Definition of Terms

Gross Floor Area (GFA)

GFA is defined under the URA guidelines as measuring all sheltered floor areas of a building and unsheltered areas for commercial uses for purposes of plot ratio control and development charge. In a building interior, GFA is measured as the total area of sheltered floor space between the centre-line of party walls, including the thickness but excluding voids.

However, consideration of Gross floor area excludes the following:

• Unsheltered floor areas that do not generate activities bolstering the development apart from open areas that are utilised for commercial object. 
• Floor areas required by planning authorities to meet planning strategies, i.e. a covered walkway.  
• Building design features or modern construction techniques not giving rise to additional floor space and development intensity, i.e. curtain walling.
• Floor areas used for M&E services with limited height clearance (1.5m and below).
• Sheltered floor space for vehicular circulation and parking, inclusive of area for car park ticketing machine. 
• Sheltered non-commercial and canopy main entrances. 
• Planter boxes (e.g. as part of sky terraces, or along common corridors).
• L-shaped a/c ledges not exceeding 1m width, as measured perpendicularly from the external wall.
• Uncovered perforated structures not exceeding 1m width (e.g. metal cat-walks, platforms, a/c ledges, external staircases) that are permeable to sun and rain.

Assignable Floor Area (AFA)

AFA refers to the total amount of space within a building, measuring from external wall to external wall that can be assigned and available for the occupant for specific uses. The occupant may alter only the internal layout defined under the AFA, relative to the rooms and internal corridors. What will not be assigned in the AFA are external building circulation and service areas such as external corridors, restrooms, elevators and stairs.

Net Floor Area (NFA)

NFA refers to the space inside a building, measuring from external wall to external wall excludingbuilding circulation and service areas such as restrooms, elevators, vent space and stairs. Thus NFA is the space that is available for occupant allocation for specific uses.