Weisman Bldg #172 SE stairwell broken fire standpipe Jan 13, 2013

Information from Nicholas Greco, DEM with add information N. Carlson - DEHS
Work order#  W002103671

The Parking garage for the Weisman Art Museum flooded in the early morning hours of 1/13/2014. 

A 4" standpipe located in the east stairwell of the parking structure froze and then broke at the joint on level 1 causing water to flow to the "B" level. The standpipe is part of the fire supression system so when water began to flow it set off the fire alarms which also caused the fire pump to engage. MFD was dispatched and shut down the sprinkler system. Several thousand gallons of water ran filling the east stairwell until a door at the "B" level gave way from the weight of the water. The water then flowed out into the parking structure. 

The coil to the unit ventilator was hot as of 8:05 am.  The fan was not operating. 

There was damage to the wall, ceiling and door in the stairwell. There is a heater in the stairwell, but it is unknown if the heater was working or at what temperature the heater was set for. The heater appears to be destroyed from water damage.

The water level was at least up to this fixture above the door on level B. 

An assessment will need to be made to determine the amount of damage. The tile, heater and sheet rock will need to be replaced. - DEHS has done preliminary marking for removal. 

Building and insulation standards for this area were not designed to withstand the extended period of cold weather we just experienced; that coupled with the winter break and the maintenance temperature in the stairwell most likely contributed to this failure.

UMPD, MFD, DEM, DEHS, FM and Weisman staff responded to this water event. DEHS and FM remain on site at this hour (07:35).