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Historical Capital Programs_Unpub » Armand Larive Middle School

Armand Larive Middle School

BUILDING DATA

  • Original Construction Date: 1936
  • Locust Wing Addition: 1946
  • Building Additions: 1962 & 1968
  • Building Addition (Cosmetics): 1994
  • Approximate Square Footage: 87,850 SF
  • Modular Square Footage: 1,792 SF
  • Developed Ground: 4 Acres
  • View Photo Gallery

 

Structural and Exterior Building Conditions

  • Construction – The overall construction of the building is cast in place concrete and block
  • Foundation – The uneven floors are an indication that the foundation has settled or shifted. This is the case in the main building with the Work Room, Registrar and Library. The Library floor slopes ½” to 3″ in at least one location. This settlement must have occurred some time ago since the Break Room remodel includes a cabinet which accommodates the excessive slope of the floor. It is not known if settlement continues to occur.
  • Roof – Standing water was observed on portions of the roof which is unsatisfactory.
    • The roof beams in the gym were identified as having had structural problems in the past but no reported problems now. Based on the 1982 structural inspection of the beams, the GLB (glue-laminated beam) problems originated at the time of manufacturing (1968) and were repaired in 1982. No problems with the beams have been reported since that inspection and repair.
    • Water stains are visible on the ceiling tile.
  • Wall – A large crack in the concrete wall outside the boiler room was observed. Part of the concrete is missing and the crack is approximately 4 ft. high. Small cracks above the crawlspace openings on the front exterior wall does not suggest structural distress.
  • Floor – The tile floor on the main floor has areas of deterioration. Previous tile replacement is visible. Other floor tile deterioration observed included the outline of an abandoned mud grate at the bottom of formerly exterior, now interior stairs.
  • Windows/Doors – The windows in the remodeled areas were updated however; the windows in the existing parts of the school are still single pane and are not very energy efficient.
    • The general condition of the doors was fair. The fire rating label (UL) on the corridor doors could not be found on the doors that was check. Therefore, we could not verify if the corridor doors were appropriately rated.
  • Trim – The trim in the remodeled areas was updated however: all of the existing and even a large amount of newer remodeled areas were in poor shape.

 

Interior Building Conditions

  • Floors – Floors have been well used and are in poor shape.
  • Walls – Walls are in better shape than most of the other interior items in the newer areas of the school. The older areas of the school are unsatisfactory. They have been painted and patched throughout the years. Overall, they are in fair condition.
  • Ceilings – The ceiling conditions outside of the newer T-bar areas are in poor shape. There are a number of water spots and sections of the ceiling where the gypboard is missing.
  • Fixed Equipment – Generally the fixed equipment such as the cabinets, shelves, etc., are in fair condition.

HVAC

The HVAC is made up of a number of different type of systems depending on the time of remodel. The school has steam radiant heaters, steam unit ventilators, hydronic unit ventilators, packaged rooftops, and split systems. The HVAC controls were a combination of pneumatic, DDC, and electro-mechanical. Exhaust fans are located on the roof with ceiling vents. Some of the ductwork located in the attic has separated from the roof opening. A new boiler has been installed.

The steam and condensate piping is not in good shape and shows sign of wear and fatigue. A number of piping sections have been replaced and or repaired. Overall the steam and condensate piping infrastructure is failing. This is indicated in part by the amount of make-up water that is being used and the number of repairs being performed. To repair the piping would require a vast quantity of concrete cutting and repair. In addition to the concrete, some interior walls would require removal and replacement.

Pipe insulation was missing on part of the piping for the steam system.

Plumbing

The plumbing fixtures are in the condition that would match the age and use of the facility. The domestic water lines were a combination of galvanized and copper. The sanitary sewer lines were a combination of galvanized and cast iron.

The plumbing infrastructure is in about the same condition of the steam piping infrastructure. To repair the piping would require a vast quantity of concrete cutting and repair.

The restroom fixture count is low compared to the student population.

Electrical

Over the years the electrical system has been expanded and modified to meet the needs of building additions and new technology. The main service switchboard is rated 1200 Amps at 208Y/120 Volt, three phase, four-wire and was installed to increase the electrical capacity for the entire building. Panels and wiring have been added and replaced in some areas. Old panels and wiring are still in use which should be replaced. The electrical system should be replaced.

Lighting fixtures are primarily fluorescent with T12 light bulbs. Lighting levels are adequate in some areas and inadequate in others. There are many fixtures that have no lenses and fixtures that don’t operate. The light fixtures should be replaced with newer energy efficient T8 light bulbs and electronic ballasts. Emergency lighting is present in the Gym, Auditorium, and a few other areas. Additional Emergency Lighting is required to bring the school up to code.

Safety and Handicap Provisions

Wheel chair lift systems have been added to the stairs throughout the building. There are a number of interior rooms that do not have handicap access, correct ramp slope, landing area, or door swing/hardware.

The fire alarm system is inadequate for the building. There are rooms with no Horn/Strobes, no smoke detectors, and no sprinkler system.

Building Condition Evaluation Summary

Component #1 – Exterior Building Condition

The overall structure rating was given an unsatisfactory value. Besides the actual condition of the structure, in order to replace the steam, sewer, domestic and cold water, a large amount of concrete would have to be removed/demolished and replace. This includes some walls.

The walls were given a poor rating due to the fact that the older areas of the building are actually unsatisfactory, but the newer areas of the building is in fair condition. Therefore, the overall rating was fair.

The roof was given a poor rating due to the amount of standing water that was obvious during the walk through.

The windows and doors in the newer remodeled areas were fair, but were unsatisfactory in the older areas of the building. Therefore, a poor rating was given.

The trim in the newer areas were in good condition, however the condition of the older areas was poor. Therefore, a fair rating was given.

Component #2 – Interior Building Condition

2.1 The floors in the newer areas were in fair condition, but the floors in the older areas were unsatisfactory. Therefore, the overall rating given was poor.

2.2 The interior walls were in fair shape throughout the school and was given a fair rating.

2.3 The ceilings in the newer areas which was added in the latest remodel was in fair shape. The older areas were unsatisfactory. Therefore, the overall rating given was poor.

2.4 The fixed equipment was given an overall rating of fair.

Component #3 – Mechanical Systems Condition

3.1 The overall electrical was in better shape than first anticipated which improved the actual rating to poor instead of an unsatisfactory rating.

3.2 The plumbing has been well used and is in poor condition and was given a poor rating.

3.3 The heating system has a new boiler however, the piping is unsatisfactory. Therefore, the overall rating given was poor.

3.4 There is cooling either mechanical or natural in most of the areas except for some interior areas, library, and gym. Therefore, the cooling was given a poor rating.

3.5 The lighting in the newer areas was much better than the lighting in the older areas. Therefore, the lighting was given a poor rating.

Component #4 – Safety/Building Code

4.1 Overall the means of exit was fair. However, too many interior spaces were unsatisfactory. Therefore, the overall rating given was poor.

4.2 There has been a number of fire control upgrades which allowed a rating to be given of fair.

4.3 The fire alarm system is out of code and was given a poor rating.

4.4 The emergency lighting was in fair condition and was given a fair rating.

4.5 The overall fire resistance was given a poor rating.

Component #5 – Provisions for Handicapped

A 2 out of 4 rating was given for this section due to the fact that the interior areas can be fixed and are not used as often as the other areas of the building that have handicap provisions.