SCHOOL BUII.Dlxr.S WD SITES. I9I 



BLILDINGS : ASPECT. 



Too much care cannot be bestowed in deciding' upon the aspect 



.and axial arrangement of the classrooms. In this country a 



northern aspect for the \\ indov>s is to be avoided on account of 



the extreme heat and long- exposure to the sun, Avhile a westerly 



outlook is undesirable for the same reason. 



The longitudinal axis of a classroom should be as nearly south- 

 west to north-east as possible, with the windows facing south-east, 

 but due regard must be paid to altitude, climatic conditions, pre- 

 vailing winds in summer and winter, and the local surroundings, 

 peculiar to the locality of the proposed building. 



There are, however, certain rules that apply to all cases, and 

 to such I propose to give prominence. 



BASE.MEXTS. 



Where l^asements are needed, trial holes should be sunk to 

 prove that the subsoil is not waterlogged or damp, for the expense 

 'Of constructing damp-proof walls and floors will be a serious 

 matter. 



No basement or cellar should be entirely below the surface of 

 ground, and the floor abo\ e it should leave at least 3 feet in 

 height for the admission of natural liglit and air "to all portions 

 of it. 



The floors should be of cement concrete, with asphalte finish, 

 turned up the walls if necessary, and the walls should be of an 

 impervious, non-absorbent material built in hydraulic cement 

 w ith vertical and horizontal damp-proof courses or cavities, as cir- 

 cumstances may require. Ample and permanent Aentilating flues, 

 with gratings to exclude animals, insects or driving rain, should 

 Ije formed through all walls above ground level, and some should 

 be carried down, in the walls, to admit fresh air about 12 inches 

 above the basement floor level. 



The floors should have a regular fall to a " sump," into which 

 water would flow in the process of washing", or in case of flooding 

 from any unforeseen cause, such as leaky roofs, defective win- 

 • dows or open doors on the rainy side of the building. 



EXTRAXCES. 



Entrances should be suflPicient in number for each sex and for 

 infants and be so placed as to separate one from the other. The 

 infants' entrance should be in proximity to that for the girls. All 

 should be roomy to avoid overcrowding on entry or release. Doors 

 should open outwards and be of sufficient width for the safe and 

 rapid discharge of scholars in case of fire or panic, while they 

 ■should be so placed as to be sheltered from prevailing winds and 

 driving rain. 



Where necessary, wind screens should be provided to the 

 exposed frontages, and where steps are required there should be 

 a flat or landing outside the doorway. Scrapers and door mats 

 should be provided, and racks with pans below them to receive 

 wet umbrellas on occasions. AWlls or sunk spaces for mats 

 ■^iTOuld be avoided to pre\ent accumulation of filth. 



