Civil (Site) & Environmental Engineering Standards

Review Design Standards General Statements before utilizing this web page.

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

Building Codes & Industry Standards

Site & Transportation

  • AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)
    • AASHTO "Green Book" - A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2011
  • ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) Accessibility Standards
  • ACOE (Army Corp of Engineers)
  • AI (Asphalt Institute)
  • APWA (American Public Works Association)
  • ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)
  • ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
  • CLFMI (Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute)
  • DOT (Department of Transportation)
  • FHWA FLH PDDM 2018 (Federal Highway Administration - Federal Lands Highway - Project Development and Design Manual)
  • IA (Irrigation Association)
  • MUTCD 2009 with Revisions 1 and 2, May 2012 (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices)
  • NAPA (National Asphalt Pavement Association)
  • PCA (Portland Cement Association)
  • Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects 2014, FP-14

Water Systems / Wastewater Systems

  • ACI (American Concrete Institute)
  • ACPA (American Concrete Pipe Association)
  • ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
  • API (American Petroleum Institute)
  • ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)
  • ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
  • ASPE (American Society of Plumbing Engineers)
  • ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering)
  • ASTM International
  • AWWA (American Water Works Association)
  • DEH (Department of Environmental Health) with Regulations
  • DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) with Regulations
  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) with Regulations
  • IBC 2024 (International Building Code)
  • IPC 2024 (International Plumbing Code)
  • NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers)
  • NAPCA (National Association of Pipe Coating Applicators)
  • NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association)
  • NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
  • NFPA (National Fluid Power Association)
  • NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
  • NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System)
  • NPFI (National Pipe Fabrication Institute)
  • NSF International (Formerly National Sanitation Foundation (NSF))
  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
  • PCI (Precast/Pre-Stressed Concrete Institute)
  • PDI (Plumbing and Drainage Institute)
  • UL (Formerly Underwriters Laboratories)

Hazardous Materials

  • ANSI
  • ASCE
  • ASTM International
  • CSB (Chemical Safety Board)
  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
  • GSA (General Services Administration)
  • HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
  • HHS (Department of Health and Human Services)
  • NFPA
  • NIH (National Institute of Health)
  • OSHA
  • PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)

Denver Service Center (DSC) Requirements

General

  • The Civil/Site/Utility design shall meet or exceed applicable Federal, State, and Local safety, health, and environmental codes and standards.
  • The Civil/Site/Utility design shall be compliant with all applicable OSHA requirements. Any potential hazards should be mitigated using engineered solutions.

Confined Space

  • Confined Spaces should be identified in the design phase and eliminated wherever possible.
  • Backflow Preventers should be located above grade or inside of a building rather than in a pit or below grade structure.

Site & Transportation

The following references are cited as they provide professional guidance for Site Design and Transportation Design within the NPS (National Park Service).

  • Alternative Transportation Systems Guidebook
  • Greening Federal Facilities
  • National Scenic Byways Program
  • Park Road Standards
  • Special Regulations for Areas of the National Park System
  • Transportation Planning Guidebook

Storm Water

  • Design solutions shall meet or exceed applicable federal, state, and local standards and requirements. Adhere to local standards, requirements, and strategies to the maximum extent feasible.

Utilities

  • Utility Assessment and Acquisition: See Electrical Engineering Standards and Reference Manual (RM) 53B: Rights-of-Way (ROW).
  • Backflow Prevention: Comply with each Park's backflow prevention regulations. As minimums, provide double check valve assemblies on all fire services or other water service connections that may have the potential for cross-connection. Provide reduced pressure zone backflow assemblies on all water service connections that may produce hazardous backflow conditions.
  • Metering: All domestic and reclaimed water service lines to each building shall be metered in accordance with NPS Staff Directive 78-10.
  • Planning Activities: Initiate planning activities with Utility Provider and Permitting Agency as early as possible. Provide continued utility coordination services including investigations, notifications, and meetings.
    • Initiate communication and coordination services at Predesign (PD) and Schematic Design (SD) phases.
    • Document communications and interactions with emails, meeting notes, etc.
    • Continue coordination and documentation through Design Development (DD) and Construction Document (CD) phases.
    • Prepare and send written project notifications. Include copies of construction documents and design calculations.
    • Organize and conduct meetings. Include preparation of documents and meeting minutes.
  • Plumbing Fixtures: All plumbing fixtures and fittings shall be low-flow, water conserving, conforming to the requirements stated in the 1992 Energy Policy Act.
  • Water Pressure: Pressure reducing valves shall be provided as necessary to limit water pressure in buildings to 80 per square inch gauge (psig) maximum. Booster pumps shall be provided as necessary to maintain a minimum of 25 psig at the furthest plumbing fixture at design flow rate conditions.

Government Directives & Government Standards

National Park Service (NPS) Requirements

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

  • Chapter 1 The Foundation
    • 1.8 Environmental Leadership
    • 1.9.5.2 Facilities
  • Chapter 2 Park System Planning
    • 2.3.1.9 Wild and Scenic Rivers
    • 2.3.1.10 Wilderness
  • Chapter 3 Land Protection
    • 3.2 Land Protection Methods
    • 3.3 Land Protection Plans
    • 3.5 Boundary Adjustments
  • Chapter 4 Natural Resource Management
    • 4.1.3 Evaluating Impacts on Natural Resources
    • 4.1.5 Restoration of Natural Systems
    • 4.3.3 Wilderness Areas
    • 4.3.4 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
    • 4.3.5 National Natural Landmarks
    • 4.6 Water Resource Management
    • 4.6.1 Protection of Surface Waters and Groundwaters
    • 4.6.2 Water Rights
    • 4.6.3 Water Quality
    • 4.6.4 Floodplains
    • 4.6.5 Wetlands
    • 4.6.6 Watershed and Stream Processes
    • 4.7 Air Resource Management
    • 4.7.1 Air Quality
    • 4.8.1.1 Shorelines and Barrier Islands
    • 4.8.2 Management of Geologic Features
    • 4.8.2.3 Geothermal and Hydrothermal Resources
    • 4.8.2.4 Soil Resource Management
    • 4.10 Lightscape Management
  • Chapter 5 Cultural Resource Management
  • Chapter 6 Wilderness Preservation and Management
    • 6.3.10.2 Trails in Wilderness
    • 6.3.10.3 Shelters and Campsites
    • 6.3.10.4 Signs
    • 6.3.11 Wilderness Boundaries
    • 6.3.11.1 Legal Descriptions and Boundary Maps
    • 6.3.11.3 Waters in Wilderness
    • 6.4.8 Rights-of-Way
    • 6.4.10 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
  • Chapter 7 Interpretation and Education
  • Chapter 8 Use of the Parks
    • 8.2.2 Recreational Activities
    • 8.2.2.1 Management of Recreational Use
    • 8.2.2.3 River Use
    • 8.2.2.4 Backcountry Use
    • 8.2.3 Use of Motorized Equipment
    • 8.2.3.1 Motorized Off-road Vehicle Use
    • 8.2.3.3 Personal Watercraft Use
    • 8.2.4 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
    • 8.2.5 Visitor Safety and Emergency Response
    • 8.2.5.1 Visitor Safety
    • 8.2.5.2 Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Operations
    • 8.6.4 Rights-of-Way for Utilities and Roads
    • 8.6.4.2 Utilities
    • 8.6.4.3 Telecommunication Sites
    • 8.6.4.4 Roads and Highways and Petroleum-based Pipelines
  • Chapter 9 Park Facilities
    • 9.1.1 Facility Planning and Design
    • 9.1.1.2 Integration of Facilities into the Park Environment
    • 9.1.1.5 Siting Facilities to Avoid Natural Hazards
    • 9.1.1.6 Sustainable Energy Design
    • 9.1.2 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
    • 9.1.3.1 Construction Sites
    • 9.1.3.2 Revegetation of Landscaping
    • 9.1.3.3 Borrow Pits and Spoil Areas
    • 9.1.4 Maintenance
    • 9.1.4.2 Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable and Energy-Efficient Products
    • 9.1.5 Utilities
    • 9.1.5.1 Water Supply Systems
    • 9.1.5.2 Wastewater Treatment Systems
    • 9.1.5.3 Utility Lines
    • 9.1.5.4 Historic Utilities
    • 9.1.6 Waste Management and Containment Issues
    • 9.1.6.1 Waste Management
    • 9.1.6.2 NPS Response to Contaminants
    • 9.1.7 Energy Management
    • 9.1.8 Structural Fire Protection and Suppression
    • 9.2 Transportation Systems and Alternative Transportation
    • 9.2.1 Road Systems
    • 9.2.1.1 Park Roads
    • 9.2.2 Trails and Walks
    • 9.2.2.2 Hiking Trails
    • 9.2.2.3 Equestrian Trails
    • 9.2.2.4 Bicycle Trails
    • 9.2.2.5 Water Trails
    • 9.2.2.6 Interpretive Trails
    • 9.2.2.7 National Trails
    • 9.2.2.8 Trailheads
    • 9.2.2.9 Trail Bridges
    • 9.2.3 Traffic Signs and Markings
    • 9.2.4 Parking Areas
    • 9.2.5 Navigation Aids
    • 9.3 Visitor Facilities
    • 9.3.1.1 Signs
    • 9.3.1.2 Entrance Stations
    • 9.3.1.3 Visitor Centers
    • 9.3.1.4 Amphitheaters
    • 9.3.2.1 Campgrounds
    • 9.3.2.2 Backcountry Campsites
    • 9.3.2.3 Hostels and Shelters
    • 9.3.3 Comfort Stations
    • 9.3.4.1 Picnic and Other Day Use Areas
    • 9.3.4.2 Facilities for Water Recreation
    • 9.4 Management Facilities
    • 9.4.1 Administrative Offices
    • 9.4.2 Museum Collections Management Facilities
    • 9.4.3 Employee Housing
    • 9.4.3.3 Historic Structures
    • 9.4.4 Maintenance Structures
    • 9.5 Dams and Reservoirs
  • Chapter 10 Commercial Visitor Service
    • 10.2.4.9 Natural and Cultural Resource Management Requirements
    • 10.2.4.10 Environmental Program Requirements
    • 10.2.6.2 Accessibility of Commercial Services
    • 10.2.6.4 Utilities and Services

Director's Orders (DOs)

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

Laws

Executive Orders (EOs)

Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

  • 10 CFR - Energy
    • Part 51: Environmental Protection Regulations For Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions
    • Part 430: Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products
    • Part 433: Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Commercial and Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings
    • Part 434: Energy Code for New Federal Commercial and Multi-Family High Rise Residential Buildings
    • Part 435: Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings
    • Part 436 : Federal Energy Management and Planning Programs
  • 18 CFR - Conservation of Power and Water Resources
    • Part 12: Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works
    • Part 410: Basin Regulations; Water Code and Administrative Manual; Part III - Water Quality Regulations
    • Part 415: Basin Regulations - Floodplain Regulations
    • Part 420: Basin Regulations - Water Supply Charges
    • Part 430: Ground Water Protection Area
    • Part 740: State Water Management Planning Program
  • 23 CFR - Highways
    • Part 470: Highway Systems
    • Part 620: Engineering
    • Part 625: Design Standards for Highways
    • Part 626: Pavement Policy
    • Part 627: Value Engineering
    • Part 635: Construction and Maintenance
    • Part 645: Utilities
    • Part 650: Bridges, Structures, and Hydraulics
    • Part 652: Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations and Projects
    • Part 655: Traffic Operations
    • Part 752: Landscape and Roadside Development
    • Part 771: Environmental Impact and Related Procedures
    • Part 772: Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise
    • Part 777: Mitigation of Impacts to Wetlands and natural Habitat
    • Part 924: Highway Safety Improvement Program
    • Part 970: National Park Service Management Systems
    • Part 1200: Uniform Procedures for State Highway Safety Programs
    • Part 1205: Highway Safety Programs
    • Part 1235: Uniform System for Parking for Persons with Disabilities
  • 29 CFR - Labor
    • Part 11: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - Compliance Procedures
    • Part 14: Security Regulations
    • Part 1910: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
    • Part 1925: Safety and Health Standards for federal Service Contracts
    • Part 1926: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
  • 36 CFR - Parks, Forests, and Public Property
    • Part 2: Resource Protection, Public Use and Recreation
    • Part 3: Boating and Water Use Activities
    • Part 4: Vehicles and Traffic Safety
    • Part 6: Solid waste Disposal Sites in Units of the National Park System
    • Part 7: Special Regulations in Areas of the National Park System
    • Part 13: National Park System Units in Alaska
    • Part 14: Rights-Of-Way
    • Part 60: National Register of Historic Places
    • Part 62: National Natural Landmarks Program
    • Part 68: The Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
    • Part 71: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act
    • Part 220: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance
    • Part 221: Timber Management Plan
    • Part 251: Land Uses
    • Part 292: National recreation areas
    • Part 297: Wild and Scenic Rivers
    • Part 1002: Resource Protection, Public Use and Recreation
    • Part 1004: Vehicles and Traffic Safety
    • Part 1191: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Guidelines
  • 40 CFR - Protection of Environment
    • Part 25: Public Participation in Programs Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, The Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Clean Water Act
    • Part 50: National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
    • Part 61: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
    • Part 116: Designation of Hazardous Substances
    • Part 122: EPA Administered Permit Programs - The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
    • Part 125: Criteria and Standards for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
    • Part 129: Toxic Pollutant Effluent Standards
    • Part 130: Water Quality Planning and Management
    • Part 131: Water Quality Standards
    • Part 133: Secondary Treatment Regulation
    • Part 141: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
    • Part 143: National Secondary Drinking Water regulations
    • Part 144: Underground Injection Control Program
    • Part 165: Pesticide Management and Disposal
    • Part 204: Noise Emission Standards for Construction Equipment
    • Part 230: Section 404 Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material
    • Part 260: Hazardous Waste Management Systems
    • Part 261: Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
    • Part 268: Land Disposal Restrictions
    • Part 270: The Hazardous Waste Permit Program
    • Part 280: Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
    • Part 282: Approved Underground Storage Tank Programs
    • Part 370: Hazardous Chemical Reporting
    • Part 372: Toxic Chemical Release Reporting
    • Part 503: Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge
    • Part 712: Chemical Information Rules
    • Part 716: Health and Safety Data Reporting
    • Part 749: Water treatment Chemicals
    • Part 763: Asbestos
    • Part 1501: NEPA and Agency Planning
    • Part 1502: Environmental Impact Statements
  • 49 CFR - Transportation
    • Part 37: Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities (ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act))
    • Part 130: Oil Spill Prevention and Response Plans
    • Part 172: Hazardous Materials Tables and Communications, Emergency Response and Security Plans
    • Part 195: Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
    • Part 237: Bridge Safety Standards
    • Part 397: Transportation of Hazardous Materials
    • Part 614: Transportation Infrastructure Management
    • Part 1034: Routing of Traffic
 

Last updated: February 27, 2024

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