The National Performance Based Design Guide, based on research and development supported by the Science & Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, is now available.
The guide establishes performance-based requirements to be used in the programming, design, and documentation of new buildings, major and minor alterations, and work in historic structures.
The document identifies levels of performance so that design teams and other professional partners can select and implement the best strategies to meet project goals based on defined alternatives. Four levels of performance from “baseline,” which is commensurate with model building codes, through the highest level of performance that can be achieved with today’s technology.
The electronic document is interactive, enabling print outs to be created based on performance level choices by various program, site, and climate attributes. Metrics to validate performance goals at various phases of design and construction through commissioning are provided where available and relevant.
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