PBS 140 Child Care Center Design Guide - The Whole Building ...

CHAPTER 10: TECHNICAL CRITERIA
10.1.6 Separation Requirements:
Centers shall be separated from other occupancies by a minimum onehour
fire resistant rated wall with doors having a fire protection rating of not
less than 45 minutes.
10.1.7 Interior Finish:
The interior finish requirements for walls, ceilings, floors, draperies, curtains,
and movable partitions shall meet the requirements of the latest edition
of GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service and LEED
guidelines
10.1.8 Automatic Sprinkler System:
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed throughout all new construction center
projects and all renovation center projects in accordance with the requirements
of GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service.
Special Requirements:
� Provide sprinkler guards in areas such as multi-purpose rooms where
there may be ball-throwing activities.
10.1.9 Fire Alarm System:
A fire alarm system shall be installed throughout all new-construction center
projects and all renovation center projects in accordance with the requirements
of the latest edition of GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public
Buildings Service.
Special Requirements.
� Manual fire alarm stations shall be double-action type and installed at
the required exits from the center.
� Photoelectric smoke detectors shall be installed throughout the center
and shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA,
National Fire Alarm Code.
� In buildings not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system,
photoelectric smoke detectors shall be installed in the corridors of
all floors occupied by the center.
10.1.10 Lead-Based Paint:
Test all existing painted surfaces in the interior of the center and center’s
playground equipment for lead-based paint following Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. In addition, exterior paint in
an area, which the children may access, must be tested. All lead-based
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paint detected must be abated using HUD procedures and re-tested to
ensure compliance.
Please refer to Lead-Based Paint: Interim Guidelines for Hazard Identification
and Abatement in Public and Indian Housing, 1990 (HUD).
10.1.11 Lead in Water:
Test all sources of water used by the center for lead at the acceptance of
the substantially completed project (for new and major renovation projects
that involve plumbing). In buildings over 25 years old, they should be tested
annually, at a minimum, using guidance in the Environmental Protection
Agency pamphlet Lead in School’s Drinking Water, EPA 570/9-89-001,
January 1989. If the lead levels exceed 20 parts per billion, the affected
water supply must not be used and mitigation actions must be taken immediately.
10.1.12 Asbestos-Containing Materials:
Survey center (or area anticipated to house the center) for the presence of
asbestos-containing materials. GSA’s asbestos abatement and control program
must be implemented if material is present. Asbestos-containing
materials that are damaged or subject to disturbance will be abated in
accordance with regulatory requirements and guidelines. In a limited area
of the country, typically with highly acidic drinking water, water may also
contain asbestos. While this is considered much less of a hazard than
friable asbestos found in buildings, the drinking water supply should still be
tested for the presence of asbestos and means taken to eliminate it as a
hazard.
10.1.13 Radon in Air:
For a minimum of 90 days, test the center for radon in the air using alpha
track detectors or electric ion chambers. If radon levels are at, or exceed,
4 picoCuries per liter, mitigation actions must be taken immediately.
10.1.14 Radon in Water:
Test the center for radon in water if the drinking water used by the center is
obtained from a non-public water source. Environmental Protection Agency
guidelines shall be used for testing as prescribed in Radon in Water Sampling
Manual (EPA/EERF-Manual-78-1). If radon levels are at, or exceed,
PBS-140 - July 2003