This appropriation provides for the structural and mechanical care of the Capitol; miscellaneous
improvements; operation of the mechanical equipment; domestic care of the central portion and most of the areas
on the House side; care of Statuary Hall on the House side; and the care of Works of Art in the Capitol;
the grounds lighting systems.
maintenance and operation of the transformer stations in the Capitol group of buildings; and maintenance of
(19 Stat. 147).
The Architect performs his duties under authority of the Act of August 15, 1876
A force of 181 authorized employees, spread over day and night shifts as required, is needed for 1995 for
the care of this building with its 16 1/2 acres of floor area; the House and Senate Chambers, the Old Senate
and Supreme Court Chambers, the Dome, Rotunda, Crypt, 540 rooms occupied as offices, Committee and storage
rooms, and restaurants and other areas, including extensive corridors; with its extensive mechanical equipment,
such as air conditioning systems with over 2,000 pieces of equipment; the electrical transformer stations with
their switchboards, switchgear transformers and other equipment; 25 elevators, 2 lifts, 4 kitchen conveyors,
4 escalators, 2 dumbwaiters; approximately 700 plumbing fixtures and piping; Dome floodlighting and grounds
lighting systems, including about 70,000 feet of high tension cable; legislative bell and buzzer systems;
extensive electronic equipment including the voting system in House Chamber (placed in operation January 23,
1973); speech reinforcement system in House Chamber; and speech reinforcement system in Senate Chamber (placed
in operation January 21, 1971), electric fixtures and wiring.
The total authorized strength for the Capitol Buildings staff is 181 positions.