[ENCI-l] Tomorrow: Renovation Town Hall

Tue Mar 2 09:34:36 MST 2010

Schulich School of Engineering community,

Needless to say, you will have noticed that the renovations we  
mentioned in December are now well underway.
Below is an update memo from the project team.
Please come to the Town Hall tomorrow for more information or to ask  
questions.
We know this is a disruption!

SCHULICH RENOVATION TOWN HALL
Wednesday March 3
12:15- 1 pm
Engineering Student Lounge

==========================

MEMO FROM THE PROJECT TEAM

Construction activities for the Phase 1 Renovations are progressing
well throughout the Engineering Complex. However, we have received a
number of concerns that require addressing. Following is a list of
construction execution issues that you can expect to encounter during
the construction period, and what the University and the Project Team
have done to address them:

1.     Disruption:  The majority of areas should expect to have a
certain amount of disruption. The team will endeavor to minimize it,
but access to the spaces, removal of equipment to allow work in the
area, set up and dismantling, as well as cleanup will be required
throughout.

a.     Labs:  Most of the impact in these areas will involve advance
scheduling, with access time varying from 3 days to 2 weeks per room
to complete all systems. In some instances equipment will have to be
moved to allow set up of scaffold or ladders to perform the work.
Access has been coordinated between EH&S, Facilities, and the Project
Team to minimize the impact.

b.     Offices: These areas are relatively simple to work in.
However, as with the labs, offices will also require scheduled
access, equipment / document removal to allow the work to proceed.

c.      Classes:  Many construction activities by their very nature
produce noise, which can and will be disruptive to certain classes.
While the Construction Manager has made adjustments to conduct the
majority of noise-producing activities before 8:30 am, some noise
throughout the day will be expected. The Construction Team has a
schedule of exams, and will work around them to minimize disruption
during these critical periods.

d.     Corridors:  Hoarding and scaffolding take space that would
otherwise be free for traffic. Consequently, areas such as the
theatres, crush spaces, corridors, etc. will have traffic flow
somewhat disrupted. The Project Team, EH&S and the Fire Department
have been in constant communication to ensure the requirements for
adequate egress are maintained. We require that building students and
faculty be especially mindful of the access and egress to the
theatres. The posted signs directing people into and out of the
theatres should be followed to minimize congestion.

2.     Power outages:  The construction team uses power tools to
perform a multitude of tasks. It has become apparent that in certain
instances the existing circuits at the Complex are unable to handle
the current draw, thus tripping the breakers and affecting several
occupants. We are working to resolve these issues, but it would be
expected that sporadic power outages continue to occur while
construction work is ongoing.

3.     Dust and health concerns: The nature of the asbestos abatement
work and regular construction dust often leads people to believe that
unsafe conditions for the building occupants are present. We have
worked with the Project Team, EH&S and Facilities to ensure NO
hazardous conditions happen at any time.

As we progress through the renovation of the Schulich School of
Engineering, all asbestos abatement work is being completed in
accordance with the Alberta Asbestos Abatement Guideline
requirements.  Daily air monitoring in and around the work areas is
completed during active asbestos abatement work to ensure the air
quality meets the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Standards.
Additionally, regular demolition activities will be taking place in
various areas of the building; these activities involve the
demolition of non-asbestos-containing building materials.  As with
any construction activities dust generation is a natural occurrence
and will be managed as best as possible.  The dust being generated
during these construction activities does not present an exposure
risk to hazardous materials, but may cause discomfort in certain
individuals. The University of Calgary will continue to work with the
Construction Manager and its sub-trades to ensure a safe environment
is maintained for its staff and students during the Schulich School
of Engineering Renovation Project.

You are invited to attend our next town-hall meeting, scheduled for
this Wednesday March 3  at 12:15 pm in the Engineering Lounge, so we
can hear your thoughts and concerns, as well as to receive further
updates on where the project is going.

Thank you.

===============
Mary Anne Moser, PhD
Director of Communications, Schulich School of Engineering
Director, Banff Science Communications Program
office 403-220-3656
home office 403-949-3306
cell  403-629-3255
moser at ucalgary.ca

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