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David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI
Senior Member
Username: david_axt

Post Number: 950
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 08:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I am currently putting together Facility Design Standards for a not-for-profit organization. I have never written standards yet need to give the Owner's representative direction on what to expect. There is not a lot of time budgeted for this project (120 hours including meetings). Frankly I don't know how they came up with the estimate without consulting me first.

Never the less, I imagine the Design Standards to basically be an outline specification of 1, 2 or 3 pages.

Has anybody written these before and give me some advice?

Thanks!
Ruppert Rangel, AIA CCS
Senior Member
Username: rangel

Post Number: 15
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 09:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I wrote one for a school district that I will be glad to share. It was written to allow flexibility, however, is more than 3 pages. Most universities have versions posted on facilities website, but these may be more elaborate than you you are looking for. Example below is from Notre Dame:
http://www.nd.edu/~univarch/images/Standards%20and%20Guidelines%20for%20Design%20and%20Construction.pdf
Mark Gilligan SE, CSI
Senior Member
Username: mark_gilligan

Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 02:06 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

From a user’s perspective:

The standards should reflect those decisions where the Owner has knowledge and a compelling need.

Do not unnecessarily usurp the prerogatives of the design professionals who will use this standard.

Just address the items that the Owner wishes to control. An outline specification of 2 or 3 pages is probably too long.

Do not include a "section' just because a given section typically occurs on a project. For example I would have difficulty envisioning where you would need a "section” on concrete reinforcement in your standard.

Do not include a specification section from your favorite consultant. This is inevitably too long and not focused enough.

Do not include a "section" unless there is an individual who is technically knowledgeable about the standard who will maintain it. With rare exceptions the individual who will answer questions from design consultants and initiate changes to the standard should be in-house.

As you develop these "sections" there should be a subject matter expert involved with each section. If you do not meet that criteria find someone who does.

In some cases the focus may not be on specification sections. For instance if the organization wants better wind or seismic performance from the building you should talk about the performance criteria.

This is definitely a place to contemplate the phrase "less is more"
Anonymous
 
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 09:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Here's one example from the University of Michigan. http://www.plantext.bf.umich.edu/desguide/index.html

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