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The Pennsylvania State University
Construction Standards

DESIGN STANDARDS      (All locations, except where alternate Hershey Standards exist)
These documents are for the Professional's reference during the project design process. They contain a range of guidelines, regulations and standards that designs for Penn State need to meet. The Professional should review each section and incorporate the applicable requirements into their design. Any variation from these standards requires approval by the Project Manager.

Starting March 1, 2007, all construction firms performing work at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center must have their project managers and superintendents ASHE Healthcare Construction Certified.

Word Document Design and Construction Standards - Table of Contents (May 2008)
The Professional should refer to this Manual for standards to be incorporated in any new construction or renovation work at Penn State. The material included in this manual shall be applied in the preparation of documents for the design and construction of new buildings and renovations to existing physical facilities. This link will take you to the table of contents through which you may access the individual sections of the Design Manual.

Word Document Security Access Controls Specifications (February 2005)
Penn State requires security access control on all new and renovated buildings. Refer to Penn State's Policy SY 33 ELECTRONIC SECURITY AND ACCESS SYSTEMS and SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS. Contact Ed Gannon at ejg3@psu.edu for guidance on applying these to your project.

Word Document CADD Drawing and Submission Standards (July 2002)
This document provides Professionals with guidelines for creating and submitting electronic drawings to The Pennsylvania State University.

Stormwater Management

Word Document Fox Hollow Drainage Basin Storm Water Management Design Manual (February 2003)
This manual includes technical standards and criteria that apply to the development of a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for all land development activities within the University Park Campus Fox Hollow Drainage Basin. All Projects that impact the land areas or drain to the Fox Hollow Drainage Basin (area as defined in this manual) shall conform to the requirements listed herein.

PDF Document Penn State Stormwater Management Summary (June 2007)
All projects that have stormwater must submit this form completed to Engineering Services.

PDF Document Penn State Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Summary Sheet (June 2007)
All projects that have stormwater BMPs (structural and non-structural) must submit this form completed to Engineering Services.

PDF Document Penn State Stormwater Green Roof Summary Sheet (June 2007)
All projects that have green roofs must submit this form completed to Engineering Services.

Building Automation and Control Systems

Standard Sequences of Operation

Campus Chilled Water System

Building Service Entrance Detail Without Heat Exchanger

Building Service Entrance Detail With Heat Exchanger

Underground Piping System Details

Mechanical Equipment Identification

Hershey Medical Center Standards

PDF Document Office Space Guidelines(October 2002)
This contains the recommended square footage for workspace at Penn State. The Design Professional should refer to this document during the project design phase and discuss any deviations from it with their Project Manager.

Word Document ADA Access Enhancements Manual (December 2002)
These enhancements should be referred to as a supplement to the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines. They were developed to specifically address our campus environment. The Design Professional should refer to this document during the project design phase and shall comply with its standards. For more information contact Ed Gannon at ejg3@psu.edu or call (814) 863-2176.

PDF Document Room Numbering Standards (Feb 2007)
This links to the "Penn State Signage Standards Manual" site listed below. The room numbering standards has been included with the interior and exterior signage standards. The Design Professional must use this system to number spaces in new buildings, and if required to renumber spaces immediately affected by building renovation work.

HTML Document Penn State Signage Standards Manual (Feb 2007)
This links to a site that is a reference for professionals to use during the design process. It describes the signage policies for all signs and the specifications for interior and exterior signage. The Design Professional should refer to this document during the project design phase and shall comply with its standards.


Environmental Health and Safety

HTML Document Classroom & Technology Design & Construction Minimum Requirements - Non-OPP Site
This links you to the web site that contains guidelines for General Purpose Classroom design. It also contains a list of contacts/references for classroom designs. The Design Professional should refer to this document during the project design phase and shall comply with its standards.

PDF Document Minimum Standards for Telecommunication Facilities - Non-OPP Site
This document contains the standards and requirements of Penn State's Telecommunications & Networking Services. The design and installation must conform to the standards described. The Project Leader (PM or PC) will include the TNS Engineer in the design process meetings with the Design Professional.