
5 minute read
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.
Advertisement
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

