On the evening of Saturday 6 November 2021, water damage occurred in Building 10 at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences on the Kleve campus. The premises of the Faculty of Life Sciences were affected, where a significant water leak occurred in a laboratory on the second floor.
The campus security team, who had discovered the damage in the evening, immediately alerted the fire brigade. The fire brigade ensured that the water was pumped out or channelled away. The second floor itself (with water spreading across the floor) was affected by the spreading water, as were, consequently, the two floors below. Only the third floor was unaffected by the water damage.
A large number of staff and lecturers, who were notified immediately, worked alongside the fire brigade on site to assess potential risks relating to the storage of chemicals, waste and samples, and attempted, as far as possible, to protect goods and equipment from (further) damage by covering them or moving them to other locations. Together with university staff, work began to pump out the water. Sensitive equipment was covered with plastic sheeting. A total of seven water extractors were in use. A shaft, which was approximately 1.5 metres under water, was emptied using a submersible pump. The operation, involving around 40 firefighters, lasted from 7.30 pm until around 11 pm.
The university president, Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, thanked the fire brigade and the staff for their efforts: “We are very grateful that no one was injured in the incident. The university management would like to thank the fire brigade for their tremendous commitment – they did a magnificent job – and all the university staff who worked tirelessly on site to minimise the damage as much as possible.”
Now that the water supply has been cut off, no further water is flowing in, but water is still spreading across the second floor; on the first floor and the ground floor, water is still seeping in from above or through the false ceilings at a steady rate. This is likely to continue over the next few days. According to initial statements from the fire service, the stability of the building is not at risk. The damage to equipment, furniture, cladding, etc. will need to be assessed over the coming days. A company specialising in the installation of dehumidifiers, drilling into screed, etc. was commissioned on Monday, 8 November 2021.
Where face-to-face teaching is scheduled – such as practical sessions due to take place in the affected building during the current semester – there will be restrictions on access to and use of all premises. The affected floors are closed; only the third floor remains open for use. “The priority now is to safeguard studies and teaching and to explore alternative options on campus,” emphasises Dr Locker-Grütjen. “Following the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was finally possible once again to offer practical sessions and laboratory practicals. We are doing everything we can to find solutions, particularly for our students.” The cause of the damage and the extent of the damage will be assessed over the next few days. Only then will it be possible to estimate how long the restrictions will last.
