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Live! - News

Library Hotter than Mauritius

Apr 16 2007 20:26

Ashley Brown

It's 30°C, but not outside - Level 5 of the library is hotter than Mauritius, well above the recommended working temperature.

Feeling hot, hot, hot

Students returning to College after the Easter break to revise will be welcomed by uncomfortably high temperatures in the library - probably even hotter than their home countries if coming from overseas.

Level 5 of the library - 30.1°C

Early on Monday afternoon Level 5 of the South Kensington library reached a high of 30.2°C (just over 86°F). Attempts to decrease the temperature in the near future have been blocked by residents from Alexandra Court, the building opposite the library.

The maximum working temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation is 24°C, with the Trades Union Congress calling for an absolute maximum of 30°C. The library marginally exceeded this just after 14:30 on Monday.

Additionally, the relative humidity was recorded as 25%, below the UK recommendation of 40% and even the 30% allowed in the US. Low humidity can exacerbate respiratory and skin conditions, whilst also increasing the risk of static shocks.

Make the Library Cool

The harsh working conditions in the library were to be resolved with new external solar shading as part of the library refurbishment project. This shading was rejected by Westminster council after local residents objected, delaying the whole refurbishment in the process. A new application has been submitted for the project with the shading removed.

In the coming months a separate application will be submitted solely for the shading, with support from Westminster's student residents essential to getting the application through. The Union has so far led a fairly low-profile campaign, but with temperatures rising that is set to change - posters and leaflets will be distributed in the library from next week containing details of what students can do to help.

Live! created a Facebook group when the problems were first announced which anyone is welcome to join.

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Discussion about “Library Hotter than Mauritius”

The comments below are unmoderated submissions by Live! readers. The Editor accepts no liability for their content, nor for any offence caused by them. Any complaints should be directed to the Editor.

1. Kirsty Patterson

Apr 16 2007 22:21

And people have been asking me why I'm revising in the nice air conditioned bar across the road, with ample space outside to top up your tan and drink Pimms... mmmm... Pimms...

2. DP What was it?

Apr 16 2007 23:57

Perhaps the DPEW-elect could make a more useful comment?

3. Fat chance

Apr 17 2007 02:01

Hmm.. unlikely going by her previous record of posts on Live!

4. Kirsty Patterson

Apr 17 2007 08:30

Useful comments:

Follow this link to a very informative page on the Union Website inviting you to support the Planning Application on the City of Westminster Planning Departments Website https://www.imperialcollegeunion.org/news/make-the-library-cool,143,ICUNS.html. Ben Harris DPEW has also provided you with a model letter if you would prefer to use snail mail. Other important stuff like the Planning Reference Number can also be found on this page.
In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine! Revise outdoors! Maybe even on the lovely new grass in the quad while supporting The Union?s commercial services.

Right that is enough being useful I am off to drink tea and shuffle revision notes.

5. Kirsty Patterson

Apr 17 2007 08:37

Actually on second thoughts that isn't useful at all given that the Planning Application the link refers to is no longer valid.

The only suggestion I can make is get hold of one of those leaflets that will be handed out in library (if you can stand the heat) because information on the Union Website appears to be out of date.

6. master of cool

Apr 17 2007 18:06

I recomend the Biochemistry Staff Common Room on Level 7 Biochemistry.

Air conditioned, staff hardly ever use it, and has a balcony overlooking the SK campus :D

7. Richard Hayden

Apr 19 2007 21:22

Tried to use the central library today to revise and none of the levels with 'silent' work areas were habitable. People working in there were visibly sweating. The situations is a bit of a joke to be honest.

Can't they stop wasting time with this ""external solar shading" and just fit an air-conditioning system with enough capacity to cool the building. I'm sure they won't need planning permission for that.

8. Ashley Brown

Apr 19 2007 22:04

They need planning permission to fit the relevant plant on the roof (a chiller unit is included as part of the refurbishment plans). It also requires acoustic shielding so as not to disturb the neighbours.

EVERYTHING seems to need planning permission, even my suggestion to the sabbs that we write a sarcastic message on the windows facing Alexandra Court would probably require it.

9. Adspotter

Apr 20 2007 11:54

It does amuse me somewhat that there's an advert for cooling systems at the top of this page as I read.

10. spencer smith

Jan 20 2008 09:15

when the temp is high, it helps that the humidity is low. it helps your body to get rid of the heat better.

11. Andrew Holland

Apr 16 2008 13:14

What a difference a year makes. 30 degrees would be nice right now.

12. Typical

Feb 18 2010 16:40

More sensationalist reporting from Lawrence Weetman.

Try being less dramatic! Psht.

13. @12

Feb 18 2010 16:54

Weetman didn't write this!! was he even at Imperial when this was written?

14. @13

Feb 18 2010 16:58

Lawrence's melodrama transcends time. Besides, have you ever seen him and Ashely Brown in the same room at the same time?

15. fake and gay

Feb 18 2010 17:00

That photo looks shopped. I can tell from some of the pixels and seeing quite a few shops in my time.

16. Flower

Feb 19 2010 08:28

A reminder that they sorted this out when they re-furbished the library.

An appeal not to feed the trolls.

17. @_@

Feb 19 2010 11:24

Trolls get hungry too

18. Self-referential

Feb 21 2010 20:06

@18

You're wrong

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