Interior Design Risk Assessment & Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client wants to install a large decorative mirror above a fireplace. What is the primary risk an interior designer must address?
- Color mismatch with the mantel
- Improper anchoring leading to falling hazard (Correct answer)
- Reflections reducing natural light
- Mirror size exceeding design proportion guidelines
Correct answer: Improper anchoring leading to falling hazard
Heavy mirrors above fireplaces must be properly anchored to wall studs to prevent falls that could cause serious injury or property damage.
Question 2: When specifying flooring for a commercial restaurant, which risk assessment consideration takes highest priority?
- Aesthetic appeal matching the brand identity
- Slip resistance ratings under wet conditions (Correct answer)
- Cost per square foot staying within budget
- Ease of pattern repetition across the space
Correct answer: Slip resistance ratings under wet conditions
Wet kitchen and dining floors create serious slip-and-fall liability, so slip resistance (COF ratings) must meet or exceed OSHA and ADA requirements.
Question 3: An interior designer discovers that a client's older home may contain lead paint during a renovation project. The correct first step is to:
- Sand and repaint immediately to seal the surface
- Recommend a licensed lead abatement professional (Correct answer)
- Cover the walls with new drywall without testing
- Proceed with the renovation and disclose after completion
Correct answer: Recommend a licensed lead abatement professional
Federal law (EPA RRP Rule) requires that lead paint disturbances in pre-1978 homes be handled by certified renovators or abatement professionals.
Question 4: Which document best protects an interior designer from liability if a client makes unauthorized changes to an approved design?
- An itemized invoice listing all design fees
- A change order requiring client signature before alterations (Correct answer)
- A mood board showing the original design intent
- An email thread summarizing verbal conversations
Correct answer: A change order requiring client signature before alterations
Signed change orders create a legal record that the client authorized modifications, shifting liability for outcomes of those changes to the client.
Question 5: A designer is selecting drapery fabric near a gas fireplace. Which fabric property is the most critical risk factor to evaluate?
- Colorfastness under UV exposure
- Flame spread rating and fire resistance (Correct answer)
- Thread count affecting drape and weight
- Pattern repeat for precise installation
Correct answer: Flame spread rating and fire resistance
Drapery near open flames must meet fire-resistance standards (e.g., NFPA 701) to prevent rapid flame spread and reduce fire injury risk.
Question 6: A client requests the removal of a wall to create an open floor plan. What risk must the designer identify before proceeding?
- Potential disruption to furniture arrangement timelines
- Whether the wall is load-bearing or contains utilities (Correct answer)
- Color continuity between the two merged rooms
- Acoustic performance of the enlarged space
Correct answer: Whether the wall is load-bearing or contains utilities
Removing a load-bearing wall without structural engineering review risks structural collapse, and walls may also contain electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems.
Question 7: Which action represents proper risk management when specifying custom furniture with a long lead time for a commercial opening date?
- Ordering the furniture the week before the opening
- Building contingency time into the project schedule for delays (Correct answer)
- Selecting only in-stock items to avoid any risk
- Asking the client to handle furniture ordering independently
Correct answer: Building contingency time into the project schedule for delays
Scheduling contingency buffer for custom orders protects against supplier delays, shipping issues, and damage replacements that could delay a project opening.
Interior Design Risk Assessment & Management 2
A client wants to install a large decorative mirror above a fireplace.
What is the primary risk an interior designer must address?