Architectural Standards

Review Design Standards General Statements before utilizing this web page.

On this page:
Building Codes & Industry Standards
Denver Service Center (DSC) Requirements
Resources
Government Directives & Government Standards
National Park Service (NPS) Requirements
Laws
Executive Orders (EOs)
Regulations


For Accessibility and Universal Design requirements, see Accessibility & Universal Design Standards.


Building Codes & Industry Standards

  • IBC 2024, with Appendices (International Building Code)
    • NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association) - Use when IBC is silent.
  • IRC 2024 (International Residential Code)
  • IEBC 2024, with Appendices (International Existing Building Code)
  • ABAAS (Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards)
    • Accessibility to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements for new construction and alterations to Federal properties and leased portions of existing buildings or facilities.
    • Accessibility to non-Federal facilities, built or altered with Federal grants or loans.

Denver Service Center (DSC) Requirements

Government-Funded/Government-Furnished Housing

Accessible Housing

Accessibility Compliance for Multi-Family Residences

  • HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) has not yet adopted ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) Accessibility Standards and continues to apply UFAS (Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards). For residential projects under authority of GSA (General Services Administration), a multi-family residential development (four of more units) will enforce UFAS for accessibility.
  • Single dwellings or projects comprised of less than four units shall follow ABA Accessibility Standard F233.4.

Restrooms

Restroom Accessories

  • Accessible public restrooms or accessible single-use/family restrooms must comply with ABA Accessibility Standards. Select and install accessories that meet accessibility standards and harmonize with a Park's facilities standards or preferences.

Privacy Partitions and Screens

  • Restrooms with manufactured privacy partitions shall have floor mounted systems in lieu of overhead (suspended) systems. Combination floor and wall support partitions are inherently more stable and durable.
  • Partition panels shall be:
    • nominal 1 inch minimum thickness
    • capable of receiving surface-mount, semi-recessed, or recessed accessories
    • vandal/graffiti resistant materials and finishes
    • repairable and capable of refinishing
  • Hardware and anchors shall be concealed to a practicable extent. Use durable and tamper-proof hardware and connectors.
  • Natural stone materials and hollow metal partitions are not permitted.
  • DSC acknowledges that in some situations, alternative privacy screens may be necessary. Increasingly, greater visual and physical security for users is a requirement. The basis for an alternative proposal shall be presented during the schematic design phase and explained in the preferred alternative design submittal. Alternatives will be reviewed and accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Accessible Products, Fixtures and Equipment

  • Manufacturers offer claims about products meeting ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. The US (United States) Access Board responsible for administering ABA does not certify products, materials, or manufacturers for compliance with accessibility standards. Accessibility qualifications are independent claims by manufacturers or suppliers that choose to self-certify products. The burden of proof rests with the project design team to confirm any item required to be accessible will comply with Federal accessibility standards.

Resources

Building Envelope Moisture Control

Roofing Systems


Government Directives & Government Standards

Department of the Interior (DOI) Policies


National Park Service (NPS) Requirements

NPS Management Policies 2006 - The Guide to Managing the National Park System

  • Chapter 1 The Foundation
    • 1.9.5.2 Facilities
  • Chapter 5 Cultural Resource Management
    • 5.1.3 Identification and Evaluation of Resource
    • 5.3.1 Protection and Preservation of Cultural Resources
    • 5.3.1.2 Fire Detection, Suppression, and Post-fire Rehabilitation and Protection
    • 5.3.1.4 Environmental Monitoring and Control
    • 5.3.1.5 Pest Management
    • 5.3.1.6 Visitor Carrying Capacity
    • 5.3.2 Physical Access for Persons with Disabilities
    • 5.3.4 Stewardship of Human Remains and Burials
    • 5.3.5 Treatment of Cultural Resources
    • 5.3.5.1 Archeological Resources
    • 5.3.5.2 Cultural Landscapes
    • 5.3.5.2.6 Land Use and Ethnographic Value
    • 5.3.5.2.7 New Construction
    • 5.3.5.3 Ethnographic Resources
    • 5.3.5.4 Historic and Prehistoric Structures
    • 5.3.5.4.3 Restoration
    • 5.3.5.4.4 Reconstruction of Missing Structures
    • 5.3.5.4.5 Movement of Historic Structures
    • 5.3.5.4.6 New Construction
    • 5.3.5.4.7 Use of Historic Structures
    • 5.3.5.4.10 Historic and Prehistoric Ruins
    • 5.3.5.5.5 Historic Furnishings
  • Chapter 9 Park Facilities
    • 9.1 General
    • 9.1.1 Facility Planning and Design
    • 9.1.1.1 Life-cycle Costs
    • 9.1.1.2 Integration of Facilities into the Park Environment
    • 9.1.1.3 Protection of Cultural Values
    • 9.1.1.4 Adaptive Use
    • 9.1.1.5 Siting Facilities to Avoid Natural Hazards
    • 9.1.1.6 Sustainable Energy Design
    • 9.1.3 Construction
    • 9.1.3.1 Construction Sites
    • 9.1.4 Maintenance
    • 9.1.4.1 General
    • 9.1.4.2 Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable and Energy-Efficient Products
    • 9.3 Visitor Facilities
    • 9.4 Management Facilities

Director's Orders (DOs)

Handbooks, Reference Manuals (RMs), Strategies, Plans, & other Professional Materials


Laws


Executive Orders (EOs)


Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

 

Last updated: March 8, 2024

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