Interior designers are visionaries. They transform interior space from the intangible to the tangible – they introduce a new aspect, a new purpose, a new function. They see what is not yet there, and through their ability to convey their vision to the client, they are given the opportunity to make the vision a reality. They orchestrate the elements of space, color, texture, and scale, and apply them in new and different ways, creating desired outcomes for the client.

There is not one process, element, or task involved in the design of interior space that does not take into consideration the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of human life: furniture is selected through knowledge of ergonomics; interior structure and furniture placement are determined through knowledge of accessibility needs, egress requirements, adjacency preferences; color schemes are determined through knowledge of their psychological impact on the human experience; wall and ceiling finishes are selected through knowledge of acoustics; floor finishes are selected through knowledge of performance, way-finding, and surfacing requirements; and lighting is selected through knowledge of ambient, task, and focal requirements.

Whether they specialize in office design, hotel design, restaurant design, healthcare design, residential design, etc., every individual element combines with the whole to create a cohesive unit that enriches the lives of the inhabitants and achieves the client's strategic goals.

Projects begin with the assemblage of information pertinent to the project. Once project goals and objectives are clearly outlined, the steps that lead the project to a successful completion are put in place. Parameters for design are drawn through careful communication and input from the end-user(s), the client, and other project team members.

Initially, research of all codes that pertain to the project are considered and applied to every element involved in the facilitation of the design: furniture, finishes and coverings, fixtures and equipment, accessories and decorations. This is comprehensive and timeconsuming. It requires meeting with the local plan reviewers and/or code officials who preside in the jurisdiction where the project is located in order to understand together the full scope of the project, the goal of the design concept, and from that, interpret the intent of the codes. Their ultimate goal is to preserve life by retarding the spread of fire and smoke while occupants escape to safety.

Benchmarks for success are diverse: building and fire code compliance for life safety; ADA compliance to remove barriers for universal accessibility; sustainability in the selection of materials; adaptive reuse of existing space; green design for the preservation of natural resources; color and visual, tactile and audible details for improved health and well being; space planning for order and paths of egress; recyclability to reduce overflow in land fills; indoor air quality to prevent offgasing that causes sick building syndrome; ease of maintenance – the list goes on.

It is not possible for code officials to be aware of every material specified by designers, so thoughtful interpretation is required for new products not yet addressed in the codes. This is the stuff of ongoing code development. Not only the product, but its specific application must be considered. For interior designers whose projects are located in numerous jurisdictions, whether by state, region, or nationally, the lack of one universal code compounds the research and paper trail documentation, not to mention the multiple finishes that differing code officials might require for clients with multiple projects in just as many locations.

In addition, building and fire codes are enforced by unique individuals who do not always share the same interpretation of the codes. Even two officials working in the same office can have differing judgments on a code's intent and application. Designers may choose to work exclusively with a single code official throughout their project, requesting documentation of the code interpretations in writing. For example, in some communities where CAL 117 has been adopted, compliance with CAL 133 can be required in certain situations, completely at the discretion of the code official.

Acquiring and compiling approvals documentation is the responsibility of the interior designer. Since product is tested by the composite piece, even though the disparate parts may already have performed to code, this process can be quite involved. Depending on the scale of a project, the cost of sacrificing product to testing may limit the available options and, ultimately, the design itself.

Often included in a new or renovated interior are materials that the client has expressed a desire to reuse. If these materials have served well in their previous capacity and still have good, code-compliant components, they may be refurbished for reapplication.

After the ribbon-cutting opens a compliant facility, whether a business or residence, it is the inhabitants and those responsible for maintenance who can unknowingly diminish or even negate code-compliant details. Ultimately, it is the property owner who must take responsibility for the ongoing safety of a building. This involves fire safety training of all inhabitants whether they be residents, customers, employees, or family members. Understanding what is involved in fire protection and incorporating safety techniques as standard business practice is good customer service. Often the last to leave the project, interior designers have the opportunity and challenge to educate clients on the care, handling, and ongoing maintenance of newly installed interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings.

Interior designers pass along to their clients a binder of the written specifications, photos, and testing documents for all furnishings, fixtures, and finishes included in their project. This information serves the dual purpose of confirming that the designer has performed his/her responsibilities within the current codes and invites the end-user to be trained on the importance of preserving that compliance.

Less than half of the interior designers certified by the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and meeting all requirements for education and experience are able to provide services directly to clients due to the lack of state registration. Only twenty-four states in the U.S. currently acknowledge the profession of interior design through licensure that identifies "registered interior designers" as "design professionals" along with engineers and architects.

Support of interior design legislation is needed to ensure the application of codes by professional interior designers who, along with engineers and architects, champion the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

Lisa Bonneville, ASID, is principal of Bonneville Design, an interior design firm serving residential, retail, business, and healthcare clients. She is also a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Certified by NCIDQ, member of the NFPA Technical Committee on Furnishings and Contents representing ASID, and chairperson of the Fundraising Committee for the Massachusetts Interior Design Coalition (MIDC) supporting House Bill #2592 for licensure for interior designers.