This unit provides the services and amenities listed below, as well as accounting and financial reporting for state and college funds.
Amenities
The college provides services that are recharged to the end user. These services include compressed gas cylinders and dry ice.
You may also click on the following services provided by other units within the college: shops, analytical facilities, stores, copiers, and Cryogenic Plant Operation.
Compressed gases
The university has a preferred vendor for compressed gas cylinder needs. Praxair was selected after an extensive review process as they could provide the best quality service for price and because they could provide all of the University's compressed gas needs. This in turn means we can have one point of purchase and one point of delivery, which translates into less traffic on campus.
The contract with Praxair began April 1, 2003 with the closure of Campus Supply. With the new contract, the price is bundled -- the price of the gas includes demurrage (or cylinder rental) as well as delivery. (There is a change for rush orders.) Existing non-Praxair cylinders within the college will continue to accrue demurrage charges.
Industrial Gases
Industrial gases (Argon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Air) are stored in B84 Hildebrand, Shipping and Receiving area cages. Gases can be checked out 24/7, 365 days per year using your college ID, and inputting the appropriate Speedtype for the expense charge.
Stock gases (argon, hydrogen, compressed air, nitrogen, and oxygen) and Specialty gases (ordered from Praxair - process under Specialty Gas link) are stored in card-key controlled cages in B84 Hildebrand Hall(south end).
NO OPEN-TOED SHOES ALLOWED IN THE GAS CAGES
To check out or return a cylinder:
- Scan your college ID card in the card reader and check that the default Speedtype is the one that should be charged. If your default Speedtype is not correct for this transaction, or if there isn't a default Speedtype established for your ID, please scroll on the touch screen on the left and select the appropriate PI and then the appropriate Speedtype on the right. It is very important that you select the correct Speedtype.
- On the touch screen select either 'Return' or 'Check-Out'. Use your elevator key unlock the padlock.
- Open cage door - they are very tough to open! Unchain cylinder wanted and bring to reader station.
- Scan the bar code on the cylinder using the reader wand. Check to be sure the data is reading on the screen.
- Make sure remaining cylinders in the cage are chained.
- Close cage door. Log out.
To check out a dolly to transport the cylinder to your lab, see receiving staff inB84A Hildebrand. They will hold onto your College ID until you have returned the dolly.
Specialty Gases
Specialty gases are ordered through BearBuy. Please note that Praxair will deliver standard gases within 24 hours, but some specialty gases can take 2-3 weeks for delivery. Please plan accordingly.
Stock gases (argon, hydrogen, compressed air, nitrogen, and oxygen) and Specialty gases (ordered from Praxair) are stored in card-key controlled cages in B84 Hildebrand Hall (south end). To check out or return a cylinder:
- Scan your college ID card in the card reader and check that the default Speedtype is the one that should be charged. If your default Speedtype is not correct for this transaction, or if there isn't a default Speedtype established for your ID, please scroll on the touch screen on the left and select the appropriate PI and then the appropriate Speedtype on the right. It is very important that you select the correct Speedtype.
- On the touch screen select either 'Return' or 'Check-Out'. Use your elevator key unlock the padlock.
- Open cage door - they are very tough to open! Unchain cylinder wanted and bring to reader station.
- Scan the bar code on the cylinder using the reader wand. Check to be sure the data is reading on the screen.
- Make sure remaining cylinders in the cage are chained.
- Close cage door and log out.
To check out a dolly to transport the cylinder to your lab, see receiving staff in B84A Hildebrand. They will hold onto your College ID until you have returned the dolly.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is delivered straight to the labs' own chests by the vendor. The College supplies a chest in Shipping & Receiving for those labs without a consistent need for dry ice, or for when the lab's own supply runs out. Dry ice is recharged at $.75/lb and can be checked out at the card-key controlled cages in B84 Hildebrand Hall. Please bring your own container to transport the dry ice. Please note that Undergraduates do not have access to the Dry Ice charge.
Speedtypes
The College of Chemistry Business Office maintains a data-table called the 'Speedtype List'. The 30-character accounting chartstrings used in the BFS system for purchasing, payroll, and recharges are referenced by a 10-digit 'Speedtype'. By using your Speedtype in College recharge systems and on Purchase Order Requests, you can make charges against your full chartstring without having to remember all 30 characters.
All College recharge systems REQUIRE the use of a Speedtype, as do Purchase Order requests for Campus recharges.
For more info see the Controller's Office Website.
Recharges
The College of Chemistry provides various services for groups within the College. These are the shops, analytical labs, and materiel/amenities. Payment for these services is made via the recharge system, a process for recording charges on the general ledger without going through the Accounts Payable/Purchase Order system of the Berkeley Financial System. Please click on a link for more information.
For the 'point-of-sale' systems, your College ID card is used to allow you access to the system, and to record your name and speedtype on your transaction. These include Stores, Cylinder Gases, Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Helium, and Helium Gas recharges. For the shops and labs, and for Dry Ice and Truck rental, your College ID card is not needed.
About Recharges
Continuing Recharges
Some College recharges are levied on a continuing basis:
- House nitrogen- as long as nitrogen gas is piped into a lab and used, recharges to that lab continue, for the gas used. Capping or disconnecting the pipe is sometimes needed to ensure that recharges are discontinued.
- Gas cylinder rental- cylinders for helium gas from the Cryogenic Plant, and cylinders of specialty gases not owned by Praxair, are charged a monthly rental fee until returned.
Other Recharges
The bulk of College recharges are levied for services or material as requested or delivered, and are charged on a one-time basis. These include the:
Shipping and Receiving
Location
Hildebrand Hall
B84A (ground floor)
Manager
Carl Lamey
642-5384
carll@berkeley.edu
Shipping
Packages and letters can be shipped in response to the needs of our customers via Federal Express, DHL, or Campus Mail. All out-going shipments are charged to a valid Speedtype. If you do not know your Speedtype, please see your fund manager. We may be able to assist you if you bring your valid chartstring.
All Federal Express shipment airbills must now be created online at Fedex.com; paper forms are no longer used. If you need access to Fedex.com, please contact your PI or Faculty Support Assistant.
Equipment Deliveries and Receiving
A goal of the Receiving Unit is to accommodate all deliveries within reason. Deliveries of large and/or heavy equipment require advanced notification and in many cases, special handling procedures to ensure safety for the materials as well as personnel. Equipment that exceeds a certain weight, cannot be tilted, requires special positioning and/or cushioning requirements, extra manpower requirements, etc. may require coordination with campus services and/or an external rigger.
Advance notice of all large or equipment deliveries should be provided to Receiving personnel by contacting Carl Lamey at: carll@berkeley.edu
This will allow the unit to make arrangements to receive the equipment during less busy business hours.
Receiving (Mail Service)
Process for mail Handling
- Incoming Mail: All incoming mail, when correctly addressed, is swiftly processed and promptly directed to the designated mailbox locations. This process operates from Monday to Friday, ensuring timely delivery.
- Outgoing Mail Handling: Outgoing mail, encompassing unstamped, campus, and stamped items, can be dropped off at the Chemistry receiving dock outgoing mail bins. Alternatively, stamp mail can be dropped off at any USPS mailboxes on campus.
- Student Mail Guidelines: to facilitate smooth handling, incoming mail for students must include their designated group name. This requirement streamlines the sorting process, ensuring accurate delivery of student correspondence.
For assistance with postal rates, bar code ordering, and tips for all mail information, contact UC Mail Services or call 643-mail.
Personal Mail
Receiving personal packages within the College is discouraged, as it uses Campus resources for personal needs. Please be aware that personal packages may be opened to find a packing slip if it is not obvious that the package is personal. Packing slips for all shipments to the College, including Blu Card purchases, are located in B84A after they have been entered into Bear Buy.
College Amenities
College amenities offered through Shipping and Receiving include Dry Ice and Compressed gas cylinder checkout.