University of Illinois Facilities and Services

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COVID Response

COVID-19 Campus Guidelines
The university's information on plans to maximize the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and university community during the COVID-19 pandemic is available at https://covid19.illinois.edu/. Please visit this website for updates regarding current testing locations, vaccine requirements, building access status, face coverings protocols, and additional campus resources.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Questions/Feedback
Building Services has established covid19cleaning@illinois.edu to receive campus questions and feedback regarding cleaning and disinfecting activities. Departmental staff will respond as soon as practical after reviewing each inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs regarding F&S services and operations are here. The information will be continually updated as part of the organization's ongoing COIVD-19 response efforts.

Health and Safety Response Teams Support
F&S Health and Safety Response Teams will be available by appointment to consult with departments and units on questions regarding proactive spacing considerations and protective barriers. Requests for assistance should be directed to covid19fsconsulting@illinois.edu.

Ordering PPE and Cleaning Supplies
Campus colleges, departments, and units can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by ordering additional PPE and cleaning/disinfecting supplies in iStores.

Quarantine/Isolation Transportation for Students on Campus
F&S will provide transportation services to students entering or exiting COVID-19 quarantine and isolation protocols on campus. To ride, students should complete this form with their pickup location, desired pickup time, drop-off location, and first and last name. More information about the service is available here.

Vaccination and Testing Requirements for Higher Education Contractors
In compliance with the governor’s Executive Order 21-22, any person who is employed by, volunteers for, or is contracted to provide services for an institution of higher education, or is employed by an entity contracted to provide services for an institution of higher education, is required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or be tested at least weekly. F&S requests that contractors submit updated health and safety plans that provide an overview of their current processes to address federal, state, and university COVID-19 protocols.

Website and Signage
As new information emerges, we will provide updates through F&S communication methods. We also encourage you to visit covid19.illinois.edu for resources and answers to frequently asked questions about this illness. For access to official downloadable university building signage (restrooms, elevators, stairwells, etc.), go to this Box account: https://uofi.box.com/v/COVID19campussignage.

COVID-19 Operational Updates

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Cleaning

Updated COVID-19 Custodial Service Levels
In preparation for the Fall 2021 semester, F&S has updated the Service Levels for Building Services. The revised service levels were presented to the COVID-19 Executive Steering Committee, and these planned custodial activities will begin Monday, August 16.
August 4, 2021

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection Requests for Building Locations After an Individual Receives a Positive Test

F&S has developed an improved method for departments and units to request urgent cleaning and disinfection support following the confirmation of a positive COVID-19 case.
August 21, 2020
Face Mask Cleaning Guidelines
F&S established guidelines for cleaning and use of the EMS16 COVID-19 Face shield.
August 7, 2020

Building Services Schedule Adjustments
F&S will create a new 3–11:30 p.m. afternoon shift starting on Monday, August 10. The adjustment will complement the existing day and deep night rotations to better focus personnel on cleaning general facility areas and high-touch surfaces as a part of the organization’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
July 28, 2020

F&S COVID Response: Disinfectant Wipes and Hand Sanitizers Free of Charge
In addition to receiving two free washable cloth masks, units may now order disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer from F&S at no additional charge. F&S will deliver the items to the units as they become available.
May 26, 2020
HVAC

COVID-19 HVAC Considerations
The F&S HVAC response team continues to review recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for the operation of HVAC systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of work completed before the start of the Fall 2021 semester and ASHRAE guidance is available.
August 24, 2021

Reporting Temperature Control Issues

F&S asks individuals currently on campus or returning to university facilities to evaluate their offices, shared spaces, laboratories, and common areas as soon as possible to identify any temperature control–related items needing attention.
July 23, 2021
Safety

Fire/Life Safety Code Compliance
The Code Compliance & Fire Safety Department requests that any fire door that has been propped open have the propping mechanism removed to return these fire doors to the closed and unlocked resting position as required by Fire/Life Safety Codes. Fire doors that are tied to the fire alarm system and are held open with a magnetic holder can remain held open as designed.

In light of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand the desire to reduce touchpoints. However, the university is required to remain in compliance with Fire/Life Safety Codes even during challenging times. The Code Compliance & Fire Safety Department requests that any fire door that has been propped open have the propping mechanism removed to return these fire doors to the closed and unlocked resting position as required by Fire/Life Safety Codes. Fire doors that are tied to the fire alarm system and are held open with a magnetic holder can remain held open as designed.

Fire doors are a vital part of a building’s fire strategy and can only do their job if they are closed. They are specially designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through a building so people can evacuate safely and the building is protected from damage. For questions, contact Facilities & Services Engineering and Construction Services Division, Campus Code Compliance and Fire Safety Specialist Mike Brown mb44@illinois.edu, 300-9645.
February 3, 2021
Hand Sanitizer Safety
Due to increased use of hand sanitizing products and dedicated stations in response to virus prevention strategies, campus units, colleges, and departments need to be aware of safety regulations that control the specific quantities and locations in which hand sanitizer may be used and stored in university buildings.
July 21, 2020
Buildings/Wellness Support Associates

Wellness Support Associates Program Building Entry Signage
On Monday, August 24, Wellness Support Associates (WSAs) will be stationed at primary entrances of campus facilities where in-person instruction takes place. They will check the building entry status of students, faculty, and staff (via the Safer Illinois app or i-card boarding pass) and supervise visitors and guests requesting access inside of university buildings. Facility liaisons are specifically asked to place temporary signage on doors where WSAs will not be located, advising people on how to enter the building. This will help individuals identify the appropriate WSA doors and entry points
August 18, 2020

Daily Events/Building Hours
The university is on a reduced COVID-19 building open/closed schedule until further notice. Please see the updated schedule at the Facility Management and Scheduling page on the Office of the Registrar website for updates. The notation “LOCKED” means the building is closed to the public. Faculty/staff with card and key access should still be able to access any building they previously had access to for essential business.
March 24, 2020

F&S Locations Entrance Restrictions
Effective immediately, entrance to F&S locations and on-campus work areas (e.g., breakrooms, storage locations) will be prohibited for non-staff until further notice. (Message sent to F&S employees to address entrance restrictions at F&S locations and in work areas across campus)
March 20, 2020

Abbott Power Plant, Chiller Plants COVID Response
All non-essential visitors without pre-authorization are not allowed to the Abbott Power Plant and six Campus Chilled Water System regional plants. All F&S staff encouraged to severely limit their contact with utilities production personnel. (Message sent to F&S employees)
March 12, 2020
General Return-to-Work

Return to On-Campus Operations: Office Odors/Tips to Alleviate Stale Air
People returning to their offices after being away from campus for a long period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic may notice a musty smell in their spaces. This experience is similar to what many of us discover in our homes after returning from an extended vacation. It is normal for air to have a slight odor in rooms that have not been accessed often.
August 25, 2021

COVID-19 Briefing Series: Facilities, Cleaning and Safety
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is hosting a series of online COVID-19 Briefings. During these live-streamed briefings campus leaders and subject experts present the latest information on a specific topic related to the university’s responses to COVID-19. Watch on YouTube for links to specific questions in the video description. This session is from June 29, 2020.

The briefings are recorded and archived at https://covid19.illinois.edu/covid-19-briefing-series/.

University of Illinois Facilities and Services

COVID Response

Cleaning

HVAC

Safety

Buildings/Wellness Support Associates

General Return-to-Work