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Physical Condition of Blow Elementary School

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF BLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site The existing site is poor condition. Off street parking is accessible from the public alley and is adequate for both staff and visitors though somewhat remote from the main entrance. Handicapped and visitor parking should be at the main entrance. The grass playfield and paved play areas are also adequate. They are both in need of refurbishing. The chain link fence is broken in several locations to the alley and should be mended to maintain security. A rainwater leader should be added to the downspout in the court and connected to the catch basin. The site needs to be repaved at the parking lot, reseeded at the playfield, and the obsolete playground equipment needs to be removed from the property.

2.2 Roof The roof is in good condition. It was replaced in 1993 under a Capital Improvement Program. No work is required at this time.

2.3 Exterior Walls The exterior masonry wall is in fair condition and minor work is required; however, the concrete beams and columns at the face of the exterior wall are in need of repair. Rebars are exposed in several locations, the exposed areas should be repaired and all concrete surfaces cleaned and painted.

2.4 Doors In general, the interior doors are wood in metal frames. They are in good condition, but do not meet current code requirements, hardware does not comply with ADA standards and some do not function as installed. The replacement hollow metal doors are also in good condition. All exterior doors and frames are in need of replacement except those at the main building where they were recently replaced.

2.5 Windows Windows are aluminum frame with fixed panel and operable vents at the top and bottom. Windows generally are in poor condition; however, the plastic glazing has become opaque in many instance and repairs are needed to the hardware. A glazing replacement is recomrnended.

2.6 Structural There were several long cracks in the first floor wall of the corridors at the Library, and main office that have penetrated the finish floor. There were cracks at the soffit of the second floor beams along the corridor of the main building; also, there were cracks in the masonry partitions of the corridor especially at the Library. The Library is housed in the area connecting the Main Building to the Multi-Purpose Room. A structural review and monitoring of the repaired cracks is recommended.

2.7 Flooring In general, the finish flooring is in fair condition. Most of the finish flooring is vinyl asbestos tile, in need of repairs. A few Classrooms and the Library are carpet, in good condition. The vinyl asbestos tile and the asphalt at the stairs should be replaced. The floor finish in the first floor corridor leading to the Library, Cafeteria, and Restrooms appears to be vinyl composition tiles.

2.8 Plastering In general, the plaster ceiling is in fair condition; there is damage by water from the leaking mechanical piping above the ceiling. Plaster ceilings are in the Kitchen, Stairs, Toilets and Janitor's Closets.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling Acoustical ceiling panels are 1'x1' and generally in fair condition. Slightly discolored with age but functioning. Tiles need to be replaced where damage has occurred due to water from the leaking mechanical piping above. Panels needs to be realigned in some areas.

2.10 Program Requirements This facility adequately responds to the program requirements for Art, Health Room, and Multi-Purpose Room which is adjacent to the Kitchen and serves as the Cafeteria, Auditorium, and Gymnasium. The Library and Computer Rooms are adequate. A Classroom is being used as the Music Room but was not converted for that use. The Science Room is too small and needs appropriate case work.

2.11 Plumbing The copper water pipes and the cast iron drainage pipes in the original building, erected in 1969, are in fair condition. The plumbing fixtures are adequate in number for the current student population and are functional for the most part. There are no toilet compartments for the handicapped in the building. Domestic hot water is generated by a dedicated tank and gas fired water heater set. The building is not sprinkled.

2.12 Mechanical The central heating plant consists of two (2) gas fired steam boilers each rated at 2,520 MBH, only one is operational at the time of this survey. The air compressor for the pneumatic control system is in working condition, but the control system is out of service in about 25 % of its coverage. There are 2 central chillers each with a capacity of 75 tons. The chillers are not operating satisfactorily as they need to be recharged with refrigerant. There are four (4) window units that cool several spaces in the building all of which are in working condition.

2.13 Electrical The incoming service is a 2000A, 3 phase, 4 wire, 120/208V system. The primary distribution system is in fair condition, and has the capacity to meet future needs. The secondary distribution is in poor condition, and there is no spare capacity for future expansion. No emergency generator exist at this school but emergency lighting is attached to a battery back-up. Exit lights are of the old incandescent type, and should be replaced for energy efficiency. Fixtures, in general, are old and in poor condition. They do not meet current DCPS energy standards, and lighting footcandle levels are low, and do not meet IES Standards.

2.14 Fire Alarm The fire alarm system is an old system, but it does have an annunciator panel and is operational. The system has only a few devices such as heat detectors, bells, and pull stations. The communications system is in fair functional condition but is old and should be replaced in the near future. There is a security system at the school which is operational, and consist of motion sensors in the corridors and kitchen.

2.15 PA/Security The public address system is in good condition. The school does not have a security system.

2.16 ADA Compliance There is no handicapped parking for this building nor are there adequate curb cuts. There is no exterior ramp to the building nor is there a passenger elevator, escalator, or interior ramp in the building. The rest rooms need to be modified and drinking fountains need to be replaced in order to accommodate disable persons. Signage should be provided throughout the building. All doors with less than a 32" clear opening should be replaced. The mounting height of the fire alarm striking stations should be 48" above the finish floor and flashers should be incorporated in the fire alarm system. A public telephone with a telecommunications device for the hearing impaired should be provided. Overall, this facility is not in compliance with the ADA and therefore is unsatisfactory.

2.17 Graffiti There is graffiti on the north side of the building.

2.18 Adverse Environmental Condition

(a) Asbestos Material Further technical analysis is needed to determine the presence of asbestos and its friability.

(b) Lead Paint Removal Further technical analysis is needed to determine the presence of lead based paint.

2.19 Kitchen Equipment The kitchen equipment is in fair condition. The steamer, freezer, and milkbox needs to be replace. The sink has a water heating coil which needs to be replace.

2.20 Child Care Facility There is no Child Care Facility at this school.