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.