The district has proposed adding a classroom to the existing K-6 school to replace the original portion which will be demolished. The original building was constructed as a two story school. A gymnasium was added in 1954 and a brick addition was constructed in 1984. The State Fire Marshall has ordered the district to cease occupancy of the original portion due to structural deficiencies. The building received a condition score of 44.90 in the 1997/98 assessment.
The renovated school would become a K-3 school. The exact enrollment is not known since the school has been closed for a year. The design includes a new classroom, bathroom, storage room, kitchen, and mechanical room. The electrical system would also be upgraded. The project is estimated to cost $431,675.
The first step in this review was to identify those state rules and design guidelines that have a direct affect on the design of a school facility. These were inserted into a matrix which was used to review the schematic design documents for each project. This matrix is located in Appendix A.
Rules and guidelines with which the project design did not align are detailed below with the district’s response and the review team’s comment or recommendation. To review the results of the complete review, see Appendix A.
Guideline
Maximum regular classroom size is 1,050 SF with 15 SF for each computer station.
Project design is for a classroom of 1,189 SF. The guideline of 1,050 SF plus 6 computer stations at 15 SF would = 1,140 SF.
This project was designed under the old standards and the drawings were completed more than a year ago. Minor revisions would not be cost effective.
This project is an addition to an existing school and involves only one new classroom. The variance from the guideline is not significant.
All classrooms for grades K-5 shall have windows equal to or greater in area than 8 percent of the floor area of the classroom.
The project design provides windows that equal approximately 4.5 percent of a typical classroom.
The district agreed with the guideline and intends to modify the design to comply.
Note: The existing building did not comply with some of the other guidelines, such as corridor width, but the review team assumed it was not the intention of the guidelines to require existing buildings to be brought into conformance.
The Hudson Valley Elementary school is proposed be remodeled to add a classroom and some support facilities. The project is a relatively small project and the existing building sets the standards for the remodel. The value analysis on this remodel was very limited as the options are limited or non-existent due to the need to match the existing building’s systems and materials. The proposed design as reviewed is adequate and cost effective given the constraints.
The electrical system will include a new power panel and utilize the existing distribution system. Lighting will be T8 to match what is already in the building. The kitchen equipment was purchased just last year and will be used in the new kitchen area.
The HVAC system boilers will be new. Two boilers are proposed for reliability and higher efficiency. The school remodel will use adequate insulation and insulated windows for energy efficiency.
No modifications are suggested for this school project coming out of the value analysis.
Introduction
The review team reviewed the schematic documents for energy efficient strategies. Options to increase energy efficiency were discussed with the district during the workshop but were limited due to the small size of the project and the existing conditions. The options are listed below. In each case the proposed options will save energy. The design team must complete the life cycle cost analysis to determine if the options and alternatives are cost effective.
Building Envelope
The addition incorporates typical insulation values in the walls and roof, and utilizes insulated windows.
Consider the following options to reduce energy use:
n Increase the insulation R-values in the roof and walls. A cost analysis of this option should be completed.
n Consider a training program for the building users on how to eliminate waste and the proper operation of the HVAC system. Many district have produced significant energy savings by modifying the behaviors of teachers, staff and students through training and incentive programs.
n Consider hiring a resource officer. A full or part-time resource officer can facilitate the training of the building users in energy efficient behaviors. The officer can initiate programs to save energy by working with local utilities. Many districts have saved substantial energy dollars by having the resource officer check the accuracy of utility bills and monitor energy usage for anomalies.
HVAC System
The heating and cooling of the facility is the largest use of energy in a school building. The system as proposed is an efficient system.
The system utilizes multiple boilers and forced air distribution to provide heating and ventilation. Cooling will be provided by a air cooled condensing unit and the air handling unit.
Consider the following items to reduce energy use:
n Increased boiler efficiency can be achieved by the use of forced draft boilers versus gravity draft boilers
n Increased insulation on hot and cold water piping can reduce heat loss/gain.
n Contact gas utility to determine if price incentives are available and negotiate cost reductions on equipment and off peak energy use.
Electrical System
The electrical system proposed is also a state-of-the-art system. Consider the following to reduce energy costs:
n Use dimmable ballasts or multiple level switching for all lights in classrooms. Dimmable ballasts or multiple level switching allow the occupants to adjust the level of light for different activities and to take advantage of natural light.
n Increase use of automation such as occupancy sensors. Occupancy sensors indicate when a person has entered a room and automatically turn on the lights. Sensors can also adjust artificial light levels to take advantage of natural light.
n Contact the electrical utility to determine if price incentives are available and negotiate cost reductions on equipment and off peak energy use.
The safety and security review is made up of a series of questions which target key issues regarding district policy, building design and site layout. The issues were identified through MGT’s ten-year experience of conducting safety and security reviews of school districts and through a review of current literature on the subject. The questions were formatted into a chart which was used to review the schematic design documents for each project. The complete chart is located in Appendix B.
The following items are issues which the project design did not resolve completely. The district’s response is included with any comments or recommendations by the review team.
Issue
Does the district have written policies related to building security?
District’s Response
The district does not have written policy or procedures, but procedures for building security are communicated to building administrators.
Comments/Recommendations
Recommendation: Building security policies and procedures should be put into writing to ensure they are clearly communicated and understood. Each school should have security procedures specific to its facility.
Issue
Does the district have policies that require a security review for construction and/or renovation projects?
District’s Response
Since this is their first construction project in some time, they do not have a policy. They will look into this issue.
Issue
If the project is remodeling an existing school, is there an emergency plan for the existing school?
District’s Response
Since the school has been closed, the district was not sure if an emergency plan existed. They will review this issue.
Issue
If this project is remodeling an existing school, are there written security procedures specific to the school?
District’s Response
There are security procedures but they are not written.
Comments/Recommendations
Recommendation: Building security policies and procedures should be put into writing to ensure they are clearly communicated and understood. Each school should have security procedures specific to its facility.
Issue
Are the school grounds fenced?
District’s Response
This is an existing site and they have not had problems due to lacking a fence in the past.
Comments/Recommendations
Recommendation: Investigate the costs associated with fencing the site.
Issue
Does the playground equipment have tamper-proof fasteners?
District’s Response
This has not been a problem in the past. The district’s maintenance crew inspects the fasteners on a weekly basis.
Comments/Recommendations
Recommendation: Investigate the costs associated with tamper-proof fasteners.
Issue
Is visual surveillance of the parking lot possible from the main office?
District’s Response
No, the office personnel must go outside the building.
Comments/Recommendations
The costs associated with rectifying this condition would be prohibitive and this does not appear to be a significant issue in a school this size.
Issue
Can unused areas be closed off during after-school activities?
District’s Response
No, but the classroom and office doors can be locked.
Comments/Recommendations
The review team concurs with the district’s response.
Issue
Are major corridors at least 10’ wide for elementary schools?
District’s Response
No, but this is an existing building with a low occupancy load.
Comments/Recommendations
The review team concurs with the district’s response.
Issue
Are the exterior wall finishes graffiti repellant or capable of repeated cleaning?
District’s Response
No, but graffiti has not been a problem.
Comments/Recommendations
The review team concurs with the district’s response.
Issue
Are exterior covered walkways, walls, and berms designed to prevent access to roofs or upper level areas and to promote adequate illumination and visual surveillance?
Analysis
The exterior walls are bermed and provide access to the roof.
District’s Response
The design of the existing building requires the addition to be bermed.
Comments/Recommendations
The review team concurs with the district’s response.
Issue
There were several questions regarding the design of lighting and electrical systems.
Analysis
The drawings did not indicate the lighting design.
District’s Response
The design process has not reached the point of locating light fixtures, but the district intends to address these issues in their design.
Summary
This project is an addition to an existing building and the existing conditions probably do warrant the district trying to resolve every issue in the existing building. The district should review its written policies and procedures to ensure they are comprehensive and up to date. The district should assess the risks of not having a fenced playground and tamper-proof fasteners in a K-3 school.
![[Top]](/images/nav-top.gif){kind=small}
![[Back]](/images/nav-back.gif){kind=small}
![[Home]](/images/nav-home.gif){kind=small}