§3172. Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

(1) "Board" means the State Board of Examiners of Interior Designers.

(2) "Decorator services" includes:

(a) The selection or assistance in selection of surface materials, window treatments, wall coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface-mounted lighting, surface-mounted fixtures, and loose furnishings that do not affect the safety, health, or welfare of the public, as defined by applicable residential and commercial laws and codes.

(b) The retail installation or delivery services by any individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity, pursuant to selling, selecting, or assisting in selecting personal property used in connection with furnishing of interior spaces or fixtures, including but not limited to furnishings, decorative accessories, furniture, paint, wall coverings, window treatments, floor coverings, surface-mounted lighting, or decorative materials, or the installation or coordination of installation as part of prospective retail sale, by an individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity, or the provision of computer-aided drawings by such person or entity for the purpose of retail sale, provided such drawings are for material lists, that do not affect the safety, health, or welfare of the public, as defined by applicable residential and commercial laws and codes.

(c) The rendering of interior decorator services for residential application by an individual, such residential application to affect all types of residences, that do not affect the safety, health, or welfare of the public, as defined by applicable residential and commercial laws and codes.

(3) "Interior design" means designs, consultations, studies, drawings, specifications, and the administration of design construction contracts relating to nonstructural interior elements of a building or structure. Interior design includes but is not limited to space planning, finishes, furnishings, and the design for fabrication of nonstructural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings. Interior design specifically excludes the design of or the responsibility for architectural and engineering work except for specification of fixtures and their location within interior spaces. Interior design also specifically excludes construction of structural, mechanical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, electrical or vertical transportation systems, fire-rated vertical shafts in multi-story structures, fire-related protection of structural elements, smoke evacuation and compartmentalization, emergency sprinkler systems, and emergency alarm systems.

(4) "Nonstructural element" means an element which does not require structural bracing and which is something other than a load-bearing wall, load-bearing column, or other load-bearing element of a building or structure which is essential to the structural integrity of the building.

(5) "Practice of interior design" means the rendering of services to enhance the quality and function of an interior area of a structure designed for human habitation or occupancy. The term includes:

(a) An analysis of a client's needs and goals for an interior area of a structure designed for human habitation or occupancy and the requirements for safety relating to that area.

(b) The formulation of preliminary designs for an interior area designed for human habitation or occupancy that are appropriate, functional, and esthetic.

(c) The development and presentation of final designs that are appropriate for the alteration or construction of an interior area of a structure designed for human habitation or occupancy.

(d) The collaboration with licensed professionals in preparation of contract documents for the alteration or construction of an interior area of a structure designed for human habitation or occupancy, including specifications for partitions, materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

(e) The collaboration with licensed professionals in the completion of a project for the alteration or construction of an interior area of a structure designed for human habitation or occupancy.

(f) The preparation and administration of bids or contracts as the agent of a client.

(g) The review and evaluation of problems relating to the design of a project for the alteration or construction of an area designed for human habitation or occupancy during the alteration or construction and upon completion of the alteration or construction.

(6) "Registered interior designer" means a person who has received a certificate of registration pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.

(7) "Space planning" means the analysis, programming, or preparation of design to meet special requirements, including preliminary space layouts, placement of partitions, furniture and equipment, and final planning.

Acts 1984, No. 227, §2, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1990, No. 846, §1; Acts 1995, No. 496, §1; Acts 1997, No. 877, §1; Acts 1999, No. 426, §1.