Campus Conditions and Inclement Weather Preparedness

Posted on November 28, 2018, 2:06 PM

Following the events of the Woolsey Fire, Pepperdine has now returned its Malibu and Calabasas campuses to normal operations. Remediation and cleaning have been completed on both campuses, and all buildings are in good condition and ready for occupancy.

American Environmental Specialists (AES) has completed its two-phase analysis of our indoor air quality, including in residence halls, classrooms, and other buildings. After nearly 70 samples were taken, no detectable particulates resulting from the Woolsey Fire were found. The University will continue to utilize AES for air sampling services when necessary as weather conditions warrant to maintain a healthy campus environment.

Pepperdine has begun to prepare its campuses for anticipated inclement weather events beginning this week and continuing throughout the winter. The National Weather Service forecast indicates that the Malibu area will have rain beginning tonight through tomorrow with coastal areas possibly receiving more than an inch of rain. A flash flood watch has not been issued, and rain from this storm is not expected to significantly impact burn areas on campus.

Pepperdine has engaged with two leading firms to investigate campus conditions following the Woolsey Fire, especially in areas prone to increased debris flow due to the burn. University officials have also met this week with Los Angeles County civil and flood control engineers who are proactively working with the University on multiple slope stabilization and erosion control measures.

At this time, the University is monitoring the hillsides impacted by the fires and has begun implementing solutions to mitigate erosion for these and other areas, including spraying Flexterra, a hydraulic erosion control measure, and hydroseed, which uses a combination of seed and mulch to bond with soil and promote vegetation growth. In addition, the University is investigating the use of concrete k-rails to help block debris flow in some areas and will continue to ensure that capacity is available in each of its debris basins, including at Marie Canyon, at Winter Canyon, and above the Drescher academic complex.

As California anticipates a likely El Niño event this winter, including potential for strong winds and heavy rains, the safety of our campus community is the University’s highest priority. Preparations for inclement weather include, among other things, a comprehensive review of our emergency plans to protect our campus community, regular inspections and maintenance of drainage systems, coordination among first responders, preparation for deploying emergency supplies, and the ongoing evaluation of areas of campus that may be most affected by rainfall.

The University will communicate regularly with all faculty, staff, and students in the event of a campus closure or other departures from normal campus operations due to inclement weather. Urgent or critical information will be delivered via Everbridge, the University’s emergency alert system, and the latest information will always be available on the University’s Emergency Information Page. Community members are also encouraged to call the University’s Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.ROAD for up-to-date information on road closures in the Malibu area.

Woolsey Fire Final Update

Posted on November 23, 2018, 8:30 AM Updated on November 23, 2018, 8:30 AM

As Pepperdine moves toward a return to regular class schedules and normal operations on all University campuses on Monday, November 26, Pepperdine’s EOC is thankful for the support and cooperation of the University community.

Campus Cleaning and Air Quality Update

Posted on November 21, 2018, 2:17 PM Updated on November 21, 2018, 2:45 PM

Following the events of the Woolsey Fire, Pepperdine has begun an extensive environmental and property restoration process for the Malibu and Calabasas campuses. In the past week, the University began engagements with two leading restoration firms, BELFOR USA and ATI, to assist with efforts to restore all impacted spaces on both campuses. Together, these companies have deployed more than 200 contract employees, in addition to our 130 facilities services team members, who have been working 24 hours a day in anticipation of students returning on Monday.

The University began by completing a thorough evaluation of the Malibu and Calabasas campuses, including a careful inspection of each building for smoke odors and ash or soot particulate. Crews have begun cleaning processes that include high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming, the wiping down of fixtures and surfaces with a smoke particulate sponge, carpet cleaning, filter changes for central heating units, and the deployment of HEPA air scrubbers and deodorizers. The University has also taken measures to clean all campus roads, plazas, sidewalks, and other hardscapes in order to minimize the reintroduction of ash and soot into clean campus buildings.

Following assessments of each building’s HVAC system, customized cleaning plans have been made for each system. These plans include filter changes, HEPA vacuuming, and cleaning impacted system components such as fans and intakes. Each building’s HVAC system will be cleaned, inspected, tested, and reactivated upon completion of the cleaning in order to circulate building air before faculty, staff, and students return.

The University has also been working with its longtime partner American Environmental Services (AES), a leading firm that provides air quality measurement and impact assessment services, to conduct a series of indoor air quality tests to ensure the safety of our campus community. The University will continue to utilize AES for air sampling services when necessary as weather conditions change in order to ensure we are maintaining a healthy campus environment.

Regular custodial and maintenance services for the Malibu and Calabasas campuses will resume on Monday, November 26. In the meantime, and in the days or weeks that follow, you may continue to notice smoky odors from soot that remains on the slopes or hillsides surrounding the campuses, particularly during wind or rain events. Each individual responds differently to these conditions, and any campus community member with questions, concerns, or additional needs around ongoing cleaning efforts is encouraged to contact Facilities Services at 310.506.4101 or facilities@pepperdine.edu.