Go to the main menu.

Physical Condition of Petworth Elementary School

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site

The site is located on Shepherd Street between 8th Street and Georgia Avenue in a mixed-used residential and commercial area of northwest. The relatively small site has a paved driveway and asphalt parking lot, with one set of play equipment over cushioned rubber safety matting. There are both asphalt and concrete walks. Pavements surfaces are in satisfactory condition, but the play equipment safety mats are coming loose and need re-attachment to the black top. Quantities of play equipment and off-street parking areas for staff and visitors are inadequate considering the current student and staff populations. Designated handicapped parking spaces are not provided.

The topography slopes slightly downward and inward from the north and south toward two parking lot site drains at the rear of the property. The drain directly behind the main building on the west side of the Multi-Purpose Room is obstructed, resulting in ponding water, and requires maintenances and repair.

The site is entirely closed by new 8 foot high chain link fencing installed in 1994. There are small lawn areas on the south front and east sides of the building. Perimeter security is compromised; the fence gates at the parking lot entrance were not installed with the fencing and should be provided. Present-day landscaping features, including lawn areas, shrubbery and trees are dwarfed, stunted and in poor appearance, and should be replaced and upgraded with more appropriate vegetation.

Site lighting is not provided. An exterior lighting system, containing multiple fixtures is mounted on the building to illuminate the grounds, and parking areas. All primary building entrances must be programmed for installation under a Capital Improvement project. In general, the lot acreage is too small to accommodate current occupancies and programs.

2.2 Roof

The roof over the main building is the original, pitched, slate shingle roof, with exposed wood rafter ends that project out several feet beyond the building face continuously around the perimeter as an exposed soffit. Wood fascia board at the rafter ends backs up the original continuous copper Buttering. Metal downspouts with grade-level cast iron boots complete the storm water drainage system. Some of the downspouts have pulled away from the building face and/or the guttering system, causing system failure, uncontrolled run-off, roof edge leaks, and water penetration through the brick wall. Also, holes, gaps, and punctures are clearly visible in both gutters and downspouts. All seem in need of repair. In general, the metal work is compromised by age and resultant disrepair and should be replaced immediately, along with the wood fascia board. Additionlly, stainless steel needle strip bird (pigeon) control devices should be installed at the underside of the exposed wood roof overhangs to prevent current bird roosting and damage from bird waste and nests. The roof over the Multi-Purpose Room is the original steeply pitched, slate tile, gable roof with external metal gutters and downspouts, and stone coping with copper counterflashing at the sloping-profile brick end wall. There have been leaks around the two existing skylights due tithe flashing. Repair patch-work has been done, but the problem has re-occurred. Skylight flashing should be replaced entirely, as should the guttering and downspouts, similar in age and condition to those of the main building.

The Boiler Room roof is a flat, ballasted, built-up, tar-asphalt with roof drains and interior drain lines. Gravel coverage is inadequate at approximate 40%, metal flashing and counterflashing at the roofwall juncture are in poor condition, as is the metal gravel stop at the rear wall, which is rusted and separating. The roof currently leaks; one fifteen-foot crack in the surface was observed. Major repair work is recommended.

2.3 Exterior Walls

Petworth Elementary School was built in 1902, and is 90+ years old. The exterior brick walls are in generally poor condition, with stone trim at the base, window sills, and as wall coping at the Multi-Purpose Room, Boiler Room, and front entrance steps. Crumbing mortar joints in the brick wall and between brick and stone elements at grade level allow water penetration into basement rooms at several locations. Interior work is in progress to patch these lower level leaks. Crumbling mortar joints also occur between stone coping units . Overall, the exterior wall surfaces require about 60 % repainting. Also, wall discoloration from efflorescent staining under window sills, green/gray microbial infestation, and small areas of painted graffiti should be remedied by application of appropriate cleaning and maintenance procedures.

2.4 Doors

Doors, in general, are in need of replacement. Exterior doors and frames are typically metal, without weatherstripping. Interior doors are a combination of the original wood, double acting doors, single, flush and wood paneled doors, and some metal doors. Vision panels are a combination of clear wired glass, opaque patterned glass and plastic, and Lexan. Transoms are typically mullioned single pane glass. Many of the doors do not function as originally installed. With few exception, doors, frames, and hardware do not comply with current code, program, or ADA requirements.

2.5 Windows

The windows are the original, single glazed, painted, wood, double pivoted with glass and plexi-glass; are in poor condition and appearance; are structurally unsafe due to broken, cracked or rotted sashes; having missing, broken and discolored glazing and do not function as originally installed. A project for complete replacement has been programmed in DCPS, Capital Improvements Program.

2.6 Structural

No work is currently required on the structural components of the facility.

2.7 Flooring

The hallway flooring is a combination of painted, flush and scored concrete and painted vinyl asbestos tile in stable condition. Stairwell construction includes standard slate treads on cast iron stringers with poured concrete landings. Landings are dimpled and pitted; tread nosings are worn but in satisfactory condition.

The Classroom floors are varnished wood strip or covered with linoleum, resilient tile or carpet. Linoleum and tile work are in poor condition and require refurbishment. Carpeting, which also occurs at administrative offices, is in generally serviceable condition. Ceramic tile at staff rest rooms and painted concrete at boys and girls toilets are in good condition.

The Multi-Purpose Room floor is vinyl asbestos tile over original wood strip. Several areas warped and uneven and have cracked and missing tiles due to sub-floor irregularities. The sub-floor should be repaired and made level; tile work should be considered for renewal or replacement.

2.8 Plastering

In plaster finish on walls and ceilings in the original building is in need of minor repair where it is cracked (in stairwells, classrooms, and the Multi-Purpose Room) . Significant water damage is evident at the Multi-Purpose Room ceiling around the two existing skylights, which continues to leak due to problematic flashings.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling

Suspended, 2'x4' lay-in acoustical ceiling, occurs in Classroom 207. The tiles are leveled and are in good condition, although tiles are water stained.

2.10 Program Requirements

This facility does not have the space to adequately accommodate many of the programs and does not provide dedicated areas for Art, Math, Dance Instruction, Teacher Lounge, Custodian's Office, and Foreign Language (although 10% of students are spanish-speaking).

2.11 Plumbing

The copper/black steel water pipes and cast iron drainage pipes in the original building erected in 1902, are in fair condition. The plumbing fixtures are adequate in number for the current student population and are functional for the most part; out of a total of (71) fixtures one is out of services. There are no toilet compartments for the handicapped in the building. The domestic hot water is generated by a dedicated gas fire water heater. The building is 100% sprinkled.

2.12 Mechanical

The central heating plant consists of two (2) gas/oil fired hot water boilers each rated at 2680 MBH which are condemned presently the building is being heated by a temporary boiler. The existing heating boilers are in the process of being replaced. All equipment throughout the building is in working condition including (3) window units, and (1) air handling unit. Exceptions are two leaks in the condensate return pipe, one of pinhole dimensions and the other more massive under a concrete floor slab.

2.13 Electrical

The incoming service is a 600A, 3 phase, 4 wire, 120/208V system which was installed in 1902. The secondary distribution could not be identified as the panel boards appears to have been blocked off. This condition requires immediate correction for safety and code compliance. No emergency generator exist at this school. The exit lights have UPS battery back-up and of the LED type. Fixtures, in general, are very old; most are in poor condition and they do not meet current DCPS energy standards. The footcandle levels do comply with National Electrical Code Standards.

2.14 Fire Alarm

The fire alarm system is not addressable type, but it is working properly. The system has marginal devices such as heat and smoke detectors, bells, and pull stations. It does not have visual devices. The communications system is in good functional condition. There is no security system at the school.

2.15 PA/Security

The communications system is in good functional condition. There is no security system at the school.

2.16 ADA Compliance

Handicapped accessibility is limited, in this building, to the southeast entrance. Curb cuts exist on 8th and Shepherd Streets. However, there are no handicapped parking spaces and no accessible entrance to the main building. No toilet rooms and two drinking fountains should be provided for each floor.

There is no elevator in the building. A new elevator should be installed to provide accesses to the upper floors. Doors less than 32" wide, toilet rooms, and drinking fountains should be replaced so as to accommodate handicapped people. A minimum of (2) Toilet Rooms, (2) drinking fountains should be provided on each floor. 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 deaf should be provided.

2.17 Graffiti

Small amount of graffiti exist on all elevations 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 overall condition of the kitchen is in good condition.

2.20 Child Care Facility

A Child Care Facility on site has only Before and After Care.