Heavy rain damages equipment, facilities in Gokongwei building
CJ Cachola
After a heavy 30 minute downpour, rainwater penetrated the Gokongwei Building, home building of the College of Computer Studies, at exactly 8:30 pm, last August 31.
Shirts, floor mats and tube skirts blocked the downspouts of the newly replaced roof. The blockage resulted in the overflowing of rainwater on the gutters.
“There were no leaks coming from the roof sheets. Rather, the occurrence of overflowing gutters was brought by a combination of rain and some unusual factors like pieces of apparel,” said by Engr. Rolando Oliva, Head of the Civil and Sanitary Works Office (CSWO). “One of the shirts was still on the hanger when it was found,” he added.
Based on the investigations of the CSWO, the accumulation of the pieces of apparel does not appear to be intentionally done. Most likely the explanation is that the articles of clothing from nearby condominiums were items hung to dry which had been blown in the direction of the gutters. The investigators specified that the situation is new, being the first time such an occurrence has happened. They identified the existence of multiple high-rise condominiums as the reason behind the overflow of rainwater.
Engr. Emmil Sadsad of Diar’s Assistance Incorporated and the building-in-charge noted that their main suspected source is EGI Taft Tower. He further stressed out that it was an accident and that it was not intentional. But Engr. Oliva amended the statement of Engr. Sadsad saying that it is hard to determine the culprit, and that they cannot pinpoint suspects due to the three adjacent condominiums: One Archer’s Place, EGI and Cityland.
The water flowed from the 4th floor of Gokongwei down to its 1st floor, since the concrete floors of Gokongwei are not waterproofed.
As a result, computers and electrical outlets on the third and fourth floors were drenched. Ceilings and tiles were also damaged and most projectors and air conditioning units still need to be tested. The first floor faculty room also sustained leaks in the ceiling which left watermarks and some peelings.
Immediately after the incident, the CSWO, with the aid of Diar’s Assistance Incorporated, have been working on preventive measures from Sept. 3 to 9, in response to the incident. “We have been working overtime in our work for over a week. Normally, our working hours is from 8 am tp 5 pm, but we extend every day until 11 pm,” Engr. Sadsad said.
Diar’s has installed 16 overflow pipes to divert the flow of water and to lessen the water flowing into the downspouts. Ceiling and electrical wirings have already been repaired, while the retouching of damaged paint is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Kai Shan Fernandez, Vice Dean of College of Computer Studies (CCS), mentioned that the repercussions of the incident with regards to academics were felt in the week after the incident, since there were some classrooms that were affected. The CCS administration relocated classes to other venues like the Andrew Building, St. Joseph Hall, and Velasco Building to ensure the continuance of classes.
More photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151077762634760.446207.149678604759&type=3
