First Draft 3-15-97
Utility Plan Notes
Ambulatory Surgery Operating Room (General & Topical Anesthesia)
Note 1
Exhaust Air Grilles - Provide a minimum of two exhaust air grilles in this operating room. If only two grilles
are provided, locate them opposite from each other. Where there are more than two exhaust grilles, center
them on each of the walls of the operating room. The bottom of each exhaust air grille is to be seven inches
above finished floor. See the HVAC Design Manual for additional information.
Note 2
Electrical Power/Ground Module - Place a separate power/ground module near the center of each wall of
the operating room. Each power/ground module is to have 3 duplex power receptacles and 1 grounding
receptacles. These power/ground receptacles are to be located 18 inches above finished floor. See the
Electrical Design Manual for additional information.
Note 3
Articulating Utility Column - Provide connections on each utility column as delineated in Chapter 286,
Equipment Guide List.
Note 4
HVAC Controllers - Provide one of the two following systems for controlling room temperature and humidity
in the design of the mechanical system. The first system is indicated on the utility plan .It involves locating a
thermostat, a humidistat, and a recorder in the operating room. The second system involves temperature
and humidity sensors located in the operating room, with a recorder located remotely. See the HVAC
Design Manual for Hospital Projects and MCS, Division 15 for additional information.
Note 5
Video Monitors - The increasing use of fluoroscopy in surgical procedures has increased the need for video
monitors located in the vicinity of the "sterile field". With x-ray film soon to be replaced by digitized images
displayed on a video screen, the use of these monitors in surgery will increase even further. This emerging
technology is called "PACS" (Picture Archiving and Communications System). The VAMC has a choice to
make regarding these monitors. A set of video monitors can be mounted on a cart, or the set of video
monitors can be mounted on an articulating arm that is suspended from the ceiling. The latter concept is
shown on these guideplates. In either case, the A/E is to determine utility requirements for the video system
selected by the VAMC and the VHA program official. These requirements include: power supply;
provisions for grounding of the monitors; communications linkage to other areas of the clinic. See Reflected
Ceiling Plan Note 9 for a concept that links the Frozen Section area of the clinical laboratory with the video
monitors in each of the operating rooms.
Note 6
Isolated Power Unit - Each of the isolated power units is to serve two adjacent walls. For this reason the
units are to be located near the corners of the room and diagonally opposite from each other. See Electrical
Design Manual for Hospital Projects, Chapter 11, for more information regarding isolated power.
Note 7
Computer Terminal - Utility requirements for the in-room computer terminal are to be determined by the
VAMC based upon the computer system to be used. This information is to be given to the A/E for
incorporation into the construction documents. The printer for the in-room computer terminals is to be
located remotely.
Note 8
Laser Panel - It is understood that air cooled lasers are soon to replace water cooled lasers. For this
reason, the future impact of air cooled lasers on the design of the HVAC system must be considered by the
designer. In spite of this anticipated change, water and drainage should be provided in operating rooms
where existing water cooled lasers are to be continued in use.
Note 9
Zone Valve Box - Provide a separate medical gas zone valve box for each operating room in accordance
with NFPA 99, Chapter 4. Locate this cabinet in the peripheral corridor near the door to the operating room
it serves. See MCS, Division 15 for a description.
Note 10
Nitrogen Control Panel - See NFPA 99, Chapter 4 and MCS, Division 15 for information regarding this
panel.
VA DESIGN GUIDE
AMBULATORY CARE INVASIVE PROCEDURES SUITE
GUIDE PLATE 4-1
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