Flood causes damage to Health Sciences Centre

Restoration companies have been called in to help with the clean-up and to dry and test computer and audio-visual equipment, after a flood from burst pipes in the McMaster Health Sciences Centre on Sunday evening.

The flood caused extensive damage of the first and second floors of the west side of the Health Sciences Centre, in the red and purple areas.

The primary areas affected are the Health Sciences Bookstore, McMaster Media Services and part of the Health Sciences Library on the first floor, as well as parts of the Faculty of Health Sciences' administration area, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and the Computer Services Unit on the second floor.

No patient areas of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) hospital have been involved.

The Health Sciences Book Store and McMaster Media Production Services will be closed until further notice. Relocation of some services is being investigated. The computer training room in HSC-2D8 is also closed. The Health Sciences Library is open, although part of the south-east area of the first floor will be closed.

Overnight, HHS maintenance and housekeeping staff were able to put plastic over many computers and workstations, but there has been damage to some computers and ceiling tiles have fallen or become saturated.

Computer Services manager Morag Horsman warns that FHS computer systems may experience some interruptions of service. People within the McMaster Health Sciences Centre may experience some discomfort as the air handling system is being repaired.

Repairs are being prioritized.

John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said: “This is disappointing, but we won't let it dampen our spirits. Repairs have already begun.”

Notices about changes in the situation will be posted on the Faculty's website at www.fhs.mcmaster.ca.

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Restoration companies have been called in to help with the clean-up and to dry and test computer and audio-visual equipment, after a flood from burst pipes in the McMaster Health Sciences Centre on Sunday evening.  <p><br />
<br />
The flood caused extensive damage of the first and second floors of the west side of the Health Sciences Centre, in the red and purple areas. <p><br />
<br />
The primary areas affected are the Health Sciences Bookstore, McMaster Media Services and part of the Health Sciences Library on the first floor, as well as parts of the Faculty of Health Sciences&#039; administration area, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and the Computer Services Unit on the second floor.<p><br />
<br />
No patient areas of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) hospital have been involved.<p><br />
<br />
The Health Sciences Book Store and McMaster Media Production Services will be closed until further notice. Relocation of some services is being investigated. The computer training room in HSC-2D8 is also closed. The Health Sciences Library is open, although part of the south-east area of the first floor will be closed.<p><br />
<br />
Overnight, HHS maintenance and housekeeping staff were able to put plastic over many computers and workstations, but there has been damage to some computers and ceiling tiles have fallen or become saturated.<p> <br />
<br />
Computer Services manager Morag Horsman warns that FHS computer systems may experience some interruptions of service. People within the McMaster Health Sciences Centre may experience some discomfort as the air handling system is being repaired. <p><br />
<br />
Repairs are being prioritized.<p><br />
<br />
John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said: "This is disappointing, but we won&#039;t let it dampen our spirits.  Repairs have already begun."<p><br />
<br />
Notices about changes in the situation will be posted on the Faculty&#039;s website at <a href="http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca">www.fhs.mcmaster.ca</a>.

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