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, Contract Document Phase :
o Do not specify flexible mineral fiber insulation for outdoor exposed ductwork. Use
exterior grade insulation;
o Chiller rooms must conform to ASHRAE standard 15-94 for personnel safety;
o Double check to ensure smoke venting system for elevators is provided;
o Double check volume control dampers and fire dampers are shown in ductwork. The
contractor will not provide these unless they are shown on the floor plans;
o Coordinate all motor sizes with electrical, this is a very common error;
o Double check all piping risers and runouts are shown;
o Coordinate with architecture, size and location of access panels for the ceiling and wall
mounted equipment, valves and dampers;
o Double check steam humidifiers are provided with steam and condensate connections;
o Check control points on I/O summary sheet are shown for alarm and monitoring of
HVAC, and equipment of other trades, alarms should also go to the printers;
o Coordinate louver locations with architectural and structural for lintel locations;
o Edit VA standard details to suit your project;
o Specify disposal of glycol solutions in the demolition work to meet EPA requirements;
o Provide adequate number of isolation valves with input from VAMC engineering and
maintenance staff; and
o Provide access ladders for cooling tower concrete sump basins erected at site, and
lighting in the area.
AEQA 10-95
Department of Veterans Affairs
Facilities Management Office
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