The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1918-02-09

ment. except to say that this report is
the result of an inspection made one
year ago and again about two months
ago. This report would seem to amply
justify the action of the Board in clos
ing this school temporarily at least, if
there had been no other reasons. But
as a matter of fact the reasons impell-
ing the Board to take action was the
shortage of coal and other fuel and the
saving to be effected.
January IA, 1918.
Hon. c. n. Kendall,
Commissioner of Education,
Trenton, n. j.
Re-Sch0ol Building, No. 8,
PEedSdntUille, atlantic Co.
My dear Sir
l have this day made an inspection
of the above named building and de-
sire to report the following conditions:
Construction
The building is two stories and base
ment in height. The first story is con-
structed with outside walls of brick
masonry and the second story is frame.
From the appearance of the building
it has originally been a one story
frame structure which has afterwards
been raised and a new brick structure
built underneath.
Number OF Rooms
The building contains two rooms
which are used for class room purposes
and proper coat rooms have been pro-
vided.
StdirS-
There is one stairway in the build
ing; it is of wood construction
throughout and is entirely unprotected
against smoke or fire, and would be of
absolutely NJ value in case a fire
should occur either in the basement or
on the first floor. AS this stairway
would Immediately be filled with
smoke the pupils would find some 9th
err means of escape from the upper
floor, which would undoubtedly be by
leaping from the windows. The build
ing is so arranged that it would be
quite impossible to properly protect
the stairs.
Fire-EScape-
The stairway being of doubtful value
l am of the opinion that an outside
fire-escape from the upper story class
room is essential in order that the oc-
cupants of this room may be able to
make a safe escape in case of emergen-
cy, and | would recommend that a fire
escape be provided.
Light and Seating
The class room on the first floor is
properly lighted by windows on the
left and rear, and the seats are prop
erly arranged. The class DON IN the
second floor is not properly lighted. as
there are windows on the right and
left hand sides and in the rear. This
method of lighting is Objectionable and
the windows on the right hand side
should be closed up in order to over
come the Objectionable cross light. The
seats are of the single individual type
which seem to be satisfactory.
Floors
The floors throughout the building
are of wide boards which have devel-
oped large cracks, which cannot be
kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
I would therefore recommend that a
new floor be provided in each room
which should be of narrow boards
which will not develop large cracks,
and which can be kept in a sanitary
condition.
Ventilation
The building is ventilated by an in
adequate gravity system which does
not provide ventilation except under
the most favorable atmospheric condi-
tions, and | would therefore recon-
mend that a proper mechanical system
be provided inasmuch as electric cur
rent is available, in order that fresh
air may be introduced into the class
rooms, Independent of atmospheric
conditions.
Heat
The building is heated by a warm air
furnace which is located in the base
ment. 1t is not enclosed within fire
proof construction, and | would there
fore recommend that this heating plant
be entirely enclosed within %ireproof
walls, also the wooden floor construc-
ton above should be made fireproof.
Toilets
The toilets are in the rear of the
school lot. They are of the outside
dry closet type and they are not pro