June 2006
Medical Center B
Analysis of Building Systems and Modules--
Building Construction
Shell Systems
Structure:
Cast-in-place concrete.
Platform:
Gypsum concrete on fiberglass formboard.
Ceiling:
Suspended acoustical and GWB.
Partitions:
GWB on metal stud, non-bearing.
Integrated Service Systems
modules with intakes on exterior walls. Air handlers for internal modules are in penthouse with
shafts for ducts to the modules. Crossovers of main ducts occur in Service Bays. HVAC piping
generally parallels duct systems in HVAC channels. Terminal boxes are in S-4 subzone with
final distribution in S-5 subzone.
Plumbing: Risers are in Service Bay. Waste lines are in S-2 subzone and drop to mains in S-3
subzone. Vent piping and pressure piping mains for water and gases are in S-3 subzone; sup-
ply branches are in S-4 subzone; and local distribution is in S-5 subzone.
Electrical: The Service Bay electrical room is a dedicated room with vertical bus risers, wall-
mounted distribution and branch circuit panels, and stepdown transformers. Branch circuits are
installed in 4" x 4" wireways from the Service Bay electrical room to throughout the interstitial
space Zones S3/S4. Wireways are mounted `christmas-tree' fashion on full height metal chan-
nel posts secured to both the walk-on deck and the structure above. The post supports are
dedicated to electrical distribution; telecommunications wireways are mounted on a separate
support system identical to that provided for electrical. The wireways were detailed on the con-
struction documents to be mounted at a 45-degree angle, but this was not followed in construc-
tion. The wireways are mounted parallel to structure, with the hinged covers vertical, and wiring
is apt to fall out of the wireway when the cover is opened.
vice Bay. Telephone, network, and signal wireways were originally installed. The telephone
(6") and network (4") wireways were little-used. The other signal systems were installed in a 4"
common wireway. Some telephone and data cabling was installed loose in the interstitial
space, but the bulk of it is in Zone 7 between the walk-on deck and the suspended ceiling of the
Functional Floor.
Non-integrated Systems
Fire Protection: Contract documents did not include fire protection system piping in distribution
strategy. Risers are typically located in or near exit stairs. Branches and drops to sprinkler
heads are in S-7 subzone.
Transport: Pneumatic tube system "overlaid" over services in dedicated subzones or channels.
SUPPLEMENT TO RESEARCH STUDY REPORT
VA HOSPITAL BUILDING SYSTEM
APPENDIX A-17
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