Summers County Courthouse Detail Report

 

Component

Current Status

Recommendations

Cost

General Exterior

This courthouse has two stories and a basement and attic.  It was built in 1876, and is approximately 15,360 square feet, (26, 25, 27, 43).  The building is on the historic register.  The foundation appears to be made out of stone, and there is no evidence of foundation settlement or cracks.  No mortar appeared to be missing, but the bricks had been painted over.  Some of the paint is peeling off, (22), and there are some bricks missing, (52). 

 

The building will need to be repainted in the near future. 

$12,000

Exterior Walls

The exterior walls are painted over brick.  There was no evidence of water damage or efflorescence or moss and mold.

 

 

 

Roof

The sloped roof was replaced in the summer of 2001.  It has asphalt shingles and appears to be in good shape, (51).

 

 

 

Windows and Doors

Window materials included both wood and vinyl.  They are single pane, but they do put storm windows in for the winter.  The windows have been replaced but the date of that is unknown.  The only problem visible with the windows was there was some paint peeling from around them, (35).  The caulking around the windows and doors was either old or missing. 

 

The doors were made of either wood, aluminum/glass or steel, (32, 34, 37, 38, 47).  There was some corrosion and rust on some of the doors. 

 

The windows and doors should be re-caulked and cleaned as necessary of rust. 

$14,000

Fire Safety

This courthouse does have smoke detectors and fire alarm detectors, and exit lights although some of the exit lights were not lighted.  The annunciator panel is not working.  There were no sprinklers in the building, just horn alarms.  There were two ways out of every floor except for the basement.  The stairs are not enclosed by fire rated walls and doors.  There was some storage under the stairs, (9).  These items should be removed.  The doors do swing in the direction of the exit.  There are two ways out of each room that serves 50+ people, (17).

We recommend a sprinkler system be installed.

 

Install strobe lights.

 

Replace the lighted exit signs.

 

Replace the annunciator panel.

 

Install fire rated door at the top of the central stairwell.

 

Install fire rated door at the top of the annex stairwell.

 

$36,000

 

$2,600

 

$1,500

 

$2,350

 

$2,500

 

 

$2,500

Structure

 

No structural problems or overloading were found.

 

 

Security

There are no alarm systems in this building.  There is no metal detector at each entrance door.  There is no closed circuit TV system.  There is a metal detector at the entrance door to the courtrooms.  The judges have no bullet proofing material and no panic buttons.

 

Install a security system for the building with:

     Security system

     Alarmed exit doors

     Duress alarms

     Metal detector and x-ray machine for public entry

     Closed Circuit TV

     Security Console

     Ballistic material for judges bench

 

 

$5,000

$4,500

$1,600

$39,500

 

$4,500

$40,000

$1,500

Electrical

This building uses both fluorescent and incandescent lighting and each room is adequately lighted.  The electrical system is adequate and it enters the building overhead.

 

 

 

Mechanical

They do have a split HVAC system.  This system includes 3 Trane Air handlers.  They have a gas-fired boiler that is an American Standard, (5).

 

Install an air conditioning system in the annex to eliminate the window air conditioners and improve efficiency.

$4,000

Work Safety

No asbestos was noticed.  There also was not any efflorescence or moss and mold noticed.

 

 

ADA Compliance

There was at least one accessible parking space, but it was the wrong dimensions, (50).  The sign for the parking space did not have the fine printing on it, (49), and there was nothing painted on the pavement.  The handicap ramp is ADA compliant, (29), except that the handrails do not extend at least 1foot at the top and bottom.  The signage in the corridor is not mounted on the wall beside the doors.  There are no lever handles.  The accessible bathrooms are ADA compliant, (15, 16).

 

Install an elevator and modify 2nd floor to allow access to the courthouse and annex.

 

Install a lift for the jury box.

 

Upgrade accessible parking space with correct dimensions, correct parking sign and symbol.

 

Install proper ADA signage at each door.

 

Install level door handles

 

$80,000

 

 

$18,000

 

$240

 

 

$600

 

$6,000

Space requirements

There were some requests made for more storage spaces.  They did just purchase the old bank, which has 11,875 square feet.  There are plans being drawn up to redo the building to turn it into more storage and office spaces, (81).

 

Renovation of the old bank building for office and storage space including a security system.  They have recommended the space be used for storage as well as offices for the sheriff, magistrates and family court.

$600,000

 

Subtotal

 

 

$878,890

Soft Costs

Professional fees, permits, surveys and studies

20%

$175,778

Total

 

 

$1,054,668

 

 

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