Hello VCEA All Employees,
The fall season is here and with it comes some seasonal weather changes such as freezing temperatures, wind warnings, and for some areas the possibility of snow flurries. Below are a few facility reminders with respect to the weather changes.
Building Temperatures
WSU is in the process of switching buildings over to heat. Most buildings have recently had their chilled water lines drained and have been converted from cooling over to heat. The remaining buildings should be converted to heating by the end of this week. Heating is also being set to turn on at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which is back up to the pre-COVID temperature. For comparison, last year an area could get down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit before heat turned on. The temperature adjustments made last year (heating changed from 68 to 65 and air-conditioning from 76 to 78) saved WSU almost $1M in energy costs. With the temperatures back up to 68 again this year you may not need supplemental heat for your area, but if you do please follow the buying and use guidelines for space heaters.
If an area is slick with ice or snow, please contact 335-9000
The largest cause of injury at WSU is from slips, trips and falls. With winter weather comes ice and snow. Please be extra cautious when 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 at 509-335-9000 or notify Dar at 509-335-3783.
Weather Impacts
High winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow events tend to cause power outages and can close highways.
COVID -19 is also bringing supply chain disruptions that can be exacerbated by winter weather and storms.
Please prepare your vehicles, homes, and work areas to keep you safe while traveling, sheltering in place, or during periods of limited supply.
Laboratories Please Be Prepared In Event of Power Loss, Service Interruption, or Supply Chain Shortage
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.
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 the DI water.
Procurement Delay: Due to Covid-19 many supply and distribution chains are experiencing delays, interruption, or back-orders. If you have supplies that are critical to operating your lab please plan appropriately.
Emergency Contacts
In event of a life threatening emergency please call 911.
In event of a security or safety concern please contact the WSU Safety Services office at 509-335-1380.
In event of a facility issue (such as a water leak) please call Facilities Services at 509-335-9000.
In event of a lab 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.