February 2, 1995
Construction that annoys students today could save their lives in the future.
Installation of a sprinkler and fire alarm system in the J. Paul Leonard library at SF State began in January and should be completed in early June.
Grinnell Fire Protection Systems is the company in charge of the work. Since winter break members of the Sprinkler Fitters Union Local 483 have been picketing near the library, denouncing the company for not hiring union workers.
Currently, the reserve book room located in the basement is the only room in the library that has a sprinkler system. After June, all rooms will be fitted with sprinklers and fire alarms.
Entering the library, students are greeted with the sign, "Pardon our dust, construction in progress please walk carefully." Another sign says the Media Access Center will reopen on Feb. 6.
"Actually, (the construction) is ugly and kind of disappointing," Business major Nubo Saito said. "Something ought to be done."
But the construction is more than just an eyesore and hassle to students and staff.
"Books can make the hottest fires you have ever seen. The construction is a life, health, and safety matter," Assistant University Librarian Linda Dobb said.
According to Dobb, the state funded installation will cost approximately $300,000.
The worst part of the work, on the first and second floors of the library, was finished by deadline before the spring semester began, according to Dobb. Work is now underway on the third and fourth floors of the library.
The Media Center has been closed since January because of the ongoing construction. Students have been forced to find other places to do their work.
Brayden Gurnari, a student waiting for the Media Center to open said, "The semester is beginning. (The library) should be ready just like the rest of us."
"The construction is not that distracting," said Felix Garza, the Media Center's evening and weekend supervisor.
Another aid, Nagia Sayed said, "I would just like the (Media) Center to be open again."
"It is kind of sad because there is really no other lab available," said lab manager Jung Tjiptodjaja. "But during winter session the Business Lab was open to the students. I guess everything is kind of a mess."
"I apologize to those students who took winter session," Dobb said.
Although sections of the library are closed, there is a page service running. This service enables students to get books that are located in closed areas, according to Dobb. After putting in a request a student will receive the book within a couple of days.
In the event of a fire, the new sprinkler system will only be set off in the area of the fire not the entire building, according to Dobb. The sprinklers are set off when the temperature reaches a certain level, she said.
In addition to sprinklers, alarms adapted for the hearing impaired are being installed. These alarms use bright flashing lights to warn hearing impaired people, Dobb said.
A voice evacuation system will alert people and help evacuate the building in case of an emergency, she said.
Library staffers will be trained in how to evacuate the building in case of a fire; where fire extinguishers are located; and how the sprinkler and alarm system can be shut off in case of a false alarm.