Capital Project Management (CPM) Building Standards are a component of the University of Minnesota Owner Standards and are intended to assist architects, engineers, design professionals, and Design/Build contractors in understanding the University’s preferences for the development, preservation, rehabilitation, renovation, and maintenance of its facilities and landscapes. The Building Standards also explain applicable procedures, policies, and basic minimum requirements for systems, materials, and products to be included in University construction projects. In addition, the Building Standards provide guidance for University project managers, administration, and support staff.
The Building Standards are incorporated, by reference, into every agreement between the design professional and the University of Minnesota for professional services. Accordingly, and consistent with those agreements, all legal responsibility for the preparation, coordination, completeness, and code compliance of the Contract Documents resides solely with the design professional of record.
The Building Standards establish baseline quality, performance, durability, maintainability, and operational expectations for University projects. The Building Standards are intended to be used as guidelines that inform the preparation of Contract Documents and are not intended to be used verbatim as contract document specifications. Design professionals are required to review the Building Standards and incorporate applicable requirements into the Contract Documents. Constructors are required to review and comply with the Building Standards as incorporated into the Contract Documents and as required by University operations.
The basic minimum requirements described within the Building Standards are in addition to applicable federal, state, and local public health, safety, and welfare codes and regulations. No attempt has been made to repeat code requirements throughout the Divisions. Where no specific recommendation or requirement is provided, the design professional shall exercise professional judgment consistent with the applicable standard of care.
Each Division of the Building Standards contains guideline information that establishes the quality of materials and workmanship appropriate for University projects. Division numbers and titles are aligned with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat® system. Guideline information provided in each Division is to be incorporated into the Contract Documents as applicable.
Contract Documents that do not reasonably adhere to the Building Standards may be rejected and returned to the design professional for appropriate revision.
The Building Standards are intentionally planned to be evolutionary, allowing change as materials, methods, and technologies evolve. During the contract document preparation phase, design professionals are encouraged to present alternative design solutions, systems, or manufacturers where such alternatives provide quality, cost, schedule, or operational benefits, do not compromise the integrity or intent of the work, and are reviewed and approved through the process identified in the Owner’s Exceptions Process Flowchart.