PROJECT TITLE
Mock Trial - Codes Issues
AUTHOR
Sue Ballard de Ruiz
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
aballard@tnstate.edu
PROJECT LEVEL
Third or Fourth Year
ABSTRACT
A mock trial was conducted as a method of introducing
students to the importance of specifying appropriate materials and finishes
and adhering to interior building codes. Students spent several weeks
researching materials, codes and recommendations for contract interiors
in order to participate in a juried trial concerning the specification
of furniture and finishes in a dinner theater that was destroyed by fire.
Students are first introduced to liability issues, interior fire hazards
and current product testing methods and standards in classroom lecture
and discussion. Guest speakers, including designers and codes' official,
participated in group discussion. Students then worked outside of class
conducting research on local and national codes for the type of structure
and occupancy in question.
OBJECTIVES
This exercise will allow students to more fully
understand the codes and regulations designers must use on a daily basis.
It will also bring into focus the decision making process of aesthetics,
client satisfaction, and recommendations and laws regarding handicapped
accessibility and specification of materials.
PROCESS
Students participated in a mock trial involving
an interior designer charged with strict liability in contributing to
a fire through the specification of inappropriate materials. Research
of specified products, local and national codes, and registration or certification
requirements for interior designers in the state was required. Definitions
of strict liability, implied warranty, breach of contract, product liability,
professional liability and types of negligence were also researched.
Students were given a handout detailing the scenario, the case against
the designer, the designer's background, the materials specified, a floor
plan and the required research areas. Students were then divided into
two teams: Defendants and Prosecutors. The instructor selected samples
for floor covering, base, wallcovering, furniture and upholstery. The
original binders or books were available for students to obtain any information
provided by manufacturers. At least one "questionable" sample was purposefully
included in the group.
Scenario: A fire occurred in a local downtown
dinner theater killing two and injuring fifteen. Causes of death were
smoke inhalation. Injuries ranged from serious burns and smoke inhalation
to minor injuries incurred while trying to escape the building. The fire
is thought to thave started in a waste basket in the lounge area of the
ladies' room. The 40-year-old building did not have sprinklers, but did
have required fire extinguishers and exits. An interior renovation was
completed three years ago by the designer on trial.
Case: The designer is charged with strict
liability in the specification of inappropriate materials that led to
the deaths of two people and injury of fifteen.
Designer: The designer is a registered interior
designer in the state, having completed a 4-year degree in interior design
at a university and passed the NCIDQ. The designer had one year of experience
when she specified the furniture, finishes, and accessories for the restrooms/lounge
and dining area of the dinner theater.
PRESENTATION
The project culminated in a trial where each side
chose attorneys (more than one per side was allowed) to represent their
group and argue their case before an impartial jury. Each side chose one
or more representatives to act as expert witnesses in various areas of
concern. The jury was composed of faculty and practicing desingers. One
person was chosen from the Defendants' team to represent the designer
on trial. Each team was encouraged to use visual aids to present their
points.
EVALUATION
Each juror was given a form
to evaluate the performance of the teams. Each student was given a form
to confidentially evaluate the research, team contribution and performance
of fellow team members. Individual grades were based on the average of
the two evaluations.
PROJECT LENGTH
Three weeks. This was a project that students worked
on mainly outside of class. Class periods were spent discussing codes,
product testing, and related issues.
RESOURCES
Reznikoff, S.C. (1989). Specifications for Commercial
Interiors. New York: Watson-Guptill.
Harmon, Sharon K. (1994). The Codes Guidebook for Interiors. New
York: John Wiley and Sons.
CREDITS
The Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire (1977) Southgate,
KY
Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino (1986) San Juan, PR
DOCUMENTATION
Floor Plan
Materials List
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