University of Rochester Design Standards

Introduction

The University of Rochester (UR) Design Standards (the “Standards”) serve as institutional facilities performance requirements to ensure quality and consistency in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of institutional facilities. The Standards are based on the collective expertise of UR and partner contributors, and will be an evolving set of standards intended to meet institutional needs in an ever-changing world.

The standards may not be appropriate for all situations nor are they intended to discourage new means and methods being explored. Design professionals are responsible for confirming the standards are consistent with applicable codes and good engineering practice, as well as documenting any deviations that are required to comply with code requirements, engineering best practices or recommendations due to special project circumstances.

Deviations from these standards shall be requested on a project-by-project basis for review and approval. For projects managed in e-Builder, requests shall be made within e-Builder using the Design Standard Variance Request Process. For projects not utilizing e-Builder, requests shall be made using the Design Standard Update/Variance Request form available at the link below.

The University of Rochester Specification Division Design Standards are not intended to be used as, or replace design professional generated project specific specifications.

The University is actively engaged in the review and redeployment of the design standards. During this time, you can expect to see the following:

  • Permanent removal of some standards where codes and industry best practices provide sufficient guidance, or where content may be included within a different standard.
  • Standards suspended from publication while undergoing redevelopment
  • Publication of several “interim” standards where important requirements will be published while the standard is undergoing full redevelopment
  • Republishing of updated and altogether new standards

Please disregard any previous versions of our standards that you may have, and use those published below.

Adherence to design standards that are updated or introduced after the start of design should be evaluated based on the current design phase of the project and potential impact to contractual agreements already in place.

Should information relating to design standards be needed, the following resources are available:

  • Contact your UR Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) or Facilities Project Manager
  • Initiate a Design Request for Information process (Projects in Trimble Unity Construct, formally e-Builder)
  • Contact the Design Standards Management Office

Design Standards Governance

Submit a Design Standard Variance Request

Contact the Design Standards Management Office for questions relating to Specification Division Design Standards

Contact Planning, Design and Construction for questions relating to UR Specifications.

UR SPECIFICATIONS

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
01 91 13 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS 10/2024

SPECIFICATION DIVISION DESIGN STANDARDS

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
01910 Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) 03/2020
01911 Walking/Working Surface and Fall Protection 03/2020
01912 Energy Isolation Devices and Lockout/Tagout 03/2020
01913 Machine Guarding 03/2020
01914 Flammability Guidelines for Furnishing 03/2020
01920 Asbestos 03/2020
01930 Infection Control 03/2020
01940 Radiation Shielding Requirements 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
02060 Building Demolition 03/2020
02070 Selective Demolition 03/2020
02080 Utility Materials 03/2020
02230 Site Clearing 03/2020
02260 Excavation Support and Protection 03/2020
02300 Earthwork 03/2020
02510 Water Distribution 03/2020
02511 Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving 03/2020
02515 Unit Pavers 03/2020
02530 Sanitary Sewerage 03/2020
02553 Natural Gas Distribution 03/2020
02554 Fuel-Oil Distribution (Applies to Generator Fuel Tanks) 03/2020
02630 Storm Drainage 03/2020
02711 Foundation Drainage Systems 03/2020
02751 Cement Concrete Pavement 03/2020
02764 Pavement Joint Sealants 03/2020
02813 Lawn Sprinkler Piping 03/2020
02831 Chain Link Fences and Gates 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
03300 Cast-In-Place Concrete 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
04200 Unit Masonry 03/2020
04901 Clay Masonry Restoration and Cleaning 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
06100 Rough Carpentry 03/2020
06402 Interior Architectural Woodwork 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
07 84 00 FIRESTOPPING 04/2025
07110 Ice and Water Shield Membrane 03/2020
07220 Roof Insulation 03/2020
07300 Roofing 03/2020
07314 Slate Roofing 03/2020
07515 Cold Process Builtup Roofing 03/2020
07620 Sheet Metal Flashings and Trim 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
08110 Steel Doors and Frames 03/2020
08211 Flush Wood Doors 03/2020
08461 Sliding Automatic Entrance Doors 03/2020
08710 Door Hardware 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
09 90 00 PAINTING AND COATING 04/2025
09255 Gypsum Board Assemblies 03/2020
09300 Tile 03/2020
09511 Acoustical Panel Ceilings 03/2020
09650 Resilient Tile Flooring 03/2020
09666 Resilient Sheet Vinyl Flooring 03/2020
09670 Fluid Applied Flooring 03/2020
09680 Carpet 03/2020
09950 Wall Covering and Wall Protection 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
10 14 00 SIGNAGE 04/2025
10100 Visual Display Boards 03/2020
10151 Cubicle Curtains 03/2020
10155 Toilet Compartments 03/2020
10190 Cubicle Curtain Track 03/2020
10191 Nurse Call Pullcords for Toilets, Baths & Showers 03/2020
10260 Corner Guards, Handrails 03/2020
10520 Fire Equipment Specialties 03/2020
10801 Toilet and Bath Accessories 03/2020
10802 Hand Sanitizer Dispensers 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
11 53 53 BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINETS 10/2024

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
129300 Site Furnishings 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
14210 Electric Traction Elevators 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
22 05 23 GENERAL DUTY VALVES FOR PLUMBING 02/2025
22 10 00 PLUMBING SYSTEMS PIPING 02/2025
22 30 00 PLUMBING EQUIPMENT 02/2025
22 40 00 PLUMBING FIXTURES IN DEVELOPMENT
22 45 00 EMERGENCY PLUMBING FIXTURES 12/2024
22 60 00 MEDICAL GAS AND VACUUM SYSTEMS 02/2025
22 60 01 LABORATORY GAS AND VACUUM SYSTEMS 02/2025

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
23 05 00 HVAC GENERAL PROVISIONS 04/2025
23 09 00 INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS FOR HVAC 10/2024
232200 Cogen District Hot Water Standard 05/2021
233816 Fume Hoods and Local Exhaust 03/2020
236201 Ice Machines - Medical Center: Patient Care and Labs 03/2020
237323 Custom AHU 05/2025
237523 Semi-Custom and Pre-Engineered AHU 05/2025
238216 Air Coils 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
ALL ELECTRICAL DESIGN STANDARDS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
270000 Telecommunications - ISP 03/2020
270528 Communications Pathways 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
284600 Fire Detection and Alarm 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
329200 Turf & Grasses 03/2020
329300 Plants 03/2020

SECTION NUMBER SECTION TITLE REVISION DATE
330000 Utility Metering Standard 03/2020
337233 Electric Utility Metering Standard 03/2020
338000 Communications Utilities OSP 03/2020