All public school buildings and school-related buildings, including temporary/mobile classrooms, in the Kane County Regional Office of Education jurisdiction are inspected annually to assure compliance with the standards necessary to ensure the health and safety of public school students in Illinois. The ROE completes over 200 HLS inspections annually for the 9 school districts in Kane County. As required by law, a record of the annual inspection is sent to the president of the school board and a summary is filed annually with the State Board of Education. In addition, results from required State Fire Marshall inspections are reported through the ROE to the school districts and the state.

Every 10 years, each public building must be re-surveyed for continued compliance by an architect or engineer licensed in the State of Illinois. The “Safety Survey Report” lists any items necessary to bring the building into full and continual compliance. Upon completion of outlined work, the district verifies compliance with a licensed architect or engineer in a report filed with the ROE and the building is awarded a certificate of compliance.

The ROE is also responsible, through the Regional Superintendent of Schools, for statutory compliance with established standards in the construction, remodeling, and demolition of public school buildings. The Regional Superintendent assures school board approval of construction plans, review of construction plans for code compliance, issuance of the building permit, and upon review, issuance of school occupancy permits. Further, the Regional Superintendent assures code compliance for temporary/mobile classroom units throughout the region in cooperation with licensed architects or engineers retained by local school districts. Records of all amendments and construction information are kept on file in the ROE.

Below are various documents for schools performing construction. More information can be found on ISBE’s HLS webpage. 

Health Life Safety Inspection Documents

Required Documents to Be Presented To The ROE Inspector At The Beginning Of The Annual Inspection:

  • 2017-2018 Life/Safety Verification Form (Fully Completed/Signed)
  • Documentation of Annual Review of Crisis Management Plan
  • Approved Appliances/Residential Lighting List
  • Approved Residential Furniture/Residential Fabrics List
  • School Chemical Inventory
  • Science Department Chemical Inventory (if applicable)
  • School Drill Documentation Form for Previous Year
  • Emergency Lighting Maintenance Log
  • Stage Flameproof Curtain Certificate (if applicable)
  • Safety Reference Plans

NFPA 70E and NEC state that facilities must provide:

  • Safety Program with defined responsibilities
  • Analysis for arc flash hazard degree
  • Training for workers
  • Personal protective equipment (clothing) for workers
  • Tools for safe work
  • Warning labels on equipment

School Chemical Inventories are required for each school. The Inventory may be hard copy or on a CD. All chemicals, including cleaning products, gasoline, detergents, hand sanitizers, etc. should be included. A copy of the school’s chemical inventory must be presented at the beginning of the annual inspection. Minimum requirements are:

  • Name of the Chemical
  • Quantity at the beginning of the school year
  • Quantity at the end of the school year
  • Usage during the year
  • SDS for each type and brand of chemical (Main office file and at place of storage/use)

Science laboratory inventories are separate from the school’s chemical inventory and must be presented at the same time. Minimum requirements are:

  • Name of the Chemical
  • Purchase date and quantities purchased
  • Quantity at the beginning of the school year
  • Quantity at the end of the school year
  • Usage during the year
  • SDS for each type and brand of chemical (Main office file and at place of storage/use)

as of 8-8-2013

Required Documents for Building Permit

Required Documents for Occupancy Permit