Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 260)
Washington, DC 20420
December 2006
2. Office, Counseling (OFD01) ................................................ 120 NSF (11.2 NSM)
Provide one per Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Vocational
Rehabilitation Specialist, Psychiatric Nurse and Rehabilitation Technician FTE
positions authorized.
3. Office, Secretary (OFA01 / OFA02) ................................... 120 NSF (11.2 NSM)
Provide one per Secretary FTE position authorized. (OFA01 for standard furniture
or OFA02 for systems furniture)
4. Cubicle, Clerical (OFA03)........................................................ 80 NSF (7.5 NSM)
Provide one per Clerk FTE position authorized.
5. Staff Lockers, Lounges, Toilets and Showers
The following provides programming of Lounge, Lockers, and Toilets at
department/service/chapter level. Otherwise, sum all
departments/services/chapters data for Lockers, Lounges and Toilets, and
program space in Chapter 410-EMS Lockers, Lounges, Toilets and Showers.
Either/or do not duplicate space
a. Lounge, Staff (SL001) .................................................... 160 NSF (14.9 NSM)
Minimum NSF or 15 NSF per each FTE position authorized, whichever is
greater.
b. Locker Room, Staff (LR001).............................................. 80 NSF (7.5 NSM)
Minimum NSF. Provide an additional 6 NSF per each FTE position greater
than thirteen.
c. Toilet, Staff (TLTU1)........................................................... 50 NSF (4.7 NSM)
Divide the total number of FTE positions authorized by 15. Provide one toilet
for each whole increment. Minimum of 5 authorized FTE positions to provide
a toilet.
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PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A. Net-to-department gross factor (NTDG) for Mental Health Clinic is 1.40. This
number when multiplied by the programmed net square foot (NSF) area, determines
the departmental gross square feet.
B. The Mental Health Clinic may be adjacent to other outpatient mental health services
such as Day Treatment Centers.
C. Configure patient waiting area with partitions to provide clustered seating and privacy,
in order to reduce large waiting spaces and to improve patient environment and
reduce noise and confusion. A Women Veterans sub-waiting area may be provided
within Waiting, and located adjacent to the patient care spaces.
D. Plan to minimize walking distances for patients from building main entrance to clinical
destination and from clinical waiting area to clinical exam or treatment space.
E. Centralize check-in/check-out for more efficient use of staff.
Mental Health Clinic (Chapter 260): Page 260-7 of 9
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