Wilson Library Water even March 30, 2021

Description of event from Kelly Richardson, FM in bold:

On Monday 3/20/23 Nasseff came out to replace a sprinkler head in 204 Wilson Library in room 170E.   In order to do this work the system needs to be drained down to empty the sprinkler pipe where the head was being replaced.  In Wilson, these valves are located in the stairwells in the buildings.  Typically valves are associated to the spaces closest to them, unfortunately, this was not the case on this drain down and the valve was actually in the stairwell furthest away.  (Plumber turned off the NW stairwell....but instead he should have turned off the SW stairwell.)

As Nasseff started to unscrew the head at approximately 8am, it blew water.  Water was only on for 5 - 10 min. but the size of the sprinkler line was big enough to expel a large amount of water in a short amount of time.

Factors that contributed to this episode:

-The plumber is relatively new to the buildings on West Bank and is still learning the various equipment and systems in the building.

-The vendor tech that came out to do the work was not familiar with the building to help with that institutionial knowledge where turn offs are located.  We have regular Nasseff techs that service the building and have a lot of history on how this building operates.  That building knowledge was not present on this particular repair.

-Valves are not labeled with identifiying information on which areas they affect.  This is something the District will evaluate and plan to put into motion to have tagged or maps created that help prevent this problem in the future.  Ideally we should have laminated maps posted nearby fire suppression system,

Response:

FM and library staff promptly responded to the water event by vacuuming up the liquid, covering the collections that could be affected on the floor below. Employees set up fans to facilitate drying. 

FMHMP was contacted to assist with remediation and to assess possible damage to ACM in the area. FMHMP will be taking Asbestos air samples as a precaution to assure that the water damage did not cause an elevation of asbestos levels in occupied areas. 

The NW staff elevator T080 which serves sub-basement through 4th floor sustained water damage and will be out of service for an indefinite time. 

At 10:45 am Neil Carlson, UHS responded and worked with FM, FMHMP, U of M carpenters, and Wilson Library to identify the extent of the water damage with infrared cameras and moisture meters. The team worked together to develop a remediation plan for each affected area. 

1. Room 170E  - Carpet and furniture removed. Abate marked sheetrock, Remove and replace water damaged ceiling tile
2. 170B - Dry, treat and vacuum carpet by door
3. 170F - Remove most furniture, Dry, treat and vacuum carpet in whole office, Abate marked sheetrock on exterior perimeter
4. Abate marked area of sheetrock in170 D.
5. Dry, treat and vacuum carpet in cube offices immediately north of 170D and one office immediately south of 170D.
6. Remove marked ceiling tiles in B26, B27, B31A and B60.
7. Replace the removed vinyl base cove in room B31A.
8. Remove marked ceiling tiles outside room S-50.
9. Remove marked ceiling tiles inside room S-50.
10. Assist with drying elevator shaft and assess damage to materials in the lower shaft. 

Photos:

Room 170E Sprinkler head location with water damaged ceiling tile

Room 170E water damaged carpet tiles

Room 170F water damaged carpet - fan blowing on the orange area - carpet wet in blue area

Room 170F water damaged sheetrock outside the door

Water on concrete block wall behind vinyl base cove in room 31A

 

Area of water damage outside room S 50

 

Water damage to materials in the elevator shaft T080 in sub basement

Map of water damaged areas on the first floor of Wilson Library

Extracting sprinkler water

Office carpet water damage

First floor water damage

Clean up of water by elevator