Asbestos Abatement in GAO Building Congressional support and assistance was instrumental in helping GAO obtain ownership and control of the GAO Building in 1988. This accomplishment greatly facilitated agency efforts to remove asbestos and renovate space to create a safer and better work environment and to better suit current operations thereby enhancing staff efficiency in performing the audit and evaluation work. When the GAO Building was constructed during the late 1940's, it was regarded as a marvel of modern construction technology. One of the largest office buildings in downtown Washington, D.C., the sevenstory structure covered most of a city block and contained the latest amenities. Most publicized was the unique 35 mile system of air ducts that provided centralized air-conditioning for the nearly 2 million square foot building. Because World War II caused a metal shortage, using alternative materials, such as asbestos, was popular. To reduce construction costs for the GAO Building, air ducts that were 'asbestos from core to cover® were used instead of ones made from sheet metal. Asbestos air ducts also had the added advantages that they would not rot, rust, or burn. Making the building fire resistant was especially important because its primary purpose was to warehouse and archive tons of highly combustible important government accounting documents. GAO's construction was unique: not only were the air ducts composed of asbestos, but the ceilings, the pipes, and the supporting columns were encased with it. Ironically, the very safeguards that were once used to protect the building's occupants now pose a health hazard. The air ducts are now old and, in many places, crumbling and friable. To ensure the safety and well being of its employees, GAO is removing all asbestos from the building using accepted procedures. The GAO Building was designed to provide large spaces for files. Thus the building when completed had enclosed offices with windows along the outer walls, but with virtually all of the inner space unpartitioned. With the passage of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, GAO'S legislative base for later change to an oversight role was established and much of the GAO's audit activity was transferred to sites located in the departments and agencies being audited. Therefore, the overwhelming need for file storage space was no longer present. The interior space was partitioned and used as traditional office space although the original air distribution system was not designed for this application and was never satisfactory. The system is incapable of cooling the building because of heat generated by lighting, personnel and the equipment they require. In addition to the inadequate, deteriorated, and unhealthy air distribution system made of asbestos, other building systems have reached the end of their useful life and/or are technologically outdated requiring modernization if GAO is to consolidate its work force and function efficiently by using modern office equipment. The electrical system is insufficient to support the needs of the rapidly emerging technology that GAO requires to accomplish its mission. The telecommunications cable system needs replacement to meet projected needs. The fire alarm and building security systems are unmaintainable due to age and problems associated with obtaining replacement parts. Removing asbestos provides GAO a unique opportunity to not only satisfy specific deficiencies in the air distribution systems, but also update the support systems of the entire facility. In addition to improving computer and communication capabilities, GAO will also meet current building codes for handicapped accessibility. GAO has completed the modernization of the seventh floor, ninety percent of the first floor and half of the building's mechanical plant systems equipment located in the penthouse and basement. The fourth floor has been completely abated of asbestos and construction will start in fiscal year 1993 with completion in June of fiscal year 1994. The remaining half of the mechanical plant will be modernized during the same period since it is needed to support occupancy of the 4th floor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics vacated the entire 2nd floor of the GAO Building in September 1992. Although several years late, this action gives GAO the opportunity to work on two floors and thereby accelerate asbestos removal and the modernization schedule. Demolition and asbestos abatement was started on the second floor in October 1992 (fiscal year 1993), and with necessary funding modernization should be completed in fiscal year 1995. The three remaining floors will begin modernization with the 5th floor in fiscal year 1994, the 3rd floor in fiscal year 1995 and the 6th floor in fiscal year 1996. Under the current compressed schedule the entire building will be completed in fiscal year 1998. Although the current modernization plan for the building would allow GAO to work on two floors at one time until the project is completed, the current level of funding (fiscal year 1993 and before) will only allow work on one floor at a time while the other floor remains vacant. If the funding level is increased in fiscal year 1994 and future years to support the current compressed schedule, GAO could complete the entire project thirty one months earlier, saving $18 million in rent and $4 million in construction costs. The modernization of the GAO Building is being undertaken to create a safer and more productive work environment for the GAO staff. GAO is firmly committed to supporting organizational objectives of recruiting and retaining quality staff, and firmly believes that an environmentally safe and quality workplace is a critical part of any employee compensation and benefit package. Lack of a modernization program in the GAO Building will reduce GAO's organizational effectiveness and its ability to serve the Congress. |