GOLD COAST PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING, 2.18.15
QUICK ACTION PREVENTS FIRE SPRINKLER RUPTURE FROM CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AT GOLD COAST LIBRARY
February 20, 2015 -- A fire sprinkler rupture at the Gold Coast Public Library in Glen Head this past Monday afternoon caused damage to books and ceiling tiles, but fortunately, because of quick action was contained in short order, preventing significantly greater losses. The likely culprit, said Library Director Michael Morea, was the single digit temperatures on the coldest day of the most recent deep freeze that residents of the Northeast have had to endure this winter.
Although the Library was closed on Monday in observance of President's Day, the timing of the malfunction could not have been better, with Mr. Morea in the library at the time overseeing air duct cleaning work done by a restoration company that also specializes in fire and water damage clean-up. At this past Wednesday's Library Board meeting, Mr. Morea explained that as the workers were ending their job, the sprinkler head burst open sending a steady spray across the non-fiction section and creating a stream of water that headed towards the stairs. Within just a couple of minutes Mr. Morea was able to locate and turn the shut-off valve stopping the stream from becoming a deluge and causing significantly greater damage. The fire department, which is alerted when a sprinkler is triggered, was on the scene a few minutes later. Virtually all of the non-fiction collection was lost, said the Director, as were ceiling tiles in the children's section on the lower level. But for "dumb luck," it could have been far worse, he explained. While the frigid temps were the likely cause of the malfunction with the pipes running close to the roof, they were also the reason why he and the workers were still in the library at 3:45 pm when the breach occurred. Their equipment, having been left in the vans overnight, had frozen up, and having to retrieve new tools, the start of their work was delayed for hours. Otherwise, Mr. Morea said, the duct cleaning would have been completed earlier, and he and the workers long gone. Although closed on Tuesday for clean-up, the Library re-opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. Again - it could have been worse. A nearly identical mishap occurred that same day at the Mineola Library shutting that branch down for the entire week. The affected books and ceiling tiles have been removed, and although for now a bit unattractive with yellow caution tape stretched across certain areas of the upper and lower levels, Mr. Morea explained that there is absolutely no risk to public health or safety. The damaged items, he also said, are covered by the Library's insurance policy. BACK TO HOME PAGE BACK TO HOME PAGE |
Other Headlines from 2/18 Gold Coast Library Board Meeting -IN ANTICIPATION OF HALM CONTRACT, LIBRARY BOARD CHOOSES ARCHITECTURAL AND FINANCIAL FIRMS
With the signing of a contract to purchase the 5.3 acre Halm Industries property on Glen Head Road appearing imminent, the Gold Coast Library Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday to hire both an architectural firm and a financial services firm that will offer assistance both before and after a public vote on whether or not the library ought to purchase the property. The contract with Halm would be contingent on the community's approval in a referendum. In preparation for a vote, Library Director Michael Morea explained that the financial services firm, Capital Market Advisors of Great Neck, will help provide information to residents regarding the impact that the purchase of the property and a bond issue would have on their individual tax bills, and assuming that the purchase is approved will guide the Library board through the bond issue process. The Architectural firm, KG & D Architects of Mount Kisco, New York, will gather input from the community in helping to develop a design that will best meet the community's needs and tastes, said Mr. Morea. RELATED ARTICLE
GOLD COAST LIBRARY BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS TO ACQUIRE HALM INDUSTRIES PROPERTY (December 19, 2014) |