School Districts are required to get detailed inspections, by structural engineers, of all District buildings every 10 years. After the two Dennis buildings were closed, the Decatur Public Schools District 61 released the 2013 reports.
The reports detail issues with both buildings that required remediation.
This document is intended as a reference page for the 2013 HLS Surveys of the original Dennis (Mosaic Campus) and former French Academy (Dennis Kaleidoscope Campus) buildings.
Surveys
Relevant Law
I am not a legal expert, but these are resources I found to be relevant:
- Illinois Administrative Codes - All Administrative codes for Illinois
- Title 23: Education And Cultural Resources
- Title 23, Section 180: Health/Life Safety Code For Public Schools - The section relevant to HLS Surveys. See Subpart D for the Decennial (10-year) Inspections.
- Illinois School Code - The School code, which is referenced by the HLS Administrative Code. Section 3-14.21 is referenced in the annual inspections portion of Title 23, and Section 2-3.12 is referenced in the Decennial Inspections of Title 23. See the full text of the School Code
Notes on Dennis Survey
These are rough notes from my review of the Dennis Survey (Mosaic Campus). They are not comprehensive, and many details are left out. I am not an expert on anything related to construction.
Prepared by BLDD Architects and Architectural Expressions, LLP, signed on August 23, 2013, surveyed August 1, 2013. (It appears to be mainly BLDD, but Architectural Expressions's logo & information is on the front page)
BUILDING NOT IN COMPLIANCE
- Note: Failure to submit accurate and complete safety survey reports shall subject a school district to the recognition provisions of 23 Illinois Administrative Code 180
There are many rather minor violations, such as doors not fitting properly, fire doors using doorstops, glass not being tempered. Some noteable violations:
- Classroom 301: Wall below window and above casework shows signs of water damange; investigate source of damage and repair surface
- Classroom 005, 141, 008: Ceiling in center of room appears to be wet; investigate source of damage and repair surface
- Corridor 219, 231: Walls at Perimiter show signs of a liquid dripping down the wall; Verify source of water, provide repair to system. Cover exposed wood with aluminum
- Exterior Masonry: Deteriorated / Damaged Masonry joint sealant at the perimiter of grills; Repoint masonry joints / remove + reseal control joints
- Storage 004: Plaster Wall is damaged due to water infiltration; investigate source of damage and repair surface
- Vestibule 001, Stair 136, 228: Asbestos containing floor tile is loose, friable, and causing tripping hazard in vestibule. Stairway tiles are popping; Remove asbestos containing floor tile. Install VCT.
- Library 133: Light fixtures have water stains. Roof or mechanical system leaking; Verify source of water. Provide repair to system
- Stair C: Wall near boiler room door is damaged due to water infiltration; Investigate source of damage and repair surface.
- Facility: Existing fire alarm system worn beyond its useful life; Replace fire alarm system and update system
- Estimated cost, about $590,460. Largest costs are: nearly $400k for new windows, $44k for new fire alram system, $10k for "Replace curtain wall system or replace sealant" and $10k for new urinals.
- Exterior Masonry: Masonry wall has hole in exterior envelope; Repair/replace cracked or spalling masonry
Provides history and state of building construction:
- 1910: original building, 3 story. 16,906 S.F.
- 1927: 3 story addition. 7,845 S.F.
- 1954: 2 story addition + basement. 21,709 S.F.
- 1973: 1 story addition. 2,539 S.F.
- 2004: 1 story addition. 334 S.F.
- Total: 49,330 S.F.
Fire Alarm System: A non-coded, supervised, continuous ringing fire alarm system consisting of break glass stations and horns exists. A fire alarm control panel is located in the General Office on the second floor.
Further details include construction materials of foundation & walls, details of gas and water service and electrical system, plumbing, and "No peeling [lead] paint was observed.". Says "Drives, parking lots and sidewalks are in satisfactory condition."
Contains detailed floor plans at end of document, including max floor occupancy.
Notes on French Survey
These are rough notes from my review of the French Survey (Dennis Kaleidoscope Campus). They are not comprehensive, and many details are left out. I am not an expert on anything related to construction.
Prepared by BLDD Architects and Architectural Expressions, LLP, signed on August 23, 2013, surveyed August 1, 2013. (It appears to be mainly BLDD, but Architectural Expressions's logo & information is on the front page)
BUILDING NOT IN COMPLIANCE
Total estimated costs @ $84,396, with largest costs being $20k for new carpets, 7.5k for new stear treads & risers, and $40k for new fire alarm system
There are several rather minor violations, including light fixtures, storage issues, signage. Noteable violations:
- Stair 1, Stair 6, and corridors 211, 210, & elevator corridor: no emergency light
- Janitor closets 304, storage 109, classroom closets 10, 9, 12, 7, 13, 17, 16, 20: Light fixture missing protective lense; broken lamps could be potentital hazard for fire
- Facility: Existing Fire alarm system worn beyond its useful life
Construction state & history:
- 1914: Original construction, 3 story
- 1973: West Addition, 3 story
- 1974: East addition, 3 story
- 1978: Classroom addition, 1 story
- 2003: Elevator Addition, 3 story
Floor & Roof construction are detailed. Additional details in document
- 12" masonry walls
- 4" concrete floor
- no automatic fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers up to code.
- "no peeling [lead] paint observed"
- additional details about HVAC, heat distribution, ventilation, water heater
- detailed floor plan pictures at end of document, also showing maximum occupancy.