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161.

Space Allocation Standards for USAOs—III. Desired Structural Requirements

  1. Column Spacing

    1. The minimum spacing between structural columns in a building should be 20 feet on center.

  2. Circulation

    1. A minimum of 20% of the overall requested office space should be used as a circulation factor to provide adequate circulation space and flexibility of layout. This amount of office space will be included in the total requested USAO office space.

  3. Entrance

    1. In all new Courthouse projects where the USAO is to be included in the housing plan, EOUSA will consider the feasiblity and cost implications of establishing a separate entrance into the Courthouse. If approved, this entrance will be staffed by Court Security Officers.

  4. Structural Reinforcement of Floor

    1. The library, file rooms with mobile filing or "times two" filing systems, and/or safes may require additional structural reinforcement in the floor. For these areas, estimate a minimum floorload of 150 pounds per square foot. During the space planning stage, a GSA structural engineer will determine the acceptable structural load for the building, and advise if reinforcement is necessary. Stacking plans should also be produced to determine if floor loads can be reduced.

  5. Internal Staircases

    1. When the USAO is located in leased space and housed on two or more floors, each floor should be connected by a dedicated, internal staircase. These staircases should conform to all local fire codes, and be built to standard office finish with carpeted treads, metal railing with a stained wood cap, and painted walls. These stairwells will be approved by EOUSA/FMSS based on their cost, which is not to exceed $50,000 per staircase.

    2. When the USAO is located in the U.S. Courthouse, even if they are housed on two or more floors, an internal staircase is not required.

  6. Windowed Office Space

    1. The United States Attorney, all Assistant United States Attorneys, and supervisory personnel should be provided a private office with windows.

  7. Public Bathrooms

    1. When the USAO occupies an entire floor of a building, they should be given the option of enclosing the public bathrooms on that floor within their secure perimeter. If this is not possible, the USAO should be able to control access to the public restrooms by installing a lock or an SPS specified access device on the bathroom doors.

  8. Showers

    1. EOUSA will not provide showers for the U.S. Attorney or for the USAO office. When the USAO office is moving into office space where showers exist, they may be retained if they do not interfere with the design of an efficient office layout.

    2. In buildings where there is a government joint-use Fitness Area, or where one is being planned, EOUSA will contribute funds so that USAO personnel may use the facility.

  9. Fire Stairs

    1. When building fire stairs are located within the USAO secured perimeter, a locking device will be specified by the Security Programs Staff to prevent access to USAO space from the stair.

    2. When fire stairs which require public access are located within the USAO secured perimeter, GSA will work with the Security Programs Staff to formulate a fire egress plan that will minimize public access to USAO space.

  10. Loading Dock and Freight Elevator

    1. A loading dock and freight elevator are required for all space assignments with USAO access.

    2. The freight elevator should be programmed in such a way that it will not stop on the USAOs floor without prior arrangements with the USAO. A less preferred security method is to have a locking gate across the opening preventing anyone from entering without the permission of the USAO.

  11. Overtime Utilities

    1. The USAO will have access to overtime HVAC services for use when personnel are to be in the space after normal business hours or on weekends. These services will be funded by EOUSA/FMSS through a Reimbursable Work Authorization to GSA.

    2. Cleaning of office spaces will be accomplished during normal office working hours. Personnel performing cleaning services will be employed with a licensed company. The employing company will ensure that the employee is bonded, has been fingerprinted, and a local agency check for a criminal record is complete.

  12. Telephone System and Cabling

    1. The USAO Telephone Room must be located within USAO controlled space.

    2. There should be an uninterrupted path from where telephone cabling enters the building to the USAO Telephone Room. The telephone cabling must be in sealed conduit wherever it passes through non-USAO controlled space.

    3. Telephone cabling is not to be dropped off to a shared frame room and then brought into USAO space.

    4. No horizontal cabling may pass through public space or space not under direct control of the USAO unless it is in sealed conduit.

    5. Telephone rooms must be alarmed, tied into the building fire alarm system and USAO security system.

    6. Access to the Telephone Room must be controlled by the USAO only.

    7. Final decisions on telephone cabling and the telephone system are to be made in consultation with the Telecommunications Staff, EOUSA.

  13. Computer Room and Cabling

    1. The Computer Room must be located in USAO controlled space. It should be located in non-windowed space, and as close to the center of the office as possible.

    2. No horizontal cabling may pass through public space or space not under direct control of the USAO unless it is in sealed conduit.

    3. The Computer Room must be alarmed, tied into the building fire alarm system and USAO security system.

    4. Keys to the Computer Room must be controlled by the USAO only.

    5. Final decisions on computer cabling and the computer system are to be made by the Office Automation Staff, EOUSA.

[updated February 1999] [cited in EOUSA Resource Manual 160]