10-06-09 Item 2bTo:
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From:
Date:
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INCORPORATED
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City of South. Miami
Building Department
INTER- OFFICE MEMORANDUM
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The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
W. Ajibola Balogun,
City Manager
Victor J. Citarella, P.E.,
Director, Building Depa
October 6, 2009
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Subject: Somerset Elementary Charter School Roof -top Recreation Area
.During the City Commission meeting of September 15, 2009 a request was made to
review applicable regulations that control the utilization of building roof -tops for
recreation areas in elementary schools in Miami -Dade County, and specifically at
Somerset Elementary Charter School in South Miami.
Pursuant to that request, a review of 1)- the Florida Building Code (FBC), 2)- a site visit
by departmental staff, 3)- the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations,
4)- telephone conferences with representatives of the Capital Improvements Projects
Department of the Miami -Dade School Board, and 5)- telephone conferences with the
school Principal, yielded the following results:
1)- The original construction documents submitted to the Building Department
(CSM /BD) after initial approval by the Planning Department and the City's ERPB were
reviewed in accordance with FBC guidelines. The original documents submitted clearly
reflect the intended use of the roof -top as a play area. There are no guidelines in the
FBC regulating this matter other than establishing that sound structural and life- safety
analyses are conducted and documented to satisfy the proposed utilization The
Building Department's review reflects compliance of the drawings with the FBC.
2)- The following photographs taken by CSM /BD staff on last September 23rd
illustrate the condition of the site:
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Page 2
Somerset School "roof -top" area:
As shown above the roof -top is completely enclosed by an eight (8 ft) foot high chain
link fence. It provides protection for students and teachers conducting recreation
activities in the area. The concrete deck was specifically designed for the installation
of the fence as well as to provide insulation and waterproofing to the floors below.
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Above picture shows students (third grade and above) during a regular exercise
program at the roof -top recreation area.
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Page 3
3)- Compliance with NFPA guidelines are reviewed by the Building Department as
well as the Miami -Dade County Fire Department (MDFD) during the plans review
process. A full on -site inspection of actual as -built conditions has to be conducted by
MDFD before the building can be certified for occupancy. The school has at this time
passed on -site inspections for conformance with the construction documents by MDFD
and CSM /BD.
4)- Several telephone conferences were held by this writer with senior project
management staff of the Capital Improvement Projects Division of the Miami -Dade
County School Board. They are not aware of any "roof -top" recreation areas at other
non - charter elementary schools in Miami -Dade County, but recognized that the practice
is common in other dense population areas of the country.
Their consensus was that as long as life- safety conditions codified in the FBC and the
NFPA are met, utilization of roof -tops as a recreation area is permitted subject to other
limitations applicable to the pre -K to second grade students.
5)- Several telephone conferences were held by this writer with the Principal for the
school. She indicated that she is not aware of any Miami -Dade County School Board
regulation that prohibits using the roof -top for a recreation area. However, she
confirmed as noted in item 4) above, that there is a regulation that does not allow
students in the pre -K to second grade levels, to access the second floor or above of
any school buildings. Therefore, the school has a landscaped playground at street
level for the younger students. She further indicated that only third grade and above
students are allowed to use the roof -top recreation and exercise area. The enclosed
statement from her Office e- mailed on September 25, 2009, outlines the school
guidelines being enforced for the utilization of the subject area.
Based on the above facts, the conclusion that Somerset Elementary Charter School is
operating the roof - top recreation area in accordance with approved parameters can be
reached.
END OF MEMORANDUM
SOMERSET ACADEMY
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Dear Mr.Citarella,
In response to your question regarding the recreational space on the rooftop of our
building, I would like to clarify the following.
1. According to Florida statute, the jurisdiction for issues related to charter school
facilities lies with the local municipality.
2. After extensive review of the plans and build out of the Somerset Academy
facilities, the school received a valid Certificate of Occupancy from the City of
South Miami.
3. This Somerset Academy facility plans which were reviewed and approved by City
of South Miami included a playground on the ground floor, as well as additional
student recreational space on the 3rd floor (rooftop) of the building. This area is to
be used by students from grades 3 -8. Students in preschool through second grade
will use the outdoor playground located on the ground floor.
4. There is no restriction by Miami -Dade County Public Schools which would
disallow students from using recreational space on the rooftop of our building. In
fact, Miami -Dade County Public Schools has used a similar model in urban areas
such as ours, as evidenced by the rooftop playground and courtyard found in
Westland High School, a Miami -Dade County Public School.
Sincerely,
Kim M. Guilarte Gil
Principal