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Physical Condition of Richardson Elementary School

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF RICHARDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site

The facility is located on Blaine Street, just off East Capitol Street, near the District line, in a northeast residential neighborhood. The topography of the moderately sized site is relatively flat; drainage is adequate. Landscaping includes lawn areas, with concrete walks, at the front and sides, and a grass play field in the rear. There are paved play areas (with play equipment) and a paved service driveway off 53d Street. The play equipment is in fair condition. Off street parking areas are not provided. The rear of the site is enclosed by chain link fencing. The pair of vehicular control gates at the service driveway need repairs and adjustments. Additional fencing should be provided to enclosed frontal lawn areas along Blaine Street to enhance building security, facilitate outdoor classes, and allow the installation of flower beds and additional landscaping features. Site lighting is provided by lights mounted on the building. Rear playground area illumination is inadequate and should be upgraded. The site is in generally poor condition. Several lawn areas need resodding, asphalt play areas should be resurfaced, and existing chain link fencing needs repair and partial replacement.

2.2 Roof

In 1988, all eleven flat roof areas (there are also five separate small entrance canopies) were replaced with flat, ballasted, four-ply built up roofing with roof drains and interior drain lines. All stone coping was repointed during the replacement. No leaks have been reported, although some blistering has occurred. Flashings and counterflashings are worn but stable. Need to be repaired.

2.3 Exterior Walls

Richardson Elementary School was built in 1948. A major one-story Classroom Addition was constructed in 1958. No major renovation has been undertaken. The exterior walls are in generally fair condition and are brick with precast base, coping, continuous horizontal spandrel "trim" bands, and precast panel door, and window surrounds at main entrances all around. Some of the precast trim needs repair and areas of brick need to be repointed.

2.4 Doors

All frames are metal; doors are a mixture of wood and metal, given to two intervals of building construction and subsequent modifications to abate fire code violations. The interior office and classroom openings include pairs of the original double-swing wood paneled doors, with mullion vision panels and transoms, without labels or fire ratings. Several doors are in need of substantial repairs to replace damaged hardware components; hardware, in general, and many door widths, in particular, do not comply with ADA restrictions or school system design criteria. A complete door replacement is needed.

2.5 Windows

The windows are in poor condition and appearance and are single glazed, painted steel with operable vents. The windows are not energy efficient; all caulking and weatherseals are deteriorating; the replacement Lexan glazing is discolored and unsightly; hardware is broken and malfunctioning; window screens were not provided. It is recommended that all fenestration be replaced.

2.6 Structural

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

2.7 Flooring

In general, the floors in the original building have been very well maintained. Terrazzo hallway and toilet room floors, slate tiles and treads in stairwells, wood strip Auditorium flooring, quarry tile Kitchen flooring, vinyl asbestos tile (VAT) in the Cafeteria, and Library/Classroom carpeting are all in fair condition. VAT floors in Classroom and the Health Suite need minor repairs. In the connecting Corridor and the Addition, vinyl asbestos tile is the primary floor finish (with ceramic tile floors in toilet rooms). The hallway contains multi-colored patchwork areas of vinyl asbestos and vinyl composition replacement tiles; a few cracked tiles should be replaced. In the near future the VAT tiles must be removed before it become an health hazard.

2.8 Plastering

In the original building, plaster walls, balustrades, and ceilings in stairwells are heavily stained, water-damaged, cracked and/or peeling, and need major work. Classroom, Corridor, Auditorium, Auditorium Foyer, and Student Toilet Room walls, and ceilings have minor damage that should be corrected. Kitchen, Main Office, Health Suite, and Library walls and/or ceilings are in excellent condition. In the Addition, plaster ceilings in the connecting Corridor and Boys Toilet Room require minor repair work to correct water damage. The overall condition is fair.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling

In the original building, suspended concealed spline 12" by 12" acoustical tile ceiling systems occur in the Auditorium and the Cafeteria. While the former is clean, level, and in good condition, the latter appears outdated, soiled and in need of minor repairs. A suspended lay-in 2" by 4" acoustical tile ceiling system occurs in the Library, on the third floor. Several water-stained and/or cracked tiles should be replaced.

2.10 Program Requirements

The facility has the following programs: Auditorium, Cafeteria/ Kitchen, Library, Science, Music, Computer, and Health Suite. Art instruction is currently not provided.

2.10 Program Requirements (Continued)

The school does not adequately respond to several program requirements. In addition to the assembly function, the Auditorium is used for Choral and Instrumental Music Instruction, and as a Gymnasium for recreational activities during inclement weather. The school has a Kitchen and Food Service area, but currently does not cook it's own food; it is delivered (from off-site) daily. Science, Computer, and Music Program Instruction occurs in regular Classrooms, which do not meet overall programmatical requirements or school system standards, and are not appropriately configured, furnished or equipped. Laboratories, lab tables, proper seating, adequate storage, acoustical considerations, and teacher preparation areas are typically not provided or are insufficient. The Cafeteria, Library, and Health Suite appears to meet performance objectives.

2.1 1 Plumbing

The plumbing system is comprised of galvanized supply pipes and cast iron drainage. There are sump, sewage ejector and circulating pumps. The plumbing system is old and deteriorated. It is in poor condition and the entire system, including the hot water heater, should be replaced in the near future. Toilet room fixtures, and fittings are in good condition. Fixture counts are adequate for the design population. Boys facilities include four (4) toilet rooms with typically six (6) water closets, six (6) urinals, and two (2) lavatories each. Girls facilities include four (4) toilet rooms with typically six (6) water closets and four (4) lavatories each. There are eight (8) drinking fountains located in the corridors and four (4) service sinks located in the janitor's closets.

2.12 Mechanical

The central heating is provided by 2 oil/gas fired steam boilers which were replaced in 1996. The rest of the heating system is in poor condition due to leaking condensate pipes in the pipe tunnel. Steam and condensate pipes should be replaced immediately. The pneumatic controls do not work due to leaking pipes and broken down compressor. The exhaust fans should be replaced. There is not central cooling. Window air condition units provided cooling for some rooms. The overall condition is fair, however the internal component need to be repaired.

2.13 Electrical

Incoming service is 600A, 120/208V, 3 phase, 4 wire. Overload protection is provided with the combination of fuse and circuit breaker panels. Electrical service and distribution are in poor condition. The equipment and wiring is old and out-dated. The panel and their feeds should be replaced. Classroom lighting fixtures are typically 120V, 4 ft. fluorescent. The light level is inadequate. The fixtures are typically in poor condition and should be replaced along with the rest of the electrical upgrades.

2.14 Fire Alarm

The fire alarm system is poor condition.

2.15 PA/Security

The communication system is in poor condition and unreliable. The motion sensing devices for the security system are in good condition.

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 no graffiti on the walls of this facility.

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 school has kitchen equipment which is in fair condition.

2.20 Child Care Facility

There is no Child Care Facility at this school.