Is the High School Safe?

The 2005 buildings report also addressed the Middle-Senior High School, the building where most of our children are now located.

We anxiously await the (drum roll please) VITETTA REPORT! Yes, the answer to all our problems, Vitetta will swoop in and tell us what to do.

Let's see if this report gets distributed.

UPDATED: The Vitetta Report is available at the district website.

3.0 Morrisville High School
Executive Summary
With the exception of the main sanitary, fire alarm, security, public address, data and clock systems, the mechanical and electrical systems have exceeded their expected service lives and require replacement. Depending on the new program, portions of the emergency lighting and electrical distribution systems can be retained.

3.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment
3.1.1 Unit Ventilators and Air Handling Units
General:
• The majority of the classrooms, both in the original 1958 Building and the 1972 Addition are served by unit ventilators with hot water heating coils and ventilation air provisions. Ventilation is obtained both through the roof and through louvers on the exterior walls.
• Larger spaces, such as the gym, kitchen and the Instructional Materials Center are served by ducted air handling units with a hot water heating coil and outdoor air louvers.
Age/Condition:
• The unit ventilators, air handling units and ductwork are over thirty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The unit ventilators, air handling units and ductwork systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

3.1.2 Boilers
General:
• Two oil-fired boilers, which serve HVAC equipment in the original 1968 Building, generate heating water for classroom and corridor heating. Refer to Photograph C1 in Appendix “C”.
• Two oil-fired boilers, which were installed during the 1972 Addition, generate steam to serve heat exchangers. The heat exchangers use the boiler steam to provide heating water for the classrooms, corridors, and office spaces. Refer to Photograph C2 in Appendix “C”.
• Two base-mounted pumps circulate the heating water throughout the 1968 Building.
Refer to Photograph C3 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The boilers and heat exchangers are all over thirty years old and at the end of their useful service lives.
• The base-mounted pumps appear to be approximately five years old, in fair condition, and can be expected to last another ten to fifteen years.
Code Issues:
• There are not apparent code issues related to the base-mounted pumps.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The boilers and heat exchangers, have exceeded their useful lives, are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.
• The pumps are not suited for new energy efficient HVAC systems required by a new program of space use, and must be replaced.

3.1.3 Cooling System
General:
• An existing air handling unit, which serves the Instructional Materials Center was retrofitted with a cooling coil and remote condensing unit in 1996. The dedicated condensing unit, rated for 30 tons cooling, is located in the open courtyard adjacent to the Instructional Materials Center.
• A 5-ton rooftop unit, installed in 1995, serves a conference room and the Business Manager’s Office Area.
• A 10-ton split system, installed in 1997, serves several offices on the west side of the open courtyard.
• Window air conditioners are incidental, have been added as piecemeal appliances at selective locations, and are not addressed further within this report.
Age/Condition:
• The existing air handling unit serving the Instructional Materials Center, as mentioned previously, is beyond it useful service life. Refer to Article 3.2.1 above.
• The 30-ton condensing unit, 5-ton rooftop unit and 10-ton split system are approximately ten years old and can be expected to last another five to eight years.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the cooling system equipment.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The 30-ton condensing unit, 5-ton rooftop unit and 10-ton split system, depending on the planned renovations and new program of space use at the existing unit locations, could be reused.

3.1.4 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• There are two 12,000 gallon underground oil tanks, one located adjacent to each boiler room. Refer to Photograph C4 in Appendix “C”.
• Oil pumps, located at each boiler, supplies oil from the underground tank to the boilers.
Refer to Photograph C5 in Appendix “C”.
• A 5,000 gallon underground oil tank, which originally served an emergency generator, has been abandoned in-place.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tanks and pumps are over forty years old and have far exceeded their useful service lives.
Code Issues:
• Any repair work resulting from leaks will subject the overall system to compliance with stringent, expensive Federal Environmental Requirements. Prudent evaluation of existing tank/piping system integrity and lead free performance is recommended.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The oil tanks and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.

3.1.5 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• Automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and served by multiple air compressors located in each Boiler Room.
Age/Condition:
• The control system appears to be over twenty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The control system is not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be replaced.
3.1.6 Exhaust Systems
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof mounted fans.
Age/Condition:
• The exhaust fans are over forty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are not meeting standard performance requirements.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The exhaust systems are not suitable for reuse and must be replaced.

3.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment
3.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, urinals, lavatories, showers, water coolers and hand sinks in various locations throughout the school. Refer to Photographs C6 and C7 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the plumbing fixtures appear to be at least thirty years old, have far exceeded their useful service lives, are in part faulty, and not capable of repair.
Code Issues:
• Systems are unable to meet Pennsylvania State System Performance Requirements.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• A majority of the plumbing fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in an upgraded schoolhouse facility, and must be replaced.

3.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The piping is concealed in construction and was not directly observed. For the purposes of this report, it is assumed the piping is cast-iron and of original construction.
• There are no reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over thirty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.

3.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and the majority appears to be of original construction.
• A four-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the 1973 mechanical room on the south side of the building. There are no reported problems with the service entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping system is over thirty years old, has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The domestic water piping is not suitable for reuse in an updated, modernized program of space use, and must be replaced.
• The Municipal Water Company should be consulted to determine suitability of overall property water service entrance for expansion of useful capacity.

3.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• Two propane-fired water heaters with storage tank, located in the 1973 Boiler Room, serve plumbing fixtures in the 1973 Addition. Refer to Photograph C8 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• The propane-fired water heaters are approximately eight years old and are in fair condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the propane-fired water heaters.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The water heaters are suitable for reuse, depending on capacity to serve an expanded program of space use. The need for additional capacity must be determined.

3.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
3.3.1 Automatic Fire Suppression
General:
• There are no automatic fire suppression systems in the building. If substantial renovation is planned, a trade off cost study will be required to compare fire isolation affected by general construction barriers to full building fire sprinklering at $4.00 per square foot.
3.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment
3.4.1 Electric Service
General:
• Three-Phase underground 4160 VAC electric service conductors originate from PECO utility pole located next to Palmer Street. The service conductor conduits enter the building and into a 500 KVA unit substation with 120/208VAC secondary located off the old boiler room. Refer to Photograph C9 in Appendix “C”. The electric service is metered at the Utility Company Primary Distribution, “PD” rate.
Age/Condition:
• The original District owned, 1958 vintage Federal Pacific Main Dry Transformer failed within the past five years. Temporary emergency service expenses alone, including premium time, and a rental transformer over several months is reported to have cost more than $9,000.00. The permanent, new replacement is said to have cost more than
$30,000.00, again based on premium time, and tight space constraints in the electrical vault.
• Electrical service equipment, with the exception of the transformer which was just recently replaced, is more than thirty years old, in poor condition, and the manufacturer is no longer in business.
Code Issues:
• The transformer secondary is not protected by a main circuit breaker, as required by applicable life safety sections of the National Electric Code.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The Electric service equipment (Federal Pacific) lost UL Certification in 1981, the existing equipment is unsafe for continued use, much less future use.

3.4.2 Service Entrance Switchboard
General:
• The switchboard’s six (6) air circuit breakers supply the entire building. These breakers (Federal Pacific) are no longer manufactured and the company is out of business. Refer to Photograph C10 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service switchboard is more than thirty years old and in poor condition, manufacturer is no longer in business and parts are unavailable.
Code Issues:
• The switchboard does not meet current life safety codes.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Service entrance switchboard is not acceptable for present use, much less extended use for a new space program.

3.4.3 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• Breaker circuit panels throughout the building supply lighting and general power circuits. There is a lack of available spaces for additional branch circuit breakers in these panels. Refer to Photograph C11 in Appendix “C” for a typical branch circuit panelboard.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are more than thirty years old, and the manufacturer (Federal
Pacific) is no longer in business. Replacement circuit breakers are not available for these panels.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Panelboards throughout the building are not acceptable for present use, much less in a new space use program.

3.4.4 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of stem mounted, two lamp T-12, fluorescent direct/ indirect light fixtures. Refer to Photograph C12 in Appendix “C” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Office lighting is 2 x 4 lay-in with ½" parabolic louvers and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures throughout the building are between thirty and forty years old and are in fair condition, but are not energy efficient and contain “PCB” ballasts.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Interior light fixtures and exit signs, located throughout the building, are not suitable for reuse.

3.4.5 Emergency Lighting and Power Distribution
General:
• A diesel fueled 35Kw Onan Emergency generator and automatic transfer switch is located in the new boiler room and supplies power to life safety systems, emergency lighting, and one boiler and pump.
Age/Condition:
• The generator and transfer switch is less than two years old and in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the generator and transfer switch.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The generator and transfer switch are suitable for reuse.

3.4.6 Exterior Lighting Fixture
General:
• Pole mounted HID lighting fixtures are used in the parking lot using photocells for control. HID lights are mounted around perimeter of building for security lighting.
Age/Condition:
• Exterior HID light fixtures are in acceptable condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the exterior lighting fixtures.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Exterior Light fixtures are suitable for reuse.

3.4.7 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a non-coded addressable system with pull stations and notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors and toilet rooms.
• Fire alarm control equipment is manufactured by Silent Night Company, and replacement parts are available. All alarms report to a central station. Refer to Photograph C13 in Appendix “C”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• Only a few smoke and heat detectors were observed.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm detection system equipment is less than two years old and in good condition.
Code Issues:
• Audio/Visual alarm units are not located in each classroom and office space, which fails to meet regulations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is suitable for reuse. The system must be expanded for addition of code required smoke detectors and audio/visual alarm units.

3.4.8 Public Address System
General:
• The Public Address (PA) and communication equipment was manufactured by Bogen Company, and includes: control panel in the administration office; speakers in all classrooms, corridors and offices; and handsets that provide intercommunication between classrooms and the main office.
Age/Condition:
• PA system equipment is approximately ten years old and in fair condition. Replacement parts are available for this system.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.

3.4.9 Computer Data Network System
General:
• Minimal data network outlets are located in each classroom. The data outlets are wired to a central data network patch panel. The data network system components are Category 5 rated.
Age/Condition:
• Data network system equipment is in good condition and is approximately seven years old. The data network file server equipment is approximately five years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the data network system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Data network system equipment is suitable for continued use. Extensions will be required to suite the new program of use.

3.4.10 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• Lathom Corporation manufactured the clock system. Replacement parts are available for this system. The clock control panel is located in the administration office and clocks are located in all classrooms. Refer to Photograph C14 in Appendix “C”.
Age/Condition:
• Clock control panel and all clocks are between five and ten years old and in good
condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the clock system equipment.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Clock system equipment is suitable for reuse and expansion.

3.4.11 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Building intrusion detection system equipment includes motion detectors in corridors and selected classrooms wired to control equipment in the first floor Small Group Instruction Room. Audio alarms are located on each floor in the corridor. Napco manufactured the motion detection system equipment and replacement parts are available.
Age/Condition:
• Intrusion detection system equipment is two to three years old and is in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the intrusion detection system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system equipment is suitable for reuse and expansion.

3.4.12 Auditorium Lighting and Dimming System
General:
• Lighting in the auditorium is recessed incandescent fixtures connected to the dimming system. Lighting level is generally poor and lamps are continually being replaced at significant expense.
• The dimming panel and remote control unit are forty years old, substantially inoperative, no longer in production, and parts are unavailable. The sound system is also of the same vintage. Both Sound and Stage Lighting Control Systems are not suitable for present use, much less extended use in an upgraded facility with modern space program.
• The stage lighting appears to be adequate, but the stage spotlights are forty years old and not energy efficient.
Age/Condition:
• The lighting and dimming system is approximately forty years old, and in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• There is insufficient working space around the dimming rack.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The lighting and dimming system are not suitable for reuse.

3.4.13 Gymnasium Lighting
General:
• Lighting fixtures are twin hi-bay lighting fixtures with one mercury vapor lamp and one incandescent lamp on separate circuits.
• The mercury vapor lamp is inefficient compared to the newer HID light source.
Age/Condition:
• The lighting fixtures are approximately forty years old, and no longer made. Spare parts are not available.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The lighting system is not suitable for reuse.