- Exposed thermal-mass integrally-colored materials including brick, concrete and plaster are preferred for permanent walls in Group 1 and 2 facilities; do not paint or apply finishes to thermal mass walls.
- Interior concrete block walls are prohibited in Groups 1, 2 and 4; neutral split-face or ground-face integrally colored block may be used in Group 3.
- Limit the use of wood paneling to accents and wainscoting in Group 1 and high-visibility high-use areas in Group 2.
- Provide one to two accent colors on walls; trims and accessories may be used as accents in Groups 1, 2 and 4.
- Minimize the use of wallcovering such as vinyl, wallpaper, etc.
- Select durable, cost-effective, commercial-grade finishes that do not show excessive wear.
- Avoid heavy texture on drywall partitions to ensure ease of cleaning.
- Protect walls and corners with components such as chair rails and corner guards in high use areas; impacts must be considered when selecting wall systems.
- All utility devices and fire-protection components must be factory finished in colors to blend with the adjacent surface.
- Integrally colored materials shall be neutral; do not paint concrete, brick, block, ceramic tile or other integrally colored materials; a clear sealer may be used on masonry.
Use open office configurations and open plan arrangements for maximum flexibility. Minimize the use of constructed walls; permanent or semi-permanent interior walls for private offices and spaces are discouraged. Providing visual and acoustical privacy and security in systems furniture or modular furniture is preferred.
Provide durable low-maintenance wall materials and finishes for a long life span with the possibility of one or more uses of spaces during that time. Apply wall finishes assuming a 10-year lifespan. Color shall be cohesive and of consistent quality throughout a facility.
Comply with Unified Facilities Criteria for Sound Transmission Loss (TL), Noise Reduction (NR) and Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings.
Sustainability
Cost-effectively incorporate passive design strategies before active mechanical systems are designed following UFC 1-200-02. Fully integrate openings within walls to support passive systems.
Interior elements must preserve the functionality of thermal-mass floors and walls; coordinate functionally required partitions with the building’s passive heating and cooling system. Use integrally colored materials, such as masonry or concrete, for thermal-mass walls.
UFC 1-200-01 General Building Requirements http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/dod/unified-facilities-criteria-ufc/ufc-1-200-01
UFC 1-200-02 High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/dod/unified-facilities-criteria-ufc/ufc-1-200-02
UFC 3-120-10 Interior Design http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/dod/unified-facilities-criteria-ufc/ufc-3-120-10
UFC 3-450-01 Noise and Vibration Control http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/dod/unified-facilities-criteria-ufc/ufc-3-450-01
AFI 32-6002 U.S. Air Force Family Housing Planning, Programming, Design, and Construction https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/publication/afi32-6002/afi32-6002.pdf
USAF/DOE Design Guide for Military Family Housing - Energy Efficient Revitalization and New Construction http://www.wbdg.org/FFC/AF/AFDG/milfam.pdf
US Air Force Family Housing Design Guide for Planning, Programming, Design and Construction http://www.wbdg.org/FFC/AF/AFDG/familyhousing.pdf
