Hello All VCEA Pullman Employees,
As we move through Fall into Winter, we’ll experience seasonal weather changes such as freezing temperatures, wind warnings, and ice and snow storms. WSU also implements a period of reduced operations in late December / early January, when normal campus and building services are reduced or closed. The following information is provided as a quick guide on the preparations you might want to make in anticipation of these events.
Building Temperatures
Facilities Services in Pullman plans to continue the building temperature setbacks initially implemented during the pandemic. The targeted setpoints will keep most spaces between 65F–68F. Those spaces identified in previous years that require setpoints higher than this range (e.g., certain labs, health care spaces) will not be affected and will remain at their adjusted setpoints. The goal of these temperature adjustments is to help offset higher energy costs and lessen the impact on the central utility budget. These slight adjustments to the setpoints have provided nearly $1 million in annual savings in utility costs. You may not need supplemental heat for your area, but if you do please follow the buying and use guidelines for space heaters.
Weather Impacts
High winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow events can lead to damage, cause power outages and can close highways. Please ensure that workplace windows and doors are closed and locked when you leave an area. Please also prepare your vehicles, homes, and work areas to keep you safe while traveling, sheltering in place, or during periods of limited supply.
Slick Area
If an area is slick with ice or snow, please contact 509-335-9000. The largest cause of injury at WSU is from slips, trips and falls. Please be extra cautious when getting in and out of vehicles, navigating metal areas such as grates, street crossings and curbs, and high traffic areas with compact snow or ice. If you find an area that is a hazard please call it in or notify VCEA’s Operation Coordinator Jake Acey at jacob.acey@wsu.edu.
Laboratories
Please be prepared in event of power loss or service interruption
Power Failure
A power failure is one of the most likely emergency situations at WSU and depending on what you are operating can create a high-risk situation quickly. Please exercise caution in your emergency preparation planning around a power failure. Note: VCEA has no buildings with backup power. When the power goes out power outlets do not work, hoods do not work, the air systems shut down, and elevators halt. (For PACCAR occupants’ toilets will also not flush – the building’s water reclamation system provides the toilets with water, but does not operate in a power outage.) The only systems that consistently work in a power failure are emergency lights, fire alarms, and emergency fire sprinklers. WSU does have generators but they are only used for an extended power loss, and only certain areas of campus may be brought online with the generators. If you have equipment that cannot lose power or tolerate power fluctuations you may want to consider installation of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Water Outage
While it is not typical, there are occasions that a building’s water will go down. This might affect equipment or areas that are water cooled or systems that are on DI water.
Period of Reduced Operations & Building Access
WSU campus buildings and services will close or be available in a limited manner starting December 23rd 2024 through January 1st , 2025. Normal business operations resume on January 2, 2025. During this period campus buildings will be closed and building temperatures will be reduced (exception being laboratory spaces – temperatures will be held at normal levels). If you need access into VCEA buildings during this period they will be locked. Please verify with your School or Department administrator that you have building access via Cougar Card or key.
Emergency Contacts
- In event of a life threatening emergency call 911.
- In event of a security, personal, or property safety concern, or if you’ve been locked out of a building accidentally, please contact the WSU Public Safety Office (WSU Campus Police) at 509-335-1380.
- In event of a facility issue (such as a water leak or utility outage) please call 509-335-9000 for immediate response, and follow up with a notification to drussell@wsu.edu so that VCEA Facilities can help expediate any necessary remediation or repair.
- In event of a laboratory safety issue please contact Environmental Health & Safety at 509-335-3041, or as appropriate the Office of Radiation Safety at 509-335-8916.
For any concern please feel free to contact the VCEA Director of Facilities Operations and Safety Services directly at 509-335-3783 or 509-432-1649 or drussell@wsu.edu.
Wishing you a safe and wondrous winter season,
Dar
Darlene Russell-Neunherz, MBA
Director, Facility, Operations & Safety Services
Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture
Washington State University
Carpenter Hall 516
Phone: 509-335-3783
drussell@wsu.edu