The Old Main building on the SUNY Cortland campus. (Photo via SUNY Cortland).
A water main break forced the closure of a building on the SUNY Cortland campus.
A report from the City of Cortland Fire Department stated that firefighters responded to a “water problem” at the Old Main building on the SUNY Cortland campus at 2:22 a.m. on Monday.
Firefighters arrived at the university’s three-story building and found water flowing from the third-floor ceiling. According to the report, a broken six-inch sprinkler supply pipe was discovered in the center part of the attic in the building.
“Old Main is the campus’ oldest building, and it simply weakened with age,” said Fred Pierce, director of communications at SUNY Cortland. Pierce added that water dripped into the room directly below through the light fixtures, then through the rest of the floors.
The report noted that firefighters and university staff were able to shut off the sprinkler system. Water cleanup occurred on all three floors of the building, and city firefighters were on scene for four hours.
No injuries to firefighters or individuals on campus were reported.
The water main break at Old Main led to the university announcing early Monday morning that all classes and events scheduled were canceled “out of an abundance of caution,” Pierce said. The university also mentioned that university staff members that physically work in the building should not report to work.
Details on the Old Main building reopening later in the day on Monday will be provided, Pierce said. He added that “most classrooms” are expected to be open on Tuesday.
Pierce said the damage in the building was minor.
“Because the water flowed straight down, instead of spreading horizontally, only one room on the mezzanine, the second floor and the first floor were impacted,” Pierce said, adding that damaged tiles will be replaced on Monday. “University staff and city firefighters cleaned up any standing water and removed soaked insulation and ceiling tiles. There was no damage to the electrical system or computers.”
Once the water cleanup has concluded, the city’s code enforcement officers will work with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control to check on any potential electrical or fire safety issues.
Pierce mentioned that the four-foot section of a failed pipe will be replaced. He noted that the work will be done later this week. Details on replacement costs have yet to be determined.
