Final answer:
To measure a dwelling's square footage, dimensions of each room are taken using appropriate units like feet or meters, and multiplied to find the area, which are then summed. Building codes may influence the method of measurement and what areas are included.
Step-by-step explanation:
The national requirements for measuring a dwelling's square footage can vary, but generally involve calculating the area covered by the house. To do this, one would typically measure the length and width of each room and then multiply these figures to find their individual areas. These areas are then summed to determine the total square footage of the dwelling.
To keep measurements consistent, it's important to use a standard unit of measurement such as feet or meters. Small units like inches or centimeters are typically not practical for the size of a room, while very large units like miles or kilometers are not suitable for the scale of residential measurements. Accordingly, the most appropriate units for measuring a room's length would be either feet, yards, or meters.
Moreover, building codes in various areas might have specific definitions or methods for calculating square footage, which may exclude non-living spaces such as garages or outdoor areas. Additionally, they may also concern the safety and habitability of the structure, such as requiring running water, working ventilation, and heating systems, and safe electrical wiring.