CF departments prepare for the turn of the century

by Karlan Seville

aintenance won't be blind-sided by Y2K. Designated employees have been preparing for the new millenium for more than a year.

Greg Watts, superintendent of Maintenance, is working to make sure MU's elevators; fire alarms; heating, ventilation and cooling, and key-card access will be operating on Jan. 1, 2000. Maintenance plans to have all necessary upgrades completed by September so employees have the remaining months for any unforeseen repairs.

Elevators are one of many machines that are rumored to become faulty in the new millennium. This year, the university's elevator consultant, Kenneth H. Lemp, was asked to check campus elevators for Y2K compliance, along with his usual inspection. Watts said Lemp has found no elevator on campus that is date-senstitive, meaning none should be effected Jan. 1.

Most MU students, faculty, and staff probably don't worry that a building's fire alarms function properly, but Lloyd Shackelford and Jeff Brown of Maintenance take their operation seriously.

To date, 95 percent of the fire alarms have been confirmed as Y2K compliant. Fire alarms installed in the last five years are Y2K compliant and those that are more than five years old are being upgraded. All fire alarms on campus will undergo more testing in the months ahead, Watts said.

Campus Facilities has received letters of Y2K compliance from each of its equpment vendors, but each department will still be conducting performance checks.

Keying in

Because key-card access is relatively new to the MU campus, many of MU's buildings are not equipped with card readers. Those that do have the high-tech access are ready for Y2K.

"We have spent a lot of time reviewing the facilities and equipment to identify items that may be a Y2K issue," Watts said.

Driving and talking

LeRoy Bealmear, associate director of Campus Facilities, is checking to ensure that all of Campus Facilities communications devices (cell phones, pagers and radios) are Y2K compliant so that, should a temporary problem arise, employees will be able to respond quickly. A new base station has been ordered for the pagers, but no other replacements have been needed. Bealmear, also responsible for Campus Facilities' fleet of vehicles, including the University Auto Leasings and lease vehicles, has contacted the manufacturers of the autos and has been assured that each is Y2K ready. He intends to make sure that each has a full tank of gas before the holiday, but expects no problems.

Things left uncovered

While Campus Facilities works to get its departments Y2K compliant, there are some things its personnel do not cover. Much equipment on campus is the responsibility of individual departments and units. Departments should contact the manufacturerof any departmental equipment to determine if the equipment is Y2K compliant. Equipment and items, such as some refrigeration units, growth chambers, freezers, and the like, must be made Y2K compliant by its users. While no one can be sure what the new year might bring, Campus Facilities is doing everything it can beforehand to make Jan. 1 a problem-free day.