The lights have been on at a Massachusetts school for over a year because no one can

[p858snake]

The lights have been on at a Massachusetts school for over a year because no one can turn them off

WILBRAHAM, Mass. — For nearly a year and a half, a Massachusetts high school has been lit up around the clock because the district can’t turn off the roughly 7,000 lights in the sprawling building.

 

The lighting system was installed at Minnechaug Regional High School when it was built over a decade ago and was intended to save money and energy. But ever since the software that runs it failed on Aug. 24, 2021, the lights in the Springfield suburbs school have been on continuously, costing taxpayers a small fortune.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lights-massachusetts-school-year-no-one-can-turn-rcna65611

[mikeprice]

Just how hard can it be to find the power lead to each room and stick an on/off switch in it???

 

or am I being over simplistic????

[FN-GM]

Just how hard can it be to find the power lead to each room and stick an on/off switch in it???

 

or am I being over simplistic????

 

They essentially have a smart school. It might be difficult to get to computerised lights back on. This is a bit of a guess.

[mavhc]

If you don't have the source code you don't really have anything

[FN-GM]

It's a consequence of not having proper maintenance and support contracts. If they did issues should be fixed. If not they can legally hold someone accountable and resolve the situation.

[southhamster]

Assuming the manufacturer has not gone bust. One of my schools had underfloor (wet) heating controlled by an obscure Italian boiler manufacturer who went out of business about 10 years later. Although the the timer part worked the thermostat had failed closed so it was essentially on and very hot or or off and cold. The council maintenance contractors wouldn't touch it with a bargepole and the replacement costs were allegedly astronomical.

[jthompson]

It's a good jobs the lights were on at the point the software failed, although I suspect that the lights being stuck in the off state will have precipitated a solution a little more promptly.

[DalekSec]

I mean it was probably a bright idea at the time, but now it's had it's spotlight it's lights out for it!

 

[Andrew_C]

"To the man with a hammer, every screw looks like a nail" A switch* VS complex software and hardware...

 

* which could include a simple timeswitch.

[jthompson]

"To the man with a hammer, every screw looks like a nail" A switch* VS complex software and hardware...

 

* which could include a simple timeswitch.

 

That's all well and good, but where can we get these hammers?!!

[AlistairB1983]

 

[Sonic007]

Find the fuse panel, flick the switches. Done.

[mikeprice]

Find the fuse panel, flick the switches. Done.

 

Which was sort of what I was thinking

just installing an extra switch further along the system

 

Personally I thought that was Glaringly obvious!

(sorry - there was no way I was resisting - I I never even mentioned a photon finish - can I have a reward???

 

[mavhc]

Anyone can switch the lights off, but who can switch them back on again? That's obviously why they haven't.

 

I'd employ small children to remove the lightbulbs at the end of each day

[Sonic007]

Anyone can switch the lights off, but who can switch them back on again? That's obviously why they haven't.

 

I'd employ small children to remove the lightbulbs at the end of each day

 

 

Where will the money come from to pay these children and what skills will be required? Have you undertaken a risk asessment?

 

Will you be training each child in working at height, electrical safety, manual handling, and fire prevention?

[DalekSec]

Where will the money come from to pay these children and what skills will be required? Have you undertaken a risk asessment?

 

Will you be training each child in working at height, electrical safety, manual handling, and fire prevention?

 

Must have 5 years experience of changing light bulbs,

 

Musts : Experience of Bayonets

Likes to have : Experience with screw fittings

[Sonic007]

Must have 5 years experience of changing light bulbs,

 

Musts : Experience of Bayonets

Likes to have : Experience with screw fittings

 

So basically someone that is good at screwing.

[mavhc]

Where will the money come from to pay these children and what skills will be required? Have you undertaken a risk asessment?

 

Will you be training each child in working at height, electrical safety, manual handling, and fire prevention?

 

It's America

[HarryMonkey]

The lights have been on at a Massachusetts school for over a year because no one can turn them off

 

 

I thought the lights all went out in Massachusetts.

 

[Koldov]

Must have 5 years experience of changing light bulbs,

 

Musts : Experience of Bayonets

Likes to have : Experience with screw fittings

 

So basically someone that is good at screwing.

 

No need to go there...

 

I was expecting 'FIX BAYONETS' meme...

Edited January 24, 2023 by Koldov

[Dos_Box]

I thought the lights all went out in Massachusetts.

 

 

Subtle, very subtle

[mikes]

Our external 3G pitch lighting is controlled by our LEA, and our office get them to set up the times we need the lights on after school as we hire it out to external customers. Only problem is they neglect to turn on Daylight Savings Time compensation, so often when the clocks change, the customers will be in the middle of a game, and the lights will all shut off an hour early, because they put in the correct 6pm - 8pm timings but the internal clock is an hour out

[southhamster]

Our external 3G pitch lighting is controlled by our LEA, and our office get them to set up the times we need the lights on after school as we hire it out to external customers. Only problem is they neglect to turn on Daylight Savings Time compensation, so often when the clocks change, the customers will be in the middle of a game, and the lights will all shut off an hour early, because they put in the correct 6pm - 8pm timings but the internal clock is an hour out

Your lights may not be on at all before long! I bet there's a ton of 3G stuff that is forgotten about.

 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/3g-switch-off

[Localtechie]

Your lights may not be on at all before long! I bet there's a ton of 3G stuff that is forgotten about.

 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/3g-switch-off

 

3G as in the pitch (artificial grass) not the mobile phone tech.

[southhamster]

3G as in the pitch (artificial grass) not the mobile phone tech.

Haha. Never knew that was a thing.

It is confusing when acronyms get pinched for something else. I used to work for a company called IBS which became the butt of a few jokes when Irritable Bowel Syndrome appeared...