26 February 1993
examine the plans. Planning changes and design errors must be
proof. Dust and moisture resistant fixtures must be used where
addressed as early as possible to avoid costly change orders
humid conditions are present such as cage wash and autoclave
during construction.
areas. Air conditioning diffusers should also be tight-fitting with
joints sealed. Walls should be concrete masonry units finished
flush with cementitious block filler.
All ceilings and walls should be painted with epoxy paint.
The Office of Construction Management at the VA Central
Walls and ceilings should be off-white. Floors should be darker
Office assigns a Resident Engineer (RE) to a project prior to
than walls but still relatively light in color. Fixed equipment, such
beginning construction. The RE has responsibility for assuring
as sinks, counters and shelves should either be sealed tight to
that construction proceeds on schedule, stays within the
walls and floors or moved out a minimum of 2 inches to facilitate
budgeted cost and follows plans and specifications bid on by the
cleaning. Floors and bases of animal areas should be non-skid
contractor. Interaction between the RE and representatives of
epoxy resin types with thicknesses and mixes varying with traffic
the users is critical. The Project Coordinator (PC), who may be
conditions. Metal surfaces in the cage wash area should be
either the Chief of the VA Medical Center Engineering Service or
stainless steel. A vapor barrier on the unexposed side of
another individual designated by the VA Medical Center Director
portland cement plaster (PCP) ceiling may be beneficial. A PCP
will have frequent contact with the RE. During construction, the
ceiling with access panels is required to cover exposed pipes and
Veterinary Medical Officer or Consultant, the Administrative
ducts. Interior materials must be easily maintained and cleaned
Officer, and the Veterinary Medical Unit Supervisor should be
in order that contaminants are readily removed. Refer to
afforded the opportunity of touring the construction site at
H-08-14, Room Finish, Door, and Hardware Schedule.
approximately monthly intervals.
COMMUNICATION:
The single most frequent source of user dissatisfaction
during both the design and construction phases is failure of
communication and interaction among parties with an interest in
and responsibility for the project. The Office of Construction
Management selects the Architectural Engineer (A/E) with VA
medical center representation on the Selection Board. The A/E
bases design on VA criteria. Costs are fixed at the end of design
development, therefore, extensive changes must be avoided
beyond this point. Plans should be reviewed by the local
Veterinary Medical Officer or Veterinary Medical Consultant,
Administrative Officer, Veterinary Medical Unit Supervisor and
Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development and the
Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, VA Central Office during the
design phases. In each instance, the reviewers must thoroughly
VA Design Guide -- Veterinary Medical Unit
Page 2-10
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