Engineering Standard

SAES-R-004 9 July 2017

Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements
Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope ................................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ..................................... 2
3 References ......................................................... 2
4 General Requirements ....................................... 3
5 Building Design and Finishing Requirements ..... 4
6 Roles and Responsibilities ................................. 6
Revision Summary................................................... 6

Appendix-1 - Building Design and

Finishing Guidelines ........................... 7
Appendix-2 - Roles and Responsibilities Matrix ....... 8

Previous Issue: 10 March 2016 Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020

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Contact: Gaytandjiev, Jivko G. (gaytanjg) on phone +966-13-8804608

©Saudi Aramco 2017. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

1 Scope

This Architectural Design and Finishes Engineering Standard document outlines the
interior and exterior architectural finishes for Saudi Aramco buildings. The selected
architectural finishes shall meet international/industry standards, and Saudi Aramco
Mandatory Engineering Standards Requirements. It also addresses the requirements for
architectural design of buildings and presents a tiered approach that should be adhered
to in the design development of Saudi Aramco buildings.

This document is intended to supplement, and shall not replace, Saudi Aramco Building
Code, industry standards and project specific design requirements.
Commentary Note:

These requirements address overall design factors that need to be considered to ensure
that the Architectural Quality provided in designing Saudi Aramco buildings is appropriate
for the primary functional use of the buildings.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this Standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAES’s), Materials System Specifications (SAMSS’s),
Standard Drawings (SASD’s), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company’s or buyer’s representative through the
Supervisor, Civil Engineering Unit/ Consulting Services Department of Saudi
Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this Standard in writing to the Company or
buyer’s representative, who shall follow internal Company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of the architectural finishes shall comply with the latest edition of the
references listed below unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-148 Mandatory Engineering Standards and Codes for
Non-Industrial, Public, and Government facilities
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-B-014 Safety Requirements for Plant and Operations
Support Buildings
SAES-M-009 Design Criteria for Blast Resistant Buildings
SAES-M-100 Saudi Aramco Building Code
Commentary Note:

SAES-M-100 should govern in case of conflict with this standard.

SAES-N-004 Design and Installation of Building Thermal Envelop

Saudi Aramco Code and Manual

SAEHC-S-10 Saudi Aramco Environmental Health Code

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

Facility Guidelines Institute

FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health
Care Facilities

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities

International Code Council

IBC 2015 International Building Code

4 General Requirements

The Building Architectural Design shall satisfy:

4.1 Applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirements and GI.

4.2 SAES-M-100, “fire performance and smoke development of interior finishes,

trim and decorative materials according to Chapter 8 of the International
Building Code (IBC) adopted by SAES-M-100.”

4.3 SAES-M-009 if applicable.

4.4 SAES-B-014 if applicable.

4.5 The Architectural Design Elements, Shapes, Materials, and Finishes of buildings
that are not covered in this standard shall be:

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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

a) In line with the requirements of this document

b) Accepted by the Supervisor of the Civil Engineering Group/Consulting
Services Department (CSD).
c) Corresponding to the intended function of those buildings.
d) In compliance with International Building Code (IBC)

4.6 Spacing shall be in accordance with applicable Saudi Aramco requirements,

IBC, and the applicable International Code.
Commentary Note:

Spacing is the required area for office, corridor, etc.

4.7 Design and finishes for Medical Buildings shall meet SAEHC-S-10, FGI, and
NFPA 99 for Healthcare facilities.

4.8 Asbestos containing materials, lead based materials or other materials

considered toxic or hazardous for building occupants are prohibited.

4.9 This engineering standard applies to Saudi Aramco buildings, including

rehabilitation and renovation works of existing buildings.

4.10 Building energy efficiency shall meet the requirements of SAES-N-004.

4.11 Architectural finishing materials shall be easy to handle, without deterioration to

the material, and without harmful effects to handling personnel.

4.12 Accredited internationally recognized organizations shall be used for

architectural finishing material certification, such as Underwriters Laboratories
(UL), International Standards Organization (ISO), Saudi Arabian Standards
Organization (SASO), or similar and equivalent

4.13 Preference shall be given to architectural finishing materials readily available on

the local market, and/or through approved local (KSA) suppliers and/or vendors.

4.14 Buildings design shall include allowance for accessible design, where possible.

5 Building Design and Finishing Requirements

For building design and finishing requirements, refer to Appendix-1 – Building Design
and Finishing Guidelines. Architects / Designer should consider:

5.1 The building design will be developed in compliance with the provisions of
Appendix-1 – Building Design and Finishing Guidelines including provisions
covered under the corporate Image thereto, as well as guiding principles

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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

developed including cost effectiveness, flexibility, constructability,

incorporation of new technologies, and sustainability.

5.2 The building design will be developed incorporating building classification and
tiers as established under Appendix-1 – Building Design and Finishing
Guidelines including building tier and building type. The design will
incorporate building exterior and interior building elements to be considered.

5.3 As per provisions of Appendix-1, other items that will be addressed include
provision of a District Master Plan as directed, and incorporate the building
approach requirements including context evaluation, building scale, form
follows function, material distribution, building approach and site circulation,
site and landscape character. Provisions related to building servicing, loading
docks, trash collection, equipment screening, etc. will also be addressed.

5.4 The design will incorporate requirements of building components detailed under
Appendix-1 including building envelope provisions, thermal design, maintenance,
etc.

5.5 The architectural design of buildings will include provisions for both exterior
and interior finishing materials, patterns and colors to be used as provided under
Appendix-1 finishing matrixes.
Commentary Notes:

Deviation from regular shapes shall be reviewed and accepted by the Supervisor
of the Civil Engineering Group.

Example of building configuration is one building with ten stories versus two
buildings with five stories each.

5.6 Aesthetic and Architectural Finishes Acceptance Criteria

5.6.1 The architect/designer shall specify testing criteria, acceptance criteria,

and acceptable tolerance/defects of internal and external aesthetic and
architectural finishes based on exposure conditions, design requirements,
applicable industry and Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards and shall
be approved by the Supervisor of Civil Engineering Group.

5.6.2 For Iconic and Non-industrial Structures, the architect/designer or

a third party certified by the designer shall assume the quality control
responsibility of the internal and external finishes presented in
paragraph 5.6.1 and certify that the end product meets the intended
function, design, aesthetic appearance, and applicable standards.

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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

5.6.3 Heat Soak Testing shall be specified for tempered glass. Frequency of
the test shall be specified by the designer and approved by the Supervisor
of Civil Engineering Group.

6 Roles and Responsibilities

Refer to roles and responsibilities matrix (Appendix-2).

Revision Summary
10 March 2016 Editorial revision to change Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC) with Saudi Aramco
Environmental Health Code (SAEHC).
9 July 2017 The document is due for revision. In addition, the document was revised to reflect the latest
editions in International Building Code (IBC 2015).

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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

Appendix-1

Building Design and Finishing Guidelines

Appended separately

(PRESS THE BELOW HYPERLINK TO OPEN THE APPENDIX-1)

SAES-R-004A1

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Document Responsibility: Architectural Engineering Standards Committee SAES-R-004
Issue Date: 9 July 2017
Next Planned Update: 9 July 2020 Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements

Appendix-2

Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

RS - RESPONSIBLE

PROPONENT

Remarks
A - APPROVER

P&CSD*
PMT
CSD

FPD
RV - REVIEWER
C - CONSULTED
TASKS
Project Initiation RS A
Pre-DBSP

Select Building Location - LUP RS RV A

1
Selecting Building Tier C A RS See Form 1
Determine Requirement for District MP C A RS See Form 1
Define Project Scope/Space Program RV RV RS RV
DBSP

Determine Requirement for LEED RV RV RS RV RV*

2
Determine Requirement for Other Studies RV RV RS RV
DBSP Document A A RS A RV*
Design Consultant Selection C RS
Project Proposal

Define Design Parameters RV RV RV RS

3 Studies Required by DBSP RV RV RV RS
Conceptual Design A A A RS
Project Proposal Document A A A RS
30% Design & Final Design Concept RV RV RS
Detailed
Design

60% Design & Material Selection RV RV RS

4
90% Design RV RV RS
IFC Design A RS
* Review from the energy efficiency perspective only.

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