Infrastructure Operations

2020 was crossed by the new demands and new ways of working. From the Operations and Modernisation team, we worked closely with the academic areas and staff to establish measures and protocols in accordance with the requirements established by the official authorities. We defined, coordinated and implemented major changes in the school’s operating dynamics, from the way to enter the buildings, the use of spaces, the way to clean and disinfect the classrooms and even vehicle circulation within the Campus.

A multidisciplinary team was formed with specialists from different areas to broach this.

Nevertheless, and despite new working conditions imposed by the pandemic, all the objectives of the area were met by developing maintenance plans and improvements for buildings and outdoor spaces, both on Campus and in Olivos.

The main actions carried out during the last year are described below:

Implementation of the "Jurisdictional Plan for the Safe Return to Face-to-Face Classes"

Suitability and signage of exterior and interior spaces, classrooms and offices (direction of movement, social distancing, maximum capacity, etc)

Marking of distances on sidewalks

Estimate of number of students and staff in each space

Movement of tables, chairs, lockers and furniture to generate larger spaces

Evaluation and acquisition of equipment for admission and dismissal (thermometers, sanitary mats, pedal-operated dispensers for alcohol gel, sprays for 70% alcohol, etc)

Acquisition of consumables and disposables for prevention (alcohol gel, 70% alcohol, quaternary ammonium, disposable masks, face shields, etc.)

Implementation of new cleaning and disinfection protocols

Implementation of 3 safe outdoor spaces, using tents

Implementation of new procedures for admission, dismissal and vehicle circulation

At the same time, we have developed and implemented new actions, modifications and restorations that correspond to the predefined agenda for the period.

KINDERGARTEN

Implementation of new shaded spaces in the Kindergarten playground through the installation of a metallic structure with 230 m2 stretched fabrics, including the construction of reinforced concrete bases to anchor the columns and repair the rubber floor

Implementation of a new rain and sunproof canopy on the building access ramp, through the installation of a metallic structure anchored in concrete bases, and with laminated glass

Construction of a sidewalk for access to the K2 outdoor patio

Construction of an access staircase to the exterior patio of K3

Installation of runways and network cabling for camera in the music classroom, for virtual classes

Installation of padded protections on columns of shade structure

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Implementation of a rain and sunproof access canopy at the main door, with a metallic structure and laminated glass

Polishing and lamination of the multipurpose wooden floor

Installation of runways and network cabling for cameras for virtual classes in 18 classrooms, library and upper Primary clusters

OTHER GENERAL TASKS PERFORMED ON CAMPUS

Installation of smart electricity meters in the Primary School, Kindergarten and Sports Pavilion buildings, to monitor consumption online and regulate the use of this service

Installation of network water volume totalizer for consumption monitoring

Installation of automatic fire suppression systems in the Sports Pavilion kitchen hood and duct

Construction of a sidewalk retaining wall next to the wetland pond

Construction of a structure with vinyl cover for the substitute players’ bench in H1

Extension of the CCTV camera system to Guatemala and Uruguay streets.

Consolidation of the ground of the green Staff parking lot, by adding crushed stone,

in order to free up the parking lots in Primary, Kindergarten and Sports Pavilion for use by families

Layout and consolidation with crushed stone of the temporary road to connect the road B cul de sac to the green parking lot.

Dismantlement of the former Kindergarten playground in front of the Sports Pavilion, soil improvement and landscaping.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Complete painting of swimming pool

Installation of automatic fire extinguishing systems in the kitchen hood and duct in the Nogoyá buiding

General interior and exterior painting of the Nogoyá building

General exterior painting of HeadMaster’s offices, in the dining room sector of the Nogoyá kitchen and the perimeter fence of the Nogoyá field

Repair and waterproofing of roofs, repair of rain gutters

Repair and painting of exterior patio floors

Waterproof insulation of window frames

Waterproof insulation in plant beds

Negotiation with AySA for replacement of sewage pipe on R. S. Peña street.

PLAYING FIELDS AND GREEN AREAS

Within the Shade Plan, planting of 18 American ash trees in the Primary park, 12 American ash trees in the Kindergarten playgrounds and 10 plum trees in the amphitheatre sector; relocation of existing ash trees and tecoma shrubs

Design and construction of the garden between Primary and Kindergarten, with 8 wooden terraces and trenches in the ground

for larger plants, landscaping of the sector; planting and maintenance of species

Enhancement of the landscaped mound in the Primary School yard: displacement of the metal fence, closure with mesh fencing, weed control, planting with Bermuda grass and fertilisation

Planting and fertilisation of the green yards in Kindergarten and Primary

Enhancement of the tipa forest behind the R4 field, by moving the gate and closing with mesh wire

Execution of the annual schedule for fertilisation, pest and weed control; application of agricultural gypsum. An exhaustive weed control was completed, taking advantage of the fact that the winter replanting was not carried out.

Gardening programme: lawn mowing and irrigation in fields and green areas, bordering, maintenance of beds and planting of plants and shrubs, irrigation of fields, maintenance of gardens, etc.

Pruning of interior trees in Olivos

Acquisition of a spray car with a 220-litre tank, for the application of products by aspersion in sports fields

OTHER MAINTENANCE TASKS

The Operations team continued and expanded the preventive maintenance programme for facilities and equipment, namely:

Generators, pumps and electric motors

Electrical installations and panels, UPS

Air conditioning equipment, heating systems and boilers

Fixed fire-fighting installations, smoke detectors, elevators, swimming pool water filtering system

Irrigation installations

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE TASKS WERE CARRIED OUT

Measurements of earthing and electrical continuity, verification of operation of differential switches; electrical installations safety certificates

Certificates of habitability and security of buildings

Anti-accident technical report

Audit of natural gas installations

Cleaning and disinfection of water tanks

Physicochemical and microbiological analysis of water for human consumption

Verification of maintenance and disinfection of water dispensers

Disinsectization and rodent control

SAFETY AND HYGIENE

Development and implementation of the COVID 19 protocol for the staff who worked onsite during lockdown

Implementation of Jurisdictional Plan for safe return to face-to-face classes in the province of Buenos Aires

Training of teaching and non-teaching staff

Building security audits

Fernando Ocampo

Operations and Modernisation Manager