CHANGE IN REQUIREMENT FOR PLASTER FINISH WALLS AND CEILINGS
Schedule (Program Guide PG-18-14) indicates requirements for plaster and veneer
plaster finish on walls and ceilings of Operating Rooms, isolation rooms, congregate
toilets, and some support areas. Other components of the TIL, including Design Guides,
Design Manuals, Master Construction Specifications, and Standard Details have
references to the use of plaster and veneer plaster and have been revised in accordance
with this Design Alert.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: For reasons of high cost and decreasing availability of
installation expertise, three-coat plaster, veneer plaster, and other plaster systems are
becoming highly specialized and of limited application for most building types.
Gypsum wallboard, moisture resistant gypsum wallboard, and cement backer board are
acceptable, lower cost alternative systems for most application conditions. A survey of
several A/E firms specializing in healthcare indicates that none use plaster for the
applications indicated in PG-18-14. An exception is the use of interior portland cement
plaster ceilings for high humidity environments (gang showers).
RECOMMENDATION: Use gypsum wallboard (GWB) systems, including moisture
resistant gypsum wallboard and cement backer board where indicated in VA Standards,
in place of plaster (PL) and veneer plaster (VP) for all applications. For operating rooms,
procedure rooms, dental operatories, and other spaces subject to direct exposure to
biological and chemical substances, and/or frequent cleaning with wet agents, GWB
systems shall have special coating (SC) epoxy based applied to walls and soffits.
Exceptions may include highly specialized applications such as some rated fire resistive
assemblies, assemblies with potential for high abuse/security/sound transmission
requirements, or severe moisture exposure, for which there is no reasonable, lower cost
substitute.
Also note that lay-in acoustical panel ceilings are not acceptable for Surgical Operating
Rooms and other restricted/sterile areas.
LINKS TO FM TECHNICAL INFORMATION LIBRARY (TIL): Located at
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Donald Myers, Architect, at 202-565-5823, in Facilities Quality Service (181A).
This Design Alert is rescinded.
15 February 2006
FM-181A-DA-116
Previous Page
