1.1 Purpose of the
Since the Facilities Standards contain general criteria,
there may sometimes be conflicts between the Facilities
Facilities Standards for the
Standards and specific project requirements. The Office
of the Chief Architect, Public Buildings Service, General
Public Buildings Service
Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405, (202)
501-1888, may be contacted for clarification of any
particular requirement.
The Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service
The provisions of this document are not intended to prohibit
establishes design standards and criteria for new build-
the use of alternative systems, methods, or devices not
ings, major and minor alterations, and work in historic
specifically prescribed by this document, provided GSA has
structures for the Public Buildings Service (PBS) of the
approved such alternatives. All technical documentation
General Services Administration (GSA). This document
shall be submitted to the GSA Project Manager. The
applies to all new facilities or alterations of GSA owned,
technical documentation submitted shall demonstrate that
or lease construction with Government Option to
the proposed alternative design is at least equivalent or
Purchase (See Section 1.3) buildings. It is recommended
superior to the prescribed requirements in this document
that the Facilities Standards apply to significant build-to-
with regard to quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resis-
suit lease buildings. This document contains policy and
tance, durability, and safety. It is not to be considered a
technical criteria to be used in the programming, design,
waiver or deletion of a requirement, but shall be recognized
and documentation of GSA buildings.
as being equivalent protection and in compliance with the
The Facilities Standards is a building standard: it is not
technical requirements of this document. The alternative
a guideline, textbook, handbook, training manual or
system, method, or device shall be approved when the GSA
substitute for the technical competence expected of a
technical design professional determines that the proposed
design or construction professional.
alternative design is deemed equivalent or superior to the
intent of the prescribed requirements of this document for
The Facilities Standards shall be used in conjunction with
the intended purpose.
the specific building program for each project, which
delineates all project information, such as number and
sizes of building spaces, and requirements for mechanical,
electrical and other operating systems. It is imperative that
each building be designed so that all components comprise
an integrated solution, so that operation of the facility,
energy usage and other criteria may be maximized.
03
GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
1.1
Purpose of the Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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