Braxton County
Courthouse Detail Report
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Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
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General Exterior |
The building is three stories plus a basement and an attic: front, P23, right side, P22, left side, P24, P25, and rear, P26. An addition to the main courthouse was competed in 2001. There is a detached annex which houses some offices and the 911 center, emergency services, etc. The foundation is concrete and stone there is little evidence of settlement, despite the buildings proximity to the Elk River. |
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Exterior Walls |
The exterior walls are brick and in good shape. There are two small vertical cracks, 1/8” or less in width, P30, P31 on the right side of the building. One of these was larger, but has been patched. |
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Roof |
The roof was replaced in 2001 for the entire building – new sheeting and cornice, gutters, and the bell tower was repainted. The roof is pitched and covered with asphalt shingles. |
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Windows and Doors |
The windows were replaced in 2001 with aluminum double paned. The doors are aluminum and glass and are in good condition. See entrances in P27, P32, P34. |
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Fire Safety |
The building contains fire alarms, sprinklers, exit lights, and emergency lights. The basement is the only floor with one exit. The exit stairs are enclosed by fire rated walls and doors. The courtroom does meet exit requirements, (P18, P19, P20). The sprinkler system: (P3) |
Install a second exit from the basement. |
$10,000 |
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ADA Compliance |
There is one marked accessible parking spot, (P33); however, the ramp onto the sidewalk is too steep and there is no sign warning of the $100 fine. When the addition was added in 2001, an accessible ramp was built, (P27). The contractor built the ramp too narrow; the commission has contacted the contractor to rectify the situation. The signage is inadequate and what is there lacks Braille. A hydraulic elevator was installed in the new addition in 2001 that accesses all floors except the basement. There is one handicap accessible bathroom in the building located on the first floor, (P15) It is not compliant. The courtroom has a small lift for handicapped persons, (P21). |
Install signage at accessible parking space Repair the ramp, widen, install hand rails on both sides, extend handrails out 1’-0” beyond the end of the ramp. Install ADA signage throughout the building New lever hardware for all the doors Upgrade ADA toilets |
$200 $8,300 $2,000 $15,000 $10,000 |
Structure
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The structure is in good condition and has no apparent problems. |
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Security |
There is a security system, (P14) and a closed circuit TV system. The judge’s bench is protected by bullet proofing material and has a panic button. There is a generally unused metal detector by the entrance to the courtroom. |
The facility should have an entry-level screening using the existing walk-through metal detector and an x-ray machine. All perimeter exit doors should be secured by installing an audible alarm, magnetic contacts, and a crash bar. |
$40,000 $6,500 |
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Electrical |
The electrical entrance is 400 A, 3-phase, (P10, P11). The building is lit by a combination of fluorescent and incandescent lights. The electrical system appears to be adequate, but it was noted that a strain was placed on the system in the wintertime when some office workers plugged in mini-space heaters. |
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Mechanical |
The building is heated by a gas-fired Weil-McLain MG3-14 steam boiler, (P1). Some offices complained of temperature gradients. The new addition, all three floors, is regulated by a Trane TTA-60D300A0 heat pump, (P17). The commission discussed plans to install a second unit because of difficulties in maintaining comfort levels on all three floors at the same time. The remainder of the courthouse is cooled by window units. |
We recommend a centralized HVAC system be installed to eliminate the need for space heaters and the demand on the electrical system as well as for the temperature and sound comfort of the personnel. |
$300,000 |
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Work Safety |
One office has a very hot pipe that was exposed after asbestos removal, (P16). It is now uninsulated. Contact could result in a burn. The commission mentioned walling the pipe off from the office. In the new addition, the diffusers that were installed are very noisy-some offices complained of hearing problems. Many space heaters are often used in the winter and pose a fire hazard. |
Remove unnecessary steam piping |
$1200 |
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Space requirements |
The commission mentioned plans to renovate the jail for storage. As of now, the jail has no utilities. The inside would be cleared and remodeled for records storage. |
The building would need HVAC if used for storage. See Jail estimate for cost. |
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Sub Total |
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$393,200 |
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Soft Costs |
Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies |
20% of total |
$78,640 |
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Total Cost |
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$471,840 |