At UC Davis Facilities Management, the “Steam Shop” as part Mechanical Systems Group plays a critical role in maintaining the university’s complex steam, heating and chilled water hydronic systems. Comprised of a skilled team of 12, including pipefitters, boiler technicians, machinists, and insulators, the crew brings a combined 200 years of experience to campus operations.
Affectionately known as “Touchdown Tower,” this 162-foot utility landmark just completed a full restoration and now features two UC Davis logos and programmable LED lighting, transforming it into a new symbol of Aggie pride.
UC Davis Facilities Management (FM) recently achieved a major milestone in campus safety and operational excellence by completing state-of-the-art fire alarm system upgrades in Bixby and Malcolm Halls. This proactive project marks a significant step forward in improving residential safety, reliability, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.
This season, a coordinated effort led by Facilities Management’s Arboretum and Public Garden and Building Maintenance Services teams is giving building entrances across campus a much-needed refresh, with a combination of pressure washing and landscape touch-ups.
We’d like to introduce one of our dedicated team members from the Building Maintenance Services sector of Facilities Management (FM): Don Petty, Electrician for Construction! With an incredible 27 years of experience at UC Davis, Don has played a vital role in keeping our campus powered, safe, and adaptable to the needs of our ever-changing community.
Introducing Nathan Plitt, our new supervisor of Plumbing Projects and Fire Protection. Nathan has worked with Facilities Management (FM) for 2 years and previously worked as a plumber with FM!
Recently, Facilities Management launched a new initiative to monitor emergency showers across multiple campus buildings in order to prevent water damage and improve response times when emergency showers are activated. This project marks the first time FM has taken steps to monitor on-campus showers and represents an important step toward making our campus safer and more efficient!
Facilities Management, or FM, is constantly working behind the scenes to maintain and enhance our campus, ensuring it meets the highest standards of safety, functionality, and aesthetics. One of FM’s recent successes was a collaborative effort with Building Maintenance Services and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to revitalize the barns at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, or VMTH. This critical project was completed in preparation for the hospital’s Fall 2025 Veterinary Accreditation program.
Managing such an extensive portfolio of buildings requires balancing budgets and lean staffing year round, with intensified demands during the rainy season on our roofing team.
