Addressing limited classroom spaces with
portable classroom relocations
Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design has been working on portable relocation projects on more than 75 different school sites to help address the lack of available classroom spaces in various school districts.
R
ecently, class sizes were reduced in B.C., creating a shortage of classroom space in many schools across the province. School District #36 (Surrey) is one example of a district that is working towards accommodating a growing
student population; currently they are experiencing a population growth rate of 10,000 new residents annually. This, in addition to reduced class sizes, means that classroom space is at a premium. The Surrey School District is not alone in this problem, and in the last year, Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design has been working on portable relocation
The portable classroom can be connected independently to site services or connect to the existing school, depending on what capacity is available.
projects on more than 75 different school sites to help address the lack of available classroom spaces in various school dis-
• Fire protection – We have encountered many challenges
tricts.
with BCBC limiting distances, fire access routes, and fire
Portable classrooms may not be ideal, but they are impor-
hydrants. Limiting distances restrict where a portable class-
tant as they offer a relatively quick solution to providing more classroom spaces rather than holding classes in a gymnasium or library. Our experience over the years has allowed us to identify many challenges that may present themselves during preparation of permit documents for a portable class-
room can be placed on site, as well as dictating fire ratings and construction materials; sometimes the ideal location is not permitted. Additionally, oftentimes the portables cannot be placed close enough to a fire access lane or fire hydrant, so new access lanes and hydrants need to be provided.
room relocation. Often, the most difficult part of a portable
• Zoning regulations – locating a portable on an existing site
relocation is choosing the best placement on site while con-
means that all current zoning regulations must be met. The
forming to current building code and zoning regulations.
most common problem this presents is regarding vehicle
These challenges include:
parking and setbacks. We have found in many cases that
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Ops Talk • Spring 2018
