TRUST QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

Formerly the SCIP Quality Assurance Program, the Trust Quality Assurance Program services include review of construction plans for identification of potential issues with grading and drainage; structure and foundation; onsite inspections and written reports by qualified engineers. Click the link above and contact the Trust at 602-266-4911 for more information.

APS SPRING INCENTIVES SALE

APS Solutions for Business is having a sale on incentives for popular lighting measures. Click the link above for more information.

APS ENERGY EFFICIENCY INCENTIVES TO END THIS YEAR

It has been a topic of conversation for more than a year: When will incentives for T12 upgrades end? The answer is soon. This is the last year APS will offer an incentive to convert T12 lamps to T8 or higher. Act now to get projects underway and submit your application for consideration in 2013. Energy efficiency remains an important component of the State's energy savings goal, and the APS Solutions for Business program continutes to pay incentives while regulatory approval is pending. Since January 1st, the program has paid approximately $800,000 in incentives on qualifying project applications. Click the link above for more information.

ADEQ GUIDE FOR ASBESTOS NESHAP REGULATIONS

Is your district planning a demolition or renovation of school facilities? The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has published a guide for building service departments regarding asbestos NESHAP Regulations for demolition and renovation. Click the link above for more information.

ROOF - STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS REQUIRED

In 2010, the Legislature passed HB2760 requiring the following provisions:

• School districts are required to develop a roof inspection protocol that must be used before any repair or replacement of roof elements or roof mounted equipment is performed in accordance with the requirements of the local building official requiring a permit.
• Inspections must be conducted by a registered structural engineer or other professional with appropriate skills, training, and certification.
• School district guidelines for routine preventative maintenance shall include: plumbing systems, electrical systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, special equipment and other systems, and for roofing systems the guidelines must recommend visual inspections performed by district staff for signs of structural stress and weakness.

These provision have been codified in the following statutes:

A.R.S. §15-342.01  School districts; roof inspection protocol

A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP A ROOF INSPECTION PROTOCOL THAT SHALL BE USED PRIOR TO ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF ROOF ELEMENTS OR ROOF MOUNTED EQUIPMENT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIAL REQUIRING A PERMIT. INSPECTIONS SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY A REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL WITH APPROPRIATE SKILLS, TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION.

A.R.S. §15-2002  Powers and duties; executive director; staffing; report

Each school district shall develop routine preventative maintenance guidelines for its facilities. The guidelines shall include plumbing systems, electrical systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, special equipment and other systems and for roofing systems shall recommend visual inspections performed by district staff for signs of structural stress and weakness. The guidelines shall be submitted to the school facilities board for review and approval. If on inspection by the school facilities board it is determined that a school district facility was inadequately maintained pursuant to the school district's routine preventative maintenance guidelines, the school district shall use building renewal monies pursuant to section 15-2031, subsection L to return the building to compliance with the school district's routine preventative maintenance guidelines. Once the district is in compliance, it no longer is required to use building renewal monies for preventative maintenance.

SFB FY 2013 LEGISLATION REVIEW

Building Renewal Formula Funding

The Legislature passed SB 1529 which includes:

Sec. 16. Building renewal fund; suspension in fiscal year 2012‑2013

Notwithstanding section 15‑2031, Arizona Revised Statutes, the school facilities board shall not distribute monies from the building renewal fund in fiscal year 2012‑2013.

Building Renewal Grant Funding

The Legislature also passed budget bill SB 1523 which includes:

Sec. 88. School Facilities Board 2012-13

Building renewal grants $2,667,900

And

Sec. 115. School facilities board; supplemental appropriation; 2011-2012

In addition to any other appropriation made in fiscal year 2011‑2012, the sum of $11,500,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2011‑2012 to the building renewal grant fund established by section 15‑2032, Arizona Revised Statutes, for the purpose of maintaining the adequacy of existing school facilities.

Please review the Building Renewal Grant statute (A.R.S. §15-2032) and the SFB Building Renewal Grant Policy.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY INFORMATION

Pursuant to A.R.S. §15-2002.A.14, the School Facilities Board shall provide school districts every two years with information on improving and maintaining the indoor environmental quality in school buildings. Click the link above for more information.

NEW EPA REGULATION ON LEAD

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a new regulation on lead with regard to Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) effective April 22, 2010. Each school district should consult with its attorney to determine the applicability of this regulation to any specific renovation, repair or painting project. Click the link above for more information.

U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

School districts can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to the CPSC's website. Just follow the link above and subscribe to the email list "recalls" for weekly updates on product recalls.