Princeton University Design Standards:

4.5
Electrical Rooms
Standards for Electrical Rooms -
Building Services
Grounds and Building Maintenance

Electrical Rooms must be considered in the early stages of the Design Phase, and consideration
must be given to location, size and number of Electrical Rooms. Service Entrance to Building
usually determines location for Transformer Vault. All Transformer Vaults must remain free of
other systems not associated with electrical distribution systems.

Main distribution with switchgear shall be designed in a separate room if the building
program allows the space and location.

1. Design Review – Facilities Engineering Department and Maintenance Department shall review
electrical systems at the following phases.

a. Schematic Phase – Major Equipment to be Shown

• Switchgear

• Transformers

• Distribution Panels

• Generator

b. Design Development – Major Equipment to be Shown

• Schematic Phase Equipment Plus

• Branch Panels

• Motor Control Centers

• Automatic Transfer Switches

• Feeder Distribution

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 c. Contract Documents

• All of the Above Plus

• Panel Schedules

• Remainder of Equipment and Distribution Systems

2. Room Construction

a. Walls: Masonry, Block/Concrete: Preferred for transformer and switchgear.

Gypsum Wall Board: Can be used for Distribution Closets.
b. Floor: Concrete: Preferred. Concrete slab in Basement shall be sealed. Above grade
epoxy seal slab. Check with Project Manager for any other proposed floor
construction/finish.
Sleeves in slabs above grade shall be raised 1”.
See Appendix 4.11-2 for pipe sleeve and firestopping requirements based on
wall/floor materials.
c. Ceiling: Exposed structure or if sound attenuation is a consideration, sheetrock with
insulation above.
d. Door: 36” minimum size. Transformer/Switchgear Vaults size as dictated by code
requirements.
Door lock shall have University core “EM”. Area Substation, Elevator Machine Rooms and
Generator Rooms shall be cored with “AS”.

3. Distribution of Electrical Rooms

a. Location: Careful consideration shall be given to Transformer Vaults and Switchgear
Rooms. If the building program allows, locate away from program space.
b. Quantity: Minimum (1) panel per floor and each panel shall serve that floor.
No feed-through or riser panels. (Individual feeds required to each panel)

4. Clearances Between Equipment

a. Code Minimums: 3’-0” minimum for branch distribution panels. Transformer Vaults and
Switchgear Room clearances vary. Refer to code requirements.
b. Working Clearances: Consider back access for equipment, code driven requirements.
Dry type transformers, floor mounted. Use cork pads for vibration
isolation.

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 c. EMF: Locate Transformer Vaults and switchgear away from program spaces. Project
Manager to coordinate with program.

5. Housekeeping Pads

a. Size/Strength: 4” high, rounded edges, minimum 2500psi. Doweled to existing slab.

Include WWF for reinforcement.

b. Type of Equipment on Pads:

− Generators
− Motor Control Centers
− Transformers
− For multiple pieces of switchgear lay channel frame on
edge and pour concrete around.

6. Equipment Mounting

a. Recessed/Surface:
– Surface mount in Mechanical Rooms
− Recessed in finished areas. (Spare conduits run to above
ceiling. Enough conduits to fill-out spare circuits. Box or
trough at end of conduit stubs. Must be accessible)

b. Unistrut Channel – On exterior walls or existing walls not plum.

7. Coordination Between Other Services

a. HVAC

• Equipment

• Ductwork Not allowed in Transformer/Switchgear Rooms

• Piping

b. Sprinkler Piping (Protect critical electrical equipment from water damage)

c. Elevator Equipment Rooms and Shaft – No other equipment not associated with Room or
Shaft.

d. OIT – Provide standard OIT station outlet at any new Switchgear Room near transfer switch
for SCADA requirements.

8. Heating and Ventilation Requirements

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 a. Exhaust/Ventilation. Review code requirements to meet standards. Maintain ambient
outside temperature or 55º in Winter.

9. Lighting Type, Convenience Receptacles and OIT outlets

a. All lighting shall be 4’-0” fluorescent with T8 lamps, 3500ºK. Lighting shall be switched at
each door into Room.

b. At least one light shall be circuited to the emergency panel. Light shall be switched and
handle shall be lighted in the “Off” position. Locate switch closest to door frame.

c. One 20 Amp. convenience receptacle per 150 sq. ft. floor space or not more than 25 feet
apart. One receptacle (red) on emergency circuit in Main Mechanical Rooms, Switchgear
Rooms. Each space shall have a minimum of one receptacle or more.

d. At least one OIT outlet required for connecting selected equipment to the campus electric
SCADA system.

10. Scaled vertical section cut(s) at major horizontal distribution pathways (such as horizontal pipe
chases and above congested hallway ceilings), showing a coordinated depiction of all MEP
systems at multiple locations;

11. Refer to Section 3.12 (Electrical Systems Design) for allowable electrical pathway and conduit
equipment.

12. Requirements for As-Built Documentation

a. On the as-builts, the contractor is to highlight changes made to submittals and approved
documents.

b. The as-builts are to include the following as a minimum:

• Switchgear and related switches

• Electrical riser Diagrams

• Electrical power and lighting floor layout plans with conduit and circuits shown as-built.

• Electrical fixture schedule with actual mfr. data.

• Electrical panel schedules including mfr. data.

• Motor Control Center schedule

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