An experiment in improved ventilation in the school building

A DEMO has now been installed in the school building, to show and test one way to improve ventilation and thermal comfort. It relies upon a simple hook-and-eye latch.

Below the jump, this post illustrates the demo and discusses its intended use.

Water intrusion on south wall, apparently through nearby window

A MOSTLY VERTICAL CRACK appeared in mid-January in the newly repaired and painted interior plaster surface of the south wall. It’s in a portion of the wall that did not have cracking previously: at Row 15 of the seats. For a couple of weeks, I could not account for what caused it. 

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post discusses the problem.…

About our “fur safe”

A STANDING SAFE rests in the southeast exit corridor on the main level of our historic sanctuary building. It holds both spare and defective Torah scrolls.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post describes the safe.…

What is supporting the floor under the exit corridor? Maybe not much.

DURING THE ANNUAL termite inspection on August 30, 2022, our inspector came across a crawl space below the southeast exit corridor (connecting the sanctuary with the play yard) and above the ceiling of the mechanical rooms in the corner of the Social Hall. He spied a badly damaged floor joist, as shown in the photo below — and described at the end of a post I made at the time.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

We promptly treated it so as to arrest its deterioration. However, we were unable to see or reach its easternmost end (as would be needed in order to replace the joist), due to the presence of a large metal duct that was blocking access.

Yesterday, Ruben and I figured out another way to get to that previously inaccessible corner of our building. Below the jump, this post describes what we did, and what we found.…

What’s the grand plan for our facilities?

YES, WE HAVE a grand, multi-year plan for the rehabilitation of Mishkon’s facilities. It is based on the 2003 Historic Structure Report, which offered us a list of priorities largely from a restoration perspective, and the 2019 Property Condition Assessment, which suggested measures based on a standard facilities management perspective.

Below the jump, this post gives an overview of our facilities plans. It lays out recent accomplishments and what is cued up for the future.

Before altering our school facility, we must notify state gov’t

BECAUSE WE HOST a preschool, one stakeholder that we need to keep in mind is the state Department of Social Services. 

Last week, our preschool director pointed me to California’s Child Care Center General Licensing Requirements. 

In particular, Title 22, Division 12, Article 7 is about the Physical Environment. This is the section that pertains to our building-and-grounds concerns. It begins (emphasis added):

1. Prior to construction or alterations, the licensee shall notify the Department of the proposed change(s). 
2. The Department has the authority to require the licensee to obtain a building inspection by a local building inspector if the Department suspects that a hazard to children's health and safety exists. 
3. Prior to construction or alterations, state or local law requires that all facilities secure a building permit. 

The above are among the conditions for retaining a preschool license.