Emergency Guideline GU.FAC.019 - Version 1.0 For Project Supervisor, Team Leader, Caretakers, Trades Approved by FS Leadership Team, March 27, 2013 Water Main Breaks After Normal Operating Hours Introduction In the event of a water main break, staff from Construction and Operations must work together to fix the problem quickly and efficiently, making best use of their joint resources to ensure that the building is operational as soon as possible and the occupants are safe. Every effort will be made to avoid closing the school. In addition to fixing water main breaks on its own property, the City of Toronto is responsible for the following water-related emergencies and recurring problems: Basement and sewer flooding Problems with water pressure and volume Discoloured tap water Leaking or broken water meter Leaking fire hydrant Road repairs Water main breaks can occur on Board or City property. This guideline covers water main breaks on Board property, which the Board is responsible for repairing. Broken Water Main Response Process After Normal Operating Hours Who does what during water main repairs Caretaker: Responds to the break by notifying the TDSB Call Centre Duty Supervisor: Responsible for the protection of the building after hours; authorizes the dispatch of the Operations plumber after hours The time needed for fixing a water main break can be significantly increased while Board staff wait for the City to shut off the water at street level or while waiting for utility location results. Wait times of several hours have been documented. During this time, site preparation, communication, and building and site condition assessments are being performed. Board staff will cooperate to do whatever they can to avoid the heavy costs that can be incurred with these delays. Mechanical Maintenance Team Leader (MTL): Responsible for the protection of the building Family Team Leader (FTL): Single point of contact for communications with school, plumbers, and central staff Operations plumber: Provides initial assessment of site to MTL; may be required to protect the building during the repair Construction Project Supervisor: Manages the repair of the water main break and keeps the MTL and/or FTL up-todate Construction Plumber Lead Hand: Coordinates work on the job site; performs necessary repairs; communicates with Construction Project Supervisor Site Services Team Leader (SSTL): Contacts, dispatches, and coordinates the site crew Page 1 of 4
The FTL is the single point of contact for communications with the school and. He or she will send an email to the FS distribution group (FSVEmergencyNotification@tdsb.o n.ca) to update the Principal, Superintendent, and others of the potential impact on school operations and the condition of the site. Factors to consider when deciding whether the water can stay on include location of the break (e.g., inside or outside the building) time the break occurred whether there is a daycare, community centre, family and youth centre or permits on site the potential for property damage type and condition of the steam plant The Construction plumber will contact the Call Centre if the water is shut off so that they can be aware that water-based fire protection systems are not working. A fire watch may be required. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand is in charge of the repair site. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand will communicate with the Site Services Construction Lead Hand to determine what additional staff and materials are needed (e.g., fencing, number of trucks, additional pumps) 1. When there is a water main break after normal operating hours, the caretaker must notify the TDSB Call Centre at 416-395-4620. He or she also notifies the Family Team Leader (FTL). If the water main break is during normal operating hours see the Water Main Breaks During Normal Operating Hours guideline (coming soon). 2. The Call Centre creates a notification for the Family Team Leader s planner group. 3. The Call Centre contacts the Duty Supervisor. 4. The Duty Supervisor will authorize the Call Centre to dispatch a Board plumber from Operations to the site. 5. The Operations plumber will shut down the main valve in the school. The Operations plumber will assess the site and determine the nature and severity of the problem, and whether the break is on City or Board property. 6. If the break is on Board property, the Operations plumber will contact the Call Centre, who will connect to the Duty Supervisor. However, if the break is on City Property the Call Centre will contact the City to make repairs. 7. The Call Centre remains on the line. Once the Duty Supervisor gives the authority, the Call Centre will call the Construction Project Supervisor or Designate, who will dispatch the Construction Plumber Lead Hand to the site. 8. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand will consult with the Operations plumber to make a recommendation to the Construction Project Supervisor about whether or not to keep the water on. Project Supervisor will consult with the Duty Supervisor. 9. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand will call the City to have the main water valve shut down at the appropriate time, as determined in Step 8. Page 2 of 4
Typically, the site services crew consists of the following people: Site Services Construction Lead Hand (CLH) brings the tool truck with all necessary tools A Machine Operator (Excavator) to haul the excavator to the site Two Machine Operators (dump truck drivers) to haul skid steer/bobcat, shoring box and temporary fencing to the site A general maintenance labourer may also be needed depending on the site size, location of the break and room for maneuvering If Board staff are delayed in their work because the City has not yet shut off the water, or they are waiting for utility location results, or the City is busy repairing its own breakage (e.g., one of its own valves), Board staff will do what it can to prepare the site for repairs. If the City is unable to shut off the water at the property line (e.g., if notification to the neighbourhood is required), the Project Supervisor or designate will instruct staff to leave the site in order to reduce labour costs. Staff will be dispatched to the site as soon as work is ready to resume. If the Operations plumber remains on site, he or she will complete outstanding plumbing work orders at the site or replace valves as needed, if there is time. 10. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand calls the Construction Project Supervisor, who requests that the Site Services Team Leader from Construction dispatch a Site Services Construction Lead Hand and crew to secure the site and prepare it for excavation. To reduce labour costs the crew should only include the minimum number of staff required to repair the site. 11. Site Services Team Leader or the Site Services Construction Lead Hand will call the 24-hour Ontario One-Call Locate Centre (1-800-400-2255) for utility locations, and the Construction electrician for scanning our own electrical infrastructure. 12. Once the City has shut off the water and the site is prepared, the Construction Plumber Lead Hand calls another mechanical plumber from Construction to the site to begin repairs. The Construction Plumber Lead Hand will request that the second plumber from Construction bring to the site the specific equipment needed for the repair. If the broken main is a dedicated fire protection main, the second mechanical tradesperson called to the site should be a sprinkler fitter. 13. The Construction Project Supervisor, in consultation with the Duty Supervisor and the Construction Plumber Lead Hand, will decide if the Operations plumber is still needed at the site (e.g., to ensure safety of the building), based on the size and complexity of the school (e.g., whether or not it has a community centre, daycare, pool, heating plant, or chiller). 14. Excavation and repairs are completed. 15. Construction Lead Hand Plumber calls the City and water is turned back on. Page 3 of 4
If the Construction Project Supervisor has determined that the Operations plumber IS NOT needed on site for the trench repair work, then either the Construction plumbers can flush the building after the repair has been completed, or the Operations plumber can return to the site the next day during regular hours to flush it. If the Project Supervisor determines that the Operations plumber IS needed on site during the repair, the Operations plumber can flush the building after the repair. 16. The two construction plumbers and Site Services crew must remain at the site until the water is turned back on so the main can be pressurized and tested. This work could be delayed by several hours while waiting for the City to arrive. Two mechanical plumbers are needed at the site: one inside the trench to perform the repair and one outside the trench for cutting and measuring. The second plumber will come to the site only when repair work is ready to begin. If the Operations plumber does not stay at the site, the Construction plumber will be responsible for monitoring the building s mechanical systems. 17. The Project Supervisor or designate will instruct staff to leave the site in order to reduce labour costs. Staff will be dispatched to the site as soon as work is ready to resume. 18. Once the water main has been repaired, the plumbers flush out the building and activate mechanical systems. If there is a backflow preventer device on the fire protection system, the MTL/Duty Supervisor or Construction Project Supervisor will arrange for the sprinkler fitter to inspect and test the device after repairs are completed. 19. The MTL/Duty Supervisor and FTL are informed of the successful repair. If the school cannot be opened the following day, the Duty Supervisor will inform the Principal. 20. Primary site repair (e.g., backfill) is complete and the site secured (e.g., fenced off) immediately. 21. In most cases, secondary site repairs (e.g., leveling, additional backfilling, removal of debris and safety fencing, asphalt patching) can be performed at the start of the next day during regular work hours. 22. Once the secondary repairs are completed, Construction will hand control of the site to the FTL, with the understanding that restoration work will still need to be performed. Page 4 of 4
Restoration Work Restoration work (e.g., new concrete, repaving, restoring retaining walls, replacing gardens, sod and trees) may need to occur in stages over time, depending on the time of year and the funds available. If fixing the broken water main involves extensive repairs or wait times, a second shift will need to be called to take over the work. To allow for essential communication between the two shifts, there will likely be an overlap of approximately one hour. 1. The FTL is responsible for coordinating the completion of the restoration work, operations staff on a work order, construction staff on a network, or by using an external contractor. 2. The FTL will arrange to meet the SSTL on site to assess the conditions and resources required for restoration. 3. Before leaving the site, the SSTL and the FTL will consult with the Principal about the scope of work and timeline. 4. The FTL or Designate will keep the Principal up to date as needed until the restoration work is complete. Related Documents GU.FAC.018 Water Main Breaks During Normal Operating Hours Page 5 of 4