SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA REVIEW OF FACILITIES CONDITIONS AUDITOR S REPORT MAY 2008

Transcription

1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA REVIEW OF FACILITIES CONDITIONS AUDITOR S REPORT MAY 2008

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3 Review of School Facilities Conditions Executive Summary Why the City Controller s Office Conducted this Facilities Review In December 2002, the School District of Philadelphia ( School District or District ) unveiled an extremely aggressive $1.5 billion five (5)-year capital improvement program for the fiscal years 2003 to Major components of the announced program included certain internal and external organizational changes deemed necessary to properly manage and implement the plan. The stated goals of this initiative include: Improving high school options; Phasing out middle schools; Alleviating elementary school overcrowding; and, Bringing school facilities to a state of good repair. Since that time, the School District has developed successive capital plans which include revised time schedules and budgets. The five (5)-year capital improvement program budget for the fiscal years 2008 to 2012 has increased to approximately $2 billion. In addition, the District has revised some of the specific projects included in its capital improvement plans. The District has approximately 300 school buildings located throughout the city. The maintenance and cleaning of these buildings is the responsibility of the School District. The Controller s Office conducted this school facilities review as part of our ongoing audit of the School District s capital assets. The objective of this review was to determine whether the District s school facilities are being maintained in a satisfactory manner, and to assess the extent to which the current facilities conditions provide a safe, comfortable, and conducive learning environment for students, faculty and the community. What the City Controller s Office Found Generally, the conditions identified at schools included potential asbestos exposure, electrical hazards, fire safety hazards, mechanical equipment problems, broken or nonfunctional equipment, structural issues, broken window panes, windows that do not open, cracked and peeling paint, hazards for tripping or falling, and dirty or unsightly conditions for the school students, staff and surrounding residents.

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As part of the investigation, a previous report conducted by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) as part of their annual inspection of school facilities was utilized. Of the nineteen schools inspected by the City Controller s Office, L&I reports were available for seventeen of the schools. L&I conducted these inspections between February and October 2006, and generally included a revisit to the school a few months later to determine whether violations had been corrected. All seventeen schools were cited for fire code and/or property maintenance violations, ranging from 5 violations at Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School to 55 violations at Samuel S. Fels High School. Moreover, of the 298 schools inspected by L&I, all 298 schools were cited for violations. During the Controller s Office inspections, it was revealed that many of these violations noted by L&I have not been corrected more than a year after the initial inspections took place. In addition, two of the schools (Delaplaine McDaniel Elementary School and Franklin Smedley Elementary School), which were previously inspected by the Controller s Office in August 2006, were noted to have many of the same issues still evident in September SPECIFIC SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AT THE SCHOOLS INCLUDE: Dimner Beeber Middle School The building is in very poor condition with cracked bricks, numerous leaks, peeling paint, and spalling plaster. The walls and columns in the mechanical room are deteriorated due to constant standing water. Grover Cleveland Elementary School The school s ventilation system is not in operation due to asbestos insulation at the air handler, which has an adverse effect on the air quality in the school. Communications Technology High School The ceiling throughout the 3 rd floor has a moisture problem. Chemicals in the photography lab are not properly stored in a hazardous material storage cabinet. These chemicals are flammable, and are dangerous if inhaled or ingested. Julia DeBurgos Middle School There are exposed wires in a bathroom, and there is no remote shut-off for the boiler which is mandatory to receive certification. Samuel S. Fels High School The roof is in very poor condition with numerous leaks. The fire extinguishers throughout the building need to be recharged. The water fountains in the building have been turned off due to children tampering with them causing water to flood onto the floor. Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School The roof is in very poor condition, which in turn has caused the 5 th floor to be closed. Frankford High School The 4 th floor is closed due to asbestos and maintenance problems. The hallway and all of the classrooms on the 3 rd floor have damaged ceiling tiles due to the lack of maintenance on the 4 th floor. There are uncharged

5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY and uncertified fire extinguishers, missing fire exit signs, broken panic hardware, and padlocked fire exit doors (see Figure 17 in Appendix A). G & Hunting Park School This is a brand new school that is in good condition. There are still some outstanding punch list items that need to be corrected by the construction contractor. Germantown High School One of the fire exits led to a courtyard area where the gates were locked, which would trap children in a confined area close to the school. There are several broken windows throughout the building, including one in Room 270 that poses a health risk to students because there are shards of glass remaining in the window. The ceiling in the staff bathroom in the cafeteria is in very poor condition (see Figure 37 in Appendix A) Andrew Jackson Elementary School During very heavy rain events, the sewer backs up and comes out through the water fountains. In the former home economics classroom, the sinks have signs that warn the water is not to be used for drinking or cooking. Gen. Phillip Kearny Elementary School Four 55-gallon drums containing soil taken from around an abandoned oil tank were being kept in the school parking lot for several years (see Figure 43 in Appendix A). Francis Scott Key Elementary School Part of the perimeter wrought iron fence has a loose baluster that is protruding and causing a safety hazard. Delaplaine McDaniel Elementary School There are several leaks around the windows on the 2 nd and 3 rd floors. Also, the 2 nd and 3 rd floor south exit doors do not close properly. Franklin Smedley Elementary School Fire exit signs are not illuminated; the fire exit stairs contain trash and storage materials; and the fire exit tower doors have broken glass, which compromises the fire resistance of the assembly. Mayer Sulzberger Middle School The overall condition of this school is very poor. The roof has numerous leaks, the boiler and air handler have asbestos insulation, there is possible lead paint around the original windows on the 1 st floor, and asbestos floor tiles. There is a section of fence missing at the rear of the building that leads to a sloped area, and then to an eight foot high retaining wall. The missing fence allows children access to this dangerous area. Many of the windows do not work properly and are bolted shut. Bayard Taylor Elementary School The mechanical room in the annex building is in extremely poor condition. There were several areas of the main building where there were loose bricks. The southeast stairwell is missing a handrail from the 2 nd to the 3 rd floor. Some fire extinguishers were last certified

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY in The properties surrounding the school are in poor condition with large amounts of debris. Martha Washington Elementary School The coat rooms in most of the classrooms are in poor condition with missing tiles and peeling paint due to moisture problems. The library roof has several leaks, and the library has been closed for three years. George Washington High School The football stadium has some areas where the concrete has spalled exposing rebar. The school does not have proper address identification, which is a fire code violation. Alexander Wilson Elementary School There are asbestos floor tiles and pipe insulation located throughout the building. The air handler is not working and is covered in asbestos insulation. Light fixtures in the cafeteria are missing covers. The piping layout in the kitchen is very poor with low hanging pipes and pipes running along the ground. What the City Controller s Office Recommends The Controller s Office has developed a number of recommendations to address the significant findings that are outlined above. These recommendations can be found in the body of the report.

7 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Page Background...1 Objectives, Scope and Methodology...1 Conditions Identified...1 Cost Estimates to Remediate Conditions Found...3 CONDITIONS NOTED DURING INSPECTIONS Findings by Category...5 Findings by School...6 RECOMMENDATIONS...29 AGENCY RESPONSE Thomas M Brady, Interim Chief Executive Officer APPENDIX...34 Photographs of Conditions Found... Appendix A

8 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND The Philadelphia School District has approximately 300 school buildings located throughout the city. The maintenance as well as the cleaning of these buildings is the responsibility of the School District. The District has consistently cut their budget in these areas in recent years. OBJECTIVES SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY The City Controller s Office conducted facility conditions inspections of nineteen randomly selected schools in various parts of the city from September 17 th through September 26, 2007 (see the matrix on page number 5A for specific schools). The Controller s Inspection Teams included an auditor, an investigator, and a technical specialist who were all supervised by a licensed civil engineer. Our inspections of the school facilities included photographing and videotaping the observed conditions; conducting interviews with school district personnel; and reviewing documents, reports and other pertinent data. Table 1 Location and Number of Schools Selected for Review Section of the City Number of Schools Central 5 North 2 South 2 East 3 West 2 Northeast 1 Southwest 3 Northwest 1 SUMMARY OF MAINTENANCE AND CUSTODIAL CONDITIONS IDENTIFIED DURING INSPECTIONS: As a result of the September 2007 school inspections, various conditions were noted. The following is a list of descriptions of conditions that were uncovered in a majority of the schools that were inspected. In addition, a matrix of conditions and facilities is on page number 4A; and photographs of some of our findings are attached at the end of this report in Appendix A. 1

9 INTRODUCTION Exterior Conditions We encountered broken and patched parking areas, clogged drains leading to pooling of water, exposed metal where play equipment had been and a deteriorating brick retaining wall. Building Conditions Water damage includes stained ceilings, floor damage, cracked and peeling paint, plaster and dry wall deterioration, and mold and mildew infestation. Water damage can occur from a number of sources such as rain water, leaking pipes, and condensation. Cracks in masonry walls, rusted lintels and missing grout, falling ceilings, cracked and falling plaster walls, falling support beams, rooms and entire floors that are closed, and windows that were misaligned or bolted shut were found in various locations. Broken door checks, missing door knobs, loose and cracked floor tiles, cracked window panes, loose exposed wires, missing handrails, exposed floor receptacles, displaced radiator covers, and broken and loose steps are all safety hazards. Any or all of these conditions are a source of potential injury to employees and students. Fire Safety Hazards This condition includes unsafe storage facilities, missing or broken fire exit signs, missing, uncertified, or uncharged fire extinguishers, no fire hoses at fire stations, broken fire alarms, open and misaligned fire safety doors, and blocked and locked fire exit doors. Electrical Hazards Exposed wires, uncovered junction boxes, haphazard wiring of fixtures and switches, lack of proper receptacles (Ground Fault Current Intercept-GFCI) in areas adjacent to water sources as required by building code, overuse of surge protectors, as well as electric panel boxes pulling away from walls pose a significant safety risk (shock or electrocution) as well as being a fire hazard. Mechanical Room Old and leaking boilers, inoperative thermostats, poor ventilation, lack of proper exhaust fans, improper air exchange, damaged and broken radiators, and overall poor heating systems are some of the problems discovered through our inspections. Tripping Hazards Broken or uneven concrete and asphalt on sidewalks and playground areas, missing drain covers, protruding objects, broken floor tiles, and loose thresholds at doorways. Window Conditions Broken glass in windows and door lites was prevalent in almost all locations. Shards of glass in broken windows and doors are a serious safety risk to all in the building. Many windows do not properly open and close, and are a source of water penetration. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions Broken or missing water fountains, toilets that do not flush, sinks that leak or are inoperative, broken urinals and toilets, broken toilet lids, missing or broken stall doors, and broken and clogged pipes are some of the problems encountered at most of the locations. 2

10 INTRODUCTION Cafeteria Conditions Unstable tables, damaged floors and ceilings, occupancy signs not posted, and fire safety hazards. Ventilation Missing vent covers, no ventilation system, or inoperable air handler units due to asbestos insulation. Hazardous Materials Chemicals in labs are not properly stored, hazardous materials stored in mechanical room, asbestos floor tiles and insulation, and one location where four 55-gallon drums were sitting in the parking lot. Handicap Accessibility There were numerous schools where no handicap accessibility was provided. Other schools either had no ADA ramps, no ADA bathrooms, or no elevators. COST ESTIMATES TO REMEDIATE CONDITIONS FOUND: The Summary of Findings by School can be found on pages 6 through 28 of this report. These findings are summarized by condition under two major headings, Hazardous Findings and Other Findings. Hazardous Findings were defined as those findings which could pose an immediate health risk to students and staff; those findings included fire and electrical hazards, hazardous materials, and broken windows. The Other Findings category included all other conditions noted. Using School District expenditure data, cost estimates to remedy the conditions observed during our inspections were generated on a per school basis (See Figure 1 below). Figure 1 Estimated Cost to Remedy Condition Per School $50,000 Hazardous Findings Other Findings $950,000 3

11 INTRODUCTION As illustrated in Figure 1, it is estimated on average that the cost of repairs per school would be approximately $1 million. Of this amount, only approximately $50,000 per school would be required to fix the Hazardous Findings, which would greatly improve the safety of the students and staff. Most of the hazardous findings are small in nature, and include: locked exit doors, broken or missing exit signs, expired or missing fire extinguishers, broken panic hardware, exposed electrical wires, lack of GFCI outlets, broken windows, and asbestos insulation and tiles. This work could be completed by school maintenance personnel or outside contractors. The schools we inspected are believed to be representative of conditions that can be found throughout the entire school district (300 schools). Therefore, we acknowledge that fixing all the problems at all the schools would cost approximately $300 million; however, significantly improving the safety of the students and staff at all the schools could be done for approximately $15 million. From September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007, the School District of Philadelphia spent approximately $235 million on construction related expenses. A breakdown of these expenditures can be found in the following table. Table 2 School District of Philadelphia Construction Costs - 9/1/06 to 8/31/07 General Construction Services $186,093,065 Construction Management $9,299,481 Electrical Construction Services $21,115,789 Plumbing Construction Services $1,818,586 Mechanical Construction Services $13,856,312 HVAC Construction Services $2,788,255 While we applaud the School District for spending money on new schools, school expansions, major renovations, systems upgrades, and site improvements, we are concerned that the School District does not allocate sufficient resources to ensure that simple safety hazards at the schools are addressed. As noted above, the estimated $15 million it would cost to improve safety conditions represents a small fraction of what the School District spent last year, and would go a long way in improving the safety conditions throughout the district. 4

12 FINDINGS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS BY CONDITIONS CATEGORY: A summary of findings by each of the 12 conditions categories can be found in the matrix on page number 5A. Since G & Hunting Park Elementary School is a brand new facility and still has punchlist work that needs to be addressed, it was not included in the calculation of the percentages. As the matrix shows, all twelve hazard categories that were identified by the Controller s Office staff were prevalent in at least one third of all the schools inspected. Issues with building conditions were found in all of the schools inspected, while fire and electrical hazards were found at 94% of the schools inspected. Two schools, Communications Technology High School and Alexander Wilson Elementary School, had conditions noted in all twelve categories. In addition, Grover Cleveland Elementary School and Mayer Sulzberger Middle School had conditions noted in eleven categories. 5

13 Alexander Wilson Elementary School School District of Philadelphia 2007 School Facilities Review Summary of Findings by Category Schools Dimner Beeber Middle School Grover Cleveland Elementary School Communications Technology High School Julia DeBurgos Middle School Samuel S. Fels High School Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School Frankford High School G & Hunting Park Elementary School Germantown High School Andrew Jackson Elementary School Gen. Phillip Kearny Elementary School Francis Scott Key Elementary School D. McDaniel Elementary School F. Smedley Elementary School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Martha Washington Elementary School George Washington High School Percentage of Schools With Condition Condition Exterior Conditions x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 83% Building Conditions x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 100% Fire Safety x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 94% Electrical Hazards x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 94% Mechanical Room x x x x x x x x x x x x x 72% Tripping Hazards x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 83% Window Conditions x x x x x x x x x 50% Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 89% Cafeteria Conditions x x x x x x x x x 50% Ventilation x x x x x x 33% Hazardous Materials x x x x x x 33% Handicap Accessibility x x x x x x x x x 50% New School 5A

14 FINDINGS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS BY SCHOOL: School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Dimner Beeber Middle School 5925 Malvern Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. An exit sign is needed in the kitchen at the rear exit door. Several fire extinguishers need to be recharged and certified. Several fire exit doors were locked, and at one location, the panic hardware was broken. Electrical Hazards. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. There are several damaged outlets and frayed and exposed wires throughout the building. Some light fixtures are exposed to water leaks. One location has a surge protector taped to the wall. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The sidewalk is in poor condition with weeds growing through the cracks. Building Conditions. The building is in poor condition. There are numerous leaks throughout the building, including the roof. There are several areas where the brick has cracked, which leads to water infiltration. There is paint peeling throughout the building, and areas where plaster is spalling. Areas of the brick are in poor condition and require repointing. Mechanical Room. There is a hanging light cover in the maintenance shop. The walls and columns are deteriorated due to the constant standing water. Concrete is spalling and the paint is peeling. Tripping Hazards. The concrete sidewalk is broken in several areas. There are missing floor tiles inside. The carpet in the library is rippling. A leak at the sump pump in the mechanical room is a slip hazard. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The bathrooms are in poor condition. Several toilets and urinals are not working. There is paint peeling throughout the building. There are large holes behind some of the toilets. A pipe chase was left exposed when repairs were made to the toilets. 6

15 FINDINGS Cafeteria Conditions. There are leaks, peeling paint, and ceiling tiles in poor condition. Handicap Accessibility. There are no handicap accessible bathrooms. 7

16 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Grover Cleveland Elementary School 3701 N. 19 th Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. There are no strobe lights in the bathroom in the cafeteria. There is no exit sign from the fire tower. There are no exit signs in the boiler room or penthouse. Electrical Hazards. There is a leak in the electrical closet. Insufficient number of outlets has caused an overuse of surge protectors. Light fixtures are hung improperly. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. Mechanical Room. There are numerous leaks. There is possible lead paint and asbestos insulation. The concrete is spalling from the ceiling. Tripping Hazards. Overuse of surge protectors is causing a trip hazard. An old wrought iron fence was removed, but the pole foundation and several inches of iron are still protruding from the ground. Window Conditions. Some windows are not functioning, and some windows have broken glass. Ventilation. Ventilation system is not operating due to asbestos at the air handler. Hazardous Materials. There are some locations of asbestos tiles, and asbestos in the penthouse at the air handler. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The sidewalks are cracking and breaking. There are several dead trees. Building Conditions. The roof is in poor condition with leaks, ponding water, and clogged drains. There are numerous areas that require brick repointing and crack repair. In one area, the bricks are deteriorating near the window lintel. There are many ceiling tiles missing throughout the building. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. Several bathrooms are not working properly. 8

17 FINDINGS Handicap Accessibility. None provided. 9

18 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Communications Technology High School 81 st & Lyons Streets Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Many of the fire exit door panic bars do not lock properly after closing. There are no fire extinguishers in the cafeteria area. Window Conditions. There is some broken glass in a few windows and doors. Cafeteria Conditions. There are no fire extinguishers in the cafeteria area. A couple of the food tables appear unstable. Hazardous Materials. Chemicals in the photography lab need to be kept in a locked cabinet with a hazardous material sign posted. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The rear of the building has debris scattered about. There is graffiti and overgrowth of trees and weeds. The paving in the school yard is in poor condition. Building Conditions. The ceiling throughout the 3 rd floor has a moisture problem. There is peeling paint throughout the building, and areas where there are holes in the wall. The gym and cafeteria do not have occupancy limit signs posted. Electrical Hazards. There are many loose or hanging light fixtures throughout the building. The emergency generator did not start. Mechanical Room. The metal cover on one of the boilers is starting to break apart. Tripping Hazards. The auditorium room floor is uneven and starting to warp. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. Water fountains are missing or broken on all the floors. Ventilation. There are no exhaust fans. Handicap Accessibility. No ADA ramps or elevator provided. 10

19 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Julia DeBurgos Middle School 401 W. Lehigh Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. There are a few areas where fire extinguishers are missing from their cabinets. There are a few exit signs that are not illuminated. One pull station is partially blocked by a cabinet. Electrical Hazards. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. There are a few loose or missing light covers. There are exposed wires in the 1 st floor girls bathroom. Window Conditions. There is some broken glass in a few windows and doors. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The railing support is broken at the building entrance. One of the two gates at the rear courtyard is locked. Building Conditions. The roof leaks. Mechanical Room. There is a leak in the hot water supply line. There is no remote shutoff for the boiler, which is mandatory to receive certification. Tripping Hazards. There is a drain cover in the kitchen that is not properly attached. There is a trip hazard at the entrance to the freezer in the kitchen. The carpet is shifting at the entrance to the 3 rd floor language lab. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. A few bathrooms are not working, and one hand drier is broken. The 2 nd floor boys bathroom is missing the ADA stall door. Ventilation. The telecommunications room needs a louver on the door for ventilation. Window Conditions. There is some broken glass in a few windows and doors. 11

20 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Samuel S. Fels High School 901 Devereaux Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. There are several fire exit signs that are broken or not working, including in the cafeteria. There is a locked fire exit door near stair well B. The fire extinguishers need to be recharged throughout the building. There is no fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Window Conditions. Many windows are in poor condition, and can not open or close. There is some broken glass in a few windows and doors. Hazardous Materials. There are open containers of oil waste in the boiler room. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. There are areas surrounding the building where the surface is uneven. There are dead tree limbs that need to be pruned. There are some window grills that need to be repaired, and there are some areas on the rear side of that building that need repointing. Building Conditions. The roof is in poor condition with numerous leaks. Cleaning, painting, and caulking around windows are required throughout the school. The side wall panels in the auditorium are in poor condition. Electrical Hazards. There are missing light covers throughout the building. Tripping Hazards. There are missing floor tiles in the hallways. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. There is leaking in several bathrooms, as well as missing stall doors and toilet lids. The water fountains have been shut off because of tampering by students which caused water to leak onto the floors. Cafeteria. There is a missing vent in the hood over the fryers. Ventilation. There is no ventilation system in the school. 12

21 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School 2601 W. Cumberland Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. The south exit door does not close properly. Electrical Hazards. The emergency back-up generator did not start. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. There is exposed wiring running across a door entrance. There is an open electrical box and a hanging light fixture in gym A. High intensity lights are out in gym A and B. There is a hanging loud speaker in the 2 nd floor hallway. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The exterior brick work needs repointing; and the parking area is in need of repaving. Building Conditions. The roof is in poor condition with numerous leaks that were observed throughout the 5 th floor and in portions of the 4 th floor. The 5 th floor is in such bad condition that it is closed. There is plaster deterioration throughout the school, and broken floor tiles in several areas. Mechanical Room. There is a large area of flooding, but the source was not found. There is no sump pump to help get rid of the water. Tripping Hazards. Tripping hazards located in the schoolyard and at the entrance to Room 203 where a wire is running across the doorway. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The cold water pipe in the boys bathroom in gym B is leaking. There are broken water fountains throughout the school, and work orders have been put in. Handicap Accessibility. There are no ADA ramps to the school, although the school has three elevators. 13

22 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Frankford High School 5000 Oxford Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Most of the fire extinguishers need to be recharged and certified. Some of the fire exit doors do not have exit signs, and other doors have exit signs that are broken. Furniture is being stored in one of the hallways, which limits the means of egress. The panic bar on one exit door was not working. One fire exit door on the 3 rd floor is padlocked and has locker units in front of it. Electrical Hazards. There are open electrical wires at various locations, as well as missing cover plates. There are light fixtures that are not adequately secured. There are missing light fixture covers throughout the building. Mechanical Room. There is water that leaks from the fire pumps. There is an uncovered wire from a junction box. Hazardous Materials. There is damaged pipe insulation noticed in several places. The 4 th floor is closed due to asbestos and maintenance problems. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. Portions of the perimeter fence are damaged. Building Conditions. There is spalling ceiling plaster, peeling paint, and water damage located throughout the building. The hallway and classrooms on the 3 rd floor have damaged ceiling tiles due to problems on the 4 th floor, which is closed. There are several broken doors. Tripping Hazards. The floor in the auditorium is missing floor tiles. Window Conditions. The window in the gymnasium bathroom is not working properly. There is a broken window in the auditorium. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. There are several broken toilet lids and several urinals that are clogged. The boys bathroom on the ground floor has a missing stall door. 14

23 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program G & Hunting Park School G Street & Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA. This is a brand new school that is in good condition. There is however a punchlist with outstanding items that still needs to be corrected by the construction contractor. 15

24 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Germantown High School 40 E. High Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. One of the fire exits led to a courtyard area where the gates were locked, which would trap children in a confined area close to the school. There was a fire exit door in the gym that was padlocked. Electrical Hazards. There was an uncovered electrical outlet in the library. There is a floor outlet wire exposed in Room 273, and an open outlet in the 2 nd floor hallway. There is an open junction box in the cafeteria storage room. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. Window Conditions. There are some broken windows in the 50 building. There is a partially broken window in Room 270 of the main building that poses a health risk to students because there are shards of glass remaining in the window. Mechanical window louvers in Room 274 do not work, and the windows do not open. There are many windows throughout the buildings that are not sealed and allow air in. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The east parking area is covered with litter, weeds, and graffiti. Building Conditions. Damaged ceiling tiles need replacement throughout the buildings. Masonry walls are in poor condition in certain areas throughout the school. Mechanical Room. The back-up generator does not work; the last recorded start-up test was in Tripping Hazards. The floor in the cafeteria is not level. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. Bathroom plumbing work is in progress. The 3 rd floor girls bathroom needs cleaning. The 2 nd floor boys bathroom in the 70 building had an out of order toilet and urinal. Cafeteria Conditions. The staff bathroom ceiling is in very poor condition. The floor in the cafeteria is not level. 16

25 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Andrew Jackson Elementary School 5925 Malvern Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Other Findings: Building Conditions. The fire tower has some areas where the concrete is spalling and there is exposed rebar. There are some areas throughout the building where there is peeling paint and signs of water damage. Fire Safety. There is no exit sign provided in the boiler room. Electrical Hazards. There are several missing light covers, and some light fixtures have signs of water damage. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. During very heavy rain events, the sewer backs up and sewage comes through the water fountains. The sinks in the former home economics classroom has signs warning that the water is not to be used for drinking or cooking. Cafeteria Conditions. There is some peeling paint, water damage, and spalling plaster. Handicap Accessibility. None provided. 17

26 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Gen. Phillip Kearny Elementary School 601 Fairmount Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Exterior Conditions. There are areas of broken concrete and asphalt around the building. Four 55-gallon drums are being stored in the parking lot that contains soil from around an old oil tank. Electrical Hazards. No GFCI receptacles in kitchen. There are missing cover plates in several areas. Hazardous Materials. Insulation on the heating pipe is exposed and needs to be covered. Four 55-gallon drums in parking lot need to be properly removed. Other Findings: Building Conditions. There are some areas of dampness and peeling paint throughout the school. Fire Safety. The exit door in mechanical room does not have an exit sign. Mechanical Room. There is minor leaking reported when it rains. There is no battery back-up for the lights in the mechanical room. Tripping Hazards. There is some broken concrete in the play area outside. There is also a four-inch diameter hole in the asphalt in the play area. Cafeteria Conditions. The floor in the cafeteria is not level. Ventilation. There are no screens on the air vents in many of the classrooms. 18

27 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Francis Scott Key Elementary School 2230 S. 8th Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Exterior Conditions. There are large amounts of litter in the window wells around the school. There is graffiti on the walls. The perimeter wrought iron fence is weak at the corner of 8th and Wolf Streets. Part of the fence has a loose baluster protruding out creating a safety hazard. Building Conditions. There are several locations where the glass on the doors is cracked and held together by tape. There are ceiling tiles missing in the gymnasium area. The 3 rd floor staff bathroom has a damaged ceiling and window frame. Electrical Hazards. Exterior door lights are broken in two places. Extension cords are being used due to lack of outlets. Other Findings: Tripping Hazards. South footway is cracked and sinking. 19

28 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Delaplaine McDaniel Elementary School 2100 Moore Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. The fire extinguishers were last inspected in June The 2 nd and 3 rd floor south exit doors do not close properly. Other Findings: Building Conditions. There are several leaks around the windows on the 2 nd and 3 rd floor. Also, there is wall paper that is peeling throughout the building, and there are loose or missing floor tiles, and damaged ceiling tiles. The all-purpose room does not have signs posted stating the number of occupants allowed. Mechanical Room. There is anti-freeze spilled on the floor in the penthouse with the air handler units. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. There is a broken toilet in the boys bathroom in the multi-purpose room. 20

29 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Franklin Smedley Elementary School 1790 Bridge Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Fire exit signs need to be illuminated. The fire escape stairs contain trash and storage materials. Fire tower doors have broken glass that compromises the fire resistance of the assembly. Other Findings: Building Conditions. There are some cracks on the walls at the roof access stairs. The front door has a badly rusted door jamb. There are signs of water damage in several areas, including the nurse s office and library. The gymnasium does not have a sign posted stating the allowable occupancy. Electrical Hazards. There is no emergency back-up generator in the school. There are missing light covers throughout the hallways and stair areas. Mechanical Room. There is minor leaking reported when it rains. Tripping Hazards. There are some cracks and uneven ground in the play area. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The boys bathrooms are not cleaned. Handicap Accessibility. None provided. 21

30 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Mayer Sulzberger Middle School 48 th Street & Fairmount Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Exterior Conditions. Columns at the ramp to the parking area are starting to break apart. The retaining wall at the perimeter of the school is in poor condition. There is a section of fence at the rear of the building that is missing. The fence was knocked over by trash trucks picking up the dumpsters. The missing fence allows students access to a sloped area that leads to a retaining wall with an eight foot drop off. Building Conditions. The roof is in poor condition with numerous leaks. There are possibly asbestos-containing floor tiles in the auditorium that are cracked. There is asbestos at the air handler and at the boiler. There is no back flow valve on the water line. Fire Safety. There are numerous locations throughout the building where the panic bar hardware is broken. There are several areas where there are missing exit signs. The curtains in the auditorium are torn and are not fire retardant. Many door closures are broken. Most of the fire extinguishers throughout the building are out of certification. The fire exit door in the cafeteria is locked. The halon fire suppression system is not certified. Electrical Hazards. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen. There is exposed wiring at the boiler and in the cafeteria. Due to lack of outlets, there is an overuse of surge protectors. Mechanical Room. The air handlers do not operate due to asbestos insulation. There are several rusted bolts and valves. There is a broken railing. Tripping Hazards. There is cracking in the terrazzo floor. There are trip hazards at the kitchen door and at the storage room in the basement. The soda machine is not working properly causing water to leak out onto the floor around it creating a slipping hazard. There is an overuse of extension cords. Window Conditions. Many windows do not work and are bolted shut. There is possible lead paint around original windows on the 1 st floor. There is some broken glass in a few windows and doors. 22

31 FINDINGS Cafeteria Conditions. The ceiling is in poor condition and needs to be repainted. Exit doors are locked. Hazardous Materials. Propane is being kept in the storage room. There is possible lead paint and floor titles containing asbestos. The boiler and air handler have asbestos insulation. Other Findings: Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The toilets in the 1 st floor girls bathroom back up during heavy rain events. There are numerous areas where the roof drains leak. There are exposed steam pipes and fiberglass insulation. Radiators are located in the hallways with no covers. Handicap Accessibility. There is no ADA insulation at the sink. 23

32 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Bayard Taylor Elementary School 3698 N. Randolph Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Fire exit signs are needed in the auditorium. Also, some of the fire extinguishers were last certified in 1999/2000. Electrical Hazards. There were some missing covers and exposed wires in the mechanical room. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The courtyard for the annex building is in poor condition with tripping hazards. The adjoining neighbors properties are in bad condition with lots of trash and debris. There is a large amount of graffiti around the building. Building Conditions. There were loose bricks noticed in several areas of the main building. The basement is in very poor condition in the annex building. The boiler room is in need of repair. There is deteriorated plaster throughout the building. The southeast stairwell is missing a handrail from the 2 nd to 3 rd floor. Mechanical Room. The mechanical room in the annex building is in poor condition. Tripping Hazards. Tripping hazards were noticed in the parking area and in the annex court yard. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The water fountain in the 3 rd floor hallway has a broken front cover. Handicap Accessibility. None provided. 24

33 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Martha Washington Elementary School 766 N. 44 th Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Several stairwell fire doors have cracked window lites that affect the fire rating. Electrical Hazards. There is an open outlet with exposed wires in Room 301. There is a loose light fixture in a closet. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The school yard surface has numerous large cracks, and is overgrown with weeds. Building Conditions. The coat rooms in most of the classrooms are in poor condition with missing tiles and peeling paint due to moisture problems. The library roof is in poor condition with several leaks; the library has been closed for three years. The ceiling in the auditorium changing rooms and in the basement are in poor condition. Tripping Hazards. There is a tripping hazard at the east exterior footway. Window Conditions. Most of the windows on the 2 nd and 3 rd floors are not working properly, they do not stay open. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The boys bathroom in the basement is not in use, it is used for storage. The school yard boys bathroom has a urinal that is out of order, and another that is leaking. The water fountain in the 3 rd floor hallway is missing, and there is a protruding pipe that was left in place. 25

34 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program George Washington High School Veree & Bustleton Avenue Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Fire Safety. Some of the fire extinguishers need to be recharged; and some of the fire exit doors need to have the panic bars repaired. Some of the fire extinguishers were missing. There is a locked fire exit door on the ground floor. Electrical Hazards. There were some missing covers in the gym and the mechanical room. There are some light fixtures with broken or missing covers on the exterior of the building. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The football stadium has some areas where the concrete has spalled exposing rebar which needs to be patched. Building Conditions. The school does not have proper address identification. Some classrooms need to be repainted. The stairwells in the annex building were recently painted, but due to poor surface preparation, the paint is already peeling. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. The 1 st floor boys bathroom is missing stall doors and the 1 st floor girls bathroom has a clogged sink. Cafeteria Conditions. The exhaust air duct is disconnected at the joint. There are no fire extinguishers in the kitchen. 26

35 FINDINGS School District of Philadelphia School Facilities Review - Capital Program Alexander Wilson Elementary School 1300 S. 46 th Street Philadelphia, PA. Hazardous Findings: Building Conditions. There are numerous pipe leaks throughout the building. There is asbestos insulation on pipes throughout the building. Fire Safety. There are several fire extinguishers that are not charged. There are several missing strobe lights and exit signs. Electrical Hazards. There are no GFCI receptacles in the kitchen or bathrooms. Mechanical Room. There are no permanent exit signs. Asbestos insulation is damaged. The air handler is not working and is covered in asbestos insulation. The recirculating pump is rusting badly. The emergency generator does not work. Window Conditions. There are numerous broken windows throughout the school. Cafeteria Conditions. Asbestos floor tiles are cracking. Light fixtures are missing covers. The pipe layout in the kitchen is very poor with low hanging pipes, and pipes running along the ground. Hazardous Materials. There are asbestos floor tiles and asbestos pipe insulation located throughout the school. Other Findings: Exterior Conditions. The basketball poles are leaning, and the bolts on the backboard are rusted. Tripping Hazards. There is an old conduit on the floor in the library. There is a low pipe in the food preparation area in the kitchen. Bathroom/Plumbing Conditions. There is an exposed motor for an exhaust fan in the girls bathroom in the cafeteria. The vent cover is missing in the boys bathroom in the cafeteria. The 3 rd floor boys bathroom is missing a stall door. 27

36 FINDINGS Ventilation. The air handler is not working. Handicap Accessibility. The school is not handicap accessible. 28

37 RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations The following recommendations are based on the Controller s Office review of the conditions at school facilities: Long-term Corrective Action Plan 1. We recommend that the School District formulate a corrective action plan within 90 days to address the major structural issues that were found during the Controller Office s inspections. Our structural findings include, but are not limited to, issues such as exterior walls and roofs in poor condition, entire floors that are closed, and a closed library. Short-term Corrective Action Plan 2. We recommend that within 30 days the School District should correct the following issues raised in this report, which include the Hazardous Findings : Fire/Life Hazards Add, replace, and fix exit signs. Replace and/or inspect fire extinguishers. Remove padlocks from fire exit doors. (If fire exit doors are padlocked as a security measure, find alternative solutions so that faculty and students may be able to exit the buildings immediately and safely in case of a fire.) Health Hazards Fix leaking toilets and urinals. Replace missing bathroom stall doors. Remove and properly dispose trash. Remove damaged asbestos floor tiles and insulation. Safety Hazards Add railings to exterior staircases. Replace broken glass in windows and doors. Replace or fix broken light fixtures. Miscellaneous Safety Hazards Repair, remove, and/or replace obstacles that may cause a tripping hazard. Water Damage Replace warped floor tiles or panels. Replace damaged drywall to ceilings and walls. Scrape and repaint damaged walls. 29

38 RECOMMENDATIONS Electrical Hazards Cover exposed wires. Replace or adhere electrical boxes and panels. Add GFCI outlets. Replace broken electrical outlet covers. L&I Annual Report 3. We are recommending the School Reform Commission direct the School District to review the Annual Report prepared by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and any outstanding violations, some of which are almost 2 years old, should be rectified. 30

39 31 REPONSE TO AUDITOR S REPORT

40 32 REPONSE TO AUDITOR S REPORT

41 33 REPONSE TO AUDITOR S REPORT

42 APPENDIX APPENDIX A Photographs of Conditions Found 34

43 School Report, May 2008, Photo Locations Picture ID Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 20 Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 Figure 25 Figure 26 Figure 27 Figure 28 Figure 29 Figure 30 Figure 31 Figure 32 Figure 33 Figure 34 Figure 35 Figure 36 Figure 37 Figure 38 Figure 39 Figure 40 Figure 41 Figure 42 Figure 43 Figure 44 School Name Grover Cleveland Elementary School Francis Scott Key Elementary School Communications Technology High School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Samuel S. Fels High School Frankford High School Frankford High School Frankford High School Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School Andrew Jackson Elementary School Germantown High School Germantown High School Alexander Wilson Elementary School Alexander Wilson Elementary School Frankford High School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School Thomas Fitzsimons Middle/High School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School Julia DeBurgos Middle School Dimner Beeber Middle School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Communications Technology High School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School Julia DeBurgos Middle School Germantown High School Grover Cleveland Elementary School D. McDaniel Elementary School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School Dimner Beeber Middle School Bayard Taylor Elementary School Mayer Sulzberger Middle School D. McDaniel Elementary School Germantown High School Samuel S. Fels High School Germantown High School Alexander Wilson Elementary School Martha Washington Elementary School Martha Washington Elementary School George Washington High School Frankford High School Gen. Phillip Kearny Elementary School Dimner Beeber Middle School