A. Remove snow from the specialized airlocks, base areas where specialized canvas meets concrete, and sidewalks by hand. The hand shoveling is required due to the materials the facility was manufactured from, and the design of the facility itself. Regular methods of commercial snow removal prove too much of a risk to the facility. There are also key areas of the facility that are not accessible to heavy machinery without risk of damage. B. The snow is then removed by heavy machinery to a secondary site to reduce snow buildup within the perimeter of the facility. This task was previously conducted with the use of a Skid Steer. The removal of the snow is critical to keep accumulation of snow to a minimum to prevent stress on the facility. The minimum amount of snow required for service depends on the specific type of snow to accumulate. Heavier wet snow will cause more severe damage as compared to lighter snow. The frequency of snow removal should be on a call-in basis. C. The maintenance of these key areas is crucial to keeping the facility operational. Excess accumulation of snow in key areas proves harmful to the integrity of the facility, and the safety of the staff and students within the facility. Due to the air-supplied nature of the building, rips and tears with the specialized canvasing are serious issues that can only be repaired by the manufacturer with proprietary components. Excess snow has caused multiple airlock doors to be crushed and poses a safety issue to occupants by impeding emergency exits. The weight of the snow will also tear holes in the canvassing that will cause issues with the pressure in the facility. Due to the potential damage that can occur, and the unpredictability of inclement weather in the area, a response time of 2-4 hours when called is needed. This ensures that the facility receives the removal promptly to mitigate potential damage as quickly as possible. The location of the vendor to PennWest - Edinboro should be no greater than a 45-minute drive to accommodate a quick response time.
