4.1 Each facility rating scale in this classification (see Figs. 1-8) provides a means to estimate the level of serviceability of a building or facility for one topic of serviceability, and to compare that level against the level of any other building or facility.

4.2 This classification can be used for comparing how well different buildings or facilities meet a particular requirement for serviceability. It is applicable despite differences such aslocation, structure, mechanical systems, age, and building shape.

4.3 This classification can be used to estimate the amount of variance of serviceability from target or from requirement, for a single office facility, or within a group of office facilities.

4.4 This classification can be used to estimate the following:

4.4.1 Serviceability of an existing facility for uses other than its present use.

4.4.2 Serviceability (potential) of a facility that has been planned but not yet built.

4.4.3 Serviceability (potential) of a facility for which a remodeling has been planned.

4.5 Use of this classification does not result in building evaluation or diagnosis. Building evaluation or diagnosis generally requires a special expertise in building engineering or technology, and the use of instruments, tools, or measurements.

4.6 This classification applies only to facilities that are building constructions, or parts thereof. (While this classification may be useful in rating the serviceability of facilities that are not building constructions, such facilities are outside the scope of this classification.)

4.7 This classification is not intended for, and is not suitable for, use for regulatory purposes, nor for fire hazard assessment nor fire risk assessment.