Inspection Report
October 2019
FACILITY ROOM INSPECTIONS UPDATE
During the month of October, our facilities staff went into every residence hall room to inspect the heating/air conditioning unit, piping, ceiling, plumbing (in suite-style rooms) and the room in general. 

Overall, the inspections went well. Rooms identified with any facility issue were addressed at the time of inspection or through a follow-up a few days after the inspection. 

We will be inspecting again over winter break with a focus on filter replacements in the heating/air conditioning units.

Addressed below are a few common concerns that all residents should read to ensure our mechanical systems are working their best.
HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
Furniture Above or In Front of Heating/Air Conditioning Unit
Facilities staff observed quite a few rooms where the heating/air conditioning (HVAC) unit was blocked with furniture either in front of or above the unit. The HVAC unit needs air space around it in order to function properly and restricting the air flow can have a negative impact on the function of the system and create environmental issues. All students should remove any furniture within 3 feet in front of the HVAC unit and any furniture above the unit.

Adjusting the Temperature in Your Room
Our residence hall rooms use heating and cooling systems (HVAC) that utilize cold water during cooling season and hot water during heating. In order for the system to work properly, its thermostats are controlled. Residents have some control over the temperature, but there are limits set to minimize issues with the system. 

A few additional tips to keep your HVAC unit working its best:
  • Do not place any items directly in front of the unit. This impacts the air intake. 
  • Leave your windows closed. If the outside temperature is below 60 degrees, it's OK to open your window.
  • Leave your thermostat on "auto." 
  • Do not not manipulate the thermostats to work outside the limits set in the system. Not only is this against residence hall policy and can be tracked in our system by room but it also could damage the system causing issues for your room and other students in the building. 

If you think your HVAC is not working properly or if your room is especially humid, please submit a work order so we can check it out.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MOLD
Is that Mold?
Mold can grow under certain conditions in the residence halls just like it can any other residence. We take mold concerns seriously and will address them promptly and thoroughly. Here are a few things to know about mold and how we treat any concerns with it.

  1. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. The pipes in the rooms carry cold water when air conditioning is on and hot water when heat is on. The pipes are insulated to minimize moisture issues but some condensation may occur when the outside air is much warmer than the water inside the pipes (similar to when your cold drink gets condensation on the glass on a hot day).
  2. To decrease mold growth, indoor humidity should be in a range between 30 and 60 percent. Our system is designed to keep humidity levels between 25 and 30 percent. Exhaust fans are located in suite-style rooms to pull moisture out of the bathroom. Dehumidifiers may be brought in if more humidity management is needed. Proper use of the thermostats as described above helps control the humidity levels as well.
  3. Molds can be found almost anywhere — they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods. Keeping your space clean and reporting any concerns immediately can help address concerns if they arise.
  4. If any mold is found, it will be addressed as per guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Kansas and K-State Environmental Health and Safety.
  5. Depending on the nature of the mold, whether old and inactive or new growth, treatment may include cleaning the affected area, repairing any pipe insulation that is damaged, and/or painting the area with mold-resistant paint. The mold found in rooms during inspections was treated accordingly. You may notice that when cleaning mold, our staff does not wipe away any excess spray of the cleaning product. The product is left on to deter any future mold growth. 
  6. Housing and Dining Services can deploy additional measures for any rooms that need further treatment. 

Be sure to report any concerns about mold right away. Please submit a work order so we can properly address the issue. 
WORK ORDERS
Submit a Work Order
Residents can now submit their own work orders! If there is an issue with your room, please let us know. Log in to the  Housing and Dining Services Resident Portal and click on the work order link. 

Please be detailed with the issue including the location in the room and submit only one item/issue per work order. You can upload photos as well. If we are permitted to enter when you're not in the room, we can get to the problem faster. Just be sure to indicate in the order that permission is granted. 
K-State Housing and Dining Services | 785-532-6453 |   hdmktg@k-state.edu  |  housing.k-state.edu
104 Pittman Building
Manhattan, KS 66506