Pipe Rupture Displaces Downtown DCRI Employees

Duke Clinical Research Institute employees in a downtown Durham office building have been displaced following the rupture of pipes that caused the fire alarm system to malfunction.

Durham Centre at 501 Willard St. was closed Friday due to water damage in an electrical room, but technicians will work over the weekend to restore a damaged automated fire alarm system so the building can re-open Monday, officials said.

Kyle Cavanaugh, Duke’s emergency management coordinator and vice president for Administration, said employees will not occupy the building until the automated fire alarm system is fully operational. Duke rents the space in Durham Centre.

“We are working closely with the DCRI leadership to mitigate the impact on employees and visitors,” Cavanaugh said. “The safety of our staff, faculty, students and visitors is paramount as we work to ensure the space can be occupied.”

The pipes ruptured Thursday morning during this winter’s first artic blast, which brought temperatures in the teens. Several hundred DCRI employees have either been working from home or at DCRI’s North Pavilion headquarters on Pratt Street.

At this time, it’s unclear whether the building will re-open Monday. Please check back for additional updates as they become available.