This speech discusses the evaluation and selection of competitive products for schools, and recommends that user specifications be written to include user requirements. The author maintains that product evaluation would be easier if specifications writers would use more performance tests to interpret the user requirements and anticipated…

Kansas and nearby Missouri are among the half-dozen states in America having the greatest frequency of tornadoes of any region in the world. This booklet describes a districtwide approach of designing and constructing tornado-resistant shelters as integrated parts of the school facilities. The design criteria for tornado protection also resulted…

This document is intended to serve as a guideline for school boards planning an educational complex. The diagrams are simple examples of some of the types of facilities, the space relationship, and the compositional elements of major areas for an intermediate school of 900 students. (Author)

A vehicle must meet certain specific requirements to be classified as an ambulance if it is to satisfy the demands of the physician in terms of emergency care for which properly trained ambulance attendants can be held responsible. Developed by professional and lay experts for use by automotive designers and manufacturing, this publication would…

Discussion of underground buildings constructed primarily during last two decades for various reasons (energy conservation, density of environment, preservation of landscape and historic buildings) notes advantages, disadvantages, and psychological and design considerations. Examples of underground libraries, built mainly in United States, are…

The George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center was designed to exude openness and space which would encourage participation while preserving existing playing fields and programs. Exterior and interior design of the facility are described. (DF)

Discusses the reasons why conventional classroom facilities won't work for continuing education. Illustrates how one continuing education center was designed and built and suggests how flexibility can be built into a facility without the use of movable partitions. (DN)

Provides a capsule history of the school building systems concept, and describes some of the projects currently employing the concept. (JF)

A State official, who was involved in the California School Construction Systems Development (SCSD) project since its inception, describes the drawbacks of and the problems encountered in that project. (JF)

Elements necessary in designing physical facilities for industrial arts/technology education programs in higher education are considered: (1) evolving patterns and projection of present trends to accommodate foreseeble changes, (2) designing physical facilities to accommodate unforeseeable changes and (3) considering foundational elements in the…

Outlines how an information company--the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)--designed a new building to house its facility. Problems and deficiencies in the old work space were analyzed using a rigorous systems approach, and an open-plan system was devised to allow for optimum space utilization and energy efficiency. (CWM)

The number of school fires is up nationwide. This article describes unsafe school conditions, problems with new fire codes, and the factors that contribute to school fires. Installation of sprinkler systems is recommended. A fire-safety checklist is included. (LMI)

This document contains amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) that establish guidelines for state and local government facilities and building elements designed for children's use. The amendments change several sections of ADAAG and add new sections that cover access to judicial, legislative, and…

Available technical literature pertaining to exit facility design and emergency escape provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's "Life Safety Code" (1976 Edition) are reviewed in order to determine the technical support for such provisions. The report focuses on the time-based capabilities of building occupants to effect…