Difference: ConstructionImpact (11 vs. 12)

Revision 1208 Nov 2008 - Main.DavidCowburn

 
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Most recent projected start date for rock excavation - 9 Jan 2009
 

Cryo EM

As many of you know, CUNY is building two new science buildings immediately adjacent to NYSBC. We now have some details about the construction schedule. Excavation will be the most disturbing and is currently planned after Oct 16, though these dates may shift. CUNY are indicating that the most disturbing activities (blasting, hoe ramming, debris clearing) will occur between Monday and Saturday during this period. These activities will cause enough noise and vibration that the microscopes will likely be unusable while they are working.

Our solution to this problem is to shift NYSBC CEM operation to late afternoon/evening. Our official hours of operation are now 9 am to 5 pm, and we plan to shift to a 2 pm to 10 pm schedule. These hours may be shifted even later if CUNY decides to work overtime (normal ending time for them is 3:30). They have agreed to provide more specific details so that we may work normal hours during quiet days, or when construction is far from the building. Thus, a more specific schedule will be posted on the intranet ( CemConstructionschedule ) on an ongoing basis and we will send out an email to all users each week detailing the schedule for the following week. We also will encourage use on the one truly quiet day, Sunday.

Staff will be present during these shifted hours, and All Hours certification will not required as long as NYSBC staff are present. Nevertheless, we encourage all users to obtain All Hours certification for maximum flexibility during this time (instructions can be found at http://www.nysbc.net/procedures/C14/). In addition, it may be possible to collect data overnight with help from automation software; this will depend on the type of sample and whether the user is required to be present for sample identification.

We apologize for this disruption in the schedule. Remember that the main construction is not scheduled to begin until the end of August, so please try to make best use of the available month of quiet time.

-- William Rice, Ph.D.

NMR

There are no expected impacts on NMR facility operations. Several magnets are being vibrationally monitored, but there should be no effect on users. Please advise of any adverse experience ASAP to nmrschedule@nysbc.org

Other

Because of this construction, the following steps are being taken
    1. Security. The guards are being instructed to observe strictly that only individuals with NYSBC ID cards can be regularly admitted. Any others require that staff respond to the guard's inquiry or have made a prior arrangement for their admission.
    2. All hours and non standard hours. FOR FIRE SAFETY PURPOSES ONLY -- on regular work days, the guard will make an announcement and will expect phone response every 3 hours starting at 600P. This will also be done weekends every 3 h when the building is occupied. Again, the only purpose is to avoid a complete search of the building by FDNY in event of fire alarm. The low density of occupancy during the checked hours requires this safety measure. Your cooperation will be appreciated.
    3. Construction related activity changes and information. There will be advisories on construction on a regular basis as indicated for EM above.
    4. Parking. There is now considerable oversubscription for the 133rd St lot. Note that there are commercial lots available.
    5. In the parking lot and in the surrounding streets, it is likely that there will be people unfamiliar with the area and driving without proper attention. Please be very alert to the danger of traffic.
  1. Evacuation and Alert Drills. In order to test the communication systems, and people's understanding of the procedures, you should expect there to be a Evacuation drill, similar to that expected for a Fire Alarm in the near future. Your cooperation in evacuating and reporting to the guard outside the building to ensure completion will be greatly appreciated.
    1. Additionally, to check the Alert system, there may be periodic Alert drill announcements, with a request for a selection of people to respond by phone back. This is intended to test the coverage of the alert system over the phone loudspeakers.

 
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