Immediate Response to Water Emergency

• General Information
• Major Flooding
• Minor Water Damage

GENERAL INFORMATION

When you have a flooding situation, the general objectives are:

1. Stop the influx of water and get rid of water in the area.
2. Identify and remove the wet material from the flooded area in an orderly manner. Preserve original order of material if possible and avoid spreading water to dry library materials.
3. Freeze or dry the material within 48 hours or less to prevent the formation of mold.
4. Dry out and, if necessary, disinfect the flooded area.
5. Dry the wet material by hand or by freeze-drying.

DO NOT ENTER AN AREA FLOODED WITH STANDING WATER UNTIL IT HAS BEEN DECLARED SAFE TO DO SO. THERE MAY BE EXTREME DANGER OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK.

Take the following steps as soon as a water disaster, large or small, is discovered.

Immediately call Physical Plant Emergency to stop the leak:

Central/Science Area 24 hrs -- 432-6888.
Medical Area 24 hrs -- 785-4620

Give them the location and room number of the problem and a brief description so they can stop the water. Give them your name, room number and phone number, and request that a crew be sent immediately.

MAJOR FLOODING

1. Head of the affected unit or a deputy.
2. Building Operations Manager (John Vincenti) -- 432-1773.
   The Building Operations Manager will be responsible for notifying Alice Prochaska (University Librarian) and Danuta Nitecki (Associate University Librarian).
   If the Building Operations Manager is unavailable, please call these two administrators at 432-1818 when major flooding occurs.
3. Foreman of Custodial Services SML, CCL, BRBL-- 432-1755.
   
4. YUL Preservation Department
   Chief Conservator (Gisela Noack) -- 432-1710 or 432-1711.
   Department Head (Roberta Pilette) -- 432-1714.

These units will be responsible for inspecting the damaged materials and making decisions concerning immediate remedies or advising units in case of minor damage.

B. Secure flooded area

Put up temporary barriers, signs or guards to deter unauthorized persons from entering the area.

C. Create maximum airflow through affected area

1. Open doors and windows where possible.
2. If safe electrical facilities are available in dry areas, turn on fans to expel humid air.

D. Damaged Books

Do not attempt to clean or repair damaged, wet or muddied books or other library materials. Preservation Department staff will direct this work.

MINOR FLOODING

These steps apply when only a few books are water-damaged from rain coming in a window or a spill. If books are returned to a library wet, go straight to contacting the Conservation Program.

1. Call Physical Plant if there is a leak that needs stopping.
   Central/Science Area 24 hrs -- 432-6888.
   Medical Area 24 hrs -- 785-4620.
2. Call the Building Operations Manager (John Vincenti) to report situation -- 432-1773.
3. Call Conservation Program (Gisela Noack) for advice on how to proceed -- 432-1710 or 432-1711.