SEM_Report_for_JOHN_W_POWELL.pdf

FACILITY AND FIRE SAFETY SURVEY OF THE

JOHN W. POWELL FEDERAL BUILDING

(VA1468BR)

12201 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE

RESTON, VIRGINIA

Prepared by:

6755 Business Parkway, Suite 405

Elkridge, MD 21075

Order No. GS-P-11-13-MA-0084 Inspection Experts Job No. 5335-009

NCR Historic Building: No Lease Expires: NA

Survey Performed By: Skanda Abeyesekere, MS, CIH, CSP Christine Sauer, PE

Tony Jondo, PE

FSES ANALYSIS RESULTS

Provided Required Equivalency

Fire Control 15.5 7.5 8 Egress 6.5 5 1.5 General Fire Safety 17 6 11

NEW FINDINGS BY Risk Assessment Code LEVEL

RAC 1 0

RAC 2 0

RAC 3 4

RAC 4 14

RAC 5 26

AdamKReis Text Box GSA Survey No. : G-11-15-0029

Facility and Fire Safety Survey

John W. Powell Federal Building (VA1468BR) 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA ii

Table of Contents

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.0 INTRODUCTION

3.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

3.1 Opening Conference

3.2 Applicable Standards

3.3 Inspection Procedures

3.4 Sampling of Drinking Water Sources

3.5 Description of Facilities

3.6 Assignment of Risk Assessment Codes (RAC)

4.0 RESULTS

4.1 Findings - Facility Safety and Health

4.1.1 Walking/Working Surfaces

4.1.2 Electrical Systems

4.1.3 Machine Guarding

4.1.4 Emergency First Aid Equipment

4.1.5 Material Handling and Storage

4.1.6 Noise

4.1.7 Illumination

4.2 Findings - Fire Safety Survey

4.2.1 Means of Egress

4.2.2 Sprinkler and Standpipe System

4.2.3 Fire Separations

4.2.4 Fire Extinguishers

4.2.5 Emergency Lighting and Power

4.2.6 Exit Signs

4.2.7 Alarm System

4.2.8 Documentation of Testing

4.2.9 Storage of Flammable and Hazardous Material

4.2.10 Fire Safety Summary

4.3 Findings - Environmental Management

4.3.1 Air Pollution Control

4.3.2 Asbestos Management

4.3.3 Water Pollution Control

4.3.4 Lead in Drinking Water

4.3.5 Nonhazardous Waste Management

4.3.6 Hazardous Waste Management

4.3.7 Underground Storage Tanks

4.3.8 PCB Management

4.3.9 Pesticide Control

4.3.10 Special Occupancies

4.3.11 Environmental Management Summary

4.4 Findings - Indoor Air Quality

4.4.1 Ventilation

4.4.2 Complaints

4.4.3 Potential Contamination Source

4.4.4 Maintenance

4.4.5 Measurements, Instrumentation and Calibration

iii

APPENDIX A: RAC 1 THROUGH 4 FINDING

ABATEMENT REPORT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Fire Protection Safety Environmental Management Indoor Air Quality

APPENDIX B: MINOR FINDINGS REPORT

APPENDIX C: LEAD-IN-WATER LABORATORY ANALYTCIAL RESULTS

APPENDIX D: SKETCH OF WATER SAMPLING LOCATIONS

APPENDIX E: BUILDING PROFILE

BUILDING PROFILE: GENERAL BUILDING INFORMATION

FIRE PROTECTION INFORMATION

GENERAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DOCUMENTATION

DETAILS OF SPECIAL OCCUPANCIES:

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

APPENDIX F: FSES ANALYSIS

FIRE SAFETY EVALUATION SYSTEM

APPENDIX G: SURVEYOR CERTIFICATIONS

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The GSA-owned John W. Powell Federal Building, located at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia provides a working environment that is consistent with GSA policy regarding fire protec-tion risks exposing Federal Employees and does satisfy the requirements of the Federal Fire Safety Act.

The facility was inspected on February 26, 2014, by Inspection Experts, Inc. (IEI) and Hughes As-sociates (Hughes).

There were two (2) RAC 3 fire safety findings, seven (7) RAC 4 fire safety findings, and twenty-five (25) RAC 5 findings identified during this survey. The level of fire safety was shown to be equivalent to the life safety requirements prescribed by NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for the business occupancy.

NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety, provides a measuring system, en-titled Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES), to compare the level of safety provided by building safeguards to a level of safety specified in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. The FSES evaluates three safety parameters of a building, 1) the ability of the building to control a fire, 2) the building egress system and 3) the general fire safety provided by the building. To show equivalency to the Life Safety Code, all of the categories of FSES Worksheet 8.6.5 must be satisfied, along with all of the requirements of FSES Worksheet 8.6.6.

The building does satisfy all of the FSES categories of Worksheet 8.6.5. All of the requirements in FSES Worksheet 8.6.6 were met. The building FSES analysis is presented in Appendix F.

There were five (5) Facility Safety and Health findings with a RAC of 4 and one (1) RAC 3 identi-fied during the survey. One (1) RAC 5 indoor air quality finding was also identified during the survey. There was one (1) RAC 3 environmental findings identified during the survey.

The fire protection, facility safety and health, environmental management, and indoor air quali-ty findings are identified and addressed in the body of the report as well as in Appendix A and Appendix B.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Under Contract Number GS-11P-11-YA-D-0019IEI with the GSA Safety, Environmental and Fire Protection Branch (SEFB), Inspection Experts Incorporated (IEI), was tasked to perform Safety, Environment and Fire Protection Branch surveys, hereafter referred to as a “SEM survey” of federally occupied buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR).

This report details the results of the SEM Survey of the GSA-owned John W. Powell Federal Building (VA1468BR) located at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia that was conducted as Item Number 5335-009 of Task Order Number GS-P-11-13-MA-0084. The SEM survey was conducted on February 26, 2014, by Safety Professional Mr. Skanda Abeyesekere, MS, CIH, CSP, of IEI (Safety and Environmental), and by Fire Protection Engineers Ms. Christine Sauer and Mr.

Tony Jondo of Hughes Associates, Inc. (Fire Protection and Life Safety). The sampling of drink-ing water fountains and kitchenette sinks was also conducted on February 26, 2014, by Mr. Ab-eyesekere of IEI.

Twenty-six (26) new findings were deemed to be in the Minor and are set forth in the Minor Findings Form at Appendix B. The estimated gross square footage of the building is 1,018,800 square feet and consists of five interconnected individual buildings that are called “stacks” which are identified as Stacks, A, B, C, D and P. The entire building is occupied by the U.S. De-partment of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS).

OPEN FINDINGS SUMMARY:

There were 45 open findings in the IRIS database for this building as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 – Opening Findings

STATUS OF OPEN FINDINGS

Finding Number

Description Current Status

Nine post indicator valves (PIVs) were open, but not super-vised, on the water distribution loop which encircles the build-ing.

Closed

Post indicator valves located on the exterior building fire pro-tection underground loop are not supervised and not secured in the open position.

Closed

Three roll down fire doors at loading dock a and a roll down fire door separating the 2nd floor stack p old printing press area from the common corridor are provided with fusible links to release the doors on only one side of the barrier and the fus-ible links are not near the ceiling.

Closed

Several areas were observed where exit signs were not in-stalled or where the installed signs were inadequate which in-cluded: 2nd floor stack P side above double doors entering stack D; Stack A Penthouse Mechanical Room, Bc-200, Bc-300, 1p-106, 2p-105 & The 1st Floor & basement level of the library.

Open

Finding Number

Description Current Status

Roof hatches on the penthouse roofs are not provided with a guardrail system. When personnel are on roof, open hatches present a fall hazard.

Open

6 The fixed ladders to the roof hatches do not extend beyond the roof parapet. Open

Over the last 3 fire pump flow tests, the fire pump has been unable to achieve its rated flows and pressures. The condition has deteriorated over the past three years, with all three points on the 2005 test curve showing a loss of > 5% when compared to the fire pump data plate.

Open

Three roll down fire door openings at loading dock A and a roll down fire door opening separating the 2nd floor Stack P old printing press area from the common corridor are provided with swinging Plexiglas doors in the opening. The Plexiglas doors and associated fixtures prevent the roll down fire doors from closing.

Closed

The door from the 1st floor ESIC area enters the discharge lob-by for Stair 8. The door has no fire resistance rating label. Closed

In 1st floor laboratory areas, flammable liquids are stored in cabinets below laboratory hoods. The cabinets are not flamm-able liquids storage cabinets and have no lip or other means to contain spills.

Open

The main building fire alarm panel and the sub-panels are lo-cated in rooms which are not normally occupied. A smoke de-tector is not provided near the fire alarm panel or the sub-panels.

Open

Annual generator load tests have not been performed in recent years for the life safety generator. Open

The room adjacent to room Bb-402 has had the suspended ceiling removed resulting in the sprinklers being located >12" below the ceiling of the room.

Closed

Automatic sprinklers were not provided in the corridor near room 6a-308. Closed

The sash for the perchloric acid hood located in room 4B228 is badly discolored to the point that when the sash is closed, one can not see into the hood.

Open

Finding Number

Description Current Status

Loading dock D has an approximate 4' drop at the front and there was neither guardrails to prevent personnel from inad-vertently falling off the edges nor any warning strip to alert personnel to the edge.

Open

An electrical extension cord was running above the suspended ceiling in elevator room BA305 Closed

There was an orange extension cord being used in lieu of per-manent wiring in Room 5B146 to provide power for a PC. Open

Not all individual circuits within panel box 4DPA-A in room 6A224 were labeled as to what they control. NA*

Panel Box 158la-b in computer room 1P109 was missing its cir-cuit directory. NA*

Panel Box 73bll located in the loading dock area by room 1B301 had an incomplete "dead" front. Closed

There were two damaged electrical junction boxes located in room 2P138. Closed

There were electrical wires hanging out of the end of a run of conduit in room 1P113. Closed

There was an electrical outlet within 6' of a sink in room 1P113 that was not provided with GFCI Protection. Open

Access to panel boxes 73all & 73bll in the loading dock area by room 1B301, to panel box in room 1B309, and to panel boxes on wall outside entrance to room 104lb (near Loading Dock C) were impeded at time of survey by storage of equipment and materials.

Open

Rear Of Pulley & Belts Associated With AHUs In The Basement Mechanical Spaces and On AHU EA-7 In The A Stack Penthouse Were Not Enclosed.

Closed

There Was A Rotating Shaft Projecting > Than 1/2 it’s Diameter On AHU Sp1 In Room 1061p. Closed

Not All Emergency Eye Wash Fountains Were Being Tested On A Weekly Basis. Closed

Access To Eye Wash Fountain & Shower Located In The UPS Room Was Impeded By Storage Of Equipment And Materials. Closed

Access To A Drench Hose And Shower In Room 1b301 Was Im-peded By Placement Of A Coat Rack. Closed

Finding Number

Description Current Status

There Was An Unsecured Compressed Gas Cylinder Located In Room 1b407 Closed

The Perchloric Acid Hood Located In Room 4b303 Was Not In Service (disconnect Open). However, The Hood Was Not Post-ed With A Sign Stating "Not In Service".

Open

The Building's Fire Alarm System Is Antiquated And Has Audi-bility Issues Throughout. Open

Deficiencies were found in the kitchen suppression systems.

Details on all deficiencies are found in the report Fire Protec-tion Inspection of Cafeteria Kitchens In Federally Owned Build-ings.

Closed

Deficiencies were found in the kitchen exhaust hood. Details on all deficiencies are found in the report Fire Protection In-spection of Cafeteria Kitchens In Federally Owned Buildings.

Closed

There Are Many Access Doors To The Ventilation Shafts Throughout The Building. The Access Doors Are Hinged. None Of These Doors Have Automatic Closing Devices.

Open

Many areas consist of open floor plan layout. Portions of these areas have been enclosed in full-height wall partitions to create private offices, Closed

ITM of Wet Pipe Sprinkler System in accordance with Chapter 5 of NFPA 25 and/or the manufacturer’s recommendations is not being performed, or we have not been provided with docu-mentation of same.

Open

The common path of travel in the south end of the mechanical room BC300 is over 200 feet. Closed

There was a loose carpet tile in room 7A318 that was coming up and two tiles in the photo lab were also coming up. Closed

The tops of the batteries located in the UPS room are not pro-tected from inadvertent contact. Should maintenance person-nel replacing light bulbs above the batteries inadvertently fall on top of the batteries, the exposed terminals may present an electrical shock hazard.

Closed

Finding Number

Description Current Status

There was no means readily available inside the acid storage room 1P123 to flush the eyes and/or skin in the event of con-tact with hazardous materials. This room store bulk quantities of hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, acetic acid glacial, so-dium hydroxide and formic acid. The only eye wash fountain and shower for the area is located outside the room, requiring personnel to navigate the room and doorway to reach this unit. In addition, the unit itself is completely blocked by sto-rage of equipment.

Closed

It was reported at the time of the survey that the hoods are not always cleaned after each use. This may allow for a buil-dup of perchloric acid on the exhaust surfaces, increasing the risk of explosions. All perchloric acid hoods should be washed down after each use.

Closed

The old Photo Lab room 2P122J is reportedly still used and there is no readily available means to flush the eyes in the event of contact with hazardous photo chemicals. Delays in flushing of the eyes may lead to injuries.

Closed

Nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid were stored side by side in a cabinet located under the hood in lab room 1B303.

Nitric Acid is very reactive, and should it come into contact with the hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid may lead to a fire and/or explosion. The nitric acid should be separated from all other acids, by placing it in its own secondary tray.

Closed

Note- NA* - This areas were not accessible at the time of the survey.

Findings with a RAC of 1, 2, 3 or 4 are recorded in Appendix A. Findings with a RAC of 5 are recorded as Minor Findings and are included in Appendix B. Lead in Water, Laboratory Analyti-cal Results and Chain of Custody Forms are included in Appendix C. Diagrams of Water Sam-pling Locations are included in Appendix D. The building profile is included in Appendix E. The FSES analysis for the building is included in Appendix F, and the Surveyor Certifications are in-cluded in Appendix G.

3.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

3.1 Opening Conference

The SEM survey was coordinated with Mr. Kenneth Earp, Operations and Maintenance Section Chief, National Center Operations Branch, United States Geological Survey (USGS). IEI and Hughes survey representatives arrived on site at the John W. Powell Federal Building on Febru-ary 26, 2014, and held an opening conference with Mr. Kenneth Earp and USGS Branch of Facili-ties Management, Building Operations Specialist, Mr. Calvin Graves. During the opening confe-rence, IEI and Hughes Associates representatives reviewed the purpose of the visit and the pro-cedures to be used during the conduct of the survey effort. Mr. Graves accompanied the sur-vey team through the mechanical spaces and also served as the escort through the federally occupied areas.

3.2 Applicable Standards

During the conduct of the inspection, the following standards and guidelines were used to eva-luate the fire protection, facility safety and health, environmental management, and indoor air quality conditions at the aforementioned facility.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes (latest editions).

Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR 1910 - General Industry Standard.

International Building Code IBC (2012).

PBS-P100 Facilities Standards for the Public Building Service - Chapter 7- “Fire Protec-tion Engineering.”

Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR – Environmental Regulations.

U.S Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regula-tions (NPDWR).

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidance for new construction and major renovation (Version 2.2, 2006).

ANSI/American Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) Stan-dard 62.1 – 2010, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

3.3 Inspection Procedures

The actual walk-through survey consisted of observing the condition of the facility, inspecting the condition of equipment, the storage of materials, and any operations in progress that may affect the physical facility or GSA-owned equipment, plus the layout of the equipment/ mate-rials in the facilities as they relate to fire protection, facility safety and health, environmental management, and indoor air quality.

In addition, a review of the building's fire protection features, e.g., fire detection/ alarm sys-tems, fire suppression systems (both fixed and portable), fire divisions and doors, emergency lighting and exit signs, and means of egress was conducted.

Where potential hazards were identified, these were brought to the attention of the appropri-ate facility personnel and discussions of possible remedies were held. Photographs were taken in concerned areas.

3.4 Sampling of Drinking Water Sources

IEI collected potable water samples from 25 drinking water sources located throughout the building. First and second draw samples were collected from the cold water lines of select wa-ter fountains and kitchenette sinks. Each water source (point source) was flushed for 15-minutes on the afternoon prior to the day of the survey, and was allowed to sit in the hard plumbed water lines overnight for a minimum of six (6) hours as outlined by the EPA protocols for sampling lead in water. The first draw water samples were taken prior to any use, and the second draw water samples were taken midstream or after flushing the water at each source for approximately 30 seconds. A total of 50 samples were collected and submitted for the anal-ysis of lead in water. The sample collection, delivery, and analysis were conducted according to federal, state, and local regulations including the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) regulate lead (Pb) concentrations in drinking water, as documented in 40 CFR 141. The EPA Primary Drinking Water Standards de-signate Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for organic, inorganic, and biological contami-nants. The MCL for lead-in-water is 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is equivalent to

0.015 parts per million (ppm). The federal action level pertains to public drinking water sup-plies and is legally enforceable.

The collected water samples were delivered to Gascoyn Analytical Laboratories, Inc. (Gascoyn), located in Baltimore, Maryland. The potable water samples were analyzed for Lead via EPA Method 200.9. Gascoyn is a State of Maryland-certified drinking water laboratory. Their Amer-ican Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) Environmental Number is 410.01.

3.5 Description of Facilities

The John W. Powell Federal Building located at 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston, Virginia consists of five (5) interconnected individual buildings that are called “Stacks” and are identified as Stacks, A, B, C, D, and P. Stacks A, B, C and D generally consist of office spaces and laborato-ries. In addition, the building also contains a cafeteria on the basement level, an auditorium on the first floor, a Visitor Center on the first floor, and a Library in the basement level and first floor. A Health Unit is located on the first floor and a Credit Union is located in the basement level. According to building management, the laboratory areas on the third, fourth and fifth floors were refurbished in 2004.

Stack P has had a large printing plant in the past on the second floor. However, the printing plant has been dismantled and the area has been used as an office space since 2010. Stack P also has had a cabinet shop on the first floor, however, the cabinet shop is no longer utilized and the space is currently used as storage space. Stack P also contains several office areas and computer rooms on the first and second floors.

The floor plans and the layouts of the individual Stacks are as follows:

• Stack A - Seven above grade levels, a penthouse and a basement level

• Stack B - Five above grade levels, a mechanical penthouse and a basement level

• Stack C - Four above grade levels and a basement level

• Stack D - Three above grade levels and a basement level

• Stack P - Two above grade levels with no basement

The estimated total gross square footage of the building is 1,018,800 square feet with the ap-proximate gross floor areas of the individual floors as follows:

• Basement level approximately 161,500 square feet

• First floor approximately 161,500 square feet

• Second floor approximately 250,000 square feet

• Third floor approximately 152,400 square feet

• Fourth floor approximately 124,600 square feet.

• Fifth floor approximately 87,800 square feet

• Sixth floor approximately 45,800 square feet and

• Seventh floor approximately 35,200 square feet.

The building is primarily office space with laboratories intermixed on various office floors in-cluding the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. It is assumed that the laboratory units are classified as General Purpose Industrial per NFPA 45. A cafeteria is located on the Basement level and an auditorium on the First Floor.

The building is assumed to be classified as Group B and A-2/3 mixed non-separated use occu-pancies by the IBC and as a mixed non-separated Business, General Purpose Industrial and as-sembly use by the NFPA 101. The building structural system is reinforced concrete. The con-struction type is classified as a minimum of Type I (332) construction as defined by NFPA 220 and Type IA as defined by the IBC. The building is classified as a high-rise.

The building is protected throughout with by an automatic sprinkler system, including wet pipe sprinkler system in the heated areas and dry pipe systems for the exterior coverings near the cafeteria, the loading docks, and the vehicle roadway between Stacks D and P. A general fire alarm system with remote signaling is provided. Emergency power for life safety systems, in-cluding fire pump, elevator, and emergency lighting and exit signs is provided by a diesel gene-rator located in the Power Plant.

3.6 Assignment of Risk Assessment Codes (RAC)

The RAC is derived as follows:

1. Hazard Severity - The hazard severity is an assessment of the worst potential conse-quence, defined by degree of injury, occupational illness or property damage which is likely to occur as a result of a deficiency. Hazard severity categories shall be assigned a Roman numeral according to the following criteria:

a. Category I - Catastrophic: The hazard may cause death, or property loss greater than $1,000,000.

b. Category II - Critical: May cause severe injury, severe occupational illness, or property loss greater $100,000.

c. Category III - Marginal: May cause minor injury, minor occupational illness, or property loss greater than $10,000.

d. Category IV - Negligible: Probably would not affect personnel safety or health, but is, nevertheless, in violation of a standard, or property loss less than $10,000.

2. Mishap Probability - The mishap probability is the probability that a hazard will result in a mishap, based on an assessment of such factors as location, exposure in terms of cycles or hours of operation, and affected population. Mishap probability shall be as-signed an Arabic letter according to the following criteria:

a. Subcategory A - Likely to occur immediately or within a short period of time.

b. Subcategory B - Probably will occur in time.

c. Subcategory C - May occur in time.

d. Subcategory D - Unlikely to occur.

3. Risk Assessment Code - The RAC is an expression of risk which combines the elements of hazard severity and mishap probability. Using the matrix shown below, the RAC is ex-pressed as a single Arabic number that can be used to help determine hazard abate-ment priorities.

RISK ASSESSMENT CODE (RAC) MATRIX

Severity Of The Hazard Probability Of Occurrence Categories

Categories A B C D

I RAC 1 RAC 1 RAC 2 RAC 4

II RAC 1 RAC 2 RAC 3 RAC 4

III RAC 2 RAC 3 RAC 4 RAC 5

IV RAC 4 RAC 4 RAC 5 RAC 5

4.0 RESULTS

Highlights of the facility and fire safety survey are contained in this section. Section 4.1 high-lights the facility safety and health findings, Section 4.2 highlights the fire safety findings, Sec-tion 4.3 highlights the environmental management findings, and Section 4.4 highlights the in-door air quality findings. Many of the findings associated with these categories are described here as well as in Appendix A and Appendix B.

4.1 Findings - Facility Safety and Health

There were 27 open facility safety and health findings in the IRIS database. Sixteen (16) of these findings are now considered closed. Nine (9) findings still remain open. The status of two

(2) open findings could not be verified as these areas were not accessible at the time of the sur-vey. There were five (5) new RAC 4 findings and one (1) RAC 3 finding identified as a result of this survey.

4.1.1 Walking/Working Surfaces

Walking and working surfaces in the federally occupied spaces consisted of carpeting in the of-fice areas, hallways and corridors, vinyl tiles in the bathrooms, kitchenettes and copy rooms, treated and/or painted concrete flooring in mechanical rooms and stairwells, vinyl flooring in laboratory spaces and marble flooring in the main lobby areas. The majority of the surfaces in-spected were in good condition with no obvious trip/slip hazards noted. However, three (3) findings were identified during the survey:

• 7th Floor Director’s Office Reception Area: Excessive wiring was observed running across the carpeting in the reception area creating a trip hazard (RAC 4).

• 7th Floor Hallway front of Room 7A120: A wire loop was protruding from the adjacent cubicle in the hallway located in front of Room 7A1320 creating a trip hazard (RAC 4).

• 7th Floor outside Cubicle 7A209: A suspended electrical outlet and loose wiring was ob-served outside cubicle 7A209. The access wiring creates a trip hazard and the sus-pended electrical outlet places added stress on the fixture which may cause it to sepa-rate from the cord, exposing live wiring (RAC 4).

4.1.2 Electrical Systems

The building is equipped with a standard three-wire grounded electrical system and the conti-nuity of the ground was confirmed during the survey by random testing of outlets. Over cur-rent protection is provided by breakers located in electrical closet on each floor. In addition, all electrical panel boxes observed were properly sized and labeled.

The majority of the electrical outlets within six (6) feet of sinks were provided with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. However, the electrical outlet within six (6) feet of the sink in Room 1P113 was not provided with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection (See open finding).

There was one (1) new finding pertaining to the buildings’ electrical systems identified as a re-sult of this audit.

• 7th Floor Room 7A126 – A dismantled electrical outlet covering was observed in Room 7A126. The dismantled outlet cover exposes live wiring and increases the risk of elec-trical shock (RAC 4).

4.1.3 Machine Guarding

Fixed machinery in this facility is associated with the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning equipment located in the mechanical rooms located on the basement through to the seventh floor and on the penthouse of the building and maintained by Lessor’s maintenance personnel.

Furthermore, fixed machinery is also located in the elevator room which is also maintained by Lessor’s maintenance personnel. All such equipment were properly guarded at the time of the survey. All open findings pertaining to machine guarding identified in the previous SEM report have been closed.

No machine guarding findings were identified as a result of this survey.

4.1.4 Emergency First Aid Equipment

In addition to the mechanical spaces where water treatment chemicals are used and battery charging operations are conducted necessitating emergency eye wash fountains and/or show-ers, a large percentage of the facility is used for laboratory operations, also necessitating emergency eye wash fountains and/or showers. A random inspection of emergency eyewash fountains and showers in laboratories and battery charging areas found them to have up to date monthly inspection records. Furthermore, the eyewash stations in the laboratories are also reportedly inspected and recorded by the relevant laboratory manager on a weekly basis.

First Aid Kits and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) units were observed in all occupied areas on all floors of the building. Shelter-In-Place Assembly Areas were also identified on each floor.

All open findings pertaining to Emergency First Aid Equipment identified in the previous SEM survey report have been closed.

One (1) minor finding pertaining to emergency first aid equipment was identified as a result of this survey.

• 1st Floor Room 1B301: Excess mineral deposits were observed on the drench hose out-let which may hinder its operation during an emergency and delay flushing of the eyes and/or skin in an emergency, leading to injuries. The mineral deposits should be cleaned and the outlet should be kept free of debris/deposits at all times (RAC 4).

4.1.5 Material Handling and Storage

Storage throughout most of the building is incidental to an office occupancy and consisted of paper and office supplies stored in cabinets and on shelves. The facility also conducts material handling and storage operations in support of its laboratory operations. Maintenance person-nel utilize hand carts, electric carts, pallet jacks, forklifts, and dollies for operations in the office spaces and loading dock areas. A number of federal employees whose tasks requires it also utilize hand carts and dollies to transport compressed gas cylinders in and out of the laborato-ries.

Separate storage areas are located within the building for the storage of flammable and/or combustible liquids and acids. The inside flammable liquids storage room is provided with lo-cal exhaust ventilation, dikes in the form of ramps and sills as well as Class I, Division II wiring and fixtures. The acid storage room is provided with dikes in the form of sills and/or ramps.

A random inspection of storage cabinets under laboratory hoods found all chemicals and/or solvents to be stored in a compatible manner.

The majority of the compressed gas cylinders in the individual laboratories were found to be chained and secured.

All findings pertaining to material handling and storage that were identified in the previous SEM survey report have been closed. However, one (1) finding pertaining to material handling and storage was identified as a result of this survey.

• 4th Floor, Laboratory 4B-228 – A gas cylinder was observed next to the entrance which was not secured with chains. The cylinder, although empty, may contain residual gas and may not be truly empty. Furthermore, this cylinder can be inadvertently knocked over and has the potential to cause physical damage. This cylinder should be secured in place against accidental movement or should be stored and secured in a storage area designated for empty cylinders (RAC 3).

4.1.6 Noise

According to Mr. Graves, the Generator room, boiler rooms and the Chillers located in the Power Plant (Building E), the Elevator Room, Machine Rooms P1061 and 1P106E have been identified as having potential noise levels in excess of the action level of 85dBA established by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during the operation of generators, boi-lers/ chillers and machinery respectively. Maintenance personnel access these areas and therefore may be exposed to elevated levels of noise. The machine room and the power plants are identified as “Hazardous Noise Areas.” Furthermore, hearing protection in the form of ear muffs and ear plugs are provided to maintenance personnel accessing these areas to perform maintenance work.

In addition, random noise level measurements were made in the mechanical room, power plant, and elevator rooms to determine the background noise levels during the operation of air handler units, boilers, chillers and elevator machinery respectively. The noise levels measured in all areas were below the action level of 85dBA established by OSHA.

No findings pertaining to elevated noise levels were identified as a result of this survey.

4.1.7 Illumination

The lighting criteria were obtained from 41 CFR 102-74-180, Energy Conservation Rule, Federal Property Management Regulations. The required light levels are:

50 Foot candles for work surfaces, measured at a height of 30 inches above floor level, during working hours (for visually difficult or critical tasks, additional lighting may be authorized by the Federal agency buildings manager);

30 Foot candles for work areas, measured at 30 inches above floor level (taken to mean areas not requiring reading)

10 Foot-candles, but not less than 1 foot-candle, in non-work areas, during working hours (normally this will require levels of 5 foot-candles at elevator boarding areas, minimum of 1 foot-candle at the middle of corridors and stairwells as measured at the walking surface, 1 foot-candle at the middle of corridors and stairwells as measured at the walking surface, and 10 foot-candles in storage areas)

5 Foot candles for walking surfaces.

Levels essential for safety and security purposes, including exit signs and exterior lights.

Lighting in the common areas consisted of ceiling-mounted triple-tube fluorescent light fixtures equipped with opaque diffusers in the laboratories and power plant, and triple-tube fluorescent and CFL lighting in the office spaces. Lighting levels were considered adequate at the time of the survey. Light measurements were made in selected areas throughout the building and are included in section 4.4.5, Table 3.

4.2 Findings - Fire Safety Survey

Overall, the fire safety features for the building were found to be appropriate for the building use and occupancy.

There were two (2) RAC 3 findings, seven (7) RAC 4 findings, and twenty-five (25) RAC 5 find-ings identified during this survey.

4.2.1 Means of Egress

There are twelve (12) exit stairs for the entire building. The exit stairs serve various levels and are all accessed from the exit access corridors on each floor they serve. Each stair has a nomin-al width of 48 in. and is accessed via a 32 in. clear width exit door. The ground floor is provided with numerous exits to grade.

Scaled, detailed floor plans were not available to perform detailed occupant load calculations.

Based on business use throughout, the second floor has the highest occupant load for the above-grade levels at 2,500 persons.

The calculated occupant loads of the upper floors are estimated as follows:

• 7th Floor - 352 persons based on the business use (approximately 35,200 SF @ 100 SF/person).

• 6h Floor - 458 persons based on the business use (approximately 45,800 SF @ 100 SF/person).

• 5th Floor - 878 persons based on the business use (approximately 87,800 SF @ 100 SF/person).

• 4th Floor -1,246 persons based on the business use (approximately 124,600 SF @ 100 SF/person).

• 3rd Floor – 1,524 persons based on the business use (approximately 152,400 SF @ 100 SF/person).

• 2nd Floor – 2,500 persons based on the business use (approximately 250,000 SF @ 100 SF/person).

The egress capacities of the upper floors are estimated as follows:

• 7th Floor - 320 persons (Stairs 1 and 2 @ 48 in.).

• 6h Floor - 320 persons (Stairs 1 and 2 @ 48 in.).

• 5th Floor - 960 persons (Stairs 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 @ 48 in.).

• 4th Floor -1,440 persons (Stairs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 @ 48 in.).

• 3rd Floor – 1,760 persons (Stairs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 @ 48 in.).

• 2nd Floor – 2,553 persons (Stairs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 @ 48 in.; Stair P @

46 in.; 4 exterior doors @ 32 in.)

For the upper levels the available exit capacity is sufficient for the calculated occupant loads for the Basement through 5th Floor. However, the available exit capacity is not

• Stairs: 1, 2, 3, and 8 all discharge within interior of the building into a sprinklered, non-separated lobby.

adequate for the calculated occupant loads on the 6th and 7th floors. This item has been identified in pre-vious surveys and a determination was made by GSA to accept the current exiting arrangement for these floors.

The first floor consists of office, laboratories, support spaces and an auditorium. The occupant load of the first floor is approximately 1,900 persons based on business use throughout and a 300 person (seats) auditorium.

The first floor auditorium is provided with six 58-inch wide double doors which discharge di-rectly into the first floor lobby area. The exit capacity from the first floor auditorium is ade-quate for 1,740 occupants. The available exits provide adequate exit capacity for the first floor auditorium as defined by the Life Safety Code for an Assembly occupancy. The available exit capacity for the first floor exceeds 2,000 persons based upon the numerous exterior doors pro-vided around the perimeter of the building.

The basement consists of the cafeteria and building support spaces. The calculated occupant load for the basement cafeteria is approximately 500 persons. The available exit capacity from the cafeteria is 1,150 persons (six 33-in. doors). All the exits from the cafeteria discharge to the exterior. The remaining occupancy load of the basement based on storage use is approximately 350 persons. The available exit capacity for the basement is 1,440 persons. Due to the low oc-cupancy of the basement the egress capacity from the additional nine (9) exit stairs which serve this level is sufficient.

The level of exit discharge for the exit stairs is the first floor. The exit discharge arrangement is as follows:

• Stairs: 4, 5, 6 and P all discharge to interior vestibules which are sprinklered, appear to be separated from adjacent spaces, but currently have items considered as sto-rage located in the vestibules. Classification of these areas as exit passageways is not clear.

• Stairs: 7 and 9 discharge to the exterior

• Stairs: 10 and 11 discharge into corridors which at one time could have been de-signed as exit passageways but currently have unoccupied spaces opening into the corridor

The NFPA 101 exit stair discharge criterion is not compliant for all levels. At least 50% of the exits provided for each floor must discharge to the exterior. Based on the number of exits pro-vided the 2nd floor is the only level which could be arranged to meet the 50% discharge criteria.

Exits serving all floors are remotely located in accordance with NFPA 101 for existing high-rise buildings. Travel distance to an exit is less than 250 feet and 200 feet for the assembly areas.

There are no excessive dead-end corridors and the maximum common path of travel distance is less than 100 ft.

The penthouses for Stacks A and B are mechanical spaces (normally unoccupied) which open directly into Stairs 1, 2 and 10. However, since the building is existing this arrangement is ac-ceptable per NFPA 101 §7.1.3.2.1(9).

The following issue was identified concerning the means of egress:

• As identified in previous reports the egress capacity is not sufficient for the calcu-lated occupant loads on the sixth and seventh floors based on NFPA 101 require-ments. GSA should confirm the insufficient capacity is acceptable (RAC 4).

• Locks are provided on the exit doors from the exterior courtyards provided on the office levels (RAC 4).

• Handrails are not provided on the egress corridor ramp outside of room BA300 (RAC 5).

• Furniture is arranged to reduce exit access to less than 44 inches in various areas.

Example locations: 5A109 and 5A407 (RAC 5).

• A roll down fire door is provided at the separation of the 1D407 area from the cor-ridor adjacent to Loading dock A. The door is not provided with a man door, result-ing in a single means of egress from the 1D400 suite area, excluding office area

1D403 (RAC 4).

• Storage was observed in the interior discharge lobby for Stairs 4 and 5 which should be utilized as exit passageways to satisfy exit discharge criteria (RAC 4).

• The exit discharge arrangement for the building is not compliant. More than 50% of the required exits discharge into the interior of the building (RAC 4).

• A recycle bin located in the corridor by Stair 8 on the third floor reduces the clear width to 38 in. (RAC 5).

• Guards and handrails on the mechanical room stairs do not meet the dimensional requirements of NFPA 101 (RAC 5).

• The corridor leading to Room 1B205 is a dead-end in excess of 20 feet (RAC 5).

• Room 1B215 has an occupant load over 50 persons and doors do not swing in the direction of egress (RAC 5).

• Columns in the central corridor on the second floor reduce the corridor width to 36

in. (RAC 5).

• The corridor between Room 6A221 and the elevator lobby is a dead-end in excess of 50 feet (RAC 5).

• Stair identification signage is not adequate (RAC 5).

• Guards and handrails do not meet the dimensional criteria of NFPA 101 (RAC 5).

4.2.2 Sprinkler and Standpipe System

The building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system throughout. A wet pipe sprinkler system is provided for all interior heated areas, including the Stack P computer rooms. Dry-pipe sprinkler systems are provided for the exterior coverings near the cafeteria, the loading docks, and the vehicle roadway between Stacks D and P. A mixture of standard and quick re-sponse sprinklers were observed throughout the building.

The sprinklers are supplied by a combined sprinkler/standpipe system. The number of zones varies per floor due to the decreased floor size as the building rises. Waterflow detection is provided for each zone. For Stacks A through D, all stairs were provided with standpipes and each floor is supplied by the standpipes in Stairs 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 which contain the floor con-trol assemblies. The sprinkler / standpipe systems are controlled by a combination of OS&Y valves. All valves are electrically supervised by the fire alarm system.

The sprinklers in Stack P are supplied from a riser located in mechanical room 1P106. The riser is provided with an OS&Y control valve having a tamper switch and an alarm check valve.

Sprinklers for the individual floors of Stack P are supplied from an 8-inch riser located in Stair

12. Each floor is provided with an OS&Y isolation valve having a tamper switch and vane type water flow switch. The computer room areas in Stack P are each provided with an OS&Y isola-tion valve having a tamper switch and vane type water flow switch.

Each dry pipe sprinkler system is provided with an OS&Y type control valve having a tamper switch, a dry pipe valve, a pressure switch to indicate water flow and a pressure switch to mon-itor the supervisory air pressure.

Standpipe risers are 6-inches in diameter and are located in each of the building stairs. A 4-inch standpipe is provided in Stair 3 and an 8-inch standpipe in Stair P. The standpipes are provided with 2-1/2-inch hose connections on each floor.

An electric motor driven, horizontal split case fire pump is located in the basement level me-chanical room BA-300 and supplies the building standpipe and sprinkler system. The pump is manufactured by Peerless and is rated at 1,000 gpm @ 65 psi. The pump is provided with sec-ondary power by the emergency generator system. All control valves on the fire pump and in-coming service are OS&Y type and are provided with tamper switches.

Several hydraulic data plates are located near the building fire pump. The sprinkler systems are hydraulically calculated to deliver a density of 0.17 gpm per square foot over 3,000 square feet. The largest system demand was 1,302 gpm at a pressure of 77 psi for the system serving zone 2A.

Fire department connections are located adjacent to the visitor main entrance. Fire hydrants are adjacent at each block. Post Indicator Valves are located on the exterior building fire pro-tection underground loop. The Post Indicator Valves were not supervised but are secured in the open position with the exception of one PIV located in front of the visitor entrance which was closed.

Kitchen range hoods and cooking equipment in the basement floor cafeteria are protected by Ansul R102 wet chemical systems, which are connected to the building fire alarm system.

The following findings were noted related to the automatic sprinkler system:

• Throughout the office suites on each floor, multiple deficiencies related to spacing and coverage of sprinklers were noted (RAC 3):

o Sprinklers are located more than 7’6” from the wall. Example locations:

4A419, 5A310 o Sprinklers are spaced closer than 6’0” in office areas where partitions have been removed. Example locations: 6A438, 6A442 o Sprinklers are located within 4” of partitions due to newly constructed spac-

es. Example locations: 3A3124, corridor adjacent to 3A130 o The majority of the irregular shaped conference rooms at the points of Stack A are provided with one sprinkler. Points of the floor are not protected since the sprinkler is located at a distance more than 11.25 ft. (0.75 times allowa-ble distance between sprinklers). Example locations: 6A214, 6A130, 6A440, 5A300.

• Multiple rooms were noted as having the sprinkler deflector located above the sus-pended ceiling. The ceiling would result in an incomplete sprinkler spray pattern

(RAC 5).

• One of the post indicator valves located in front the visitor entrance (Stack C) is closed (RAC 5).

• Storage on shelves is located within 18 in. of sprinkler deflectors in Room 5B130

(RAC 5).

• A sprinkler is missing an escutcheon in Room 5B130 (RAC 5).

The following IRIS findings remain open related to the automatic sprinkler system:

• Over the last 3 Fire Pump Flow Tests, the fire pump has been unable to achieve its rated flows and pressures. The condition has deteriorated over the past three years, with all three points on the 2005 test curve showing a loss of >5% when compared to the fire pump data plate.

4.2.3 Fire Separations

Fire separations in the building primarily include floor-to-floor horizontal assemblies, utility shafts and hoistways, exit enclosures, separation of hazardous areas such as elevator machine rooms and large mechanical areas, and separation of laboratories. The stairways, elevator hoistways and utility shafts appear to be enclosed in 2-hour fire-rated construction with fire rated protected openings. The laboratories are provided with 45-min fire rated door openings and appear to be separated by 1-hour fire resistance rated construction.

An open stair is provided within the library connecting the basement level and the first floor areas. The open stair connects only two floors, is separated from the corridor/lobby area and does not serve as a required means of egress from either level. The open stair is classified as a convenience opening per NFPA 101.

Escalators are located in Stack A which connects the first floor to the basement level serving the cafeteria. Fire doors, which are released by the fire alarm system, are provided at the first floor level of the E1 escalator. The basement level near the escalator is provided with fire rated doors into the cafeteria and corridors and adjacent rooms. The escalator opening is con-sidered as a two-story opening per IBC 712.1.8. The escalators are not considered as a means of egress.

Fire rated doors are provided at the separation between the building stacks on the first floor, at the separation between Stack D and Stack P on the second floor and at several of the stair discharge lobbies. The doors are magnetically maintained in the open position and are re-leased by the fire alarm system. Smoke detectors are located adjacent to these doors.

Stairs 4, 5, 6 and P discharge to first floor vestibules which are separated from adjacent areas with drywall barriers and fire rated doors. It is unclear the fire rating of the separation.

The following findings were observed related to fire separations in the building:

• Fire door assembly labels are painted over and not legible for all stair doors (RAC 5).

• The 45-minute fire door to room 3C236 has an undercut in excess of ¾ in. (RAC 5).

• Doors to bulk storage room 5B130 are not self-closing (RAC 5).

4.2.4 Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are primarily located in the building circulation areas, laboratories, kitchen and special hazard areas. Multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguishers having 4-A:80-B:C rat-ings, pressurized water fire extinguishers having 2-A ratings, and carbon dioxide fire extin-guishers were provided for the building. The number and spacing of extinguishers on these levels appear to be in accordance with NFPA 10. The last annual service of the building fire ex-tinguishers was completed in May 2013.

The following findings were observed related to fire extinguishers:

• Proper fire extinguishers are not provided in labs with oxidizers (RAC 4).

• Carbon dioxide extinguishers in labs are mounted higher than 60 in. (RAC 5).

4.2.5 Emergency Lighting and Power

Emergency lighting is provided by a dedicated connection to the building’s lighting system. The dedicated fixtures are provided with secondary power by the emergency diesel generator number 5 located in the remote power plant building. This generator has a capacity of 750 kW in the event of power failure. The generator also provides back-up power for the fire pump, fire alarm system, and elevators.

There were no findings identified regarding the emergency lighting and power systems.

4.2.6 Exit Signs

Internally illuminated exit signs are provided to direct occupants to the exit stairs, exterior exit discharge…