roof height
The distance from base level to the upper surface of the structure's highest hollow or enclosed portion.
The roof height of any building is the vertical elevation from its base to the highest exterior portion of the shell enclosing its interior space. This excludes spires, parapets, and other protruding non-habitable elements. In the event of ambiguity between the enclosing shell and the projecting element, then the roof's thickness shall be established by setting its height 10 cm above the highest reach of inhabitable space inside the building.
In the absence of any differentiating elements, the roof height is equal to the architectural or tip height (i.e. when the roof is the highest element of the building).
The measurement runs from the base of the structure, the level of the lowest significant open-air pedestrian entrance. A building on a slope therefore has one height rather than one per side, and a figure taken from the low side of the same building is a different number.
Two sources giving different heights for one building have usually measured from different levels rather than measured badly.
Related definitions
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architectural height
The vertical distance from ground level to the highest part of a structure belonging to its architectural design. -
architectural height (CTBUH)
The architectural height of a building measured from the floor level of the lower entrance. -
atrium height
The vertical distance from the lowest to the highest point of the highest enclosed atrium in a structure or module. -
building mass height
The height of a building defined by its enclosed volume plus any designed elements which the roof tapers into. -
escalator vertical rise
The difference in height between the step levels at the lower and upper ends of an escalator. -
height finished floor to finished ceiling
The median height between the top of a floorplate and the ceiling above it. -
height floorplate to floorplate
The median height between the tops of two adjacent floorplates in a multistory structure. -
height floorplate to structural ceiling
The maximum potential room height of a median floor in a building, without a dropped ceiling or raised floor. -
height to eaves
The height of a facade from ground level to where the roof angles away from it. -
helipad height
The vertical distance from the base of a structure to the upper landing surface of its highest helipad. -
inclined autowalk rise
The difference in step level between the lowest and highest points on an inclined autowalk. -
lobby height
The greatest vertical distance from floor to ceiling within a building's qualifying entrance or reception lobby. -
main roof height
The vertical elevation of the primary roofplate, not including small penthouses and turrets. -
nave height
The maximum height from floor to vaulting in the central approach to a church's altar. -
observation deck height
The vertical distance from the base of a structure to its highest outdoor public viewing area. -
observation floor height
The vertical distance from the base of a structure to its highest indoor public viewing area. -
podium roof height
The elevation above base level at the point where a tower rises distinctly from a much wider and lower enclosure. -
skylobby height
The vertical distance from base level to the floorplate of the highest elevator transfer area. -
tip height
The distance from base level to the highest constructed or attached object on a structure. -
top bar height
The vertical elevation from a building's base to the floorplate of its highest bar. -
top hotel floor height
The vertical distance from a building's base to the floor slab of its highest floor designated for lodging. -
top mechanical floor height
The vertical distance from base level to the highest full mechanical floor. -
top occupied floor height
The vertical distance from base level to the highest floorplate available for regular occupant usage. -
top office floor height
The vertical elevation of the highest office floor above a building's base. -
top residential floor height
The vertical elevation of the highest residential floor above a building's base. -
top restaurant height
The vertical elevation from a building's base to the floorplate of its highest restaurant.