabric rated fabric rated fabric rated
50,000 + 50,0000 + 50,000 +
double rubs double rubs double rubs

INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

G. MEDICAL
Medical facilities include medical
centers. hospitals, clinics, and
pharmacies. Many areas within these
facilities are heavy- use due to high
volume traffic, wet areas, and
chemicals.
Patient waiting areas, administrative
and doctors’ offices, and selected
corridors are medium-use where
acoustic control is desirable. Light-use
areas include commanders’ suites and
 conference rooms. Refer to HQ AMC
Medical Facilities Design Guide for
more detail. See Table G below. **

Materials Heav Medium Ligh

y t

FLOOR* VCT, SV, CT, QT CPT/Level loop, VCT CPT/Level loop

CPT/Cut pile,
VCT
BASE RB, VB, CT, QT VB, RB, WD VB, RB, WD

WALLS PT, VWC Type II VWC Type II, VWC Type I,

AWC, HDFWC AWC, HDFWC,
FWC

CHAIR RAIL *** MP MP WD, PL

CEILING ACT, GB, WRG, EXP ACT, GB ACT, GB

LIGHTING Fluoresce Fluorescen Fluorescen

nt HID t t
Incandesce Incandesce
nt nt

WINDOW COVERINGS* Vertical Vertical Vertical

blinds Mini blinds Mini blinds Mini
blinds blinds Lined blinds Lined
draperies draperies

FURNITURE Commercial grade Commercial grade Commercial

grade with some
residential grade
pieces

UPHOLSTERY* Vinyl, breathable mesh Vinyl, fabric Leather,

rated 50,000 fabric rated
+ double 20,000 +
rubs double rubs

Table G: Medical Product Selection Guide.

* Special materials are available for health care use
such as antimicrobial flooring and carpet, cubicle
curtains, and vinylized fabric.

** See Appendix for abbreviations legend

*** Including Handrail, Protective Trim etc

INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE

H. EDUCATIONAL
Educational facilities include grade and
high schools for dependent children,
specialized training facilities (such as
simulators), professional and technical
classrooms, and centers for college
extension program. Heavy-use areas in
educational facilities include entrances
foyers, snack bar and cafeteria service
areas, rest rooms, fitness areas, simulator
rooms and technical classrooms.
Administrative offices, conference and
briefing rooms, most other classrooms,
and corridors would fall in the medium-
use category. Principals’ offices and
commanders’ suites would be light-use.
See Table H below.*

Materials Heav Mediu Ligh

y m t
FLOOR CT, QT, VCT, SV CPT/Level loop CPT/Level
loop CPT/Cut
pile
BASE CT, QT, RB, VB RB, VB RB, VB, WB

WALLS EXP, VWC Type PT, VWC Type II PT, VWC Type II
II, EPT, PT

CHAIR RAIL MP MP, WD MP, WD

CEILING EXP, ACT ACT ACT,GB

LIGHTING Fluorescent Fluorescen

Fluorescent HID Incandescent t
Incandesce
nt
WINDOW COVERINGS Vertical Vertical Vertical
blinds Mini blinds Mini blinds Mini
blinds blinds Lined blinds Lined
draperies draperies
FURNITURE Commercial grade Commercial grade Commercial grade

UPHOLSTERY Vinyl, MP Vinyl, MP, WD Vinyl, MP, WD

fabric rated 25,000 fabric rated 25,000
+ double rubs + double rubs
Table H: Educational Product Selection Guide.

* See Appendix for abbreviations legend.