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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1.1
CRITERIA UNIQUE TO VA
1.1.1 GENERAL
This manual is presented as general guidance. It is for mechanical
engineers and others in the design and renovation of facilities for the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In order to provide the latitude
needed for design, new concepts, etc., deviations may be made from the
technical requirements provided professional judgment is made that a
safe, adequate, hospital quality level design will result, and approval
is obtained from the VA. Deviations from those requirements included in
Public Laws, Federal Regulations, Executive Orders, and similar
regulations and users special requirements are not permitted. This
manual contains some, but not all, of the criteria pertinent to the
design of HVAC systems for VA hospitals. Where VA Criteria is lacking
or missing, follow industry standards such as ASHRAE, ARI, NFPA, etc.
1.1.2 DRAWINGS
The following information shall be shown on "MH" drawings:
1.1.2.1 HVAC system design including indoor steam piping and walk-in
refrigerators/freezers. See Article 1.2 for additional information.
1.1.2.2 Seismic design related to the HVAC systems.
1.1.2.3 Outdoor exposed or underground chilled water piping.
1.1.3 GRAPHIC STANDARDS
The HVAC system design documentation shall use the VA standard symbols,
abbreviations, standard details, and equipment schedules. See Article
1.4 for specific requirements.
1.1.4 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
The outdoor climatic conditions shall be based on the requirements
outlined in Article 1.3 and information provided in Article 5.4. These
conditions are based on weather data listed in the ASHRAE Handbook of
Fundamentals for weather stations, which are located at or near the VA
medical centers. The local professional engineers may recommend more
severe outdoor climatic conditions, commonly used by them, for review
and approval by the VA.
1.1.5 DUCTWORK/PIPING
In the final design drawings (Construction Documents Phase), all
ductwork, regardless of sizes and/or complexity of layout(s), and
piping above 152-mm (6-inch) size shall be clearly shown and identified
in double line with all fittings and accessories.
1.1.6 ENGINEERING ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
To comply with Public Law 95-619, engineering economic analysis shall
be performed, in accordance with the procedure outlined by the
Department of Energy (DOE) in National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) Handbook 135 (Life Cycle Cost Federal Energy
Management Program), to select the most cost effective HVAC system for
the application. See paragraphs 2.5, 2.6 and 2.12 for restrictions on
HVAC DESIGN MANUAL
1-1
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
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