Standards and Manuals

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ This section contains resources related to Design and Construction requirements including codes, standards, specifications, and manuals.

Design Criteria​ Manual

​Version 2023-04-21

The Design Criteria Manual (DCM) governs the architectural and engineering design of airport facilities and infrastructure. In consists of Design Standards (Volume I) and Design Specifications (Volume II). For access,​ please contact CCA.

Digital Deliverables Requirements

Participants in projects at O’Hare and Midway International Airports are expected to provide models and drawings with the CDA throughout project delivery. This excerpt includes the Digital Deliverable Requirements at various stages of design for tenants and concessionaires. 

Digital Governance Manual

The Digital Governance Manual outlines the digital delivery onboarding and protocols for ORD21 and Capital Improvement Programs. For access,​ please contact CCA.​

Sustainable Airport Manual

Version 4.0

​The Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM) in an integral part of Chicago’s ongoing efforts toward implementing more environmentally sustainable buildings and civil infrastructure, incorporating best practice guidance for planning, operations, and maintenance of all CDA airport facilities and functions, and those of its tenants.

Wayfinding and Signage Manual

Link and description forthcoming.

C​onstruction Safety Manual

Version ​2024-11-00​

The Construction Safety Manual reflects the desire to prevent injuries to persons and to prevent damage to property and equipment. For further information regarding this document - please contact [email protected].

​Construction Barricade Style Guide: ​Tenants | Concessionaires 

Version ​2023-05-00

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has established barricade construction and graphic standards that must be adhered to by all Chicago Department of Aviation employees, CDA partners and contractors, and concessionaires and their contractors.

Chicago Construction Codes

This is an external link to the codes authored by City of Chicago Department of Buildings.

FAA Airport Design and Engineering Standards

This is an external link to FAA resources. ​