SMCCCD Construction Design Standards

SMCCCD Design Standards and Construction Specifications Website Intent & Instruction
Welcome to San Mateo County Community College District’s Design Standards and Construction Specifications web site.
SMCCCD provides this information to establish design and construction consistency, operational efficiency and maintainability, while ensuring first class teaching and learning facilities. These standards represent the best value for expenditure and are aligned with the San Mateo County Community College District’s long range goals.

Design Standards (DS) are directives and information for the design consultant. Please incorporate the information provided into the construction specifications for the contractor.

Construction Specifications (CS) are provided, in some instances, where we’ve identified a document that we believe conveys the intent of the design standard. The design consultant must customize the construction specification to the particular project being designed.

File naming convention - Design Standards and/or Construction Specifications are populated below the appropriate division or section of this website. The file names communicate the document’s content as follows:

division_section_section_title_type (“DS” denotes Design Standard, “CS” denotes Construction Specification)_version number_year_month_day

Example: 14_20_00_Elevators_DS_V1_2007_03_01

These Design Standards and Construction Specifications are intended to serve as a tool for design professionals, construction managers, planners, and other participants in capital improvement efforts. They clarify direction and streamline project execution.

They represent the District’s “strong preference” and should be applied, when possible, without compromising the creativity and/or ownership of the overall design. Each design standard document includes direction on whether equivalent substitutes are acceptable.

They do not diminish or eliminate the standard of care owed by a consultant to SMCCCD or relieve, in any manner whatsoever, a consultant from any professional responsibility, duty or due diligence required toward the work.

SMCCCD has transitioned its systems from the 1995 Construction Specifications Institute 16 division, Masterformat ™ numbering system to the 2004 Construction Specifications Institute 50 division, Masterformat ™ numbering system. Design professionals preparing specifications for SMCCCD are required to use the 2004 Construction Specifications Institute 50 division, Masterformat ™ numbering system effective October 1, 2006.

The information within this document does not address every conceivable condition or owner decision point. Rather, it attempts to provide solutions where experience has indicated that problems commonly arise or a standard is appropriate.

In the absence of a written design standard, the consultant will present options to SMCCCD so that we can make an informed decision and provide design direction.

In cases where the consultant determines that the written design standard is not appropriate for the project, and wishes to deviate from the standards, they must seek approval from SMCCCD’s design-phase project manager prior to deviating from the written standard.

These Standards are dynamic and are updated as needed to reflect SMCCCD’s needs. Please refer to the Revisions Table (embedded within the document entitled “A Smart Person Would START HERE”) to ensure that you are working with the most current version of each design standard or construction specification. As revisions and additions are made, a notification will be emailed to the appropriate parties to ensure projects reflect the most current information available.

For more information about these design standards and construction specifications, please contact the Construction Planning Department at plan@smccd.edu.

Click here for the Design Standards/Construction Specs Download Page