HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

10.7 Windows, Doors, and Hardware

10.7.1 Windows

Natural light into the interior, visual access from the interior to the outside, and visual access within the center are all important in environments for children. GSA advises that windows should be provided from classrooms to the outside, between classrooms, and from classrooms to circulation paths.

Both children and adults should be considered. The height and scale of windows, type of glass, clear view, control of light, and safety factors should be weighed.

The designer should provide an exterior window for every classroom as a minimum. If an interior space will be occupied by children, the design should allow optimal access to light and view via skylights, sidelights, windows, and clear lite doors with safety glass. GSA suggests that children's spaces have a total window area of at least:

• Eight percent of the floor area of the room, if windows face south directly to the outdoors.
• Ten percent of the floor area of the room, if windows face east or west.
• Fifteen percent of the floor area of the room, if windows face north.
• Twenty percent of the floor area of the room, if windows are not on an exterior wall. These windows must be oriented to capture the maximum natural light. Toilets, kitchen areas, laundry areas, multipurpose rooms, offices, conference rooms, lounges, and storage rooms do not need windows.

Windows systems (glazing, frames, anchorage to supporting walls, etc.) on the exterior facades of centers should be designed to mitigate the hazard of glass fragments or panes of glass flying into occupied space following an explosion at the exterior. The design must balance the features of the glazing, framing, and attachments with the capacity of the supporting structure to allow the system to have maximum resistance. Horizontal window muntins (horizontal mullions) should not be located between 2 ft. and 3.6 ft. above the finished floor, because they could be used as climbing support.

Windows should be placed lower at children's viewing height above the floor. Maximum windowsill heights for children are 1.5 ft. above the finished floor for infants, 2 ft. above the finished floor for toddlers, and 2.5 ft. above the finished floor for pre-school children. Sill placement lower than 1.5 ft. above the floor is undesirable, because furniture may be difficult to place in front of such a window. For the same reason, and due to the likelihood of drafts, glass to the floor is undesirable.

Windows and doors with glass lower than 3 ft. above the finished floor should have safety guards, or be constructed of safety-grade glass/polymer, and should be equipped with a vision strip. Wire glass would best be replaced with an approved alternative, if cost permits. All glazing should be clear glass. Tinted glass is not recommended, except when matching existing glazing, as in a renovation project.

10.7.2 Standards for Safety Glass

GSA suggest using the following standards:

• Consumer Product Safety Commission, 16 CFR, Part 1201, Safety Standard for Architectural Glazing.
• ANSI Z97.1, Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Testing for Safety Glazing Materials Used in Buildings.

Depending on local code requirements, operable windows may be mandatory to provide for rescue and/or ventilation. All operable windows should have draft deflectors, screens, and safety locks, and their design should prevent children from falling through. Exterior window glazing should be insulated glass. Interior windows should not be insulated, although interior spaces requiring acoustical separation may employ laminated glazing.

There should be light control and energy conservation features on all exterior windows in children's areas, either by exterior or interior methods. In new construction, exterior overhangs, low-E- glass, or both should be included in many areas of the country. They may be highly cost effective over the life cycle of the building, and may well justify a higher initial cost, particularly in elevations with excessive heat gain. Overhangs are highly desirable, but should be designed so they do not restrict natural light excessively, especially during winter months.

In addition, simple blinds, shades, or draperies should also be used where it is important to control light and heat gain. Valances may also provide color, sound absorption, and a noninstitutional appearance.

It makes sense to allow the staff flexibility in changing window treatments. Exterior windows in napping/sleeping areas may require window treatments to control direct sunlight. Light levels in all rooms, including sleeping rooms, should be maintained at a sufficient level to provide visual observation of the space from adjoining spaces. All blind cords should be kept out of children's reach.

10.7.3 Doors

GSA advises that doors and openings should include the following:

• Vision panels should be at adult and child viewing height, except on doors to adult toilets.
• All clear opening widths of doors in paths of egress should be a minimum of 3 ft. wide to allow for crib movement.
• Interior doors should swing in the direction of emergency egress. Exit doors should swing to the exterior. GSA advises avoiding Dutch doors, because children's fingers could be injured in the hinge space. In addition, young children are vulnerable to injury when they strike projecting hinges. Inexpensive devices fitting over hinges are available on the market and should be used to ensure safety.
• It is advisable to use panic hardware on exit doors in centers. Since this hardware is accessible to children, centers should consider installing alarms on doors with delayed-activation hardware for emergencies. Also, the designer should select doors that require the maximum amount of force allowed by ADAAG and applicable codes.

10.7.4 Hardware

All door hardware should comply with UFAS. Lever types appropriate for use by the disabled should be used on all door locks, on latch sets, and on the opposite side of a door leaf with a panic hardware device. To prevent injury, all doors should have closers that restrict the rate of closure. Doors accessible to children should have hardware operable from both sides, using components with smooth edges and without sharp protrusions. Door openings intended only for adult use should have hardware installed at adult height. Panic hardware should be mounted as per code.

All egress doors should be equipped with appropriate emergency hardware. Doors to the exterior that are not for children's use should have electronic magnetic locks that operate in an emergency. Main entrance doors should have an electronic strike release with a keypad or a card reader and remote release. Keypads and card readers must meet UFAS standards.