Top Stories
APPA AUDITORS ARE COMING NEXT WEEK TO SEE WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT
APPA (http://www.appa.org/) is sending a team of 4 experienced facility professionals to help review Building Operations. Come learn more about the review at 1:15 – 1:45 Wednesday in USB Training Rooms 042A&B. UBC will receive a debrief of the visit Thursday and then a written report some weeks following. We are all looking forward to the advice this group can give us on what we are doing well and what we can be doing to improve towards best practice. The report findings will be shared at a town hall in the fall.
WATER INFILTRATION POSES RISK TO IT HUB AT ANGUS
The waterproofing project of the exposed IT Hub at Henry Angus Tower is now underway, with the contractor having recently exposed the slab, and will soon be preparing the surface for a new membrane. A brief history of Building Ops’ involvement is as follows:
We were notified of the leak in Jan. 2017, and met with the client to review the condition and extent of the water ingress. Water was leaking into the IT communications room, with the potential to damage some of the equipment. We reviewed original drawings, and recommended a repair strategy, involving excavation, installation of a new membrane, new perimeter drainage, and a traffic coating on the covered, open deck area. We provided cost estimates, and assigned the work to a project manager in Project Services.
This is a great example of Building Operations sharing our knowledge and expertise to help improve outcomes for the university and mitigate risk of equipment failure for others. Well done architectural team.
UBC ACTIVATED THE EOC ON JULY 12–BUILDING OPERATIONS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN RESPONSE AND COMMUNICATIONS OF THE POTENTIAL EXPLOSIVE EVENT
On July 12th, 2017 the university activated our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and Building Ops was there to help make sure the incident was managed and communicated effectively.
Here is a summary of what happened:
July 11th Environmental Services (Risk Management Services) was notified by Chemistry Department that in the process of decommissioning a lab, potentially explosive samples were identified. Chemistry, following protocol, contacted the RCMP bomb disposal unit to assist with the safe removal (detonation) of the chemicals.
July 12th RCMP planned a controlled detonation of the chemicals. The preferred detonation location was identified as immediately adjacent to the Chemistry building (at University Boulevard and East Mall). This required UBC to identify all potential risks to the identified site such as underground utilities, adjacent buildings, public safety concerns for the surrounding area and communications requirements.
Due to the logistical demands required to support the detonation, and associated building evacuations, UBC activated a core Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to facilitate and ensure resources and safety were available. Meanwhile Building Operations activated our DOC in USB 1020 to ensure that the operations group was in the loop and able to help where deployed.
At the EOC the follow actions were undertaken
- Identification of a public safety mitigation strategy (road and building closures…)
- Communications plan for campus community – and launched on ubc.ca
- Notification to Translink and contractors working in the area
- Preparation of detonation site
- Clean up requirements
At 11:00hrs –New information became available on the actual volatility of the chemicals which allowed for a more conservative disposal of the samples (on-site neutralization). RCMP stood down and handed over site responsibility to the Department of Chemistry. The EOC sent out corresponding communications to the campus community and recalled operational resources. Risk Management Services will work with the Department of Chemistry to ensure an after action review of this incident is completed and lessons learned will be identified and implemented.
While in the end nothing was detonated it was amazing to see our campus jump into action to ensure that this RCMP activity could be safely conducted and well communicated.
Huge thanks to John Sacre and Steve Henzel who were in the EOC with Karyn. To Jason Wright and Mike Giannis who were coordinating activities on site and to Patrick, Francois, James and Deb who manned the DOC to ensure our department provided good info to the EOC.
This was a great practice. There will be a further debrief in the weeks to come so we can make sure we continue to learn how to handle unexpected emergencies such as this.
CELEBRATE OUR E3 PLATINUM AWARD THIS THURSDAY IN THE USB ATRIUM
In 2014, Building Operations was awarded E3 Fleet’s Platinum rating. It’s E3 Fleet’s highest designation which recognized the most fuel efficient and environmentally-conscious fleets in Canada. This year, we did again!
Come to the award presentation and enjoy coffee and cake.
When: Thursday, July 27
Time: 1:45 – 2:15 pm
Where: USB Main Atrium
BE AWARE OF SCAM PHONE CALLS
Please be vigilant if you receive unexpected phone calls from a number that you do not recognize.UBC IT Help Desk will never phone you at home to provide check-ups and upgrades on your computer without reason. If you are unsure, ask for the caller’s name and phone number, then verify by contacting the Help Desk at www.it.ubc.ca/helpdesk.
Recently, a faculty member received a call at home from someone pretending to be a UBC IT staff member and offering to update their computer. This is a “Windows Tech Support” scam, where the cybercriminal is hoping to install malware onto your computer.
CHECK OUT ONE-ON-ONE SERIES INTERVIEWS FEATURING KARYN MAGNUSSON
Karyn is currently featured in UBC’s One-on-One series. The series exposes staff and faculty to our senior leadership: who inspires them, what they value most in their colleagues, and what they think makes UBC different.
Read Karyn’s interview here.
VIEW UBC’S 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT UBC’S 2016-17 AT ANNUALREPORT.UBC.CA
UBC’s 2016-17 Annual Report has launched in a new downloadable format, it includes top highlights, high-level performance measures and financial information.
Take some time to read the many accomplishments of our students, faculty staff and alumni over the past year at annualreport.ubc.ca.
Quick Updates
RSVP BY FRIDAY FOR THE ANNUAL STAFF WELCOME BACK BBQ
ATTEND APPA INFO SESSION ON JULY 26, 1:15PM
NPS SCORE DECREASED TO 79% WITH 4 NEW PROMOTERS & 2 NEW DETRACTORS.