1_-_AETC_Installation_Excellence_Guide.pdf

Installation Excellence Guide Air Education and Training Command

EXCELLENCE IS THE FIRST

COMMAND'S STANDARD

Our mission in this command is to recruit, train, and educate professional airmen to sustain the combat capability of America's Air Force. Excellence is our standard whether you are in the cockpit or in the classroom. We apply the same standard of excellence to our installations. AETC's installations are an Airman's first exposure to our Air Force, and they must reflect the professionalism expected from the world's finest Air Force.

This guide serves as your roadmap to achieving installation excellence. Contained within its pages are base development and facility standards that incorporate the latest technologies and time tested methods. In light of the global war on terrorism, our installation master planning needs to address anti-terrorism and force protection concerns, as well as sound campus designs. Additionally, when constructing new facilities we must build “Green” facilities that use energy-efficient and maintenance-friendly methods.

I encourage commanders to share this vision and instill the installation excellence mindset within their units.

-General Donald G. Cook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE

Installation Development Installation Planning and Design

2 FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS

Architectural Features Sustainable Design Installation Gates & Entrances Mission and Mission Support Facilities Housing Communities Permanent Party Dormitories Student Dormitories Lodging Facilities Community Support Facilities Infrastructure Systems

3 SITE DESIGN ELEMENTS

Force Protection Paving Exterior Signage Landscape Screens, Walls, & Fences Site Furnishings

4 INTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS

Interior Features Interior Signage Furnishings

5 IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES

6 INDEX OF PHOTOGRAPHS

7 FINAL THOUGHTS

AETC INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE GUIDE

Installation excellence does not happen by accident. Rather, it takes vision, planning, and follow-through to bring about a standard of excellence across an entire base. The combination of basic principles, with comprehensive base and area planning, and quality design, ensures a sound foundation for success.

This Installation Excellence Guide is intended for use as a policy and reference document at all levels of AETC. It contains command policy and guidelines for installation development, planning, and design. Policies and guidelines are prescribed for facilities and their support elements and site components.

Installation Development

Command Policy Develop AETC installations in a manner to maximize mission accomplishment, optimize the use of existing facilities, and provide the most efficient, professional surroundings possible. Strive to achieve and maintain installation excellence through contract, in-house, and self-help efforts. Use the installation’s General Plan as the foundation to develop your base over time. Supplement your General Plan with an installation architectural compatibility plan or guide to preserve and carry a common architectural theme across the entire base. Use a campus approach to provide the best training environment and to separate student activities from normal, daily base operations.

Operational efficiency is best achieved by grouping compatible facilities in the same geographic area. Because most AETC bases have evolved over a period of many years, mission changes as well as budgetary constraints may have short-circuited the planning process. Few installations are strictly organized by functional areas, but we should move toward this goal in our long-range planning.

Guidelines

Land Use The most valuable property on your base is the flightline. Be aware of airfield, safety, and other associated criteria when selecting sites for new facilities.

Prepare a flightline area development plan and use it.

The operations training standard is a campus where classrooms are located near student dormitories and dining facilities. Classrooms should be easily accessible to both instructors and students. The campus concept should promote efficiency of training facilities, separate pedestrian from vehicular traffic, and allow future mission expansion.

Industrial operations, such as supply, transportation, and civil engineering, should be central to the activities they serve and away from main entrances.

Operations training, in addition to classrooms and laboratories, may also require field training areas and special training aids.

1 INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE

The location of mission support facilities may vary from base to base depending on the installation’s primary mission.

Additionally, support facilities may have unique siting requirements, but the location should be as close as possible to the mission facility it supports.

Flying training requires accessible simulator buildings and other flight support functions in addition to personnel, finance, and other traditional mission support functions.

Community support facilities should include commercial operations clustered in the community center as well as commercial and service functions dispersed throughout the installation.

Avoid locating community or commercial activities near prominent areas that detract from a positive first impression such as at base entry gates.

The community center, which includes the base exchange (and its concessions), commissary, satellite pharmacy, bank, and credit union, should be sited convenient for dormitory and base housing residents as well as off base patrons. Clustering community support activities also makes customer parking and access more convenient.

Other commercial and community service facilities, such as the child development center, youth center, shoppette, gym, theater, bowling center, hobby shops, post office, chapel, library, and enlisted and officers’ clubs, should be located with good vehicular and pedestrian access and be as near as possible to those they serve.

Dormitory complexes should have convenient access to dining, recreational, community, and support activities.

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Installation Planning and Design

The General Plan and its component plans (composite constraints and opportunities, infrastructure, land use, and capital improvements plan) provide the planning and design direction for the future development of our installations.

AETC policy is that these plans be updated annually and that we all work with a vision of the future in mind. Each Wing Commander is responsible for developing this 2030 vision.

Finally, the General Plan captures all the facility requirements necessary to achieve the 2030 plan. AETC/CC endorses our General Plans as a support to this process.

Guidelines Effective installation planning and design addresses every aspect of an installation including site planning, facility design, signs, pavements, landscaping, service equipment, infrastructure, base entrances, and physical barriers. Explore all avenues to fund and execute installation excellence projects. Senior leaders and unit commanders should lead the way and involve associate organizations in the process.

Campus/Area Development Plans All AETC General Plans use the education and training campus concept to define a long-range vision for the installation. This framework provides the following:

• A systematic approach to define various schools, operations, or functions

• Analyze demolition of older facilities and construction of new ones

• Efficient vehicle, student, and pedestrian movement.

• Maximize every training day by properly locating campus functions

Design and planning result in great training environments.

Siting Facilities New facilities should be sited in accordance with the 2030 campus or area development plan components.

Site individual projects with the long range vision in mind – not as separate buildings.

Define utility corridors in the General Plan. Utilities organized in a random “shortest path between point A and point B method”, leave potential building sites riddled with utility lines.

Effective base development promotes compatible land use, maximizes mission accomplishment, and promotes a high quality of life for airmen. It preserves natural resources and protects operational land uses that might be degraded by encroachment.

Take advantage of the base environment. Consider primary view angles of new facilities. Each base should supplement its General Plan with architectural guidelines and installation excellence standards.

Site design Avoid sites that overdevelop an area or create traffic flow or parking problems.

Plan for facility expansions. On sites with constraints, consider the use of multiple stories or a below grade floor (not necessarily a basement).

Take advantage of the existing environment—preserve natural aesthetic features such as steep grades, wetlands, streams, and forests for visual relief.

Align new facilities to provide a pleasing view from the high-traffic streets.

• Develop site plans with force protection measures in mind.

• Locate utilities underground— particularly in areas around key installation facilities. As a minimum, secondary utility services to facilities should be underground without exception.

• Develop site plans to maximize the use of existing trees.

• Provide functional parking lots and reduce the visual impact of parked cars through the use of berms or landscape plantings or both. Use buildings to screen parking areas from view.

• Examine pedestrian traffic patterns to determine sidewalk layout.

Create outdoor community areas.

Historic Preservation Air Education and Training Command has several historic structures significant for their association with important military and Air Force events, persons, and architectural or engineering distinction. As national assets, they define where we’ve been and what we’ve done.

In historic districts or around historic structures, maintenance and repair activities will include replacement with in-kind materials according to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

This includes like-type pavement materials, streetscapes, and landscape materials—all to maintain the overall historic character of the district or neighborhood.

We have an obligation under law to take special care of facilities that are either on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or are located within historic districts. Coordinate all activities with the State Historic Preservation Officer to achieve a balance between preserving our heritage and accomplishing our mission.

AETC facilities will reflect the highest professional standards of planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. All facilities, regardless of their use, must be efficient, safe, and comfortable places for our people to work, live, and play. Facility investment must be economical and prudent to avoid the appearance of “gold-plating” or waste. Designs for new construction and renovation will incorporate low-maintenance or integrally colored materials and economical construction techniques without compromising a high quality, architecturally pleasing, professional appearance.

Ensure your General Plan and component plans are current and realistic. Use them to guide your investment in facilities.

Architectural Features

Create a consistent architectural theme through the recurring architectural features of individual buildings, such as materials, roofs, doors, and windows.

Ensure these features and their details receive special attention.

Develop and enforce architectural compatibility standards. Architectural features should be compatible with one another in function, mass, shape, color, and texture. This produces an overall clean, complementing, and professional image.

2 FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS

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Vernacular Historically, building design has responded to the local climate and regional influences. Return to these local influences and reflect them in the architectural features of our facilities.

Design Emphasize the main entrance of facilities. Respond to the climate and ensure compatibility with local standards.

Strive for economical construction without compromising a high-quality, architecturally pleasing and professional appearance. Avoid unnecessary reliance on color and focus on other architectural elements (roof, fenestration, massing) to maintain compatibility.

Materials Use local standards but avoid materials that require painting. Minimize maintenance by using low-maintenance materials with integral color at most locations. Protect facilities against environmental deterioration. Avoid overuse of metal-clad buildings; if necessary, use them only in industrial areas.

Colors Each installation is required to have an exterior color standard. The Command standard is to use neutral and earth-tone field colors with complementary trim colors which are compatible with regional color motifs.

Roofs Sloped roofs are preferred to provide positive drainage. Overhangs for weather protection and shade are desirable. Avoid roof-top mechanical equipment. Use proven cost-effective roof systems with high durability and weather resistance that are compatible with the installation architectural design theme.

Service Areas Integrate service areas and the building design with matching materials. Screen mechanical and utility equipment with opaque walls or landscaping.

Temporary Facilities Demolish unusable buildings. The use of relocatable buildings, metal sheds, and trailers is strongly discouraged. Adaptive use of temporary facilities, even on short-term basis, is discouraged.

Doors & Windows Aluminum door and window frames are preferred for most locations. Avoid the use of mirrored glazing. Operable windows and tinted, energy efficient glazing are encouraged. Where appropriate, install window screens to take advantage of natural ventilation.

Antiterrorism/Force Protection Security issues must be addressed in concert with other design objectives and integrated into the overall building design early in the process to ensure a quality building with effective security.

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Sustainable Design

Building construction and operation has an enormous direct and indirect impact on the environment. As economies and population continue to expand, designers and builders face a unique challenge to meet demands for new and renovated facilities that are accessible, secure, healthy and productive while minimizing their impact on the environment. AETC facilities shall employ the following principals of sustainable design. For more detailed information on sustainable design practices refer to the Air For Sustainable Facilities Guide (http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/dc/dcd/ar ch/rfg/index.html).

Optimize Site Potential Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection. The location of a building affects a wide range of environmental factors - as well as other factors such as security and accessibility

- like the energy consumed by occupants for commuting, the impact on local ecosystems, and the extent to which existing structures and infrastructures are used. If possible, locate buildings in areas of existing development and consider renovating existing buildings and historic properties.

Minimize Energy Consumption A building should rely on a mixture of conservation, passive design measures and fossil fuels for its operation. It should meet or exceed applicable energy performance standards.

Protect and Conserve Water In many parts of the country, fresh water is an increasingly scarce resource. A sustainable building should reduce, control or treat site-runoff, use water efficiently, and reuse or recycle water for on-site use when feasible. The protection and conservation of water should be considered throughout the life of the building.

Use Environmentally Preferable Products A sustainable building should be constructed of materials that minimize lifecycle environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion, and human toxicity. In a materials context, lifecycle includes raw materials acquisition, product manufacturing, packaging, transportation, installation, use, and reuse/recycling/disposal.

Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality The indoor environmental quality of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustainable building should maximize day lighting, have appropriate ventilation and moisture control, and avoid the use of materials with high-VOC emissions.

Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices A sustainable building should be designed to take into account the energy and environmental impacts of operating and maintaining the building. Designers shall be encouraged to specify materials and systems that reduce the need for maintenance, and/or require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain.

No matter how sustainable a building may have been in its design and construction, it can only remain so if it is operated responsibly and maintained properly. The use of toxic cleaning products can deteriorate indoor air quality, failure to test sensor control points can compromise energy efficiency, and poor training can lead to early system failures. Buildings must be operated and maintained with the security, safety, health, comfort and productivity of their occupants in mind, and with an understanding of the next generation's need to reuse and recycle building components.

Installation Gates & Entrances

Command Policy By their very nature, main gates and entryways create lasting first impressions of our installations. First impressions are important to form a professional image of the Command and to reflect the pride, professionalism, and accomplishment of our installations. Main arrival points must impart an immediate impression of Air Force professionalism and commitment to facilities excellence.

Guidelines

Entrances Carefully consider the arrival and departure to and from installations as well as the approaches from adjoining communities. Keep entrance signs to a minimum and in accordance with UFC 3- 120-01 Air Force Sign Standard. Give the departure side equal attention and provide for pedestrian and bicycle access.

Refer to the Entry Control Facility Design Guide for more information on base entry design (http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/dc/dcd/ga te/index.html).

Landscaping should be used to lend an attractive, professional image, but still ensure adequate visibility for security.

Lighting should enhance security, provide clear visibility, and not blind drivers.

Vehicular traffic flow through, around, and between base entrance guardhouses and the visitor reception center should be uncomplicated and smooth.

Guardhouses Integrate guardhouses with adjacent structures. They should be permanent construction, preferably masonry.

Provide adequate lighting and install heating and air conditioning where climate warrants. An integral restroom is desirable. Entrance guardhouses should be set well back from public roadways to allow stacking of vehicles both entering and leaving the installation.

Traffic Flow Curb cuts for turnaround of vehicles should be provided in front and back of the guardhouse at the main gate. This allows the first-time visitor to access the visitor reception center before or after making contact with security personnel at the guardhouse. If base access is not desired or authorized, the traffic lane design should allow for easy exit. If access is desired and authorized, the flow from the visitor reception center should allow for an easy turn into traffic and back through the gatehouse checkpoint with a displayed visitor’s pass.

Visitor Centers Not all bases need a visitor reception center. Justification should be based on an engineering assessment of traffic and visitor volume. General guidance for base entries is provided in Military Traffic Management Command’s Traffic Engineering for Better Gates.

Mission and Mission Support Facilities

Mission and mission support facilities house functions accomplishing or supporting the primary mission of AETC—education and training. Included are educational, flying training, operations training, and support and operation facilities such as flightline structures. Also included are specialized training at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland AFB, the 336th Combat Training Group (Air Force Survival School) at Fairchild AFB, and major associate functions on AETC installations such as the US Air Force Reserve flying mission at Keesler AFB and the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB.

Excellent mission support facilities are required to deliver excellent services.

Work centers must be efficiently configured, professionally maintained, and conducive to providing excellent support.

Installation Standards Comply with installation-specific architectural standards for new construction and renovation projects.

New construction structural systems should be a permanent type as required by applicable codes. Exterior finishes should normally be masonry, concrete, cement-based (stucco), exterior insulation finish system (EIFS), or insulated metal panels, or a combination thereof.

Interiors Interiors should be carefully developed as comprehensive, whole-building designs that integrate colors, materials, lighting, furnishings, forms, and spatial-functional relationships. Interior materials should be durable, require minimal maintenance, and be easily repaired or replaced in case of damage or normal wear and tear.

Flightline Although flightline facilities are generally industrial in nature, they are direct mission support. As such, flightline facilities need to convey a positive first impression to individuals arriving by air transportation the same way the main installation entrance conveys that impression to individuals arriving by ground transportation.

Customer Service Areas Customer service areas often establish the first impression of a wing, base, or unit. These areas must convey to visitors or customers that they are important and we care about them.

Locate counters (issue, service, information, ticket, etc.) conveniently and provide ample space to support both customers and service personnel.

Provide customer service and waiting areas that are spacious, clean, well furnished, and have appropriate and attractive lighting. Consider traffic circulation patterns when designing the size, type, and placement of furnishings and equipment. Make sure information is readily available, easily accessible, and professionally displayed.

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Base Operations Base operations is the “front door” to a base from the flightline. It should clearly identify a base and display a proud linkage to AETC. The flightline welcome sign should reflect the architectural style of the base and complement the buildings adjacent to it.

The distinguished visitor (DV) lounge often forms a first or final impression of the base and AETC. Be sure it reflects quality standards in facility, furnishings, and amenities. It should include private restrooms (with sufficient space to comfortably change clothes), a well-stocked courtesy coffee and beverage service and commercial and “class A” telephone service.

Aircrew work and support areas require unique treatment and should reflect forethought and attention to aircrew members’ needs. Planning rooms need tables or other work surfaces appropriate for reviewing, displaying, and storing maps and flight information. Briefing rooms and work areas need to be large enough to properly accommodate flight crews and their gear. Crew lounges should be sound insulated and provide an appropriate setting for crew relaxation and rest.

Located on flight lines opposite entries to base ops, "welcome mats" offer our distinguished visitors their initial impression of the installation. As such, they should convey the positive, professional image of "First Command".

These mats are uniform across AETC, consisting of red brick pavers inlaid with the Air Force logo in white tile on blue background. Welcome mat patterns and dimensions match that of the headquarters' mat at Randolph.

Maintenance/Shop Areas Maintenance facilities are as unique as the missions they house; however, common standards apply to these facilities as a whole. The physical and technical nature of the work performed requires special emphasis on space, power, ventilation and lighting. Use space for the purpose required; for example, don’t use industrial areas for administrative requirements.

Consider using chemical-resistant urethane or other commercially available floor sealants where they cost-effectively improve mission accomplishment. Safety features should be up to date, accessible, and applicable to the job (for example, fire detection/exit systems, non-slip flooring, explosion-proof fixtures, eye wash, deluge showers). Cooling, heating, and ventilation systems are often “life supporting” and must be operative, effective, and well maintained.

Material Support Material support facilities should be pleasant, safe, and provide ample space to “do the job.” Place emphasis on modern, efficient storage devices and equipment. Include energy-conserving barriers (such as air curtains) where interior/exterior interfaces occur (for example, between loading docks and warehouse). Provide mechanized handling systems in normal labor-intensive functions (for example, powered lifts and conveyors).

Interior of the structure should be primarily a free-span area for maneuvering vehicles and cargo build-up and break-down locations. Adequate ventilation systems are mandatory for removal of vehicle emissions within the warehouse/terminal. Special considerations are required for cold climates. Lighting should be adequate for reading shipping placards and moving vehicle traffic safely. Interior paint schemes should be light and bright to leverage light levels in working areas.

Controlled areas (for example, security cage, mail, signature service cargo) should be placed where they are not readily accessible or visible from the exterior of the building.

Administrative Areas Use comfortable and functional office furniture selected to complement a professional atmosphere. System or modular office furniture in open office areas provides increased privacy and acoustical control; this furniture also provides a long-range cost savings and better space flexibility.

Provide the right space for placement of individual and common use devices such as work stations or printers. Plan for future growth and flexibility in “type” and location of automation equipment and telephones. Ensure that power is located conveniently to the individual work areas and is capable of handling automation equipment. Size air conditioning to support the added heat loads from the automation equipment.

Education/Training Support Training facilities should be well-lit, spacious, and create environments conducive to learning. Select tables, chairs, and desks that are comfortable, durable, and coordinated with the interior facility decor. Provide for acoustical control requirements between adjacent areas.

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Housing Communities

Housing in AETC must exemplify our quality-of-life philosophy by providing attractive, secure, and appropriate places for our military members to live and raise families. Next to geographic location, housing is considered by most to be the top quality-of-life item. Good housing improves morale and favorably affects both job performance and retention.

AETC installations must strive to provide attractive, comfortable, and secure places for our military personnel and their families to live. Lodging quarters must meet the same standards in terms of quality.

Refer to the AETC Family Housing Design Guide for more information.

Family Housing

Military housing communities should be comparable to well-developed, off-base housing areas.

Use and implement neighborhood themes in exterior upgrade projects as developed and promoted in the Housing Community Plan. Develop and implement an architectural theme for neighborhoods. Provide visual relief and variety on exterior surfaces of houses.

Homes Carefully arrange spaces to provide efficient room circulation patterns and allow for personalizing by occupants.

Design kitchens with efficiently arranged work areas, generous cabinet space, direct access to dining rooms, and convenient access to the carport or garage and exterior service areas.

Include ample closet and storage space.

Visually and acoustically separate the laundry area from the living and dining rooms. Provide a physically distinct entrance foyer. Provide an adequately sized patio with privacy fencing and adjoining enclosed storage space.

Provide a one-car garage, minimum, for each unit; a two-car garage is preferred.

Provide exterior electrical outlets. Install central heating and air-conditioning and thermally efficient exterior doors and windows.

Keep each unit’s exterior features (siding, trim, roofs, gutters, and downspouts) and interior features (walls, ceilings, floors, and appliances) well maintained.

Carpeting is an acceptable floor covering for all quarters. Carpeting will be only command-approved colors of medium tones and neutral hues. Provide vinyl, tile, or hardwood transition areas at all entryways as appropriate to reduce heavy soiling at high traffic points. Install carpeting only in authorized areas.

(Kitchen areas, baths, patios, and porches are not authorized areas.) Bases may decide to carpet such areas as dining rooms and hallways.

Yards Establish a lawn maintenance standard and discourage flowerbeds along sidewalks and driveways. Use low maintenance shrubs. Advocate xeriscaping to minimize watering requirements in arid environments.

Ensure self-help landscape plantings comply with established siting standards.

Provide a materials list recommended by the local county agricultural agent, local agronomist, or Command to ensure plant materials are appropriate.

Encourage families to improve their homes and yards by providing annual funding and establishing a well-publicized Yard of the Month program.

Neighborhood Take advantage of common areas located interior to housing areas.

Develop recreation facilities, such as playgrounds for young children and jogging/bike trails. Locate them in close proximity to the family housing area.

Provide sidewalks, fencing, and street lighting comparable to typical residential neighborhoods. Strive to standardize fencing throughout the housing area.

Provide a separate, secure, and screened storage parking lot for recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers.

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Permanent Party Dormitories

As permanent residences for our unaccompanied members, dormitories should be a comfortable home.

New dormitories and major renovations will provide a shared kitchen, laundry, and living room with private bedroom, bath, and closet. Rooms will have exterior entrances. Dormitories should be well lit and designed with safety at the forefront. For more information on dormitory design, refer to the Unaccompanied Housing Design Guide (http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/dc/DCD/a rch/enlisteddormitories/index.html).

Site Amenities Site amenities include developed landscape areas and covered patios with adjacent barbecue grills. Ensure separate dormitory modules are interconnected with sidewalks. Provide covered bicycle and motorcycle parking.

Dayrooms Make dayrooms attractive and comfortable by carefully selecting room finishes and other amenities, such as artwork and plants, to enhance the decor.

Living Areas Ensure bedrooms have a full-length mirror, telephone jack, and central TV antenna or cable connections. Provide built-in closets, window screens, smoke and heat detectors, and individual room temperature control. Make rooms inviting with vanity sinks, refrigerators, hardwood furniture, drapes with linings, and a mix of direct and indirect lighting.

Finishes Use appropriate interior finishes and colors. Carpet rooms and interior hallways. Select materials and furnishings that are durable, maintainable, and of commercial quality.

Refinish existing interior concrete block walls with wall covering over gypsum board furring.

Laundry Rooms Provide tastefully decorated laundry rooms with sorting counters and hanger rods.

Facility Entrances Define main entrances with covered exterior landings and proper lighting.

Identify facilities with professionally manufactured signs conforming to AETC sign requirements.

Student Dormitories

By the very nature of AETC’s charter, student dormitories are an integral part of the mission. Dormitories are the student’s temporary home and function as places of study. Dormitories constructed or renovated for pipeline students will accommodate two students in each room and will consist of a living room/bedroom, two walk-in closets and a bath in each room. In contrast to permanent party facilities, student dormitories do not have kitchens, and students are expected to use available dining facilities. For control purposes, central hallways may be desirable instead of private exterior entrances.

Criteria defined for permanent party dormitories—site amenities, dayrooms, etc.—also apply for student dormitories.

Additional requirements may exist for administrative support areas, offices, student processing areas, and learning resource centers.

Lodging Facilities

Lodging facilities should reflect outstanding facilities dedicated to customer service. The design and decor of all lodging facilities should be well planned and reflect a high-quality, professional appearance providing the best efforts to make travelers comfortable.

Guidelines

Reception The lodging office forms a guest’s first impression. Combine attractive landscaping with a lighted exterior building sign. Automatic doors are a must. A covered walkway with a handicap ramp should lead to the main entrance. Ample short-term parking space is a necessity.

Reduce the clutter of items such as advertisements, newspaper and vending machines, smoking receptacles, and bicycle racks; they do not belong in the open at entrances.

The lobby and front desk area establishes guests’ perceptions for the entire lodging operation. Front desk areas must be spacious and uncluttered.

Have a courtesy counter for guests to place or open a briefcase. Provide adequate telephone service in the lobby.

Build in spaces for computer terminals, printers, and a fax.

Display sundries attractively where customers may view items for sale.

Locate a secure storage room near the front desk for guests’ luggage.

Separate professional offices with sufficient square footage should be provided for the lodging manager, assistant lodging manager, reservations clerk, administrative and housekeeping personnel, and supplies.

Lodging furnishing cased goods standards are established for each base.

Contact AETC/SVX on procedures to change selections.

Refer to USAF VQ Design Guide for more information (https://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/products /vq/index.html).

Visiting Quarters Provide a full-length mirror, telephone jack, computer jack, and central TV antenna or cable connections. Provide built-in closets, window screens, smoke and fire detectors, and individual room temperature control. Make rooms inviting with vanity sinks, refrigerators, hardwood furniture, drapes with linings, and a mix of direct and indirect lighting. Use appropriate interior finishes and colors.

Carpet rooms and interior hallways.

Select materials and furnishings that are durable, maintainable, and of commercial quality. Refinish existing interior concrete block walls with wall covering over gypsum board furring.

Temporary Lodging Facilities Ensure quality apartment-style living quarters for housing families between assignments. Separate living and dining areas from bedrooms and provide a separate sleeping area for children, when possible. Accommodate typical kitchen appliances (including a microwave), a color television, and an iron and ironing board. Provide adjacent parking areas to accommodate large recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers. Provide tastefully decorated laundry rooms with sorting counters, hanger rods, and locking doors.

Refer to USAF TLF Design Guide for additional information (https://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/dc/dcd/A RCH/tlfdg/tlf/index.html).

Community Support Facilities

Along with housing, community support facilities play an essential role in improving the quality of life. Base personnel depend on quality health care facilities, base exchanges, chapels, commissaries, clubs, bowling centers, theaters, libraries, child development centers, youth centers, auto/skill centers, and recreational facilities to support their daily needs. Installations should provide these facilities and programs to meet the expectations of our people.

Except for specific functional criteria, community support facilities will comply with Command and installation specific development, planning, and design standards regardless of funding source.

Dining Facilities

A quality dining experience is the result of a conscientious integration of the tangible and the intangible—quality food and appropriate atmosphere. Each installation will ensure professional food service for its people by providing quality meals served in superior facilities. Refer to UFC 4-722-01 for comprehensive design guidelines, criteria, and conceptualization (http://www.ccb.org/docs/UFC/4_722_01.

pdf). Contact AETC/SVXM for assistance with dining facility kitchen and serving line layouts.

Locate dining facilities next to or within dormitory complexes and provide ample accessible parking, attractive facilities should be comparable in design to commercial cafeterias. Because a wide selection of menu items is served, the interior design should not reflect any particular ethnic food theme. Instead, the decor should echo the geographic location or a selected theme for the dining area.

As supplemental lighting, use energy-efficient, level-controllable fixtures consistent with the architectural theme.

Examples of such lighting are indirect fluorescent, recessed high-intensity discharge, low-voltage incandescent (for accent lighting only), and compact fluorescent. All of this lighting can be obtained in a variety of decorative fixtures with dimming capabilities.

Provide a central music and paging system with flush-mounted ceiling speakers. Acoustically insulate dishwashing rooms and provide alcoves for busing cart storage.

Recreational Facilities

Quality recreational facilities promote healthy, motivated, and effective personnel. These facilities are important contributors to the overall quality of life for our military personnel, their families, and civilian employees. Base recreational areas should provide modern, complete, and excellent environments for our people and families.

Fitness Centers Fitness centers should be designed as multipurpose facilities capable of accommodating a full range of fitness activities.

Entry foyers should provide furniture for waiting and resting, and sports courts should have adequate bleachers and viewing areas. Locker rooms should be well ventilated, provides adequate numbers of lockers, and be designed with materials that are easily cleaned.

Provide spacious change areas with wide benches and plenty of lockers. Women’s change areas should provide well-lighted, spacious mirrors and vanities with extra electrical outlets. Locate separate spas, steam rooms, and saunas for men and women in or near change room areas.

Provide modern restroom and shower facilities. Privacy curtains or doors for showers and drying areas, where appropriate, are encouraged.

Wall and floor coverings should be selected for safety, functionality, durability, appearance, and sound control.

Walkways and workout stations should be well defined to prevent participants from being crowded while training.

Offer a full variety of fitness equipment and have specialized rooms for cardiovascular equipment, aerobics, and weights. Provide equipment tailored for all patrons, such as small weights. A storage area for weights, separate from traffic and workout areas, should be provided.

Refer to USAF Fitness Facilities Design Guide for additional information (https://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/dc/dcd/A RCH/fitness/index.html).

Bowling Centers Bowling centers should be comparable to commercial facilities. Attractive offices, centralized sales and pro shop, an enclosed video arcade, restrooms, a snack bar, and separate locker rooms should be available. Automatic scoring machines are recommended.

Golf Courses Courses should be well maintained and comparable to public facilities. The clubhouse should have a pro shop, separate restrooms, and separate locker rooms. Tastefully designed lounge, snack bar, dining, and patio areas should be provided.

Adequate storage for golf carts and golf club bags should be available along with waste cans, ball cleaners, and durable, attractive, and sheltered benches at each third tee box.

The course should take advantage of and accent its natural features. Course maintenance may be improved by using underground sprinkler systems as well as incorporating the use of “gray water” to conserve potable water in arid areas.

Playground Areas Provide fun, creative, and attractive spaces for users to enjoy. Stress safety by using impact absorbing materials.

Provide a variety of play spaces and adequate seating. Avoid dissimilar and multi-colored materials. Provide attractive landscaping. Consider need for restroom facilities and drinking fountains.

Swimming Pools At many installations, swimming pools occupy prominent locations. Supporting equipment should be screened. Fencing should be upgraded using landscaping or other materials to improve the aesthetics, maintain privacy and safety, and eliminate the need for unsightly netting.

Outdoor Recreation Locate outdoor recreational facilities near the population they serve. Place bleachers for football, soccer, and softball fields on concrete pads to control erosion, eliminate settling, and mitigate weed growth. Pads also improve litter and insect control. Provide sizable and compatible refuse and recycling receptacles.

Athletic fields provide recreation where people may interact competitively, safely, and enjoyably. Provide permanent and modern restroom facilities. Include attractive, clean, and functional snack bar facilities. Mount field lights on storm-resistant poles and run all utilities underground.

FAMCAMP areas should provide facilities and services for all types of campers.

These include paved parking surfaces with complete utility hookups, restrooms, laundry, nature walks, and play areas with good landscaping.

Create fitness “bike and hike” trails and a path network between recreational facilities and housing areas. Be sensitive to noise levels that can detract from the quality of housing areas. Integrate throughout base where feasible.

Picnic areas provide space for relaxation.

They should be easily accessible from parking areas and provide good shelter.

For additional information on outdoor sports and recreation facilities refer to

UFC 4-750-02N.

Other Community Support Facilities

Clubs Design clubs to meet the needs of each installation’s population. Ensure the main entrance and exterior appearances are attractive and professionally landscaped.

Create inviting foyers with tastefully selected accessories, lighting, and furnishings.

Provide attractive lounges, dining areas, cashier cage, barber shop, coat room, telephone areas, and game room.

Ensure kitchen equipment is commercial quality.

Religious Facilities Base religious facilities must reflect genuine care and commitment to our people and families.

Religious facilities should have a comprehensive, multi-denominational interior design package with coordinated wall coverings, furnishings, floor coverings, and accessories. Provide administrative areas for staff to conduct day-to-day duties and private counseling.

Include multi-purpose rooms that can serve as training areas. Install a kitchen with plenty of storage and workspace.

Provide a high-quality public address system, full lighting control, and furnishings that are comfortable, attractive, and professional. Refer to the USAF Religious Facilities Design Guide for further guidance

RCH/religious/index.html).

Exchanges and Commissaries These facilities provide the local military community with commercial-quality facilities and services. Each installation should have a detailed community center development plan that carefully integrates the siting, architectural compatibility, landscaping, and other amenities of these essential community support facilities. Minimize product advertising and customer inconveniences at the main entrances to these facilities.

Pay particular attention to the location of vending machines, newspaper stands, and other clutter.

Child Development Child development facilities provide full-and part-day preschool, hourly care, and summer camp programs to children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Each program offers opportunities that enhance the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children.

Facilities should include a covered reception and drop-off area at the main entrance. Playgrounds must meet the requirements of the latest US Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety.

Shaded areas on playgrounds must accommodate at least one-third of children present at one time.

Playgrounds must have a combination of surfaces to include soil for gardening, grass, concrete, or asphalt for riding toys, and sand. Closed circuit video surveillance cameras must be operational in all activity rooms and on playgrounds, with monitors visible to parents, administrative staff, and visitors.

Locate video equipment to be discreet and not a detractor. Child-sized, age-appropriate equipment and furnishings must be located in all activity areas.

Floors and wall coverings must be washable and durable.

Refer to UFC 4-740-14 Design: Child Development Centers (http://www.ccb.org/docs/UFC/4_740_14.

pdf).

Youth Activities Youth programs include youth activities, youth support, and school-aged programs.

Programs are based on the needs and interests of the youth community.

Facilities include outdoor playgrounds that meet US Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety standards, reception areas, indoor space for physical fitness activities (gymnasiums), activity rooms for school-age programs and classes, and areas for teen activities. Each facility is equipped with closed circuit surveillance cameras to supervise activity areas that cannot be seen from the reception area. Locate video equipment to be discreet and not a detractor.

Family Support Family support centers must reflect a professional, caring environment where people are comfortable seeking assistance.

Centers must be easily identifiable, designed for easy accessibility, and be within close proximity or connected to other support activities (for example, American Red Cross, retirees activities, and other family-related activities). The interior design should be warm, comfortable, relaxing, and inviting, creating a pleasant environment. Include reception area, private staff offices for counseling, conference and classroom areas, child care area, kitchen, storage and supply areas, library or reference area, and restrooms.

Infrastructure Systems

Each AETC installation will have upgrade plans to improve its infrastructure systems. These plans will include each system’s requirements to support current and future missions. Systems include airfield infrastructure, utilities systems, and major facility components.

Airfield Infrastructure

Installation excellence cannot be achieved on a flying training mission base without an adequate, well-maintained airfield infrastructure to launch, recover, and park aircraft, including airfield pavements, airfield lighting, and aircraft arresting systems.

Protecting the integrity of these systems is a primary responsibility of the installation commander, operational personnel, and the base civil engineer.

Airfield Pavements Structurally sound pavements are required for safe flying operations. A comprehensive pavement plan that addresses maintenance of existing pavements and requirements for new construction is essential.

Detailed airfield planning criteria are contained in applicable Air Force directives. Airfield obstructions should be the exception rather than the rule;

waivers should be processed and approved by the appropriate authority having jurisdiction. If correctable, obstructions should be eliminated at the earliest possible time.

Portable buildings should not be allowed on parking aprons. Signs around the airfield should be kept to a minimum and installed on frangible supports.

5 4

Airfield Lighting Airfield lighting systems are essential for conducting safe and efficient airfield operations at night and during inclement weather. Ensuring such systems are operational and well-maintained is imperative.

Airfield lighting criteria are contained in applicable Air Force directives and associated documents. All open bus structures in night lighting vaults should be eliminated and replaced with low-voltage enclosed wiring systems.

All existing conductors must be equipped with the appropriate cutouts to ensure conductors remain deenergized during system repairs. Airfield lighting conductors must be placed in direct buried conduits or concrete-encased duct banks. Generators supporting airfield lighting should be sized to support the entire lighting system and ancillary devices associated with such systems.

Utility Infrastructure

Installation excellence cannot be achieved on an AETC installation without adequate, well-maintained utility infrastructure systems for power, natural gas, water, sewage, storm drainage, steam, chilled water, communications (telephone and control), and POL.

Protecting the integrity of these systems is a primary responsibility of the installation commander, support and logistics personnel, and civil engineers.

Power Distribution We must provide reliable and, to the highest degree possible, uninterrupted power to our facilities.

Overhead power lines are unattractive, exposed to the elements, and represent safety concerns.

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