Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

What configuration features rooms on both sides of a central corridor?

1. Single-loaded slab

2. Double-loaded slab

3. Suite-style

4. Open floor plan

The correct answer is: Double-loaded slab

The configuration that features rooms on both sides of a central corridor is known as a double-loaded slab. In this layout, the corridor acts as a spine, with individual rooms or units arranged along either side. This design is commonly used in various building types, including hotels, apartments, and office buildings, as it maximizes the use of space and allows for a more efficient flow of movement throughout the floor. The double-loaded slab offers several advantages, such as providing access to natural light and ventilation for the rooms located near the exterior walls while also ensuring quick access from the corridor. This configuration is particularly beneficial in multifamily residential buildings because it facilitates a higher density of living spaces in a given area. In contrast, a single-loaded slab features rooms on only one side of the corridor, limiting the number of units per floor. Suite-style layouts usually consist of a shared living area with private rooms connected, which do not align with the corridor concept. An open floor plan emphasizes large, unobstructed spaces without the division of rooms along a corridor. Each of these alternatives serves different architectural or functional purposes, but the double-loaded slab specifically characterizes the arrangement with rooms on both sides of a central corridor.