Top Stories
________________________________________
WATER, STEAM AND SMOKE HAVE KEPT FOLKS BUSY THIS PAST WEEK
There was a water main break between Woodward Library and the UBC Hospital last Friday which resulted in flooding of a hospital mechanical room. The break on the domestic water line fed into the steam line chamber which created a plume of steam and resulted in two sprinkler heads releasing which subsequently flooded the mechanical room.
Huge kudos to the staff who sprang into action to arrest the situation. Roger Cerny, Greig Samodien and the utility plumbers were front and center trying to isolate the water main break at UBC Hospital. This was a tricky fix as a steam line, sprinkler head and a diesel tank were all affected. Without some quick action by many staff and contractors we may have seen much more damage to the Hospital mechanical room and even some environmental impacts, but luckily the diesel leak was minimal and was kept out of the storm drain. Nice work team.
Forest fire smoke this week was affecting our VESDA systems. What is VESDA you ask? I didn’t know either…it is our Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus and yes it works very well. FLS had their hands full by-passing systems and coordinating fire watch on 9 buildings. With a reduction in airborne particulates all systems are now back on line. Nice work all.
________________________________________
WATERING RESTRICTIONS AND EXTREME FIRE RATING IN PLACE AT UBC
Continued record dry and unseasonably hot weather in May and June has led Metro Vancouver to issue Stage 2 water restrictions and an extreme fire rating for Pacific Spirit Regional Park and the lower mainland—both of which apply to the Vancouver campus. We anticipate these restrictions will continue for the rest of the summer and may become more strict.
An extreme fire rating means:
• No burn permits will be issued until further notice
• All burn permits already issued are suspended until further notice
• Campfires and briquette barbecues are prohibited
• Use of propane barbecues and gas stoves is permitted in approved facilities under direct supervision
• Fire safety practices are in place for all UBC landscaping crews
• Please be aware of spark and ignition sources; smokers should carefully dispose of butts and ashes in non-flammable locations
And as of Monday July 6th UBC Vancouver has changed its water use practices, in compliance with Stage 2 restrictions:
• Water ponds and fountains will be taken off potable water feed and drained where required to protect them from damage due to algae growth.
• Lawn and garden bed watering will occur once per week. Half the campus grounds will be watered on Tuesday and half on Wednesday. Newly planted area are exempted from the restrictions and will be watered more frequently.
• Window washing will be discontinued.
• Power washing will be discontinued.
________________________________________
WE NEED YOUR HELP. ASSET REVIEW SESSIONS SCHEDULED
Asset Strategy review sessions are scheduled on July 15 and 16 with managers, heads and sub-heads to provide feedback on our asset list. The purpose of these sessions will be to get input on the Asset list (sample pictured here), such as, who is responsible to do work on the asset, who is accountable for the work and which assets are regulatory. The sessions are in the Lower Mall Research Station room 122. We’d like to hear from you. If you’ve received an invitation, please make an effort to attend.
________________________________________
Quick Updates
________________________________________
DENISE TANG WELCOMED HER BABY BOY JAYDEN LAST JUNE 24.
________________________________________
REGISTRATION FOR THE POINT GREY TRIATHLON IS OPEN UNTIL JULY 20
________________________________________
NPS SCORE REMAINS AT 81%; 1 NEW PROMOTER, 1 DETRACTOR