Hello VCEA All Employees,

As we move through Fall into Winter we’ll experience 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

Facilities Services in Pullman plans to continue the slight 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 provided nearly $1 million in savings in utility costs last 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 509-335-9000

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 Neunherz at 509-335-3783.

Weather Impacts

High winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow events tend to cause power outages and can close highways.

We are also still seeing 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: 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.