Please consider which electronic items can be turned off when you leave.
Before you turn anything off:
- Consider the advice below on what should and should not be turned off.
- Consult with other staff and seek advice.
- Only Laboratory Managers (or staff assigned to particular equipment) are to turn off laboratory items .
- Consider risk management and WH&S issues.
- Place a note on any shared items that are switched off to let others know.
What items can I switch off?
Computers and monitors
Ensure you switch off your monitor and shutdown your computer before you leave every day. If you are unsure how to do so please contact IMTS via the My IT portal (UOW Intranet) or your Faculty IT staff for advice and instructions.
Printers and scanners and photocopiers
All of these items can be switched off over longer periods of absence. If you are unsure how to do so please contact IMTS via the My IT portal (UOW Intranet) or your Faculty IT staff for advice and instructions.
Shared large multifunctional devices and fax machines
These items can be switched off over longer periods of absence, however, please discuss this with other staff beforehand and leave a note on the device notifying staff that you have turned it off over the break to save power. In considering whether to turn off these devices, please be aware that if you switch off your multifunctional printer/fax that no faxes will be received during this time. For more advice contact IMTS via the My IT portal (UOW Intranet) or your Faculty IT staff.
Lights
Turn off any lights that are manually operated when you leave every day.
Ceiling and personal Fans
Ensure you turn off fans when you leave every day.
Air conditioners
As you are probably aware there is a wide range of control methods for the air conditioning systems around campus but generally they will fall in to one of two categories:
1. Automatically operated systems: these are a mix between local time clocks or campus Building Management and Control System (BMS) mechanisms. For areas not in use over longer periods the air-conditioning scheduling can be changed centrally.
At Wollongong Campus air-conditioning outside the scheduled times in common teaching areas can be operated via the after hours buttons.
If you have special requirements for air-conditioning during long periods of absence at Wollongong Campus please contact the Facilities Management Division Service Centre to advise them of the area(s) involved (Building & Room Numbers are good) and requirements. Please contact them as early as possible to allow time to make the necessary changes.
2. Local manually controlled systems: please ensure that these units are turned off when you leave each day.
Zip boilers
Wall style Zip Boilers are able to be turned off at the power point. Please discuss this with other staff beforehand and leave a note on the device notifying staff that you have turned it off to save power. On advice from maintenance staff, DO NOT TURN OFF the under sink style zip boilers. If you want further advice or clarification please contact the .
Kitchen fridges
Once empty, fridges used to store food can be switched off over longer periods of absence. It is a good opportunity to have a clean out of the fridge but please discuss it with other staff to help decide the best approach. Things to consider include:
- Can we turn off all fridges?
- Will staff be in the office during this period?
- If there is more than one fridge, can we turn one off and move the items into the one that will be left on?
- Can staff take home items in fridges before they leave?
- Who will be responsible for disposing and removing items left in the fridge that is to be turned off?
- Don’t forget to leave a note on the fridge notifying staff that you have turned it off to save power.
- DO NOT TURN OFF fridges that are used for storing non food items.
Equipment in laboratories
Only Laboratory Managers (or staff assigned to particular items of equipment) are to turn off anything in Laboratory areas. Laboratory Managers (and assigned staff) are to use their discretion taking into consideration risk management, WH&S, research requirements and the operating issues of the items prior to turning off any items of equipment under their management. It is also strongly suggested that they discuss any proposal to turn off items in consultation with users.
More information?
If you have any queries, please contact the Environment Unit.