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Physical Condition of Lewis Elementary School

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF K.C. LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site There is a small grass area that is crossed by a concrete walk at the building front entry, and a grass multi-purpose playfield at the back side of southeast corner of the building. The remainder of the site is used for 3 asphalt paved play areas and a very small asphalt paved parking/service area. The play areas are enclosed by a chain link fence. The site is in fair to good condition. The drainage is adequate; the play areas need resurfacing and resodding. The fences concrete steps and walks need repairing.

2.2 Roof The roof is a flat, built-up roof with roof drains and interior drain lines. The roof appears to have reached it life expectancy and needs to be replaced. There have been several patch jobs in the past to the roof. There is a large tree overhanging the roof at the main entry which could become a potential problem if not removed.

2.3 Exterior Walls The exterior walls are brick with decorative concrete block on the administrative side of the building. Both brick and block are in good condition. However, there are a few areas showing cracks due to nearby construction of Womens Dormitory at Howard University.

2.4 Doors The entrance and exterior doors are metal and are in need of replacing. The majority of the interior doors are wood; 35% of the wood doors are in poor condition, and do not meet present code requirements. They should be replaced.

2.5 Windows The windows are single glazed and have painted, steel frames. Approximately 70% of the Lexan glazing is either broken or badly discolored and should be replaced.

2.6 Structural The structure is composed of concrete columns, beams, floor and roof slabs. The overall condition of the structure is good. There is, however, extensive cracking in the masonry walls throughout the building and at the foundation wall on the southside of the building. The northeast end of the building has cracks, chipped and weathered concrete with exposed reinforcing bars which are rusting at the foundation wall. These cracks, due to nearby construction, are not life threatening and appear to be stable. Minor repairs and maintenance of these areas are recommended as quickly as possible.

2.7 Flooring Outside of the toilet rooms having ceramic tile and the kitchen area have quarry tile, approximately 70% of the finish flooring is resilient tile which is outdated and may possibly contain asbestos. The remaining 30% of the floor surface is carpeted and needs replacing. The overall conditioning is good.

2.8 Plastering The only areas where plaster exist are the toilet room ceilings, the kitchen area and stairwells. Outside of a few toilet rooms needing replastering and finishing. The building is in good condition.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling The acoustical ceilings throughout the building have aged unfavorably over the years and will need replacing in the near future. Overall condition is fair.

2.10 Program Requirements The Library is too small in size according to DCPS program requirements. The Computer Labs do not have enough workstations under the Computer Assistant Instruction Lab and the Title I Lab Program. The Multi-Purpose Room is used as a Science Lab. The overall rating of program requirements is listed as good.

2.11 Plumbing Except for the broken partitions, the plumbing system is in fair condition. The toilet fixtures are adequate for the school population. There are no sprinklers.

2.12 Mechanical The school's heating system is 34 years old and is in fair condition. The unit ventilators have outlived their useful life and should be replaced in the near future. The pneumatic controls do not work due to leaking control valves. There is no central cooling, but some rooms are cooled by window air condition units. The existing underground oil storage tank should be replaced by a double wall tank.

2.13 Electrical The incoming service is a 1200A, 3 phase, 4 wire, 120/208V system. The primary power distribution system is in fair condition and has sufficient capacity to meet future expansion needs. The secondary power distribution is also in fair condition but it has marginal capacity to meet future expansion needs depending upon where the needs are physically located within the building. This school does not have an emergency generator. School has been closed before because of power outrage. However, the fire alarm and exit lights have a battery back-up system. Exit lights are of the new LED type.

2.13 Electrical (Continued) Fixtures, in general, are in good condition; however, the fixtures are not energy efficient and lighting footcandle levels are low to marginal in most areas and do not meet IES Standards. Need for exterior lights on north east side of building. Repair existing exterior lights.

2.14 Fire Alarm The fire alarm system is fairly old and it does not have an annunciator panel. The system has limited devices such as heat detectors, smoke detectors in some areas, bells and pull stations. Replacement is needed to meet current code.

2.15 PA/Security The communications system is in fair functional condition. There is no security system.

2.16 ADA Compliance There are no accessible entrances to the building. There are no handicapped parking spaces identified. A new small ramp is required to provide access to the main entrance. All exterior doors should be replaced with accessible doors and hardware. The Boys and Girls Toilet Rooms need to be upgraded to meet ADA requirements. Signage should be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire alarm striking stations should be lowered to 48" above the finished floor and strobe light should be incorporated in the fire alarm system. A public telephone with a telecommunication device for the hearing impaired should be provided.

2.17 G raffiti Light graffiti.

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 fairly good condition. The slicing machine needs repair or replacement. There is a large free standing mixer that has been condemned and needs to be removed. The fire suppression system for oven/range has been inspected as of October 1996.

2.20 Child Care Facility There is no Child Care Facility at Lewis Elementary School.