12/14/2005		Expected Snow/Ice Storm
12/14/2005		December/January Work Schedule for Facilities Management

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.