Access

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Partitions: Other Design Criteria

337.3.2

ACCESS

The need for access into the partition will be minimized by surface

mounting the services whenever feasible. (See discussion below.) The

need for access to those services covered by furring will vary and the

furring details should be selected accordingly. In some cases the ease of

cutting and patching the gypsum board or of replacing it will offset the

higher first cost of providing more accessible covers.

337.3.3

Factors Affecting the Surface Mounting of Services

The strategy used to house services will vary from one functional area to

another and from one project to another. It will be affected by several

factors, including the cost and availability of suitable proprietary

enclosures.

Other factors that will affect the strategy of service distribution within the

functional zone include the following considerations:

1. Aseptic Environments. Projecting surfaces are a hindrance to the

achievement of asepsis required in special areas such as surgery and

central sterile supply.

2. Security Areas. Access to items which could prove hazardous if

misused (e.g. surface-mounted electrical raceways) should be limited

in areas such as psychiatric wards.

3. Housekeeping. The details of any objects projecting from walls must

be carefully considered in relation to standard VA housekeeping

methods. For instance, it is desirable to keep all projecting objects free

of the floor to facilitate cleaning; and where wall surfaces are frequently

washed down, the surfaces of objects hung form that wall should also

be easily washable.

4. Corridor Projections. In accordance with code requirements,

projections in corridors would necessitate increased corridor widths, at

least locally where groups of services are required.

5. Acoustic Performance. Surface mounting is strongly recommended

where the acoustic performance of a wall is critical, such as between

two examination rooms.

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