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Physical Condition of McKinley Senior High School

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF MCKINLEY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site The site is marginally adequate for its present utilization and is shared with the adjacent Langley Junior High School. Repairs are needed at the asphalt driveway and parking area, concrete curbs and sidewalks. Masonry walls and walkways, chain link fence and concrete retaining walls are in need of repairs. There is some settlement on the East side of the building that has caused a structural crack in the masonry exterior wall, shifting of the concrete retaining wall and asphalt pavement. Handrails at the retaining wall do not comply with current codes and requirements. The bleachers and playfield are in need of major repairs. A stadium renovation is in design under a DCPS Capital Improvement Program.

2.2 Roof The main slate roof as well as the secondary built-up roof areas are in need of replacement. There are sections of slate missing from the roof and the sheathing exposed. Loose slate can be seen through out, flashings and gutters are damaged and downspouts are clogged. There are many leaks as detected from the ceiling below. There is excessive damage and some classrooms are unoccupied as a result. These same areas were repaired for the fire code violations without roof repair and now are unusable.

2.3 Exterior Walls The exterior masonry walls are in good condition. There are several water stains due to clogged downspouts. The masonry walls at the courtyard are in need of repointing. There are several cracks and loose joints, especially, at the two chimneys. The joints of the stone trim at the corners of the building should be repointed. The structural crack on the east side of the building should be repaired.

2.4 Doors The doors were replaced in 1993 by the District of Columbia Department of Public Works. The doors are in good condition but the hardware does not meet current ADA requirements and DCPS standards.

2.5 Windows Except for a few, the windows were replaced in 1988 by the District of Columbia Department of Public Works. The windows are in good condition; however, major maintenance is required to replace the balances which have failed on several occasions. Many of the windows are held open with sticks and books. An immediate replacement is required to prevent serious injury. Missing and damaged shades should also be replaced.

2.6 Structural No work is currently required on the structural components of the facility; however, the crack in the exterior masonry wall on the east side of the building should be monitored.

2.7 Flooring In general the floor is in good condition; Typically, the Corridors, Cafeteria and Stairs are terrazzo finish and the Classrooms are vinyl composition tile (VCT) finish. There are several Classrooms where the VCT must be replaced due to water damage. The carpet and VCT at the Auditorium should be replaced. The wood sub floor at several Classrooms must be replaced. The ceramic tiles at the Kitchen floor are damaged, tiles missing and replacement mismatched.

2.8 Plastering In general, plastering is in fair condition except where repairs are required due to roof leaks. Water penetration due to roof leaks, defective downspouts and gutters has caused severe damage to plaster walls and ceilings in several Classrooms, the Auditorium and Gymnasium stairs. The ornate plaster ceiling of the Auditorium should be protected from further damage.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling The acoustical ceiling tiles are in good condition except where repairs are required due to roof leaks. The ceiling was installed in the Classrooms, Corridors and Cafeteria in a 1985 modernization project. Generally, the ceiling is 2'x4' suspended acoustical tile except for the Cafeteria where the ceiling is l'x1' acoustical tile.

2.10 Program Requirements This facility presently responds to the program requirements for Library, Auditorium, Gymnasium, Cafeteria, Health Room, Music, Art, Graphic Arts, Photography, Pre-Engineering and Wood Construction, Home Economics, Typing, Computer Lab, Electronics, Mechanical Drawing, Driver Education, and Sciences. The Science Labs and Lecture Rooms for Biology, Physics and Chemistry were renovated in a 1985 modernization. Repairs are needed for the faucets for gas, water and fume hoods. Science Rooms are in good condition and are adequate, but do not meet the current DCPS standards. Furniture for Computer Labs is inadequate. The space allocated for photography is required. The Gymnasium and the Visitors' Locker Room should be refurbished. The poorly finished spaces were damaged by roof leaks. The bleachers need replacement handrails and motors. There is no hot water in the Locker Rooms. The Auditorium lighting is poor. The electrical cords are reported to contain asbestos and are worn.

2.10 Program Requirements The Public Address System is outdated and seats are in need of repair and refinishing. The finish floor needs to be replaced and the some plaster damage to walls and ceiling repaired. The toilets are in good condition; however, stalls in the first floor Boys toilet must be replaced. Additional electrical outlets are required for equipment in the Music Room.

2.11 Plumbing The plumbing system is 68 years old except for the toilet fixtures that were replaced in 1985. The plumbing system is unsatisfactory due to rusted galvanized pipes. Most of the toilet partitions are broken or loose and they should be replaced. Handicap fixtures have been provided in the last renovation. The fixture count appears to be adequate for the school population. There are no sprinklers.

2.12 Mechanical The mechanical system, although in operation, is in unsatisfactory condition due to one out of three boilers being inoperable and leaking steam pipes. Most of the system is 68 years old and past its useful life. The existing air compressor is in good condition but pneumatic controls are not working due to leaking or plugged tubes. There is no central cooling system except for administrative offices that are cooled by an air split system. This system is in fair condition. The existing oil tank should be replaced by a double walled tank. The boiler plant is located in a structure separate from the McKinley School and provides heating for the Langley building as well.

2.13 Electrical The incoming service is a 3000A, 3 phase, 4 wire, 120/208V system. The service and the primary power distribution are in fair condition with sufficient capacity to meet future needs. The secondary distribution is also in fair condition but appear to need redistribution to meet current and future loading conditions. The school has an 85KW diesel emergency generator. New exit lights of the LED type were recently installed through the school but since then, many have been vandalized. Fixtures, in general, are old and in poor condition. They do not meet current DCPS energy standards and are very low throughout the school.

2.14 Fire Alarm The fire alarm system is an old non-coded system with an annunciator panel. The system has only a few pull stations and bells which are not adequately distributed throughout the building. The system does have some heat detectors.

2.15 PA/Security The communications system is old and not functioning properly. It has recently been repaired but still should be replaced in the near future.

2.15 PA/Security (Continued) There is a security system at the school which consist of motion sensors only. All components are operational but the system is wholly inadequate to suit the needs of this school.

2.16 ADA Compliance Handicapped accessibility is limited to the entrance to the Gymnasium Building. Curb cuts exist on T Street. There is one handicapped parking space but no accessible entrance to the main building. A new exterior ramp is required to provide access to the building from the parking lot. The toilet rooms are not accessible to handicapped persons. A minimum of 2 toilet rooms and 2 drinking fountains should be provided for each floor. There is an elevator in the building. However, the controls should be lowered to accommodate handicapped persons. The majority of the interior door widths are adequate. Doors less than 32", toilet rooms and drinking fountains should be replaced so as to accommodate handicapped persons. The door hardware should be replaced so as to conform to ADA requirements. Signage should be provided through the building. The mounting height of the fire alarm striking stations should be lowered to 48", above the finished floor, and strobe lights should be incorporated in the fire alarm system. A public telephone with a telecommunication device for the hearing impaired should be provided.

2.17 Graffiti The building has minimal 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 condition is fair; however, the steamer, slicer and walk-in refrigerator are in unsatisfactory condition and needs replacement. The lighting is poor; painting is needed and the ceramic tile floor is in need of replacement. Corridor area adjacent to the kitchen is in need of clean-up. Old kitchen equipment from Langley as well as other items could present a health hazard as well as a fire code violation.

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