{"id":62,"date":"2009-09-30T18:46:12","date_gmt":"2009-09-30T21:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/boston.local\/?page_id=62"},"modified":"2024-03-13T16:33:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T20:33:04","slug":"operations-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cpo\/who-we-are\/operations-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Facilities Management & Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Facilities Management &<\/strong>\u00a0Operations<\/strong>\u00a0provides the day-to-day maintenance services necessary to support the University\u2019s physical operations. This department is comprised of hundreds of skilled trades workers, engineers, and custodians, who maintain and improve Boston University\u2019s campuses to ensure a clean, attractive, safe, and sanitary environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Custodial Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Custodial Services provides daily cleaning services for more than 300 buildings at Boston University. On the Charles River Campus and Fenway Campuses, 19\u00a0Area Managers<\/a>\u00a0and several assistant area managers lead over 400 custodians\u2014the largest contingent of CPO employees. The Medical Campus has a staff of over 50 custodians. <\/span><\/p>\n

The University began its\u00a0Sustainable Cleaning Program<\/a>\u00a0in the 1990s to better manage chemical use, minimize packaging waste, reduce the University\u2019s carbon footprint, lower the chances of chemical-related injuries, and meet the cleanliness goals of the University. The program has shown that a sustainable cleaning program can meet the stringent cleaning standards of the University with 100% of the products certified by Green Seal and EcoLogo, the highest standards available for sustainable cleaning products.<\/p>\n

Custodians use concentrated chemicals, diluted as needed, for daily cleaning, which reduces the amount of cleaning solution needed to clean from 55 gallons to 1 gallon, and has reduced plastic waste by 90%. Custodial Operations continually evaluates new technology in cleaning equipment and products to ensure that Boston University remains a leader in greening the campus. In 2024, BU was awarded the Green Seal GS-42 certification in recognition of the University\u2019s continued commitment to sustainable cleaning.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Engineering & Building Systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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One of the major functions of the Engineering & Building Systems Group primarily is ensuring that building automation capabilities are installed and operating at maximum capacity with a goal of being able to centrally control and monitor the most complex buildings from a single workstation. A byproduct of this work is to reduce consumption of electricity, gas, fuel oil, water, and maintenance costs as opportunities present themselves.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Electrical Services<\/strong><\/h5>\n

CPO employs a staff of licensed electricians who are responsible for electrical safety and emergency response on campus. They are\u202fOSHA\u202ftrained and attend yearly trainings to ensure our campus follows federal and state laws. They play a vital role in identifying appropriate specifications for major building modifications or new construction. Fire alarm testing is performed on a quarterly basis in all dorms.<\/p>\n

BU electricians respond daily to customer needs by changing ballasts, resetting circuits, checking outlet problems, and working with customers for any electrical needs for new equipment.<\/p>\n

A major developing role of the electrical staff is working with BU Sustainability\u202fto identify areas for retrofitting. Our electrical staff is essential for the ongoing cost-efficiency efforts on campus, and they are diligent in utilizing new technology to ensure our campus is up to date with new fire alarm systems and any electrical updates necessary for life safety.<\/p>\n

Plumbing Services<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The University plumbers on the Charles River Campus as well as several licensed plumbers and general mechanics on the Medical Campus and the Fenway Campus use the latest industry technology to update fixtures; repair broken water pipes and clean clogged toilets and drains. This intricate work means that plumbers must often work late at night or on weekends to avoid interrupting the daily routines of students and staff on campus. They also work closely with the\u202f<\/span>Boston Water and Sewer Commission\u202f<\/span><\/a>to ensure the University receives the highest quality water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Plumbing Shop is committed to\u202f<\/span>reducing BU\u2019s water consumption\u202fby installing low-flow shower heads, toilets and urinals, and hands-free sinks. Low-flow shower heads use 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) versus 3.5 gpm, and low-flow toilets use 1.3 gallons of water per flush versus 3.5 gallons.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HVAC<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The HVAC department is responsible for the maintenance of mechanical equipment related to heating and cooling, boilers, air compressors, and vacuum pumps. They perform regular safety checks on equipment and repair and install new machinery for more efficient temperature control.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to routine maintenance, HVAC is responsible for\u202f<\/span>reducing the carbon footprint\u202fon campus. They are involved in pilot projects like the cooking oil project that diverted cooking oil and recycled it to fuel for the University\u2019s central boiler plant. They\u2019re also involved in large capital projects like the extension of the natural gas line that allows the central plant to run on natural gas, reducing CO<\/span>2<\/span>\u202femissions on campus by 3,800 metric tonnes annually. HVAC has also been heavily involved in mitigating the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on campus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As\u00a0was the case for the past two academic years,\u00a0Facilities Management & Operation\u2019s Engineering team, in collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety\u00a0and outside environmental consultants, will continue to review airflow in university buildings\u00a0to ensure they are functioning properly.\u00a0\u00a0Portable\u00a0ventilation\u00a0equipment has been deployed in rooms requiring filtration beyond what is provided by the base building systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building Security Systems<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Safety is a priority on campus,<\/span><\/b>\u202fand the Lock Shop staff on the Charles River Campus works 16 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 5 days per week on the Medical Campus* to handle emergencies, lock-out situations, broken and lost keys, lock changes and repairs, lost file cabinet keys, mailbox keys, stuck keys, etc. The Lock Shop works closely with the\u202f<\/span>Carpentry<\/span> and <\/span>Maintenance <\/span>shops, as well as <\/span>departments and colleges\u202fto achieve these tasks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can help keep Boston University safe by taking steps toward a safer community.\u202f<\/span>Do not allow access to unauthorized persons, prop open doors, or provide your keys to others.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Please call the\u202f<\/span><\/i>Control Center<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u202fat 617-358-4144 if you are locked out on the Medical Campus when the Lock Shop is not open.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Trades Services & Mail Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The University employs an in-house staff of 175 trained, licensed trade workers to handle both routine and emergency support for <\/span>in BU\u2019s more than 300 buildings<\/span>. <\/span>Whether <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> a lost mailbox key or a broken door handle, tradespeople are there to help<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Carpentry<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The carpenters\u2019 main purpose is to repair or update wooden structures, furnishings, and finishes such as doors, windows, handrails, and cabinets. They also ensure that campus entryways meet federal and state fire and building codes, and that equipment like podiums and ramps are ready for special events.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two main work areas for the carpenters. Some staff are in the Carpentry Shop working on custom cabinetry, furniture repair, or special projects. The remaining staff are on all three campuses handling daily repair issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trucking & Grounds<\/strong><\/h5>\n

With more than forty vehicles ranging from street sweepers to sidewalk plows, the Trucking department is constantly on the move. Trucking staff transport supplies, equipment, furniture, plants, and more all over the three campuses. They support the other trades by delivering equipment and supplies to the sites of construction, renovations, or repairs. Trucking plays a critical role in clearing roadways and parking lots during snowstorms. In addition, mechanics service vacuum cleaners, buffing machines, snow equipment, and more, as well as maintain Trucking\u2019s own vehicles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grounds department is responsible for maintaining BU\u2019s urban landscape. Every spring, they plant over 150,000 plants, trees, and bushes including 18 varieties of flowers and over 50 types of trees, shrubs, and grasses<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In keeping with BU\u2019s commitment to sustainability, the Grounds department has introduced several eco-agricultural initiatives such as implementing\u202f<\/strong><\/span>organic lawn treatments<\/strong>. To\u202f<\/span>reduce water waste<\/span><\/b>, the Grounds department installed rain sensors, which shut off sprinklers during precipitation. Drip irrigation systems also prevent water waste by dripping directly to the roots of plants.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mail Services<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Boston University Mail Services<\/span><\/a> \u202fhandles and distributes all of the Boston University Campuses\u2019 incoming, outgoing, and interdepartmental mail<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mail Services does not manage\u202f<\/span>Residential Mail<\/span><\/a>\u202ffor students living in University housing. <\/span>Students<\/span>\u202f who have any mail questions on the Charles River Campus should contact 617-353-2307.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please contact\u202f<\/span>BU Mail Services<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintenance Shop<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The Maintenance Shop has over a dozen maintenance staff who work full-time to ensure everything is properly maintained on campus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maintenance Shop <\/span>also<\/span> provides\u202f<\/span>Real Estate<\/span><\/a>\u202fwith two full-time maintenance workers to handle issues for rental tenants.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maintenance Shop\u2019s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n