Ops Talk Magazine Fall 2007

INSIDE: SOLARWALL SYSTEMS MAKING SCHOOLS’ FUTURES BRIGHT

School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

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S.P.O.A. .P.O.A.

CONTENTS 5

School’s In Session ~ Carly Peters

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Anecdotes of SPOA BC ~ Allan Scott

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Thoughts On: Information Technology (IT) Staff ~ Chuck Morris

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SolarWall Systems Making Schools’ Futures Bright ~ Dawn M. Barker

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Sparwood School’s Strong Roots Help It Grow Toward The Future ~ Dawn M. Barker

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Tactical Site Surveys – A Proven Way To Improve Any Faciltiy ~ Michael Dorn and Chris Dorn

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Certification Program ~ Kelly Plastow

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Water Damage: Issues That Affect You ~ Art Johnson

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LEED® Comes To A Rural B.C. School ~ Tom Philp

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Educating Ourselves ~ Chuck Morris

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Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Offers Solutions For All Spaces and Budgets

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ComforTek Seating ~ Who Benefits

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The Importance of Proactive Roof Care ~ Brian Gosick, TQ RRO

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Kraus McMahon ~ An Advancement in Technology For Active People

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Nu-Tech ~ An Innovative Leader in Equipment for a Safer and Healthier Working Environment

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And The Winner Is... ~ Ernie Lambert

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An Interesting Way To Fund School Maintenance Activities...

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Increase Natural Daylight & Increase Productivity

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Index to Advertisers

35 COVER PHOTO: Photographer ~ Chuck Morris View of Roche de Biule Mountain, near Hazelton, BC. The Roche de Boule peak stretches approximately 6,811 feet into the Northwestern sky of British Columbia. A prominent landmark behind the Town of New Hazelton, it is readily visible from Old Hazelton and South Hazelton alike. Like much of the British Columbia interior, this area experienced a mining boom decades ago. This past activity is still evidenced when exploring as one comes across pieces of metal, rotting buildings, etc.

Mission Statement: with leaders in education in the province of British Columbia.

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

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Published By:

President’s Message ~ Chuck Morris, CTECH, CEFM

To provide support and recognition to our members who work in partnership

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DEL

Communications Inc.

DEL Communications Inc. 211 Hespeler Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 0L5 Phone: (204) 254-6418 Fax: (204) 668-4641 President David Langstaff david@delcommunications.com Publisher Jason Stefanik Managing Editor Katrina Senyk Caontributing Writers Dawn M. Barker Carly Peters Tom Philp Advertising Sales Debbie Angers Gary Barrington Ross James Dayna Oulion Production Services Provided by: S.G. Bennett Marketing Services Unit 7 - 414 Westmount Drive Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 1P2 Layout & Design Debbie Dunmall Advertising Art Kathy Cable Mark Simpson ©Copyright 2007. School Plant Officials of B.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in and the reliability of the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.

Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. 211 Hespeler Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2L 0L5 Email: david@delcommunications.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CHUCK MORRIS, CTECH, CEFM

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We hope you enjoy this issue of Ops Talk as much as we have enjoyed the previous issues.

Both DEL Communications and Katrina are doing a fabulous job putting it together for us.

This magazine represents our association proudly!

It is my goal to continue with what our past presidents have started, during my tenure as President. I also want to expand on a few things, to enhance what we offer our members, especially new members and those who are moving into new positions around the province. We had 26 new members join our ranks as of this past June. That is outstanding!

We will continue to work to attract new members to SPOA by working hard promoting the association, and by initiating programs to assist all of us.

Through the partnerships we have developed over the past few years, we have been able to offer to our members (and theirs) much greater opportunity for networking.

Along with the networking is a chance to see how others do things, and perhaps find a

method or a product that will work for us at the same time.

We will continue to involve others as we evolve, in an effort to maximize every opportunity that may be available to us.

I look forward to representing all of our members throughout 2007 / 2008, culminating with our Annual SPOA Conference in June of 2008. Together with the team (our Executive), we will uphold past traditions and explore new avenues for our great association. I am eager to, and will be speaking with, many of you through-out the year, and am looking forward to working together with a number of you over the course of this next year.

Regards, Chuck Morris President School Plant Officials Association

http://spoabc.org

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SCHOOL’S IN SESSION

by Carly Peters

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When the bell rings at Penticton Secondary School (PSS) at the beginning of the 2008 school year, it will be echoing down the pristine halls of a brand new building.

The old PSS, the largest school in the area, is currently undergoing deconstruction to make way for the new building.

According to John Hickling, director of maintenance for School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha), the community has had mixed feelings over of the deconstruction

best possible design for the new school,” he explains.

The old school contained very poor ventilation, no air conditioning and major electrical problems that interfered with power supply. Plus, the sheer size of the school, which was 17,000 square meters including 17 additions that spanned numerous decades of construction styles and materials, was difficult for stu-

2003; over the course of three years, the school district worked with consultants, architects and the community to develop a plan for PSS. After reviewing 15 different options, the district decided on a design that linked a new building with the Ellis building, one of the existing brick structures, via glass walkways over a central courtyard. The Shatford building, another

of the school since some of the original structures date back to 1911.

“Many deem parts of the school to be heritage buildings. A lot of people in the community have strong sentimental ties to aspects of the old campus, and the district is working with the community to develop the

dents. According to Hickling, in some cases it took seven minutes to walk across campus from one class to another.

“We looked at all the costs of upgrading the school verses completely replacing it, and found that it was a better deal to rebuild,” he says.

The project was initially approved in

cherished campus brick structure will also remain, but stand as a separate entity from the school. In total, the size of the campus will be smaller at 13,000 square meters, but will in fact be able to house more students, totalling 1,350.

The first phase of construction, already in progress and set for completion in June 2008, focuses on the construction of the new building and is being handled by

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. This section will be home to six new classrooms, 28 elective spaces, which include science, computer, band, choral, drama and art rooms; wood, metal and automotive shops; textiles, food room and teaching kitchen; library and a multipurpose room to be utilized as a lunch room for students.

The epicentre of the structure is a new gym that is double the size of the previous one.

“It is an interesting project,” states Greg Parnell, Senior Project Manager for Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. “The design incorporates a wide variety of building systems and architectural features, which results in close coordination of a large number of local trades. The structure has been particularly challenging, as it consists of architectural exposed concrete walls and high columns, combined with glue laminated wood beams, structural steel and concrete tilt panels.”

“Generally, the more effort that is put into a structure, the more striking the result, and that’s definitely the case with the Penticton Secondary School,” says Michael Weilmeier, structural engineer on the project from CWMM. He states the entrance roof is one of the most striking features of the project due to a single concrete column that supports a glulam roof structure that appears to have glulam beams cantilevering from the column.

“The challenge here was to design this cantilever from materials that are not ideal for this type of behaviour,” explains Weilmeier. “Steel is the material of choice for such cantilevers due to its high strength and easy connectivity via welds. A steel column core and steel tension straps were actually used to achieve the desired architectural look.”

Rob Montanari of Rutland Glass also echoes the awe of the school’s main entrance. The company created a curtain wall of widows that incorporates various patterns and shapes of glass.

“It’s not your square type window,” he says. “It’s a matter of making shapes and different degrees of cuts to give a unique look.”

According to Hickling, the structure will also have green components such as geothermal heating, heat recovery systems and energy efficient lighting incorporated into the strong architecture.

Significant work had to be completed to prepare for this construction. The south

gym and Aggie buildings were deconstructed in June 2006, while the south side of the drama/tech wing was demolished shortly after. In addition, houses were removed from five residential properties, which are owned by the school district, on Eckhardt Avenue.

In order to ensure minimal interruption to students, classes have been relocated within the old school, including in the PSS auditorium, along with six portable class-

rooms being set up in the school courtyard.

The next two phases will include renovation of the Ellis and Shatford buildings, deconstruction of the rest of the existing structure and site development for parking, bus loading and landscaping. The funding requirements to complete the project have been estimated at $32,132,554, with a potential extra $8,000,000 available to fund cost increases due to construction cost escalation.

http://spoabc.org

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ANECDOTES OF SPOA BC

by Allan Scott Maple Ridge – Simon Fraser University – Victoria The first few issues of Ops Talk (hasn’t this association come along way?) brought back memories.

The first conference I attended was in Prince George at the brand new “Inn of the North”. It was so new; some of the rooms weren’t finished. That was the year the Constitution and bylaws were drawn up. Delegates were up and down with motions, amendments, and points of order. The two that seemed to be up and down more than others was Jack Dyson (Port Alberni) and Ken Warner (Vancouver); they must have done a good job. Two people I met at the conference, who are no longer with us and who I still think of with fond memories, are Past President Jim Wilson (New Westminster) and Past President (be brief) Brian Shaw (Saanich).

Going back to Jack Hannan’s meeting in Victoria… I didn’t think it was that bad (I hope I wasn’t part of the problem). Jack was one of the people I have always respected. That was the year that Wilf Pelly (Kamloops) and I got elected to the Executive. It was also the year that I made a motion to have the secretary-treasurer position be a two-year term. Art Whistler (Coquitlam) found himself doing a second term. What goes around comes around – a couple of years later, I ended up as secretary treasurer, and in those two years the two presidents were George Routley (Duncan) and Art Whistler. I still think highly of them with many fond memories.

I am not sure what year it was, but it was while I was on the Executive, we decided to have one common hospitality suite. I think that was a good idea. The year that I was president, we had our first wine and cheese social. (I understand that that social still continues today). We also came out with our first pin; it was a silver bar with S.P.O.A. on it. I had asked Mack Christensen (Chilliwack) to find a jeweler to make them up. However, I don’t think it was too popular as it was replaced a few years later with the existing pin. I think it was the year Tom Browning (Burnaby) was President.

The year before the conference was in Vernon (it may have been the second time it was held there), Wilf Pelly and I decided that the association needed a gavel (perhaps we were thinking of Jack’s conference). Wilf had the gavel and box made in his shop; it was composed of wood from fruit trees native to the area. My only part was to get the green felt for the box, and to present it to the outgoing president. (I think Bob Dyson – Williams Lake, Nanaimo) got the felt.

At the conference in Kamloops, I had arranged with the Kamloops Fire Department to put on a demo with the fire fighting equipment found in the schools. It went over well until the Thompson River decided to rise and cut short our demo!

“The suppliers were, and will continue to be, an important part of this association.”

The best turnover of books, from the outgoing to the incoming president, was when I turned them over to Art Vanidour (Nanaimo).

We went down to Art’s boat and cruised around all afternoon.

One of the things I’ve always felt good about was convincing Mack Christensen to become involved. He has been a very important part of the association.

Many years ago, I hired a relief janitor. Since then, he worked in a number of districts and is now back in Victoria in my old position.

He is also a past president. Who is he? Glen Miller. (Not many past presidents hired a future president).

One last thing: the suppliers. The suppliers were, and will continue to be, an important part of this association. Two names that come to mind, they both worked hard but in different ways for our association; they were Ed Vivian (Fuller Brush) and Al Martindale (Panel Products).

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

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Thoughts On:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) STAFF

by Chuck Morris

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Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is “the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.” (Wikipedia Online) Our lives are immersed in it. Some of us manage the IT department within our school district. The vast majority of us (I would hope ALL of us) use information technology in our everyday work life. Let’s see now; laptops, desktops, Blackberry’s, Treo’s, DVD players, MP3 players, VOIP phone systems, LCD projectors, Smart boards, PLC’s, remote control, PDA’s, Blue Tooth, wireless everything and on and on!

Who are the techies that provide the support in our districts? Are they the types who sit in a dark closet with the lights out writing computer code? Are they kind of ‘geeky’ and speak in weird tongue, using names and protocols that no one on earth has heard before (except their peers)? Whatever they are, they are valued staff members who provide a service that many of us don’t want to be part of or can’t even fathom!

Ever wonder what it takes to keep systems running and safe (not vulnerable to attacks from viruses, etc) and accessible to staff? If there is a good system in place and hardware and software firewalls exist to help protect things, you probably would not experience failures. If you are upgrading from one system to another, things may be different.

Ever feel like your right arm has been severed when email is unavailable? It’s almost like what water is to life; no water, no life!

What a horrendous thought. Life without email! If you are anything like me, you likely carry out 80% of your daily business using email. Shut it off and it suddenly becomes a problem finding work (just kidding, I doubt any of us have difficulty finding work).

Coordination of contacts for your Blackberry and back-ups of district files are courtesy of our techs. Smooth running desktops and laptops and the programs you use most are flawlessly executed because someone is there to ensure downtime is not impacting your operation. A knowledgeable IT Department is one essential component of

your district’s operation. If you have a ‘Help Desk’ with that department you are even closer to providing 100% service for your schools and Administration.

We need IT. With the advances that don’t

seem to slow down, THEY need to keep up to speed with their education and certification. Let’s ensure we all move forward with technology at a comfortable and smooth warp speed!

http://spoabc.org

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SolarWall Systems Making Schools’ Futures Bright

by Dawn M. Barker

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To do something that’s good for the planet gives one a warm feeling. To harness the power of the sun – something that’s good for the planet and makes a great deal of economic sense – makes one feel warm all over, inside and out.

Centennial Secondary School in Coquitlam School District.

Photo courtesy of Astravan Distributors Ltd.

That’s the message that Pat Martin of Astravan Distributors Ltd. would like to get across.

Astravan Distributors (http://www.astravan.com) is a Canadian distributor of SolarWall, a Canadian-patented invention which has been implemented in some 25 countries. The SolarWall system involves a specially perforated metal cladding material, technically known as a transpired solar absorber, which is installed several inches from a south facing wall, creating an air cavity. The metal cladding is heated by solar radiation from the sun, and thanks to ventilation fans located at the top of the wall, negative pressure is created in the cavity, pulling in fresh solar heated air through the perforations, siphoning off 40 per cent of the surface heat before it

escapes into the atmosphere. An additional 35 - 40 per cent is also captured by conduction to the back surface and by passage through the holes. A connection to an HVAC air intake allows the air to be preheated prior to entering the air handler, thus reducing the load on the conventional heating system.

Until recently, SolarWall installations have mainly centered on industrial and commercial buildings; BC and Alberta have taken the lead in the use of it in school applications with 12 applications to date.

“Until recently, acceptance in western Canada has been slow, due to the relatively low cost of fossil energies relative to the rest of the world,” he said.

“Facility management recognized that SolarWall could not only reduce their costs to heat ventilation air, but also allow them to correct any deficiencies in ventilation requirements.”

When designed and installed properly, SolarWall can reduce daytime ventilation heating costs by between 40 and 70 per cent, depending on the geographic location.

“In the case of repairing existing exterior walls, SolarWall is the only exterior cover that pays for itself,” Martin said.

In addition, the system provides a cooling system in the summer, as it keeps solar radiation from striking the south wall of the building, and built-in ventilation holes at the top of the cladding allow the rising warm air to pass through it and out, rather than soaking into the building.

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

School District 60 has installed three SolarWall systems in existing buildings, at Dr. Kerney Jr/Secondary School, Charlie

Dr. Kearney School in Ft. St. John.

Photo courtesy of Astravan Distributors Ltd.

Lake Elementary, and Prespatou School.

Maintenance supervisor Ivan Lewis said the decision to try the SolarWall solution initially coincided with the need to replace cladding at Dr. Kerney Jr. “It was used for two reasons: First, as a system for bringing fresh air into the building; and second, as a heat transfer system to bring in heated fresh air to the building.”

The systems even have monitors to determine whether additional fresh air is needed in the school. When it is, the monitor automatically turns on the ventilation system to draw additional air in.

“It is an attractive looking wall. It doesn’t look out of place in an architectural type setting,” he said of the SolarWall appearance.

As yet, Lewis is unsure of the savings in dollar and cent amounts, but he said the school district will find out next spring the impact the Prespatou installation has had,

as it was hooked directly into the DDC system and cost saving will be able to be monitored.

“I can tell you, though, that in all three schools, the furnace doesn’t run nearly as often or for as long as the other schools (without SolarWall), so there has to be money being saved there,” Lewis said.

Martin said the environmental benefits, plus the virtually nonexistent maintenance requirements of the SolarWall system, make it an excellent match for school applications.

“Donna Lewis, our school specialist, has found that while architects have specified SolarWall on some new schools, historically they have felt challenged to incorporate a large, dark wall into their design, or to sacrifice the aesthetics and benefits of windows in exchange for a renewable energy wall. This is now changing with the recognition that SolarWall benefits can qualify for up to eight LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points.

“Hopefully we will see the day when SolarWall is incorporated as a “must”

rather than an “option” at the initial concept design stage – not as an afterthought after all major design aspects are complete.”

At present, most school installations are to be found on existing, renovated buildings, presenting the challenge of finding sufficient south facing wall space which lends itself for easy duct connection to existing heating equipment. Gym walls have proven to be the easiest target, Martin said.

“Most gyms can be satisfied by 500-800 square foot SolarWalls, but no wall space should be ignored if it can be easily connected to heating equipment,” he said.

“Some buildings don’t face south; given the equal choice of a southwest or southeast wall, the southeast wall is preferable as the most heat is required in the mornings.”

A range of dark architectural colours are available, ranging in efficiency from 65 per cent for some colours up to the top colour, black, which has an 80 per cent absorption rate.

Do schools considering the system have to worry about their students freezing during cloudy days or inclement weather?

“Not at all,” Martin said. “SolarWall also recovers the heat normally lost through the wall it’s covering, and it can capture partial solar power, even on cloudy days.”

Even in harsher climates, where snow is present for many months of the year, the system is optimal, since the snow acts as a reflector for the solar energy.

The panels are pre-engineered, tailored specifically to each site and are provided as a package, including all framing, with panels cut to size and installation shop drawings. The systems may be installed by contractors normally involved with metal walls.

Schools incorporating SolarWall may be eligible for a grant of up to 25 per cent of the cost, including system installation, duct work and fans if required, and provided that accepted guidelines are met.

http://spoabc.org

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Rendering courtesy of MQN Architects

Sparwood School’s Strong Roots Help It Grow Toward The Future by Dawn M. Barker

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Sparwood Secondary School’s motto, “Sempur Sursum” (“Going Forward”) is one that the school is truly living up to these days, thanks to an $18.4 million dollar commitment by the provincial government.

The school in the regional division of East Kootenay is undergoing a major revitalization, including total demolition of the existing school and its replacement with an energy efficient, modern structure which will serve the community for decades to come.

It had been apparent for years that while it provided an essential service and quality education, the old school, built in 1954, required a great deal of maintenance and wasn’t as energy efficient as it should have been. It was time for a change.

School division Secretary Treasurer Rob Norum said that during the auditing and planning stages, certain important factors were kept in mind.

“We wanted to be able to maintain kindergarten through grade 12 education in the community of Sparwood,” he said.

“We do have the communities of Elkford and Fernie within a 25 kilometre radius of Sparwood, and both have secondary schools

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as well, but we wanted to retain the secondary school here.”

Norum said that the community and the school staff and students have been very supportive and positive throughout the project to date.

“We did get out to speak with various community members and the staff during the planning stage, and various models for the school were brought forward, such as a k-12 model. We finally settled on changing the (current) grade eight to 12 to include grade seven. There are also two elementary schools in town, one of which is slated for closure in 2008 when the new school opens.”

Norum noted that project coordinator Fred Lightfoot has been working with the division to ensure that good value is obtained for money spent.

The $16 million construction contract with winning bidder Vector Projects was signed in November, 2006, but unseasonably heavy snowfall delayed the construction for six weeks. Robert Roy of Vector Projects said that the delay, while frustrating, won’t hold up the project too much.

School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

“It does make it challenging to meet or beat the schedule, but the project completion date has been fairly flexible. We started with the foundations in mid February, and we’re proceeding on. At this point, the foundations are about two-thirds completed, and quite a bit of the site preparation and excavation is done,” he said.

Roy estimated that there are between 15 and 20 workers onsite at present, including the subcontractors in charge of mechanical, civil and concrete areas, but when it gets into full swing in the coming months, there will be between 40 and 70 workers there.

Gracom Masonry is looking forward to supplying the school with its exterior cladding. Brian Magowan of Gracom said about half the exterior will be treated this way, and that it’s an excellent choice for a school division to make.

“It’s nice to see masonry cladding used, since it’s a low maintenance, high durability product. I’m sure that they’ll be happy with the end result. It’s a pleasure to be able to take part in a project like this,” he said.

Although the school wasn’t yet at the structural steel stage when this article was

written, all the material was on hand. Dave Weinstein, of Warnaar Steel Tech Ltd., said it was ready and waiting for the footings to be complete.

“With the amount of steel going into this school, I’d say it will be there for a long time,” he said.

Sparwood site

Technological advances have made a great change in the construction industry. Roy said that computers on site create efficiencies unheard of two decades ago.

“Now the superintendent on site can take digital photos when issues arise, and send them by e-mail to the architect to resolve any problems. It’s quicker, and more cost efficient,” he said.

“Job costing and staff timesheets can be sent on the Internet rather than by weekly courier, and surveying equipment is far more advanced. The equipment is much more efficient, right down to quality control testing methods. Overall, it improves the project and the end result.”

Norum said that the division is very happy with Vector Projects thus far.

“They’ve been great so far – really topnotch to work with.”

The new school will feature a gymnasium, energy efficiency, ample natural lighting and tasteful, modern design.

One wing of the old school containing six unused classrooms was demolished to facilitate the construction, but aside from that, the school has been operating as usual during the construction project.

Principal Jason Tichauer said that the staff has been keeping an eye on progress, and that both staff and students are looking forward to walking into the school once it’s completed.

“There will be more student areas, a great multipurpose room, and it will be bright and new,” he said.

In a November 2006 press release, board chairperson Keith Nielsen called the project “a positive step forward for education in the community”.

Norum agrees, saying, “We’re always excited to replace an older facility. There are more opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve the quality of life for students in the division. Everything will be modernized. The air quality will be better, and there are advantages in energy saving opportunities too. It’s a great project.”

http://spoabc.org

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TACTICAL SITE SURVEYS – A Proven Way To Improve Any Facility

by Michael Dorn & Chris Dorn

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antiterrorism efforts, cuts long -term maintenance costs and minimizes civil liability.

In recent years, thousands of school and public safety officials across the United States have learned how to coordinate their own tactical site surveys. In this feature article, Michael and Chris Dorn will show how safety officials have saved their organizations millions while reducing risk and most assuredly saving lives.

Every school should be evaluated by a properly coordinated tactical site survey team at least once each year. More comprehensive than a fire inspection, crime prevention through environmental design assessment or simple security audit, the tactical site survey is a mulThis woodshop teacher’s office window was designed so the staff tidisciplinary hazard member could supervise students. Students in this particular woodand vulnerability assessshop have cut off fingers on three occasions. At least two of those ment of the facility as have resulted in litigation. In addition, the teacher is leaving himself well as the grounds, vulnerable for allegations of sexual misconduct by students. School parking areas and even staff who molest children frequently block windows in this manner to the surrounding neighcreate privacy with students.

The tactical site survey process can improve the work environment while also enhancing the teaching and learning conditions for schools. The process also helps to reduce crime and violence, enhances

Finding ways to connect students to their school helps to reduce vandalism and crime.

The staff at East High School in Green Bay Wisconsin has gone to the trouble of creating motivational posters featuring staff and students to connect the people to the place. Last year, a student came forward and reported that other students were planning an attack at the school. The attack which was deemed “imminent” did not occur because the staff made this student feel comfortable reporting the incident.

borhood. This proactive process is designed to find and correct common haz-

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

Specializing in custom supply & installation of Talius Rollshutters and vandal-proof screens.

This school placed flags in the lunch room to make students from other countries feel a part of the school. Simple yet effective approaches can produce powerful results.

The leadership tam at Chashman Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada has dramatically improved test scores while reducing disciplinary problems by improving supervision of students and by having students create murals like this one. The school serves a large number of students who do not speak English and are not likely to complete the school year before moving to another region.

ards that typically result in safety incidents when they are not detected. The tactical site survey is also a crisis preplanning

activity where critical information about the facility is noted and recorded for use by public safety officials. Most importantly, the tactical site survey is one of the best ways to improve school climate and enhance the ability of teachers to teach and students to learn. This process can help turn good schools into great ones.

Traditionally, many schools have relied upon fire inspection personnel to conduct fire prevention inspections and security consultants to coordinate security or safety “audits” of their facilities. While fire service professionals can be very helpful in finding fire hazards and a qualified safety consultant can often pinpoint vulnerabilities relating to security issues, these approaches are one dimensional and are not as valuable as the comprehensive all hazards assessment approach of the tactical site survey combined with the annual fire inspection by fire service professionals.

Just last year, our non profit center was brought in to do training for a school system that had paid a security consultant $20,000 per school to conduct security audits. In addition to being dissatisfied with the end result, the client was not able to internalize the expertise to reap long term benefits from the process by building the internal culture of safety at the school.

For far less than the cost of a single security audit, the client developed an internal team with the expertise needed to coordinate tactical site surveys year after year for no additional charge. By utilizing local experts such as fire, law enforcement, public health and emergency management officials to assist in their annual tactical site surveys, school systems can dramatically impact the level of safety and emergency preparedness in their schools.

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Is school staff stockpiling enough lumber to build a house behind the stage in one of your schools? More than 90 staff and students died in an elementary school fire in an American Catholic school that was also a deathtrap.

The tactical site survey process is designed to change attitudes, not just find safety hazards.

As a non-profit safety center, we urge our clients to coordinate their own tactical site surveys for another important reason.

When a truly qualified consultant or firm is hired to coordinate tactical site surveys, they will indeed find numerous safety, security and emergency management issues that must be addressed. By involving staff in the tactical site survey process, a lasting change in the way people view their workplace can be achieved. By internalizing the tactical site survey process and moving beyond the rudimentary security audit approach, lasting, positive and significant cultural change can occur.

Time management issue A school administrator does not have the time to avoid this process each year. Tragic yet preventable situations occur every year in schools where the tactical site survey process does not occur regularly. The recent tragedy at a Toronto area Montessori school and the murder of a young boy in a Dutch school by an intruder along with two total loss school fires in the United States this year are a snapshot of the types of incidents that can usually be avoided through this invaluable yet relatively simple process. These situations often create a massive drain on human and fiscal resources and even more tragically, often involve death or serious injury to victims. The administrative time spent on a single safety incident can be greater than the time spent coordinating annual tactical site surveys for decades. http://spoabc.org

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Does the school have real access control or just a façade of it? A young girl was raped this year by a trespasser at a Toronto Montessori school where access control was not effective. The little girl will pay for their carelessness for the rest of her life. Leaving visitor badges on a counter with a sign up sheet is a sign of a school that does not understand its vulnerability

This audiovisual cart holding more than 50 kilos of materials is located in a Catholic elementary school boiler room and presents an incredibly dangerous situation. Hazards like this one will continue to kill and injure in schools where a tactical site survey is not conducted at least once a year.

Most hazards identified through the tactical site survey can be easily corrected. Many, like this unlocked gate surrounding a water retention pond at an elementary school can cause serious injury or even death if they are not found.

Numerous facilities directors who have participated in training sessions have commented that while the process initially generates an increase in maintenance requests, the improvements in supervision and security in their schools significantly reduces vandalism and the maintenance work that would have otherwise been required.

Am, at one time the world’s largest commercial airline, ceased to exist because of a single safety incident. It is simply bad business to skip the annual tactical site survey process.

disciplines for the tactical site survey, so the rule of thumb is to obtain the assistance of as many of the different individuals as possible. Four people will spot more hazards than one person and a six person team will spot more things than a team of four. When an experienced consultant works a team through several buildings after a proper training program, the team can pick up a great deal of the consultant’s knowledge rather quickly.

We have trained hundreds of safety professionals in this process and routinely hear feedback that they learned a great deal from this group process even when they had conducted safety audits for many years.

Finding people who are dedicated, focused on the safety of the people they serve, and who above all else are team players is one of the most important aspects of the tactical site survey process.

By bringing the experts of different disci-

Good business practices From a fiscal management and business continuity standpoint, it can be reckless for an organization not to conduct annual tactical site surveys. In one of the school fires mentioned earlier, the school was under-insured by $15 million USD and the community is struggling to find funding to replace the school. Helping those with fiscal responsibility grasp the magnitude of certain types of safety incidents can help them understand the need to devote time and budget to safety. Pan

Team member selection The tactical site survey process is powerful, yet relatively simple in concept. A group of individuals from a variety of disciplines is brought together to conduct the assessments from a multidisciplinary viewpoint. Ideally, area law enforcement, fire, emergency management, public health, risk management and insurance personnel are brought in to assist internal personnel such as facilities, environmental health and safety, security, school resource officers and administrators to assist.

Typically, the individual coordinating the tactical site survey will not be able to obtain team members from all of these

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

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ment officers will suggest they be located away from glass doors and windows that might expose approaching officers to a gunman in the school. Once fire officials see the viewpoints of officers, they typically agree to the alternative placement.

By bringing the different disciplines together, these types of problems can be easily avoided.

Though violence is not a leading cause of death in U.S. schools, it makes little sense for a teacher in an elementary school to leave large knives lying within reach of students.

This one was found during a site survey at a very expensive college preparatory school.

plines together, a considerable amount of information can be obtained. For example, the fire official can not only point out fire code violations, but also obtain future compliance voluntarily by explaining in person to those who actually work in the building why the violation is dangerous.

By bringing the various disciplines in the facility together, conflicts in professional viewpoints can be ironed out. For example, fire officials will suggest that

The tactical site survey can quickly help spot evidence that supervision is poor in particular areas of a school. This is but one of dozens of the physical indicators that this gymnasium is poorly supervised. This is a clear indication of a very dangerous area where safety incidents are bound to occur.

Knox Boxes (which provide ready access to master keys during a crisis) be placed adjacent to main doors, but law enforce-

Tactical Site Survey Checklist The tactical site survey checklist is simply a guide to help coordinate the tactical site survey process. Most of the severe safety concerns we have found in buildings do not appear on anyone’s site survey checklist. While the checklist is a valuable tool to help guide the process and record findings, there is a tendency for people to get too focused on the checklist and miss obvious safety hazards. Members of the tactical site survey team should use a checklist but ensure they are focused on what they are seeing more than on filling out forms. For a free twenty page tactical site survey checklist, visit www.safehavensinternational.org and click on the Free Resources section.

Conclusion The tactical site survey process is an indispensable tool that can dramatically reduce the risk of death, injury, damage to property and disruption of services. Many schools are now internalizing the capacity to coordinate their own tactical site surveys to save money, increase efficiency and to maximize the benefits of the process.

Michael Dorn serves as the Executive Director for Safe Havens International Inc., the world’s foremost international non profit campus safety center. Chris Dorn has authored and co-authored four books on campus safety and has worked in more than 25 states and five countries.

Safe Havens analysts have trained more than 1,300 tactical site survey instructors and have work experience in more than twenty countries. The Dorns have authored and co-authored more than 20 books on school safety and their training videos are in use across the globe.

Michael and Chris can be reached via the Safe Havens web site at www.safehavensinternational.org

http://spoabc.org

17

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

by Kelly Plastow • Are you looking for a vehicle that will assist you in being recognized within your field as a ‘School Plant Manager’?

• Would a professional designation specific to educational facility management be a benefit to you in your career path?

• Are you interested in quantifying your experience and being recognized for the knowledge that you have obtained?

• Are you looking to take the next step in your career?

• Have you been looking for a path for personal and career development?

• Do you wish to open up avenues to assist in career moves?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then the School Plant Officials Certification Program will be of interest to you.

The School Plant Officials Certification Program recognizes that the management,

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maintenance and operation of educational facilities are specialty fields. The program was developed by a forward thinking, experienced group of school plant officials who recognized that there was a need to quantify these specialties. The resulting certification program ensures the highest degree of professionalism and competency for Educational Facilities Managers gives employers the assurance of the qualifications of their certified staff, and is an excellent indicator of the qualifications of potential candidates for hire. The program is a joint venture between the School Plant Officials’ Society of Alberta and the School Plant Officials’ Association of British Columbia, and is recognized throughout educational facilities in both provinces.

The dual track program offers staff, supervisors and managers from both operations and maintenance backgrounds to embark on a path that will lead to a profes-

School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

sional designation as a Certified Educational Facility Manager. Certification is available for entry level staff in both maintenance and operations and progresses through specialty levels in both fields and finally to the management level. The program also offers District Memberships which allow school districts to offer certification opportunities to their frontline staff. This program will assist your district in the professional development of staff you have identified as future leaders in your district.

SPOA remains committed to supporting it members and recognizing the unique and highly skilled group of individuals that make up its membership. For complete details on the certification program, the Certification Handbook can be found at our website www.spoabc.org.

WATER DAMAGE: ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOU

by Art Johnson, CR, WLS

In talking with many of you at the SPOA 2007 Conference, river flooding was what most of you had on your minds and may have been facing upon your return home.

Some other concerns included how to deal with water in crawl spaces and the proper drying and remediation of wet gym floors.

Let’s take a moment and consider some of these latter issues. Some challenges with crawl spaces, if they are not easily accessible, is that water damage can go on undetected for long periods of time, and only show up through secondary damage or by

emitting strong odors. It is not uncommon for restorers to be called into a house or school because it is noticed that the hardwood floors are beginning to heave or that the linoleum is beginning to change color.

Upon investigation, it may have been discovered that the water heater, or some other source, has been leaking for some time without detection.

Regular inspections are essential in order to avoid this. Many crawlspaces are not vented, and thus when the water is introduced, there is no place for it to go except to condensate and evaporate depending on the temperature variations that the crawlspace goes through. We have found that, even with venting, these areas cannot handle very much moisture without causing these problems.

Some areas of concern when these situations are discovered may include: • What secondary damage has occurred?

• Has it affected the floor sheathing?

• Is there mould growing?

• Is there high humidity in the school that is impacting porous materials like artwork, paper products, or condensation building on the inside of the windows?

These are all signs of trouble.

When addressing these situations, it is important to remember the old saying that

“only fools rush in.” Thus, be very cautious as you investigate the extent of the damage in the crawlspace.

A thorough risk assessment must be executed to determine just what the risks might be.

• Is there sufficient lighting to be in a position to do this investigation?

• With it being wet this long are there any electrical hazards that exist or have developed?

• Being in a situation that may fall under the category of a confined space, is there a risk of entanglement and a plan for rescue according to WorkSafe BC’s requirements?

• What is the source of the contamination?

Was its origin a fresh water source or a sewer line?

• Have you donned sufficient PPE (personal protection equipment)?

According to the IICRC (The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) S500 Water Damage Standard, clean water that sits for any extended period of time moves into a category 3 or black water situation.

• If there is extensive mould contamination, what respiratory protection is required?

• Is there a risk of oxygen deficiency due

http://spoabc.org

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Crawlspace

to the proliferating mould consuming it? • Is there a risk of cross contamination by failing to use good engineering controls, or the risk of infiltration into other parts of the building via the ventilation systems or just holes in the construction?

This thought process is critical for the protection of you, the occupants, and the building itself.

In the event that an unhealthy situation is discovered, effective remediation of these areas would require that it be screened off

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

from the unaffected areas of the building. When we refer to engineering controls, we are referring to 6 millimeter poly and the use of negative air machines using VOC and HEPA filters. It is so important that the contaminated area never go into a positive pressure situation that may result in forcing the contamination into unaffected areas. Some restoration companies have qualified individuals on staff that are equipped to handle these situations for you; however, as I mentioned in the Ops Talk spring edition, you should pre-qualify these companies and individuals long before you require their services so that you are prepared beforehand.

I would also like to take a few moments to address the issues that you may face with your gymnasium floors if you encounter water damage. My first statement is the most important of all‌ACT IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait to see if it will go down on its own or hesitate to get the drying underway. Wood flooring adsorbs moisture very quickly and this results in swelling most often perpendicular to the grain.

As it takes on water, it will begin to show signs of crowning and will continue to swell to the point of possibly lifting off its substrate. As it takes on more moisture, it will begin to be forced into the board beside it and this may cause irreversible damage. As long as the boards do not begin to be crushed, they can be dried, often without having to be sanded.

In the event that sanding is required, it is important to remember not to sand the floor before it is dried to its original moisture content. If you sand prematurely and the wood is still shrinking to its original size, your floor will show cupping, which is indentations at the edge of all the boards; this could ruin your floor. There are

Tenting

Injectidry

excellent wood meters available to ensure that this does not happen.

I also recommend the use of what we call in the industry “Rescue Mats�. These panels are taped to the wet areas and incorporate the use of vacuum systems. They can dry down an area very quickly. If the area is too large, then tenting the effected areas off and using desiccant dehumidifiers or Water Out air exchange technology will prove very effective; but remember, time is of the essence.

One additional thought I would like to mention is the need for effective Emergency Contingency Planning (ECP). If you discover a water leak, experience a fire, suffer vandalism, or experience wind or storm damage, it is very important to know who does what; what action to take to mitigate the loss; and whom to call.

Often we find situations where: (1) no one knows the location of the water shutoffs, especially with after hours staff, (2) a lack of the proper materials for the protection of computers and other sensitive equipment from overhead water leaks or smoke, and (3) no contact numbers are available for pre-qualified restoration companies.

With all the information written above, you can see the importance of discussing all scenarios that may arise, along with the reactions necessary, on a regular basis and especially with new and/or after-hours staff.

You may approach your qualified restoration contractor to assist you in developing your ECP.

http://spoabc.org

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LEED® COMES TO A RURAL B.C. SCHOOL

by Tom Philp

Artistic rendering of Crawford Bay School, courtesy of Killick, Metz, Bowen, Rose Architects

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Crawford Bay Elementary/Secondary School has been a focal point of its namesake community since 1946. Through various additions and extensions over the decades, the school came to accommodate the full spectrum of British Columbia public education, Kindergarten to Grade 12 under, essentially, one roof. But 60 years of continuous use took its toll on the facility; and the layout of the building limited the amount of educational and technical advances which could be incorporated for the benefit of Crawford Bay’s children, and the community itself.

Among the options considered were refurbishing and upgrading the existing facility; bussing kids either 50 kms to the west (including a 40-minute ferry ride across Kootenay Lake) to Nelson, or 75 kms south to Creston; or build a new school. In 2003, B.C.’s Ministry of Education gave the green light to build a new K-12 school at Crawford Bay. “This was rated as one of the worst school buildings in B.C.,” says Witmar Abele, the KMBR architect assigned to the Crawford Bay project. “But we’re targeting a LEED® Gold certification here, so this school should be one of the best when it is completed.”

LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the cornerstone of this 2,675 square meter school. Administered by the Green Building Council of Canada, LEED® projects are rated on a multitude of building and design factors, from energy and water usage to the overall environmental and human impacts a project creates. LEED® principles are important to Abele, as they are to Larry Brown, Director of Operations for Kootenay Lake School District #8.

Abele, who actually graduated here in the mid-1970s, designed

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

the new $12.7 million school to accommodate up to 200 students across all grades, incorporating sustainable and energy-efficient technologies wherever possible. A horizontal loop, geothermal heating/cooling system has been included, with components buried beneath the school’s playing field; lots of energy efficient glazing permits light to reach the innermost corners of classrooms, helping to promote learning; natural ventilation is accomplished by fixing operable clerestory windows high on inside walls, creating a thermal chimney effect when lower, outside-wall windows are opened; and lumber harvested and milled locally is used extensively throughout the building, providing not only a more natural environment, but also a boost to the Crawford Bay economy.

“All of this will be done entirely within the allocated funding envelope,” Abele says. “Green design principles have been integrated from the beginning, (creating) an energy efficient, healthy indoor learning environment that respects the surrounding

ecosphere of Crawford Bay.” Community support, beyond the Ministry funding, will enable the inclusion of a further 2,000 sq. ft. of useable space for a Child Care Centre, weight room, and multi-purpose areas. As Abele points out, social justice is a key factor in building design, and included here.

Brown says the complete buy-in by area residents, a cost-sharing partnership with the Regional District for certain greenbuild aspects of the project, and additional funding through Community Connections have helped to soften the project “bumps” caused by labour shortages in a “hot” B.C. market, and escalating material prices.

“We have tremendous support for this project,” Brown says. “We (are building) what we hope will be the first LEED® Gold certified public school in British Columbia.”

The new Crawford Bay Elementary/ Secondary School is scheduled to open in September, 2008.

The trench for Crawford Bay School’s geothermal cables bisects the playing field

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23

EDUCATING OURSELVES

by Chuck Morris

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Lifelong learning and personal development can be the means to steadily improve oneself and position you to take advantage of good job opportunities when they arise.

Many of us read as often as time allows, and that is a good place to start. Reading is good, and if some of the material you read is motivational and career enhancing, so much the better. However, have you thought about continuing education?

Take a look around you, and you may notice some of your peers attending night classes, distance courses through Thompson Rivers or other colleges and universities. How do they make the time to do this? Why are they adding to their work load? Many of these people work ten or eleven hours a day and then they spend another two to three on studies! Don’t they have a life?

Yes, they do have a life. Albeit a busy

life, they are laying the groundwork for an even better one! We know that investing a little more in the way of resources on a project will make it better, reducing downtime and additional costs. Life is much like that when it comes to education and enhancing your time on this earth.

In our jobs, we are continually bombarded with new technology, improved methods to accomplish specific tasks, conservation ideas that can save thousands of dollars for the district, and much, much more. How do YOU keep abreast of these things?

The simplest way is to pick up a book and read it. That can be a start. Oh, it does not have to be a three inch volume on energy management, but something much smaller and to the point. We need to begin somewhere!

“But (you ask) where do I look? I can

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

think of a few issues that I need some information on, but not much else.” Do not underestimate education and your needs.

Even IF you THINK you know it, you still need more on that topic. Take customer service as an example; in our jobs, we deal with thousands of customers! Teachers, students and parents are our customers.

Treat them like anything else and you will pay for it. We can always learn more to improve our customer service, energy management, interpersonal skills, duty to accommodate or ethics. Get the picture?

You need to remember, this is as easy as picking up a book. But don’t stop with that book! There are lots of them out there.

Walk into Chapters or Indigo Books and cruise the Leadership or Management sections. The number of books will floor you as you stand in front of the shelves reading titles like You.INC!, Make Your Life A

Masterpiece, Making Work-Work, Transforming the Art of Leadership and so many more. Pick some up and look through them. Find the type of writing that works for you. Do you like the style that is varied and easy to follow, or do you like tightly packed text that really spells out a message? Both styles of writing do the same job. Start with something!

If you are really getting into it, why not (once in awhile) pick a book that is based on history or geographical locations. Just expanding your reading will not only allow you to broaden your knowledge base but expose you to words and sentence structures that can help you with everyday life. See! Skill sets can become easier to obtain but you need to make that first step.

Reading is one fantastic way to begin moving down that wonderful, colorful, exciting road! Now then, how about going the next step?

Peruse the continuing education offerings at your local college or university or even your school district. The offerings vary widely, and so does the time commit-

ment. Most courses dealing with Continuing Education at a local school take up two nights a week for two to three months. Sign on with a local college, or go online (what a terrific way to achieve a goal) and learn with others. Actually, online is really nice because you can do some of the courses offered at your own pace, either in your own home or at the office after your hectic day is over.

The bottom line is two-fold. You CAN expand your knowledge base, which will enhance your current job, and perhaps even open a few doors for a job elsewhere.

That usually means a salary lift if you move on to greater responsibilities and trust. Education really does work. Being out of school for the past thirty years does not mean you have stopped learning. It means you may be a little rusty, but the door has not completely shut‌so push it open! Lifelong learning and personal development has a place in YOUR life. Do something with it!

http://spoabc.org

25

SECURE-RITE MOBILE STORAGE OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR ALL SPACES AND BUDGETS

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In September 2007, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. was named as a finalist for the Okanagan Business Excellence Awards in the “Rising Star” category for businesses under three years old. The awards are co-sponsored by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Bank of Canada, and Petraroia Langford LLP. The company was also featured in the fall 2007 edition of the Business Thompson Okanagan Magazine.

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage has experience of working with BC school districts and private sector schools, as well as major construction and project management organizations. We have also partnered with civic, event management companies, and not-for-profit organizations to provide storage solutions during festivals and sporting events.

In the busy and time-constrained world we live in today, many schools are under pressure in two key areas; space and budget!

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage can provide a fast, easy solution to one without sacrificing the other.

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage provides a range of secure and weatherproof mobile storage units. Our new or used containers are available for purchase, lease or rental at competitive prices, and we can deliver anywhere…anytime.

Secure-Rite supply storage units in sizes ranging from 6ft to 40ft in length, ideal for storing equipment, school supplies and playground gear. Units can be modified to provide solutions for mobile workshops, site offices, or temporary accommodation.

Custom paint solutions to match your building exterior colours are also available.

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage supports all of their customers with first-rate delivery and service. In many cases, your storage container can be delivered within 48 hours without inconvenience and without waiting.

Storage containers always arrive on-site

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clean and ready for immediate use. With our wide assortment of storage container products, you’ll get exactly the storage space you need for your school, jobsite, or business.

“Our values focus on excellent customer service, and our goal is to provide you with

School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

an exceptional product at a competitive price.”

Lucas Griffin, President Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc.

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NO TILT . . . NO KNOBS . . . The need for support staff to replace broken or missing knobs has been virtually eliminated, as all unnecessary components have been removed from this design.

Budget Administrators WARRANTY . . . 25 years on the frame / 10 years on the undercarriage (including the piston). The “money people” are assured that the purchase of these chairs will not place increased pressure on future year’s maintenance budgets. This warranty provides budget administrators with confidence that this chair will be serving their needs for years to come.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF PROACTIVE ROOF CARE

by Brian Gosick, TQ RRO Preferred Consulting and Roof Management

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Your roof is one of the most important assemblies that make up your building.

How do we help it live up to its maximum lifespan? Most of us do nothing; we wait for a leak before paying it any attention.

However, if your roof has a warranty, it probably asks you to inspect the roof for problems twice a year.

Q. Now, who should inspect your roof?

1.) A Roofing Contractor (who wants to sell you expensive repairs or a new roof.)

2.) A Building Engineer (who might not know anything about roofs) 3.) A Roof Consultant or Inspector (whose job is to help your roof reach its maximum lifespan.

Q. A Roof Consultant or Inspector will check your roof for many things: 1.) Plugged drains or scuppers 2.) Natural hazards (i.e.: bird, nuts, tree branches, squirrels and leaves and needles) 3.) Maintenance hazards (i.e.: HVAC Technicians, gutter cleaners) 4.) Maintained characteristics of each roof material or membrane 5.) Flashing and caulking details 6.) Infrared scanning for leaks and moisture Q. When should you start inspecting the roof: When it’s new, or five years old?

You can quite possibly resolve some problems while your roof is still under warranty.

Q. How much does it cost?

There are some professionals that only do Proactive Inspections. Inspection should cost less than a call to repair a leak. A small leak can cause a lot of damage if it is left undiscovered.

Help your roof live to its maximum lifespan; call a Roof Consultant or Inspector today.

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The patented, energy-absorbing construction saves time and is simple to lay in all indoor training areas.

Until now, laying wood floors in sports and activity areas has been a time-consuming and complicated process. The new patented Kährs Activity Floor now makes it very simple to create a high-quality floor surface for all kinds of sports and activities.

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NU-TECH: AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN EQUIPMENT FOR A SAFER AND HEALTHIER WORKING ENVIRONMENT

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Since its establishment in January, 1984, Nu-Tech Systems has grown to become an innovative leader in equipment for a safer and healthier working environment.

At Nu-Tech, we specialize in creative and functional solutions to a wide range of workplace environmental problems. Our highly trained personnel are dedicated to the careful analysis of each client’s needs and applications. We offer clear, concise recommendations and design systems specifically suited to each job. Our approach to problem solving is based on years of practical experience. We enjoy com-

plex, challenging problems and are confident of our ability to come up with credible, competitive solutions.

Customer service has always been a focus at Nu-Tech; we regard the completion of every job, no matter how large or small, as the beginning of a long term business relationship.

The on-going support we provide ensures our clients the continued enjoyment of the increased efficiency, productivity and cost savings generated by a safe and clean working environment.

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

AND THE WINNER IS...

by Ernie Lambert

W

We have the “Tony” awards, the “Grammy” awards and of course the “Oscar”. Each award is given for a great performance of one type or another. In most instances, depending on your taste, the incumbent has done something worth noting. Some of the greatest performances I have seen that have never been recognized in an appropriate manner is the calling in sick or otherwise unable to work award.

Often times this performance can be impressive. This presentation can be done in person, via the telephone or even delegated to a family member. The gut wrenching tale of illness or pain brings tears to your eyes and tugs at your heartstrings.

Frequently these productions are conducted on Mondays or Fridays and on occasion occur adjacent to a long weekend or even possibly birthdays.

On occasion if these performances are not properly recognized and acknowledged by their intended audience they may receive ongoing repeat performances. They can even progress into a long running series. Like most series there can be a significant number of supporting cast members.

These supporting roles can be performed by any number of individuals or agencies including (but not necessarily restricted to) WorkSafe BC, Long Term or Short Term Disability, Early Intervention Groups, your Human Resources Department, the Union and most likely you.

Why does the cast seem to continue to grow until an award is given? What is the usual award? Who gives the award? Who should give the award? What is the appropriate award?

Sometimes the award isn’t much. It can be a simple piece of paper from a physician stating, “This person is too ill to come to work today.” This piece of paper may provide recognition to the person that the physician acknowledges their performance and

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has provided written recognition and perhaps even some time off with pay.

Some performers will want even more recognition and will further embellish their

presentation. This can result in even greater reward. These can include life long pensions, retraining programs, rehabilitation centers to name a few.

Sometimes in the performing arts there is a dark side, and this is no exception. My experience has been that almost every individual wants to feel good physically, mentally and socially. A good work place can facilitate all of those, and should. If we don’t, the costs go way beyond lost wages.

People do become ill and their family members become ill; there are many other instances where they need the support of us, the employer. Gone are the days when ten people were lining up from the outside to fill the next vacancy. Gone are the days when supervisors berated their staff to improve performance. This is a good thing.

Years ago you would read about the

School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

“Fortune 500” companies and others that were very successful. They would say things like “our people are our greatest asset. They allow us to succeed.” These companies were the enlightened few. As the “Baby Boomers” are looking to retire, the need for skilled employees rises exponentially. This philosophy is truer now than ever.

We need to make our places of work and education a desirable place to be.

Restrictions in how we are governed can minimize our ability to be able to provide money or extended benefits as rewards to our staff. We need to be an employer of choice.

How do we do that?

What can we do...

Respect, caring, understanding may be cliché but accurate. Equally important is that each of these factors is applied fairly and consistently. We also have the opportunity to provide training, guidance and opportunity for growth. We can be creative in finding ways to facilitate our needs as an employer while helping to meet the needs of our staff.

Even though it is perceived that we are bound by regulation, collective agreements and other authorities our biggest roadblock is ourselves.

Everyone wants to receive recognition.

Recognition should be a positive, natural occurrence, not strained or awkward. It needs to be sincere and not handed out frivolously. In our district, I believe that we are being successful. We have excellent labour relations and we are attracting skilled employees as vacancies occur. It is not a simple short solution, nor will it ever be finished. Is it perfect? No, but it sure beats the alternative.

And the Winner is... Everyone!

(Especially the students)

AN INTERESTING WAY TO FUND SCHOOL MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES...

A Standards-Based Approach to Preventive Maintenance and School Facility Management Information Courtesy of the State of New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority and annual electronic reports to an office charged with responsibility for administering state aid to schools

Programs to aid school facilities and access district level information do not have to be complicated. Policy makers should consider the facility maintenance worker when devising strategies to improve management and efficiency. Starting off with a few welldefined basic principals or standards is the best way to start and achieve success.

Initially, a facility management process should address several critical elements of facility and maintenance management: • A maintenance management program that is a formal system which records maintenance activities on a work order basis and tracks the timing and costs, including labour and materials, of maintenance activities in sufficient detail to produce reports of planned and completed work; • An energy management plan that includes recording energy consumption for all utilities on a monthly basis for each building; • A custodial program that includes a schedule of custodial activities for each building based on type of work and scope of effort; • A maintenance training program that specifies training for custodial and maintenance staff and records training received by each person; and • A renewal and replacement schedule that identifies the construction cost of major building systems, including electrical, mechanical, structural and other components; evaluates and establishes the life expectancy of those systems; compares life-expectancy to the age and condition of the systems; and uses the data to forecast a renewal and replacement year and cost for each system.

1. Planning • Adequacy standards • Facility master plans • Facility assessment database (FAD) • Data driven decision making instead of political or otherwise

An incentive scenario should be developed to accomplish these standards. For instance, school districts that meet standard receive preferential treatment for state aid.

If a school district does not meet the standards, then they fall out of line for state aid.

School districts should submit quarterly

New Mexico facility condition index (NMCI) is a state-wide process used to determine buildings in greatest need of upgrades or replacements. This process sees every school measured against each other.

School districts do not receive capital funding for projects if they do not participate in

Background Information on the New Mexico Public School System • 89 public school districts • School districts are independent agencies • 1998 equity lawsuit found that the State of New Mexico had not been funding school districts on an equitable basis. This prompted the creation of the Public School Facilities Authority.

Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) PSFA is an independent agency consisting of three main areas:

the Facility Information Management System (FIMS). When a facility reaches the top of the list for an upgrade, it is completely repaired front to back – then it drops to the bottom of the list. Most situations are restorations of existing schools. If replacement costs are determined to be 65-75% of restoration costs – replacement would occur.

2. Maintenance Oversight • Preventive maintenance plan required from all school districts • Established in 2003 • State-wide maintenance coordinator position • Maintenance advisory group (MAG) • New Mexico preventive maintenance guidelines published 2005 • Establishment of maintenance objectives and requirements • Focus on increasing recognition of facility maintenance activities • Centralized collection of facility data used to identify problem areas • State-wide implementation of CMMS starting in 2005 as a pilot project with 18 districts • State funding and assistance with implementation of CMMS to ensure standardization • State wide procurement agency available to school districts • Deficiency correction unit measure created • 2001- $200 million identified as necessary to correct school facility health and safety deficiencies. 3 year program to complete.

3. Construction • 15 regional managers • Project development • Construction monitoring

http://spoabc.org

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INCREASE NATURAL DAYLIGHT AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY Try innovative lighting with DayLite Solutions

Architek.ca: Home Page Case Study Copy Recently the HESCHONG MAHONE GROUP of Fair Oaks, California conducted a research study commissioned by Pacific Gas & Electric on classroom behavior specific to environments that were predominantly lit with traditional fluorescent lighting fixtures versus lighting with a combination of natural lighting and artificial lighting. Test scores from 21,000 students were compared in California, Oregon and Washington over one year and the results are startling: • The classrooms with the most amount of day lighting are seen to be associated with a 20% to 26% faster learning rate, as evidenced by increased student test scores over one school year, compared to classrooms with the least amount of day lighting.

• The classrooms with the most window area are seen to be associated with 15% to 23% faster rate of improvements over a one year period when compared to classrooms with the least amount of windows.

• The classrooms with the Skylight Type A are seen to be associated with a 19% to 20% faster improvement when compared to classrooms with no skylights.

• The classrooms with the Skylight Type B are seen to be associated with a 21% decrease for reading tests, and no significant results for math tests, when compared to classrooms with no skylights.

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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Armstrong World Industries Assa Abloy Door Security Solutions Canada

10 3

Kraus McMahon

29

Levelton Consulting

5

Astravan Distributors Ltd.

11

Mapei Inc.

21

Bevanda Architecture

14

McGregor And Thompson Hardware Ltd.

10

BGE Service & Supply Ltd.

8

NuEra Air Solutions Inc. (Husky Floor Machines)

27

Blue Imp Recreational Products

9

Nu-Tech Systems Ltd.

31

Canstar Restorations

20

Pacific Blue Cross

18

Cariboo Awnings & Shutter

14

Pacific Controls Ltd.

25

Chairlines

16

Pomeroy Consulting Engineers Ltd.

11

Comac Corporation Inc.

24

Preferred Consulting & Roof Management

28

ComforTek Seating

27

Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia

13

Con Cur West Marketing Inc.

17

Secure-Rite Mobile Storage

26

D.G. MacLachlan Limited

15

SimplexGrinnell

Erv Parent Group

27

Spears Sales & Service Ltd.

24

Talius

IFC

6

Tandus

19

Garland Canada Inc.

20

Winmar

23

JM Bean & Co. Ltd.

6

Zep Manufacturing Company of Canada

19

Firestone Building Products Canada Fortis BC

Killick, Metz, Bowen, Rose Architects Planners Inc.

OBC

22

8

Zurn Industries Ltd.

7

http://spoabc.org

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Firestone Building Products Canada To come Gary Barrington