Facilities Planning

Archived Information

The information contained on this page is organized by category and the date in which it was posted.  You can use "Ctrl + F" or our search box to search for a specific topic.

AHERA

AID / FINANCE / GRANTS

AIR QUALITY

ARRA FUNDING

  • Special note for ARRA-funded projects: There is an audit finding relative to the buy american clause when dealing with ARRA funding.  We must ensure that if a district capital project is being partially or totally funded with ARRA funds, that the buy american provisions are included in the specifications prior to approval. (10/29/10)

  • IMPORTANT notice: Davis-Bacon requirements. 1/28/10
  • Please see this link External Link for a potential federal ARRA construction funding opportunity. 8/19/09

ARTIFICIAL TURF / ATHLETIC FIELDS

ASBESTOS / CCA / LEAD / MERCURY / MOLD / PCB's / RADON

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION IN SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS

  • New York State has adopted a rule that amends the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code by adding provisions requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detection in all new and existing commercial buildings that have appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or an attached garage. School facilities are included in the definition of commercial buildings.  The rule became effective on June 27, 2015.  For more information please see this web page.   (07/23/15)

COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS / EDUCATION LAW

CONSTRUCTION / PROJECT DESIGN

ENERGY

EBOLA

EXCEL (EXpanding our Children’s Education and Learning)

  • EXCEL Aid and Building Aid for gymnasiums.  Recently we have received numerous inquiries regarding whether or not EXCEL funding can be used to build new gymnasiums.  Please remember that in order to be eligible for EXCEL, a project must first be eligible for normal building aid. Construction costs for new gyms may be building aidable, providing the need can be demonstrated through enrollment projections. For Districts wishing to build a new gymnaium, one gym station is required for each 500 pupils or portion thereof. For reconstruction projects - construction activity associated with an existing gymnasium is generally building aidable. Both new construction and renovation projects are subject to the maximum cost allowance.  Once a gymnasium project becomes eligible for building aid, it also becomes eligible for EXCEL funding. Please contact your project manager or consult our Building Aid Guidelines for more information.  02/06/08
  • Q&A  6/20/06 Updated 08/15/06
  • Allocations ($$$)  07/10/06

FIRE INSPECTIONS

NEW ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTION REPORT PROCESS

  • The existing SED fire safety system is in the process of being updated to reflect on-line technologies.  The updated system is scheduled to be launched during July 2015.  The updated system will save school districts and BOCES significant time mailing large quantities of paper to the SED Office of Facilities Planning.  Effective July 1, 2015, fire inspection data will be entered into SED’s Application Business Portal; after which school districts and BOCES will print their own annual certificates of occupancy.   Please see link below for additional information:
  • Summer 2015 Fire Safety System Webinars - Please see the link below for information on webinars about the new on-line fire safety system (06/17/15)
  • Follow-up Memo - New Fire Inspection Process PDF Image Icon (120KB) (05/20/15)
  • New Fire Inspection Report Memo  PDF Image Icon (118KB) (04/30/15)
  • Updated Fire Safety Process Powerpoint Presentation PDF Image Icon (3.7MB) (08/13/15)

FLOOD EVENT JUNE/JULY 2013

  • Please see notice PDF Image Icon for information on what to do if your school facility has sustained damage as a result of the severe storms and major flooding that occurred on June 27-28, 2013.  (07/01/13)

FLU

  • The following link is a NYSED web page that contains comprehensive information regarding Swine flu  05/06/09
  • Pandemic Flu Action Kit for Schools: The New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission is continuing its comprehensive planning for a potential pandemic. Staff from the State Health and Education Departments and a workgroup made up of county health officials collaborated in the development of a Pandemic Flu Action Kit for Schools in New York State.  Click here for the Pandemic Flu Action Kit External Link for Schools in New York State.  02/16/07

HURRICANE SANDY

INSPECTIONS / SURVEYS

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) AND NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION

K-SOLAR

  • For information on K-Solar please see this web page.  (10/09/15)

LEAD TESTING IN SCHOOL DRINKING WATER

  • On September 6, 2016, the Governor signed legislation requiring all school districts in New York State to test potable water systems for lead contamination and to take responsive actions. To implement this new law, the Department of Health issued emergency regulations, titled Lead Testing in School Drinking Water.
  • Please follow this link to our web page with additional information. (09/16/16)
  • Please follow this link to the State Aid web page for guidance on testing, remediation and claiming State Aid. (10/13/16)

LIFE SAFETY

NYSERDA

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

OTHER

PROJECT SUBMISSIONS

  • Pre-Screening Project Submissions for Completeness:

    In an ongoing effort to improve processes and reduce the project review queue, the Office of Facilities Planning has implemented a pre-screening process for all capital projects received in our office on or after September 28, 2017.  Please see the following links to a memo explaining the new process and to pre-screening checklists:

  • Face to Face Review Requests :
  • Electronic submissions:
    • Effective immediately, all addenda documents for electronically approved projects, whether issued to SED during the initial electronic project review and approval process, issued to contractors during the bid process, or issued post-bid, must be submitted to SED through the Dataflow system.
      Memo to A/E Firms PDF icon (17.3KB) 09/21/10
    • Electronic review reminders  PDF Icon (20.3KB) 02/16/10
    • Don't submit PM paperwork electronically! Project Manager's Complete Final Application Packet paperwork should be submitted in paper form. When final PM paperwork is received for a final electronic submission, you will be provided a review number used to file your plans and specifications electronically with Dataflow. A hard copy project folder will be created and put on our review shelf identified as an electronic submission. When the project gets picked up by a reviewer, they will go to the web to download the plans and specifications for your project.  04/13/09
  • Change orders:
    • Attach the following CERTIFICATION to the back of each change order sent to SED.  It makes no difference whether the project is ongoing or completed.  All parts of this certification must be filled out without exception.  All change orders received at SED without this form, or without it filled out entirely, will be returned to the sender. When submitting change orders for approval, please include any sketches, bulletins, diagrams, etc., that may be referenced in the change order.
       

      Excel form Excel icon (140KB) 05/19/10

      PDF form PDF Icon (23.7KB) 05/19/10

    • We are running behind in posting change orders on the website, and we will enter them as time permits.  Please do not send in duplicate change orders.  01/08/09
  • Paperwork for project submissions:
    • The SED Letter of Intent (LOI) Forms Workbook has been updated to provide individual forms for leased space and discovered buildings (formerly a combined form).  Please use the new forms when requesting project numbers.  The new LOI workbook can be found on this web page. (08/12/19)
    • We have updated the Forms Workbook to include new Certification of Substantial Completion Forms (Partial and Final).  The new Forms Workbook can be found on our web site at: Forms and Checklists:Facilities Planning:NYSED 03/14/12
    • We have updated the Forms Workbooks containing various forms to be submitted to our office for project start-up, preliminary submissions, and final submissions.  The new Forms Workbooks can be found on our web site at: Forms and Checklists:Facilities Planning:NYSED 10/24/11
    • When submitting a project for submission, please take special care to make sure that all forms are properly collated and that multi-page forms are stapled together.  We've noticed a large number of submissions with a stack of loose papers clipped together.  Staff here must then collate and staple the forms, a daunting task with large submissions.  For multi-project submissions, we need the full set of paperwork for each project in the submission, not just a "master set" to cover the entire submission.
  • Preliminary reviews:
    • Project Submissions With New Instructional Space: Please Note!  12/30/04
    • When a district is considering a new building or addition, we strongly suggest submitting a preliminary review to determine maximum cost allowance for the project BEFORE a public referendum.  We have recently received preliminary and final submissions after public approval and determined that the maximum cost allowance differed from the architect's calculations.  Note: this includes bus garage additions! 11/17/08
    • Preliminary Submissions 10/24/01
  • Other:
  • International Building Code in effect Jan. 1, 2003!
  • International Building Code Adopted  03/21/02
  • Definition of Emergency and the Capital Project  12/31/02

SECURITY

  • School Security and Door Hardening Letter providing districts and schools with guidance on protecting students and staff in school buildings from outside-the-classroom threats while remaining in compliance with requirements for free egress, fire protection, and handicap accessibility. (04/09/19)

SEQR

SHPO

  • NEW SHPO 'MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING'

    • There is an updated version of the SHPO letter of resolution now called the Memo of Understanding (MOU). Please take note of any revisions.
  • Please see the following link to an updated version of the SHPO Project Review Exemption Checklist: Project Review Exemption Checklist Microsoft Word Image Icon (82KB) (02/11/11)

SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT

  • Please see this new web page for:
    • Smart Schools Bond Act Guidance
    • Office of Facilities Planning Smart Bond Act Project Review Process
    • Smart Schools Bond Act Letter of Intent Form

VEHICLE LIFTS

WEATHER

 


Telephone: 518-474-3906
Fax: 518-486-5918 Office of Facilities Planning
Room 1060 Education Building Annex
The New York State Education Department
Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234

For forms or website content, please send e-mail to Rosanne Groff: rgroff@mail.NYSED.gov

Send e-mail to Facilities Planning at: emscfp@mail.nysed.gov

 

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Last Updated: January 23, 2024