Brooks Hall fire code violations fixed, classes to start Monday as scheduled
Brooks Hall is open for classes Monday after three days of rush construction to fix multiple fire code violations.
The building underwent a series of renovations this summer to upgrade its airflow, heating and cooling systems. Upon the project’s expected completion, a city fire marshal checked the building Thursday, disabling the building’s use until three key problem areas were resolved.
Steve Smith, director of public relations, said nine rooms had walls that needed drywall extensions to the ceiling, and the building needed new computer cables and fire dampers before it was given the green light.
There was a strong possibility the building could have been closed for Monday’s classes, he said, but because of 24-hour work by university employees, classes will continue.
“The fire marshal signed off on it, and we’re all clear,” said Smith. “There (was) a lot of work going on over these three days. (They worked) heavily through the days and the nights.”
Facilities Management employees worked on the drywall extensions and fire dampers, while the Information Technology department worked on updating the building’s computer cords, Smith said.
Brooks Hall houses the biology and geology departments.
The new ventilation system, Smith said, also had unexpected difficulties.
Although not a problem that would stop classes, Smith said faculty members are asked to shut down the unit to on a class-by-class basis.
“The blowers are extremely loud,” he said. “I was in there and I know I wouldn’t be able to listen to a professor if I were trying to take a class in some of those rooms. That will be fixed in the coming weeks. They’ll just have to shut them down for now.”
Jenny Estabrook, a lab supervisor for Michigan Water Research Center stationed in Brooks Hall, said instructors were having a tough time preparing for classes.
“Some of the classrooms aren’t quite finished yet, and really some of them are bad — I mean, really bad,” she said.
She said an average decibel level in Brooks Hall is set at about 21 decibels. She said those rooms are about three times as loud with at least 60 decibels.
Smith said university officials are investigating who is at fault. He said the problems surfaced as a result of the summer renovation project. The contractor, Smith said, may not be at fault, as they use many subcontractors.
“We will find out where the ball was dropped,” Smith said.
