VA 01 00 00 General Requirements - Appendix B.pdf

Appendix B

VA Adopted Codes

SECTION 01 00 00

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Appendix B

VA Adopted Codes

GENERAL: VA has adopted the latest editions of the following codes and standards as a minimum for all projects performed in the modernization, alteration, addition, or improvement of its real property and the construction of new structures. VA design Manuals and Master Specifications specify other codes and standards that VA follows on its projects:

A. VA Directives, Design Manuals, Master Specifications, VA National CAD Standard Application

Guide, and other Guidance on the Technical Information Library (TIL)

(http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/)

B. International Building Code (IBC), including International Mechanical and Plumbing Codes

C. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (see NOTES below)

D. NFPA National Fire Codes, with the exception of NFPA 5000 and NFPA 900

E. Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards

F. VA Seismic Design Requirements, H-18-8

G. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)

H. National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC)

I. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, (A17.1)

J. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes

K. ASME Code for Pressure Piping

L. Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) including VA Supplement, Barrier

Free Design and (ABA)

M. Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete, American Concrete Institute and

Commentary (ACI 318)

N. Manual of Steel Construction, Load and Resistance Factor Design Specifications for Structural

Steel Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

O. Energy policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)

P. American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1, Energy Standards for

Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Q. Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings: Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU)

Section 01 00 00, Revised May 2015 General Requirements – Appendix B Page 1 http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/

R. Executive Order 13423: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation

Management

S. Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic

Performance

T. The Provisions for Construction and Safety Signs. Stated in the General Requirements, Section

01 00 00, of the VA Construction Specifications

U. America Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE), Ventilation for Acceptable

Indoor Air Quality – ASHRAE Standard 62.1

V. Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems – ASHRAE Standard 15

Local Codes: As an agency of the federal government, VA is not subject to local imposition of code enforcement procedures (drawing reviews, building permits, inspections, fees, etc.). VA must function as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and thus has the responsibility to guard public health and safety through enforcing its adopted codes. However, local authorities may be notified about planned projects and given opportunity to review drawings provided that VA does not pay for review or inspection fees.

NOTES:

1. NFPA 101 primarily addresses life safety and fire protection features while the IBC addresses a wide range of considerations, including, but not limited to, structural strength, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, and energy conservation. VA buildings must meet the requirements of NFPA 101 and documents referenced by NFPA 101 in order to comply with the accreditation requirements of The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals.

Therefore, designs shall comply with the requirements of the latest edition of NFPA 101 and documents referenced therein. Design features not addressed by NFPA 101 or documents referenced therein shall comply with the requirements of the latest edition of the IBC or as otherwise addressed above in this Program Guide. For design features that are addressed by both the IBC as well as NFPA 101 or a document referenced by NFPA 101, the requirements of NFPA

101 or the document referenced by NFPA 101 shall be used exclusively (this applies even if the

IBC requirements are different).

2. Conflicts between Nationally Recognized Codes and Standards and VA Requirements:

Should a conflict exist between VA requirements and VA adopted nationally recognized codes and standards, the conflict shall be brought to the attention of VA. The resolution of the conflict shall be made by the authority having jurisdiction for VA to ensure a consistency system wide.

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