2 AM Alarm Disrupts Kirkland House

A 2 a.m. fire alarm triggered by floating dust stirred during the removal of asbestos in Kirkland House yesterday has raised questions concerning University procedures for removal of the insulant from food service tunnels and pipes.

cedures for removal of the insulant from food service tunnels and pipes.

Buildings and Grounds officials scheduled the work for the early morning hours in an attempt to avoid disruption of food preparation, but no one informed the House superintendent, food service workers and managers, or House residents about the project.

"I can't believe there is such a lack of communication," Marian McClure, an assistant senior tutor at Kirkland House said. "If the superintendent knew, at least he could have turned off the alarm so that the people weren't disturbed," she added.

Robert Saltonstall, associate vice president for operations, said he was not surprised the superintendent did not know about the work.

"You can't tell everyone what's going on," he said, adding, "but this is still an issue that should be raised."

Kirkland House is one of several areas of the University where asbestos is being removed or repaired. Many scientists believe that inhalation of the insulant increases the risk of two types of cancer.

Poor Coordination

University officials explained that this lack of coordination among administrators and workers is a continuing problem. "It's a glitch in the system," said Robert E. Lyng, facilities manager in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, "and it definitely could have been handled better."

"There should be better communications between superintendents and food service area workers," he added.

Although the Buildings and Grounds department was responsible for the contracting of the late night and early morning work, a number of officials within the department were unaware that the project had started at Kirkland House.

"I have no idea why they were working there at two in the morning," said Thomas A. Tribble, manager of energy systems in the Department of Buildings and Grounds, "and I don't know who hired them."

McClure explained that she first found out about the workers when she heard their radio earlier that evening. "The workers were not even aware that they were working in a dormitory," she added.

John Hurtado, assistant superintendent of Kirkland House, said that he and Head Superintendent Kevin Higgins had been told work was planned, but had never been given the starting time.

Completion Date

It had been hoped that workers would finish removing or patching up the asbestos from several kitchens before the end of spring break, but the work took longer than expected, officials said. Work is also planned for Adams House and the Quad Houses this summer.

These operations will complete an effort to eliminate the health hazard posed by asbestos insulation in the River Houses and Quad Houses which began approximately a year ago.