June 2006
Volume 1 of the Red Book was intended as the primary guide to design with the VAHBS. Vol-
umes 2 and 3 were intended as secondary or reference documents. Accordingly this Supple-
ment will provide guidance solely on the use of Volume 1.
Changes brought about by three decades of evolving healthcare and construction practices
have made much of the programmatic data, planning data and dimensions in the report obso-
lete. Completely updating these Volumes 2 and 3 to reflect current standards is beyond the
scope of this supplement.
The project team shall adhere to the latest VA criteria and current practice for functional and
programmatic issues addressed by Volumes 2 and 3. The project team should particularly refer
to the specific project space plan (program) in lieu of Volume 2. Users may refer to Volume 3 to
gain a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of the VAHBS; however, users must
keep in mind that current criteria and practices will supersede information in that volume.
Supplements to VAHBS Research Study Report
The information in the following paragraphs is provided to supplement Volume 1, Research
Study Report, Project 99-R047; U.S. Government Printing Office Stock No. 051-000-00 112-5
(Red Book). The electronic file is available in the VA TIL at
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/bsds.asp
Volume 1--Design Manual
Volume 1 of the Red Book is divided into 4 parts:
Basic Concepts, Planning Module, Building Sub-
systems, and Procedure. For ease of reference,
the supplementary material in this section is pre-
sented in the order found in the Red Book.
VA Medical Center
Basic Concepts
Bay Pines, FL, 1983
The Prototype System Design
Section 110 of the Red Book introduces the prototype system design by describing the organi-
zation, background and intent of the VAHBS. The basic concepts remain sound and require
only the following minor updates.
113.1 Integrated and Non-integrated Subsystems: Fire protection (sprinkler and standpipe)
and Telephone/Data and other signal subsystems (including fire alarm and nurse call) are to be
added to list of integrated subsystems.
Contract documents provide a performance specification for fire protection systems, and the
contractor provides the final design and layout of the system. Documents typically locate the
risers; mains and branches are routed by the contractor. The horizontal runs for these systems
must be pitched to drain. Although final layouts are not included in the construction documents,
a coordination strategy is required for sprinkler and standpipe systems to ensure that the zones
and channels allocated for other subsystems will not be violated.
SUPPLEMENT TO RESEARCH STUDY REPORT
VA HOSPITAL BUILDING SYSTEM
SECTION 4-2
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