200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-05-4.5

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 200-RICR-20-05-4.5 - School Construction Standards

4.5.1High Performance School Design

A. Projects shall meet all applicable federal, state, local, and regional building code requirements. Projects shall reflect cost-effective design, material, and finish decisions consistent with good architectural and engineering practice and high quality construction. Projects shall demonstrate that the current technological needs of students, faculty, and school staff are met.

B. Projects shall comply with all requirements set forth in the Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools Protocol version 3.0. (Northeast-CHPS) so that approved projects provide high quality learning environments, conserve natural resources, consume less energy, are easier to maintain, and provide an enhanced school facility.

4.5.2 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

A. Districts are required to comply with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 37-14.1

B. This section of this Part applies to approved projects to the extent that the state law is determined to be applicable and any future determination that §4.5.2 of this Part is no longer held to be valid does not affect the enforcement in part or in whole of this Part.

4.5.3Miscellaneous Construction Requirements

A. Applicants are prohibited from utilizing chlorofluorocarbon-based (CFC) refrigerants in any new system for building heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration.

B. All new construction and major reconstruction projects shall meet applicable local ordinances for recycling space and provide space within the building that is dedicated to the separation, collection, and storage of materials for recycling, including, at a minimum, paper (white ledger and mixed), cardboard, glass, plastics, aluminum cans, and metals.

C. New construction shall be oriented on the site so that natural daylight for classroom spaces is maximized.

D. Windowless classrooms and occupied instructional spaces which do not have operable windows equal to at least four percent (4%) of the floor space shall be air conditioned, excluding gymnasiums, industrials shops, kitchens, and locker rooms.

E. School facilities shall be designed, constructed, and renovated consistent with state and federal law for radon, lead, asbestos and other contaminants, and subject to the enforcement of such standards by the applicable state or federal agency.

F. Concrete floors in all instructional areas, except industrials shops, shall be covered with a resilient floor covering;

G. The storage of pesticides shall be in a locked metal cabinet and vented to the exterior.

H. Spaces in which power tools and machines in industrials shops generate dust shall have dust collecting equipment. Such equipment shall be either single or multi-use vacuum packs or a central dust collection system. Installed systems shall comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 664 incorporated at § 4.2(A) of this Part.

I. Instructional spaces shall comply with the American National Standards Institute Guide for Educational Facilities Lighting, incorporated at § 4.2(B) of this Part.

200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-05-4.5