Grewcock fireplaces possible fire hazard
John Krudy
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
A construction oversight caused a fire hazard in Grewcock Student Union that will keep fireplaces cold and dark until contractors fix the mistake this spring.
The gas fireplaces were lit during the union opening on Jan. 18, but administrators noticed that wood paneling surrounding the stone chimney was hot and at risk of catching fire.
"We're within all the fire codes, but the wood is still getting too hot," said Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé. "I put my hand on it the night of the dedication, and it was very warm."
Oak paneling two feet high circles each fireplace, placed eight inches above the firebox itself. But the lower edge of the wood juts out three inches, trapping and absorbing escaping heat. Péwé said the molding must be shifted up another seven inches to keep the combustible material away from hot air.
"We'll get to it as soon as we can, probably around spring break," Péwé said. He said Foulke Construction and Christman Company, the original contractors, will fix the mistake, which he estimates will cost the college about $5,000.
The safety of installed fireplaces relies on following installation guidelines, said Tom Alaniz of Hetilator, the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, company that manufactures the gas-burning units.
"It all depends on the fireplace," Alaniz said. "You've got to follow the guidelines - it's all there in the install manual."
Péwé said he wants to fix the problem without damaging the fireplace aesthetics.
"We have to move it seven inches, but we also need to fill in the spaces in the stone we open up and make sure it looks balanced," he said. "We don't want to make the same mistake twice."
Many students laugh at the problem.
"I like to study by a fireplace, especially when it's snowing," said junior Tom Cox. "It's really weird that they don't turn on, but at least it's going to be fixed."
The gas fireplaces were lit during the union opening on Jan. 18, but administrators noticed that wood paneling surrounding the stone chimney was hot and at risk of catching fire.
"We're within all the fire codes, but the wood is still getting too hot," said Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé. "I put my hand on it the night of the dedication, and it was very warm."
Oak paneling two feet high circles each fireplace, placed eight inches above the firebox itself. But the lower edge of the wood juts out three inches, trapping and absorbing escaping heat. Péwé said the molding must be shifted up another seven inches to keep the combustible material away from hot air.
"We'll get to it as soon as we can, probably around spring break," Péwé said. He said Foulke Construction and Christman Company, the original contractors, will fix the mistake, which he estimates will cost the college about $5,000.
The safety of installed fireplaces relies on following installation guidelines, said Tom Alaniz of Hetilator, the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, company that manufactures the gas-burning units.
"It all depends on the fireplace," Alaniz said. "You've got to follow the guidelines - it's all there in the install manual."
Péwé said he wants to fix the problem without damaging the fireplace aesthetics.
"We have to move it seven inches, but we also need to fill in the spaces in the stone we open up and make sure it looks balanced," he said. "We don't want to make the same mistake twice."
Many students laugh at the problem.
"I like to study by a fireplace, especially when it's snowing," said junior Tom Cox. "It's really weird that they don't turn on, but at least it's going to be fixed."
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