Students experienced a surprise when a frozen fire protection line broke at the Snyder/Phillips Hall Gallery cafeteria at about 9 p.m. on Feb. 5, dropping water and a few 4-by-4-foot ceiling tiles down two stories onto dining room tables. Luckily, no one was hurt and Physical Plant personnel quickly got to the scene to assess and repair the damaged fire line and ceiling.

Custodial Services Manager Brandon Baswell and his crew of Custodian II Rick Taylor, Custodial Equipment Maintainer Greg Cushion and Custodian III Dwayne Sortor, as well as HVAC/Refrigeration Skilled Trades Supervisor John Phillipich, worked tirelessly that night to remediate flood water and dry out surfaces in the cafeteria.

The maintenance crew involved in the assessment and repairs included Temporary Second Shift Supervisor Gordon Clark, Plumber I Frank Shattuck, Preventative Maintenance Workers Kevin Craft and Steve Dowker and Maintenance Mechanic II Jayme Smith. Once the leak was stopped, Electronics Mechanic I Eric Strouse, Custodian II Ron Simon and "Trouble Truck" Electrician II Bill Colter repaired light fixtures. Carpenter Is Ed Murphy and Greg Pierce replaced ceiling tiles that were provided by Housing & Food Services. Electrical Student Craftworker III Sam Uphold also assisted in the repair and clean-up efforts that night.

All necessary repairs were completed in time for breakfast the next morning.

With the efforts of Physical Plant personnel, Snyder/Phillips Hall was able to host a tour of 100 students and their parents the day after the incident.

Later in the week, Simon and Uphold finished the ballast work and replaced the lighting fixture with newly delivered parts.

February 12, 2009