ISOLATION ROOM WALLS, FLOORS, AND CEILINGS
ISSUE:
Construction of walls, floors, and ceilings in isolation rooms.
BACKGROUND:
ProCATS (Proactive Claims Analysis and Tracking System) shows significant
costly changes made to the walls and ceilings of isolation rooms on many
construction projects. Isolation rooms require special architectural and engineering
features to maintain a proper patient environment. For instance, walls and ceilings
need frequent cleaning with disinfectants. Durable surfaces for gypsum wall board
require a veneer plaster skin coat and a high glaze paint finish.
DISCUSSION:
VA Program Guide PG-18-14 `Room Finishes, Door, and Hardware Schedules'
has been updated to include new requirements for isolation room walls, floors, and
ceilings.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Follow PG-18-14, Chapters 100, 102, and 104 dated January 31, 1995, for
room finishes of isolation rooms, Ante rooms, and bath rooms/toilets, available
electronically from BBS or Standards Service floppy disks.
2. Ensure walls of isolation rooms (existing or new) including ante rooms, and bath
rooms/toilets are extended to underside of the floor slab above, for maintaining
proper pressure relationship and direction of air flow.
3. Seal all penetrations and openings through walls, floors, and ceilings.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFOR MATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202-565-5032 in the Standards Service (187C).
This design alert is an update of previous Design Alert No. CM-087C-DA-10
dated 10/25/94 `Isolation Rooms, Bathrooms & Toilet Ceilings.
8 April 1996
FM-187C-DA52
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