Re: sprinkler systems in microscope room

Posted by Theresa Swayne on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Problems-with-Red-Safe-tp6927958p6933998.html

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I agree that guarding against floods from above is a good idea,  
whether or not you have sprinklers. I've never had a sprinkler system  
go off by accident, but we have had floods from dishwashers and leaky  
pipes on higher floors.

Our university Facilities department made plexiglas shields, which are  
suspended from the ceiling above the most expensive equipment. The  
shields have side walls a few inches high and a drain at one corner,  
with a drain tube running to the lab sink.

These shields have the desirable side effect of diverting the air  
currents from overhead air conditioner vents, but if they're too deep  
they can trap a significant amount of cold air and reduce cooling  
efficiency.

Theresa

On Oct 26, 2011, at 9:20 AM, Tim Feinstein wrote:

> Sprinklers are not the only concern - overhead flooding has obliged  
> me to disassemble and move a confocal under a tarp amidst indoor  
> rain, twice.  It is not a bad idea to take basic precautions like  
> lifting everything a few inches off the floor.
>
> Against overhead water, I saw one fellow put a slanted corrugated  
> plastic 'roof' above his scope.

------------------------------------
Theresa C. Swayne, Ph.D.
Manager, Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Shared Resource
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University
1130 Saint Nicholas Ave, 222A
New York, NY 10032

212-851-4613

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http://hiccc.columbia.edu/research/sharedresources/confocal