VA HANDBOOK 7610 (240)
August 20, 1986
microscopes generate an excessive amount of heat, adequate air flow and temperature
control is essential in the scope room.
1. Scope Room .............................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
2. Dark Room ................................................................................................................................ 4.7 NSM ( 50 NSF)
3. Preparation Room ....................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
4. Cutting Room(s) ......................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
(This space may be planned as two 9.3 NSM (100 NSF) rooms, if desired.)
5. Developing, Printing and Enlarging Dark Room .................................................................11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
6. Finishing Room ........................................................................................................................11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
(f) Autopsy Suite
This area provides the space required to perform post mortem examinations.
1. Autopsy Room
This room is equipped not only for the performance of autopsies but also for
the dissection of organs, tissues, photography of gross specimens and selected
diagnostic studies, (e.g., cultures, etc.).
a. Level S .......................................................................................................................................37.2 NSM (400 NSF)
b. Level M .....................................................................................................................................55.8 NSM (600 NSF)
c. Levels VL and L .......................................................................................................................74.4 NSM (800 NSF)
2. Isolation/Teaching Autopsy Room
This room is equipped to safely perform autopsies on highly infectious cases
(AIDS, hepatitis, etc.). It also provides a separate area for demonstrating
autopsies to clinicians without interference from or interfering with the
performance of other autopsies.
a. Levels M and S ....................................................................................................................... Not Required
b. Levels VL and L ......................................................................................................................33.5 NSM (360 NSF)
3. Mortuary Refrigerator (Cold Room)
The "walk-in" type of refrigerator serves the multiple functions of organ storage and body preservation in the most
convenient way and with best access for cleaning.
Space required is based on deaths per year.
a. Up to 150 ................................................................................................................................... 9.3 NSM (100 NSF)
b. 151-300 ....................................................................................................................................11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
c. 301-500 ....................................................................................................................................14.9 NSM (160 NSF)
d. 501-700 ....................................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
e. 710-900 ....................................................................................................................................22.3 NSM (240 NSF)
f. Over 900 ...................................................................................................................................26.0 NSM (280 NSF)
4. Toilets, Lockers, Showers
a. Shower, watercloset, urinal and lavatory ............................................................................. 8.4 NSM ( 90 NSF)
b. Lockers ..................................................................................................................................... 0.6 NSM ( 6 NSF)
per pathologist
c. Total above with minimum of 11.2 NSM (120 NSF) ............................................................11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
240-12
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