CITATIONS ISSUED – ABATEMENT ACTIONS – 107TH CONGRESS

ISSUANCE DATEEMPLOYING OFFICELOCATIONVIOLATION & DESCRIPTIONDATE OF ABATEMENT OR STATUS
3/05/01LOC1Library of Congress – Jefferson, Adams and Madison BuildingsImproper Storage – Cellulose Nitrate – OSH Act Section 5(a)(1) (general duty clause) – Storage of pyroxylin plastic materials containing cellulose nitrate a highly flammable substance, exposes employees to a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm.LOC: Cylinders will be moved and properly stored at the new Audio-Visual Center, currently under construction in Culpepper, VA. Estimated completion dates is 2005. OOC will review for expedited abatement.

1 Abbreviations Used: AOC – Architect of the Capitol; LOC – Library of Congress; OOC- Office of Compliance; OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Act; USCP- United States Capitol Police.

ISSUANCE DATE EMPLOYING OFFICE LOCATION VIOLATION & DESCRIPTION DATE OF ABATEMENT OR STATUS
03/05/01AOC/LOCLibrary of Congress – Jefferson, Adams and Madison BuildingsUnprotected Exit Enclosures – 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(1), (2) – Exit enclosures, which separate exit stairwells and exit pathways from other parts of building, do not provide adequate fire resistance because penetrations made for pipes, ducts, and cable have not been adequately protected to prevent the spread of fire or toxic gases.AOC: All holes in fire walls enclosing exit stairs have been closed using a fire stopping compound or approved fire dampers. Repair of penetrations in exit pathways in the Madison Building are complete. Repair of penetrations in the Jefferson Building exit pathways are being addressed through the comprehensive performance based fire modeling effort. The site investigation and final concept modeling were completed in June 2002. Next phase is to determine appropriate design alternatives and proceed to design. We anticipate that designs will be complete in December 2004. Penetrations in the Adams Building exit pathways are being addressed through a design and construction effort. The conceptual design is complete and includes rerouting the return air ductwork directly into the return air main trunk line. A detailed design will be complete in Fiscal Year 2003, and construction funds will be requested in Fiscal Year 2005 to correct problem.
03/05/01AOC/LOC Library of Congress – Jefferson, Adams and Madison BuildingsFire Doors Blocked Open – 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(2); 1910.36(d)(20; 1910.37(b)(2) – Fire doors not maintained and operated to avoid undue danger to occupants in that they were blocked open. This prevents the doors from stemming spread of smoke and toxic fumes during period of time reasonably necessary for escape in a fire or other emergency.AOC: All improperly operating fire doors were repaired in October 2001. All doors are checked and inspected quarterly and repairs are made as needed to ensure they operate properly. LOC is responsible for monitoring staff compliance.
03/05/01AOCLibrary of Congress – Jefferson, Madison BuildingsNon-functioning Halon Systems – 29 CFR 1910.36(d)(2) – Fixed Halon fire extinguishing systems were not in proper operating condition.AOC: This item is COMPLETE. The halon extinguishing system was repaired in October 2001 and the systems are tested and inspected on an annual basis.

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