Chap. 187.—An ACT for the purpose of regulating the construction of public
school buildings in order that the health, sight, and comfort of all pupils
may be properly protected. :

Approved March 11, 1908.

Whereas, it is of great importance to the people of this Common-

wealth that public school buildings hereafter erected by any school
board shall be properly heated, lighted and ventilated; therefore,
_ 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the State
board of inspectors for public school buildings shall not approve any.
plans for the erection of any school building or room in addition
thereto unless the same shall provide at least fifteen square feet of floor
space and two hundred cubic feet of air space for each pupil to be
accommodated in each study or recitation room therein, and no such
plans shall be approved by said board unless provision is made therein
for assuring at least thirty cubic feet of pure air every minute per pupil,
and the facilities for exhausting the foul and vitiated air therein shall
he positive and independent of atmospheric changes. All ceilings shall
be at least twelve feet in height.

2. All schoolhouses for which plans and detailed statements shall be
filed and approved by said board, as required by law, shall have all halls,
doors, stairways, seats, passage-ways, and aisles, and all lighting and
heating appliances and apparatus, arranged to facilitate egress in cases
of fire or accidents, and to afford the requisite and -proper accommo-
dations for public protection in such cases. All exit doors in any school-
house of two or more stories in height shall open outwardly. No stair-
case shall be constructed except with straight runs, changes in direction
being made by platforms. No doors shall open immediately upon a
flight of stairs, but a landing at least the width of the doors shall be
provided between such stairs and such doorway. -

3. All schoolhouses, as aforesaid, shall provide for the admission ot
light from the left, or from the left and rear of the pupils, and the total
light area must be at least twenty-five per centum of the floor space.

4. Every school board shall provide at least two suitable and con-
venient outhouses or water-closets for each of the schoolhouses under
its control; unless the said schoolhouses have suitable, convenient and
sanitary water-closets erected within same, said outhouses or water-
closets shall be entirely separated, each from the other, and shall have
separate means of access. School boards shall see that said outhouses
or water-closets are kept in a clean and wholesome condition.