# Educational Facility Design

## Classroom Standards

### Classroom Sizes
| Type | SF/Student | Total SF |
|------|------------|----------|
| Elementary | 28-35 | 700-900 |
| Middle school | 25-30 | 850-1,000 |
| High school | 22-28 | 850-1,100 |
| Lecture hall | 12-18 | Varies |
| Seminar | 25-35 | 400-600 |
| Computer lab | 35-50 | 900-1,500 |
| Science lab | 45-60 | 1,200-1,600 |
| Art room | 50-65 | 1,200-1,600 |

### Classroom Dimensions
| Grade Level | Preferred Size |
|-------------|----------------|
| K-2 | 28' × 32' (896 SF) |
| 3-5 | 28' × 30' (840 SF) |
| 6-8 | 30' × 30' (900 SF) |
| 9-12 | 30' × 32' (960 SF) |

### Seating Arrangements
| Type | SF/Student | Use |
|------|------------|-----|
| Rows | 18-22 | Lecture |
| Pairs | 22-28 | Collaborative |
| Pods (4-6) | 28-35 | Group work |
| U-shape | 25-30 | Discussion |
| Flexible | 30-40 | Multi-use |

---

## Special Classrooms

### Science Labs
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Size | 1,200-1,600 SF |
| Workstations | 24-30 students |
| Utilities | Gas, water, power per station |
| Fume hoods | 2-4 per lab |
| Safety | Eyewash, shower, fire blanket |
| Storage | 200-400 SF prep room |

### Art Rooms
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Size | 1,200-1,600 SF |
| Lighting | Natural + 75-100 FC |
| Flooring | Durable, cleanable |
| Storage | Flat files, shelving |
| Utilities | Deep sink, clay trap |
| Ventilation | Kiln exhaust |

### Music Rooms
| Type | Size | Acoustics |
|------|------|-----------|
| General music | 1,200-1,500 SF | RT60 0.6-0.8 |
| Band/orchestra | 2,000-3,500 SF | RT60 0.8-1.2 |
| Choir | 1,200-2,000 SF | RT60 1.0-1.4 |
| Practice rooms | 60-100 SF each | STC 50+ |

### Technology/STEM Labs
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Size | 1,400-2,000 SF |
| Power | 20A circuits per station |
| Data | 4+ drops per station |
| Flexibility | Movable furniture |
| 3D printers | Exhaust ventilation |
| Maker space | Storage, tools |

---

## Library/Media Center

### Size Guidelines
| School Size | Library Size |
|-------------|--------------|
| 250 students | 2,500-3,500 SF |
| 500 students | 4,500-6,000 SF |
| 750 students | 6,000-8,000 SF |
| 1,000 students | 8,000-10,000 SF |

### Components
| Area | % of Total |
|------|------------|
| Stacks/collections | 25-35% |
| Reading/seating | 35-45% |
| Technology | 15-25% |
| Workroom | 5-10% |
| Office | 3-5% |

### Seating Capacity
| Guideline | Seats |
|-----------|-------|
| Elementary | 10-15% of enrollment |
| Middle | 10-12% of enrollment |
| High school | 10-15% of enrollment |

---

## Cafeteria/Commons

### Dining Space
| Service Type | SF/Seat |
|--------------|---------|
| Elementary | 12-15 |
| Middle school | 13-16 |
| High school | 15-18 |
| Food court style | 18-22 |

### Seating Capacity
| School Size | Dining Seats |
|-------------|--------------|
| 500 students | 150-200 (3 lunches) |
| 750 students | 200-280 (3 lunches) |
| 1,000 students | 280-350 (3 lunches) |

### Kitchen Size
| Meals Served | Kitchen Size |
|--------------|--------------|
| 200-400 | 1,500-2,500 SF |
| 400-600 | 2,500-3,500 SF |
| 600-1,000 | 3,500-5,000 SF |
| 1,000+ | 5,000+ SF |

### Serving Lines
| Style | Capacity |
|-------|----------|
| Traditional line | 8-10 students/min |
| Scatter/food court | 15-20 students/min |
| Grab and go | 20-30 students/min |

---

## Gymnasium

### Court Sizes
| Type | Size | Clear Height |
|------|------|--------------|
| Elementary | 60' × 90' | 22' |
| Middle school | 84' × 50' | 24' |
| High school | 84' × 50' | 24' |
| Competition | 94' × 50' | 25' |

### Auxiliary Spaces
| Space | Size |
|-------|------|
| Locker room (boys) | 1,200-2,000 SF |
| Locker room (girls) | 1,200-2,000 SF |
| Team rooms | 400-600 SF |
| Storage | 400-800 SF |
| PE office | 200-400 SF |
| Athletic training | 400-800 SF |

### Bleacher Capacity
| School Size | Seats |
|-------------|-------|
| Small HS | 500-800 |
| Medium HS | 800-1,500 |
| Large HS | 1,500-3,000 |

---

## Administration

### Main Office
| School Size | Office Size |
|-------------|-------------|
| Elementary | 1,200-2,000 SF |
| Middle | 2,000-3,000 SF |
| High school | 3,000-5,000 SF |

### Components
| Space | Size |
|-------|------|
| Reception | 200-400 SF |
| Principal | 200-300 SF |
| Assistant principal | 150-200 SF each |
| Conference | 200-400 SF |
| Workroom | 200-400 SF |
| Records | 100-200 SF |
| Counseling suite | 400-800 SF |
| Health/clinic | 300-600 SF |

---

## Circulation

### Corridor Widths
| Location | Width |
|----------|-------|
| Main corridor | 10'-14' |
| Secondary | 8'-10' |
| Classroom wing | 8'-10' |
| Service | 6'-8' |
| Lockers (one side) | +18"-24" |
| Lockers (both sides) | +36"-48" |

### Locker Guidelines
| Level | Locker Size |
|-------|-------------|
| Elementary | 9"W × 12"D × 24"H (stacked) |
| Middle | 12"W × 12"D × 36"H |
| High school | 12"W × 12"D × 72"H |
| 12"W × 15"D × 72"H |

### Stair Capacity
| Width | Students/Min |
|-------|--------------|
| 44" | 45 |
| 54" | 60 |
| 66" | 75 |

---

## Support Spaces

### Restrooms
| Location | Fixtures |
|----------|----------|
| Per floor | 1 WC per 30 students |
| Near commons | Additional capacity |
| Near gym | Team toilets |
| Staff | Separate facilities |

### Storage
| Type | Size |
|------|------|
| General storage | 1-2% of building |
| Custodial | 1 closet per 5,000-8,000 SF |
| Outdoor equipment | 200-400 SF |
| Athletic | 400-1,000 SF |

### Mechanical
| System | Access |
|--------|--------|
| Rooftop units | Roof access |
| Boiler room | Ground floor |
| Electrical | Per floor |
| IT/telecom | Central + per floor |

---

## Code Requirements

### Occupancy Classification
| Space | Classification |
|-------|----------------|
| Classrooms | E (Educational) |
| Assembly (> 50) | A-3 |
| Gymnasium | A-3 or A-4 |
| Cafeteria | A-2 |
| Kitchen | A-2 |

### Egress
| Requirement | Value |
|-------------|-------|
| Occupant load (classrooms) | 20 SF/person |
| Occupant load (assembly) | 15 SF/person |
| Exit width | 0.2"/occupant |
| Travel distance | 250' (sprinklered) |
| Dead end | 50' max (sprinklered) |

### Fire Protection
| Requirement | Application |
|-------------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Required most jurisdictions |
| Fire alarm | Addressable, voice evacuation |
| Smoke detection | Corridors, commons |
| Extinguishers | Per code spacing |

---

## Sustainability

### Daylighting
| Space | Requirement |
|-------|-------------|
| Classrooms | Windows, skylights |
| Library | Natural light |
| Gymnasiums | Clerestory |
| Target | 2% daylight factor |

### Energy Efficiency
| Feature | Target |
|---------|--------|
| LEED | Silver minimum (many districts) |
| EUI | 50-70 kBTU/SF/yr |
| Envelope | Enhanced insulation |
| Lighting | LED, daylight controls |
| HVAC | High efficiency |

---

## Acoustics

### Background Noise
| Space | Max NC |
|-------|--------|
| Classroom | NC-30 to NC-35 |
| Library | NC-35 to NC-40 |
| Gymnasium | NC-45 to NC-50 |
| Music room | NC-25 to NC-30 |
| Auditorium | NC-20 to NC-25 |

### Reverberation
| Space | RT60 |
|-------|------|
| Classroom | 0.4-0.6 sec |
| Library | 0.8-1.0 sec |
| Gymnasium | 1.5-2.5 sec |
| Auditorium | 1.2-1.6 sec |

### STC Requirements
| Separation | STC |
|------------|-----|
| Classroom to classroom | 50 |
| Classroom to corridor | 45 |
| Music to adjacent | 55-60 |

---

## Security

### Access Control
| Entry | Control |
|-------|---------|
| Main entrance | Vestibule, intercom |
| Secondary | Card access |
| Playground | Fenced, monitored |
| Service | Restricted |

### CCTV Coverage
| Area | Cameras |
|------|---------|
| Entries | All exterior doors |
| Corridors | Full coverage |
| Commons | Multiple angles |
| Parking | Perimeter |
| Athletic | Entry points |

### Safe Rooms
| Requirement | Feature |
|-------------|---------|
| Storm shelter | Per local code |
| Lockdown | Classrooms lockable |
| Communication | PA and phones |
| Assembly | Designated areas |
