Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 244)
Washington, DC 20420
December, 2006
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines space planning criteria for VA Handbook 7610 Chapter 244:
Lobby. It applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
B. Lobby space defined in this chapter is for the single, main medical center entrance.
Lobby/Reception spaces for Ambulatory Care (Hospital Based) 262 and Outpatient
Clinic-265 are programmed in each separate chapter.
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 Conversion Factor for Lobby is 1.20.
C. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function within a
specific service. Typical Functional Areas for Police and Security Service include Duty
Areas and Staff and Administrative Areas.
D. 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.
E. 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.
F. SEPS (VA-SEPS): Acronym for Space and Equipment Planning System, a digital tool
developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans
Affairs to generate a Program for Design (PFD) and an Equipment List for a VA
healthcare project based on specific information entered in response to Input Data
Questions. VA-SEPS incorporates the propositions set forth in all VA Space Planning
Criteria Chapters. VA-SEPS has been designed to aid healthcare planners in
creating a space plan based on a standardized set of criteria parameters.
3
OPERATING RATIONALE AND BASIS OF CRITERIA
A. Space planning criteria have been developed on the basis of an understanding of the
activities involved in the functional areas of the Lobby and its relationship with other
services of a medical facility. These criteria are predicated on established and/or
Lobby (Chapter 244): Page 279-2 of 6
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