Braxton County Executive Summary

The Braxton County courthouse was built around 1900. An addition was added in 2001. The building has three stories and a basement. The exterior walls are brick on a concrete foundation. 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. The windows were all replaced during the 2001 renovation and are in good shape.

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. We recommend installing a second exit from the basement.

During the renovation, an access ramp was added to the building. The contractor built the ramp too narrow. To meet ADA requirements, we recommend installing signage at the accessible parking space, widening the entrance ramp, installing signage throughout the building, installing lever door handles, and upgrading the restrooms.

To improve security at the courthouse, we recommend that 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.

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.

The jail is unused at the present. Plans are circulating to renovate the jail for storage purposes. The building would need a new HVAC system for the records storage and a new electrical system to supply the HVAC system. The roof of the jail should be replaced with period appropriate shingles and the windows should be replaced with historic replicas. The building’s restrooms would also need upgraded to ADA compatibility, and fire alarm and security systems should be installed.

The original date of the Braxton County Courthouse’s Annex construction was noted to be in the 1940’s. The approximate size of the Annex is 12,000 square feet and is four stories plus a basement, and two small towers. The foundation is concrete block and the exterior walls are brick. The building has little evidence of settlement. The brick has had tar spilled down the side. We recommend cleaning the brick of the tar and water stains.

The roof of the building is covered with a rubber membrane and is in very good condition. The windows in the annex are fairly new. The doors into the building are also in good condition.

The building doesn’t have a fire alarm system or sprinkler system. We recommend installing both. We also recommend replacing the fire escape with a covered stairwell.

A structural evaluation should be completed to determine the cause of the sagging and water damage that is taking place on the fourth floor ceiling as well as the crack from the 3^rd to 4^th floor. After the problem is corrected, the plaster should be repaired.

The building should have a security system similar to the one mentioned above. The electrical system doesn’t appear adequate for the building. We recommend replacing the electrical service to meet the current needs and installing locking electrical boxes and light switches in the halls and courtrooms.

There are a couple of window A/C units, which indicate that the building air conditioning system is not adequate. There is also a concern that the cooling tower may be the cause of the sagging 4^th floor ceiling. We recommend revising the building cooling system to eliminate the cooling tower on the roof and eliminate the window units.

Total cost for suggested upgrades: $2,108,940.

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