Go to the main menu.

Physical Condition of Woodridge Elementary School

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF WOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2.0 NARRATIVE

2.1 Site

The existing site is in fair condition. Settlement of the sidewalk at the entrance to the All-Purpose Room and undermining of the steps and slab to the service entrance of the All-Purpose Room needs repair work. Resurfacing or replacement of steps to the playground and the front side entrance of the school would correct safety hazards. Adequate parking is not available on the site and handicapped spaces are not marked; nevertheless, a handicapped ramp is available to the All-Purpose Room but door width does not meet ADA Standards. Some fence repairs are needed; especially, where damaged by a falling tree and where blocking an egress walkway. The fence adjacent to the emergency exit walkway from the All-Purpose Room is acting as a retaining wall and the fence and sidewalk in this area needs repair to alleviate a safety hazard. Site lighting on the west side of the property is urgently needed to discourage unlawful activities on this dark secluded area of the site.

2.2 Roof

The flat built-up roof over the main building has been patched to stop all known leaks but is over 20 years old and has out lived its life expectancy. Replacement will be needed in the near future. Ponding is occurring which is being caused by two plugged roof drains. Some bare spots were observed where repairs have previously been made. The Multi-Purpose Room is covered with a Single-Ply Roof which appears to be in fair condition although there is some evidence of ponding on the roof as evidenced by water damaged acoustical tile in the ceiling below. The metal cornice/gravel stop appears to have been painted and minor repairs and repainting is warranted.

2.3 Exterior Walls

The exterior walls surfaces of brick, appear to be in fair condition but needs cleaning. A major crack has occurred at the south east corner of the All-Purpose Room which appear to run from the foundation to the roof. Since an egress exist and stairway are located in this area, further investigation and repair work is suggested. It does not appear that the problem is life threatening but further deterioration, to include loss of brick facing, can be expected if corrective action is not undertaken in the near future. Cracks were observed in other locations of the Multi-Purpose Room/Addition which need minor repair work. It appears some settlement has occurred at the point the addition joins the original building but the condition appears stable. Metal trim on walk-in bay window needs repair.

2.4 Doors

Original wood doors and frames exist in the original building and are in need of replacement. Over 20% of the doors, frames and hardware do not function as originally installed. They do not meet current ADA Standards and they are not rated at the corridors and stairways. The Addition has metal frames but a lot of wood doors. Exterior doors, even where they have been replaced, are in poor condition.

2.5 Windows

The original wood, double pivoted, windows are in need of replacement. Air infiltration is over 16 linear foot per window. Most windows do not function as originally installed; they have extensive areas of broken, missing, discolored glazing, and few if any screens exist. These windows are a safety hazard to people passing on the sidewalks below. Approximately 75 % of the skylight glazing is cracked and needs replacement. Approximately 25 % of the security screens are missing or loose and have resulted in break-ins. The Addition has single glazed, metal, vent windows which are not energy efficient. Due to the limited number, replacement of these windows along with the wood windows is recommended.

2.6 Structural

Several cracks have occurred in the All-Purpose Room, Addition but structural integrity remains. However, further investigation is warranted and repairs are required to prevent continued deterioration and- possible loss of brick facing at the south east corner.

2.7 Flooring

In general, the finish flooring is in need of major repairs and/or replacement for aesthetic reasons. The All-Purpose Room and Kitchen area should be replaced due to the large amount of previously repaired areas, and the fact that the tile probably contain asbestos. Flooring in areas such as the Teacher's Lounge, Health Unit, and Classrooms 108, 106, and 101, should be replaced. Carpet in other areas of the building need to be replaced. The ceramic tile in the Girls Toilet needs major repair work and several areas of Corridor and Classrooms on the top floor need minor repair work. Some repair work to the terrazzo floor, at the expansion joint to the Classroom Addition, is also required. Wood flooring, exposed in classrooms, was refinished during the summer of 1995 and is in excellent condition.

2.8 Plastering

Major repair work is required in areas where water damage has occurred due to previous roof leaks which have been patched. These areas occur on the top floor in the Hallway, Library and Toilet Rooms.

2.9 Acoustical Ceiling

Routine maintenance is needed at a few locations in the All-Purpose Room where water has damaged and stained the ceiling.

2.10 Program Requirements

In general, the program needs are being met at this facility. However, several areas could be improved. The Library doles not have adequate lighting, power distribution to meet audio/visual needs. The teacher work space seems to be lacking. The room size and casework appears to be adequate. The Science Room is not adequate in casework, utilities, configuration; and needs a complete upgrade. The All-Purpose Room is utilized during the summer and is not air conditioned nor does it appear to have adequate ventilation. The room divider is in poor condition and does not appear to be utilized. Removal seems appropriate. The food service areas associated with this space are inadequate in space, storage. The sewing line walk-in refrigerators, are located in the All-Purpose Room. The Office/ Storage for the All-Purpose Room is now utilized for food storage, and supplies causing all tables and chairs to remain within the All-Purpose Room. The school operates as a Montessori Program which requires access to sinks in most Classrooms. At least two (2) Classrooms do not conform to this requirements.

2.1 1 Plumbing

The galvanized water pipes and the cast iron drainage pipes in the original building, erected in 1927 and in the Addition, built in 1960, are in poor condition. The plumbing fixtures are adequate in number for the current student population and are functional for the most part. Of a total of 51 fixtures, 9 are out of service. There are no toilet compartments for the handicapped. The building is not sprinkled.

2.12 Mechanical

The central heating plant consists of two (2) relatively new gas/oil fired steam boilers each rated at 2,450 MBH. There seem to be one or several leaks from pipes embedded in the walls; the basement experiences permanent flooding. The heat distribution system is part steam part hot water. Hot water is generated in a steam-to-water heat exchanger and supplied by pumps to the building Addition. Of the two (2) water circulating pumps, one is currently out of service. There are two (2) air handling units, one of which is currently out of service. The air compressor for the pneumatic control is in working condition. There are seven (7) window units that cool several spaces in the building; all are in operational condition. Heating units on the lower level are not functioning.

2.13 Electrical

The incoming service is a 1200A, 3 phase, 4 wire, 120/208V system. The primary distribution system is in fair condition and has the capacity to meet future needs with some additional work being required. 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 backup. Exit lights have recently been replaced with the LED type. Fixtures, in general, are old and in poor condition. They do no meet current DCPS energy standards and lighting footcandle levels are low and do not meet IES Standards. An electrical and lighting upgrade is needed.

2.14 Fire Alarm

The fire alarm is an old but operational system. There is no annunciator panel. The system has devices such as heat detectors, bells and pull stations.

2.15 PA/Security

A new system should be programmed for this school. The communications system is in fair functional condition. The console is fairly new but some of the speakers do not work properly in the Classroom areas, and there is no bell to the outside. The system should be fully restored to working condition. There is a security system at the school which is operational and consist of motion sensors throughout the first floor.

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

Graffiti on the building is minimal.

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

School has a satellite kitchen operation which is in good condition, however, the three (3) stainless steel serving/work tables need to be repaired or replaced because of missing levelers on table legs. There is also a need for additional lunch tables.

2.20 Child Care Facility

There is a Child Care Facility at this school.