CEILING MOUNTED UTIL ITY COLUMNS FOR O.R
ISSUE:
Design and installation requirements for ceiling mounted utility columns.
BACKGROUND:
There are questions asked by the field about utility columns, and their support and
mounting heights. Although various VA standards such as VA Design Guide Surgical
Service, Equipment Guide List Chapter 286 Surgical Service, Master Specification
Section 15491 Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems, and Electrical Design Manual for
Hospital Projects provide information on these items, there's need to further clarify
design responsibilities to ensure proper design and construction of utility columns.
DISCUSSION:
There are two types of ceiling mounted utility columns that may be specified:
articulating type and retractable (telescoping) type. The VAMC must decide on the type
of columns and utilities they would need in each column during design development
phase of the project.
The utility columns are custom made. The mounting height and clearances vary with the
manufacturers. The only thing fixed is the ceiling height, which is to be 9 feet and 6
inches in the operating rooms. Coordination involving structural support, utility
connections, physical dimensions and other details is the responsibility of the designer.
The designer must also determine, whether the utility columns would be VV (VA
supplied and installed), CF (construction appropriation and installed either by VA or
contractor) or CC (contractor supplied and installed)). If the VAMC does not make a
timely decision, then the utility columns would be CC.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Ensure the designer coordinates all utility requirements with the VAMC and provides
necessary details and instructions for the contractor.
LINKS TO FM TECHNICAL INFORMATION LIBRARY (TIL):
See VA Master Specification, Section 15491, Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems, and Equipment
Guide List, Chapter 286 at:
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard
See Design Guide Surgical Service in hard copy format.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Jack Martin at 202-565-6273, in the Service Delivery Office (183) or Satish Sehgal at 202-565-
5032 in the Facilities Quality Service (181A).
July 23, 2002
FM-181A-DA-112
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