3. Isolation of contagious or especially vulnerable patients is provided by
isolation rooms or spaces in accordance with Space Planning Criteria and
Tuberculosis Facility Guidance (in the Technical Information Library).
4. Control of airborne infection in general, as well as in isolation rooms,
requires proper design of ventilation systems, as specified in HVAC Design
Manual.
5. General cleanliness (as well as sterility in critical spaces) is
facilitated by:
a. Finishes appropriate for each space, as per Room Finishes, Door and
Hardware Schedule
b. Detailing of features such as door frames, casework, and finish
transitions to avoid dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and surfaces,
as shown in Standard Detail and Equipment Reference Manual
c. Adequate and appropriately located and equipped housekeeping spaces, as
provided by Space Planning Criteria and the Equipment Guide List
1.3 OTHER CODES AND STANDARDS
In addition to its own standards, VA follows the latest editions of a number
of recognized model or voluntary codes, including:
A. National Fire Codes, including the Life Safety Code of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA 101).
(Also see VA Fire Protection Design Manual, especially Article 3, "Special
Protection", for additional VA requirements, VA interpretations of the
National Fire Codes, and for fire protection features not addressed by the
National Fire Codes).
B. The International Building Code 2003
C. The requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Standards (OSHA) published by the Secretary of Labor.
D. See Design and Construction Procedures, Topic 1, "Codes and Standards" for
a complete listing.
E. National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) website, the Whole Building
Design Guide, www.wbdg.org, is an easily accessible source of design guidance
for health care facilities, with many linked standards and references.
F. VHA National CAD Standard Application Guide and applicable National CAD
Standard modules.
1.4 UNIFORM FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AND VA ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1.4.1 CONFIGURATION OF TOILET GRAB BARS
VA facilities must comply with the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards
(UFAS) with the exception of the UFAS toilet/grab bar configuration, from
which VA has specific permission to deviate. This deviation requires VA to
follow the UFAS grab-bar configuration for a minimum of 10 percent of the
patient toilets on nursing units (except for Spinal Cord Injury Units). The
remainder will use the double upswing grab-bars shown in Standard Detail
10800-6.dwf Spinal Cord Injury Units must follow the UFAS configuration
throughout.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANUAL
1-2
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
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