Locksmith | INSIDER Magazine | Facilities & Services

The All-Employee Expo, held at State Farm Center, a popular on-campus event was in full force. Thousands walked the halls of SFC and were able to learn about colleges, units, and efforts of the university, as well as other local vendors. F&S was well-attended, hosting eight tables of teams and shops that had giveaways, tokens of appreciation, information, examples, and stories of success.

Machinists & Locksmiths

Machinists had metal wafer keychains giveaways, while also showing a few larger-scale items made for campus-wide projects for University Parking, Gies Memorial Stadium, and more. Key covers were made available from the locksmith shop, also promoting its different door lock mechanisms.

Painters and Ironworkers

The painters shop, which also does signage inside and outside, was joined by the ironworkers shop. Many attendees enjoyed the different types of signage available, and seeing tangible examples you can see and touch offered a higher level of satisfaction and customer confidence.

Utilities & Energy Services

Utilities & Energy Services team members were on hand to put passers by to the test, both mentally and physically!

One station at the UES table was a pair of stationary bikes that, as you pedal, turns on a light and pushes out some air that lifts a ball into the air.

Meanwhile, at another end of the table, folks could take a 5-question quiz, the “Watt’s Your Campus Energy IQ?”

Of 172 test-takers, the average score was a 133, or “Energy Genius” level. Additionally, nine of those who took the quiz were selected at random and have won a solar power bank. Those winners are from Housing; Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES); F&S; McKinley Health Center; Illinois State Water Survey; School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics; and, Gies College of Business.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

TDM shone a light on the importance of biking and other active modes of transportation — essentially, encouraging people to not use a single-occupant vehicle. They reflected light too, with slap bracelets available in the safety orange which can also help drivers identify bikers.

Safety & Compliance

S&C belonged with other safety professionals, and did so, co-hosting a table with Department of Research Safety, which is an administrative unit that oversees research-specific safety in labs on campus. The two came together last year for the Be Smart, Stay Safe promotional and informational campaign, highlighted on a website here https://besafe.illinois.edu/. F&S has more safety responsibilities than only labs, which need specialized HVAC, extraordinary energy needs, and specialized needs like waste compliance or rope-aided high elevation rescue.

Sustainability and Environmental Compliance

Folks who would like to keep campus green, in more ways than one: Morgan White, director of strategic initiatives & sustainability, and Betsy Richardson, coordinator of special programs with S&C. White has led and continues to lead many F&S responsibilities in sustainability and practices that can help the campus reduce its energy use. Betsy’s work includes helping organize, run, and promote the Boneyard Creek Community Day, when hundreds across Champaign-Urbana-Savoy head to clean up local waterways and green areas.

Transportation & Building Services

TBS might have been one of the most visited tables thanks in part to its own folks: Building Services is the largest unit on campus, by number of team members. At the table, they could find information, a game with giveaways, and chat with knowledgeable, friendly faces Pete Varney, director of TBS, Shawn Patterson, assistant director of fleet services, and Neil Franzen, transportation manager.

Mill Shop

Perhaps the crown jewel of F&S’ presence at the All-Employee Expo. Or maybe not a shiny emerald, but rather expertly-crafted wood. Scott Schmidt and Ryan Ritter in their space could easily recall years worth of work, both having more than 10 years of experience. Some of their crafted goods used to draw visitors in included wooden Block Is that were two inches tall, perhaps a foot, and the eye-stopping 5-footer.

Wanna see more?: https://fs.illinois.edu/millworkers-shop-image-gallery/

By Jalynn Bugaj
Customer Relations & Communications intern

When it comes to keeping doors and locks in check, F&S locksmiths have the key to success, making sure everything from squeaky hinges to secure entry systems are working smoothly!

On campus, the locksmith shop makes new keys or copies, replaces locks and door hardware, changes or repairs combination locks, repairs locks, door closers, and door hardware, and works with departments to create master key systems.

A Simple Fix for a Big Problem

Allison Payne, manager of technology support and training at the Gies College of Business, claimed that the middle, west-facing, Sixth St. entrance doors of Wohlers Hall, where she works, had been extremely loud and squeaky for several semesters.

“Any time class was in session in 152 Wohlers and the auditorium directly across from the entrance, the noise from those doors was bound to be disruptive,” Payne said, “It was a very loud, echoing, grating squeal, and it lasted the duration of the doors being opened and closed both manually and automatically with the access kick plate, so 3 to 5 seconds each way, multiple times an hour.”

Greg Granadino, locksmith foreperson, explained that the shop was called out to maintain these particular doors, specifically to address issues with them not closing properly and squeaking.

From left to right: *Greg Granadino, Kelly Hutcherson, Cynthia Burnett, Richard Lacy, Dave Vesely*.

“It’s a simple repair. We lubricate the door hinges with specialized lubricants. We don’t use the typical WD-40, which causes more harm than good, as it tends to gum up rather than lubricate,” said Granadino. The process only takes 5 to 10 minutes, as long as that’s the only issue. Granadino explains that they also check all other parts of the locks to ensure they are working correctly.

This process is commonly used for other doors across campus as well. Ensuring that doors and locks are working properly is part of the team’s routine maintenance regimen.

Payne explains that now, after the doors have received maintenance, she feels a sense of relief each time she goes through them, a common entry between Wohlers Hall and the Business Instructional Facility, knowing that she’s not disrupting anyone by using that entrance.

“I work over in Wohlers Hall, and I wanted to send a big thank you to anyone on your team who has been working on our middle west-facing Sixth St. entrance doors recently and in the past. These doors have been very loud and squeaky for several semesters, and I’ve seen F&S crews working on them periodically, so I know how much effort it takes to keep them happy!” wrote Payne in an appreciative email to F&S, expressing gratitude to the locksmith shop. “I noticed before winter break, and again today, that they are operating smoothly and quietly again, and I’m so grateful! There are classrooms and faculty offices right there, and having the doors fixed will result in a most less disruptive semester for everyone. Thank you for all you do!”

Receiving positive feedback on their work greatly impacts the shop’s motivation and dedication. “We always appreciate feedback, whether it’s good or bad. It helps keep our customers happy on campus,” said Granadino.

Locksmith Shop Versatility and Seasonal Adaptability

“We are a specialized shop in a way that there are so many different reasons why we get called out for repair or installation. We do focus on outside doors securing, as buildings must be secured each night. We typically get called out after hours 2 to 3 times a week regarding a door not latching and securing accordingly,” said Granadino.

Seasonal changes, such as extreme cold in the winter, also affect door maintenance and operation for the locksmith shop. “It could be the concrete rising at outside door entrances, not allowing doors to open or close, and in extreme heat, making doors swell and hit the frame. Aging can also prevent doors from opening or closing,” recalled Granadino.

Advancing Technology: Electronic and Smart Lock Systems

The locksmith shop also works with electronic and smart lock systems, in addition to traditional locks. Granadino explains that these locks provide departments with a trail of who’s entering the building or specific rooms. These locks can also be scheduled to automatically open and lock based on needs.

Recently, the Irwin Indoor Football Facility, along with the Ubben Basketball Complex, has had biometric systems installed. So, in order to enter, you must have fingerprint credentials.

The locksmith shop’s dedication to maintaining and securing doors across campus plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, functionality, and convenience of the university’s facilities, providing essential services that keep everything running smoothly for students, faculty, and staff.

Tag: Locksmith

F&S At the Expo