With winter on the horizon, Facilities Services is dedicated to keeping the campus safe and functional throughout the colder months. Different units within Facilities Services are actively engaged in essential preparations this fall and during the upcoming winter break.
Starting early in October, the Landscape Services team begins clearing campus roofs of debris, aiming to collect over 200 bags before heavy rains arrive. To prevent flooding, they deploy approximately 800 sandbags each year. Tree trimming is also scheduled for the winter break, primarily in campus housing and parking lots, to minimize disruptions to the campus community.
The Maintenance Services team is focusing on cleaning the power substation, which supplies electricity to the campus. This major undertaking, performed once every 5-10 years, involves inspecting, cleaning, and repairing high-voltage equipment shared with Riverside Public Utilities, or RPU. This increases system reliability and efficiency, and requires coordination between the entire UCR electric team and RPU to complete.
In a proactive effort to manage costs, the Energy & Engineering team has worked closely with UCOP to secure natural gas pricing for the next two years. This strategic decision stabilizes annual utility budgets and prioritizes heating preparations during winter.
The Building Mechanical team will also assist with a tie-in for the new Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Facility while focusing on several chilled water projects, ensuring optimal climate control as the season progresses.
While much of Custodial & Resource Management Services’ work occurs in the summer, winter shifts the focus to inspecting building entry mats. This ensures they are in good condition and in proper locations, promoting safety and cleanliness as students return to campus.
Even during winter curtailment, the Client Support team remains active, monitoring urgent issues, especially weather-related concerns like seasonal rain. This includes reviewing workbenches, phone lines, voicemails, and after-hours emergency logs to ensure that no urgent needs go unnoticed. Additionally, the Central Plant will be staffed 24 hours a day during the winter break to oversee the campus's four steam boilers, five chillers, and three thermal energy storage tanks.
The ASSET team is providing comprehensive financial, procurement, and administrative support across all FS units. This fall and into winter, their primary focus has been on two major projects: opening a new modular facility in the Corporation Yard for the custodial team and establishing a large facilities materials warehouse. The warehouse aims to revolutionize and streamline procurement activities, enhancing service quality and reducing turnaround times for campus service calls.
Acknowledgments are due to the Planning, Design & Construction team for their efforts in replacing roofs at Orbach Library, Speith Hall, the Physics Building, and the Geology Building. Their contributions significantly strengthen the campus's structural integrity heading into winter.
As Facilities Services continues winter preparations, these proactive measures reflect our commitment to the safety and comfort of the campus community. Teamwork and strategic planning help navigate the challenges that the winter season may bring.