Goldman School of Dental Medicine – Construction Update – 12/23/20
Special Note:
The winter intersession for the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, following the final class of the semester, and continues until Monday, January 4, 2021. During this time, only construction workers will be in the building.
Due to the closure of the University, there will be no Project Update issued during the week of December 28. We look forward to updating you on progress made during intersession on Friday, January 8.
During the weekend of December 26:
- Taking advantage of the Christmas holiday and GSDM intersession, work crews will spend Saturday and Sunday (December 26 and 27) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., removing hazardous materials surrounding the large (former stair pressurization) duct and shaft located in the middle of the Stair 1 stairwell, on floors one through seven. Only Stair 1 will be closed during this work.
- On Saturday, December 26, ceilings will be dismantled, doors and frames demolished, and water fountains removed on the second, fourth, and seventh floors at the elevator lobbies. On Sunday, December 27, at the same locations, the framing of new walls and door openings will begin.
- Also on Saturday and Sunday, in the third-floor corridor in the new addition, crews will remove the existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems above the ceiling. All ceilings will be replaced upon completion of this work.
During the week starting December 28:
- On Monday, December 28, removal of the existing hand railings will begin in the stairwells of Stairs 1 and 2. As the old rail is removed, the new hand railing system will be installed in accord with current building codes. This work will continue in both stairwells through Thursday, December 31.
- At the elevator lobbies on the second, fourth, and seventh floors, taping and sanding of the new walls will be followed by the installation of new doors and card readers. The ceilings at these locations will be completed with the reinstallation of the acoustical ceiling grid and tiles. Painting of the walls and the installation of the water fountains will conclude the work in these lobbies by Sunday, January 3, 2021.
- Fire alarm work will be completed upon installing the new system in typically occupied areas throughout GSDM, followed by system testing, while the building is unoccupied.
- Beginning on Tuesday, January 5, Phase 4 renovation work in the sixth-floor patient treatment center will focus on demolition and removal of hazardous materials. This work will continue through the second week in January.
- Upgrades to the existing second elevator will continue in the existing GSDM building, with crews working in the shaft to upgrade the rail system. Final connections of the power and fire alarm systems for the newly installed smoke guards at each floor will be completed early in the week.
- Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, there will be no work on-site on Friday, January 1. The site will reopen on Saturday, January 2, for weekend work.
Please consult these additional resources as needed:
- GSDM COVID-19 information: http://www.bu.edu/dental/covid-19-information/. This web page is a repository of all communications issued to the school community by the GSDM leadership. It also includes links to the Boston University and Boston University Medical Campus COVID-19 websites.
Upon returning from intersession, please be sure to note all directional signage and markings within the GSDM building and the designated stairs for travel between floors. Each stairway is marked with signage that shows the permissible direction of travel. Circulation may be revised to accommodate both construction and proper physical distancing as the school continues to evolve plans and operations for the phased re-opening and increased number of people in the school. These actions align with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by state regulatory agencies and by Boston University.
We hope that you remain safe and healthy, and that you enjoy the holiday season and your intersession break.
