PP-CS Engineering

Electrical / Mechanical / Civil

Electrical Engineering provides technical assistance to the Utilities Electricians in the operation and maintenance of the campus electrical power distribution system. Support is given to the Capital Projects Department in providing new or upgraded electrical service to buildings undergoing construction.

Mechanical Engineering provides assistance on matters pertaining to campus steam and gas. The central campus is heated by a district steam distribution system. The basic function of the system is to deliver steam from the Central Heating Plant (a.k.a. Cogeneration Plant) to buildings for space conditioning, heating water for domestic uses, absorption space cooling, laboratory equipment sterilization and laboratory experiments.

Since the campus is heated by steam, there are very little gas needs. The limited amount of gas is primarily used on small buildings (residential type homes converted into offices) and at the science buildings where gas is used for experiments.

Civil Engineering provides support to Utilities Operations trades people in dealing with the underground pipes that are affected by ground movement due to the nearby earthquake fault. The unit also continually updates the maps of the underground utilities.

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Purchased Utilities

The Purchased Utilities group monitors use, and authorizes payment, for campus expenditures on steam, gas, electricity, water and sewage. Part-time student employees record the readings of building meters to monitor electric, gas and steam consumption. Records of utility usage and payment are maintained, verified against accounting ledgers, and used to project future consumption and costs.

The Utilities Planner is responsible for providing the required short term and long term infrastructure planning, scheduling and funding administration support for the underground and above ground utility distribution services provided to the Berkeley Campus. The Utility Planner operates closely with the Planning Office of the Capital Projects Department.

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SCADA Group

SCADA systems are an integral part of the University's Operations Control Center. These integrated computer and communications systems provide for the remote monitoring and control of very diverse primary campus infrastructure support systems. A new SCADA system is currently being installed to monitor and control the Campus 12kV main electrical grid that feeds all the primary buildings on campus. This system will eventually monitor and provide control capability for Utilities Electrician to better maintain the Campus Electrical distribution system. This monitoring will assist in providing earlier detection of problems which can result in faster recovery from electrical outage. Another benefit of SCADA will be energy savings by profiling usage for conservation efforts. Thirty percent of the Campus Irrigation system has been converted to centralized SCADA control, providing a substantial savings in labor for monitoring, control, and modification to service schedules. These systems provide the computer and communications systems base for expansion to monitor and control steam, gas, water and effluent discharge systems on campus and to continuously monitor local weather conditions.

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Energy Management Systems

EMS Supervisor, Venzi Nikiforov

The EMS group uses a proprietary building automation system to control and monitor the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems in about fifty campus buildings. A new software upgrade is being installed that features web-based access with graphical user interface. The unit focuses on programming mechanical systems to provide building occupants comfort balanced with energy conservation. The group also provides guidance and assistance in the design and construction of new campus buildings' controls.

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CAD / GIS / Mapping Group

Manager, Fred Karampour

The CAD / GIS / Mapping group is responsible for the following functions: Mapping and preparing the as-built drawings of ongoing projects; updating underground utility maps for water, sewer, storm, and electrical systems; updating the floor plans of all campus buildings; creating a computerized filing system for old maps; creating a GIS system for underground utilities that relates pictorial drawings to the database; managing computerized plan-check system for PP-CS.

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Fire Prevention Services

Supervisor, Karen Lobo

The Fire Prevention Services group provides project design review for building Fire Alarm systems renovation and modification projects throughout the campus.

The Fire Alarm Engineer is part of a multi-group Fire Alarm Services team that includes Utilities Operations Electricians and Electronic Technicians from Technical Services. The engineer's role in the team is outline below:

When active devices within campus buildings are likely to cause false fire alarms, the Electricians can provide a scheduled alarm shutdown. The Fire Alarm Engineer can provide advice on the need and/or legality and scope of any shutdown. Shutdowns are scheduled via a Work Order from the appropriate Customer Service Representative.

The Fire Alarm Engineer provides plan review and consultation for any campus facility work that may directly or indirectly impact the campus fire alarm systems. Note that any construction or remodel work within a building could cause an avoidable false fire alarm. Consult with project coordinators to ensure that the work will not impact the fire alarm life safety systems that may be worked on only by qualified personnel.

The Engineer along with the Utilities Operations electricians, participate in fire drills that are scheduled via a Work Order. Drills are conducted in conjunction with EH&S and the Fire Marshal.

For all Fire Prevention requests, please call the Call and Business Center at 2-1032.

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Preventative Maintenance Group

Preventative Maintenance Coordinator Karen Lobo

The Preventative Maintenance (PM) group addresses preventive maintenance requirements on campus. Projects include: testing and servicing backflow prevention devices; electrical panel identification; boiler and heating hot water/chilled water systems testing and chemical treatment; performing inspections and ensuring cleanliness of mechanical rooms.

For all Preventative Maintenance requests, please call the Call and Business Center at 2-1032.

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Deferred Maintenance Program

The Deferred Maintenance (DM) Program comprises of four interrelated phases: audit, oversight and allocation, project implementation and reporting. The program is overseen by the Deferred Maintenance Policy Board (DMPB). Composed of representatives of key campus program and service provider constituencies, the DMPB guides the DM program, approves staff reports, makes final funding decisions regarding backlog items and approves significant mid-course adjustments during the project implementation phase. The DMPB's membership ensures that very difficult funding decisions are taken in the context of overall campus direction and priorities. Currently, the Berkeley Campus Deferred Maintenance Policy Board is composed of representatives of the following individuals and groups:

• The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
• The Vice Chancellor for Research
• The Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Affairs
• The Academic Senate (2 members)
• The Library
• The Council of Deans
• The Chief Administrative Officers Group
• Space Management and Capital Programs
• Environment Health and Safety
• Capital Projects
• Physical Plant - Campus Services

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