Basis of Design
Checklist
The below provides a high-level checklist that can be used and modified for the
Basis of Design [BoD].
Contents
Project Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Design Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................................ 4
Sustainability Considerations ................................................................................................................... 6
Safety and Compliance ............................................................................................................................... 7
Budget and Schedule .................................................................................................................................. 9
Project Overview
A Project Overview refers to a concise and informative summary of a specific
project’s scope, objectives, and key details, serving as an introductory section in
project documents and communications.
This will give readers a quick understanding of the project’s purpose and relevance
to the organization or stakeholders involved.
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1 Project Name The official name or title of the
project, which refers to it
throughout the documentation
and discussions.
2 Project Description A brief and clear explanation of
the project’s nature, purpose,
and goals, answering questions
like what the project aims to
achieve and why it is being
undertaken.
3 Project Description An outline of the project’s
boundaries, indicating what will
be included and not in the
project’s deliverables – The
scope helps prevent scope creep
and sets expectations for the
project’s outcomes.
4 Project Objectives The specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-
bound [SMART] goals the project
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aims to accomplish – These
objectives guide the project team
and provide a means of
assessing the project’s success.
5 Key Stakeholders Identify prominent individuals,
groups, or organizations with a
vested interest in the project’s
outcome. This includes project
sponsors, clients, team
members, and other relevant
parties.
6 Timel ine and Milestones An overview of the project’s
timeline, including major
milestones or critical events that
mark significant progress points
in the project’s development.
[see later section for more
detail]
7 Budget and Resources A high-level indication of the
project’s estimated budget and
the resources allocated to its
successful execution.
[see later section for more
detail]
8 Risk Factors A brief mention of potential risks
or challenges that may impact
the project’s success without
delving into detailed risk
management strategies.
Design Objectives
By setting clear and well-defined design objectives for building services, designers
and engineers can effectively plan and execute systems that align with the
project’s vision, promote sustainability, and enhance the overall functionality and
performance of the building.
In construction and engineering projects, design objectives are pivotal in guiding
the entire design process; these objectives outline the desired outcomes,
functionalities, and performance criteria the project should meet.
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1 Functionality One of the primary design
objectives is to define the
functionality and performance
requirements of the building
services systems. This involves
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determining the intended
purposes of each system and the
services it should provide | For
example, the design objective for
HVAC systems might be to
maintain a comfortable indoor
temperature and adequate
ventilation for occupants.
2 Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is a crucial
design objective in building
services. The goal is to design
systems that consume minimal
energy while delivering optimal
performance | This includes
using energy-efficient
equipment, implementing energy-
saving strategies, and
integrating renewable energy
sources when possible.
3 Sustainability Design objectives in building
services often include
sustainability considerations by
incorporating environmentally
friendly practices and materials
to minimize the building’s
environmental impact | Examples
include using eco-friendly
insulation materials, rainwater
harvesting systems, or designing
HVAC systems with low
greenhouse gas emissions.
4 Compliance with Regulations Objectives should also
encompass adherence to
relevant codes, regulations, and
industry standards | This
ensures the systems meet
safety, health, and
environmental requirements,
reducing potential risks and
liabilities.
5 Flexibility and Scalability Systems should be designed with
flexibility and scalability in mind
to accommodate future changes
and expansion | Allowing the
building to adapt to evolving
needs, technology
advancements, and potential
changes in building usage over
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time.
6 Reliability and Resilience Include creating building
services systems that are
reliable and resilient | Achieved
by selecting robust equipment,
redundancy planning, and
implementing strategies to
minimize downtime during
maintenance or repairs.
7 Cost-Effectiveness Cost-effectiveness should be a
significant consideration. It
involves optimizing the design to
balance performance and
efficiency while keeping
installation and operational costs
within budget constraints.
8 Integration with Building Design Integrate the design objectives
with the overall building design
to ensure a seamless and
harmonious layout. Coordination
with architects and other design
disciplines is crucial to achieving
an aesthetically pleasing and
functional building.
9 Occupant Comfort and Indoor Describe the requirements for a
Air Quality comfortable indoor environment
for occupants, including
appropriate temperature,
humidity levels, and indoor air
quality.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications refer to detailed and specific requirements that outline the
design, installation, and performance criteria for various mechanical, electrical,
and plumbing systems within a building.
These specifications ensure that the building services elements function efficiently,
meet safety standards, and comply with regulatory requirements.
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1 Design and Engineering Technical Specifications define
Standards the design criteria and
engineering standards that must
be followed during the building
services’ planning and design
phase | This includes load
calculations, equipment
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selection, system layout, and
integration with other building
elements.
2 Materials and Equipment The specifications detail the
types and qualities of materials
and equipment used in the
installations | Ensuring that high-
quality and suitable components
are employed.
3 Installation Guidelines Provide installation instructions
and guidelines to ensure that
building services are installed
correctly | Proper installation is
critical to prevent performance
issues, safety hazards, and
potential maintenance problems.
4 Performance Criteria Outline the expected
performance levels of the
systems | For example, HVAC
systems might specify
temperature and humidity
ranges, ventilation rates, and
energy efficiency targets.
5 Testing and Commissioning Include detailed procedures for
Procedures testing and commissioning the
services and systems | These
tests ensure the systems
function as intended and meet
the specified performance
criteria before occupancy.
6 Safety and Compliance Building services must adhere to
safety standards and regulations
to protect occupants and the
building | Ensure that the
systems are designed and
installed with safety and
maintenance access as a top
priority.
7 Maintenance and Service Include guidelines for ongoing
Requirements maintenance and service of the
equipment and systems | Proper
care is crucial for extending the
life of the systems and
optimizing their performance.
Sustainability Considerations
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Sustainability Considerations refer to integrating environmentally responsible
practices and measures into the planning, designing, and implementing
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems within a building.
These considerations aim to reduce the building’s environmental impact, promote
resource efficiency, and support long-term sustainability.
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1 Energy Efficiency One of the primary sustainability
considerations is optimizing
energy use in building services
systems | This involves selecting
energy-efficient equipment,
implementing energy-saving
measures like LED lighting,
using variable speed drives, and
employing renewable energy
sources such as solar panels or
wind turbines.
2 Water Conservation Detail how water conservation
will be prioritized | This includes
using water-efficient fixtures,
rainwater harvesting systems,
and wastewater recycling for
non-potable purposes like
irrigation or flushing.
3 Reducing Green House Gas Considerations aim to minimize
Emissions greenhouse gas emissions
associated with the services
being installed | This can be
achieved by choosing low-carbon
and renewable energy sources,
improving the energy efficiency
of HVAC systems, and using
refrigerants with lower global
warming potential.
4 Waste Reduction and Recycling Strive to minimize waste
generation during construction
and operation | This includes
recycling materials, reducing
construction waste, and
implementing waste management
strategies.
5 Indoor Environmental Quality Address indoor environmental
quality by providing proper
ventilation, controlling indoor air
pollutants, and optimizing
thermal comfort for building
occupants’ well-being.
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6 Life Cycle Assessment Consider the life cycle of
equipment and systems by
assessing the environmental
impact of materials used,
manufacturing processes,
transportation, installation,
operation, and eventual end-of-
life disposal or recycling.
7 Adaptability and Resilience Explain the involvement of
designing building service
systems that are adaptable and
resilient to changes in building
usage or future technological
advancements | This ensures
that the building can adapt to
evolving needs, reducing the
need for significant retrofitting or
replacement.
8 Green Certifications and There may be a need for specific
Standards green certifications and
sustainability standards to be
met, such as LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental
Design) or BREEAM (Building
Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment
Method) | These certifications
acknowledge and promote
environmentally conscious
building practices.
9 Education, Awareness and Include promoting education and
Training awareness among building
occupants and maintenance staff
| This helps encourage
sustainable behaviours and
practices, such as energy
conservation and waste
management.
Safety and Compliance
Safety and Compliance ensure that all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP)
systems within a building meet the necessary safety standards, codes, and
regulations.
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1 Building Codes and Regulations Safety and compliance in
building services involve
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adhering to local, national, and
international building codes and
regulations. These codes outline
requirements for various
systems, including electrical,
plumbing, fire protection, and
HVAC, to ensure safe and
consistent construction and
operation.
2 Occupant Safety Systems and services should be
designed to ensure the safety
and well-being of building
occupants, including providing
proper ventilation to maintain
indoor air quality, installing fire
detection and suppression
systems to protect against fire
hazards, and ensuring electrical
systems are safe and reliable.
3 Electrical Safety Compliance with electrical safety
standards is critical to prevent
electrical hazards, such as
shocks and fires | Follow best
practices for electrical system
design and installation.
4 Fire Protection Systems Fire protection measures include
fire alarms, sprinkler systems,
fire extinguishers, and
emergency exit signage.
5 Plumbing and Water Safety Building services must ensure
the proper design and
installation of plumbing systems
to prevent water contamination,
cross-contamination, leaks, and
potential health hazards |
Compliance with plumbing codes
helps safeguard the quality and
safety of the building’s water
supply.
6 Accessibility Compliance Safety considerations also
include compliance with
accessibility standards to ensure
services are accessible to all
individuals, including those with
disabilities.
7 Maintenance and Inspections Regular maintenance and
inspections are essential to
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identify and address potential
safety issues promptly, with
upkeep helping ensure that
systems remain in good working
condition and compliant with
safety regulations.
8 Emergency Preparedness Preparing for emergencies such
as power outages, HVAC system
failures, or fire incidents is
critical | Emergency protocols
and response plans should be in
place to protect occupants and
minimize risks during
emergencies.
Budget and Schedule
By managing the budget and schedule effectively, project stakeholders can ensure
that the MEP systems are implemented efficiently, cost-effectively, and aligned
with the overall project goals.
Proper budget and schedule management contribute to completing the building and
its systems within the intended time frame and budgetary constraints.
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1 Cost Estimation A detailed cost estimation is
conducted before commencing
the design. This should involve
evaluating the required
materials, equipment, labour,
and other costs | Accurate cost
estimation helps develop a
realistic budget for the building
services element.
2 Budget Allocation A budget is allocated for the
services element once the cost
estimation is complete | The
budget allocation should
consider the overall project
budget and ensure sufficient
funds are available for
designing, installing, and
commissioning the MEP systems.
3 Value Engineering Value engineering is employed
to find cost-effective alternatives
without compromising quality
and functionality. It involves
analysing design options and
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selecting the most efficient
solutions that meet project
requirements while staying
within the budget.
4 Cost Control Cost control measures are
implemented throughout the
design and implementation
process to manage expenses
and avoid cost overruns |
Regular budget monitoring helps
identify potential cost-saving
opportunities and areas where
adjustments are needed.
5 Project Timeline The overall design and
construction process must be
integrated into the project
timeline, as this will allow
the schedule to set specific
deadlines for designing,
procuring, and installing MEP
systems | Timely completion of
building services is crucial to
ensure they are ready for
integration with other building
elements.
6 Coordination with Other The services schedule should be
Disciplines coordinated with other
construction disciplines to
ensure smooth project execution
| Delays in MEP system
installations can impact the work
of other trades, potentially
causing disruptions in the overall
project timeline.
7 Scheduling of Inspections and Any project will require
Approvals inspections and approvals at
various stages to ensure
compliance with safety and
quality standards | Proper
scheduling of these inspections
helps maintain the project’s
progress without delays.
8 Contingency Planning Schedules should try to account
for unforeseen events or delays |
Contingency plans help mitigate
the impact of unexpected issues
on the project timeline and
ensure that progress remains on
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track.
9 Project Phasing In large projects, installations
may be divided into phases,
each phase should be carefully
planned to ensure a systematic
and efficient approach to the
project’s completion.
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