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United State Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

Academy Facilities

Infotech 100

“The more abundant the information in the world,

the more economics becomes the science of allocating attention.”

— George Gilder

Today we break down the literature for building, maintaining and supporting the computing infrastructure of education communities.  We use the term “infotech” gingerly to explain action for a  broad span of technologies that encompass enterprise servers and software, wireless and wired networks, campus phone networks, and desktop computers that provide administrative services and career tech video production.   The private sector has moved at light speed to respond to the circumstances of the pandemic; so have vertical incumbents evolving their business models to seek conformance revenue in this plasma-hot domain.

Starting 2023 we break down the topic accordingly:

Infotech 100: Survey of the principal standards developing organizations whose catalogs are incorporated by reference into federal and state legislation.  Revision cycles.

Infotech 200: Campus computing facilities for research and education

Infotech 300: Communication networks, wired and unwired at the demarcation point; crucial for defining the responsibilities and boundaries between the service provider and the customer.

Infotech 400:  System, middleware and application for education and research

We have begun to track case studies of satellite-based internet services to rural and remote schools and community colleges.

Throughout 2025 we will expand our inquiry in this time slot.  There are obvious global security issues to enlighten approaches to assuring communication security if, for example, undersea cables are maliciously destroyed.


The literature radiates continually by consortia, open-source, or ad hoc standards-setting domains rather than the private standards system administered by global and standards setting bodies; to wit:

International:

IEC (EN 50600), IET, ISO, ITU

Vocabulary

Freely Available ICT Standards

IEEE Communications Society

United States:

ASHRAE,

Energy Standard for Data Centers

ATIS

BICSI

Information and Communication Technology Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Educational Institutions and Facilities

Information Communication Technology Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions and Facilities

Data Center Operations and Maintenance Best Practices

INCITS, NFPA, NIST, TIA (942)

Everywhere else:

3GPP & 3GPP2,  Apache Software Foundation,  ISTE,  OneM2M,  Uptime Institute

The ICT domain is huge, replacing physical libraries.  The foregoing is a highly curated sample.

We continue to include teaching and learning media standards on our colloquia however it is likely that will break up this topic into at least two related colloquia as 2023 proceeds; with primary focus on the design, construction and maintenance of the physical ICT infrastructure.  Much depends upon the interest of our clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.  We collaborate closely with the IEEE Education and Healthcare Electrotechnology Committee.

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"One day ladies will take their computers for walks in the park and tell each other, "My little computer said such a funny thing this morning" - Alan Turing

A Study of Children’s Password Practices

 

Campus Child Day Care

“The concentration of a small child at play
is analogous to the concentration of the artist at work.”

 

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Page 522/523: 305.2 Group E, day care facilities for five or fewer children.
Page 624: Group E Security
Page 1440: Storm Shelters
§

Today at the usual hour we review a selection of global building codes and standards that guide best practice for safety, accessibility, and functionality for day care facilities; with special interest in the possibilities for co-locating square footage into the (typically) lavish unused space in higher education facilities. 

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International Building Code

    • Governs overall building construction, fire safety, occupancy classification, and egress requirements for daycare centers.

International Fire Code

    • Regulates fire prevention measures, emergency exits, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and evacuation protocols for daycare centers.

National Fire Protection Association

    • NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code: Addresses occupancy classification, means of egress, fire safety, and emergency planning.
    • NFPA 5000 – Building Construction and Safety Code: Provides fire protection and structural safety guidelines.

Americans with Disabilities Act

    • Requires daycare centers to be accessible for children and parents with disabilities, covering entrances, bathrooms, play areas, and signage.

European Norms – CEN Standards

    • EN 1176 – Playground Equipment and Safety Requirements: Covers safety standards for daycare playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
    • EN 16890 – Safety Requirements for Mattresses in Children’s Products.

British Standards (BS) for Early Years Facilities

    • BS 8300: Accessibility requirements for childcare facilities.
    • BS 9999: Fire safety guidance for daycare and educational buildings.

Australian Building Code & National Construction Code

    • Covers fire safety, structural integrity, ventilation, and child safety measures for daycare centers.

ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management

    • Establishes safety requirements for employees working in daycare facilities, ensuring a safe environment for both children and staff.

Canadian Building Code & Fire Code (NBC & NFC)

    • Provides structural, fire safety, and child safety guidelines for daycare centers in Canada.

“Kindergarten” 1885 Johann Sperl

Preschool Children in the Dome

Playgrounds

Kindergarten

Model School Food Standard

Fire Drills

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Structures

9-11 Commission

Today we examine best practice literature for education building structures developed by accredited and consortia standards developers such as ASCE, ACI, AISC, ASTM, AWS, CRSI, ICC, NFPA and IEEE.   The US education industry among the top three largest building construction markets; with annual new and renovated building construction running close to $100 billion annually.

We limit our coverage to low-risk regions in the US, such as areas with minimal seismic activity, low risk of flooding and moderate weather conditions.  Another huge topic which we will likely break up into separate modules in the fullness of time.  For now, we sweep through the basics:

Foundation

  1. Site Analysis:
    • Conduct soil testing to determine its bearing capacity and composition.
    • Ensure the site is properly graded and drained to prevent water accumulation.
  2. Foundation Type:
    • Slab-on-Grade: Common in residential buildings. A concrete slab is poured directly on the ground.
    • Basement: Provides additional living space and storage, common in residential buildings.
  3. Design and Preparation:
    • Use rebar reinforcement to strengthen the concrete.
    • Install vapor barriers to prevent moisture from seeping through the foundation.
    • Properly compact the soil to prevent settling and shifting.
  4. Concrete Pouring:
    • Use high-quality concrete mix suitable for the local climate.
    • Ensure proper curing of the concrete to achieve maximum strength.
    • Use expansion joints to accommodate temperature changes and prevent cracking.
  5. Waterproofing and Insulation:
    • Apply waterproofing membranes or coatings to protect the foundation from water damage.
    • Insulate the foundation to improve energy efficiency and prevent frost heave in colder climates.

Ironwork

  1. Materials:
    • Use high-quality steel that meets industry standards (e.g., ASTM specifications).
    • Ensure the steel is properly treated to resist corrosion, especially in humid or coastal areas.
  2. Design:
    • Follow structural engineering guidelines and building codes for the specific type of building.
    • Use appropriate load calculations to determine the size and placement of steel beams, columns, and reinforcements.
  3. Fabrication and Assembly:
  4. Erection:
    • Use proper lifting equipment and techniques to safely erect steel structures.
    • Align and level steel components accurately before final fastening.
    • Use bolted connections where possible for ease of assembly and future maintenance.
  5. Inspection and Quality Control:
    • Conduct regular inspections throughout the construction process to ensure compliance with design specifications and building codes.
    • Perform non-destructive testing (e.g., ultrasonic testing) on critical welds and connections.
  6. Protective Coatings:
    • Apply protective coatings (e.g., galvanization, epoxy paint) to steel components to prevent corrosion.
    • Maintain the protective coatings over the lifespan of the building.

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Related:

Category Archive

Post 9-11 Standards

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, U.S. standards developers — the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) topmost among them — responded with revisions to technical standards based on thirty findings of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These changes aimed to enhance structural integrity, fire safety, and evacuation procedures in high-rise buildings.

Increased Structural Robustness: Codes were updated to improve resistance to progressive collapse, where the failure of one structural element spreads to others. This included increasing the minimum thickness of steel beams and columns and adding more connections between structural elements.

Concrete Reinforcement: Structures like One World Trade Center adopted reinforced concrete cores and thicker structural elements to withstand extreme events.

Fire SafetyEnhanced Fire Resistance: Higher standards for fire-resistant materials were introduced, including mandates for fire sprinklers and smoke alarms in high-rise buildings.

Fire Protection Systems: Improved requirements for active fire protection systems, such as sprinklers, to mitigate fire spread.

Egress and EvacuationElevator Requirements: Elevators are now required in high-rise buildings over 120 feet tall to aid firefighters in accessing upper floors without climbing stairs with heavy equipment.

Additional Stairways: High-rises over 420 feet must include an extra stairway to ensure multiple egress paths.

Exit Path Markings: Self-luminous or photoluminescent exit path markings were mandated to guide occupants to exits during low-visibility emergencies, applied to both new and existing high-rise buildings.

Increased Exit Spacing: Exit enclosures must be spaced farther apart to prevent a single event, like a fire, from blocking multiple exits.

Emergency Communication and PreparednessImproved Communication Systems: Codes now require better communication systems for emergency responders to coordinate during crises, addressing the breakdown in communication during 9/11.

Evacuation Procedures: Elevators can now be used for evacuation in some fire scenarios, a shift from the traditional reliance on stairs, improving evacuation efficiency.

Blast-Resistant Features: Designs for high-profile buildings, like One World Trade Center, incorporated blast-resistant bases (e.g., a 185-foot concrete base) to protect against street-level attacks.

Changes were debated to balance safety with construction costs, with some measures (like exit markings) having minimal cost but significant benefits.  Not all proposals were adopted due to cost concerns or feasibility, but they spurred further structural design advancements.  These changes reflect a shift toward designing buildings to withstand extreme, unpredictable events like terrorist attacks, beyond traditional natural disaster scenarios.

Our work in the NFPA catalog | Our work in the ICC catalog | Our work in the ASCE catalog

What Are People Wearing?

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today,

when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”

– Miuccia Prada

May Ball


University of Cambridge Estates Division

First Day of School

Donegan Acoustics

Today we take a cross cutting review of all the literature (codes, standards, guidelines, laws)  that informs safe and sustainability occupancy load, means of egress, illumination, ambient air, plumbing, electric, communication and acoustics in classrooms.

1. Building Codes

  • International Building Code (IBC): Adopted by most states, it provides guidelines for the design and construction of buildings, including schools.
  • International Existing Building Code (IEBC): Provides standards for the renovation and repair of existing school buildings.
  • State and Local Building Codes: Many states and municipalities have additional or modified codes that must be followed.

2. Fire and Life Safety Codes

  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes:
    • NFPA 101: Life Safety Code – Sets requirements for egress, fire protection, and emergency planning.
    • NFPA 13: Installation of Sprinkler Systems – Specifies standards for automatic fire sprinkler systems.
    • NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code – Covers fire alarm system installation and maintenance.
    • NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) – Outlines electrical wiring standards to prevent fire hazards.

3. Accessibility Standards

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
    • ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Ensures that school facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
  • Architectural Barriers Act (ABA): Requires accessibility in buildings constructed with federal funds.

4. Environmental and Health Standards

Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations:
    • EPA Lead and Asbestos Regulations: Governs the handling of lead and asbestos in school buildings.
    • EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools: Provides guidelines to manage air quality.

5. Structural Standards

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE):
    • ASCE 7: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures.
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI):
    • ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.

6. Plumbing and Mechanical Codes

  • International Plumbing Code (IPC): Provides guidelines for plumbing system design and installation.
  • International Mechanical Code (IMC): Sets standards for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

7. Electrical Standards

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards: Includes various electrical safety and installation standards relevant to school facilities.

8. Educational Specifications and Guidelines

  • Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Guidelines: Provides best practices for school design that promote effective learning environments.
  • State-Specific Educational Specifications: Many states have their own guidelines for the design of educational facilities to meet state-specific educational needs.

9. Safety and Security Standards

  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Guidelines: Suggests design strategies to enhance security in school environments.
  • School Safety and Security Standards (state-specific): Some states have additional requirements for school security measures.

10. Sustainable Design Standards

  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Schools: Provides a framework for building green and energy-efficient schools.
  • Green Building Initiative (GBI) Standards: Focuses on sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.

11. Maintenance Standards

  • International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC): Provides guidelines for the maintenance of buildings, ensuring they remain safe and functional over time.

12. Other Relevant Standards

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Guidelines: Provides standards for building schools in disaster-prone areas (e.g., tornadoes, earthquakes).
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards: Ensures workplace safety, including in schools, covering areas like chemical safety, electrical safety, and more.

Local Considerations

  • Local Zoning Laws and Ordinances: Schools must also comply with local land use regulations, which may affect building placement, size, and use.

Classroom Acoustics

 

 

Evensong “Last Rose of Summer”

Wisconsin

 

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