Start From the Beginning: Reiter

In the wake of the noxious fumes closing of Reiter, maybe we should take another look at the 2005 buildings report to see how things looked almost four years ago.

This tells us why we needed to do something drastic. The school board then decided to build anew. The current school board stopped that.

The fault and responsibility, therefore, lies directly at the feet of not only the voters who placed them there, but the Emperor and each of his board of chosen accomplices. They stopped the solution without providing one of their own.

1.0 M.R. Reiter Elementary Executive Summary

With the exception of the: Main Sanitary; Fire Alarm; Security; Public Address; Clock and Program Systems; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC); Plumbing and Drainage (P&D); Fire Protection (FP); and Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution (EPT&D).

1.1 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems and Equipment
Air Handling Units

1.1.1 General:
• Two, oil-fired air handling units, located in the first floor mechanical room, distribute air throughout the building. Refer to Photograph A1 in Appendix “A”.
• Supply air to the occupied spaces is distributed through a combination of underground trenches and galvanized steel ductwork located above the ceilings.
• Combustion air for oil-fired HVAC equipment and fresh air for ventilation are obtained through exterior wall louvers. Refer to Photograph A2 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The air handling units and ductwork are over forty years old, are unreliable, have far exceeded their useful service lives, and are, in part, unsafe for continued use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The air handling units and ductwork systems are not acceptable for reuse, or continued use, and must be removed.

1.1.2 Cooling System
General:
• Cooling systems consist of several ductless split systems in various locations.
• Window air conditioners are incidental, have been added as piecemeal appliances at
selective locations, and are not addressed further within this report.
Age/Condition:
• Ductless split system units do not provide code required outside fresh air of ventilation, and are not acceptable under applicable Pennsylvania State design guides.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
• The ductless split systems are not suitable for reuse and must be removed.

1.1.3 Underground Oil Tanks
General:
• A 6,000 gallon underground oil tank, located on the northeast side of the building, serves the two air handling units.
• An oil pump set, located in the mechanical room, transfers oil from the underground
tanks to the oil-fired air handling units.
Age/Condition:
• The oil tank 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 tank and oil pumps are not suitable for reuse or continued use, and must be
replaced.

1.1.4 Automatic Temperature Control System
General:
• The automatic temperature control system is pneumatic and served by an air compressor located in the first floor mechanical room. Refer to Photograph A4 in Appendix “A”.
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 and must be replaced.

1.1.5 Exhaust Systems
General:
• General and toilet room exhaust is provided by roof and wall 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.

1.2 Plumbing Systems and Equipment

1.2.1 Plumbing Fixtures
General:
• Plumbing fixtures consist of water closets, lavatories, water coolers and hand sinks located throughout the school. Refer to Photographs A5, A6, and A7 in Appendix “A”.
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.

1.2.2 Sanitary and Vent Piping
General:
• The visible piping is cast-iron and appears to be of original construction. Refer to Photograph A8 in Appendix “A”.
• There are no reported problems with the main building sewer.
Age/Condition:
• Sanitary and vent piping system is over forty years old and has far exceeded its useful service life.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The sanitary and vent piping is not suitable for reuse in an upgraded facility with modern space program, and must be replaced.
• Reuse of the existing main building sewer under a modernized program of space should be reviewed with the Municipal Sewer Authority.

1.2.3 Domestic Water Piping
General:
• The visible piping is copper and appears to be of original construction.
• A 3-inch Municipal water service supplies the property via an entry at the garage on the northeast side of the building. There are no reported problems with the Municipal service entrance.
Age/Condition:
• The majority of the domestic water piping is reported to be over forty years old and has exceeded its useful service life.
• The Municipal Water Service Entrance Piping System appears to be at least twenty years old, and is unreliable at best.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable. Water tests should be conducted to determine lead content and quality of potable water.
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.

1.2.4 Domestic Water Heaters
General:
• Three, 120 gallon electric water heaters, located in an attached garage, provide domestic hot water to the building. Refer to Photograph A9 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The water heaters appear to be less than 5 years old and are in good condition.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the 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.

1.3 Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
Automatic Fire Suppression
General:
• 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.

1.4 Electrical Systems and Equipment

1.4.1 Electric Service Metering and Disconnects
General:
• An underground 4160 VAC Utility Company electrical service extends from a utility
pole on Clymer Avenue to a transformer and distribution equipment located on the north side of the building. The 120/208 VAC 3-phase secondary, low voltage line feeds a fusible distribution panel that serves panels throughout the building. Refer to Photographs A10 and A11 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Electrical service equipment, including the main transformer, is approximately forty years old and in poor condition, and a potential safety hazard. The transformer is assumed to contain “PCB’s”, and must be tested undercurrent, Federal Department of Environmental requirements.
Code Issues:
• A primary service disconnect switch required by applicable National Electrical Code
sections for the building service is not present.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Electrical service equipment is not suitable for continued use, much less extension or reuse in a modernized program of space use. Transformer must be disposed of as an environmental, hazardous material, to conform with Local, State, and Federal Regulations.

1.4.2 Branch Circuit Panelboards
General:
• System includes recessed and surface mounted panelboards with branch circuit breakers
located on first and second floor for general lighting and power.
Age/Condition:
• Branch circuit panelboards are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition.
The ability to safely interrupt fault current upon short circuit, or overload is highly suspect. Replacement circuit breakers are not available for these panels. The overall condition is unsafe for suture use.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• All Electrical panelboard equipment throughout the building is not suitable for reuse, or continued use.

1.4.3 Interior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Each classroom has three rows of recessed 1x4 two lamp T-12, fluorescent light fixtures.
Morrisville School District Page 7 of 34 G&H No. 2005-224
2' x 4' recessed fixtures were added to increase light levels. Refer to Photograph A12 in Appendix “A” for typical classroom light fixtures. Corridor lighting is generally 2 x 4 lay-in with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps. Multi-purpose room lighting is 1 x 4 recessed with prismatic lens and T-12 lamps.
Age/Condition:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are approximately forty years old and are in poor condition with the exception of several 2 x 4 fixtures recently added to each classroom. All original fixture ballasts contain PCB, and are classified as HAZMAT.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fluorescent light fixtures are not suitable for continued use, much less reuse in a modern program of space use.

1.4.4 Emergency Lighting
General:
• Battery powered 32 volt incandescent emergency lights are used in the corridors and are supplemented by emergency lighting units. Refer to Photograph A13 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is approximately forty years old, in poor
condition, of limited capacity, and may not now be operational.
Code Issues:
• The 32 volt emergency-only circuits are no longer permitted by the National Electrical
Code and applicable Pennsylvania State Regulations.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The 32 volt emergency lighting system is not suitable for reuse or continued use.
1.4.5 Exterior Lighting Fixtures
General:
• Wall mounted, photocell controlled HID fixtures are positioned around the building
perimeter. Front entrance fixtures are recessed incandescent type with drop opal lens.
Age/Condition:
• HID exterior light fixtures are in good condition. The recessed front entrance lights are in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• HID exterior lights are suitable for reuse, depending on the new program of space use.
The incandescent entrance lights are not suitable for reuse.

1.4.6 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection System
General:
• The fire alarm system is a zone coded system with pull stations and notification devices.
• Audio/visual alarm units are located in corridors and toilet rooms, but not in classrooms.
• 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 A14 in Appendix “A”. The Owner reports no problems with false alarms.
• Smoke detectors are located in all corridors and toilet rooms.
Age/Condition:
• Fire alarm and detection system equipment is approximately five years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• Classrooms must be equipped with audio/visual (AV) alarm units in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• Fire alarm and detection system is suitable for extension, and reuse. The system must be expanded for addition of code required A/V alarm units.

1.4.7 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 in fair condition and approximately eight years old.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the PA system.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• PA system equipment is suitable for reuse.

1.4.8 Computer Data Network System
General:
• There are individual computers in the classrooms. A centralized network system does not exist.

1.4.9 Clock and Change of Class Program System
General:
• The original master clock has been replaced with a Lathom Corporation 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 A15 in Appendix “A”.
Age/Condition:
• Master clock is relatively new, but classroom clocks are forty years old and in poor condition.
Code Issues:
• Not applicable.
Suitability for General Reuse:
• The overall system is not suitable for reuse.

1.4.10 Security and Intrusion Detection System
General:
• Classrooms and entry corridor are protected with motion detectors and an audio alarm output device. The motion detectors are wired back to a central control panel. The motion detection system equipment is manufactured by Ultraguard, replacement parts are available.
Age/Condition:
• The intrusion detection system equipment is approximately two years old and is in good conditions.
Code Issues:
• There are no apparent code issues related to the security system. Suitability for General Reuse:
• Intrusion detection system is suitable for reuse and expansion.