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Dear OSU Employees and Students,

 

I am sure you are aware of the record-breaking heat wave forecasted this weekend for the Willamette Valley. Temperatures could go as high as 110+ degrees, which will tax our ability to cool Corvallis campus buildings.

 

To further complicate matters, university building HVAC systems have been adjusted to bring in full outside air per COVID-19 requirements, meaning cooled air is not recirculated in building cooling systems, as it normally would be.

 

These conditions will place a huge load to our systems both mechanically and in terms of electrical consumption. At the same time, the record-breaking heat is regional in nature and the local power supply system will be heavily taxed by other users, which could lead to power outages or brown outs.

 

OSU Facilities Services crews are already busy working to address various cooling issues across the Corvallis campus. Crews will work this weekend to monitor, adjust and make repairs to our most critical systems with a focus on those campus operations most vulnerable to the heat - primarily protecting research, animal health and data centers. In order to maintain this focus. as well as protect our power supply, we need to temporarily reduce other cooling loads and electrical consumption.

 

In response, we plan to curtail air conditioning throughout the upcoming weekend in buildings we believe to be largely unoccupied through this period. These systems will not be completely shut down. However, their set points for cooling will be raised to an uncomfortable level for prolonged occupancy. The buildings affected are:

 

  • Kerr Administration Building (Cooling for the data center and 911 call center will remain in effect)
  • Valley Library
  • Austin Hall
  • The LInC Classroom Building
  • Kidder Hall
  • Rodgers Hall
  • Beth Ray Center for Academic Support
  • Owens Hall (Large chiller only. The smaller chiller will run for the research lab on the 4Th floor)

 

We will restore cooling in these buildings late on Sunday or early Monday morning. The impact to occupants is expected to be limited to a slight delay in restoring temperatures to normal on Monday morning. If there are operations or events in these buildings that this adjusted cooling plan will affect, please contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969.

 

Meanwhile, we ask that employees turn off all power-consuming devices not deemed essential before leaving for the weekend.  

 

We are sorry for any inconvenience this weather-related response may cause and thank you for your understanding and assistance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul

Paul J. Odenthal, PE, CEM

Senior Associate Vice President for Administration

Oregon State University

B204 Kerr Administration Building

Corvallis, Oregon 97331

Office 541-737-7367

Mobile 503-949-6209

 

Category: 
Campus Operations
Send Date: 
Friday, June 25, 2021