School Inspection Program
Program Overview
Welcome to the home page for the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) School Construction Approval and Facility Inspection Program. ISDH’s Environmental Health Program inspects schools in response to complaints, while ISDH’s Sanitary Engineering Program reviews and approves plans for construction or alteration of schools. Both programs seek to insure safe facilities, proper water supply, and proper sewage disposal.
Announcements / Current News
Contact the Program
Indiana State Department of Health
Division of Consumer Protection
2 North Meridian Street, 5E
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-1325 (ISDH Main Switchboard)
Map
Program Manager
Todd Hite
thite@isdh.in.gov
(317) 233-7166
(317) 233-7173 [Administrative Assistant]
(317) 233-7047 [Fax]
Questions: engineering@isdh.in.gov
Directories
City and County Health Departments
Drinking water chemistry laboratories (Indiana-certified)
Water microbiology laboratories (Indiana-certified)
Public water supply samples are required to be tested by a certified laboratory.
Employment Opportunities
Learn more about Employment Opportunities with the Indiana State Department of Health.
Forms
Application for Construction or Alteration of a School Facility
Order Form for Drinking Water Sample Bottle
Anyone can submit a drinking water sample for sodium, fluoride, nitrate, or bacteriological analysis by the ISDH Laboratory. The ISDH laboratory will provide a sterilized sample bottle with shipping form and container, upon payment of the necessary fee.
Laws and Regulations
IC 16-19-3 Powers and Duties of State Department of Health and Executive Board
IC 16-20-1-25 Unlawful conditions; abatement order; enforcement (Public health nuisances)
IC 16-41-21 Health, Sanitation, and Safety: Requirements for School Buildings
410 IAC 6-2.1 Public and Semi-Public Pools
410 IAC 6-5.1 Sanitary Schoolhouse Rule
410 IAC 6-10 Commercial On-Site Wastewater Disposal
410 IAC 6-12 Plan Review, Construction Permits, and Fees for Services
675 IAC 20 Swimming Pool Construction Code
Links
Links associated with this program
Program Information and Policies
Abandonment or Removal of an Onsite Sewage System
Automatic Hot Water Temperature Control Valves
Automatic hot water temperature control valves regulate the hot water temperature at the point of use, to preventing accidental scalding. They are required to be installed in the facilities for which this Program reviews plans and specifications.
A planning guide including minimum requirements for the construction of vault privies.
A guide for architects and engineers on basic requirements for layout and design of on-site water supply and wastewater disposal systems at locations where such facilities may be approvable.
A communicable disease reference guide for school officials.
Diseases Caused by Sewage or Sewage Contaminated Water
Exterior Drinking Fountains and Yard Hydrants.
Many frost-proof hydrants and exterior drinking fountains allow for possible back-siphonage of contaminated water into a water distribution system. Therefore, approved non-freeze, non-polluting sanitary exterior drinking fountains and yard hydrants required to be installed in the facilities that this Program reviews plans and specifications for.
Frost-proof hydrants are used to prevent water outlets from freezing in the winter.
Information on why hand washing is important; how diseases are spread; when hands should be washed; the proper way to wash hands; and how hand washing can protect you and your family.
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by Histplasma capsulatum, a soil fungus common throughout the Midwest. Indiana has the optimum combination of temperature and humidity for the fungus to grow very well. While the illness is usually so mild that it may go unnoticed, for a small minority, usually those who are very young, very old, immunocompromised, or who suffer from a chronic illness, the illness can be quite severe. It can cause permanent damage to the lungs, blindness or death.
Indiana Public Water Supply Database.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management maintains this database. Using this portal, a person can determine for any public water supply its source water, treatment employed, population served, pertinent names & addresses, and results of the most recent chemical and bacteriological testing conducted.
Installation of Trench-type Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems
Onsite systems require care in site selection, design, and construction. Proper installation should help ensure years of trouble-free operation.
New (to Indiana) Onsite Sewage Disposal Technologies Information.
This web page provides general information on the department's review and approval process, and includes links to web pages containing information on new technologies that have been approved, and the status of those that are currently under review.
Pre-approved Exterior Water and Sewer Piping
Pre-approved Manufactured Septic Tanks
Rats and mice can be found in and around every town and farm in the country. It is estimated that there is one rat for every person living in the United States. Rodents have followed man to almost all parts of the world. They have no respect for social class; they are equal opportunity pests.
Safe Chemical Contaminant Levels for Drinking Water.
Click here to obtain information from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on maximum chemical contaminant levels for safe drinking water.
Sanitizing of Wells or Other Private Water Sources
Indiana Department of Environmental management provides information for sanitizing after a flood, and before the water supply is again put to use.
In essence, only temporary holding tanks can be approved, and only for a maximum of two years operation.
Guidelines for school officials who must develop a policy on the use of universal precautions to prevent bloodborne disease transmission during student athletic, extracurricular, or recreational activities.
Obtain information about water conservation; not only does it save water, but it saves energy, and it can save you money. Excessive water use burdens water utilities, overloads sewage treatment plants, and can cause residential septic systems to malfunction or fail.
Water Outage or Boil Water Order
This provides guideline for school officials and local health departments who must respond to water outages or boil water orders.
This is a guide for well-drillers and homeowners on the construction of safe, usable wells, including standards for construction of wells and installation of pumps and appurtenances.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitos which have first bitten an infected bird.
Reporting a Complaint
Report a complaint at engineering@isdh.in.gov
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