Get to know F&S: Bailey Wood
Sprinkler fitter Bailey Wood’s passion for fire safety helps her find fun in every workday.
“Ever since I got here, I feel like I found my place,” Bailey Wood says. “I’ve never worked anywhere this accommodating before.” Wood’s role at U of T was sent to her by her union hall, and upon starting she soon found that the flexible work environment and supportive team made the university a perfect match for her busy schedule as a mother.
As a sprinkler fitter, Wood tests and maintains fire equipment on campus, ensuring that everything is in perfect working order to respond to a fire event. The work varies from season to season, with annual building tests, monthly fire pump tests, and regular emergency and equipment malfunction responses.
Wood and her team cover lots of ground on the massive St. George campus, from parking lots to residences—each with their own special fire safety considerations. “It’s not your average sprinkler fitter job because the campus is so big, and there are so many different fire hazards, such as flammable materials in labs,” she explains.
Including Wood, the sprinkler fitter team consists of eight individuals that take on the daily challenge of keeping campus fire safe. “The fire prevention crew here is really special,” Wood says. “We have a really dedicated group of people. Nothing happens without one of us knowing about it.”
The beautiful, historic campus is one of Wood’s favourite things about her job. Institutional landmarks such as Hart House and University College require extra care and caution because they have a large amount of wood, and Wood takes pride in knowing that her work helps protect the buildings she loves.
While many may find the pressure of this work intimidating, Wood is fascinated by the magnitude of her responsibility. “Honestly, I have fun every day,” she says. “I love seeing the power of the equipment. A crowd often forms when we’re testing the fire pumps and water shoots out into the streets.”
To prepare for winter, Wood and her team drain any excess water from air condensation that collects in dry sprinkler systems in order to prevent pipe damage.
But whether it’s rain, shine or snow, exam season is always the busiest for Wood. For whatever reason, she says, there are a huge number of accidental fire alarm activations during exams. “We have to be extra cautious and make sure there’s not actually a fire.”
Outside of work, Wood spends her time enjoying the outdoors with her children, hiking, camping and biking (sometimes as early as 7 in the morning). “If I don’t take my kids out, they will ruin my house,” she laughs.