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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Volume 31 Number 15, July 9, 1968

Ventilation Change Not Very Likely

Ventilation Change Not Very Likely

A library scene.

A library scene.

The ventilation system in Rankine Brown was designed for a library. The extra partitioning from the fifth floor to the ninth to accommodate offices and seminar rooms caused this system to become partially ineffective.

This was revealed recently in a discussion between David Clark, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr D. B. G. Taylor, and the Assistant Principal, Dr S. G. Culliford.

David Clark said that the Administration "fully appreciated and had investigated the problem and that their inquiry had revealed three major problem areas — the ninth floor, the seminar rooms on most floors, and the lecture rooms on the first floor.

He said that "the causes of the most recent discomfort in the library was the unauthorized turning of thermostats to over 90 degrees F. at both ends of the library".

"This has since been readjusted to 65 to 70 degrees," he said.

"Floor nine is subject to hot air rising from the other floors by the stair well. The most effective remedy (the installation of an extractor) is against fire regulations. However, adjustable slats have recently been fitted at each end of the corridor to allow fresh air to enter."

"The main problem with the closed-in seminar and leclecture rooms is not so much the ventilation system as the continual use of these rooms."

"Extra fans and slats fitted to these inside rooms would be sufficient if these rooms were free every two or three hours."

"Unfortunately allocation of these rooms is left to individual departments who refuse to use less convenient rooms for seminars," he said.

"Given the most financial circumstances the Administration finds itself under." Clark observed, "the most effective measure would be to interspace use of the rooms with periods to allow renewal of air."

It was revealed during the discussion, Clark said, that the sophisticated nature of present and future ventilation systems in the university and the inadequacy of the outside servicing firm, had prompted the employment of a full-time Plant Engineer.