Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (218)
Washington, DC 20420
December 2006
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 218: Veterans
Assistance Unit. It applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA).
B. The Veterans Assistance Unit includes offices within the medical center for veterans'
benefits counselors to serve veteran patients, their relatives and non-patient
veterans. Veteran's benefits counselors, under the jurisdiction of the Veterans
Benefits Administration, provide information, advice and assistance related to benefits
under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other
agencies; they also assist in the preparation of claims for these benefits.
2
DEFINITIONS
A. Concept of Operations: A user-developed guide to the functional operation of the VA
healthcare facility. It defines the function of the facility and the scope of medical or
optometric services to be provided in the new or remodeled space.
B. Departmental Net to Gross (DNTG) Conversion Factor: A parameter, determined by
the VA for each space planning criteria chapter, used to convert the programmed Net
Square Foot (NSF) area to the Department Gross Square Foot (DGSF) area. The
DNTG Departmental Conversion Factor for Veterans Assistance Unit is 1.20.
C. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): A staffing parameter equal to the amount of time
assigned to one full time employee. It may be composed of several part-time
employees whose total time commitment equals that of a full-time employee. One
FTE equals a 40 hours per week.
D. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function within a
clinical service. Typical Functional Areas are Reception Areas, Patient Areas, Support
Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas, Residency and / or Externship Program Areas.
E. Input Data Statement: A set of questions designed to elicit information about the
healthcare project in order to create a Program for Design (PFD) based on the criteria
parameters set forth in this document. Input Data Statements could be Mission
related, based in the project's Concept of Operations; and Workload or Staffing
related, based on projections and data provided by the VHA or the VISN about the
estimated model of operation. This information is processed through mathematical
and logical operations in SEPS.
F. Program for Design (PFD): A space program based on criteria set forth in this
document and specific information about Concept of Operations, workload projections
and staffing levels authorized.
G. Room Efficiency Factor: A factor that provides flexibility in the utilization of a room to
account for patient delays, scheduling conflicts, and equipment maintenance.
Common factors are in the 80 to 85% range. A room with 80% room efficiency
provides a buffer to assume that this room would be available 20% of the time
Veterans Assistance Unit (Chapter 218): Page 2 of 6
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