N.M. Admin. Code § 6.27.30.8 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

These standards are not intended to supersede or omit, compliance with applicable building and fire code or any other code, regulation, law or standard that has been adopted by state agencies.

A. Building condition. A school facility must be safe and capable of being maintained.

(1) Structural. A school facility must be structurally sound. A school facility shall be considered structurally sound and safe if the building presents no imminent danger or major visible signs of decay or distress.

(2) Exterior envelope. An exterior envelope is safe and capable of being maintained if:

(a) walls and roof are weather tight under normal conditions with routine upkeep; and

(b) doors and windows are weather tight under normal conditions with routine upkeep; and

(c) the building structural systems support the loads imposed on them.

(3) Interior surfaces. An interior surface is safe and capable of being maintained if it is:

(a) structurally sound;

(b) capable of supporting a finish; and

(c) capable of continuing in its intended use, with normal maintenance and repair.

(4) Interior finishes. An interior finish is safe and capable of being maintained if it is:

(a) free of exposed lead paint;

(b) free of friable asbestos; and

(c) capable of continuing in its intended use, with normal maintenance and repair.

B. Building systems. Building systems in a school facility must be in working order and capable of being properly maintained. Building systems include roof, plumbing, telephone, electrical, heating and cooling, fire alarm, 2-way internal communication, external communication, appropriate technological infrastructure, and security systems.

(1) General. A building system shall be considered to be in working order and capable of being maintained if all of the following apply:

(a) The system is capable of being operated as intended and maintained.

(b) Newly manufactured or refurbished replacement parts are available.

(c) The system is capable of supporting the adequacy standards established in this rule.

(d) Components of the system present no imminent danger of personal injury.

(2) Plumbing fixtures. A school facility shall be equipped with sanitary facilities in accordance with the New Mexico building code. Fixtures shall include, but are not limited to, water closets, urinals, lavatories and drinking fountains. Restrooms shall be reasonably available so students will not have to exit the building.

(3) Fire alarm and emergency notification system. A school facility shall have a fire alarm and emergency notification system as required by applicable state fire codes and emergency procedures.

(4) Two-way communication and exterior site communication systems. A school facility shall have a two-way building interior communication system between a central location and each classroom, isolated office space, library, physical education space, cafeteria, and other regularly-used spaces. An exterior communication system allowing emergency instructions to be clearly broadcast from a central location to all outdoor site areas adjacent to the school building(s) shall be provided. Exterior communications systems shall be capable of remote administrator control.

(5) Technological infrastructure. A school facility shall have built-in technology infrastructure as appropriate to support all aspects of the educational, operational and administrative processes, with functional access to wired and wireless connectivity throughout all occupiable spaces. Wireless coverage and density shall be appropriate to serve all users' devices at all locations within the facility and at exterior seating areas adjacent to the building(s).

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 6.27.30.8

6.27.30.8 NMAC - N, 9/1/02; A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXX, Issue 23, December 17, 2019, eff. 12/17/2019, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXVI, Issue 01, January 14, 2025, eff. 1/14/2025