VHA PROGRAM GUIDE PG-18-3
April 2001
TOPIC 12. FUTURE VERTICAL EXPANSION
1. GENERAL: When the approved scope of a project includes provisions for future
expansion, design the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems in accordance with the
following guidelines. Indicate future equipment and floors on the design development and
construction drawings by broken or dotted lines.
2. ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL
a. Design columns, bearing walls, and foundations for future loads. Design details to facilitate
splicing future columns. In preparing design analyses, use live load reductions permissible for
future gross areas.
b. Design columns for the more critical of the two possible interacting future load conditions
(combinations of bending moment and axial load).
c. Base wind and seismic analyses on gross projected future configuration and mass of
building.
d. If the planned future expansion includes additional stories intended to align with an existing
floor, depress the roof slab 50 mm (2 in.) minimum below the existing finished floor to receive a
future leveling topping for the future functional floor.
e. Provide removable floor slabs, wall panels, etc., for future openings for stairways and
elevator and other shafts.
f. For record purposes, note structural design assumptions on contract drawings. Indicate
future column loads and also gross loads used in designing original structures on column
schedules.
3. PLUMBING AND SANITARY
a. Size main interior cold water, hot water, waste, fire sprinkler, medical laboratory, and dental
gases, and fuel gas lines to serve future loads.
b. Size underground water, fuel, gas, and oxygen service lines, and storm and sanitary sewers
serving the building to serve future loads.
c. Size selected equipment, such as hot water generators, air compressors, and vacuum pumps
for original loads in accordance with plumbing design manuals. Indicate locations for future
equipment on schematic drawings.
4. HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
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