26 February 1993
Electrical
CONCERNS SPECIFIC TO VETERINARY MEDICAL
UNITS:
Lighting in animal rooms should be uniform using "enclosed
waterproofed" surface mounted fluorescent fixtures.
The
light-dark cycles of the animal rooms should be individually and
Equipment
automatically controlled to assure consistency. Lighting should
be provided with at least two (2) levels, one for the employees
All casework in procedural rooms should be installed so as to
and a reduced level for the animals.
leave the floors unobstructed. Modular cabinet systems offering
Power outlets in animal rooms, cage wash, and other areas
flexibility are a suggested alternative to fixed casework in
where water is used in cleaning should be ground fault interrupter
procedural rooms.
type with waterproof covers. Emergency power should be
provided to meet the Life Safety requirements in addition to
Fixed equipment may be purchased and installed by the
power the HVAC system and selected lighting and equipment.
contractor (CC), purchased by the user and installed by VA or the
contractor (CF), or purchased and installed by the user (VV). If
Conduits should be installed in operating rooms and
purchased by the contractor, specifications must be clearly
procedural lab areas for future use of computers. Refer to the
described in the plans. Certain items are obtained as "initial
Electrical Design Manual and H-08-04, Vol. 4, for additional
portable equipment" or "activation equipment".
information.
A veterinarian who is a laboratory animal specialist
Floor Drains
(Veterinary Medical Officer or Veterinary Medical Consultant) and
knowledgeable about equipment styles and types that best meet
Large animal rooms require special floor drains. Floor drains
the needs of the facility should guide the selection of equipment.
for these rooms should have a minimum 4 inch diameter outlet
In purchasing equipment not listed in GSA catalogs,
and be covered by a 12 inch diameter grid or strainer. A drain
specifications must be sufficiently detailed to assure acquisition
trough may be positioned along the wall at the rear or behind
of the quality intended.
pens or cages. Floors should slope toward the drain troughs,
and the drain troughs slope toward the drains, at a rate of no less
The selection of equipment should proceed along with facility
than 1/8 inch per foot and no more than 1/4 inch per foot.
design in order that utility and space requirements are considered
Manual flush rim drains shall be included in large animal rooms to
during design development. Careful attention must be given to
provide for periodic flushing of waste into the drain. While rooms
ensure that the location and capacity of electric outlets, water and
housing rodents, rabbits, and other small animals do not require
steam supply, drains, vacuum, anesthetic gas outlets, exhaust
drains, drains in these rooms may add flexibility and be useful if
ducts and other utilities are compatible with equipment to be
large quantities of water are to be used in cleaning. If drains are
installed.
installed in small animal rooms or cubicles, then they must be
Refer to H-08-5, VA Equipment Guide List and H-08-6, VA
equipped with sealable drain covers. Flushing racks can use
Equipment Symbol List.
open floor drains.
VA Design Guide -- Veterinary Medical Unit
Page 2-6
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