Fire Door has been Replaced!

As previously announced the fire door that was installed between the main library building and the tower when it was built back in the mid "70's, needed to be replaced and thus the area was prepped last week with drywall removal and protective passage barriers.  Wednesday night after closing a demo crew came in and removed the steel bracing for the door:

This also gave us a view of the "Back of Jackson", not seen for many years:

Saturday, while we were closed, the Overhead Door folks (contracted for the new door) removed the old door:

And installed a new door:

Admittedly, there is not much difference looking at them rolled up but the new door will have new controls and smoke detectors that activate as needed.  This door is not tied directly to the main alarm system but operates independently based on circumstance.  And we are fortunate that this was able to be accomplished on a day we were closed because it was loud, noisy and messy:

This week is clean-up and rebuild, for a safer new year. Cheers!

Fire Door Replacement Project

This is an FYI about and upcoming facilities project.  Back in the mid '70's when the book tower was added to the main building, the dividing gate, which we use for 24/5 separation and a fire door were installed at the opening created, which is now our first floor lobby and main traffic corridor.  This fire door is expected to drop and create a barrier between the buildings in the event of a fire on either side.  This door is now in need of replacement and this project will begin on December 12th.

On December 12th, the demo of the wall on the Access Services side will begin and a plastic dust tunnel will be installed for passage through the work area.  The computers and new books will be relocated during this activity.  On December 17th, which is a Saturday and the library is closed, the old fire door will be switched with the new one and the following week will be the hook up and rebuild of the walls. 

Hopefully this project will conclude before we are out for the holiday, any leftover work will occur the first week of January and the expectation is that we are complete and put back together by the start of classes on January 9th.

The fire door is the one on the left in this photo.



Dr. Jackson returns

During the renovation activity the portrait of Dr. Jackson was taken (thanks Kimberly) to a conservator for treatment and to stay out of harms way.  The portrait has returned and is in it's home above the case which houses the mace.  To summarize the work performed, the portrait was cleaned, re-stretched and touched up in places that had aged or become damaged.  The cost of the conservation was gracious paid for by Jacqueline and W.C. Jackson III, the Jackson family.  During the fire wall replacement the portrait will be moved to the Hodges Reading Room for safe keeping until January.

Opening the Restrooms

In case you missed it

The second floor Restrooms are open!



PROJECT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED

This is the state inspector signing off on our renovation project.

Today's Inspection, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

As you know today was our state inspection for the renovation project and the bad news is that we do not have occupancy yet, the good news is that we are closer.  I think it is important to share some information about the inspection and discuss why we aren't there yet.

Since this is a state funded project a state inspection is required to review the work of designers, contractors and sub-contractors all in the name of life safety and health.  In other words, this review is meant to ensure that all of the work done has been completed to the best of everyone's ability in order to keep us safe and protected in the event of an emergency.  A punch list of issues has been created, based on today's review and I have to admit it is all items that we would want addressed for our future needs.  Much of it is not readily visible or obvious but is important for our protect.  Some examples of activity today include:

This is a test of the water flow system that releases water from the sprinkler system if activated.  This is important for protecting people and materials in the event of discharge from long term damage.

Smoke test for alarm activiation

This is a review of the new electrical system and panels, install specifically for the third floor in order to give us greater electrical capacity and options.

This is inspecting pipes and fire devices so that they function properly and as expected in the event of an emergency.

Inspecting Sprinkler System and Shut-off

This was today's ugly, the smoke machine that was responsible for the early morning evacuation.  It redeemed itself later by performing for the intended smoke test to help us know the system was working properly.

Due to the nature of some continued work that needs to be completed, we did not achieve occupancy today but took another step closer.  A follow up review is expect within the next two weeks and then we can proceed from there.  Please be patience, but this will ensure that we have a quality product.
mc

Renovation Status

I wanted to update you on the status of our project, with the noisy and dusty part done it is hard to realize that work is still being done, but I can assure your that it is.  The aforementioned punch list is getting near completion, there are several important items to still address before the inspection process is started.  But some finishing touches are going up:

And there is even action at the restrooms:

Meanwhile we are making local adjustments where we can, such as the second floor conference room is finished off and larger..............

Next Saturday we are expecting to do the building power shut down test, early before we open.  This means the power to the building will be shut down in order to test fire alarms and batteries.  Please do not plan for any other activities on this morning.  This activity should be completed by 9:30 AM.

Once this is done and passes, the expectation is that the inspection can be scheduled.  Because this is still later than we anticipated we are expecting to not have total access to space in Hodges until later in the month.  Please continue to seek alternative venues as needed. 

Have a great holiday weekend and I'll update more as we progress closer to the end.
mc

Short Tour of New Spaces

This is the video shown at the All Personnel Meeting

Clean and Shiney

The third floor is really getting polished up before it is turned over to us:

And now we have the shelving going up within the environmental controlled space:

Another Step Closer

In the last two days we have taken another step toward the finish of this renovation project, we had owner training with the sub-contractors and UNCG facilities personnel on many of the infrastructure changes and new mechanical devices.  An interesting insight into this experience is shown below, the air on the third floor coming from the new HVAC unit will be disinfected to enhance the controlled environment:

This is done with infrared lighting tubes:

Crews are also getting us cleaned up and prepared for the inspections starting next week, this is the hallway:

And this is the new conference room:

Slowly but surely

We are getting there, slowly but surely and the latest schedule has us complete right at the start of the new semester.  So not much time to react but as I said before, it's still better than November.  What is happening now is a lot of finishing touches and tweaks to certain areas.  The big news is regarding the new HVAC system has been started and is being balanced to produce proper air flow.  A couple of photos on things you'll see, this is the bottom of the steps onto the first floor landing next to reference.

This is the stripping out back for the warning over the exit ramp access.

The next couple of weeks will be more loose ends and clean up with a tentative date for state construction inspection set for August 18th.  An announcement will be made at the All Personnel Meeting it that is the case.  And once some additional clean-up takes place we'll start putting some furniture and pictures back in place..........so stay tuned!

Hallway Carpet

New carpet in hallway of third floor.

End of Week Updates

A couple of updates at the end of the week here, the third floor shelving arrived yesterday and we've made the decision to not install until the project is finished and the affected areas are back in our ownership.  This means the basement is a little more crowded but that is only temporary.  Once the construction part of the project is complete all of the stuff stored in the basement will start being incorporated into its new home, but more about that later.  In the meantime, please do not open anything.........

More finished touches on the third floor...........................sink in the processing room,

Glass on the conference room storefront,

Ceiling tile in the closed stack area,

Updates on inspection dates aren't expected until next week, so stay tuned.

A look at finishes...

While work is continuing on the new HVAC unit (getting it ready to fire up) and some plumbing work that is waiting for decisions, here is a look at the finishes being applied to areas of the third floor.  Carpet is going down in the offices:

Walls are being painted:

Ceiling tile is placed in areas that won't need the visibility for inspections:

Water fountain in the hallway.  Before you ask, the new water fountain in front of the restrooms were restricted by size in terms of dual fountains, sorry, we tried!

Close up of HVAC unit:

And new windows along the ramp at the dock for fire-proof compliance:

Areas are still restricted

Very Important!!! The areas of construction are still restricted for our use.  This is a safety issue as state construction considers these areas to be construction zones until inspections are complete and occupancy has been approved.  So as these areas are being finished off, they still cannot be used until we are granted occupancy.  Case in point:

The second floor restrooms are still being tweaked with finishing touches, and then they still need to be inspected before they are operational.  The inspection is expected later next week.  An announcement will be made when this happens.

This also includes the south stairwell. 

As the floors are being painted and finished, there are still dangerous situations present and once again, we will not use them until occupancy has been declared.  The current goal is to try and complete testing (fire alarms) and inspections on the 29th and punch out problems the following week.  I'll keep you updated as information is available.

Here is a view of the new water foundation located at the restrooms.  And another is being installed in the hallway of the third floor.

Weekend Update with Seth Myers

Well, not really, Seth is on Saturday Night Live and its Sunday, but this is what's been happening this past week:

These are the types of finishing works that means the end is near:

Signs in the new stairwell:

Exit signs installed in the new third floor stacks area:

Finished window closers to protect stacks area from heat and humidity:

HVAC system was tied into the main water chiller system this week:

And also on the third floor the framing for the storefront windows, which is for the conference room were installed:

Second floor restrooms are getting partitions:

And just for fun, regarding our neighbors, a view of the quad from our roof:

And after the first blast event on Friday, the Atrium still stands!!!