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Show The Record responds j Why is the school district adding classrooms to Cedar High School when there is a basement under the building which is largely unused? s- There are several reasons why the construction at Cedar High is on the ground level rather than in the basement, said Superintendent J. Clair Morris. The two major reasons for not building in the basement are fire marshal! codes and code requirements for access by the handicapped. Fire codes for basement areas require the installation of a sprinkler system. Plumbing costs are very expensive. The code would also require additional exits out of the basement. Such exits would require stairs to the outside which would have to be covered on the exterior. In addition to outside exits, enclosed stairs would have to be installed in-stalled for internal access. The internal stairs would be located where offices now exist, thus eliminating needed office space. Codes for the handicapped would require the installation of an elevator, a very expensive item and one which would likely cause discipline problems and frequent maintenance. If rooms were added in the basement, basement restrooms would be needed. The sewer line that exits in the building is about four feet above the basement floor level. Therefore, it would require a pumping system to dispose of the sewage, he continued. There is also a dust problem in the basement which does not exist upstairs. up-stairs. A supplementary solar heating system is being utilized in the new rooms on the ground level. This would not be as feasable in the basement. I For the reasons cited above, the I construction is taking place on the j ground level rather than in the basement, Morris concluded. i "The Record Responds" provides a response column for questions con- I cerning any aspect of government or I happenings in local cities, schools, Iron County or the State of Utah. We don't j know all the answers, or even most of I them, but we're willing to find the i answer for you, our readers. Send questions to: The Record Responds . I 59 N. 100 West ' I Cedar City, Utah 84720 j |