VP&S Bldg. 14th Floor Electrical Disruption, Sept. 22

Electrical power serving emergency outlets and freezer rooms will be temporarily unavailable on the 14th floor of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Building from 6 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. on Monday, September 22, due to scheduled repairs.

What to Expect:

• The shutdown will only impact emergency power outlets in research spaces and laboratories on the 14th floor; all laboratory equipment plugged into emergency power on the 14th floor will be affected (i.e., freezers, refrigerators, incubators).
• Emergency power outlets on all other floors throughout the building will not be affected and will remain operational.
• Additionally, normal power outlets and overhead lighting will not be affected and will remain operational throughout the building, including on the 14th floor.
• While we conduct our repairs, representatives from CUIMC Facilities Management will be on site on the 14th floor in case any issues arise. For issues in laboratories during the temporary shutdown, please call us at 212-305-HELP (4357), option 3, and a mechanic will be dispatched to address the issue.

If your laboratory or office spaces are located on the 14th floor, please take the following precautionary steps before you leave on September 22:

• Save all files and important documents.
• Completely turn off all computers and laptops.
• Turn off all other electronic devices and non-essential laboratory equipment.
• We highly recommend that all freezers, refrigerators, cold rooms, and environmental room doors be kept closed and access prohibited during this shutdown period. Typically, this equipment maintains temperature if the doors are kept closed. Please note that the placement of dry ice or cryogenic materials in cold rooms can create a hazardous, oxygen-deficient atmosphere and must be avoided. If necessary, please relocate critical materials to unaffected freezers for the shutdown.
• If you are unsure if your equipment is plugged into an emergency power outlet, please contact CUIMC Facilities Management at cumc.facilities@columbia.edu, and a representative from Facilities Engineering will visit and assess your area.

For any questions or concerns, contact John Hession, plant superintendent, at jkh2149@cumc.columbia.edu.