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January 9, 2014

Arrival Survival …

winter

… took on a whole new meaning as the spring term began amid record-breaking cold. Blustery arctic air brought record low temperatures and wind chills in the negative double-digits but Pitt’s campuses remained open.

When temperatures fall, Facilities Management adds staff to make extra rounds after-hours and monitors building temperatures remotely via Pitt’s automated system to spot potential issues early, said trades supervisor Pat Bigley.

University facilities fared well overall, but the cold caused problems in some areas. Frozen equipment caused a loss of steam that closed Salk Hall on Tuesday and a frozen hydraulic line on a compactor sent smoke into Clapp Hall, setting off fire alarms but causing no damage, said Ken Service, vice chancellor for University communications. A water leak at Craig Hall was being investigated at press time Wednesday.

Frozen pipes flooded Pitt-Greensburg’s Millstein Library Sunday, damaging offices and the circulation desk. Library director Patricia Duck said the collections and equipment escaped damage; a temporary circulation area has been set up on the first floor.

—Kimberly K. Barlow

Filed under: Feature,Volume 46 Issue 9