U.S. Courts Design Guide
Audio-visual Control Room. The audio-visual control room must be accessed
through restricted circulation; however, some public access must be provided for tape
duplication requests. Convenient restricted circulation throughout the building,
including service elevator access, must be provided for moving audio-visual
equipment.
Parking. A restricted, high-security parking area for judges (including magistrate
judges) must be provided. The parking area must be accessed through a dedicated
secured circulation system connecting the parking area with the judges' restricted
circulation patterns in the building. Executive staff, as designated by the chief judge,
and agency vehicles may also share the secure parking area.
The number of public parking spaces provided must meet General Services
Administration (GSA) criteria. Design must consider convenience; weather protection;
clearly-marked entrances to parking areas and the building; short-term visitor parking;
and long-term parking for court participants and jurors.
Size
The net areas specified in the Guide exclude space required to accommodate
circulation among listed spaces. While the amount of circulation space required varies
with each facility's specific design, 19% can be added to the net programmed space to
determine the total usable area of court-related facilities (i.e., the estimated total usable
area of a court-related facility is equal to the sum of all the net programmed spaces
plus 19%). Please refer to Table 11.1 for specific size criteria.
Design Requirements
Refer to GSA document Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service.
Security
The security and alarm systems for court-related facilities function as an integral part
of the security and alarm systems for the total facility. Refer to document Facilities
Standards for the Public Buildings Service.
Doors to the exercise area, audio-visual control room, and audio-visual equipment
storage must have key locks. Single-fixture toilets must have privacy locks.
Refer to Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service.
11-8
12/19/97
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