Facility Management and Operations

The CDC and OSHA have both issued important guidance on ways to improve ventilation in buildings based on ASHRAE Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Facilities Operations has reviewed and implemented many of these measures to improve airflow and quality and slow the spread of COVID-19 in NCCU facilities.   

1. Assessed HVAC systems and building automation controls in academic and residential hall facilities to ensure proper operation.   
2. Increased scheduled routine air filter changes from yearly to twice a year. 
3. Ensured preventive maintenance services were in place to ensure system reliability.    
4. Inspected buildings and reviewed automated control parameters.  These inspections are ongoing.   

Facilities Operations essential personnel have continued to report to work throughout the pandemic.  As such, building systems continued to run in normal operation, which avoided issues surrounding system stagnation and start-ups.     

For increased air circulation, it is not advised to open windows and prop doors in as this is a safety risk for occupants falling and exposure to outside environmental contaminants such as car exhaust, pollen, etc.   

NCCU Building Environmental Services teams will clean academic and common residential spaces based on CDC guidelines for disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants. However, housekeeping alone cannot clean or disinfect behind each person so during this crisis sanitation is everyone’s job.

Building occupants and other users are encouraged to disinfect office areas, especially high-touch surfaces, before and after use, including copiers, printers, computers, A/V and other electrical equipment, desks and tables, light switches, and doorknobs.

Residential students will be provided with disinfectant products for their rooms and in-suite restrooms. Safety information, including how employees can order COVID-19 supplies is available on the Environmental Health and Safety website . Always follow manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations for chemical disinfectant use. 

High-traffic areas represent a unique challenge to physical distancing and disinfection. NCCU is committed to facilitating health and safety in areas where students, faculty and staff gather or work:

• Housekeeping and disinfection services have been implemented according to the needs of individual areas.
• Surface disinfectant products are available to disinfect surfaces in common-use areas. Supervisors should place orders using the COVID-19 Supply Order Form.
• Drinking fountains are disabled, except for bottle-filling types.