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The Office of Educational Facilities



Jack A. Villagomez
Senior Project Architect
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1054
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400


Ph: (850)245-9294
E-mail: Jack.Villagomez@fldoe.org

Maintaining and Operating our Public School and Community College Facilities

Holiday Hazards

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate our favorite holidays. Not to put a damper on happy times but real hazards such as fire and electrocution do exist at this time of year. Dry Christmas trees, ordinary crepe paper decorations, and plastic decorations may be classified as “highly flammable." Tree lights, extension cords, plugs without ground prongs, or wires separated from the plug head can cause a serious shock and fire ignition. For more information see below.under Informative Links and “What’s Wrong with Picture” - Holiday Hazards

Storage – Stairs:

Remember that exit stairs are a “Protected Means of Egress” and are to be treated as such. Occupants must be able to enter a stair and be protected from fire and smoke all the way out of the building. Regardless what other codes may allow as an exception, Department of Education does not allow storage in a stair including the area under the steps coming down from the floor above. This is serious enough to be repeated in SREF 5 (10)(a)34., 69A-58.0081(15)(c), and Florida Building Code 423.20.1 General storage. See Informative Links below - “What’s Wrong with this Picture”?

Casualty Safety: Display Cases

Did you know that trophy and display cases can present hazards if not placed carefully? Casework with glass doors and view panels must not block means of egress such as corridors or exit doors where they were not intended to be placed. In addition glass near the floor (18 inches or less) or under door height and near a walking surface (within 36 inches) must be tempered glass or safety plastic to not present the hazard of shattered glass. Be sure to take this into consideration when purchasing, constructing, or placing trophy and display cases. See SREF Chapter 5 (8).

Fire Safety: Residential Ranges

Residential scale ranges are not prohibited in home economics labs, classrooms, or lounges when complying with State Fire Marshal Rule 69A-58. Ranges do not have to meet the more stringent NFPA 96 requirements for commercial scale hoods so long as:

  1. Ranges have hoods vented to the outside.
  2. Fire extinguisher installed nearby
  3. Space is not an assembly. (50 people or more)
This is not to downplay the potential fire or casualty hazard presented to students and staff by frying equipment or other grease-laden vapor-producing equipment. See 69A-58-0083(6)

Upcoming Courses, Classes:


  • 2 day SREF / 69A-58 Course – Central Florida
  • 2 day SREF / 69A-58 Course – Panhandle Florida
  • Other 2 hour classes – Scheduled upon request principals/assistant principals

Informative Links:


Office Contact

Office of Educational Facilities
1054 Turlington Building,
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Telephone: (850) 245-0494
Fax: (850) 245-9236