[ALERT] Steam Pit Flood - Fire Alarm Event on Saturday

[Physics facility information]

A substantial leak in the steam system developed sometime in the early hours of Saturday morning that fully flooded a large steam sub-basement/pit area with hot water.

The water was completely and properly contained within the steam pit area and no damage to any basement labs or building areas occurred.

The water had sufficient vapor coming off of its exposed surface to trigger a smoke alarm.  Columbus Fire, Columbus PD, and FOD staff responded to this alarm on Saturday mid-morning.

The alarm was silenced but strobes remained active throughout most of the day Saturday.  As of Sunday, fire alarms are reset and strobes are no longer active.

Root causes of the leak are not yet determined because of the remaining presence of flood waters in the pit.

Consequently, first FOD steps are to pump out the pit and in order to expedite this pumping, a gas driven sump pump has been temporarily installed in the basement mechanical room.

To more quickly empty the pit, a large hose has been routed up the south stair and is discharging water from the pit into storm drains near the south entrance to the building.

Occupants in the building on Sunday may notice these hoses and may also notice noise and light exhaust vapors from the gas driven pump.

Building systems are in normal function and occupants are free to proceed with their normal research activities throughout the day on Sunday.

The Department expresses thanks to the FOD weekend maintenance staff for their prompt response and extra efforts.

FOD will be monitoring the pump down efforts throughout the day and will be initiating repairs as soon as possible.

Additional updates will follow as information becomes available.


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