510
Generalized Needs and Requirements: Hospital Requirements
Functional units have been examined to determine individual spaces in
which a clear, column-free area is required. A list of these spaces is
itemized in Table 510-2.
As this list indicates, certain large areas must be column-free.
Although relatively few in number, they must be accommodated within
the building system. For other areas, it is obvious that any reduction in
the number of permanent elements such as columns reduces
constraints in planning.
In addition to considering large spaces, non-nursing areas have been
reviewed to determine inherent relationships between spaces which
might not be compatible with structural column locations. There
appears to be no relationship which could not be adjusted in a minor
way to accommodate a structural discipline.
3. Critical Dimension Requirements
In addition to unobstructed areas, hospitals activities have been
reviewed to determine whether any were dependent upon critical
minimum or maximum ergonometric space dimensions. In the case of
nursing areas the repetitive nature of spatial requirements is apt to
generate a similarly repetitive structural response. In the review of
non-nursing activity requirements these dimensions were not in most
cases the generators of a dimensional discipline. Hence it is assumed
that no dimension in these areas is so critical that it can not be
adjusted to accommodate the nursing area structural discipline given
the presence of a reasonable structural span. Rather, the problem is
identical to conventional planning in that spaces can be "made to fit"
the established discipline.
4. Floor To Ceiling Height Requirements
Most activities in the hospital, particularly those in bed care areas can
be accommodated with a 9'-0" ceiling height. However, there are
some non-nursing areas that require additional height or have heights
specified by VA Standards. An example list is included in Table 510-3.
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