2015 NYSED Building Condition Survey

All public school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York are required by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to complete a Building Condition Survey (BCS) for occupied public school buildings every five years.

For many school districts, 2015 marks the next cycle for the NYSED’s mandated Building Condition Survey process. Find helpful information about these mandated surveys below and how C.T. Male Associates Architects and Engineers can help you complete necessary requirements.

What is the Purpose of a Building Condition Survey (BCS)?

A BCS is a visual inspection conducted by a school district selected team consisting of at least one architect or engineer. The team conducts a visual inspection of all occupied school buildings to assess the current conditions of all program spaces in addition to major building systems and their components.  The survey is intended to assess the buildings for evidence of structural failure, movement or deterioration as well as determine or reexamine probable useful life, need for repair and maintenance and need for replacement.

Are There Any Exceptions?

There is an exception to this requirement for school districts or BOCES who have obtained a waiver from the New York State Education Department. To qualify, school districts or BOCES must have completed significant capital improvements since the 2010 BCS and can have their architect or engineering consultant submit a detailed report of the work undertaken to the NYSED. A waiver may be granted if the report demonstrates work equivalent to that required in the BCS.

What are the costs of a BCS and Is There Aid?

The costs for a BCS are typically calculated based on the total area in square feet of school building facilities. The cost per square foot can range based upon the level of useful information requested above and beyond that of the minimum required BCS format.

Aid for the BCS is paid at the district’s aid ratio up to the allowance, with the allowance being calculated by using the actual cost per square foot with a not to exceed reimbursement rate that will be announced by the NYSED at a later date. The available NYSED matching limit (at your District’s Building Aid Ratio) is expected to be more than 25¢ per square foot, as NYSED wants to encourage School Districts (and BOCES) to do more than the bare minimum regarding condition analysis and long-range planning.

Why Choose C.T. Male Associates to Perform Your 2015 Building Condition Survey

Because of our full-service capabilities, C.T. Male Associates can help school districts answer this challenge by digging deeper into the discovery and analysis of existing conditions and preparing a more useful, long-range plan. Along with the basics of completing the physical survey and all NYSED required form work, our Building Condition Survey services seek to find ways of combining and/or phasing recommended upgrade projects for greater efficiency and value for your long-range capital plan.

For more information about our BCS Services and capabilities, please contact Randall DeFranco, AIA at (518) 786-7400 or via email at [email protected].