Chilling Out at Staples

Lee Zeidman at Staples Center is doing all he can to keep heads cool on the convention floor. As Staples Center’s vice president of operations, he’s in charge of the air-conditioning. Not an easy chore, he says, given the 186 doors that let hot air in and the thousands of theatrical lights. Technicians at computer consoles will independently monitor temperatures in four arena zones and keep the center at an even 68 degrees using “chillers,” machines that can fire cold air at hot spots when they appear. For the record, delegates function at lower temperatures than basketball players. The temperature on the court during Lakers games is kept at 70, Zeidman said.

Compiled by MALOY MOORE / Los Angeles Times