Are functional statements qualitative or quantitative in nature?

Functional statements are fundamentally qualitative in nature. They focus on the characteristics, properties, and intended functions of a building component or system rather than presenting numerical measurements or quantities. For instance, a functional statement might describe how a structure should perform under certain conditions, the safety it provides, or its usability by occupants, all of which hinge on the quality and effectiveness of the design rather than quantifiable metrics.

In the context of building codes, these qualitative aspects are crucial as they dictate how a building meets essential requirements like health, safety, accessibility, and environmental performance. While quantitative data might complement functional statements through specifics like dimensions or loads, the core of the functional statements themselves is rooted in quality and performance characteristics rather than in numerical analysis.