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Volume 1: General Overview And Goals
1.0 Introduction

1.1 Program Overview and Goals

1.2 CPS Design & Construction Standards

1.3 Regulatory Codes, Ordinances and Standards

1.4 How to Use these Guidelines
2.0 District Introduction/Overview

2.1 District Overview

2.2 CPS Facility Types

2.3 Creation of New Schools

2.4 Lease Spaces

2.5 Co-locations

2.6 Access and Enrollment
Volume 2: Planning
1.0 Research

1.1 Pre-Planning

1.2 Renovation Pre-Planning
2.0 Planning By Facility Type

2.1 Planning Vision

2.2 Planning by Facility Type

2.3 Additions, Annexes and Modulars
3.0 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Planning

3.1 Overview

3.2 Location and Transportation

3.3 Water Efficiency

3.4 Energy and Atmosphere

3.5 Materials and Resources

3.6 Interior Environmental Quality

3.7 Innovation in Design
4.0 Environmental

4.1 Philosophy and Goals

4.2 Environmental for New Construction

4.3 Environmental for Renovation

4.4 Environmental for Demolition
Volume 3: New Construction Guidelines
1.0 Site and Landscape

1.1 Site Overview

1.2 Site Project Planning

1.3 Site Access, Circulation and Parking

1.4 Site Programming

1.5 Site Engineering

1.6 Site Materials

1.7 Site Amenities

1.8 Landscaping

1.9 Site Safety and Security

1.10 Site Accessibility

1.11 Operations and Maintenance
2.0 General Standards

2.1 Construction

2.2 Circulation

2.3 Interior Design

2.4 Building Support

2.5 Toilet Rooms

2.6 Accessibility Practices

2.7 Acoustics

2.8 Furniture
3.0 Elementary Schools

3.1 Core Classroom Teaching Stations

3.2 Classroom Teaching Stations

3.3 Administration Spaces

3.4 Student Services Suite

3.5 Dining Center

3.6 Library/Media Center

3.7 Physical Education and Sports Administration
4.0 High Schools

4.1 Core Classroom Teaching Stations

4.2 Classroom Teaching Stations

4.3 Administrative Spaces

4.4 Student Services Suite

4.5 Dining

4.6 Library/Media Center

4.7 Physical Education and Sports Administration

4.8 Fine and Performing Arts and Technology

4.9 CTE Classrooms - Career and Technical Education
5.0 Structural

5.1 Design Standards and Performance Requirements

5.2 Design Live Loads

5.3 Natural Hazard Mitigation

5.4 Prescriptive Structural Requirements
6.0 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

6.1 Overview and Design Concept

6.2 Design Criteria

6.3 System Selection and Design
7.0 Plumbing

7.1 Overview and Design Concept

7.2 Design Criteria

7.3 System Selection and Design
8.0 Fire Protection Systems

8.1 Overview and Design Concept

8.2 Design Criteria

8.3 System Selection and Design
9.0 Electrical System

9.1 Overview and Design Concept

9.2 Selection and Design
Volume 4: Renovations
1.0 General Standards

1.1 Renovation Overview

1.2 Renovation Preliminary Scope Definition

1.3 Coordination with School
2.0 Project Types and Typical Scope Elements

2.1 Site

2.2 Exterior

2.3 Interior
3.0 Structural

3.1 Dever Projects
4.0 Mechanical Projects

4.1 Outdoor AHUs and RTUs

4.2 Chillers/Towers and Enclosures

4.3 Exhaust Fans

4.4 Ducts and Pipe Routing

4.5 Boiler Projects

4.6 Dampers and Actuators

4.7 Hydronic Heating Elements

4.8 Pumps

4.9 Chimney Stacks

4.10 Generators

4.11 Air Tunnels

4.12 Thermostats

4.13 Unit Ventilator Replacement

4.14 BAS or Pneumatic Systems

4.15 AHU Refurbishment

4.16 HVAC Testing

4.17 Science Rooms
5.0 Electrical Projects

5.1 Power Distribution

5.2 Emergency Systems

5.3 Classroom Intercom System

5.4 Lighting Replacement

5.5 IT and Security Systems

5.6 Fire Alarm Replacement
6.0 Plumbing Projects

6.1 Water Heaters

6.2 Hot Water Distribution

6.3 Sanitary Drains

6.4 Sump Pumps and Perimeter Drainage

6.5 Stormwater Repairs

6.6 Roof Replacement Projects

6.7 Distribution Piping Replacement

6.8 Fixture Replacement and Toilet Room Modifications
7.0 Fire Protection

7.1 Fire Protection Renovation
Volume 5: Appendices
Appendix A

A1.1 Drawings

A1.2 Planning Modules and Checklists

A1.3 Drawing Sets
Appendix B

B1.1
Appendix C

C1.1.1 Map of CPS Schools by Regions
Appendix D

Appendix E

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Vol 1: Overview
Vol 1: Overview
Vol 2: Planning
Vol 2: Planning
Vol 3: New Construction
Vol 3: New Construction
Vol 4: Renovations
Vol 4: Renovations
Vol 5: Appendices
Vol 5: Appendices

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Design & Construction Guidelines

Capital Planning and Construction Department

Vol. 1 General Overview And Goals

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Program Overview and Goals
1.2 CPS Design & Construction Standards
1.3 Regulatory Codes, Ordinances and Standards
1.4 How to Use these Guidelines

2.0 District Introduction/Overview

2.1 District Overview
2.2 CPS Facility Types
2.3 Creation of New Schools (I&I)
2.4 Lease Spaces
2.5 Co-locations
2.6 Access and Enrollment

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Chicago, IL 60602
773-553-1000

© 2026 Chicago Public Schools | 1.0.9743 | 52

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Table of Contents
Vol. 1 General Overview and Goals
Vol. 2 Planning
Vol. 3 New Construction Guidelines
Vol 4. Renovations

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© 2026 Chicago Public Schools | 1.0.9743 | 52