Dear University Members,
The end of the year is approaching and with it the well-deserved Christmas break. Although there will be no formal holidays this year, almost all departments will close their doors.

Please note the following:

1. Due to the very short duration of the Christmas closure, there is usually no additional central lowering of the heating systems this year. The reduction of room temperatures is done almost exclusively via the controllers on the radiators.... Please support our joint efforts by setting the heaters to the following positions after closing time:

• Offices and laboratories: setting 2
• Lecture halls and conference rooms: setting 1.5 
• Traffic routes and toilets: setting 1

2. Since the radiator settings will remain unchanged until you start the new year, it is especially important: please do not set the heaters to 0 or *.

In the new year, you can then turn the heaters up again - preferably to setting 3. The temperature will then rise again quickly. However, please also expect that this will take some time.

3. At the end of the last day of work before the vacations or before closing, please take a moment to look around:

• Are all thermostatic valves in the proper position?
• Are all electrical devices disconnected from the mains? Ricoh printer should remain plugged in.
• Are the lights off?
• Are the windows closed?

Checklists for offices, kitchenettes, and labs can be found below.

4. Special note for labs: As we do every year, please note that it is imperative that all hazardous materials are cleared into the hazardous materials cabinets/storage and that the Digestors are completely empty. We ask that you organize this in a timely manner as a team. For more information, please feel free to contact your department administration and the Sustainability & Energy Staff Office.

5. Please consult with your supervisor if you plan to come to the university during closing times to ensure emergency organization (first aid and fire protection).

6. If several employees of one area come to the university, we ask for a joint use of rooms in order to have to heat up as few rooms as possible.:

We wish you a relaxing Christmas season and a happy New Year!

Further information

• General information about the christmas holidays at FU Berlin 2022/23
• Checklist for offices, kitchens, copying-room, etc.
• Checklist for laboratories
• Energy-saving tips and further information on sustainability in everyday working life

If you have any questions, please contact betriebsferien@nachhaltigkeit.fu-berlin.de