VA hires the best A/E firms in the country and yet we experience repeated
errors and omissions on every project. These are not new or unusual
items, but they consistently get past A/E and VA quality assurance reviews
and result in construction change orders. Please review your project
documents and make sure you do not make these mistakes.
HVAC, Design Development Phase :
o Do not show high pressure steam inside the occupied areas of the building;
o Avoid lifting of steam condensate;
o Do not locate hazardous special exhaust ducts in the same shaft carrying environmental
supply and/or return ducts;
o Do not design dry labs as regular labs;
o Chillers with 4160 volts have remote starters. coordinate with electrical consultant for
circuit and power requirements for compressors and oil pumps and controls;
o Connect water flow measuring and pressure sensing devices to automatic temperature
controls;
o Coordinate shaft sizes and locations with architectural. Line up shafts from floor to floor;
o Provide house keeping pads for all floor mounted equipment including variable speed
drives;
o Show vent connections for the dryers, condensate receivers and relief valves;
o Ensure proper heating system is provided in the vestibules. Generally, the vestibule
heating system is an extension of adjacent heating/cooling system or a separate
system that is not designed to handle the traffic, prevailing winds, and vestibule
orientation;
o Ensure provisions are made to absorb piping expansion in hot water and steam piping
systems; and
o Show all existing equipment, piping, and ductwork etc. in the vicinity of new work for
ensuring adequacy of available spaces.
AEQA 10-95
Department of Veterans Affairs
Facilities Management Office
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