Facilities

Table of Contents

Reopening Plan Main Page | Facility Alterations and Acquisition | Space Expansion |
Tents for Additional Space | Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures | Ventilation

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the district, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.

The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens (and are automatically released by the fire alarm system), will remain unchanged.

The district plans to meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”

Upon reopening, the district plans to increase ventilation, to the greatest extent possible. Water systems will be flushed in buildings that have been unoccupied.

GJSD Facilities Department plans include the following:

  • Work with engineers to establish proper filtration requirements (e.g., filters that your HVAC system can handle filtration rate is high according to standards.
  • Filters are changed two times per year, and we will be starting the year with fresh filters.
  • Uninvent in every instructional space in the district that brings fresh air in.
  • No change in directions for classroom teacher regarding window operations (open/shut).
  • Alterations to the configuration of existing classrooms or spaces or the introduction of temporary and/or movable partitions, the change must be submitted to OFP, the local municipality and/or code enforcement officials for review.
  • For offsite facilities, communication with the project manager at NYSED Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) and a Temporary Quarters (TQ) Project submission.
  • Minimum number of toilet fixtures that must be available for use in a building is established in the building code
  • Clearly mark unusable and bag the center faucet and urinals according to the number of students in the building.
  • Drinking Water Facilities: Schools may reduce number of drinking fountains available, in order to facilitate frequent cleaning. However, drinking fountains are a code required plumbing fixture. One fountain is required for each one hundred occupants will be maintained.
  • Maintain adequate, Code required ventilation (natural or mechanical) as designed.

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Facility Alterations and Acquisition

At this time no facility alterations or acquisitions are required. In the event they are, District plans will be written to incorporate all of the following as applicable.

Describe the infection control strategies, which include changes to space utilization and/or alterations. Plan elements must include:

  • Alterations to the configuration of existing classrooms or spaces or the introduction of temporary and/or movable partitions, the change must be submitted to OFP, the local municipality and/or code enforcement officials for review.
  • Means of egress, fire alarm system, ventilation, and lighting may be affected and must be indicated on all submitted plans.
  • Consult your architect and submit floor plans to OFP for approval.
  • COVID-19 Projects shall be indicated as “COVID-19 Reopening” when submitted to the OFP. This will allow NYSED to expedite those reviews.
  • The installation of movable partitions (gym, cafeteria, library classroom dividers) shall require an abbreviated submission consistent with the Form FP-AU Request for approval.
  • Use of cafeterias, libraries, auditoriums and gymnasiums: A floor plan of the entire room showing the furniture layout with egress aisles shall be submitted to OFP for approval. Lighting, ventilation, means of egress, and fire alarm coverage must be indicated.

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Space Expansion

The plan, if needed, will describe how the District will expand square footage in order to enable improved social distancing (e.g., building additions, lease space, transportable classroom units or spaces such as tents).

The following requirements apply for all spaces to be occupied by school district staff and students:

  • Code Review: Per statute, NYSED’s Office of Facilities Planning must review and approve the above types of projects to ensure that the proposed spaces meet the fire code.
  • Offsite Lease Requirements: For offsite facilities, the district or other applicable schools must contact their project manager at NYSED Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) and submit a Temporary Quarters (TQ) Project submission.

To ensure that these sites meet all requirements, TQ submissions require submission of:

  • OFP Form FP_AU-Request for Approval of Use of a Facility
  • architectural quality floor plan
  • site plan
  • AHERA Plan
  • Fire Safety Report
  • Confirmation of Americans with Disabilities Act compliance
  • Local Code Authority Certificate of Occupancy
  • Approval of use of space

Please note:

  • If a Change of Occupancy in the Existing Building Code applies (e.g., office or B-occupancy to E-occupancy) code requirements such as rescue windows; accessibility; fire protection systems such as sprinkler or emergency voice alarm communication systems; ventilation may make it infeasible.
  • Districts or other applicable schools should identify COVID-19 Projects as “COVID-19 Reopening” when required materials are submitted to OFP for review.
  • Consult with OFP for a preliminary evaluation of all facilities under consideration for leasing. All leased facilities must be submitted to OFP for review and approval.
  • The District will consult with the architect/engineer of record.
  • Districts or other applicable schools should identify COVID-19 Projects as “COVID-19 Reopening” when required materials are submitted to OFP for review.

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Tents for Additional Space

At this time, tents are not being considered for GJSD use. Should conditions change and they are to be considered, our plan will incorporate the following guidance from NYSED.

Describe how we will use tents (if applicable). Consider the following element for using tents:

  • Tents, both temporary and permanent are regulated by code and must be submitted for a building permit.
  • Temporary structures and tents are those erected for 180 days or less. The Building Code Section 3103.1 indicates, “tents and membrane structures erected for a period of less than 180 days shall comply with the Fire Code of NYS”.
  • The Fire Code (FC) Chapter 31 contains extensive requirements for Tents and Other Membrane Structures. FC Section 3103.2 indicates that a permit and approval of temporary tents is required. FC Section 3103 contains requirements for temporary tents and Section 3104 has requirements for permanent tents. They include requirements for construction documents, access roads, location, seating plans, means of egress, illumination, exit signs, construction, use.

Permanent tents are considered a membrane structure and are regulated by Building Code Section 3102 and other applicable sections. Districts or other applicable schools must consult their design professional to prepare submission drawings for approval by OFP.

The following information must be shown on the drawings: Dimensions, Minimum separation distance to other structures, Tent sides (yes) (no), Duration of use, Type of use/activity, Anchor- age, Number of Exits, Width of each exit, Table/Chair/Contents, layout, Fire extinguisher Location, Occupant load, Heating or Cooking equipment, Utilities, Exit signs, NFPA 701 testing/label/certification.

If the tent is used for E-occupancy, consult with local municipalities and/or code enforcers provide code-compliant design for mechanical heat and ventilation; lighting; emergency lighting; power; fire alarm; plumbing; etc., as required.

Districts or other applicable schools must consult their architect and submit to OFP for approval. The district, or other applicable school, must provide an architectural quality floor plan, which clearly indicates existing and proposed use of space showing the furniture layout with egress aisles. Lighting, ventilation, means of egress, and fire alarm coverage must be indicated.

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Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures

In addition to the information stated above, schools will plan for the following:

  • Students and staff will be encouraged to bring their own filled reusable water bottles each day.
  • Drinking Water Facilities: Schools will identify the locations of fixtures to be used for refilling water bottles.
  • If building has been unoccupied the water system must be flushed
  • Social distancing rules will be reinforced by using signage, occupied markers, or other methods to reduce restroom occupancy at any given time, where feasible
  • Principals will communicate procedures in each school to minimize congregation in bathrooms

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Ventilation

Describe how ventilation will be maintained or enhanced. Consider the following items:

  • Regularly scheduled interval changes will be maintained.
  • Maintain adequate, code required ventilation (natural or mechanical) as designed.
  • Univents – maintained annually – summer cleaning will be performed to check belts, oil the bearings, and replace the filters.
  • Occupants may open windows to the comfort of the room, but are reminded that univents are designed to bring in fresh air.
  • Responsible Parties should increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g., opening windows and doors) while maintaining health and safety protocols, particularly for younger students.
  • Proper filtration requirements, MERV-8 standards will be maintained.

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