Attachment L - Spokane VAMC Design Standards _202306_ver 1.4.pdf

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 1 of 10

THIS CHANGE CHANGED

• Removed references to sole-source items, products, etc.

• Added paragraph references to Master Specs.

Mann-Grandstaff VAMC DESIGN

AMENDMENTS

Date: June 2023

This list covers changes that typically will be made to the VA’s Master Specifications for projects at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. Parenthesis following a bullet are a reference to the Master Specification applicable section. It also covers design issues that affect drawings.

SPECIFICATIONS

Sole-Sourcing The VA requires full and open competition on all construction products unless the product has been submitted, justified, and approved as a sole source. Products identified by brand name in this document are for basis of design and preferred products based on past performance. Anywhere in the amended specifications a brand name is specified an equivalent product is acceptable if it will be compatible with existing infrastructure at the site. If necessary, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will submit the paperwork required for sole-sourcing for this project but will require assistance from the A/E in writing the justification.

Do not add sole-sourced products without discussing it with the COR. If you determine a product must be sole-sourced, discuss with the COR as soon as possible and provide written justification for approval of that product. The approval process for sole-sourcing may take several weeks.

“Product X or equal” is not considered sole-sourcing. Suggested wording:

“Identification by “brand name or equal” is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is to indicate the quality and characteristics of the products that will be satisfactory.”

03 30 00, CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE

• The proper use of fly-ash will be acceptable and is encouraged (2.2.B)

Division 7 for LOW SLOPE ROOFING

• Do not use ballasted material.

• Roofing color is to be white.

07 31 13, ASPHALT SHINGLES

• Add ice dam protection at the eaves and valleys. (3.3/3.4)

07 84 00, FIRESTOPPING

• All firestopping shall be manufactured by Hilti Corporation. (2.1)

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 2 of 10

• The contractor shall attach the manufacturer’s System Identification Label in a visible location at or near each fire penetration. Each label must be legible and complete. System Assembly Number is required. Labeling may be handwritten with a black permanent marker. In general penetrations should be above ceiling or hidden from public view in a basement, utility closet, etc.

(If it is necessary to locate penetrations in a viewable area then the label shall be placed so as not to be visible to the public.) (3.3)

• At rated assemblies, all penetrations that connect to occupied areas must be properly fire stopped at the end of any given work shift. (3.3)

08 14 00, INTERIOR WOOD DOORS

• Flush Wood Doors (2.2) o A. General:

Thickness: 44 mm (1-3/4 inches) unless otherwise shown or specified (2.2.A.4) o B. Faces:

Transparent Finished Faces: Premium Grade. rotary cut, white maple. A Grade face veneer. (2.2.B.3) o E. Fire Rated Doors:

Vision-lites (Glass panels) to be tempered (min) for all doors and 90 min. rated for fire walls with upgraded kits and laminated glass, or wire (2.2.E) o F. Smoke Barrier Doors:

Vision-lites (Glass panels) to be tempered (min) for all doors and 45 min. rated for smoke walls with upgraded kits and laminated glass, or wire (2.2.F)

• Stile and Rail Wood Doors (2.3) o Doors: Grade Premium (2.3.A)

• Finishes (2.5) o Factory Transparent Finish: Factory Finish (2.5.B.1)

08 71 00, DOOR HARDWARE

• Continuous Hinges (2.2)

• Continuous or (Piano Hinge) only, commercial grade. Add filler plates where necessary

• Base metal: Stainless steel (2.2.c.2)

• Door Closing Devices (2.3)

• Closers shall be manufactured by Stanley QDC100 with Tri Pack or hold-open arms.

• Locks and Latches (2.9)

• During construction use blue AQA construction cores. At end of construction the contractor shall notify the VA locksmith

• Locksets shall be compatible with Best small interchangeable (IC) figure “8” core

• Cylinder cores shall be manufactured by Best Lock Corporation

• Cylinder shall be 7-pin type.

• Permanent cores to be received by VA locksmith shipped directly from supplier/vendor.

Permanent cores to be installed by VA locksmith

• Exit Devices (2.16)

• Exit Devices shall be manufactured by Stanley/Best (preferred), or Von Duprin

• Controls shall be the wave to active or hands-free style

09 51 00, ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILE

• Use Fine Fissured High NRC Acoustical Tiles (2.4)

• Acoustical ceiling panels use a 2’ x 2’ grid (3.2)

• Seismic ceiling bracing system is required as per the International Building Code (3.4.E)

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 3 of 10

09 65 13, RESILIENT BASE AND ACCESSORIES

• Use only 100% rubber products (2.1)

09 65 19, RESILIENT TILE FLOORING

• Under “Cleaning and Protection” add “but no less than a minimum of three coating applications” to … apply the recommended number of coats and type of polish and/or finish in accordance with manufacturer’s written instructions (3.4.C)

09 91 00, PAINTING

• Remove all MPI designations that do not apply to this specific project

• Under “Identity Painting Schedule” pipe identifying shall also be required in mechanical rooms and when pressure sensitive identification tape is used then the directional arrow tape must be used to lap over both ends of the identity name tape (3.14)

• Under “Identity Painting Schedule” this section requires stenciled labeling of Fire and Smoke Partitions above ceiling. The spacing of the labeling shall be 10 feet on center (corrected from 20 feet.) (3.14.B)

• Interior Paint: Sherwin-Williams Super Paint Interior Latex with Sanitizing Technology (preferred)

10 14 00, SIGNAGE

• Except for restroom and occupancy signage, interior signage will be furnished and installed by the VA, unless noted otherwise in the Scope of Work.

• Restroom signage is to be unframed cast acrylic with raised text and Braille to comply with ADA.

Size to be 8” x 8” with squared corners.

• Exterior signage will be furnished and installed by the VA, unless noted otherwise in the Scope of Work.

10 26 00, WALL AND DOOR PROTECTION

• Door frame protectors must have zero movement when installed and be of one part construction with a beveled top edge. (3.6.B)

10 28 00, TOILET, BATH AND LAUNDRY ACCESSORIES

• Contractor is to furnish and install grab bars, mirrors, and infant changing stations. All other accessories will be furnished and installed by the VA although the contractor is required to install backing for all the accessories so locations for all accessories must be shown and identified.

12 32 00, MANUFACTURED WOOD CASEWORK

• Countertops are to be specified in Section 12 36 00, COUNTERTOPS (1.2)

• Casework should be free of urea-formaldehyde. (Part 2)

• Hardware: (2.7) o Locks: Locksets shall be compatible with Best small interchangeable (IC) figure “8” core.

o Cylinder core shall be manufactured by Best Lock Corporation.

• Casework is to have a certification of compliance with AWI Quality Standards for Premium Grade casework (2.9.A)

12 36 00, COUNTERTOPS

• Countertops should be free of urea-formaldehyde. (Part 2)

• Material is to be solid surfacing or stainless steel, properly supported. (2.1)

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 4 of 10

22 40 00, PLUMBING FIXTURES

• Chicago 116.121.AB for all automatic faucets (2.11)

• Chicago 895 or 786 with wrist blades for all manual faucets (2.11)

22 63 00, GAS SYSTEMS FOR LABORATORY AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

• Spokane VA standard for medical gas outlets is Tri Tech. (2.6/2.7)

23 05 12, GENERAL MOTOR REQUIREMENTS FOR HVAC AND STEAM GENERATION

• Special Requirements:

o Motors utilized with variable frequency drives shall be “inverter-ready” per NEMA

Standard MG1, Part 31.4.4.2. (2.1.M)

• Add the following paragraph VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES o Provide variable frequency drives for Air Handling Unit supply and return fans.

o Variable frequency drives shall be ABB as manufactured by State Motors & Control and shall have electronic bypass as well as manual bypass to operate the motor if the drive becomes in operative.

o Only one drive per motor shall be used.

23 09 23, DIRECT-DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC

• Current HVAC controls have been programmed by Control Solutions Northwest “CSN”, programming of HVAC controls shall be consistent with existing and shall maximize energy efficiency.

• All HVAC systems shall communicate with the existing Energy Management System (EMS) as manufactured by Schneider Electric such that all points (outside air, dampers, valves, etc.) can be monitored and controlled remotely.

• Thermostats: Use averaging bulb to monitor air temperatures.

• The BMS system backbone switches are maintained by the VA’s Office of Information and

Technology (OIT) coordinate with COR for connection to the backbone.

23 21 13, HYDRONIC PIPING

• Valve Actuators: Do not install MK-2690 type actuator steam or hot water valves. Use DuraDrive electronic actuators by Invensys Building Systems. (2.8)

• “Y” strainers blow down leg shall have a valve and cap installed. (2.10)

• Chill water applications shall use a 2-way valves configuration.

• Circuit Setters: Use manual circuit setters (not throttling valves). Armstrong circuit setters are not allowed.

23 21 23, HYDRONIC PUMPS

• Inspections: COR and VA Medical Center’s HVAC staff will inspect piping and duct work prior to installing insulation on pipe.

23 22 13, STEAM AND CONDENSATE HEATING PIPING

• Valve Actuators: Do not install MK-2690 type actuators steam or hot water valves. Use Dura- Drive electronic actuators by Invensys Building Systems (2.5)

• Install stainless steel type plug and seats in all steam valves. (2.5)

• Steam Traps: Install test legs and shut off valves on all steam traps. (3.5)

• “Y” strainers blow down leg will have a valve and cap installed. (2.6.A)

• Use 1/3 - 2/3 valve configuration with no bypass for steam coil applications.

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 5 of 10

23 31 00, HVAC DUCTS AND CASINGS

• Do not use square duct for high and medium pressure airflow; use spiral, oval, or round.

• Inspections: COR and VA Medical Center’s HVAC staff will inspect duct work prior to installing insulation on ducts.

23 34 00, HVAC FANS

• For control logic, smoke and freeze stats shall be wired through the run enable on the drive. Add “Also electronic actuated smoke and fire damper end switches will be wired to the run enable”.

23 37 00, AIR OUTLETS AND INLETS

• All diffusers shall be 4-way adjustable type. (2.3.C)

23 73 00, INDOOR CENTRAL-STATION AIR-HANDLING UNITS

• Provide complete set of spare filters at the project completion. (Part 1)

23 74 13, PACKAGED, OUTDOOR, CENTRAL-STATION AIR-HANDLING UNITS

• Filters: Across each air filter provide differential pressure gauge with magnetic linkage. Provide “Magnehelic” gauge manufactured by Terra Universal. (2.1.L)

• Provide complete set of spare filters at the project completion. (Part 1)

26 05 19, LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL POWER CONDUCTORS AND CABLES

• Provide a separate grounded conductor (neutral) for each branch circuit. Each neutral shall have a colored strip to match circuit color. Multi-wire branch circuits are not allowed. (3.1)

26 05 33, RACEWAY AND BOXES FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

• Conduit Sizes: In accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), but not less than ¾ inch.

Where permitted by the NEC, ½ inch flexible conduit may be used for tap connections to recessed lighting fixtures.

• Metal clad (MC) cable and pre-conducted flexible cable are NOT acceptable.

• Any EMT conduit connectors and coupling under 2” trade size must be compression-type.

• All equipment that requires servicing shall be accessible or readily accessible as applicable per the NEC.

26 12 19, PAD-MOUNTED, LIQUID-FILLED, MEDIUM-VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS

• Primary windings be copper. (2.9.H.3)

• Eaton (RTE) 300 AMP Tap Changer installed vice the standard model.

• Hi Amperage Silver Plated contacts Bay-O-Net fuse assembly and silver plated fuse cartridge installed vice the standard model.

26 24 16, PANELBOARDS

• All electrical panels shall be Square D or Eaton, with QOB (bolted) circuit breakers. Additional requirements for being allowed as an equal must be stated with the following:

o Manufacturer’s specific equipment test tables must be submitted with the bidding documents. Show that selective coordination with existing Square D or Eaton systems can be achieved. Fusible breakers will not be acceptable coordination.

• Do not design “loaded” electrical panels. (Do not fill the panel with spare breakers).

• All electrical panels shall have hinged covers/trim.

• All panelboards 225 amps and above shall have Surge Protective Devices (SPD) installed. SPD shall be Raycap brand with 80mm Strike-Sorb.

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 6 of 10

• All panelboards and HVAC supply and return fans and other motor loads (line side of VFD) shall have metering. Metering shall be wireless CT’s which report to a bridge that is hard wired to the network. Metering shall report to VA owned Centrica PowerRadar software. Any other utility (gas/water/electric/etc) metering shall pave pulse wire output with KY/KYZ wire set-up + scaling factor to Centrica PanPwr bridges. Data shall be dual collected, reporting to Centrica PowerRadar software and local electrical Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network.

• Programming of electrical meters, control panels, TVSS, etc., shall be consistent with existing SCADA such that all points can be monitored remotely.

• The A/E shall design to NFPA required electrical safe clearances, the A/E and the contractor are responsible for ensuring additional requirements or clearances mandated by manufacturers specifications and/or requirements are met.

• The A/E shall provide a short circuit calculation for each panel or in any case electrical feeders are affected. The A/E shall comply with section 26.05.73 Overcurrent Protection Device Coordination Study and all requirements within. A copy of this report shall be provided to the VA. Per NFPA 70E the contractor shall provide a label on the front of each panel showing short circuit rating, flash hazard boundary, approach boundaries and required PPE level. The contractor shall provide compliant breakers.

• New panelboards will have a minimum of three ¾” spare conduits stubbed above the ceiling grade, terminated at a minimum 4”x4”x2 1/8”D box.

26 27 26, WIRING DEVICES

• Label each junction box cover with the panel source and circuits within. Label can be handwritten with a black permanent marker.

• Minimum electrical junction box size is 4” square, 2 1/8” deep.

• Electrical home runs shall junction above the ceiling of each room served. This junction box is to be 4 11/16” square x 2 1/8” deep minimum.

• No conduit is to be connected to a junction box extension ring.

• Install far side supports on all outlet boxes.

• Neutrals and corresponding circuit conductors shall be paired and identified in all junction boxes.

• All electrical junction boxes shall be physically accessible per NEC article 314.29.

• All medicine refrigerators shall be on the Critical Branch and have an adjacent Normal Power receptacle as a backup. Provide a data jack and connection to the BMS system for the refrigerator alarm.

• Hospital Grade receptacles are the only style to be specified in the patient care buildings regardless of current use of the space.

• Receptacles installed to power sensitive electronic assets such as flat screen TV’s, information technology closets, or as specified by project owner after review of drawings shall be Surge Protection Receptacles blue in color.

• Tamper-resistant receptacles shall be the standard in all public areas, such as waiting rooms.

• All receptacle and switch covers are to be specified as stainless steel.

• All GFCI receptacles shall be 20 amp and of the self-testing type.

• Receptacles in common areas/waiting rooms shall include USB ports for customer phone charging.

• All receptacle and switch covers are to be labeled with panel and circuit numbers:

o Normal Power: use ½” black lettering on a white background label.

o Emergency Power: use ½” red lettering on a white background label.

• All labeling on switches, junction boxes, receptacles, etc., shall use language that accurately matches the language used on the final As Built drawings supplied to the VA at project completion.

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 7 of 10

• Electrical panelboards and load centers are not to be located in public access areas per NFPA 99.

• Specify a grounded conductor (neutral) at all locations where line voltage lighting switches or occupancy sensors are to be installed.

• Comply with the requirements of the current editions of all applicable NFPA documents.

• Comply with VHA Directive 1028, specifically no energized is authorized without an Energized

Work Permit approved by the Medical Center Director.

26 29 11, MOTOR STARTERS

• Variable frequency drives shall be ABB as manufactured by State Motors & Control and shall have electronic bypass as well as manual bypass to operate the motor if the drive becomes inoperative. Use only one drive per motor. (2.6)

27 05 33, RACEWAYS AND BOXES FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

• For most applications, jacks are to be RJ45. (3.1.J)

• Use the following color-coding system for jacks:

o Blue = standard IT data jacks o Orange = Telemetry

• Use labeled cover plates. (Use cover plates with clear plastic windows designed to receive printed labels. Contractor shall label all cover plates) (3.1.J)

27 10 00, STRUCTURED CABLING

• For new installs most applications, cables are to be Category 6A (Cat 6A).

• All Data cabling is Plenum rated

• All new data drops to be at a minimum of 3 cables per location unless otherwise noted.

• Data cabling shall be color coded as follows:

o Blue = IT/General Data o Orange = Telemetry o Yellow = BMS/SCADA/Security o Green = Nurse Call o Red = Fire Alarm o Pink = Biomed

• No wire baskets allowed unless specifically accepted by the COR.

• Data labeled on both ends shall be as facility existing labeling system.

• Data ran into spaces without a drop ceiling shall be ran in a conduit, no free run data cabling.

27 52 23, NURSE CALL CODE BLUE SYSTEMS

• Nurse Call system to be compatible with Rauland-Biggs Company installed nurse call system.

• Nurse call cabling shall be Green jacketed.

• An inventory of all new Nurse Call equipment installed shall be provided to the COR in a spreadsheet format to include Model, serial number, and location for inclusion into facility database.

28 13 00, PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

• PACS Security systems must be compatible with campus security system by Lenel Technology S2.

• All PACS readers must have a battery backup.

• Security cabling shall be yellow jacketed, and plenum rated, all areas that do not have a drop ceiling requires that the cabling to be ran in conduit.

• All conduit for the security systems shall be a minimum of ¾ inch.

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 8 of 10

28 23 00 VIDEO SERVEILLANCE

• All conduit for security systems shall be a minimum of ¾ inch

• All security cameras shall be designed for their application, i.e.… outside cameras will have characteristics for their application, a small dome would not work.

• At a minimum all cameras must meet the 4K technology or above.

• All video surveillance equipment must be compatible with the campus surveillance network by

Milestone.

• An inventory of all new Security equipment installed shall be provided to the COR in a inventory database.

28 31 00, FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM

• All fire protection system and devices must be compatible with the campus fire protection system by Edwards Signaling.

• Any new Fire Alarm installation, or modification to an existing Fire Alarm system must include a verification that the requirements of NFPA 72 concerning the labeling of the Fire Alarm panel, the labeling of the associated Electrical Panelboard, the labeling of the associated circuit breaker, and a UL and NFPA approved method of locking the circuit breaker in the “ON” position, if it is used as a means of disconnect for the Fire Alarm Panel.

• An inventory of all new fire alarm equipment installed shall be provided to the COR in a database.

31 20 00 and 31 20 11, EARTH MOVING

• Blasting is not permitted. (1.4.4)

• Burning of material on site is not permitted. (3.1.G)

32 90 00, PLANTING

• Planting boarders are to be concrete landscaping edging (not plastic or metal.)

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 9 of 10

DRAWINGS

ARCHITECTURAL

• Site Plan o Show staging area, if required, for contractor and location for contractor’s construction trailer(s). Show construction fence, if needed. Show the location of the contractor’s material laydown yard along the west property line. Show where construction workers will be allowed to park during construction. Coordinate locations with the COR.

o Show a concrete washout box (if required for this project) within the inside of the material laydown yard. Describe the box with solid sides lined with a watertight membrane to confine the washout. Total removal is responsibility of the contractor.

o If no other site drawings are required for this project, then the above information can be indicated on the Campus Map or elsewhere in the drawings.

• Room Numbers o Coordinate room numbering with the COR. The room numbers on the drawings must match the final room numbers that the VA intends to use.

• Interior Elevations o Show all items that will be attached to walls. This also includes VA furnished and installed items that will require in-wall blocking. Call out blocking where needed. All items must be shown to scale.

• Wall Types o The painting spec under “Identity Painting Schedule” requires stenciled labeling of Fire and

Smoke Partitions above ceiling. Refer to the required labels on the wall types.

• Storage Rooms o Storage Rooms with an area of 50 to 100 square feet shall be enclosed by walls that provide 1-hour smoke barriers. Doors shall have a closer, latch and a 20-minute rating.

o Storage Rooms with an area of 100 square feet or more shall be enclosed by walls that provide 1-hour fire rating. Doors shall have a closer, latch and a 45-minute rating.

o Do not mislabel storage rooms. If the room will be used for storage it must be labeled as such on the floor plan.

• Toilet Rooms o At men’s and women’s toilets show a baby changing table.

o At women’s toilets show VA furnished and installed sanitary napkin/tampon dispensers and disposal bins.

o Public areas should have a “family assist” unisex toilet room.

• Exam Rooms o Healthcare provider’s desk must be near the door.

o Hand-wash sink must be near the door.

• Privacy at Exam Rooms, Procedure Rooms and Testing Rooms o Doors to these rooms must be lockable.

o Doors to these rooms should not open directly to a high-traffic corridor.

o If feasible, gowned patients must be able to access a restroom without entering a public area.

o Show privacy curtains at Exam Rooms so that exam tables are shielded from view when the door is opened.

o Exam tables must be placed with the foot facing away from the door.

• Acoustical Privacy o Design for acoustical privacy at check-In (reception,) interview areas, exam rooms, procedure rooms and testing rooms.

Design Amendments to the VA Master Specs and Drawings Page 10 of 10

MECHANICAL

• Electrical Resistance Heat o Do not use electrical resistance heat anywhere (for space heating or at water heater.)

ELECTRICAL

• Break Rooms o At employee break rooms, include three circuits (minimum) dedicated to the break room for typical kitchen appliances.

• Lighting o Use 2’x2’ or 2’x4’ LED flat panel light fixtures, unless approved by the COR.

o Avoid specifying dimmable fluorescent fixtures.

o Where recessed can lights are traditionally installed, these should be LED or medium base socket where an LED lamp can be installed. No CFL fixtures.

o Siamese type fluorescent light fixtures are not permitted. Each fixture will be complete with its own ballast(s).

o Exterior lighting is to be LED and controlled by photocell, not timer.

o Provide photo-metrics, interior and exterior.

o Exit lights (signs) must have red lettering with properly shown text. Use dual technology hybrid exit signs that combine electrical with integrated photoluminescent technology such as ISOLITE DTH.

o Exit lights (signs) shall be installed in all locations required by NFPA 101. Locations shall be reviewed and approved by Spokane VA Safety Section.

o Occupancy sensors shall not control lighting in industrial/mechanical spaces. This is a safety issue. Lighting in these spaces shall require manual control such as a standard toggle switch.

o In egress areas/critical care areas to be distributed evenly between two lighting circuits (one on the LS branch and one on the normal branch).

• Sensors at Sinks o Generally, sensors at automatic sinks are powered by a GFCI duplex receptacle located under the sink.

• Electrical Outlets o All electrical outlets within 6’ of a sink shall be a GFCI type.

o All locations described in NFPA 70, 210.8(B)(1) - (10) receptacles shall be a GFCI type.

• Door Operators o The control buttons for powered door operators should be hardwired to the control boards.

• Gutters/downspouts o Traced with self-regulating heat trace (Raychem preferred).

o Heat trace be placed on a GFE circuit interrupter (NFPA 70 requirement).

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