UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE-FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of Facilities Design Standards (FDS) Manual is to provide information and
guidelines to architects and engineers designing facilities for the University of Delaware. These
guidelines are offered to avoid problems which historically have occurred with construction,
operation and maintenance.
The standards listed herein are not universally applicable to every project and/or all campuses.
Further, the intent of these standards is not to limit the designer in selecting materials and is not
to replace professional design analysis. Consultants are expected to conduct independent
evaluations and to discuss recommendations with the University’s Project Manager. Any
deviation from the FDS must be approved in writing by the Project Manager prior to
implementation.
These standards are not intended to be used directly as contract specifications. However,
designated sections are required to be reproduced exactly as written herein unless otherwise
approved in writing by the University’s Project Manager. These portions of the standards have
been developed through experience, and are included for specifying exact requirements which
must be met.
The standards may indicate compliance with specific code requirements. However, the
compliance to meet code requirements should not be limited to those codes. It is the consultant’s
responsibility to investigate and comply with all applicable codes.
These standards represent proven systems and materials which efficiently operate and maintain
facilities while satisfying functional needs. Suggestions for improving these standards are
encouraged and should be addressed to the Project Manager or Director of Facilities Planning
and Construction. The consultant should obtain and use the most current edition of this
document and inform the Project Manager immediately of any conflicts or discrepancies.
Format
The FDS are accessible on the University of Delaware Facilities website
http://www.facilities.udel.edu/fpc/fpc/how.htm. The standards are categorized by divisions
in accordance with the Construction Specifications Institute and by the following University
Departments & Divisions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Rev. 1/03
Facilities Planning and Construction
Occupational Health & Safety
Maintenance and Operations
Information Technology
Media Services
Security
-1-
fds\pdf\fpc\introduction.pdf
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE-FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS
The listed corresponding CSI section is offered as a reference only and should not be
considered the only applicable section. It is the responsibility of the consultant to investigate
other appropriate areas of application in preparing the contract documents.
As part of the general format, each section includes the University contact, design
requirements and approved manufacturers for the subject matter. Some sections may include
drawings, product data and/or specifications as appendices.
Quality Assurance
Facilities Planning and Construction Department is responsible for development,
maintenance, revision, and distribution of the Facilities Design Standards. Due to a rapidly
changing environment, these standards may be deficient in some areas.
It is the responsibility of the prime consultant to assure all sub-consultants possess and/or
have access to the standards. Subsequent revisions will be similarly managed for each
project. The consultant must work with the Project Manager to assure that the FDS
requirements are met for each project.
Revisions will occur randomly. It is expected that FDS changes will be incorporated into
each project currently in design no matter what stage it is in. It is the responsibility of the
prime consultant to inform the Project Manager in writing of any significant impact (change
in schedule or costs) on the project. Based on project schedule and costs, the Project
Manager will inform the consultant in writing of nonconformance items.
During design phase, there will be periodical design review meetings with each department
or unit to discuss and approve the proposed design. These review meetings are not intended
to examine or assure that the requirements of these standards are met by the consultant. Any
information provided or discussed during these meetings should not supersede or be used in
lieu of these standards. Standards can only be modified through written instruction by the
Project Manager or through approved minutes.
Terminology
The following abbreviations and terms are frequently used in this manual:
CSI
FDS
FM
FP&C
PM
UD
Rev. 1/03
Construction Specification Institute
Facilities Design Standards
Maintenance and Operations
Facilities Planning and Construction
Project Manager
University of Delaware
fds\pdf\fpc\introduction.pdf
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE-FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS
Terminology Continued
Client
The University of Delaware department which will fund the project or the
program.
Consultant
Architectural or engineering firm in a prime or subordinate role hired by
University of Delaware to provide professional services for a specific
project.
Owner
University of Delaware, generally represented by the FP&C Project
Manager.
Prime
Consultant
Architectural or engineering firm under direct contract with the University
of Delaware.
Project
Manager
The person designated by the University of Delaware’s Facilities Planning
and Construction department to officially represent the University through
all planning, design and construction phases of a project or program.
Sub
Consultant
The engineering, architectural or specialty services firm which is under
contract with the prime consultant to provide professional services.
User
The University of Delaware department or unit for whom the project or
program is being developed or consulting service is being performed.
Rev. 1/03
fds\pdf\fpc\introduction.pdf