Keep Exterior Windows and Doors Closed During Freezing Temperatures

With extreme, subfreezing temperatures expected to begin this weekend and last several days in Central Illinois, students, faculty, and staff are asked to check to ensure that exterior doors and windows are fully closed in university facilities to help protect equipment and systems.

Keeping these items shut at all times is critically important, especially in building entrances, atriums, or other areas adjacent to the building envelope, where exposed infrastructure may be quickly susceptible to the effects of low temperatures and wind chills.

Every attempt should also be made to close fume hoods that are not in use. Managing these items and comparable devices with ventilation requirements will better control temperatures in laboratories and nearby spaces by preventing conditioned air from leaving buildings.

Individual or group actions in offices, classrooms, laboratories, and shared work areas will help the university keep facilities operating efficiently and avoid costly, reactive repairs. This is even more important for spaces likely to be unoccupied over the upcoming holiday weekend.

Report Hot/Cold Issues Immediately
Another way to assist is by immediately contacting the F&S Energy Management Control Center fandsenergycomm@illinois.edu, 217-244-3783, regarding any recurring hot/cold issues in facilities. These reports are beneficial for quickly identifying any potential concerns with building operations and providing rapid diagnostic service and maintenance response.

During this period, regular service requests should still be directed to the F&S Service Office on the my.FS Portal by a departmental contact. In a critical situation requiring urgent action (e.g., water leaks), call the Service Office at 217-333-0340. After 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends and designated campus holidays, calls will be transferred to the Division of Public Safety dispatch.

Anticipated Energy Alert Conditions
The colder-than-normal temperatures may also necessitate eventual Energy Alert conditions for campuswide conservation strategies requested by the regional electric grid operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). In anticipation of a potential grid generation event, departments, colleges, institutes, and units should begin to lessen energy usage in facilities wherever possible, including initiating their Event Day Action Plans submitted as a part of the Electrical Grid Response Strategies.

Thanks for making these efforts and doing what you can to winterize and care for the campus.

Sincerely,

Jeff Angiel
Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, Facilities & Services