Design Standards & Specifications

This Georgetown University Design Manual and Facilities Standards document (Manual) provides uniform architectural, engineering, and technical requirements for processes, procedures, practices, and methods that have been endorsed as standard for Georgetown University facilities, programs, and projects, including requirements for the selection, application, and design criteria of an item.

The goals for the Manual are as follows:

  1. To identify areas where the minimum code requirements are insufficient.
  2. To identify and incorporate more stringent safety and performance requirements as part of all facility designs. 
  3. To codify design requirements specific to Georgetown University facilities and mission.
  4. To standardize materials and equipment.
  5. To provide guidance for a safe, high-performing campus while allowing design creativity.
  6. To establish a framework and a single source document for future standards development and distribution.

Questions or concerns regarding this Manual should be addressed to standards@georgetown.edu.

The following info packet covers basic requirements for all projects to be undertaken across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Summary
  • Substitution Procedures
  • Administrative Requirements
  • Submittal Procedures
  • Special Procedures
  • Regulatory Requirements
  • References
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quality Control
  • Temporary Facilities and Controls
  • Execution and Closeout Requirements
  • Performance Requirements
  • Interiors Performance Requirements
  • Life Cycle Activities

The following supplements apply to this division:

The following info packet covers requirements for work in existing buildings across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Existing Conditions – General
  • Demolition

The following info packet covers requirements for concrete across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Cast-in-Place Concrete 
  • Concrete Finishing

The following info packet covers requirements for masonry across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Masonry – General
  • Maintenance of Masonry 
  • Unit Masonry 
  • Stone Assemblies
  • Manufactured Masonry 

The following info packet covers requirements for metals across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Metals – General
  • Cold-Formed Metal Framing
  • Metal Fabrications
  • Decorative Metal

The following info packet covers requirements for woods, plastics, and composites across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Wood, Plastics, and Composites – General
  • Rough Carpentry
  • Architectural Woodwork

The following info packet covers requirements for thermal and moisture protection across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Thermal and Moisture Protection – General
  • Operation and Maintenance of Thermal and Moisture Protection
  • Dampproofing and Waterproofing
  • Thermal Protection
  • Roofing and Siding Panels
  • Membrane Roofing
  • Flashing and Sheet Metal
  • Roof and Wall Specialty Accessories
  • Fire and Smoke Protection
  • Joint Protection

The following specifications applies to this division:

The following info packet covers requirements for openings across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Openings – General
  • Metal Doors and Frames
  • Wood Doors
  • Access Doors and Panels
  • Coiling Doors and Grilles
  • Folding Doors and Grilles
  • Entrances, Storefronts, and Curtain Walls
  • Windows
  • Hardware
  • Glazing
  • Louvers and Vents

The following info packet covers requirements for finishes across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Finishes – General
  • Plaster and Gypsum Board
  • Tiling
  • Ceilings
  • Wood Flooring
  • Resilient Flooring
  • Terrazzo Flooring
  • Fluid-Applied Flooring
  • Carpeting
  • Access Flooring
  • Wall Coverings
  • Stone Facing
  • Acoustic Treatment
  • Painting and Coating

The following supplements apply to this division:

The following info packet covers requirements for specialty features across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Information Specialties 
  • Compartments and Cubicles
  • Partitions
  • Wall and Door Protection
  • Toilet, Bath, and Laundry Accessories
  • Fireplaces and Stoves
  • Safety Specialties
  • Lockers
  • Postal Specialties
  • Grilles and Screens

The following supplements apply to this division:

The following information packet covers equipment requirements across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Vehicle and Pedestrian Equipment
  • Residential Equipment
  • Educational and Scientific Equipment
  • Façade Access Equipment
  • Facility Solid Waste Handling Equipment

The following info packet covers requirements for furnishings across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Window Treatments
  • Specialty Casework
  • Countertops
  • Furnishings and Accessories
  • Other Furnishings

The following specifications apply to this division:

The following info packet covers requirements for special construction across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Common Work Results for Special Construction
  • Fabric Structures

The following info packet covers requirements for conveying equipment across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Elevators
  • Other Conveying Equipment

The following information packet covers sustainability requirements across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Sustainability – General 
  • Energy (LEED Credit category: Energy & Atmosphere)
  • Resilience
  • Materials (LEED Credit category: Materials & Resources)
  • Transportation (LEED Credit Category: Location & Transportation)
  • Nature (LEED Credit Category: Sustainable Sites)
  • Water (LEED Credit Category: Water Efficiency and Sustainable Sites)
  • Kitchens and Dining
  • Community and Sustainability Space (LEED Credit Category: Innovation)

The following info packet covers requirements for fire suppression projects across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Common Requirements
  • Commissioning
  • Water Supply
  • Standpipes
  • Sprinkler Systems
  • Special Suppression Systems
  • Fire Pumps

The following specifications applies to this division:

The following info packet covers requirements for plumbing projects across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Plumbing Insulation
  • Plumbing Piping
  • Plumbing Fixtures
  • Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers

The following specifications apply to this division:

  • Underground Storage Tank Design

The following info packet covers requirements for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning projects across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • HVAC and Mechanical General Criteria
  • Space Conditions and Design Criteria
  • HVAC Insulation
  • DDC Controls and HVAC Instrumentation
  • Compressed Air Piping Systems
  • Vacuum Pump Systems
  • Field Service 
  • Hydronic Piping and Pumps
  • Steam and Condensate Heating Piping
  • Air Treatment Equipment – Filters
  • Centrifugal and Rotary Screw Water Chillers
  • Cooling Towers
  • Ventilation Systems
  • Laboratory Fume Hoods
  • Indoor Central-Station Air-Handling Units
  • Computer Room Air Conditioning Units
  • Fan Coil Units
  • Heating Systems

The following info packet covers requirements for electrical projects across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Electrical General Criteria
  • Conductors and Cables
  • Grounding and Bonding
  • Raceways and Boxes
  • Identification
  • Power System Studies
  • Low-Voltage Transformers and  Switchgear
  • Switchboards and Panelboards
  • Motor Control Centers
  • Enclosed Bus Assemblies
  • Electricity Metering
  • Wiring Devices
  • Enclosed Circuit Breakers, Switches, and Controllers
  • Variable Frequency Drives
  • Packaged Engine Generators
  • Automatic Transfer Switches
  • Interior and Exterior Lighting
  • Electric Vehicle Charging

The following specifications applies to this division:

  • Variable Frequency Drives

The following info packet covers requirements for communications projects across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Communication Common Requirements
  • Communication Equipment
  • Communication Pathways
  • Communication Backbone Cabling 

The following info packet covers requirements for electronic safety and security across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Common Requirements
  • Commissioning
  • Electronic Security
  • Fire Detection
  • Other Fire Initiating Devices
  • Fire Alarm Notification Appliances
  • Mass Notification

The following specifications applies to this division:

  • Addressable Fire Alarm System

The following info packet covers requirements for exterior improvements across Georgetown University. Sections:

  • Exterior Improvements – General
  • Bases, Ballasts, and Paving
  • Site Improvements
  • Irrigation
  • Planting

The following specifications apply to this division:

  • Metering