June 2006
Delete Checklist Item 19. Services and fixtures shall be located within partitions and suspended
ceiling systems in conventional fashion; except, services shall not be run horizontally in parti-
tions. The S-7 ceiling subzone offers limited opportunities for lateral distribution. As the service
zone strategy is developed for a project, consideration shall be given to defining the allocation of
subsystems between the S-5 and S-7 subzones.
Add "Fire Protection (sprinkler and standpipe)" and "Telephone/Data distribution" to the Inte-
grated Systems list.
Procedure
The Procedure section was intended as an outline guide to be used by VA staff and A/E con-
tractors to the use of the Red Book in the design of a VA system hospital. It is not, however, a
step-by-step guide. The design of buildings, especially buildings as complex as hospitals, re-
quires the interaction of a diverse group of stakeholders; and each project will have its own
unique constraints and opportunities (site, functional program, availability of materials and
trades, budget, schedule, etc.). However, each project can be broadly divided into three
phases: problem analysis, design development and contract documents. The material in Sec-
tion 400 is intended to assist the project team with applying the concepts of the VAHBS proto-
type in the overall design process.
Problem Analysis
Section 420 may be used by the design team without further supplement.
Design Development
Section 431 Building Configuration (Preliminary Block Studies) and 432 Building Schematic De-
sign the procedures and deliverables for the design phases are to be revised and coordinated
with the tasks and deliverables in VA Program Guide PG-18-15 A/E Submissions Instructions
and the requirements in the design contract. The concepts for developing modules and integra-
tion of services remain valid.
Contract Documents
Procedures and deliverables are to be revised and coordinated with the tasks and deliverables
in VA Program Guide PG-18-15 A/E Submissions Instructions and the requirements in the de-
sign contract.
It is essential that the design team establish and clearly communicate the strategy for allocation
of sub-zones and channels for distribution of building systems within the interstitial service zone.
Examples of contract documents from some past projects are included in Appendix B. CAD
drawings of a "typical" service module with systems integration have been developed for this
Supplement and may be found in Appendix C.
Potential contractors and sub-contractors need to be made aware of VAHBS concepts and po-
tential benefits as early as possible during the design process. For example, the use of the
VAHBS and systems integration should discussed with contractors and suppliers when making
the market surveys at each submittal phase. It is recommended that the pre-bid conference be
expanded to include an intense session to educate contractors, subcontractors and suppliers
about the VAHBS and the strategies developed for the project.
SUPPLEMENT TO RESEARCH STUDY REPORT
VA HOSPITAL BUILDING SYSTEM
SECTION 4-15
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