Section III

TYPICAL DESIGN CRITERIA​

SITE
1. Site selection process is outlined in the SBA Handbook and shall include SBA staff participation in the site selection process.  Refer to WVBE Policy 6200 for additional site selection criteria.

2. Site design and layout shall comply with the proto-typical site spatial relationship concept as shown in Section IV.  Exceptions must be approved by the SBA.

3. The SBA allows for basic site development, including utilities (storm, sanitary, electric, water, gas, etc.), which shall be accessible at the site boundary for connection, and clearing, grubbing and grading.  Sites with soil characteristics and/or conditions that require excess rock excavation or unsuitable soils removal for building foundations systems other than conventional spread footings, along with sites that require excess cut and fill, shall be avoided.  The site development goal shall be to balance quantities (cut and fill) and not export/waste excess soils off site.  Site preparation costs that exceed SBA reasonable and customary costs shall be reviewed by the SBA and additional preparation costs shall become the responsibility of the grant recipient.
4. Sites within an existing flood plain or floodway shall be prohibited.  Wetland designated areas requiring mitigation shall be avoided for building, roads and parking areas.
 
5. Bus and vehicular traffic shall comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Guidelines.
 
6. Provide separate parent drop off – pick up zone separated from bus loading, capable of stacking 30-40 vehicles, where possible.
 
7. Provide staff parking to accommodate total staff personnel, administrative staff and traveling professional staff.
 
8. Provide separate service personnel parking convenient to service entrance to accommodate service personnel.
 
9. Provide visitor parking convenient to main entrance, minimum of 8% of student enrollment.
 
10. Provide high school student parking separated from bus zone, where possible, with a direct vehicle entrance and exit for approximately 30% of student enrollment.
 
11. Pavement Designs - Without prior SBA approval, the following paving cross sections are minimum requirements unless Geo-technical report recommends increased requirements: 
 
Bus Roadways:
Geo - Filter Fabric
8” stone base
4” asphalt base course
2” asphalt wearing course
 
Vehicle Roadways:
Geo - Filter Fabric
6” stone base
3” asphalt base course
1 1/2” asphalt wearing course
 
Parking Areas:
4” stone base
3” asphalt base course
1 1/2” asphalt wearing course
 
School Access Roads: Roadways designated to be accepted by the WV Department of Transportation (DOT) into the state highway system shall be constructed in accordance with the DOT construction standards.  Additional cost to construct to Department of Transportation standards shall be at the owner’s expense.
 
12. Provide handicapped parking for visitors and student parking in accordance with ADA requirements.
 
13. Parking stalls shall be sized as follows:
Visitors: 9’0” x 18’0” 
Staff: 9’0” x 18’0”
Student: 9’6” x 18’0”
 
14. Provide positive drainage away from building and entrances.
 
15. Locate catch basins, drop inlets and swales in accordance with WVDEP regulations for post-construction storm water run-off.
 
16. Where emergency access roads are required around and thru grassed site areas, provide a paved area constructed of a flexible porous paving “Grass Pave” grid system or similar detail, where possible. 
 
17. Slope grade from building to walks, a minimum of 1” per foot.
 
18. Bollards, sufficient enough to stop a passenger vehicle traveling 25 mph, shall be installed at all entrances accessible by vehicular traffic.  Bollards shall be spaced in a manner necessary to prevent vehicular entrance to the facility, yet provide adequate space for occupants to exit.

 
BUILDING DESIGN CRITERIA
1. All new schools shall be designed and constructed to comply with all applicable codes and standards.  Where possible, domestic materials and equipment shall be used. 
 
2. Building design shall comply with the proto-typical space relationship diagrams for Elementary, Middle and High Schools as shown in Section VII.
 
3.The design professionals shall study and analyze various building technologies to provide the most efficient, cost effective, energy efficient and maintainable building systems.  All new schools and schools with total HVAC replacements will maintain historic utility records of electricity, natural gas or other primary fuel usage and provide annual reports to the SBA and WVDE Office of School Facilities that provide the utility cost per square foot and KBTU cost per square foot for the project.  SBA funded projects of this type shall be bench marked and this data shall be maintained in the EPA’s Portfolio Manager.  This information shall be reported annually with the CEFP annual update.
 
4. Design professionals shall incorporate design elements in accordance with the School Access Safety Plan.  Elements of the “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” concept shall also be incorporated.  Where risk and vulnerability assessments are conducted, incorporate recommendations into the design.  All new school designs shall incorporate numbering graphics on all exterior doors made of a reflective material that are legible from a distance of 200’ in low light conditions.  The interior of all exterior doors shall have this same corresponding number located on the door that is legible from within the building area to occupants.
 
5. Design professionals shall study and analyze the feasibility of various building systems found in the Quality and Performance Document, such as:
a. Use of structural steel columns and beams
b. Use of insulated concrete forms for exterior and interior bearing walls.
c. Use of precast concrete panel construction.
 
6. Orient the classrooms to take advantage of natural light sources and day lighting technology where possible.
 
7.Classrooms and science labs shall comply with proto-typical designs as shown in Section VII. Other classroom and science lab layouts may be used, provided layouts are pre-approved by the SBA.  Flexibility and the use of technology shall be considered within all designs.
 
8. Administrative offices shall be oriented adjacent to the main entry vestibule with direct line of sight to the main building entrance and parking areas.  Where possible, the administrative offices shall have line of sight to all site access roads.
 
9. Provide security foyer at main entrance with locked exterior entry doors, controlled from the general office.  A separate visitor entrance and waiting area shall be designed adjacent to the main entrance.  Provide a pass-thru transaction window constructed of security glass from waiting area to the general office.  Design strategies shall incorporate School Access Safety Plan requirements.
 
10. Cafeteria/commons area shall be separated from the main entrance and administrative office by use of mechanically operated access doors.  Additionally, all academic spaces shall be separated from common building spaces by use of similar doors.  All doors shall remain in open position during normal school functions with the capability to be closed and locked mechanically from the office area.
 
11. Miscellaneous New Building Design Elements
a. Ship ladders for roof access
b. Frostless water hydrants for each roof level area
c. Weatherproof electrical roof outlets
d. Technology data drops for roof access
e. 25” minimum clearance between finish ceilings and bottom of joist (minimum clearance of 25” may be reduced if HVAC or other equipment do not conflict)
f. Taper roof insulation abutting all HVAC equipment and parapets for positive slope drainage to roof drains
g. Specify epoxy grout for ceramic tile
 
12. Provide a space of adequate size to store equipment and fuels for grounds keeping and other maintenance duties that meets the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s requirements for this type of equipment.

 
LEED FOR SCHOOLS DESIGN CRITERIA
1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third-party certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has assumed administration of LEED certification for all commercial and institutional projects registered under any LEED Rating System. 
 
2. The SBA will designate certain new construction projects to be designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification.  Additional funding may be allocated by square footage cost. 
 
3. Architects providing design services for SBA projects shall have an in-house LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) to meet any USGBC relevant specialty requirements for credit.
 
4. Coordinate with SBA designated staff on all Charrette meetings.
 
5. Submit LEED Project Checklist and a report explaining how each credit will be achieved at Schematic Design and update this checklist at Design Development and Construction Document submissions. Include Regional Priority Credits which are specific to a project's ZIP code.
 
6. Set-up access for SBA designated staff to USGBC account of the project.  This account is set-up by the designated LEED AP known as the Project Administrator by the Schematic Design Phase.
 
7. The other SBA Projects funded each year may incorporate sustainable design components where feasible, based on the LEED standard of measurement but is not mandated to register as a LEED project with USGBC.
 
8. Refer to the latest version of the USGBC’s LEED for Schools Checklist.

 

PLUMBING DESIGN CRITERIA
1. The design professional shall consider all various technologies to provide the latest energy use practical and economical for the application.

 
2. Plumbing systems for projects with construction costs less than ten million dollars will be bid as part of a single lump sum contract.
 
3. The plumbing design shall also consider the latest technologies available to include but not limited to:
a. Low-flow plumbing fixtures
b. Vacuum plumbing systems
c. High efficiency water heaters
d. Waterless Urinals (where owners are committed to the cleaning and maintenance of urinals)
 
4. Comply with applicable state building code for the number of fixtures required.
 
5. Utilize PVC sanitary plumbing lines as permitted by applicable codes.  Consider cost of insulated PVC vs cast iron above floor applications.
 
6. Sanitary lines from gang toilets and kitchens shall exit from the building as quickly as possible for ease of service.  Avoid sanitary lines passing through the entire length of building.

 

HVAC DESIGN CRITERIA
1. In the design of all HVAC systems and equipment, year-round comfort, energy conservation, durability and ease of maintenance shall be emphasized consistent with the required performance characteristics.  The design professional shall consider all various technologies to provide the lowest practical and economical use of energy for the application.  To this end, the latest energy and environmental technologies shall be considered.  SBA approval of the design strategies is required.

 
2. The design of HVAC systems shall conform to the recommended practice in ASHRAE 90.1 (most recent standard) as adopted by the State of West Virginia.
 
3. Performance and design standards outline acceptable heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems for consideration and evaluation.  (Section IV – HVAC)
 
4. Life Cycle Cost Analysis shall be provided for the proposed building HVAC system.  Refer to Section IV – Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning for specific requirements.
 
5. Approved computed energy calculation programs acceptable for use in generating a detailed system evaluation are:
a. Dept. of Energy – DOE.2, detailed energy analysis by the United States Department of Energy.
b. Trane Trace 700 – detailed building energy/economic analysis by the Trane Company.
c. Carrier HAP – detailed building energy/economic analysis by the Carrier Company. (Others must be approved by the SBA)
 
6. Occupancy student load for building spaces:
Early Childhood Education – 20, 2 instructors
Classrooms – 25, 1 instructor
Computer Lab – 30, 1 instructor
Gym – 50, 2 instructors
Reference – State Board Policy 6200 for additional data 
 
7. HVAC design documents shall include requirements for the HVAC contractor to provide a separate cost within their bid for a two year preventative maintenance contract for HVAC equipment and components as described in the bidding documents.
 
 
ELECTRICAL DESIGN CRITERIA
1. All electrical work shall be in compliance with NFPA, NEC, state and local codes.
2. Emergency power, where required by West Virginia State Fire Marshal, to deliver water to the building sprinkler system shall be delivered by an on-site standby power generator or self-contained engine-driven fire pump (where applicable) in accordance with NEC.Note:  Where state adopted building code requires, emergency stand by power generators will be required when adequate water supply and pressure is not available for sprinkler system.  All emergency lighting and exits shall be battery pack.
3. Maximum lighting loads at desk top must comply with ASHRAE 90.1 general guidelines:
Classroom Lighting Load – 1.2 watts sq. ft.
Corridor Lighting Load - .5 watts sq. ft.
Commons/Dining Lighting Load – 1.2 watts sq. ft.
Media Center Lighting Load – 1.2 watts sq.ft.
Administrative Lighting Load- 1.2 watts sq.ft
Computer Lab – 130 watts x 30 computers
Computer Lab using lap tops – 3 watts x 30 computers
Note: Where design conditions dictate, comply with latest state adopted codes and standards.

 

TECHNOLOGY DESIGN CRITERIA
1. Technology systems shall be coordinated and designed by a Certified Network Systems Engineer.  Technology planning and design shall commence at the completion of the Schematic Design Phase and be submitted to the SBA with the Design Development documents.  Technology requirements (academic and building systems) must be identified and approved by the SBA in the design development phase of the project to receive funding consideration from the SBA for the technology.  Locations of technology equipment (i.e. switches, routers, projectors) in the design documents for reference and/or installations within the bid documents.

 
2. Technology system shall include, and provide for, a school access, safety and security system.  The cost for additional video surveillance equipment beyond the building access security system will be the responsibility of the county board or grant recipient.
 
3. Technology system shall provide capabilities for both hard wired data drops and wireless access points for entire building areas, where specified.
 
4. Refer also to SBA diagrammatic designs (Section VII) and State Board Policy 6200 and technology design standards for technical data and/or specific networking requirements.