The safety of our campus community remains our priority. All campus community members accessing campus facilities must continue to follow all established COVID-19 prevention guidelines and their department’s Worksite Specific Plan. As we move toward the fall and increased building occupancy, there are a number of changes building occupants should be made aware of prior to returning to campus.

To best prepare for a safe return, please be aware of the following adjustments to building and campus systems:

PARKING

Transportation and Parking Services offers several permit options based on frequency and length of time for individuals needing to park on campus. Each permit type has different parking options and costs vary. Individuals can buy by the hour, day, week, or month based on their individual needs. For more information, visit Return to Work Parking Information.

BUILDING SECURITY AND ACCESS

To gain building access, supervisors must complete or update a Worksite Specific Plan, which is reviewed by department chairs/unit heads and the Operational Continuity Working Group. Once Worksite Specific plans are approved, the Operational Continuity group will coordinate with Facilities Services and UCPD to ensure routine opening of doors and increased security patrols of areas that are planned to be re-populated. Facilities Services has already started scheduling routine unlocking and locking of buildings based on current occupancy to help assure appropriate building security.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS/HYDRATION STATIONS

Facilities Services is currently in the process of returning service for all water fountain bubblers across campus and anticipate this project to be fully completed by mid-August. 

Additionally, Facilities Services continues to retrofit some existing first floor campus water fountains with a bottle refill functionality (some were added previously based on building occupancy). UCR has hydration stations that are available for use (with proper building access) and can be found by zooming in on the Hand Sanitizer & Water Refill Stations map.

HVAC/VENTILATION

We are continuously monitoring the recommendations and guidance from the WHO, CDC, and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Based on the recommendations, Facilities has already taken the following actions:

• Maximized outside air to increase air circulation 1 hour before and after normal operating hours so more fresh air is being brought into active buildings
• Continue to update HVAC air filters to the maximum allowed rating for each building system in occupied buildings

We remind you that the most effective way to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus is vaccination. For those that are unable to be vaccinated, the use of a mask, hand washing, and physical distancing greatly reduces the potential for infection.

BUILDING AIR FILTERS

Facilities Services maintains air conditioning and ventilation systems and replaces air filters on a regular schedule throughout the year. Filtration further mitigates risk of transmission in buildings with recirculated air. As air moves through a building's HVAC system, air filters trap and collect large and small particles such as dust, allergens and microorganisms. It is important to note that although few studies to date specifically examine the role of HVAC systems in COVID-19 transmission, no evidence was found associating transmission with central HVAC systems.

For more information on Facilities Services HVAC and ventilation, visit the Facilities Services HVAC FAQs.

BUILDING CLEANING SCHEDULE AND DISINFECTING SUPPLIES

CDC recently published a science brief supporting that contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites) are not a principal mode by which people become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Other risk mitigation efforts such as vaccination, masking and staying away from sick individuals are more effective at infection prevention. However, Facilities Services continues to clean and disinfect common areas more frequently and will continue to provide services to campus buildings. For information on cleaning frequency, click here.

Facilities Services is providing a free-of-charge disinfecting kit and alcohol-based hand sanitizer for use in campus facilities. This kit will provide an EPA approved, one-step surface disinfectant spray that does not require you to wear PPE and is effective in killing the virus left on a variety of surfaces. To request your disinfectant kits, visit the Facilities Services website.

Campus restroom facilities and other plumbing systems are not designed to handle disinfectant wipes. Cleaning wipes do not break down or dissolve and should not be flushed down toilets. Doing so can lead to significant building floods and could ultimately require closure of buildings and interruption of operations. This type of material should be discarded in the trash only.

PROPPING OPEN BUILDING DOORS

For fire prevention, life safety and building mechanical system operations reasons, do not prop open:

• Entry doors
• Fire doors
• Laboratory doors
• Security access doors