New York state schools are regularly inspected according to the Building Code.
The New York State Building Code for schools is complex and covers a number of areas, from the proper practices of acquiring land for the construction of public schools to handicap accessibility of the finished building. The code references a number of other documents, stipulating that buildings must be constructed according to the specifications of codes. The New York State Building Code was updated in 2007, with new provisions set to take effect in 2011.
Fire Protection Requirements
All schools in New York state must provide adequate fire protection. Schools must be equipped with a sprinkler system that is present on every floor, in every room and has a central control station or mechanism. Schools also must be equipped with fire extinguishers, a fire alarm and detection system, and a smoke control system. All fire exit routes must be clear and clearly marked in New York schools.
Tandem Code Provisions
The New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council stipulates that all schools in the state meet the standards set by the plumbing, mechanical, property maintenance, and fire codes of the state. The plumbing code alone covers general requirements for buildings, as well as water heaters, fixtures, faucets, fixture settings and sanitary draining amidst its 13 chapters and eight appendices. A school must pass an inspection by a state official as per each of these codes to meet Building Code and be opened to the public.
Effectiveness Requirements
Article 408-A of the New York state code provides that plans for all future elementary, junior high, and high schools must be presented to the commissioner of education and director of the budget for approval. Approval is contingent upon a planned school's ability to fulfill all the spatial and educational needs of students, while adhering to heating, ventilation, lighting, sanitation and health, fire and accident protection requirements. Schools must be economical enough for the state to afford, without sacrificing quality, and be constructed in such a way that any future additions or reconstruction will be easily facilitated and cost effective.
Other Provisions
As per Article 4-A of the New York code for public buildings, all public schools in New York must be handicap accessible. Article 4-C, effective Aug. 26, 2010, stipulates that all new public construction projects and renovations of existing public buildings, including schools, must adhere to green, or environmentally sensitive, building standards. Green building standards are to be developed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, the Dormitory Authority of the state of New York, the Department of State, the Department of Education, and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Tags: Building Code, State Building, York State Building, building standards, equipped with, must equipped
