Fire alarm system fails inspection, sends Social Work, others scrambling
An incomplete fire alarm system has delayed a move into the new TateÐTurnerÐKuralt Building by the School of Social Work and three other programs.
The problems delayed moves by another three weeks, pushing back to Sept. 6 an opening that originally was scheduled for June.
ÒWe thought that we were going to have classes in our new building,Ó said Sue Castle, business manager for the school. The delay has the school scrambling to locate space to hold its classes until it can move, she said.
Paul Caruth, building systems engineer with Facilities Management, said the contractorÕs tests on the fire alarm showed no problems, but the system failed an inspection by the University. The building must pass inspections by the University, the state Department of Insurance and the Office of State Construction.
The delay has made life tougher around the School of Social Work, from dealing with student orientation to finding temporary spaces, Castle said. The school was obligated to move out of some of its offices at the end of July and others at the end of August. As a result, some employees have been working out of their homes.
The Center for Early Adolescence, whose lease with Carr Mill Mall ends Aug. 31, is facing the same problems of where to go while awaiting certification of the new building. Director Frank Loda said his office was working to arrange temporary work space in case the building wasnÕt ready when the centerÕs lease ran out. Despite the delays, Loda said he was looking forward to the new offices.
ÒWeÕre very pleased to be back on the campus,Ó he said. ÒIn general, it will make collaborative work with people on campus easier.Ó
Also on hold for the move is the School of Public HealthÕs continuing education and leadership programs, which will share the fourth floor with LodaÕs program. Despite the hassles, Castle said the new building will be worth the wait.
ÒItÕs the first time that Social Work will ever have been together,Ó she said. The school has had offices on East Franklin Street, Airport Road, at Carr Mill Mall and in Battle and Abernathy halls. ÒPeople are taking it in stride, and people are just so much looking forward to being in the new building.Ó
Named for school supporters John Tate Jr., Dean Emeritus John Turner and Charles Kuralt, the five-story, 75,000-square-foot building off Pittsboro Street was built with a $9.7 million appropriation from the General Assembly. The school raised more than $5 million for new faculty, student and program support.
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