Design Guidelines & Standards

Portland Public Schools (PPS or ‘the District’) Design Guidelines and Standards have been developed by staff and the design and construction community. District preferences and requirements are included for the design of functional and maintainable facilities. These should be used to inform contract documents including drawings & specifications by architects, engineers and other design professionals.

The District may approve alternate materials and systems. For specific project use, guideline and standards deviations and substitutions should be submitted at each design phase plan review in addition to stakeholder review meetings. For each submission, include division reference, what is out of compliance, and recommended alternative. District review and acceptance of deviations is required.

Where brands and model numbers are shown, they are included to illustrate the type, quality and performance required. They are not intended to exclude other equal products, except where specific products are required for compatibility with existing and noted to be required by PPS as a brand name product standard with no substitutions allowed.

This is a ‘living’ document and will reflect regular updates, additions and improvements based on project experience, district priorities, budget constraints and best practice; these can be found at the links below.

Architects, engineers and other design professionals are required to inform the District project management staff contacts of any errors or conflicts between this document, code requirements and/or best professional practice.

Other PPS documents which should be referenced include: the Long Range Facility Plan (LRFP) and the Educational Specifications (Ed Specs).

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View PPS Design Guidelines & Standards, Appendix

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PPS ADA Guidelines and Standards