Oct. 12 update on Engineering Centers Building
Updated: 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12.
Drying is complete in the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, following extensive flooding in September. While repairs to some facilities and equipment continue, the building has been reopened during its normal hours. All classes that were temporarily relocated are now meeting again in their originally scheduled locations.
Most lab and office spaces in the building are in use again. Further updates on the status of the building will come from the College of Engineering. Faculty, staff and students working in rooms still subject to repair work will continue to receive direct updates on progress and instructions on safe use of those facilities.
Conditions and equipment in the Nanoscale Fabrication Center are still being evaluated. Updates on the facility’s status can be found on the Wisconsin Centers for Nanoscale Technology website: https://wcnt.wisc.edu/ecb-flood-status-information-for-researchers/
Updated: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
Facilities staff and work crews have made significant progress in assessing the extent of the damage and in drying classrooms, offices, lab facilities and equipment, allowing the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive to reopen.
On Monday, Oct. 9, classes and labs scheduled in the building that have been relocated to other buildings will move back into ECB. Most lab spaces within the building will also reopen with limited hours. Those with classes, lab space or offices in the building will receive direct updates about the status of the spaces they use.
The building will be open for normal operations on Monday. Faculty and staff with workspace or labs in the building that remain closed will continue to receive updates about the status of their spaces from the College of Engineering.
Updated: 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29
Facilities staff and work crews are making progress in their assessment of the extent of damage to the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, following flooding inside the building Sept. 20 that affected every floor.
Classes and labs scheduled in the building will continue to be relocated to other buildings through at least Friday, Oct. 6. Students in those courses will receive confirmation about their ongoing relocations via email. The need for additional class relocations beyond Oct. 6 will be determined as recovery from the flood advances, with updates provided directly to those affected.
The building remains closed to the public. Faculty and staff with workspace in the building will continue to receive instructions from the College of Engineering on opportunities to enter the building to visit their labs and offices.
Updated: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Facilities staff and work crews continue to assess the extent of damage and clean up water in the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, following flooding inside the building Wednesday that spread to every floor.
Classes and labs scheduled in the building for Monday, Sept. 25, through Friday, Sept. 29, will be relocated to other buildings. Students in those courses will receive information on new locations via email. The need for additional class relocations beyond next week will be determined as recovery from the flood advances, and updates will be provided directly to those affected.
The building remains closed to the public, with entry limited to scheduled, escorted visits to ensure the safest and speediest possible return to normal operations. Faculty and staff with workspace in the building will continue to receive instructions from the College of Engineering on opportunities to enter the building to visit their labs and offices.
Updated: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21
Cleanup continues in the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, following extensive flooding inside the building on Wednesday night when a chilled water system pipe on the top floor burst. Approximately 55,000 gallons of water were released, causing damage on all floors of the building. Damage estimates and repair time for water damage are still to be determined.
Classes and labs scheduled in the building for Friday, Sept. 22, have been relocated. Students in those courses will receive information on new locations. The need for additional class relocations beyond Friday will also be determined soon, and updates will be provided directly to those affected.
The building remains closed, with entry prohibited. Faculty and staff with workspaces in the building will receive instructions from the College of Engineering on when and how they can safely enter the building to check on their labs and offices.
“We understand that this incident may cause disruptions,” says Engineering Dean Ian Robertson. “Our goal is to work toward solutions that allow everyone to resume day-to-day operations as soon as possible. Meanwhile, know that your safety and well-being remain our top priority.”
Original post: 11 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20
Flooding in the Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, has prompted class and lab cancellations for courses located in that building for Thursday, Sept. 21.
The building is currently closed and entry is prohibited.
The cause of the flooding is not yet known, but several areas of the building have been affected. The leak has been stopped and crews are on site to begin cleanup.
“I know many of you are eager to enter the building, particularly those of you who conduct research in ECB,” says Engineering Dean Ian Robertson.
“I ask for your patience and assure you we will strive to allow you to enter as soon as we can. We are working to determine the extent of the flooding and will follow up with additional communications as we learn more.”
Beginning Thursday, for Engineering students:
- All classes and labs in the Engineering Centers Building are cancelled on Thursday, Sept. 21. Students and instructors of classes meeting in the Engineering Centers Building will learn more about instructional continuity plans in a forthcoming email.
- The need for additional class relocations beyond Thursday will be determined. Updates will be provided via email to those affected.
- Student organization space or projects in the TEAM Lab or other student lab space, are asked not to enter the building to check on space or projects at this time.
Beginning Thursday for Engineering faculty and staff:
- Faculty and staff with a laboratory in the building are asked to wait for instructions from the college on when and how you can safely enter the building to check on your lab.
- Faculty and staff with offices in the building are asked not try to enter the building at this time; rather, work with your supervisor to make arrangements to complete your work remotely until further notice.