08-08-2018, 08:05 AM
Circulation and Social Areas are generally calculated on the basis of 18% of the total area of teaching and non-teaching space within the internal face of the external walls of the school.
- The school main entrance area should have a strong sense of arrival and space.
- Internal signage should be clearly visible to all users. Particular regard should be paid to signage for students with special needs
- Corridor should be a minimum of 1800mm clear in width. The 1800mm clear width applies from the face of any storage/lockers etc. in the corridors.
- All areas at ground floor level should be accessible to all building users.
- Where design proposals involve buildings of two or more storeys and providing that:
The floor area is below the recommended floor area requiring the provision of a lift set down in the Technical Guidance Document to Part M of the Building Regulations, and
The same range of accommodation for all building users is available at ground floor level also, a lift will not normally be required.
- Where a lift and suitable fire escape refuges are to be provided and funded by the Department, the Design Team shall consult with the Planning & Building Unit regarding specific advice on lift types etc.
- Designers should make use of natural lighting, space and colour in the circulation areas.
- Floor and wall finishes should be appropriate for the school’s needs and location; durable finishes should be specified.
- Draught-proof lobbies should be provided at the main entrance.
- Stairs should have threads, risers, and balustrading, etc in accordance with Technical Guidance Document to Part K of the Building Regulations and appropriate for use by young children.
- Doors should be easy to open and close. Care should be taken in the design of the door; frame, and opening mechanism to eliminate injury to fingers etc, and adequate vision panels for small children should be considered.
- Windows should be double glazed, easy to clean and maintain, and have permanent ventilation louvres in addition to high and low level opening sashes. Vents should contain baffles for noise, wind and rain.
- Permanent vents and opening sashes should exceed the current guidelines set out in the Technical Guidance Documents to the Building Regulations. Rooflights may be considered.
- The position and size of opening window sashes must take ease of operation into account and maintain an adequate level of safety, i.e. sashes opening dangerously over adjacent paths at ground floor level; use restrictors where necessary, etc.