ARCHITECTURE STANDARDS

Laws:

Public Laws

• ABAAS Guidelines (2004)
• National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Section 106)

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):

• 41 CFR 101-17 Assignment and Utilization of Space

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

Executive Orders (EOs)

• Executive Order 13164 Requiring Federal Agencies To Establish Procedures To Facilitate the Provision of
  Reasonable Accommodation
• Executive Order 13423 Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management

Management Policies

• 2006 Management Policies -
  The Guide to Managing the National Park System
• The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, 1995
• Guiding Principals of Sustainable Design

Director's Orders (DOs)

• DSC CAD Standards Guide
• Director's Order (Do) 10a, Reference Manual 10a, Guideline For Preparation of Design and Construction Drawings
• Director's Order (DO) 28, Cultural Resource Management
• Director's Order (DO) 58, Structural Fire Management
• Director's Order (DO) 89, Acquisition and Management of Leased Space
• Director's Order 90, Value Analysis

Building Codes

• 2006 International Building Code IBC-06 (for all projects in which Predesign begins after October 1, 2009)
• 2006 International Existing Building Code IEBC-06 (for all projects in which Predesign begins after October 1, 2009)

Directives, Standards, and NPS Guidelines

• Accessibility Standards Under the Barriers Act (ABAAS)
• ASHRAE 90.1, 2007
• DSC Quality Assurance Guidelines

Professional Guidance

AIA (American Institute of Architects) Handbook of
Professional Practice

SUSTAINABILITY

• See Sustainability Standards

BUILDING ENVELOPE MOISTURE CONTROL

For general guidance, refer to ASHRAE Fundamentals, 2005 and/or Moisture Control Handbook (Lstiburek and Carmody, 1991)

Typical Concrete Slab Assembly Detail

A. Concrete Slab-on-Grade Floor

Typical Wall Assembly Details

B. Ventilated Crawl Space
C. Unventilated Crawl Space
D. Basement Wall
E. Masonry Wall
F. Wood Stud Wall
G. Steel Stud Wall
H. Dropped Ceiling with Plenum

Typical Roof Assembly Details

I. Ventilated Attic
J. Unventilated Attic
K. Unventilated-No Attic
L. Ventilated-No Attic

Typical Wall Ventilation and Drainage

• Provide Air Space Behind Exterior Siding. A ventilated wall cavity behind exterior siding or brick veneer will reduce inward driven moisture and increase drying to the exterior.



• Be aware that most exterior cladding materials (wood, stone, brick, stucco) retain moisture. When solar radiation strikes a wall, vapor is driven into and out of the wall. The cladding’s primary function is to act as an ultraviolet screen.



• Provide Unfaced Impermeable Rigid Insulation over a drainage membrane (consisting of membrane, trowel-on or spray-applied drainage plane, air barrier and vapor retarder)

Typical Vapor Barriers

• Vapor Barrier Placement.  The roof or wall assembly
  should always:



• Interior--Dry inwards from the control layers
• Exterior--Dry outwards from the control layers



• Definition per ASHRAE:



• Vapor Barrier*

Vapor Impermeable – 0.1 perms
or less

Vapor Semi-impermeable – 1.0 perms or less and greater than 0.1 perms

• Vapor Retarder

Vapor Semi impermeable – 10 perms or less and greater than 1.0 perms

Vapor Permeable – Greater than
10 perms

*The term "vapor barrier", which is commonly used, is somewhat misleading since it does not completely bar the transmission of water vapor. A vapor barrier is actually a vapor-resistant membrane, and is more properly called a "vapor retarder."

• Roofs



• Ventilated Attic

Vapor Retarder on conditioned side of insulation or Vapor Barrier on conditioned side of insulation in very cold climates

• Ventilated No-Attic

Vapor Retarder on conditioned side of insulation or Vapor Barrier on conditioned side of insulation in very cold climates

• Unventilated No-Attic Ceiling

Exterior Rigid Insulation or impermeable
cavity insulation with Vapor Retarder under
finish sheathing

• Above Grade Walls



• Typically, it is not good to install a vapor barrier (polyethylene) on the inside of an air-conditioned wall assembly.  Beware of inadvertently creating a vapor barrier finish in a location or plane where one does not belong (vinyl wall coverings and foil-backed batt cavity insulation should be avoided).
• Beware of trapping moisture between drainage plane and vapor barrier that can ultimately lead to mold
  and rot.
• Beware that in any typical wall, vapor is driven both outward and inward (from the membrane drainage plane air barrier and vapor retarder) by a high differential between the exterior brick / stone / stucco / siding
• Do not use oil base paint on a conditioned wall surface as it acts as an impermeable vapor barrier in the wrong location.  Always use latex acrylic paint or vapor semi-permeable textured wall finish.
• Consider using spray foam insulation in awkward or hard-to-reach locations (insure foam is protected by fire-resistant material such as gyp board).



• Below Grade Concrete Walls



• Avoid use of plastic covered blanket insulation
  attached to the inside of a below-grade concrete wall
  (the diaper).
• Attach semi-permeable continuous rigid insulation to the outside or inside of the concrete below-grade wall.
• Install wood frame cavity wall over rigid insulation and fill with unfaced fiberglass or damp spray cellulose.
• Do not install vapor barrier so wall is allowed to dry out.



• Concrete Slabs



• Typically, Concrete slabs should not be placed on a sand layer installed over a polyethylene vapor barrier.

Always place concrete in direct contact with plastic vapor barriers.

Use a low water-to-cement ratio
concrete, max. .45, and top cure the slab with damp burlap.

SPECIFIC PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS

Division 3 – Concrete

• Consider sustainable practices such as using flyash in concrete mixture where appropriate to reduce cement content

Division 4 – Masonry

• Consider “life-cycle assessment” when selecting masonry products

Division 5 – Metals

• Avoid using “COR-TEN Steel” products on buildings.  Runoff from this product stains surfaces when coming in contact and adds pollutants to soils and ground water.

Division 6 – Wood and Plastics

• For sustainability, consider using “Certified Forest Products” as designated by the Forest Stewardship Council, if appropriate for project and cost effective.
• If appropriate for project and cost effective, consider using agro board / bio products for interior fiberboard/plywood products applications (particleboard made from renewable products such as wheat, straw, sunflower hulls, etc.)
• If appropriate for project and cost effective, consider recycled plastic products for interior applications such as countertops.

Division 7 - Thermal and Moisture Protection

• See Roofing/Waterproofing Standards as part of this document

Division 8 - Doors and Windows

• Door and window selection should be based on improved thermal performance.
• Verify with park when selecting architectural hardware.  As a standard in most NPS parks, all keyed locks in a project should be keyed to the “Best” lock system.
• Glazing for each building elevations should be selected based on building orientation and improved thermal performance

Division 9 – Finishes

• Select products that require low maintenance and are durable.
• If appropriate and cost effective, consider using “Green” products when selecting products.

Division 10 – Specialties

• Select products that require  low maintenance and are durable (ie. toilet partitions)
• Toilet accessories to match existing manufacture used in park
• Signage system shall comply with NPS and individual park sign standards and by appropriate for the park setting. See NPS sign directive and standards. (create link)
• All communication (telephone, radio, alarms) systems must be coordinated with the park staff

Division 11 – Equipment

• Verify with park the need for any
  specialized equipment

Division 12 – Furnishings

• If appropriate, consider using “Green” products when selecting furnishings.
• Consider using door mats at all main or key entrances for improved indoor air quality

Division 13 – Special Construction

• If appropriate and cost effective, consider Solar/ Wind Turbine Systems for power generation.
• If appropriate and cost effective, consider Building Automation System (Energy Management System) for efficient energy monitoring.

Division 14 – Conveying Systems

• All Federal facilities must comply with ABAAS.  The use of elevators or wheelchair/stair lifts may be required for some facilities.
• If appropriate and cost effective, consider using vegetable-based hydraulic fluid elevator system
• Hoist or cranes may be required for some maintenance facilities.  Avoid designing open work pits in maintenance facilities due to
  safety hazard.

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