5.10 PSYCHIATRIC (MENTAL HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL) AREAS
5.10.1 GENERAL
5.10.1.1 Psychiatric nursing units are called "Mental Health and Behavioral
Patient Care Units" by the VA. They include:
A. Psychiatric Units
B. Substances Abuse Units
1. Drug Abuse Treatment Units
2. Alcohol Dependency Units
See Space Planning Criteria, Chapter 110, "Mental Health and Behavioral
Patient Care Units" for detailed space criteria, including design
considerations, space relationship diagrams, and interfunctional relationship
matrix.
5.10.1.2 Other psychiatric areas (and their corresponding criteria) include:
A. Mental Health Clinic (Chapter 260)
B. Substance Abuse Clinic (Chapter 202)
C. Day Hospital (Chapter 300)
D. Day Treatment Center (Chapter 261)
5.10.2 FINISHES AND DOORS
5.10.2.1 GENERAL
See "Room Finishes, Door and Hardware Schedule" (PG-18-14) in the Technical
Information Library for room-by-room listings of finishes, door size and
type, and hardware in the various psychiatric areas. See Master Construction
Specifications Section 08710, "Builders Hardware", for special door hardware
requirements.
5.10.2.2 BARRIER DOORS AND STAIRWAY DOORS
Barrier doors and stairway doors in Mental Health and Behavioral Patient Care
Units shall be locked at all times (rigid handle), but locks shall be
operable by key from either side of doors. Attendants, nurses, and other
psychiatric nursing unit staff shall carry keys at all times to control entry
and exiting from psychiatric units. See Master Construction Specifications
Section 08710, "Builders Hardware", for special requirements for psychiatric
keys.
5.10.3 WINDOWS
5.10.3.1 For glazing requirements in psychiatric areas, see Article 3.5.6
above.
5.10.3.2 Use of floor to ceiling window wall system in psychiatric areas is
not recommended without addressing all patient safety and security concerns.
Provide details for holding glass in the framing system in such a manner that
it can withstand lateral forces in excess of force required to break the
glass.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MANUAL
5-5
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
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