1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1.1 PURPOSE
This manual is presented as a guide for electrical engineers and
designers (hereafter referred as Engineer) for the design and
renovation of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. In order
to provide the latitude needed for new design and concepts, deviations
may be made from the technical requirements provided a safe, adequate
and hospital-quality-level design will result. Such changes must be
approved by the VA. Deviations are not permitted from those
requirements included in public laws, federal regulations, executive
orders and other similar regulations.
1.2 RESPONSIBILITY
The Engineer is responsible for the project design in accordance with
the contract, good engineering practices and guidance criteria provided
by the VA. The Engineer shall provide all professional services for
planning and designing the necessary electrical work for the project.
1.3 COORDINATION
(a) The Engineer shall coordinate design work with the architectural,
structural, civil, site, sanitary, and mechanical designs.
(b) Utility Coordination:
(1) The Engineer shall forward copies of all correspondence and minutes
of meetings with the utility company's representatives to the Project
Manager for negotiations for new services or making changes to the
existing services.
(2) For projects requiring new electrical service, the Engineer shall
coordinate requirements with the local utility. The Contractor's scope
of work, as it relates to the service, shall be detailed in the
Construction Documents.
(3) For renovations of and/or additions to existing buildings, the
Engineer shall investigate the existing electrical service/distribution
system and determine if sufficient capacity is available to accommodate
the new loads. The Engineer shall inform the electric utility company
of the new service requirements and additional loads.
(4) The Engineer shall design the electrical systems to comply with the
criteria outlined herein, the VA Design and Construction Procedures, VA
Handbooks and VA Master Specifications. Design shall comply with the
provisions of the current editions of the National Fire Codes,
published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), unless VA
criteria indicate otherwise.
1.4 VA DESIGN CRITERIA
Applicable VA criteria affecting electrical design and construction are
as follows:
ELECTRICAL DESIGN MANUAL
1-1
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
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