June 2006
Partitions in the functional zone will typically terminate at the underside of the walk-on platform
(S-6 subzone). Service distribution components should be housed in the partitions and not sur-
face mounted.
Space Module
Current programmatic requirements for nursing units, including bed room types and sizes, have
changed from those used to establish the space modules in the Red Book. Section 230 may be
used as a general guide to identify issues to be considered when establishing nursing unit
space modules; however, the design team will have to develop new space modules. The re-
quirements and criteria for nursing units can be expected to continue to evolve. Future adapta-
bility needs to be considered in the location of sanitary zones and service distribution strategies.
Fire Safety
Rename Section 240 to "Fire Safety." Comply with VA Fire Protection Manual and current
codes. When "fire section" is used in the Red Book, it should be replaced with "fire compart-
ment" to be consistent with current Code terminology. The size of fire compartments should be
no more than 52,000 square feet to coordinate with sprinkler system limitations in NFPA 13.
The size of smoke zones is now limited to 22,500 square feet.
Fire barrier walls, regardless of their rating, typically extend from slab to slab (e.g., stairs and
vertical openings), however, VA criteria currently permits fire barrier walls serving horizontal ex-
its (2-hour) or separating hazardous areas (1-hour) in buildings using the VAHBS not to have to
extend through the interstitial space. NFPA 101, Chapter 8.5 does not require smoke barriers to
carry a fire resistance rating; however, most occupancy chapters require smoke barriers to carry
a one-hour fire resistance rating. Smoke barriers generally extend from slab to slab, but Chap-
ter 8.5.2.3 permits a smoke barrier not to extend through an interstitial space "provided that the
construction assembly forming the bottom of the interstitial space provides resistance to the
passage of smoke equal to that provided by the smoke barrier."
Refer to comments for Sections 315.1, 321, 330, 342, and 353 for additional information.
Planning Module Applications
Section 250 provides sample configurations
of service modules. This section is intended
to illustrate the potential of the system. It is
not intended to establish any preferred con-
figuration. Refer to Appendices A and B for
service module configurations in three exam-
ple VAHBS hospitals.
Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center
Richmond, VA, 1983
Building Subsystems
Structure
The primary structural system envisioned for VAHBS buildings in the Red Book consisted of
cast-in-place reinforced concrete construction with post-tensioned long span floor joists. More
than half of the VA hospitals built with the VAHBS have used structural steel framing for the
structural system. The use of steel framing causes a number of changes from VAHBS struc-
tural system (dropped girders, long rectangular bays, offsets from columns, e.g.). In many
SUPPLEMENT TO RESEARCH STUDY REPORT
VA HOSPITAL BUILDING SYSTEM
SECTION 4-5
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