FAQs
The process of commissioning includes the design, installation and testing of each operational component of equipment or other building system. Commissioning ensures that the system meets all operational requirements before the complete handover to the owner.
DAS is the acronym for distributed antenna system. In short, this system enables enhanced radio communications within buildings of any size through the use of antennae and other equipment to boost radio signals. This is especially important for staff to communicate with each other as well as for emergency responders, when needed, to access all areas of the building without loss of radio communications.
DDC is the acronym for direct digital control (via a centralized computer network). For heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, also known as HVAC, DDCs utilize sensors to monitor conditions in specific areas, typically temperatures, and the HVAC system's performance. They enable users to set and adjust climate control zones for specific areas from any connected computer as well as alert the administrator of any problems in the system.
FFE is the acronym used for furniture, fixtures and equipment. While a building provides the infrastructure to house staff and students, FFE is the final touch that makes it liveable. In particular, all of our schools will ultimately receive flexible furniture to replace old classroom furniture (which will be repurposed in classrooms around the world). Research has shown that flexible furniture helps to provide an environment that is comfortable, relaxing and safe for students, while also helping them stay engaged in learning (M. Healy, Psychology Today, Oct. 23, 2017; California Department of Education, 2016)
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Modular buildings are buildings that are pre-constructed at a factory site to a customer's specifications, then moved to, assembled and installed at the destination site. Using modular buildings minimizes the construction needed at the destination site as well as the related interruptions and closings. This results in potential cost and time savings over traditional, on-site construction.
Hillsboro School District used Modern Building Systems as its supplier of modular buildings installed in summer 2018 at Farmington View, WL Henry, and McKinney Elementaries for classroom spaces, as well as a large modular at Reedville for classrooms, a cafeteria and a kitchen. For 2019 projects, Pacific Mobile Structures will install modular classroom buildings at Eastwood and Mooberry Elementary Schools, and Aries Building Systems will install the early childhood CTE building at Century High School.
The playground enhancements at various elementary schools will have ground-level, enrichment activities that are ADA-accessible. They will be installed on rubber tiles that provide a safer play surface area for students, typically replacing the existing wood chips. The goal is an enriching experience that positively and safely fosters the way kids want to play and get exercise.
This drawing is a representation of what will be installed; actual installations may vary based on site requirements.
A project manager works closely with the owner, owner's staff, architects/engineers, and contractors to plan, organize, budget, document, and, ultimately, oversee every aspect of a specific project from the pre-design to closeout phases. They ensure that the scope and execution of the project conform to the planned schedule and budget. If conditions warrant, the project manager will request changes in scope and/or budget for approval by the owner as needed.
All of our buildings have been examined by a structural engineer and determined to be at low risk of failure in an earthquake; none have unreinforced masonry. All met building codes in place at the time of construction and some have had improvements since then.
However, we always strive to make our buildings even safer, especially in light of updated seismic standards, so bond improvements at our existing buildings will include seismic upgrades, if needed, to have them meet the minimum “Risk Category III” life safety/safe exit structural performance objective. These standards require that students, staff and visitors are able to safely exit the building in an earthquake, even if damage prevents the building from being immediately re-occupied afterward.
As of May 2022, all existing HSD school buildings meet this standard.
New construction, such as the replacement Brookwood Elementary School, Atfalati Ridge Elementary School, and the new gyms at several elementary schools, have been built to the Risk Category IV building seismic code, as will ES29 being constructed in south Hillsboro. These buildings are intended to be available for occupancy by the community after an earthquake ("immediate occupancy"). Note that other infrastructure (i.e., public utilities) may not be operational after a significant seismic event.
The focus of seismic improvements at our existing buildings includes connecting roofs to walls and removing structures like chimneys that might fall during an earthquake.
Please read the District's executive summary on seismic upgrades for more information.
Substantial completion means that a building may be safely occupied after it is constructed, but there may be punchlist (incomplete or "to-do") items that need to be performed before the final closeout and payment to the contractor(s).
About $30.2 million of bond funds will be invested in technology, comprising two parts: classroom technology (i.e., HDMI projectors, document cameras, student computers, etc.) and technology infrastructure (districtwide dark fiber ring, phone system and other hardware replacements, staff computers, etc.). View the executive summary that provides more details on bond technology investments.
DAS is the acronym for distributed antenna system. In short, this system enables enhanced radio communications within buildings of any size through the use of antennae and other equipment to boost radio signals. This is especially important for staff to communicate with each other as well as for emergency responders, when needed, to access all areas of the building without loss of radio communications.
DDC is the acronym for direct digital control (via a centralized computer network). For heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, also known as HVAC, DDCs utilize sensors to monitor conditions in specific areas, typically temperatures, and the HVAC system's performance. They enable users to set and adjust climate control zones for specific areas from any connected computer as well as alert the administrator of any problems in the system.
FFE is the acronym used for furniture, fixtures and equipment. While a building provides the infrastructure to house staff and students, FFE is the final touch that makes it liveable. In particular, all of our schools will ultimately receive flexible furniture to replace old classroom furniture (which will be repurposed in classrooms around the world). Research has shown that flexible furniture helps to provide an environment that is comfortable, relaxing and safe for students, while also helping them stay engaged in learning (M. Healy, Psychology Today, Oct. 23, 2017; California Department of Education, 2016)
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|
|
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Modular buildings are buildings that are pre-constructed at a factory site to a customer's specifications, then moved to, assembled and installed at the destination site. Using modular buildings minimizes the construction needed at the destination site as well as the related interruptions and closings. This results in potential cost and time savings over traditional, on-site construction.
Hillsboro School District used Modern Building Systems as its supplier of modular buildings installed in summer 2018 at Farmington View, WL Henry, and McKinney Elementaries for classroom spaces, as well as a large modular at Reedville for classrooms, a cafeteria and a kitchen. For 2019 projects, Pacific Mobile Structures will install modular classroom buildings at Eastwood and Mooberry Elementary Schools, and Aries Building Systems will install the early childhood CTE building at Century High School.
The playground enhancements at various elementary schools will have ground-level, enrichment activities that are ADA-accessible. They will be installed on rubber tiles that provide a safer play surface area for students, typically replacing the existing wood chips. The goal is an enriching experience that positively and safely fosters the way kids want to play and get exercise.
This drawing is a representation of what will be installed; actual installations may vary based on site requirements.
A project manager works closely with the owner, owner's staff, architects/engineers, and contractors to plan, organize, budget, document, and, ultimately, oversee every aspect of a specific project from the pre-design to closeout phases. They ensure that the scope and execution of the project conform to the planned schedule and budget. If conditions warrant, the project manager will request changes in scope and/or budget for approval by the owner as needed.
All of our buildings have been examined by a structural engineer and determined to be at low risk of failure in an earthquake; none have unreinforced masonry. All met building codes in place at the time of construction and some have had improvements since then.
However, we always strive to make our buildings even safer, especially in light of updated seismic standards, so bond improvements at our existing buildings will include seismic upgrades, if needed, to have them meet the minimum “Risk Category III” life safety/safe exit structural performance objective. These standards require that students, staff and visitors are able to safely exit the building in an earthquake, even if damage prevents the building from being immediately re-occupied afterward.
As of May 2022, all existing HSD school buildings meet this standard.
New construction, such as the replacement Brookwood Elementary School, Atfalati Ridge Elementary School, and the new gyms at several elementary schools, have been built to the Risk Category IV building seismic code, as will ES29 being constructed in south Hillsboro. These buildings are intended to be available for occupancy by the community after an earthquake ("immediate occupancy"). Note that other infrastructure (i.e., public utilities) may not be operational after a significant seismic event.
The focus of seismic improvements at our existing buildings includes connecting roofs to walls and removing structures like chimneys that might fall during an earthquake.
Please read the District's executive summary on seismic upgrades for more information.
Substantial completion means that a building may be safely occupied after it is constructed, but there may be punchlist (incomplete or "to-do") items that need to be performed before the final closeout and payment to the contractor(s).
About $30.2 million of bond funds will be invested in technology, comprising two parts: classroom technology (i.e., HDMI projectors, document cameras, student computers, etc.) and technology infrastructure (districtwide dark fiber ring, phone system and other hardware replacements, staff computers, etc.). View the executive summary that provides more details on bond technology investments.