Design Requirements Manual (DRM)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Design Requirements Manual (DRM) establishes technical and design policy, requirements, standards, and criteria for use in planning, programming, and designing NIH owned, leased, operated, and funded buildings and facilities. The DRM is the only detailed design requirements and guidance manual of its kind, and is widely recognized as the standard for the design and delivery of safe, efficient, and reliable research facilities. The DRM is the result of technical studies that have set numerous national and international standards, lessons learned and ever-advancing architectural and engineering technologies used in the design and construction of NIH facilities. The Division of Technical Resources (DTR) is responsible for maintaining and updating the DRM.

The DRM aligns the NIH facilities program with the Office of Research Facilities' (ORF) mission of “Supporting NIH priorities by providing safe, secure, sound, healthy, and attractive facilities." Additionally, the DRM aligns the ORF with a national imperative to be good stewards of America's real property assets. We extend our sincerest thanks to all the dedicated individuals who helped to make the DRM a reality.

Under Construction: DRM update in progress

The last major DRM update was issued in 2016, and subsequent focused revisions have kept it current. DTR is currently undertaking a comprehensive update of the DRM to reflect industry developments, best practices, and lessons learned. The first portions of the update (Chapters 2. 3. 4. 5 and 9, and appendices E and J) were published in 2024, and additional updates will be published chapter-by-chapter throughout 2025 as chapters are completed to release the information as quickly as possible. Updated chapters will replace the current DRM chapters as they are published.

We look forward to supporting NIH and the international community as a reliable resource for best practices in biomedical facility design. If you have any questions about the process or the timeline, please contact the Standards and Policies Branch by emailing drm@nih.gov .

To automatically receive the latest DRM Revisions, email: drm@nih.govand put Revisions in the subject line.

PDF (21.4MB) 508 Revision 2.1: 08.02.2024
PDF (1.32MB) 508
The Desk Guide is available to make the DRM more accessible and easier to use. Note on the use of the Desk Guide: The full, unabridged DRM remains the guiding document and primary source for policies, requirements, and guidance for all stakeholders and decision makers involved in the planning, construction and operation of NIH facilities. The Desk Guide is intended to be ancillary to the DRM, serving as a navigation aide and providing an overview of DRM contents. The Desk Guide must be used in conjunction with the DRM, and not as a standalone document. Desk Guide 2025 Updates: **Please note the DRM Desk Guide (Rev. 1.0: 07/01/2025) has been updated to reflect the newly revised and published chapters of the DRM (Rev. 2.1: 08/02/2024) including chapters 2,3,4,5, 9 and appendices. In addition to reformatting, critical changes include highlighting important design requirements, the removal of the Lease Facilities DRM Checklist appendix and introduction to new Appendix J - Research Facilities Questionnaires. As the remaining chapters of the DRM are published, the Desk Guide will be updated accordingly. Stay tuned and thank you for being part of NIH’s mission to ensures that all construction projects conform to applicable regulations, codes, standards, policies, and guidelines.
PDF (44KB) 508

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Design Requirements Manual, DRM, NIH