Study: fire protection inadequate in Capitol and House buildings
The lives of lawmakers, their staffs, and visitors are in danger from fires and other related emergencies, according to a recent study. Sprinklers in the government complex buildings not hooked up to a water source, smoke detection systems not wired to an electrical source, “unsprinklered” areas, inaudible fire alarms, and inadequate escape routes were among the conditions noted in the study.
The report cited a low priority for fire protection by the Architect of the Capitol, the office responsible for Congress` grounds and buildings. The Architect`s office was cited with taking “a haphazard approach to planning, implementing, in-stalling, and completing fire protection systems throughout the House complex” and “has ignored compelling industry information that Omega sprinklers installed throughout the House complex, are defective.”1
In addition, the report noted that should a major fire occur, many people would not be able to escape quickly from the Capitol or the office building across the street. Exits are said to be limited; exit signs inadequate; and hallways blocked with furniture, recycling bins, and supplies.
Acknowledging in a written response “that buildings in the House complex are not fully protected by modern, state-of-the-art fire protections systems meeting current codes,” the architect of the Capitol said there is no legal requirement to meet current codes ….
Among the hazards cited in the report are the following:
Ovens set on 5007F were left on in cafeteria kitchens because they took too long to heat up each morning. In addition, a broken oven door had been propped open with cardboard.
The 24-hour presence of the Capitol Police corps, although it is not a fire brigade, was relied on by the architect to augment the deficient fire protection system.
Since 1991, $997,000 appropriated for fire protection projects had been diverted to other areas, such as renovating office buildings and a cafeteria and building a new House public records center. [Source: Larry Margasak, Associated Press, The Record (Hackensack, N.J.), Dec 16, 1998, A-13.]
Endnote
1. The manufacturer recalled the heads following a lawsuit filed in March by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and efforts by various segments of the fire/emergency service. For additional information, see “CPSC files administrative complaint against Central Sprinkler Corp.,” Fire Engineering, May 1998, 38; “The Omega Sprinkler Head: Performance Testing in Fairfax County,” C.A. Maurice, Fire Engineering, Feb. 1998, 59; “CPSC and Central recall Omega fire sprinklers, Fire Engineering, Dec. 1998, 26. n
