LB 3Z)5 •e.M Checking Schedule for Projected School Buildings By James O. Betelle The Bruce Publishing Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin Checking Schedule for Projected School Buildings A Guide for School Boards and Superintendents By James O. Betelle, A. I. A. Member of the Firm of Guilbert & Betelle, Architects, Newark. Lecturer on School Architecture at Teachers College, Columbia University The Bruce Publishing Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin .34 : : Copyright I9I9 Bruce Publishing Co. QCI iiO isjii ©ci.ASssaso Introduction Tliis paiiiplilt't is liciiii;' wi-iltcu with ;i vii-w of Siiviii;; the tiiiu' tuid assistinj^ tlie sriiool honrd member or tlie su[)eriiiteii(leiif of schools of any eommuuity having' in charge the erection of a new scliool building. It will help them summarize their requirements and put them in proper form for discussion and api)rovaI by the IJoard of Education and finally to be turned over to the Architect as a basis for him to begin work on the plans. It will also serve to bring to mind many items that are often not remembered until the plans of the building are drawn, or as it sometimes happens, not until after the building is completed and occupied. I'art 1 calls attention to the items concerning which the Architect needs information before he can start upon the plans and si)ecilications. Part II is written to assist the Chairman of the Building Committee and Superintendent to quickly and completely check up the finished plans and specifications w^'th the least possible expenditure of valuable time and yet have all important points con- sidered. In many communities a new school is only built once in a gen- eration and the Chairman of the Building Committee, the President of the Board and the Superintendent of Schools, are usually the most actively interested and the ones most responsible for the suc- cess of the contemplated building. It is also often the case that the persons public spirited enough to serve as members of the School' Board have many other calls upon their time and strength aside from that all-important Imsiness of "earning a living." Anything tiiat can be done to help tliese conscientious and busy public ofticials get for their community a complete and up-to-date school building Avith as little effort as possible, is well worth while. It is hoped that the data and suggestions here presented will in a measure serve this purpose. —J. (). 15. PART I. Information Needed by the Architect to Start Preparation of Plans and Specifications for a New School Till' Airliitcft lit the very start of tlic work lu-eds (•crtaiu iiit'or- iiiation ill order to properly l)egin tlie i)reparati<)n of tlie plans. Tliis iiiforination iiuist be furiiislied him liy the Board of Education after carefnl consideration, and after consultation with the Superin- tendent of Schools. Some of the items in the list given below are educational and refer to the organization and policy of the school system, others are strictly constructional and have reference to the design of the school building. One of the first things that sliould be furnished th(> Architect is a "Program" showing the course of study to be taught, the length of class periods, and the number of ])upils to be accommodated in each subject. It is impossible to ]ir(i])erly design a school building unless it is determined beforehand what subjects are to be taught and a definite "Program" has been laid out. To assist in making up a list of requirements for the new school building one scheme Avhich has been carried out succ(;ssfully in a large school organization is to have the Superintendent send out a questionnaire to principals, supervisors, heads of departments and teachers who will be located in the new building, inviting their views and suggestions regarding the new building. The results of the answers to the questionnaire and discussions which follow are sum- marized and placed before the Board for consideration. If real progress is to be made in schoolhouse planning the suggestions and recommendations of the teachers who actually live and work in the buildings we construct, must be obtained, considered and followed, where, in the final judgment of the Board of Education it may seem wise so to do. ]\rKM()KA.\l)A List of Items Concerning Which the Architect Needs Information Kinds oi' Sciiooi.: ('ousttlidiilcd Sclmols? Grade School? .lunior llijili Scliool? Senior ]Iii;li Scliool? Mamiiil Trainiii;; oi- ('oiiniiei-c;al IIi;;li Scliool? \'ocatioiial Jfiuli Scliool? OlJGANIZATIOX OF SCHOOL: Scheme of organization slionld lie stated: Standard school program? Platoon, ])ui)licate, or Moditied "Gary" System? Should the G — (i, (5 — 2 — 4, or (i — 3 — '.'> jdan of organization be installed? GAI'ACITY of lUlLDINC : Total nunil'er of im])ils f(n- wliicli accommodations are now required? I'robable number of pupils in each subject? Number of pupils in various class units? Provision for pupils in classrooms over and above jiresent re- quirements, to take care of the normal increase for the next few years, \\itliout building any new aildition to school ? Scheme of Sti'dy Rooms : Number of Study Kooms and seating cajiacity of each? Stouage Kooms fok Hooks and Stationery : State desired nmuber, size, and preferred location? Rules fou Comi'itino Nlmiseu of Pifils Accommodated in a School Buildin(;. The American Institute of Architects and the Committee on Standardization of School Buildings of the National Edu- cation Association have both adtipted the following method : "('(jniimte the nuudier (tf pupils noiinally accommodated in rooms designed fiii" classes cmly. S])ecial i-ooms ai-e to be 7 Memoranda lij;nri'(l at tlic acliial miiiihcr of pupils accdiniiiodatcd for one class period only. Auditoriums and asscnihlv rooms are to be ignored, but gymnasiums may be figured for on(! or two classes, as, the accommodations may provide. No gymnasiums, however, shall be accredited willi two clatwes, if below 40 by 70 feet in size." It shduld lie noted that the jmiiil capacity of a huilding coni- ]intcd on the basis given above represents a ma.vimum cai)acity. It is not altogether desirable to begin the use of a new school building (•(Hinting upcn such r(.(inis as lalxsratcries, shops and otlicr siK'cial i-coms as home seats. After the sclnxd has bei-n built a few years and before an addition can he c(,nstructed it is often necessary to use these s{)ecial as hcnne .seats or stations for pupils, at which time the maximum pupil capacity will be reached. Pupil capacity can possibly best be stated as "maximum pupil capacity," in accordance with the A. I. A. and N. E. A. rules and upon which the c(ist per pupil is figured, and "normal i)upil capacity," which is the desirable num- ber of i)ui)ils any school building will accommodate. NUMBEU AND iSlZES OF KOOMS For Diffeuext Puuposes : Number of standard classrooms and sizes of each? Number of recitation rooms and sizes of each ? Number and kind of special rooms and sizes of each? A school building should be so constructed that changes in sizes of rooms may be easily made to take care of future educational requirements. AriinoiiUM : Total seating capacity? Located on first or ground tioor? Number of seats desired on nuiin floor? Number of .seats desired in gallery, if any? Main floor to be flat or sloping? Area desired for stage? Shall stage be arranged for scenery? Pipe organ? Built in fire]iroof moving picture booth? Provision for (hirkening interior cf Auditorium in daytime for nniving ])ictures? 9 ;Mi;m()i;a.\I)a Easily acfcssiMc for Cili/.ciis' iNIcctiii^s, or otlicr outside pur- pose iu cvcuiuiis, or otlicr {'auvs without opcuiun' up entire huildiuii? lI('iitiu;H iiud N'eiililiitiuji syslcins s<']i;nnl(' ri-oiii rest of liuiJdiui;- so room need only he venlilnted wlicn actiially in use by a larj^e nundier of jtersons? AMll A\ulitoriuiii l>e used for any other j)urj)ose such as jiyni- nasiuni or sludy hall? Gymnasium : Size and heij^ht? Spectators' i;al]ery and number of seats in same? Will more than one gymnasium be required or an additional exercise room be needed? Arransicment of Locker, Dressinii' ami Shower Koonis, approxi- mate size and nund)er of lockers and showers desired in each. Physical Director's Ottice? l>rinkin' x (K)', maximum size, ~A)' x !)()'. A space of at least :}'0" should be aiiowe(l all around court. Swimminii' Pool? LiitUAUV : Size and jireferred location? Nuudter of books at present in school library and j)robable maximum number in future? For school use only, or also a circulatiufj;' Library? If circulating community Libiary, provision should be made for its use outside sclusol hours, evenings and holidays. Also provision for heating without running main heating jdant. Library Stack Koom? Library ^^'ork Poom? 11 Memoranda l.ihi-iii'.v iiiii.v iilso ]>(' used to a(lv;iiit;iookkee]nn,i;- Stenograi)hy Typewriting School Bank Music Rooms Domestic Science De- partment Laundry ilodel Aj)artnient Sewing Room Fitting Room Men Teachers' Room Women Teachers' Room Girls" Rest R(i(;m Medical Ins]iection Rooms Dental Clinic Room Play Rooms Woodworking Shop ^Lichine Shoj) Sheet JNIetal Shop Forge Shop Printing Shop Agriculture Bicycle Room Kindergarten Mechanical Drawing Room Freehand Drawing Room Arts and Crafts Room Museum •lanitor's Room (Conservatory Princiiial's Office Superinteiulent's Office Board of Education Rooms Secretary's Office Open Air Rooms. State number of pupils to be accommodated at one time; approx- imate size and preferred location of each room ; also, descrip- tion of special eiiuipment and accessories. 13 Memokanua Ivi xcii Room : I'lovisidii fof |)i('|)iiiiii,i; and sci'viiii;' liiiichcs to scholars and tcaclicrs? NiiimIkm- oI' pupils (o he seated al (Hic tiiiu-, and iirefci-red loca- tion of room ".' TVI'ES OK W.VltDKor.ES AM) AIktiioi) of Takixc <'ai!k ok I'rriLs' Clotiuxc: Wardrobes in rooms? Separate Cloak Kooms adjoining Classrooms? Steel Lockers in basement or elsewhere? Any other special arranat]is and grading property 1^ For Architects' fees •? For furniture and equijjment ^ Surplus for contingencies -if Total ? When Is It Desiueo to Have School BriLDiNG Co:\ii'i,ErEi).'' It must he remembered that for a medium size Itrick building it takes from two to three months to preiiare plans and speci- fications, and from eight months to one year to build (he school, dcjicuding upon its size. 15 Mk.mokaxda SriiVEV OF ruoi'KKTV: It is the diitv of the Hoard of lOducation to fni-iiisli tlic Ai-cliitt':-t with a coiniilctc topograpliical .survi'V of tlic iii-op; rty. Tliis survey shouhl give dimensions, levels, show streets, locate all trees and existiuj^' buildings, gas mains, water main, sewers, eleetrie mains, and kind of eurrent available ; also any peculiar features of llic ])roperty, or any restrictions applying to same. Test Bouings : The Board of Education should have test borings made or test pits dug to determine the character and bearing capacity of the soil; also to locate the level of sub-surface water, and the location of rock if any. Neglect to determine the char- acter and depth of the underlying soil, has many times been the cause of great expense, later on, when the construction of the building was under way. ^^■()la<; TO Be Included Or Not In("i,i"iieu in Contuact.^ Are lighting fixtures to lie included or purchased later? Are window shades to be included or purchased later? Is entire property to be graded or only just around building? Are road, paths, and sidewalks, to be included? Is the building contract to include furniture and e(iui|iment oi- any special items of same? Insurance on Buildixo Duuing Construction : The Board of Education usually insures the l)uilding against tire and tornado, during construction; for the benefit of all parties concerned as their interests may appear at the time of loss. Liability insurance and damage to persons or prop- erty is carried by the contractor. Method of Making Payments to < 'oxtuactors : This is usiuilly done monthly, uixai certificate of the Architect and equal to So^c of the value of labor and material act- ually incorporated into the building at the time of calculat- 17 -Mk.mokamia iiii; p;i\ iiiciil. 'I'lic rciii;iiiiiii!L; ].")'; ;ici-iiimil;itcs ;is a liiial |)ayiiiciit. wliich is liciiiTal.v made w ifliiii ;;0 davs after coiii- plclidii ami acccptaiicc (if llic Imildiiii;- h.v llic lidard. JfATKHIALS 'lO l!i: I'SEIl IX TlIK ]'>r II,I)1X(; : Kind (if face hrick and cxtciicn- trim? Kind of fioor constriK-tion? Fireproof or senii-fircijroof ('(instrnctidn? Materials of roof? Kind of wood for insidi' trim? Kind of wood for (Massroom floors? Kind of floors in Corridors? Kind of floors and wainscoting in Toilet Ro(mis? Type of windows — double hunii, hinged, or pivoted? Kind of stairs? Etc., etc., etc. By reading- over I'art II certain items may he noticed concerning which it is desired to give special instructions at the time the i>lan and specifications are started. Book LiI'Ts, Dumb Waiters, Dist Chutes: If any are required, number, size and location should be stated. Vertical shafts and doors to .same should in all cases be tire- proof. Wainscdtixc; in Coiannoiis ou Cr>ASsi!00MS: Lower Avails of classrooms and especially corridors are sub- jected to heavy Avear and abuse. Wainscoting of painted burlap is often used in classrooms and glazed brick about 5' 0" high in corridors. Sound Deaokxixc of Floors Or I'artitioxs: Certain floors and partitions such as the floor of a gymnasium where located over an auditorium, or a Toilet Boom ad- joining a Classroom, need to be insulated and have sound dea ciin-icd out on pliuis. See that i\\o instructions as to ^fcthod of Malciuii I'a.vnicuts to ("ontractors. Time of Coniplclion of I'.uildinji. Insurance, etc., arc carried out in llie s|)ecitications. Check up the corporate name of the I'.oard of lOducalion men- tioned in tile specilications as Owner of the ])ro]i()sed Imildinii. This is often wrongly staled. Decide who furnislies and pays for water, liylit, and heat, used duriufi' construction of the building — the Owner or the Contractor? See that specilications rcMpiire Contractor to tile plans and ol)- tain and i)ay for Uuildinu Permit, or that it is otlierwise jjroperly taken care of. Provision for temiiorary ofHce for Contractor with telejjhone connection, during ccnistruction of huildiuii? See that temporary toilet facilities are provided for workmen from start to completion of job. Investiiiate cuttiuij, dow n of certain trees within the area of new buildinfi' and the boxiiij; around or protecting of these trees which are to remain. Removal of any old buihUnji' on site and disposal of old material. Is it desired to save any old auiterials? Masonry Provision in the sjiecitication if rock is encountered in excava- tions? (It is usual for Contractors to estimate on excavations of ordinary clay, statinji' an extra ])rice in their estimate ]>er cubic yard if rock is encountered ) . Provision in specification for keepint;,- excavations free from water if sanu' is encounter(»d \\hile diiiiiint;? What measures have been taken to make walls and Hours of rooms below grade waterproof? Do soil conditions nnike a tile sub-surfai-e drain necessary around the building? What (juality of lime, sand and cement has been siiecilied? Cement sidewalks, paths and (bives? ("(IMI'OSITIOX OF ;M()UTAK: Csually 1 ]iai-t cement, :! parts sand, and 10'^^ lime putty. ■23 CujirosiTioN Ol' < 'oXCltETE : A good mixture is 1 part ccnu'iit, '■'> pai'ts sand and 5 parts liroken stone. Take Note Wiieue Cement Flooks Aue Called For ON Plans and ^i'ecifications : Consult Architect and learn location where any special kind of floor has been used other than the ordinary wood floor. The School Board is often surprised on completion of building to find that a cement floor has been laid in a Manual Train- ing Koom where sharp tools are used and sometimes dropped and ruined, and wood floor in the Forge Room where hot coals fall on the floor. Special notice should therefore be taken about materials of finished floors in all rooms and sjiaces. Take Note Where Fireproof Floor Construction and Roofs Are Called for : In a fireproof building it is assumed that all floor construction is fireproof, altho the roof construction is sometimes built of heav}' timber to save money. In a semi-fireproof building it is usual to make the Corridors and Stairs fireproof, and also floors and ceilings of Boiler Room and Manual Training Room fireproof. Other con- struction of wood. Look Up Kind of Materials Used in Outside Walls Above and Below Grade : Concrete, stone, brick, terra cotta blocks, wood, etc.? Materials of Inside Partitions and Where Do Fireproof Walls Occur.^ : Minor interior partitions are usually Avood in a semi-fireproof building, and brick, terra cotta, plaster block, etc., in a fire- proof building. In a semi-fireproof building certain in- terior partitions should be fireproof such as enclosing walls of Boiler Room, Manual Training Rooms, Corridors, Stairs, etc. It is well to know just where these occur. What Outside Face Brick Has Been Specified.': Have sample submitted for approval of Board. What Oi'Tsidk Tium Has 1?kk\ Si'Kcifikm.-': Stone, torra cot (a, copper, i^alvaiiizcd .sheet iron, wood, etc. Have sample snhniitted foi- approval if stone or terra cotta. AVlIAT Si'ACKS OK 1\0()MS IN ] '.III.DINC; HAVK THE Bkick oil Teuua (\)Tta Walls oh ('i:ilin(!s LeI'T Exposed Witiioit Plaster.'': Tlie I'.oard and Sni)erintendents ai-e often snrprised wlien goinj;- throu};li a tinislied school hnilding to find certain rooms not plastered. This is as it shonld l)e in certain rooms, such as Store liooms. Play Courts, Boiler Room, etc., but all such uni)lastered spaces should be checked u]) and agreed to. iNtniuE HoAv P>i'iLL)iNf; Is Dami'-Proofeo Above Grade: All outside walls whether brick, terra cotta block, or concrete, should be furred. That is, the inside i)lastering kept 1 ' or more away from the inside face of outside wall, thus leav- ing an air space and preventing moisture from penetrating outside walls and through plaster into finished rooms. Kind of Plaster Specified : "Old Fashion" mortar is where lump lime is slacked and sand hair mixed into same by hand. This takes considerable time, as the slacked lime must be given opportunity to cure and cool, (not less than :>0 days). It is also difficult to be assured of correct proportions and too much sand is often used. Factory mixed "Patent Plaster" has the sand and hair accurate- ly mixed with the lime at the mill. It is put up in bags aud shipped direct to the job and only needs the addition of water to make it ready for immediate ajiplication. While a little more expensive than "Old Fashion" plaster, it is a much more scientific mixture. Kind of Lath Specified : J\[etal lath is always used in fii-e]iroof buildings. In semi-fire- proof buildings, wood lath is used on partitions, but it is preferable to use metal lath on ceilings. Strips of metal lath should also be used where wood lath comes up against a brick wall, so as to avoid cracks caused by the shrinkage of the wood. •25 Metal Cok.nek I^eads: Should he spccilicd for all cxtcnial auiilcs in plaslcr work. Finish of Plasteu : SniO(itli or sand finish? Smooth tinished iilastci- is generally used and is to be preferred as it is more sanitary than tiic rough sand finish. Miscellaneous Iron Work Main Staius : May be reinforced concrete or iron. Heiglit of risers and widtli of treads? Eisers not over 7" high. Treads not less than 12" wide. No open well hole should be permitted between flights ou ac- count of fire or smoke. Balustrade rails at side should be not less than 5'0" high to pre- vent accidents. Hand rails should be provided on both sides of all flights of stairs. Any iron stairs or iron ladder to roof? Stairs should be shut ofT from corridors with fireproof smoke screen. Miscellaneous : Ash lift or other provision for getting ashes out of Boiler Eooni? Are outside woven wire window guards specified for all ground floor windows? Have coal holes or coal chutes been called for? Any folding iron gates across corridors desired to cut off certain portions of building when Auditorium or other rooms are being used at nights? Aiiy iron fence called for around playgrounds and rest of property ? Any iron fire escapes? Mild scrapers and mats at entrance doors? Any fireproof record vault required? Roofing and Sheet Metal Kind of i-(;()tiii;ii- used in vjirions ]iliic('s, sncli as tin, copper, pitch, I'clf. and sla.n'. otc. Material of (laslnufis, liiittcr, and down sponts? ( Siionld lie cop|)cr ) . -Material of any metal cornices or other ornamental featnres on exterior? (Shouhl be copper). Type of skylights used? Wire ,i;lass used for glazing with woven wire guards oyer sanu' for ]U'otection. All roohng and skylight work should lie guaranteed by con- tractor as watei'tight for a period of years; with repairs nnide free of cost to Owners in case of leaks occurring dur- ing period of guarantee. Carpentry Kiud of wood and quality of same for Classrocni floors? (Usually rift sawn yellow pine or clear maple). Kind of floors used in (!V>rridors? (Wood, asphalt, cement, composition, linoleum, etc. ) Single or double floors used where wood floors are called for? Bolts for window cleaner's belt on outside of all window frames, above ground floor? Kind of windows specirted — doulde hung sash, casement, revolv- ing, or some special type? Has sash cord or sash chain been specifled for double hung win dows? Window frames caulked with oakum, and sash equipped with metal weather strips, to prevent excessive air leakage? Kiud of interior wood trim? Location of picture moulding? Kiud of doors? Flush surface hospital type with glass panel in upper portion, or ordinary panelled wood door? Kind of blackboards and their location? Slate or composition? Type of chalk troughs? Height of chalk troughs above floor? Cork display board iu Classrooms and bulletin board in Corri- dors? Dressers and cupboards in special rooms? Any folding or r same closed? Metal kickplates required across bottom of certain doors? Painting Materials and quality of same? Number of coats of paint called for by specifications on wood, iron and plaster? Samples of interior wood iinisb to be made for the approval of the Board? Plaster walls painted and where? Painting of brick walls and where? . Painting of cement floors. Where and what material used? Lettering of doors to various rooms? Special decorative painting of Auditorium and Main Entrance Hall? Glazing : Quality of glass used in outside windows? Quality of glass used in exterior and interior indoors? Oltsfure fjlass used in sudi i)Iiic(' iis Toilet Kooiu windows. Shower and Loeker Kooins, etc. ^^Ml•e jiiiiss for lii-eproof |)arl itions, (ioors, an