Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 408)
Washington, D.C. 20402
February 2007
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines the Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 408: Environmental
Management Service Laundry and Linen Operation. It applies to all medical facilities
at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that maintain a laundry operation.
B. These criteria provide space necessary for providing an adequate, constant, and
clean supply of linen to all users, including nursing units, outpatient clinics,
preparation of surgical linen packs, and processing patient clothing.
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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 Laundry and
Linen services to be provided in 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 EMS Laundry and Linen Operation is
1.15.
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
service.
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. Linen Pounds per Patient Day (PPD): The average number of pounds of soiled linen
that is generated per patient per day.
H. 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
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