BBC
Utilities Department oversees the providing of electric,
water, air-conditioning, and sewage utility services
throughout the Biscayne Bay Campus. In addition, Academic One,
Academic Two, the Library and the Wolf University Center are
provided electricity, domestic water (hot and cold), and air
conditioning from one central utilities center. The Utilities
Department monitors and manages these operations, at the
Central Chiller Plant centrally located to supply the four
buildings. If you have problems, please contact our Work Order
Center at 305-919-5567
HOT DOMESTIC WATER is obtained by
heating water to steam in boilers, which is then sent through
coils in a "heat-exchange unit". Water passes
through the hot heat exchange and is heated, before being
circulated to the buildings and their internal hot water
pipes. The hot water system is a closed system, in that it
continually is recirculated back through the heat-exchange
unit. Cold water is continually added to keep the system
"full".
COLD
DOMESTIC WATER is
supplied by city water systems. Many of the buildings require
a pump to raise the pressure of the water supplied, to provide
adequate pressure throughout the buildings cold water faucets.
FIRE PUMPS
AND ALARM SYSTEMS are also maintained by the Utilities
Department. These safety systems must be tested often. The
fire pump water system is maintained separate from the
Domestic Water Systems.
AIR-CONDITIONING
is provided through the use of chilled water. The water is
continually circulated between the Central Chiller Plant and
each building. The water is chilled by one or more
"chillers" (depending upon demand), to about 40
degrees. The chilled water is pumped through huge pipes to the
"air-handler-units" in each building. The chilled
water is run through coils in the air-handler, where air is
blown over the coils and chilled. The chilled air is then
piped throughout the building by way of ducts and vents.
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