Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 410)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 410: Environmental
Management Services Administration Lockers, Lounges, Toilets, and Showers. It
applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
B. Space planning criteria for lockers, lounges, toilets and showers (LLTS) are generally
provided at the departmental (chapter) level, in each separate chapter. Lockers,
lounges, toilets and showers, (LLTS) which are provided in this chapter, are for all
hospital staff not otherwise accounted for in separate departmental chapters. The
facilities to be provided by these criteria are further defined as follows:
1. Lockers: The space required to accommodate lockers for employee's clothing, or
other personal effects, benches, dressing and circulation.
2. Lounges: This space will be utilized by employees for a brief rest, relaxation or
emergencies that require off the job environment for a degree of privacy and
personal attention.
3. Toilets: Toilet facilities include all water closets, urinals, and lavatories throughout
the hospital for staff and trainees specifically designated as toilet or toilet and
shower rooms.
4. Showers: Shower facilities include all employee showers other than those
excluded above.
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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 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 EMS-LLTS 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 40 hours per week.
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. Lockers, Lounges, Toilets and Showers (LLTS): As described in these criteria, LLTS
are central facilities for hospital support staff. Lockers, Lounges, and Toilet facilities
for clinical and support staff are generally provided in their respective chapters.
EMS Lockers, Lounges, Toilets, and Showers (Chapter 410): Page 2of 7
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