By JACQUE FLANAGAN
Design Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — The UCM Board of Governors unanimously approved the removal and replacement of Foster-Knox Hall’s existing fire alarm system during a meeting Friday, March 17.

Although recent state budget cuts resulted in a facility project freeze that halted upgrades to three other campus facilities, the current fire alarm system in Foster-Knox is obsolete, according to a proposal presented at the board of governors meeting. The system’s age makes finding replacement parts difficult, according to the proposal.

Scott Rhoad, director of UCM Public Safety, said in a phone interview the existing fire alarm system is the original system installed in 1985 and was last updated nearly 19 years ago.

Replacing the fire alarm system is needed in order to avoid a potential building-wide failure for a system that protects student residents, staff and the child care center, according to the proposal.

RF Fisher Electrical Company LLC was awarded the contract, with estimated costs set at $303,807. The board of governors also approved a 10 percent, or $30,380, contingency fund for the project.

The project will be funded by Housing System reserves and is expected to be complete by the beginning of the fall semester.