SED manual of planning standards 1998 - New York State ...

1 manual of planning standards The University of the State of New York The State Education Department educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities educational facilities DRAFTMANUAL OF planning standards FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS March 1998 originally published 1965 The University of the State of New York The State Education Department Office of Facilities planning Albany, New York 12234 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE State OF NEW YORK Regents of the University Carl T.

2 Hayden, Chancellor, , Louise P. Matteoni, Vice Chancellor, , , Jorge L. Batista, , .. Bronx J. Edward Meyer, , Chappaqua R. Carlos Carballada, Chancellor Emeritus, .. Rochester Adelaide L. Sanford, , , ..Hollis Diane O'Neill McGivern, , , ..Staten Island Saul B. Cohen, , , ..New Rochelle James C. Dawson, , , , Robert M. Bennett, , Tonawanda Robert M. Johnson, , .. Lloyd Harbor Peter M. Pryor, , , , ..Albany Anthony S. Bottar, , Merryl H. Tisch. , New York Harold O. Levy, , (Oxon.), York Ana L. Farley.

3 Brockport President of the University and Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills Executive Deputy Commissioner of Education Richard H. Cate Deputy Commissioner for Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education James A. Kadamus Assistant Commissioner for Regional School and Community Services Samuel W. Corsi, Jr. Coordinator of Facilities planning Charles A. Szuberla, Jr. Editor Robert R. Lavery The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities.

4 Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including Braille, large print or audio tape, upon request. Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department's Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 152, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. ii iii PREFACE Although focused on teaching and learning, education must also address the need to maintain a safe, secure, and healthy school environment. The capacity of children to learn is impeded if their school environment contains elements that are hazardous to their health.

5 The State Education Department and educators throughout the State of New York have a responsibility to assure the school community and the public that, based on the best available knowledge, school buildings are safe, healthy, clean and in good repair. In December 1994, the New York State Board of Regents adopted the following guiding principles developed by the Regents Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality in Schools: Every child has a right to an environmentally safe and healthy learning environment that is clean and in good repair.

6 Every child, parent, and school employee has a "right to know" about environmental health issues and hazards in their school environment. School officials and appropriate public agencies should be held accountable for environmental safe and healthy school facilities. Schools should serve as role models for environmentally responsible behavior. Federal, State , local, and private sector entities should work together to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently to address environmental health and safety concerns. Among the many responsibilities of the Commissioner of Education is that of establishing and enforcing school building construction standards for the health, comfort and safety of pupils attending the public schools.

7 Accordingly, all plans and specifications for the erection, repair, enlargement or remodeling of school buildings in any public school district in the State must be reviewed and approved by the Commissioner. The Office of Facilities planning performs this function. However, the Office of Facilities planning offers services beyond the approval of plans and specifications. We offer advice and technical assistance to school districts, architects and engineers to help them solve their school building needs with consideration of educational and planning efficiency, conservation of natural resources, initial and life-cycle costs and within the context of the most recent State and Federal laws.

8 The 1998 edition of the manual of planning standards includes all amendments and revisions to the 1996 & 1977 manual and the original manual issued in 1965. The old manual of planning standards is out of print. It may be viewed on microfiche, which can be requested from your local library through the inter library loan program. The identification number is D-EDU-800-4-MANPS-79-71290-1975. The manual has proved invaluable to school district architects and engineers. It has simplified and expedited review and approval of plans and specifications by the Office of Facilities planning .

9 We would like to emphasize several things about this publication. 1. Included herein are both minimum requirements, which must be followed, and recommendations, which are optional. The language used indicates the distinction ( , such words as "shall" and "must" indicate requirements; "should" and "may" indicate recommendations). 2. The requirements stated herein are those which are currently in effect. Revisions will be made from time to time because of changes in fire safety regulations, construction techniques, technological developments and changes in materials, as well as by progress in education, which has implications, for space requirements and types of facilities.

10 As revisions are made they will be published in the School Executive's Bulletin. iv This manual , revisions and other useful planning information is also available on the World Wide Web at 3. For help, technical assistance or current information relating to the layout of spaces and recommended equipment for the various curriculums, contact the Education Department's Office of Facilities planning at (518) 474-3906 or by fax at (518) 486-5918. We actively seek competent advice and welcome suggestions as to how our requirements might be improved to keep pace with educational and technical developments.