Facilities Management has decided to replace an estimated 1,500 electrical outlets in Coles Tower after an assessment of the building's electrical outlets showed some signs of deterioration. The initial decision to inspect the outlets was prompted by an October 10 arc-flash incident, when Megan Waterman '08 injured her hand while plugging in an extension cord.
"We believe the incident to be isolated; however, the outlets are showing some signs of wear," Director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance Ted Stam wrote in an e-mail. "While still serviceable, replacement is being performed as a precaution."
The updates to the electrical outlets, which include new plates and plugs, will cost an estimated $20,000, according to Stam.
The arc flash suffered by Waterman resulted from the metal prong, metal outlet cover, and her hand coming in close contact, according to Manager of Environmental Health and Safety Mark Fisher. The resulting spark burned her thumb and forefinger.
"When you have an incident, no one knows what was the cause until you do some serious testing," said Waterman. "It was an old building and I don't think it was just a freak accident.
"I don't think I did anything to cause it," she added.
In addition to routine visual examinations of outlets, Facilities will continue to review other old electrical systems in residence halls and academic buildings, said Stam.
Waterman said that a lot of the work Facilities does to prevent accidents like hers is behind the scenes.
"There are old buildings on campus that should be frequently checked up on, which is not to say that [Facilities isn't] doing that," she said. "It's behind the scenes. You don't hear about the good things, you hear about the problems."
"All the units are the same age and in the same good condition," said Fisher of the condition assessment. "It's just the fact that we had an incident."
Waterman said that the College has handled the electrical issues in the Tower since her injury well.
"I think that it's a credit to Bowdoin that they are spending the money [to fix it]," she said.
But Fisher urged students to continue to err on the side of caution. If there is damage to the plastic on the outlet or if it is cracked, he said, call in a work order. He also stressed that if an outlet cover is loose, there could be a possible short circuit. Don't overload outlets; use a fused extension cord instead of multiple outlets.
"Alerting people will prevent future problems," added Waterman.