Building Design Standards and Guidelines
These Standards apply to all new construction or renovation projects. They must be followed by all Professionals (Architects, Engineers, lighting consultant, acoustical consultant, etc.) for the preparation of their documents. McGill’s Standards are intended as a general rule for most circumstances and to provide guidance to the design professionals. The purpose of these standards is to optimize quality and value in construction projects at McGill University, through uniformity, system or component quality, compatibility, functionality, and ease of maintenance. Elements of the LEED and WELL sustainable building standards have been integrated throughout the standards to ensure that all construction projects on campus, regardless of scope or scale, be designed and constructed sustainably.
The McGill standards should not be seen as a replacement for professional design analyses. The University expects design professionals to perform independent assessments for each project. It is important to note that McGill's standards do not exempt design professionals and contractors from their responsibilities to adhere to applicable codes and other contractual obligations.
Design Conformity & Variance Request Form
The Design Standards Conformity Form must be completed by every design professional on each project.
For any aspect of a project's design not conforming to the requirements in McGill's design standards, the Design Standards Conformity Form and Variance Request form must be completed and submitted for approval by the University
Guidelines
Guidelines by Area Typology
Animal Facilities - September 2022
Corridors and Hallways - October 2024
Classrooms - October 2024
Custodial Areas - March 2023
Electrical Rooms - October 2024
Entrance Vestibules - April 2023
Exterior Areas - April 2024
Laboratories - October 2024
Mechanical Rooms - October 2024
Office Areas - May 2024
Roofs - June 2023
Staff rooms - June 2015
Stairs & Ramps - October 2024
Telecommunication / Data Rooms - January 2014
Washrooms - October 2024
Accessibility
McGill’s goal for accessibility on its campuses is to provide environments which can be accessed by students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It strives to identify, remove, and prevent barriers that hinder full and meaningful participation in all aspects of campus life. McGill is committed to improving its spaces and buildings to render its campuses universally accessible to the widest variety of users.
McGill’s Design Standard for Accessibility on Campuses is currently under revision.
To ensure safe and accessible paths of travel, and to meet the various needs of individuals with physical disabilities, all construction, renovation and retrofit projects shall minimally meet the requirements of the current Quebec Construction Code (CCQ).
Design Standards
The design standards herein are organized based on the Construction Specification Institute's MasterFormat.
Division 00 – Instructions to Consultants
00 10 00 Introduction - October 2024
00 20 00 Instructions to Consultants - October 2024
Division 01 – General Requirements
01 56 00 Temporary Barriers and Enclosures - June 2023
01 60 00 Product Requirements - March 2021
01 74 19 Waste Management and Disposal - August 2024
01 81 13 Sustainable Design Requirements - October 2024
01 81 16 Facility Environmental Requirements - October 2024
01 83 16 Exterior Enclosure Performance Requirements - July 2024
01 86 00 Facility Services Performance Requirements - October 2018
01 86 01 Appareils de mesurage de l’énergie (débitmètres) - September 2023
01 86 02 Appareils de mesurage en électricité (compteur électrique) - February 2021
01 89 00 Site Construction Performance Requirements - May 2017
01 91 13 Tableau des services à rendre en mise en service - December 2015
01 91 13 Tableau des services à rendre en mise en service de l'enveloppe du bâtiment - August 2024
01 91 13 Tableau selection de mode de mise en service - November 2020
Division 02 – Existing Conditions
02 41 16 Selective Site Demolition/Deconstruction - August 2024
02 80 00 Hazardous Materials - October 2024
02 82 15 Asbestos remediation - October 2024
Division 03 – Concrete
03 30 00 Béton coulé en place - October 2024
Division 04 – Masonry
04 05 10 Common Work for Masonry - October 2024
Division 05 – Metals
05 50 00 Metal Fabrications - October 2024
Division 06 – Wood
06 10 10 Rough Carpentry - October 2024
06 40 00 Architectural Woodwork - October 2024
Division 07 – Thermal & Moisture Protection
07 21 00 Thermal Insulation - July 2024
07 52 00 Roofing - May 2017
07 81 00 Applied Fireproofing - October 2024
07 84 00 Fire-stopping - October 2024
07 92 10 Joint Sealing - October 2024
Division 08 – Doors & Openings
08 03 11 Historic-period Wood Doors - October 2024
08 11 14 Metal Doors & Frames - October 2024
08 11 16 Aluminum Doors & Frames - October 2024
08 14 10 Interior Flush Wood Doors - October 2024
08 33 36 Side Folding Doors - October 2024
08 35 14 Accordion Folding Doors - October 2024
08 35 15 Acoustic Folding Doors - October 2024
08 50 50 Windows - October 2024
08 71 10 Hardware - October 2024
08 80 50 Glazing - October 2024
Division 09 – Finishes
09 21 16 Gypsum Board Assemblies - October 2024
09 22 27 Suspended Ceiling - February 2021
09 30 13 Ceramic Tiling - January 2024
09 65 16 Resilient Sheet Flooring - October 2024
09 65 19 Resilient Tile Flooring - October 2024
09 68 00 Carpeting - October 2024
09 84 10 Acoustic Treatment - October 2024
09 91 13 Exterior Painting - September 2017
09 91 26 Painting - October 2024
Division 10 – Specialties
10 11 00 Visual Display Board - May 2017
10 21 20 Toilet Partitions - October 2024
10 28 10 Toilet and Bath Accessories - October 2024
Division 12 – Furnishing
12 35 53 Laboratory Casework - October 2024
12 35 54 Chemical Storage Cabinets - October 2024
12 48 20 Foot Grilles - May 2017
12 50 00 Furniture - October 2024
12 50 10 Podiums - October 2024
12 51 30 Window Coverings - October 2024
12 93 23 Trash and Litter Receptacles - June 2023
Division 14 – Conveying Equipment
14 21 23 Elevators - October 2024
Division 21 – Fire Suppression
21 07 18 Calorifugeage - October 2024
21 13 00 Special Hazard Systems - January 2014
21 13 10 Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Hoses - November 2024
21 13 13 Sprinkler System - October 2024
21 30 00 Fire Pumps - October 2024
Division 22 – Plumbing
22 00 00 Plomberie - October 2024
22 05 00 Exigences générales concernant les résultats des travaux - September 2024
22 05 29 Fixations Parasismique - October 2024
22 07 00 Calorifugeage - October 2024
22 11 18 Tuyauterie d'eau domestique - intérieur - October 2024
22 13 17 Tuyauteries d'évacuation et de ventilation - fonte cuivre plastique - October 2024
22 15 00 Réseaux d'air comprimé - January 2014
22 42 01 Appareils spéciaux et traitement de l'eau - October 2024
22 42 02 Appareils sanitaires – éviers et cuviers - September 2022
22 42 03 Appareils sanitaires - lavabos, w.-c., urinoirs et douches - September 2022
22 47 00 Appareils sanitaires - fontaines & refroidisseurs d’eau - April 2019
Division 23 – Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
23 00 00 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - October 2024
23 05 53 Identification des systèmes mécaniques et des dessins - April 2019
23 09 33 Entraînement à fréquence variable - November 2024
23 11 23 Laboratory Piping for Gases - November 2020
23 38 17 Chemical Fume Hood - October 2024
23 82 23 Unités de ventilation de CVCA - October 2024
Division 25 – Automatisation Intégrée
25 00 00 Automation intégrée - October 2024
25 40 00 Centrale de refroidissement - September 2016
Division 26 – Electrical
26 00 00 Électricité - October 2024
26 05 01 Relevés électriques - Septembre 2022
26 05 01 Relevés électriques STD-E-001 rév. 12 – dessin seulement - September 2023
26 05 01 Relevés électriques formulaire de traçage rév 5 (pdf) - December 2023
26 05 01 Relevés électriques formulaire de traçage rév 5 (Word) - December 2023
26 05 14 Câbles de transport d’énergie (1001V et plus) - September 2022
26 05 21 Fils et cables/0-1000 V - November 2024
26 05 28 Mise à la terre - October 2024
26 05 29 Fixation parasismique - October 2024
26 05 31 Armoires et boites de jonction, de triage et de répartition - October 2024
26 05 34 Conduits, fixations et raccords de conduits - November 2024
26 05 36 Chemin de câbles - November 2024
26 05 81 Moteurs - October 2024
26 09 02 Appareils de comptage et appareils de mesure de tableaux de communication - January 2020
26 12 13 Transformateurs à diélectrique liquide moyenne tension - October 2024
26 12 16_01 Transformateurs sec – primaire jusqu’à 600V - October 2024
26 18 26 Disjoncteurs à moyenne tension - October 2024
26 24 16 Panneaux de distribution - October 2024
26 24 19 Centre de commande de moteurs - October 2024
26 25 00 Barres blindées - September 2022
26 28 16 Disjoncteurs à boitier moulé et sous air - October 2024
26 28 22 Sectionneurs - October 2024
26 29 10 Démarreurs - October 2024
26 32 13 Groupes électrogènes à moteur diesel - October 2024
26 50 00 Éclairage - October 2024
26 56 19 Exterior Lighting - October 2024
Division 27 – Communications
27 01 40 Operation and Maintenance of Audio-Video Communications - February 2023
27 05 28 Chemin de câbles pour les systèmes de communication - November 2024
27 05 29 Suspensions et supports pour systèmes de communication - November 2024
27 05 33 Conduits et boîtes d'encastrement pour systèmes de communications - November 2024
27 05 36 Chemins de câble pour systèmes de communications - November 2024
27 06 40 Schedules for Audio-Video Communications - November 2023
27 08 40 Commissioning of Audio-Video Communications - November 2023
27 40 00 Audio-Video Communications (General) - February 2023
27 40 01 Scope of Work for Audio-Video Design - February 2023
27 40 02 Scope of Work for Audio-Video Installation - February 2023
27 40 03 Scope of Work for Audio-Video Maintenance and Repairs - February 2023
27 41 00 Audio -Video System (General) - February 2023
27 41 01 Standard Audio-Video Products - February 2023
27 41 02 Standard Audio-Video Installation Practices - October 2024
27 41 03 Standard Audio-Video Automation System Implementation - February 2023
Division 28 – Electronic Safety & Security
28 31 01 Fire alarm systems - October 2024
Division 31 – Earthworks
31 05 16 Aggregate Materials - October 2024
31 35 00 Natural Stone - June 2024
Division 32 – Exterior Improvements
32 00 00 Table/ Ilots de chaleur: surfaces autres que les toitures - January 2014
32 01 85 Tree Removal - October 2024
32 01 95 Tree Preservation - October 2024
32 11 23 Aggregate Base Courses - July 2024
32 12 16 Asphalt Paving - October 2024
32 14 15 Prefabricated Unit Paving - October 2024
32 15 40 Crushed Stone and Screening Surfaces - October 2024
32 31 00 Fences and Gates - July 2024
32 37 00 Exterior Site Furnishings - April 2024
32 50 00 Green Roofs - June 2023
32 91 19 Topsoil Placement and Grading - October 2024
32 92 19 Seeding - October 2024
32 92 23 Sodding - July 2024
32 93 10 Trees, Shrubs and Ground Cover Planting - October 2024
32 93 15 Tree Transplanting - September 2024
Division 33 – Site Utilities
33 40 00 Rainwater Management - October 2024
Furniture
All furniture purchases must follow the catalogs available to the McGill community, according to the types of spaces to be furnished. McGill has framework agreements with furniture suppliers.
The McGill community can purchase furniture from the McGill catalogs in MMP.
Authorization from infodesignservices [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Furniture%20purchase%20authorization) (Design Services) is required for:
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All furniture purchases that modify existing layouts;
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All non-catalog requests;
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All requests for authorization to change supplier for multi-supplier lots;
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All furniture requests related to a construction or renovation project.
Office Furniture
The catalogues encompass a variety of office furniture suitable for, but not limited to, the following spaces: closed offices, open work areas, conference rooms, and meeting areas.
There are two distinct catalogues available, one dedicated to surfaces (desks, credenzas, etc.) and the other focused on seating (chairs for meeting rooms, visitors, and users).
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Office Furniture Standards - to come in (2025)
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Office Furniture (except chairs) Catalogue - Groupe Focus - March 2023
Catalogues for some of the other suppliers are available upon request. Please contact infodesignservices [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Office%20furniture%20catalogue%20request) (Design Services).
Classroom Furniture
The classroom furniture catalogue includes options for teaching spaces, classrooms, computer labs, and more. It is organized into four lots:
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Lot 1: Mobile learning tables in various formats and sizes, with options for portable felt privacy screens or writing surfaces.
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Lot 2: Electrified learning tables in diverse formats and sizes, along with partition screens.
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Lot 3: A selection of chairs in various heights, with or without tablets, including stationary chairs and stools on casters.
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Lot 4: Electrified workstations designed for work surfaces, including electrified poles.
- Classroom Furniture Standards - to come in (2025)
Informal and Collaborative Furniture
The informal and collaborative furniture catalogue covers spaces such as libraries, open areas, cafeterias, informal meeting spaces, offices, and lounges. It is divided into six lots:
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Lot 1: High-traffic lounge furniture (sofas, benches) designed for durability and intensive use.
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Lot 2: Lounge furniture more suited for office environments, featuring sofas and benches in various sizes.
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Lot 3: A range of tables for group or individual use, available in different dimensions and heights.
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Lot 4: The Personal Hub, offering semi-enclosed furniture with a work surface and seating, adaptable for one to four users.
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Lot 5: The Phone Booth, designed for one or more individuals, with accessibility options available.
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Lot 6: Freestanding mobile screens that can include writing surfaces or felt surfaces in various sizes.
- Informal and Collaborative Furniture Catalogue - April 2023
Signage
All interior and exterior signage for McGill University must be handled by Design Services.
For all signage-related inquiries, please contact infodesignservices [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Signage%20inquiry) (Design Services).
The following documents are provided for information purposes only:
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Interior Signage Standards April 2023 (document in French only) - April 2023