12/14/2005		Expected Snow/Ice Storm
12/14/2005		December/January Work Schedule for Facilities Management
9/1/2005		Driving on College Avenue Next Week
8/30/2005		August 30 Maintenance Update
7/22/2005		New Fence & Utility Work

I am writing to brief you on our plan to deal with the expected snow and ice storm that is predicted to begin late tomorrow afternoon. The current weather forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of snow beginning between 4 and 6 PM tomorrow followed by 1/4” of freezing rain. Each snow storm requires a specific management plan depending on the timing of the storm, the type of precipitation (light or heavy snow), the temperature, anticipated wind, etc.

During a snow only event we usually begin removing the snow soon after it falls using our motorized brooms. We do this to prevent packing of the snow that creates slippery conditions requiring ice melting material. However, when snow followed by freezing rain is predicted we allow the snow to lay on roads, walks and parking lots and remove it, and the accumulated ice, after the end of the ice storm. By doing this we isolate the pavement from the ice with a layer of snow that can be removed along with the ice coating. If we removed the snow and allowed the ice to form on the sidewalks we would have very slippery conditions requiring a major ice removal effort using lots of ice melt. An additional benefit is the more secure walking surface the snow provides when compared to a sidewalk covered with ¼” of ice.

If the storm arrives as predicted you will not see our snow removal equipment on the paths, roads and sidewalks when the storm begins but you will see them in action when you come to work on Friday morning. Of course, if Mother Nature changes her mind we will adjust our storm management plan accordingly.

Since there will be ice covered snow on the paths, roadways and parking lots when you arrive for work on Friday morning please wear appropriate shoes and/or boots that provide good traction on ice and snow.

A spreadsheet summary of December/January work can be seen here.

December/January Work Schedule:

As our facilities are used heavily throughout the year the only time we have to complete disruptive work is during the December/January break. Since many members of the College community continue to work during this time the opportunity to perform work that makes buildings un-useable is limited to the period between Christmas and New Year. During the December/January break we have scheduled a number of facility enhancements that you can see on the Facilities Management website.

I want to call your attention to one of the projects that will impact Nicarry and Steinman during the time the College is closed between Christmas and New Year. We will be replacing the Nicarry main switchgear on December 27, 28 and 29^th. During this time limited electrical service to Nicarry and Steinman will be provided from the Wenger transformer. From 7:00 AM on December 27 to late in the day on December 29^th power in Nicarry and Steinman will be limited to hot water heating pumps and ITS. Other than these areas the buildings will be dark and heating will be limited to the amount needed to keep the buildings from freezing.

I will remind you again about this planned outage on December 21 so you can shut down computers, printers and any other sensitive electronic equipment in your areas before you leave. Also, please take any temperature sensitive plants home and it you have a fish tank, please consider other homes for your fish during this time as there will be no electricity available for aeration pumps or tank heaters.

The replacement of the Nicarry switch gear is necessary as it dates to the construction of the building and the manufacturer has gone out of business making replacement parts unavailable. The Nicarry switch gear will also provide power to the Business Building and to the chilled and heating water capacity expansion that is taking place in to heat and cool the Science, Mathematics and Engineering Complex and the Business Building.

Thanks for your patience as we complete this important utility infrastructure project.

    On Saturday we excavated the 3” heating water lines connecting Steinman to the Nicarry heating system and found that they were badly corroded and require replacement. The original lines were installed over 30 years ago using direct burial pipe technology available at that time and over the years the water has entered the insulation and the pipes corroded resulting in the leak. It is a good thing that the leak occurred now rather than during December when we would have to be concerned about providing alternative heat to keep Steinman comfortable and to prevent freezing! 

    After locating the leak and determining the condition of the pipe we cleaned up the area and covered the excavation with steel plates to allow access to the building. This allows us time to locate the materials we need to replace the pipe, to make preparations for access to Nicarry while the work is taking place and to schedule the contractors to assist us in replacing the pipe. We are currently attempting to locate direct burial pipe similar to the pipe we installed last summer to connect the planned Science Mathematics and Engineering complex and the Business Building. This pipe is designed for direct burial with non-hydroscopic insulation and a waterproof covering to protect the insulation and to act as the primary water barrier. 

    On Tuesday we plan to complete the excavation, remove the deteriorated pipe and to take final measurements so we can order replacement pipe. Once we have completed this phase of the work we will cover the excavations to allow access to the area while we await the arrival of the pipe. 

    To allow access to and from Nicarry while work is underway we are removing the railings on the south side of the exit landing and installing temporary stairs to allow access to the building. When work is going on, you may need to walk around Steinman or use the southwest Nicarry doors to walk to the west. 

    As soon as we have a delivery date for the pipe I will let you know the anticipated completion date. Please exercise caution when walking around the work area.

    A new fence will be going up around the building site of the future Business Building. You can see an enlarged map of where this fence will be placed here.
 
    For a detailed description of utility work taking place at the James B. Hoover Center for Business site, please visit this site.