Marriott Design Standards Module 14 -

What is Module 14? (Typical Scope)

Marriott organizes its design standards into specific modules. While the numbering can sometimes shift between brand editions (e.g., Classic Premium vs. Select), Module 14 typically refers to Site Planning and Building Envelope standards (or sometimes "Architecture & Building Core" depending on the specific brand manual version).

Common topics found in this section include:

1. Site Planning & Circulation:

   • Setbacks and Easements: Minimum distances required from property lines.
   • Vehicle Circulation: Requirements for drop-off zones, parking lot layout, and drive lanes.
   • Pedestrian Access: Pathway requirements from public rights-of-way to the hotel entrance.

2. Building Massing and Facade:

   • Materiality: Approved exterior materials (e.g., percentages of glass, stone, masonry vs. synthetic stucco).
   • Architectural Character: Guidelines ensuring the building matches the brand's "DNA" (e.g., courtyard requirements for Courtyard by Marriott, glass tower standards for Edition or W Hotels).
   • Service Areas: Screening and location of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) equipment and loading docks.

3. Sustainability & Resilience:

   • Stormwater management requirements.
   • Heat island reduction standards for roofing and paving.

Note: In some specific brand iterations (like a specific "Select Service" manual), Module 14 might be titled "Public Spaces" or "Guestrooms". To be 100% certain, you must check the Table of Contents for your specific brand's current "Design & Construction Standards" (DCS) PDF.

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14.02 – Shower & Tub Performance Standards

Module 14 devotes six pages to the shower experience. Key mandates include:

• Flow rates: 1.75 GPM (gallons per minute) maximum for standard showerheads; 2.0 GPM for rain shower heads.
• Pressure balancing: All showers must have a pressure-balancing valve or thermostatic mixing valve to prevent scalding. This is non-negotiable.
• Shower arm height: Standardized at 78 inches (198 cm) from finished floor to showerhead base.
• Drainage slope: Tile shower pans must slope ¼ inch per foot toward the drain. Linear drains require a dual-slope design.

New for 2025-2026: Module 14 now requires a "purge cycle" test. During QA inspections, the shower must maintain +/- 2°F temperature stability even when a toilet is flushed or a sink is run simultaneously on the same branch line.

Strengths

1. Brand Segmentation and Personality One of the module's greatest strengths is how clearly it delineates between brands. The standards avoid a "cookie-cutter" approach by establishing distinct "Design Narratives."

• Example: The Module creates specific allowances for W Hotels (bold, theatrical, high-gloss finishes) versus Courtyard by Marriott (residential, durable, mid-scale).
• Benefit: This protects brand equity, ensuring that a guest checking into a Ritz-Carlton feels a distinct separation from a Sheraton, despite both being under the Marriott umbrella.

2. Enhanced Sustainability Criteria (ESG) Recent updates to Module 14 have integrated sustainability requirements more deeply than just "green wash." The standards now frequently mandate: marriott design standards module 14

• FSC-certified wood sources.
• Red List Free chemical avoidance in fabrics.
• Requirements for durability ratings (Martindale cycles) that extend the lifecycle of soft goods.
• Verdict: This forces designers to source quality over cost-cutting, reducing long-term replacement CapEx for owners.

3. The "Guest Room Prototype" Rigor The module’s treatment of the "Guest Room" (often referred to as the "Guest Bath" and "Guest Room" subsections) is incredibly rigorous. It dictates clearances, electrical outlet placements relative to furniture, and TV viewing angles.

• Why this matters: It prevents the common design flaw where a nightstand blocks a light switch or a headboard clashes with an HVAC diffuser. This level of dimensional coordination saves significant friction during the construction administration phase.

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How to Pass a Module 14 Audit: Inspector’s Checklist

When Marriott’s Global Design team (or a third-party inspector) arrives for a PAF (Pre-Opening Audit), they will run the following Module 14 tests. Use this as your pre-inspection checklist:

Water Pressure & Flow:

1. Measure static pressure at the farthest guestroom on the highest floor (must be 45-65 psi).
2. Run shower, flush toilet, and open lavatory simultaneously. Temperature may not fluctuate more than 3°F.
3. Hot water reaches all fixtures within 5 seconds.

Leak & Drain Verification:

1. Fill shower base to 1 inch depth; drain time ≤ 30 seconds (no standing water).
2. Pour 5 gallons of water into each lavatory; drain must not gurgle or overflow.
3. All water supply lines are insulated and have no visible condensation.

Accessibility & Safety:

1. Grab bars hold 250 lbs when pulled outward and downward.
2. Toilet flush buttons require less than 5 lbs of force.
3. Floor area around toilet is slip-resistant (DCOF ≥ 0.42 wet).

Mechanical:

1. Exhaust fan sones tested with a decibel meter (< 1.5 sones = 30 dB).
2. No exhaust vent terminates within 10 feet of a fresh air intake.
3. Humidity sensor in the shower room triggers fan within 2 minutes of reaching 65% RH.

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Marriott Design Standards — Module 14: Long Review

11. Recommendations for Procurement & Installation

1. Pre-con assembly: Pre-hang doors with gaskets and closer at factory; never field-cut.
2. Subfloor prep: Use self-leveler to achieve L/360 flatness before LVT.
3. Lighting integration: Coordinate sconce placement with stud locations (use plywood backers).
4. Final walk: Perform “midnight audit” – walk corridor at 2 AM with normal eyes to check glare and dark spots.

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End of Report – Module 14 v2024.10 compliance review
Prepared by: [Design Firm Name]
*For internal use only – not for distribution outside Marriott franchise/licensee network.

Review: Marriott Design Standards – Module 14 (FF&E Focus)

Module Title: Interior Design & FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) Target Audience: Interior Designers, Project Managers, Procurement Vendors, Architects. What is Module 14

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The Future: Module 14 Updates for 2026-2027

Marriott releases a technical bulletin annually. Coming changes to Module 14 include:

1. Touchless fixtures: All public restroom faucets and guestroom toilets in Select Service and above will require motion sensors or proximity activation by 2027.
2. Water budgeting: Each hotel will have a "water budget" per occupied room. Exceeding it triggers a design review.
3. Central drain cleaning ports: New builds must have a cleanout at every floor landing for each vertical waste stack.
4. PFAS ban: No plumbing thread sealants or gaskets containing PFAS chemicals (effective Q3 2026).

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14.07 – Grey Water & Leak Detection

This is where Marriott outperforms local codes:

• Active leak detection: Every guestroom bathroom must have a discrete moisture sensor behind the toilet and under the vanity. These tie into the BMS (Building Management System).
• Shut-off valves: If a leak exceeds 0.5 GPM for 10 continuous minutes, the room’s water supply must automatically shut off, and engineering receives an alert.
• Grey water reuse (optional but incentivized): For resorts and large convention hotels, Module 14 outlines standards for capturing shower and lavatory grey water for toilet flushing or irrigation. Marriott offers a 10% reduction in annual royalty fees for 5 years for properties that implement certified grey water systems.

Deliverables checklist for compliance and handover

• Code‑basis memo and design narrative
• Fire protection drawings: sprinkler/standpipe layouts, riser diagrams, hydraulic calcs
• Fire alarm drawings: schematic, device schedule, FACP/annunciator locations, alarm matrix/sequence
• Smoke control drawings and sequence of operations
• Standby power one‑line, generator schedule, ATS and load calculations
• Elevator interface diagram and test matrix
• Systems testing and commissioning reports (sprinkler, alarm, smoke exhaust, fire pump, elevator recall)
• O&M manuals, device listings, training records and AHJ acceptance letters

Date: March 23, 2026

If you want, I can produce a project‑specific checklist or a sample alarm matrix and sequence of operations based on a typical mid‑rise hotel (assume 6–12 floors). Which would you prefer?

Understanding Marriott Design Standards: A Deep Dive into Module 14

In the world of international hospitality, Marriott International maintains its reputation through a rigorous set of global design standards. Among these, Module 14: Fire Protection & Life Safety stands as one of the most critical. It governs the safety infrastructure for all Marriott-owned, managed, and franchised properties worldwide, ensuring a consistent level of guest protection that often exceeds local building codes. Core Purpose and Application

Module 14 is designed to establish a comprehensive fire protection program through specific design standards and performance criteria. Its primary goal is to protect guests and associates while safeguarding the physical property.

Governing Scope: These standards apply to all brands under the Marriott International umbrella.

Regulatory Foundation: While local codes must always be followed, Module 14 largely uses NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and NFPA 13 (Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems) as its baseline. Site Planning & Circulation:

Integration: Design requirements in Module 14 are often cross-referenced with other modules, such as Module 12 (Elevators) and Module 15 (Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical) to ensure seamless safety integration. The 9 Guiding Principles of Module 14

The module is structured around nine core principles that define the "Marriott Standard" for safety: fire protection & life safety

The Pillars of Safety: Analyzing Marriott International’s Module 14 Design Standards

For a global hospitality leader like Marriott International, a hotel’s reputation is built on more than just aesthetic appeal and customer service; it is fundamentally anchored in guest safety. While many hotel chains adhere strictly to local building codes, Marriott has established its own proprietary set of rigorous requirements known as Module 14: Fire Protection & Life Safety. These standards are designed to exceed local regulations in many jurisdictions, ensuring a consistent and high-level safety environment across its global portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties. The Core Objective: Beyond Compliance

The primary objective of Module 14 is to create a comprehensive fire protection program through performance criteria that prioritize human life and business continuity. At its heart, the module is built upon nine guiding principles that dictate how a building should behave during an emergency:

Principle 1: Obey the Law. Every property must comply with governing laws and regulations, even if they are not strictly enforced in a specific region.

Principle 2: Fire Containment & Suppression. This requires the installation of automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems in almost all areas, including utility spaces and loading docks.

Principle 3: Fire Detection & Notification. Properties must feature central fire alarm systems capable of providing clear, addressable signals to emergency responders. Key Technical Requirements

Module 14 provides granular detail for various building types, specifically distinguishing between "Low-Rise" and "High-Rise" structures—the latter being defined as buildings where an occupiable floor is greater than 23 meters (75 feet) above fire department access. Key technical mandates include: fire protection & life safety

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