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U.S. Attorneys' Manual

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U.S. Attorneys' Manual
EOUSA Resource Manual

162. Space Allocation Standards for USAOs—IV. Architectural Finish Requirements

  1. EOUSA Standard Office Build Out

    1. Private offices and open office areas are to be provided with the "EOUSA standard office build out," unless otherwise noted in the Individual Office Standards section. The standard office build out is normally considered:

      1. ceiling height gypsum board partitions

      2. carpet with factory bonded padding (minimum carpet face weight of 38 ounces per square yard, color and pattern to be chosen by the USAO)

      3. two coats semi-gloss paint (color to be chosen by USAO)

      4. building standard window treatment (usually mini-blinds)

      5. stained hollow core wooden laminate door with standard six-pin, paracentric, GSA-FSS Type 161 lockset which meets Federal Specification FF-H-001066 and is ADA compatible (such as Medeco 16 series or Best Lock 8K series).

      6. vinyl wall base (color to compliment carpeting)

      7. standard flourescent lighting

      8. suspended acoustical ceiling (8' height minimum)

      These standards may vary depending upon the location of the USAO and specific building standards.

  2. Partitions

    1. Demising walls - demising walls shall be slab to slab construction, with #9 gauge steel wire mesh securely anchored between the studs and contained within the finished partition. Partition to be taped, bedded, and finished to a smooth wall texture, painted with one prime coat and one finish coat, and attached to metal studs and top and bottom tracks. These partitions require additional sound attenuation material to be provided in the partition to bring the STC level of the partition up to 45.

    2. Sound Transmission Class (STC) - some partitions identified in the Individual Office Standards require a minimum STC rating of 45. The walls are to be slab to slab construction, with batt insulation provided in the finished partition. Partition to be taped, bedded, and finished to a smooth wall texture, painted with one prime coat and one finish coat, and attached to metal studs and top and bottom tracks. Ductwork should not compromise the STC rating, and wall outlets should not be placed back to back in order to avoid sound transmission through the wall.

    3. Ballistic Material and Devices - in areas identified to receive ballistic material, UL752, Level 6 rated ballistic wall paneling to be mounted slab to slab (within finished partitions) is to be provided. Partition to be taped, bedded, and finished to a smooth wall texture, painted with one prime coat and one finish coat, and attached to metal studs and top and bottom tracks. In the Reception Areas, a UL752, Level 3 rated ballistic transaction window with built-in natural voice communication system, brushed stainless steel frame, and Corian parcel counter with molded deal tray is to be provided. The window should be of sufficient height and width to ensure an unencumbered view of the entire waiting area, typically 4' high X 6' wide. Also provide a minimum 12" wide x 12" high ballistic package pass-through contained in the wall.

  3. Floor Covering

    1. Carpet Padding - carpet padding is to be provided under all USAO carpeted surfaces. Padding to be factory bonded to carpet, non-plasticized, micro cellular backing, with a face weight of 16 ounces per square yard, a density of 14 lbs. per cubic foot, and a thickness of .100 inches (such as Dow Plastics "Enhancer", Classification II (Heavy Use))

    2. EOUSA Standard Carpeting - to be of tufted construction, cut pile texture, made of 100% DuPont Atron Legacy BCF Nylon with DuraTech (or equivalent) , static controlled and soil resistant fiber. Yarn to be 2 ply with a face weight of 38 ounces per square yard, with a 10 year warranty on wear and factory bonded padding. Color is to be chosen by the USAO.

    3. Carpet Border - to be made of the same grade and make of carpet as the USAO standard carpet installed in the office. Color and style to be chosen by the USAO.

    4. Vinyl and Static Resistant Vinyl Tile - storage and utility areas should be provided with vinyl tile flooring. ADP areas are to be provided with static resistant vinyl tile flooring. Color and pattern for both are to be chosen by the USAO.

    5. Carpet Tile - carpet tile is not to be used in USAO space unless there is an existing under-floor raceway/trough system which must be accessible. If carpet tile is to be used, the tiles must have integral padding. Color and pattern are to be chosen by the USAO.

  4. Window Treatment

    1. Building Standard - building standard window treatment is usually mini-blinds or vertical blinds.

    2. Drapery - drapery should be sheer panels with fabric side panels, and be floor length unless otherwise specified. Color to be chosen by the USAO.

    3. Valances - to be approximately 6" wide, made of either composition wood with stained veneer to match the door, or particle board with fabric covering. Type and color to be determined by the USAO.

    4. Security - there are no specific requirements for glazing unless applied to buildings associated with high threat. Buildings that are located in a geographic area or collocated with other high threat facilities should have windows that are:

      1. laminated annealed glass (preferred), or

      2. heavy acrylic (for skylights), or

      3. monolithic (annealed or tempered) with security safety shatter resistant window film that is applied from edge to edge of the glass, or is anchored by additional stiles if applied to the exterior surface of the glass.

  5. Doors

    1. Office Perimeter - office perimeter doors should be UL Class B fire rated solid wood core or metal clad doors with no vents or windows. Doors will have reverse door swing so that they open outward.

    2. Ballistic - ballistic doors should be UL 752, Level 6 rated, wooden laminate, single/double doors with frame, a continuous roton hinge, and an in-frame mounted balanced magnetic sensor. Door should be supplied with a mechanical door closer and locking hardware, and a rim-mounted, emergency exit device with dual Medeco high security deadbolt and latchbolt locking cores.

    3. Standard Office - standard interior office doors are to be hollow core, stained wooden laminate doors.

    4. Above Standard Office - in offices which require partitions with an STC 45 rating or with #9 gauge wire mesh mounted in the walls, the door is to be a solid core, stained wooden door.

    5. Standard Hardware - interior office doors will follow the GSA door lock schedule. Lockset to be a standard six-pin, paracentric, GSA-FSS Type 161 lockset which meets Federal Specification FF-H-001066 and is ADA 11 - compatible (such as Medeco 16 series or Best Lock 8K series). All locks are to be off of the building master. The Grand Master and lock cores are to be supplied to the Administrative Officer directly from the manufacturer.

    6. Security - some doors will be specified to receive some or all of the security hardware listed below:

      1. a four way in-door viewing device (such as "Door Spy, DS-6" model available from Micro Affiliates, Rockville, MD (800) 430- 1099)

      2. an in-door viewing device (such as "Door Scope," available from Tiger Security, Boca Roton, FL (800) 881-9033)

      3. an automatic mechanical door closer (required on all security and perimeter doors)

      4. a UL 634 rated balanced electro-magnetic door sensor

      5. a key operated deadbolt lock with key section Level 7 (Factory Restricted) and cam-operated bolt, with inside manual thumb latch (such as Medeco Biaxial Keyway series or equivalent)

      6. a high security sliding deadbolt (such as Sargent & Greenleaf, model SM 181/83)

      7. a GSA approved 3-position combination deadbolt lock which meets GSA specification RF-L-2470 (such as Mas-Hamilton Model X-07)

      8. a manual cypher lock

      9. a rim-mounted, emergency bar exit device (such as Von Duprin model HS-98-NL or HS-99-NL) available from Von Duprin, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (317) 897-9944)

      10. a security grade emergency bar/paddle door release device to work in conjunction with electric strike and key lock (such as Von Duprin 98 or 99 series).

      11. an electric strike access control mechanism (such as Von Dup model 6112, 24-volt, fail secure, electric strike), available from Von Duprin, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (317) 897-9944)

      The number and location of these devices are to be determined by the Security Programs Staff, EOUSA.
       

    7. Transoms - if existing transoms cannot be removed, they must be able to be locked and alarmed to prevent intrusion.

    8. Perimeter Doors With Windows/Vents - if existing windows and/or vents cannot be removed, they should be alarmed to prevent intrusion. Reflective film should be applied to the interior of the windows to prevent visual access into the USAO space.

  6. Millwork

    1. Chair Rail - to be placed with top of rail at 1" below top of window sill (in rooms with no windows, top of rail should be 36" above finished floor). Chair rail to be 4" wide by 1" thick, made of hardwood and stained to match the office doors.

    2. Base Board

      1. Vinyl Base Board - to be 4" high by .085" thick, unless otherwise specified. Color to complement the carpeting and chosen by the USAO

      2. Wood Base Board - to be 4" high by 3/4" thick, made of hardwood and stained to match the office doors

      3. Carpet Base Board - to be 4" high and made of the same carpeting covering the floor (without factory bonded padding)

    3. Built-in Casework

      1. Marker Board - marker board to be integral with wall, made of 3/4" particle board with 22 gauge face sheet and porcelain writing surface, panels to extend from chair rail to ceiling, butt joints to be splined, color to be white with black plastic tee-edged molding. Continuous wood chalk rail to be provide under marker board, mounted at same height as chair rail, stained to match the door.

      2. Tack Board - tack board to be integral with wall, to be of fabric (color and type to be specified by the USAO) applied to Homasote panels and mounted on 1/4" wood blocking framework, anchored to studs, panels to extend from chalk rail to ceiling; continuous wood chalk rail to be provided under tack board, mounted at same height as chair rail, stained to match the door.

      3. Combination Marker Board and tack board - combination marker board and tack board to be integral with wall, marker board to be positioned between two tackboard panels, markerboard to be made of 3/4" particle board with 22 gauge face sheet and porcelain writing surface, tackboard to be of fabric (color and type to be specified by the USAO) applied to Homasote panels and mounted on 1/4" wood blocking framework, anchored to studs, panels to extend from chair rail to ceiling, butt joints to be splined, continuous wood chalk rail to be provided under both marker board and tack board, mounted at same height as chair rail, stained to match door, or prefabricated marker board and tack board unit, make and finish to be chosen by the USAO.

      4. Audio/Visual Cabinet - built-in audio/visual cabinet to be made of wood veneer, upper cabinet to have adjustable wood shelving with a portion to have raised panel cabinet doors for storage of VCR and audio equipment. Lower cabinet to have adjustable wood shelving, with wood molding and baseboard. All wood surfaces to be stained to match the door.

      5. Mail Distribution Center - built-in mail distribution center to be made of wood, stained to match the door. Mail box slots to be 4H" x 12W" x 18" D (typical minimum), oriented either vertically or horizontally. Provide plastic laminate work surface with matching plastic laminate storage shelving below.

      6. Copy Room Counter - to be plastic laminate on 3/4" particle board, 15" deep. Shelves to be adjustable, supported on slotted, wall mounted standards. Counter and cabinets to be plastic laminate on fire retardant wood and plywood framing. Provide fire retardant wood blocking as required to reinforce partition where shelf standard and counter are mounted.

      7. Break Room Counter - to have an 18" x 24" Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible stainless steel sink with hot and cold water supply and waste line mounted in a finished wooden kitchen sink base cabinet; garbage disposal; 6 linear feet (including sink base) of base cabinets with matching wall cabinets, except above sink base; base cabinets to have 6 linear feet of plastic laminate counter top with integral splash block. Space, electrical, plumbing, and waste line requirementsshould be provided to accommodate a microwave, coffee maker (no water line) and/or a refrigerator with icemaker.

      8. Coffee Nook - to have an 14" x 14" American With Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible stainless steel sink with hot and cold water supply and waste line mounted in a finished wooden kitchen sink base cabinet; garbage disposal; 4 to 6 linear feet (including sink base) of base cabinets with matching wall cabinets, except above sink base. Base cabinets to have 4 to 6 linear feet of plastic laminate counter top with integral splash block. Space, electrical, plumbing, and waste line requirements should be provided to accommodate a microwave and/or coffee maker (no water line).

  7. Electrical Requirements

    1. Standard Office Electrical Requirement - each "standard office" should be provided with a minimum of one 20amp/110-120 volt, general purpose, dedicated, color coded quadraplex electrical outlet on one wall (for computers and printers). This outlet should be connected to a clean ground dedicated circuit, with a maximum of four such outlets per clean ground circuit. One 20 amp/110 volt, NEMA 5-20R, three wire, single phase duplex electrical outlet should be provided on the remaining walls. The local Administrative Officer may determine the need for additional electrical requirements for additional equipment (to be approved by EOUSA/FMSS).

    2. Break Room - break rooms should be provided with two Ground Fault Interrupt (G.F.I.) quadraplex outlets mounted above the counter top to accommodate items such as microwaves and/or toasters. The necessary electrical requirements should be provided to accommodate a microwave, coffee maker and / or a refrigerator.

    3. Large Copiers - large copiers with specific electrical requirements will be identified by the USAO if different from the standard electrical outlet/circuit.

    4. Computer Electrical Requirements - Computer rooms require at least one 20 amp/120 volt, clean ground, dedicated circuit with a standard quadraplex outlet per server. The local Systems Manager and Office Automation, EOUSA must be consulted before the beginning of any project to determine the total number of lines needed, as well as any other electrical, telephone, or equipment requirements.

    5. Reception Area Screening Equipment

      1. The X-ray machine and magnetometer equipment to be placed in some Visitor Waiting Areas each require their own dedicated outlets. The X-Ray machine should be provided with a 115 VAC (+/- 10%), 60 Hz (+/- 3 HZ), approximately 6 kVA dedcicated circuit terminating in a color coded duplex outlet. The magnetometer should be provided with a 90- 137 VAC, 50-60 Hz (+/- 3 Hz) dedicated circuit terminating in a color coded duplex outlet. Both outlets should be placed to maximize seating and circulation area in the Visitor Waiting Area.

  8. HVAC

    1. ADP Room - ADP rooms should be provided with a separate (independent) air conditioning unit sufficient to operate for 24 hours and maintain a temperature of no more than 75 degrees and maximum humidity of 80 percent. Units in larger ADP rooms must accommodate heat output of 12,000 BTUs per hour. Units in smaller ADP rooms must handle 5,000 BTUs per hour.

    2. Telephone Room - telephone rooms should be provided with a separate (independent) air conditioning unit sufficient to operate for 24 hours and maintain a temperature of no more than 75 degrees and maximum humidity of 80 percent (wherever possible, the ADP Room and the Telephone Room should share the same system. This unit must handle 5, 000 BTUs per hour.

    3. Conference Rooms - should be provided with supplemental HVAC with a dedicated thermostat and temperature control mounted next to the light switch. 4.Main Copy Room - should have a ceiling mounted exhaust fan with outside discharge, number of air changes to be determined by the cubic volume of the room and the BTU output of the equipment.

  9. Services

    1. Mail Service - prior to mail being delivered to the USAO, it must be inspected and X-rayed.

      1. the USAO will make the decision as to who will perform the mail screening function and where it will be done.

      2. if the USAO is located in a Courthouse or Federal Building, Court Security Officers (CSOs) should perform this service.

      3. if the USAO is located in leased space and a guard, X-ray machine, and magnetometer have been placed in the Visitor Waiting Area, mail screening should be performed by the guard.

      4. if the office is located in leased space and does not have a guard assigned, arrangements should be made with the nearest Courthouse to have the CSOs screen the mail.

      5. the USAO may choose to contract this service to an independent firm.

        The Security Programs Staff should be contacted for any additional assistance needed in establishing the mail screening process.

    2. Guard Service - in the Courthouse, Court Security Officers (CSOs) assigned to the Courthouse are responsible for monitoring the USAO space. In leased locations, depending on the staffing level of the office, a guard with an x-ray machine and magnetometer may staff the USAO waiting area during regular business hours. This service will be funded with a Reimbursable Work Authorization (GSA) from the Security Programs Staff.

  10. Signage

    1. Building standard signs shall be provided for the primary entrance to the USAO.

    2. Room signs shall be provided for all rooms within the USAO office suite. Rooms shall be identified by either the individual occupant's name or the room's functional use.

    3. The building directory board shall identify the office title as the "United States Attorney's Office" and identify the room number for the primary entrance to the office.

[updated February 1999]