DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
Division 2 of the Carnegie Mellon University Design and Construction Standards
Manual addresses the following sitework standards related to University projects.
02050
02211
02220
02222
02513
02514
02525
02811
02900
02936
02950
02990
DEMOLITION
ROUGH GRADING
BACKFILLING AND GRADING
EXCAVATION
BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PAVING
PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVING
WALKWAYS, STEPS, RAMPS, CURBS, AND GUTTERS
UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM
LANDSCAPING
SEEDING
TREES AND PLANTS
SITE FURNISHINGS
APPENDICES
2-1
BITUMINOUS CONCRETE ROADWAYS AND PARKING AREAS
2-2
CONCRETE WALKWAY SCORING PATTERNS
2-3
EXTERIOR CONCRETE STEPS
2-4
CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER DETAILS
2-5
TREE PLANTING DETAIL
2-6
SHRUB PLANTING DETAIL
2-7
EXTERIOR CONCRETE AND WOOD BENCH
2-8
EXTERIOR BENCH AND WASTE RECEPTACLES
2-9
ASH URN AND RECYCLING CONTAINER
2-10 BICYCLE RACK
2-11 SITE LIGHTING
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
DIVISION 2
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
SITEWORK
02050 DEMOLITION
This section addresses building demolition and site clearing. All scope listed is
to be performed by the Contractor, unless otherwise noted.
The University will retain salvage rights to all existing items, identified prior to bid,
and will remove these items before demolition commences.
The Design Consultant shall establish the limits of the construction site in
coordination with the University Project Manager. These limits shall be shown on
the construction drawings and they must be comprehensive in that walkways,
lighting, landscaping, etc. shall be fully connected and integrated with existing
conditions. The location of site fences, staging, and parking, if required by the
project, shall also be shown. Particular attention is called to the need to maintain
foot traffic into existing facilities during renovation. Fire exits and accessibility
routes for persons with disabilities must be maintained.
The Contractor must prevent dust and debris from penetrating air intake vents
during all phases of demolition.
Building Demolition
Building demolition may create hazardous conditions such as contaminated
waste and/or asbestos. The University will contract independently for the removal
of these conditions prior to start of demolition.
For selective demolition, the Contractor shall protect all existing finishes and
historical artifacts.
As a precaution, the Contractor shall disconnect existing utilities for the specific
demolition project without the interruption or damage to existing utility systems
required to maintain adjacent structures. Special requirements for utility
disconnection are discussed in divisions 15 and 16.
The Contractor shall contact the PA One Call System, Inc. hotline (800-2421776) for specific public utility locations. The University Project Manager shall
also notify electrical and plumbing foremen as well as data communications.
The Contractor shall remove promptly all demolition material and dispose of the
material at an approved dumpsite.
Site Clearing
Prior to commencement of the work, the Contractor shall remove all plantings to
be reused by the University.
The Contractor shall protect existing trees and other vegetation that are indicated
to remain in place so as not to cut, bruise, or smother them.
The Contractor shall provide protection necessary to prevent damage to existing
improvements that are indicated to remain in place.
Rev 2003-A December 2003
P. 2-3
DIVISION 2
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
SITEWORK
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
During the grubbing operation, the Contractor shall remove and dispose of all
shrubs, stumps, and roots larger than 1.5 in. in diameter to a depth of 20 in.
The Contractor shall strip topsoil to whatever depths encountered in a manner to
prevent intermingling with underlying subsoil or other objectionable material.
Stockpile topsoil in storage piles as directed by the University Project Manager.
02211 ROUGH GRADING
This section describes the general requirements for rough grading.
Rough grading shall be conducted in accordance with an approved “Soil and
Erosion Sedimentation Control Plan” by Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
All existing University and municipal water and sewer lines shall be kept free of
mud and debris. Catch basins shall be cleaned out and maintained on a regular
basis, to keep all lines operational through the construction period.
Where there is the potential for airborne dust, the Contractor is responsible for
controlling the dust by watering during grading operations.
Where there is the potential for mud on neighboring streets, the Contractor shall
provide wheel washout stations for vehicles and equipment.
02220 BACKFILLING AND GRADING
The University will furnish the services of geotechnical engineers, as described in
the Owner/Architect Agreement, when the Design Consultant requests such
services. The Design Consultant shall describe the required services in writing to
the University Project Manager. Appropriate items for unit prices, such as
removal of unsuitable soil, foundation depth, and the like, shall be listed in the
Contract documents.
On projects where the University has retained the services of a geotechnical
engineer, that consultant shall approve all backfill materials.
Debris is not permitted to be used for backfill. No blast furnace slag or electrical
furnace slag is permitted for any backfill application—including but not limited to
landscape fills. Unsuitable fill material must be removed from the site.
02222 EXCAVATION
For new work, sufficient geotechnical data should be obtained to determine
subsurface conditions adequately before Contract documents are issued for bid.
The Design Consultant or the Contractor shall notify the University Project
Manager if professional geotechnical services are required.
Extras, related to removal of unsuitable soil, foundation depth, etc., will not be
approved, unless unit prices for these items have been established in the
Contract documents.
P. 2-4
Rev 2003-A December 2003
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
DIVISION 2
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
SITEWORK
Blasting is strictly prohibited on all University projects.
The Contractor shall prevent surface water and subsurface, or groundwater, from
entering excavations, ponding on prepared subgrades, or flooding the project
site and surrounding areas.
The Contractor shall notify the Design Consultant and the University Project
Manager when excavations reach required subgrade for inspection.
02513 BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PAVING
Bituminous concrete paving shall comply with the following specifications and
standards:
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Specification Form
408 (latest edition).
• American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Subgrade Surface
The Contractor shall proof-roll the prepared subgrade surface to check for
unsuitable areas and areas that require additional compacting. The Contractor
shall provide for all corrections to the subgrade before proceeding in strict
accordance with PennDOT Specification Form 408, Section 210.
Paving Composition
The subbase course shall be a minimum of 6 in. of crushed aggregate for
roadways and a 4-in. course for parking lots and shall comply with PennDOT
Specifications Form 408, Section 350.
The base course shall be a minimum of 4-in. mixed bituminous concrete and
shall comply with PennDOT Specification Form 408, Section 305.
The wearing course shall be a minimum of 1.5 in. of either ID-2 or FS-1 in
accordance with PennDOT Specification Form 408, sections 420 and 422,
respectively. (See Appendix 2-1.)
Curbs shall be constructed over compacted pavement surfaces. A light tack coat
shall be applied to the road surface before installing curbs or wheel stops.
02514 PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVING
This section applies to concrete roadways and service ramps. Portland Cement
Concrete Paving shall comply with the following specifications and standards:
• PennDOT Specification Form 408 (latest edition)
• American Concrete Institute, ACI 301
• American Society for Testing Materials, ASTM C 94
• AASHTO
Rev 2003-A December 2003
P. 2-5
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
02525 WALKWAYS, STEPS, RAMPS, CURBS, AND GUTTERS
This section shall comply with the same specifications and standards described
in Section 02514 Portland Cement Concrete Paving.
Walkways
Campus walkways shall be consistent in materials and detail. Scored concrete
has been established as the standard material for campus walkways and should
be used for all general site work. Radii at walk intersections shall be smooth and
appropriately sized for the scaling of intersecting walks. The overall intent is to
create a system of walkways that visually and functionally reflects the fluid nature
of circulation with limited changes in material. (See Appendix 2-2.)
Walkways shall be constructed to permit vehicle movement (which requires an 8in. thick concrete walk on a 12-in. high compacted aggregate base).
Non-service walks shall be 8-ft wide (with a 4 to 6 in. thick concrete walk).
Minor, local walks with low pedestrian volume (for example walks to entries of
secondary buildings) shall be a minimum of 6-ft wide.
Street-edge walks should be a minimum of 6-ft wide, and 8-ft wide where
possible. (See Appendix 2-2.)
Handicap ramps should be integral to the campus walk system and building
entries. If possible, ramps should not extend out into parking or driveway areas,
but should be cut into the approaching walk.
All primary walks, as in all other walks where possible, should be graded at 5%
(a 1-ft drop over a distance of 20 ft) or less. This will minimize the need for
handrails and is intended to eliminate the distinction between general walks and
“handicap” walks, as well as to minimize the cost and visual impact of additional
furnishings, such as railings, within the campus landscape.
Materials for walkways shall be constructed of Class A Portland-Type IA airentrained cement in accordance with PennDOT Specification Form 408, Section
704, Table A. Modular paving (brick, concrete or granite) is recommended as the
dominant material in and around buildings, at entry landings, and on terraces
and courtyards. Pavers should be selected to complement the materials of the
adjacent buildings and should be light in color.
Steps
Steps shall be built into the slopes, have a foundation below the frost level, and
meet the other requirements in this section.
Risers shall have a backslope and treads shall have a 0.25-in. wash. The
preferred rise dimensions are 5-in. minimum and 6-in. maximum.
Generally, where feasible, there shall be no fewer than three steps and no more
than 10 steps per run.
P. 2-6
Rev 2003-A December 2003
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
DIVISION 2
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
SITEWORK
Treads shall have a non-slip finish.
Foundation walls shall be provided at the top and bottom of steps and have a
projecting ledge to support the adjacent pavement. (See Appendix 2-3.)
Galvanized sleeves in treads for handrails shall be provided where required. A
minimum 3-in. clearance between sleeve edge and outside step edge shall be
maintained.
Handrail, tread, and riser design shall meet all codes and standards for handicap
requirements.
Ramps
Runways and ramps shall be installed at all buildings where bulk supplies are
handled. Ramps shall have a surface that provides traction.
Curbs and Gutters
Curbs and gutters shall be a monolithic pour. Curb and gutter profiles shall
match where new work is an extension or revision of existing work. (See
Appendix 2-4.)
02811 UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM
The preferred in-ground irrigation system installed on University grounds shall be
those manufactured by Toro Inc.
All installed in-ground irrigation lines shall be below frost level and shall have
self-draining capability.
02900 LANDSCAPING
The planting design principles generally apply to all areas of the University
campus and form the basic framework for addressing particular landscape sites.
The Design Consultant shall incorporate design elements of the University
Master Plan wherever applicable.
The spatial organization of the campus landscape is primarily determined by
three major components: buildings, topographic form, and woody plants
consisting of trees and shrubs.
Trees and shrubs should be understood as not merely superficial decorative
objects to be arbitrarily placed on the campus grounds, but rather as elements
that define the basic spatial order of the campus. Trees and shrubs shall be used
purposefully to achieve desired functions and spatial effects such as limiting or
directing views, creating microclimates, creating overhead enclosure for greater
intimacy, framing spaces to create compositional closure, or defining and
reinforcing major spaces and pathways of the campus.
Rev 2003-A December 2003
P. 2-7
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The University encourages a less formal landscape character for the campus
than was originally envisioned. To achieve this end, modified pruning practices
will be needed in some campus areas to allow the plantings to evolve from a
formal to a more natural shape.
Groups of plantings should read as a compositional whole rather than as
individual elements, and their growing natural forms should work together over
time.
02936 SEEDING
Seeding shall not be performed until all underground water and electrical lines,
sanitary and storm sewers, drains, paving, walks, curbs, steps, drainage
structures, catch basins, and similar items of new work in or adjacent to areas
needed to be seeded have been installed, tested, inspected, and accepted by
the Design Consultant and the University.
Seed shall be Pennsylvania certified or blue tagged. Mixtures shall not contain
more than 0.05% weed or other crop seed, nor more than 3% inert matter.
02950 TREES AND PLANTS
The size of trees, shrubs, and plant beds should be considered with respect to
their relationship to campus buildings, roads, and spaces. In general, plantings
should be simple, rather than overly intricate, and should be presented in broad
strokes that are appropriately scaled to the campus.
Trees
The pattern of trees on campus is a combination of formal and informal.
An informal planting pattern has the advantage of being able to accept losses
and additions while maintaining compositional wholeness.
Design approaches based on formal patterns shall be used to reinforce the form
of the civic spaces as proposed in the North Cut and the Mall, and the line of
walks and street corridors. Opportunities to use geometrically arranged plants
exist along streets, major axial walkways, and in courtyards and plaza spaces
defined by the architecture.
Planting areas in and around the edges of parking lots shall be large enough to
accommodate the healthy growth of shade trees or grouping of ornamental
trees. Within parking lots, small islands and fragmented strips planted with
individual trees or smaller plants are discouraged, as they may actually impede
the smooth circulation of traffic.
To the extent possible and where appropriate, a variety of native woodland tree
species shall be replanted to form natural settings.
P. 2-8
Rev 2003-A December 2003
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
At installation, trees should be faced to the best advantage as they are placed in
the planting hole. An adequately sized planting hole should be prepared and
properly backfilled around the root ball. Once the planting has been completed,
trees should be properly staked and guyed. (See Appendix 2-5.)
Plants
To the extent possible, shrub plantings should consist of species that are native
to the Western Pennsylvania region. This will in most cases enhance the
possibility for long-term adaptation of the plants to the campus environment and
create a visual setting that harmonizes with the characteristic beauty of Western
Pennsylvania. The fundamental planting strategy should employ long-lived native
shrubs that are adapted to the local climate and soils.
Campus planting should be sufficiently diverse, both in species and age of the
plants, to maintain resilience in the event of unforeseen changes in the
environment, such as disease or severe climatic stress that may target specific
types of plants.
All plant materials should be selected based on the best quality available in the
nursery trade. All selected plants should conform to the American Standards for
Nursery Stock and should be in a healthy condition and of a well-structured form.
(See Appendix 2-6 for planting detail.)
02990 SITE FURNISHINGS
This section describes the requirements for seating, waste and recycling
reception, concrete ash urns, and bicycle racks.
Seating
A standard wood slat, backless seat with concrete supports is to be used at the
edge of principal campus spaces, along campus walks, and at building entries.
(See Appendix 2-7.)
Metal-backed benches are to be used in secondary campus spaces, garden
courtyards, and plazas. Benches should be of substantial weight, simple in detail
and permanently anchored in place. The University standard is manufactured by
Timber Form, Renaissance Bench Model 2806-6. (See Appendix 2-8.)
In addition to the above furnishings, options for integral seating such as seat
walls and broad steps should be considered in the design of campus spaces and
building entries.
Waste Receptacles
Bethesda series waste receptacles by Victor Stanley shall be used. These are
steel strap receptacles with a removable liner for easy disposal. (See Appendix
2-8.) The Terra Form TF 1220 waste container by Wausau Tile is an acceptable
alternative waste receptacle. (See Appendix 2-8.)
Rev 2003-A December 2003
P. 2-9
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
All metal site furnishings shall be painted with Tiger Dry-Lac, Powder Coat, RAL6009, Black Green.
Recycling Container
Terra Form TF 1221 recycling container by Wausau tile shall be used. (See
Appendix
2-9.) Recycling containers shall be painted with Tiger Dry-Lac,
Powder Coat, RAL-6009, Black Green.
Concrete Ash Urns
The University standard for concrete ash urns is Terra Form TF 2000 in
Weatherstone Gray. (See Appendix 2-9.)
Bicycle Racks
Bicycle racks shall have a minimal visual impact on the campus. They should
permit both the front and rear of the bicycle to be secured. The hoop-style rack is
preferred. (See Appendix 2-10.) An acceptable alternative is Cora Expo W 7510
series.
Bicycle racks shall be anchored to concrete footings below grade within parking
areas and placed so as not to obstruct building egress.
Site Lighting
The University standard for site lighting poles is manufactured by HADCO. Each
light pole shall be identified by a brass tag with a unique number affixed to the
pole 48” above ground level. Numbered tags for all new light poles will be issued
and recorded through the FMS University Engineer’s office (See Appendix 2-11.)
P. 2-10
Rev 2003-A December 2003
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-1: BITUMINOUS CONCRETE ROADWAYS AND PARKING
AREAS
December 1998
Appendix 2-1
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-2: CONCRETE WALKWAY SCORING PATTERNS
December 1998
Appendix 2-2
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-3: EXTERIOR CONCRETE STEPS
December 1998
Appendix 2-3
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-4: CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER DETAILS
December 1998
Appendix 2-4
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-5: TREE PLANTING DETAIL
December 1998
Appendix 2-5
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-6: SHRUB PLANTING DETAIL
December 1998
Appendix 2-6
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-7: EXTERIOR CONCRETE AND WOOD BENCH
December 1998
Appendix 2-7
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
DIVISION 2
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-8: EXTERIOR BENCH AND WASTE RECEPTACLES
December 1998
Appendix 2-8
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-9: ASH URN AND RECYCLING CONTAINER
December 1998
Appendix 2-9
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-10: BICYCLE RACKS
December 1998
Appendix 2-10
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 2
SITEWORK
APPENDIX 2-11: SITE LIGHTING
December 1998
Appendix 2-11