| | Category 1: civil building design |
| | Description | Considering the desired civil building design to determine the level of work needed to reach the design criteria | | Elements | Service and storage necessities, site utilities, earthwork, subsurface work, elevation and profile views, equipment location, paving/curbs, landscape, fencing/site security, storm drainage system, underground utilities location and route, minimum overhead clearances, and design for safety |
| | Category 2: interior building design |
| | Description | Addressing the interior building design issues and recognizing the necessary level of effort to reach the desired design criteria | | Elements | Building requirements, accessibility requirements, character of building design, construction materials, acoustical considerations, planning and zoning review boards, circulation considerations, technological sophistication, color/material and hardware standards, furnishings criteria, design grid, and reuse of equipment |
| | Category 3: structural characteristics |
| | Description | Determining the structural design issues and the level of effort needed to meet the desired criteria | | Elements | Structural system, foundation system, future expansion/flexibility considerations, design load parameters, corrosion control, protective coating requirements, and functional spatial constraints |
| | Category 4: mechanical/electrical/plumbing characteristics |
| | Description | Developing mechanical and electrical design parameters and rating the level of effort necessary to meet the desired design criteria | | Elements | Equipment life cycle costs, energy conservation, consumption and life cycle cost, zoning and controls, air circulation requirements, design conditions, building emissions, system redundancy conditions, plumbing requirements, fire protection, alternate energy systems, lighting considerations, outdoor lighting, and emergency power requirements |
| | Category 5: building user safety |
| | Description | Rating the level of work effort needed to meet all safety requirements for building operations | | Elements | Fire and explosion resistance, area of refuge, safety and alarms, hazardous materials treatment, emergency equipment, shelters, egress, and disaster communications |
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