Bath County board weighs sprinkler option for middle school, approves masonry and inspection work at high school

The Bath County Board of Education on July 28 heard a design-development update on the Bath County Middle School renovation and was urged to move a sprinkler system from an alternate into the base bid to reduce likely change orders during construction.

Design-team representatives told the board the middle-school design is about 75% complete and that adding sprinklers to the base bid would simplify construction sequencing and reduce the number of unanticipated “holes” contractors would need to patch after demolition. The design-team representative said including sprinklers in the base bid would raise the construction-line item for HVAC, electrical and plumbing but could lower later change-order risk; board members were told the district would review formal cost figures at a documents review meeting scheduled for Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at the board building.

Why it matters: board members raised safety and budgeting questions. Staff said sprinklers are one accepted way to meet fire-protection requirements; alternatives include additional fire dampers, higher fire…