[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

If you are looking for door hardware make sure you upgrade to get the microban shield to help reduce germs and flu outbreak.

Sharon we went Schlage keyed both sides classroom function.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Cliffy,

Seems like all new designed buildings are either using LVT or Rubber flooring. Both have pros and cons to them. Both require no wax and help reduce with your labor costs.

I’m installing a few pilot installs at my High School with Mannington to see how they hold up. Both their carpet tiles and LVT. Like to see it work before I propose an all out install.

It does like like the way of the future floors.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Did you call Joe Prendergast from Suburban? They are on state contract and I’m sure he would be willing and able to help.

https://oldmfaa.avatar-development.com/sponsor/suburban-glass-mirror-co-inc-suburban-masonry-restoration-waterproofing/

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Built one in my backyard for the kids, as I’m one of those dads….. Super fun for kids and adults.

As for schools, we purchased the plastic kit version with the idea we could move it around if need be. It hasn’t moved in 4 years. You can’t maintain grass in the space so keep that in mind during design. Asphalt underneath lends itself to multiple scrapes as the kids are animals and typically fall during play.

Accessibility you can either build in a door or purchase a kit that has a door.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Update from our dear friend Lynn Rose on water filters:

EPA and DEP made an agreement that you can “mechanically ” filter contaminants wiythout incurring the PWS requirements. It took a long time for them to generate the agreement. You can now get it in writing.

Regards, Lynn

Thanks Lynn!!!

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Joe,

If you install a filter doesn’t that make you a public water treatment facility with all sorts of code and filing requirements? We ran into that when the whole lead thing came about.

Just sayin….. you can also run them without filters…. can’t you…..

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

I’m with Joe.

Garaventa has the market on this.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi Len,

Sharon also uses ALPS for this work. I use Major Theatre for my stage curtains but not lighting.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi guys,

Just some more info on the heals of coming back from New Jersey School Buildings and Ground event on this matter.

Industry moving towards minimizing damage. People finally realize we can’t stop it all. Many districts looking at selective locations for film. Vestibules, classroom door vision panels, cafeteria hall windows.

This seems a sensible bridge for all the requests folks are getting.

Hope this helps clarify where things seem to be moving regarding security film.

Thanks
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon we have submitted several times since MSBA’s new inception back in 2004.

2 years for Middle School (keep in mind this was in pipeline with SBA and on track before moratorium kicked in) finished Addition renovation in 2012.

2 years for High School Feasibility Study. Just accepted this year into the core program. This will likely be our last project for some time with MSBA.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi Dave,

I just remembered hearing at a conference that SchoolDude’s Crisis tool offers Anonymous Threat response.

Contact Josh for more info. He is listed under our Sponsor tab.

Again, good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon uses their School-Messenger system. Both hotline and online form that you can submit anonymous message about anything. If you currently have a reserve 911 system it may have something already built into the system that you can activate and use.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Erik,

Depends on what you are hoping for the window to do. If you want it to stay in place you would need to change out the entire frame typically as the frame isn’t designed to take impact.

If you are looking for ballistic rating keep in mind that the windows in doors are only as good as the door/hardware/frame themselves. You can put the best glass in the world in but a couple of shots to the hardware and the bad guy is in…..

Not to mention if you are an ALiCE district we tell out teachers to get out, even if you have to break a window for kids to crawl out of. Can’t break a window if they have a film so you are working against your procedures and protocols.

Do your research and good luck. Tough times out there.
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

We worked with our local Building Commissioner, Police, and Fire Dept. to make sure they were on board with whatever direction we ended up going.

Sharon we keyed both sides and all hardware has built in anti-microbial property to fight germs which is likely the bigger battle we face every day.

Something to consider with push button, in addition to what others mentioned about kids having locking ability, if you did have an active intruder they can easily smash you door window and disable the push button lock-set. With a double key system, as Alan had mentioned, they wouldn’t be able to do that as easily.

No easy answer. Depends on your community and what makes all players feel the most comfortable with highest chance of avoidance, which we can’t and should never make any assurances that we are ever at 100%.

Tough times for sure. Take care, good luck, and keep the faith.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Great info from Tony Kusnierz, Supervisor of School Maintenance for City of Northampton Public Schools. Thanks for sharing Tony

In an email forwarded to Tony regarding some more info with pending proposed legislative changes on playground surfacing:

Please spread the word! Playground lovers in Massachusetts need to attend so we can continue to build and maintain as many playgrounds as possible for ALL children.

The Mass AAB has finally published proposed changes to 521 CMR. They’ll be holding public hearings where comments on the proposed changes can be made. The public hearing dates have been published: https://www.mass.gov/node/99506/events

The changes include an entirely new section on recreation facilities. The full text is available here: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/docs/dpl/dps/aab/inf-aab/proposed-changes-2006-15-final-draft-022916.pdf

I’ve attached the section on playgrounds. The proposed changes specifically prohibit the use of EWF (see below). If we want to make the case that EWF is an acceptable material, we’ll need to do so at these hearings.

59.4.1 The ground surface of use zones, accessible routes and turning spaces within play areas shall be firm,

stable and slip resistant, permanent, and constructed of materials such as rubber resilient surfacing,

urethane rubber composites or similar; and comply with commonly accepted impact attenuation criteria

for safety surfacing materials within the use zones of play area equipment. Loose fill surfaces and

aggregate surfaces including wood fiber, bark mulch, wood chips, shredded rubber, shredded foam, etc.

are not acceptable for accessible routes within the playground. Molded rubber mats, if utilized, require adhesion to a permanent surface beneath.

Sandra P. Libby, CPSI, CPRP

Playground Planner

Department of Conservation and Recreation

Division of Planning and Engineering

251 Causeway Street

Boston, MA 02114

Desk: 617-626-1437