Mechanical and Electrical Items

VHA PROGRAM GUIDE PG-18-3

April 2004

(2) Consultation offices.

(3) Examination and Treatment Rooms.

(4) Individual Offices in Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service.

(5) Audiology and Speech Pathology Areas.

(6) Medical Media Production Services* (Recording Areas).

NOTE: Partition and ceiling construction should be similar to Paragraph 1.a., except that for

spaces requiring an STC value of 40, use only a single layer of gypsum board on both sides.

c. Sound Dampening. Provide sound damping in libraries, chapels, quiet rooms, telephone

operator's room, and similar areas by finish materials shown for these areas in Program Guide

PG-18-14, "Room Finishes, Door, & Hardware Schedule".

NOTE: Where an area generating unusual noise or vibration is located adjacent to occupied

spaces, the A/E should obtain the services of a professional acoustical consultant to design the

sound suppression measures required to produce a comfortable working environment in the

adjacent spaces.

d. Door Types. Use door types 19 and 20 with mechanical seal at entrances to spaces where

noise suppression or speech privacy is a requirement. See VA Standard Detail Nos. 08100-

1.DWG and 08100-2.DWG.

NOTE: Duct system sound attenuation and room noise criteria are shown in the heating,

ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) design manual.

3. MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ITEMS: Properly locate, detail, and caulk or

insulate penetrations of the sound resistant enclosure by electrical boxes, light fixtures, air

conditioning or ventilating ducts and grills, and other mechanical and electrical components to

suppress generated noise or provide speech privacy for the spaces listed in paragraph 2.a. and 2.b.

Evaluate equipment and mechanical rooms for noise problems and provide recommendations

during the design phase as to additional sound attenuation required. In the analysis, list the

possible flanking paths for noise transmission and the methods recommended to prevent this

leakage through the enclosure.

4. EXTERIOR ENCLOSURES: In the design of exterior building walls and fenestrations at

sites near airports, freeways, or heavy city traffic, give consideration for the control of noise

transmission from external sources.