Net Floor Area vs Gross Floor Area: Which statement describes the relation?

• A. Gross Floor Area includes no deductions; Net Floor Area deducts for interior features like hallways and stairs.
• B. Net Floor Area includes deductions only for exterior walls.
• C. Gross Floor Area is always smaller than Net Floor Area.
• D. Net Floor Area and Gross Floor Area are interchangeable terms.

Answer: (A)

Gross floor area is the total floor area contained within the exterior walls, with no deductions for interior features. Net floor area is the usable portion after subtracting spaces that aren’t counted as usable floor for the occupancy, such as hallways and stairs. Because those interior features are removed, net floor area is typically smaller than gross floor area. This is why the statement is correct: gross includes no deductions, while net deducts interior features. The other ideas don’t fit because net floor area isn’t defined as including exterior walls only, gross floor area isn’t smaller than net, and the two terms aren’t interchangeable.