Sweltering heat a problem in classrooms
Moore and Begley suffer air conditioning malfunctions
Finley, Marty
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: News
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He said a gradual buildup of sludge could form and settle in the bottom of the coils in older systems.
The Moore building was built in 1968, and Begley was built in 1970, so, it is not uncommon for this buildup to happen, he said.
"When it settles in the coils, you have to inject chemicals to release these coils," he said.
These chemicals are in essence an acid that eats away at the sludge, eventually destroying it.
But it's not a fast process. "There is not an expectation of immediate result," he said.
Another problem is the intense heat occurring all over the state, which puts additional strain on any air conditioning system.
Middleton said the systems in the Moore and Begley buildings were created to sustain a temperature up to twenty degrees lower than the outside temperature at full capacity.
Middleton said with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the system would only be able to cool the buildings to degrees in the high 70s.
Even at full capacity, the building's system is created to only handle temperatures around 90 degrees. "Mother Nature is working against us," he said.
And Middleton said it is impractical to bring in any type of alternative cooling device while the system is being repaired.
Nevertheless, custodians have done what little they can in the Begley building, placing a set of fans to stagger some of the heat.
The Moore building was built in 1968, and Begley was built in 1970, so, it is not uncommon for this buildup to happen, he said.
"When it settles in the coils, you have to inject chemicals to release these coils," he said.
These chemicals are in essence an acid that eats away at the sludge, eventually destroying it.
But it's not a fast process. "There is not an expectation of immediate result," he said.
Another problem is the intense heat occurring all over the state, which puts additional strain on any air conditioning system.
Middleton said the systems in the Moore and Begley buildings were created to sustain a temperature up to twenty degrees lower than the outside temperature at full capacity.
Middleton said with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the system would only be able to cool the buildings to degrees in the high 70s.
Even at full capacity, the building's system is created to only handle temperatures around 90 degrees. "Mother Nature is working against us," he said.
And Middleton said it is impractical to bring in any type of alternative cooling device while the system is being repaired.
Nevertheless, custodians have done what little they can in the Begley building, placing a set of fans to stagger some of the heat.