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Building Codes & Industry Standards
Denver Service Center (DSC) Requirements
National Park Service (NPS) Requirements
Laws
Building Codes & Industry Standards
- ASHRAE 90.1 2016 (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers)
- EIA/TIA Standards 568 & 569 (Electronic Industries Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association)
- IEEE Standards
- IES Lighting Handbook 10th Edition (Illuminating Engineering Society)
- NESC 2017 (National Electrical Safety Code)
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Codes and Standards - see Fire Protection Engineering Standards
- NFPA 70: NEC 2023 (National Electrical Code)
- UL (Formerly Underwriters Laboratories)
Denver Service Center (DSC) Requirements
Utilities
- See Reference Manual (RM) 53B: Rights-of-Way (ROW). (Also reference on Civil (Site) & Enivironmental Engineering Standards.)
- Initiate planning activities with utility companies as early as possible.
- Architect/Engineer (A/E) may be required to design upgrades/changes to NPS-owned utilities.
- Provide utility coordination services including investigations, coordinations, notifications, and meetings with utility providers along the project corridor.
- Initiate contact, communication, and coordination services at Predesign (PD) and Schematic Design (SD) phases.
- Document interactions with emails, meeting notes, etc.
- Continue activities and documentation through Design Development (DD) and Construction Documents (CD) phases. Use information obtained to fully develop and communicate options, ideas, and issues throughout design process.
- Consider how design changes affect all utilities and continually communicate with utility companies.
- Prepare and send written project notifications to utility owners including copies of construction documents.
- Organize and conduct meetings with all utility owners including preparation of exhibits and meeting minutes.
- Using information gathered during sub-surface utility investigations, identify utility conflicts and confirm with utility owners.
- Evaluate relocation alternatives with utility owners and project team.
- Prepare Technical Letters for Cost Proposals; both requests and final responses.
- Utilize underground distribution as much as possible.
- NPS prefers not to own and operate utilities.
- TVSS (Transient Voltage Surge Supressor) Protection on service entrances.
- Owner demand metering complying with EPACT 2005 (Energy Policy Act) for Federal buildings in addition to utility company metering.
Conduit
- Site specific. In general, Schedule 40 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) for underground.
- PVC coated rigid metal elbows for risers to grade.
- Minimum branch circuit conduit size: 3/4 inch.
- Provide conduit for wiring (minimum size 3/4 inch).
- Non-metallic conduit or tubing is not allowed in interior dry locations unless required by code.
- Route a separate equipment grounding conductor, sized per NEC requirements, in conduits.
- Heavy duty disconnect switches.
Equipment and Materials
- Listed and labeled as defined in NEC Article 100 for application.
Load Requirements
- 25% minimum spare capacity typical for future expansion.
Overcurrent Protection
- Fully rated - Series rated is not desired.
- Breakers preferred for reset capability (sizes 15 amperes or greater).
- Fuse selection shall comply with NEC requirements and equipment manufacturers recommendations.
Power Wiring
- THWN/THHN (Thermoplastic Heat and Water Resistant Nylon Coated/Thermoplastic High Heat Resistant Nylon Coated)
- Underground - THWN/XHHW (Cross-Linked High Heat Water-resistant Insulated Wire)
- No MC or AC (Metal Clad or Armor Clad) type cabling in walls in new construction.
- No surface mounted MC or AC type cabling where rigid raceway can be used.
- Copper conductors
- Copper Buswork
Telecommunication
- EIA/TIA Standards, see above.
- Category 6 Cabling - (2) per 3/4 inch conduit; (1) Data, (1) Voice per each voice/data outlet (typical). Terminate conductors.
- Telephone Service Entrance (Demarcation Point) - Meet local phone company requirements.
- Architect-Engineer (AE) shall query Park for additional IT (information technology), telecom, or data system requirements.
National Park Service (NPS) Requirements
NPS Management Policies 2006 - The Guide to Managing the National Park System
- Chapter 1 The Foundation
- Chapter 4 Natural Resource Management
- 4.10 Lightscape Management
- Chapter 8 Use of the Parks
- 8.2.3 Use of Motorized Equipment
- 8.6 Special Park Uses
- 8.6.4 Rights-of-Way for Utilities and Roads
- 8.6.4.2 Utilities
- 8.6.4.3 Telecommunication Sites
- Chapter 9 Park Facilities
- 9.1 General
- 9.1.1 Facility Planning and Design
- 9.1.1.1 Life-cycle Costs
- 9.1.1.2 Integration of Facilities into the Park Environment
- 9.1.1.3 Protection of Cultural Values
- 9.1.1.4 Adaptive Use
- 9.1.1.5 Siting Facilities to Avoid Natural Hazards
- 9.1.1.6 Sustainable Energy Design
- 9.1.3 Construction
- 9.1.3.1 Construction Sites
- 9.1.4 Maintenance
- 9.1.4.1 General
- 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
- 9.1.7 Energy Management
- 9.1.8 Structural Fire Protection and Suppression
- 9.3 Visitor Facilities
- 9.4 Management Facilities
Director's Orders (DOs)
Handbooks, Reference Manuals (RMs), Strategies, Plans, & other Professional Materials
Laws
