October is peak autumn on the Corvallis campus. The wind is blowing, the sky is blue, the leaves are red and gold and the sounds of leaf blowers are in the air. With over 6300 deciduous trees on campus, there are a lot of leaves to clean up.

Leaf blowers aren't the most melodious sound, but Facilities Services is taking steps to control the effects of the increased noise. For one, landscapers observe limited hours of leaf blowing, especially in areas that echo and in spots on campus with busy class schedules. For these areas, much of the leaf blowing happens before classes begin, starting at 7:00 AM. In the areas around residence halls, leaf blowing doesn't start until 9:00 AM. Landscapers avoid leaf blowing during heavy pedestrian times -- such as in between classes -- and check large auditoriums before starting work. 

Safety is the first priority for Facilities Services, and getting wet leaves and pine needles off the sidewalks and roads quickly makes it safer for pedestrians, bike riders and drivers. Leaf blowing cleans off the sidewalks and streets faster than raking, and cleans the pavement enough to help avoid slippery spots. 

Leaf blowing is also the most cost-effective way to remove leaves and pine needles during the 10 week fall season. Raking, while quieter, is a much slower and more expensive process.

Facilities Services is dedicated to working with the campus community to mitigate the effects of blowers. If leaf blowing is interrupting your class or event,  please let your landscaper know or call the Work Coordination Center at 541-737-2969 and leaf removal will be rescheduled. 

Ever walk into a classroom or office in October and notice how chilly it is? Usually, this means the steam hasn't been turned on to that building yet for the season. Steam heats most of our buildings on campus, and the annual building steam valve turn on is a big responsibility on the fall checklist for Facilities Services.

Building managers work with occupants and then consult with Facilities Services to determine the best day to turn the heat back on. The steam in some buildings is not turned off in the summer, but the majority of Corvallis campus buildings have their steam turned off for so that maintenance and repairs can be performed and to conserve energy.

Facilities Services maintains the heating and cooling water systems in buildings as well. Glycol is added to these systems around campus to protect against freezing in the fall and winter. The glycol used is non-toxic, food grade and carries a kosher certification. Chilled water systems provide cooling to multiple buildings and equipment on campus, protecting them from freezing and damage. These systems are integral for keeping OSU's research, classes and operations running smoothly year round.

Currently, Facilities Services maintains 104 heating and cooling water systems in dozens of building on the Corvallis campus. These systems are tested and maintained by only one technician who checks for proper glycol concentration, chemistry and system operations.