Critical repair
March 1, 2023
FM teams complete UVA Health sewer line replacement ahead of schedule
Facilities Management and UVA Health recently teamed up to complete a critical project to replace the main sewer lines servicing the University Hospital's East Tower.
The project involved replacing deteriorating pipes that dated back to the original construction of this area of the building in 1986, to prevent unplanned leaks that could impact patient care. Restrooms in the East Tower were inaccessible during the repair work, which was completed between midnight and 4 a.m. to minimize impacts to patients and staff of the hospital.
Team members with Capital Construction & Renovations, Health System Physical Plant and UVA Health Environmental Services were reassigned to overnight shifts or took on additional hours in order to support the project overnight, locking the impacted restrooms starting at 11:30 p.m. each night and then stayed on site until 4:30 a.m. to unlock the doors. Contractor Riddleberger Brothers, Inc. performed the pipe replacement.
“With the great performance and communication from all parties, the project finished six days ahead of schedule,” said Capital Construction & Renovations Project Coordinator Hunter Durrer who managed the project. “As with any project there were challenges and obstacles along the way, but all were solved with creative thinking and persistence. These challenges included limited access to the waste pipes, restroom limitations, and schedule/supply chain aligning. Thank you to all of the parties involved and a job well done!”
HSPP team members — including Tyler Cameron, Barry Reynolds, Charlie Searcy, Mike Rose, Dickie Williams, Matt Taylor, Goran Ivanic, Todd Stroupe, Dan Cardwell and David Maupin — supported the project by protecting equipment from any spillage, installing new access panels, patching walls and aiding in restroom and water shutdowns.
Environmental Services team members — including Hla Kyi, Donna Franklin, Joanne Watson, Etta Carson and Juanita Tabilas — aided in restroom shutdowns on three floors and Facilities Planning & Capital Development team members Michael Payne and Kevin Fox assisted in the effective communication between Facilities Management and the multiple clinics affected by this work.
“This team performed in an exemplary manner,” said Facilities Planning & Capital Development Manager Michael Payne, according to a UVA Health Update newsletter. “From the start, they were upbeat and professional. I did not hear a single complaint about the extra work, the alternate hours, or the changed shifts. Quite to the contrary, I heard positivity and commitment. Each team member knew what was at stake and they executed their charged responsibilities quickly and quietly, with grace, and in a professional manner. I cannot be more proud of their performance, which I can only describe as exemplary. We cast a broad net seeking volunteers to help with this off-hour work and these individuals answered that call. They truly embraced our ASPIRE values and deserve recognition for going above and beyond.”
Jane Centofante
Communications senior generalist
UVA Facilities Management
(434) 982-5846
janecentofante@virginia.edu