FAQ Annual High Temperature Hot Water Shutdowns
Annual High Temperature Hot Water Shutdown May 12 through May 22
The annual shutdown of the campus high temperature hot water system is scheduled to take place from May 12 through May 22. The system provides heat and domestic hot water to many campus buildings. The annual shutdown takes place to perform preventive maintenance on the system so that it remains reliable. The following buildings and services will be affected:
- Academic Complex A&B – No heat, no hot water
- Administration Building – No heat
- Anderson Center – No heat, no hot water
- Central Heating Plant – No heat
- East Gym – No heat
- Fine Arts – No heat, no hot water, limited dehumidification for the Art Gallery
- Garage – No heat, no hot water
- Lecture Hall and Student Wing – No heat, no hot water
- Physical Facilities – No heat
- Science 1 – No heat, no hot water
- Science 2 – No heat, no hot water
- Science 3 and Greenhouse – No heat, limited hot water
- Science 4 – No Heat, Limited Hot Water
- Science 5 – No heat on the Ground Floor, limited dehumidification, limited hot water
- Library North (including the Tower) - No heat, no hot water
Background
Binghamton University's High Temperature Hot Water System provides heat and domestic hot water to 63% of the campus buildings. The system has an excellent reliability history and is efficient and safe. It is run 360 days a year operating at 385 degrees.
There is a lot of equipment associated with the HTHW system including hundreds of valves both in the Central Heating Plant and in campus buildings, piping that ranges in size from 1/2" to 12" in diameter and a 30,000 gallon distribution expansion tank. All of this equipment must be serviced on an annual basis, following Commencement, to ensure the reliable operation of a system that is vital to campus operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Annual High Temperature Hot Water (HTHW) Shutdowns
Q: Why is the system shut down for a whole week?
A: The idea is to be proactive rather than reactive. The week after Commencement is typically the week with fewest events scheduled and therefore has least impact on campus. The shutdown is critical to avoid emergency breakdowns that could compromise building operations and equipment. If the system failed during the winter for example, building piping could freeze and break jeopardizing safety, comfort and critical research. Because water in the system reaches 385 degrees and operates at high pressure, the system must be shutdown so it can be cooled and depressurized and workers can safely perform maintenance.
In addition to the preventive maintenance work done on the system, there have also been a number of capital projects that have replaced large sections of older piping throughout campus over the last ten years.
Q: Why does the shutdown happen right after Commencement?
A: This time frame is chosen so that there is minimal disruption to the campus. The week following Commencement is typically the week when there are fewest people and events on campus. Also, this is a time of year when there is no chance of buildings freezing up due to a lack of heat in pipes. While it may inconvenience some, it is prudent and safe to be proactive and have a planned event rather than be in an emergency situation. In addition, having a consistent schedule allows campus operations affected by the shutdown to prepare and plan ahead. The shutdown is announced several weeks in advance with regular reminders up to the week before the event.
Q: What are the risks to the campus community if this annual preventive maintenance is not performed?"
A: A major disruption of campus life is the greatest risk that would be created by not accomplishing the important work that takes place during the annual HTHW shutdown. If the system suffered an emergency breakdown due to equipment failure almost every aspect of normal operations would be affected. Critical central campus buildings would be without heat and hot water until repairs could be made. Cancellation of classes and events would be likely. Many of the buildings that would be impacted are science buildings so important research could be jeopardized. If the emergency occurred during colder months, damage to pipes and other related building infrastructure would be likely thus compounding the initial emergency. Of course all of this would come with a large expense.
During the shutdown there will be periods where manholes are barricaded at various sites around campus so that they can be inspected.
