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THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
12 July 1946
HE WHITE HOUSE
JUL 12 2 18 PM '46
RECEIVED
My dear Mr. President:
In accordance with our conversation
at Cabinet Meeting this morning, I am sending
you herewith twenty-three copies of the report
of the Navy on the "Safety Survey of the White
House."
Respectfully yours,
HARPY E. ARCHIVES "NATIONAL RECORDS TRUMAN AND LIBRARY
U.S.
SERVICE'
GOVERNMENT
John NATIONAL S. TRUMI
The President
The White House
BARRY U.S. ARCHIVES SERVICE" RECORDS GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARY
12 July 1946
My dear Mr. President:
In accordance with our conversation
at Cabinet Meeting this morning, I am sending
you herewith twenty-three copies of the report
of the Navy on the "Safety Survey at the White
House".
Respectfully yours,
HARPY S NATIONAL TRUMAH LIBERTY
U.S.
The President
John
The White House
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
12 July 1946
My dear Mr. President:
I take pleasure in presenting to you
a copy of a Safety Survey of the White House
which was made by the Navy Department at your
request.
Twenty-three additional copies of
this survey will be delivered to Mr. H. R. Crim,
the Chief Usher. In view of the very complete
and detailed description of the safety and fire
hazards of the White House, I suggest that the
various copies of the survey be treated as
confidential.
Respectfully yours,
BARRY U.S. ARCHIVES "NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE GOVERNMENT TRUMAN AND LIBRARY
Encl:1
Acting Secretary Jullian
The President
The White House
SAFETY SURVEY
of
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
BY
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
JUNE 1946
BARRY ARCHIVES A "NATIONALD TROMAN TIBERT
U.S.
GOVERNMENT
C-69090
PREFACE
ARCHIVES A NATIONAL ALBRARY
SERVICE
On April 5, 1946, the President of the United States di-
rected a letter to the heads of executive departments and
agencies, with the request that they take inventory of their
respective safety organizations and programs, and, if they
found them inadequate, that they take the steps necessary to
strengthen them. The President's genuine interest in the
problem of accident prevention was further indicated by his
request that a complete Safety Survey of the White House be
made. This direction was transmitted to the Executive Office
of the Secretary, Navy Department, and a Survey was accord-
ingly undertaken.
The scope of this Survey embraced the White House and
Grounds, and the space occupied in the temporary building
designated as 501-17th Street. The national importance of
the White House, the official home of the Presidents of the
United States and the repository of objects of great histor-
ical and sentimental value, together with the functional use
of these premises, embodying a combination of private living
quarters, areas of public assembly, office operations, and
maintenance and repair facilities made this assignment unique.
In this Survey, an objective study was made of current
hazards which should be corrected in order to establish con-
ditions providing the maximum degree of safety and to con-
struct a pattern for future use in the establishment of a
safety program for the White House. The recommendations re-
sulting from this Survey are set forth in detail in order to
accomplish two objectives: first, it was deemed desirable to
record all conditions presenting accident hazards which it
was possible to observe during the time in which the Survey
was conducted; and secondly, continuing action will be re-
quired in order to make certain that the maximum degree of
safety prevails at all times. In view of the foregoing, the
detailed presentation of the recommendations will serve as
guidelines for subsequent safety surveys which should be es-
tablished as an integral part of the White House Safety
Program.
In Section I of the Survey Report, consideration is given
to the establishment of a safety policy, organization, and
program for the White House in order to provide continuing
action in the prevention of accidents.
In Section II of the Survey Report, fire protection and
prevention are discussed in detail. This section presents
a narrative description of existing facilities as well as
inadequacies and points out suggested remedial action.
I
C-69090
In Section III of the Survey Report, hazards to the purity
of the potable water-supply system are discussed. Although
the field operations embraced a complete study of the potable
water-supply system, this section of the Report deals only
with the defective conditions which should be corrected.
In Section IV of the Survey Report, the safety consid-
erations which relate to structure, environment, and appurte-
nances are discussed in detail. The field survey included a
complete inspection of the premises as well as the operations
being conducted at the time of the Survey; but in the interest
of conservation of space there are discussed in this section
of the Report only those conditions which were found defective
and the remedial action necessary to bring about their cor-
rection.
In conclusion, the Navy Department stands ready to offer
the services of its safety and fire-protection engineers to
assist in the execution of the program and recommendations
embodied in this Survey. The Appendix contains a selection
of reference and informational material which will be helpful
in completing many of the recommendations listed in the Report.
The information upon which this Survey is based was col-
lected at various times during May and June 1946 by repre-
sentatives of the Navy Department. The Office of Industrial
Relations, Executive Office of the Secretary and the Bureau
of Yards and Docks collaborated in this Survey. The Survey
was conducted under the general supervision of Mr. Edward B.
Landry, Office of Industrial Relations (Safety Branch), Exec-
utive Office of the Secretary, assisted by the following
representatives of the Bureau of Yards and Docks: Captain A.J.
Fay (CEC) USN, Captain H. K. Hughes (CEC) USNR, Commander P.H.
Peterman (CEC) USNR, and Lieut. Commander G. P. Stahl (S) USNR.
In the coordination of the field survey data, valuable assist-
ance was given by Mr. Melbourne F. Sinnard, Office of Indus-
trial Relations (Safety Branch), Executive Office of the
Secretary.
Acknowledgment is made of the valuable assistance ren-
dered by the Chief Usher of the White House, the White House
Architect, the President's Physician, and other personnel of
the White House who were most cooperative throughout the
entire inspection. The Fire and Water Department of the Dis-
trict of Columbia also contributed materially to the effective
ness of the Survey.
BARRY ARCHIVES NATIONAL RECORDS
Chief, 4.g ensp 49 Cusp
U.S.
SERVICE MENT
Chief,
Office of Industrial Relations
Bureau of Yards and Docks
1 July 1946
II
C-69090
TRUMAN
BARRY
NATIONAL
ARCHIVES AND
CONTENTS
RECORDS
LIBRARY
U.S.
SERVICE
government
SECTION
PAGE
PREFACE
I
I.
POLICY, ORGANIZATION, AND PROGRAM
1
RECOMMENDATIONS
1
No. 1. POLICY.
1
No. 2. ORGANIZATION.
l
No. 3. PROGRAM
1
A. Accident Records
1
B. Fire Reports.
2
C. Safety Inspections.
2
D. Standards or Regulations
2
E. Selection, Placement, Orientation,
and Training of Personnel.
2
F. Education.
3
II. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
4
EXPOSURE.
4
CONSTRUCTION
4
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
4
B. WEST TERRACE
5
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
5
D. EAST TERRACE
5
E. EAST WING
5
F. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
5
OCCUPANCY
6
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
6
B. WEST TERRACE
6
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
6
D. EAST TERRACE
6
E. EAST WING
6
Γ. GARAGE
7
G. GENERAL.
7
PROTECTION
7
A. WATER SUPPLY
7
Source
7
Fire Hydrants
7
B. FIRE FLOW TESTS
7
C. FIRE DEPARTMENT
8
D. FIRE ALARM AND GUARD SERVICE
10
E. STANDPIPE (FIRE LINE)
10
F. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 11
G. LIGHTNING PROTECTION
11
H. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
11
RECOMMENDATIONS
11
No. 4. FIRE DEPARTMENT PROTECTION
11
No. 5. WATER SUPPLY.
11
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'NATIONAL
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RECORDS
LIBRARY
SERVICE
SECTION
PAGE
II. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (Cont.)
Public Water
11
Private Swimming Pool
12
No. 6. FIRE INSPECTION
13
No. 7. AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
13
No. 8. FIRE HYDRANT
13
No. 9. EXIT FACILITIES
13
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
13
B. EAST WING
15
C. EAST TERRACE
15
No. 10. FIRE CUT OFFS
16
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
16
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
16
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
16
No. 11. STANDPIPE
17
A. EXECUTIVE M INSION
17
NO. 12. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
17
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
17
B. EAST TERRACE
17
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
18
D. EAST WING
18
E. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
18
No. 13. ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS
18
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
18
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
19
No. 14. DRAPERIES AND AWNINGS
19
1. EXECUTIVE MANSION, SOUTH PORTICO
EAST TERRACE, AND EAST WING
19
No. 15. HEATING HAZARDS
19
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION.
19
No. 16. TEMPORARY WOOD PARTITIONS
19
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
19
No. 17. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
19
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
19
No. 18. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
20
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
20
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
20
C. EAST WING
20
No. 19. SMOKING.
21
A. 501-17th STREET
21
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
21
No. 20. WASTE PAPER AND OILY RAGS
21
A. 501-17th STREET
21
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
22
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
22
IV
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TRUMAN
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SERVICE™
CONTENTS
GOVERNMENT
SECTION
PAGE
II. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (Cont.)
No. 21. FIREPLACE SCREENS
22
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
:
22
III. SANITATION
23
RECOMMENDATIONS.
23
No. 22. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- LLAVATORY
FAUCETS AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT.
23
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
23
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
23
C. WEST TERRACE.
24
No. 23. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- DRIPS, WASTES,
AND OVERFLOWS
24
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
24
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
24
C. EAST WING
24
D. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILI ING
25
E. WEST TERRACE.
25
No. 24. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- FLOAT VALVES
AND FLUSH VALVES
25
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
26
B. EAST WING.
26
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
26
D. WEST TERRACE.
26
No. 25. DRINKING FOUNTAINS
26
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
26
B. EAST TERRACE.
26
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
26
No. 26. CROSS-CONNECTIONS.
27
A. WEST TERRACE.
27
No. 27. UNVENTED TRAPS
27
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
28
No. 28. LAWN DISPLAY FOUNTAINS
28
IV. STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND APPURTENANCES
29
OVERLOADING OF FLOORS
29
CHANDELIERS
29
PRESIDENTIAL SEAL
30
RECOMMENDATIONS
30
No. 29. PAINTINGS AND PICTURES
30
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
31
No. 30. WINDOW GLASS
32
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
32
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
32
No. 31. ELEVATORS
32
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
33
V
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CONTENTS
HARRY
ARCHIVES "NATIONAL RECORDS and
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SECTION
SERVICE
PAGE
IV. STRUCTURE, environment, AND APPURTENANCES (Cont.)
No. 32. WALKWAY SURFACES -- STAIRS
33
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
34
B. EAST WING
36
C. 501-17th STREET
:
36
No. 33. WALKWAY SURFACES -- FLOORS
36
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
36
B. 501-17th STREET
37
No. 34. WALKWAY SURFACES --
RUGS
37
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
37
B. EAST WING
39
No. 35. MACHINE GUARDING
39
A. 501-17th STREET
40
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
40
C. EAST WING
41
No. 36. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- FLEXIBLE
CORDS.
41
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
42
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
42
C. EAST WING
43
D. 501-17th STREET
44
No. 37. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- GROUNDING
44
A. 501-17th STREET
44
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
44
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
44
No. 38. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- BATHROOM
APPLIANCES
44
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
45
No. 39. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- PORTABLE
HOT PLATES
45
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
45
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
45
C. WEST TERRACE
45
D. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
46
E. 501-17th STREET
46
No. 40. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
--
MISCELLANEOUS
46
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
46
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
47
No. 41. ELECTRIC FANS
47
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
48
B. EAST WING
48
No. 42. FILE CABINETS AND CLOTHES
LOCKERS
48
1. 501-17th STREET
49
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
49
C. EAST WING
49
C-69090
VI
MYWOUL
HARRY
'NATIONAL
ARCHIVES AND
CONTENTS
RECORDS
SECTION
SERVICE
PAGE
IV.
STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND APPURTENANCES (Cont.)
No. 43. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SAFETY
EQUIPMENT
50
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
50
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
51
No. 44. HANDLING OF MATERIALS.
51
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
52
No. 45. HOUSEKEEPING.
52
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
53
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
54
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
54
D. EAST WING
55
E. 501-17th STREET
:
56
No. 46. FOOD PREPARATION AND HANDLING
(FOREIGN-SUBSTANCE CONTROL) 56
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICE BUILDING
56
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.
:
57
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
57
D. EXECUTIVE MANSION
57
No. 47. BATHROOM HAZARDS -- RUBBER
BATH MATS, HANDGRABS, AND
PORCELAIN FAUCET HANDLES
58
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
59
No. 48. BATHROOM HAZARDS -- LIGHT
SHAFTWAYS
59
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
59
No. 49. REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT
60
A. 501-17th STREET
60
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
60
No. 50. LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS
60
A. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
60
B. EXECUTIVE MANSION
61
No. 51. GENERAL CONDITIONS
61
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
61
B. WEST TERRACE
63
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
64
D. EAST TERRACE
:
64
No. 52. SAFETY STANDARDS
65
A. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH
PORTICO)
65
No. 53. WHITE HOUSE POLICE.
65
A. NORTH-WEST GATE
65
B. EXECUTIVE MANSION
:
65
VII
c-89090
CONTENTS
PAGE
APPENDIX
66
A. REFERENCE MATERIAL.
66
I. SAFETY CODES AND STANDARDS.
67
II. SAFETY RULES, REGULATIONS, TECHNICAL
68
DATA, AND INFORMATION ON FIRE
PREVENTION.
B. FORMS
71
I. REPORT OF FIRE ON GOVERNMENT OWNED OR
LEASED PROPERTY
72
II. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT OF INJURY.
74
C. DRAWING
75
I. WHITE HOUSE, EXECUTIVE MANSION,
SCHEMATIC FOR PROPOSED REVISION
OF ORNAMENTAL GATES (Y&D DRAWING
NO. 431,658)
76
TRUMAM
NATIONA
ARCHIVE AND
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ANYUS
SERVICE"
NOVERNMENT
C- 69090
VIII
SECTION I
POLICY, ORGANIZATION, AND PROGRAM (1)
Accident prevention is not a static problem. The initial
step toward providing a safe environment in which to live is to
correct the physical hazards. However, this alone is not enough.
It is equally if not more important to develop an attitude of
safety consciousness in the minds of the individuals who are in
residence or employed at the White House. In order to accomplish
both these objectives, it is important to establish a safety or-
ganization and program which will serve as a means of providing
continuing action for the prevention of accidents. The policy,
organization, and program set forth below applies to the office
staff and the maintenance staff.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. POLICY
HARRY ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL SERVICE" RECORDS TRUMAN AND MENT LIBRARY
A. A clear-cut policy should be announced by responsible
authority, made clear to all department heads, and to
all employees, reiterated at suitable intervals, and
enforced. This policy to include:
(1) That line supervision is responsible for safety.
(2) That all equipment and practices shall be such
as to afford reasonable safety at all times.
(3) That personal protective equipment and other
safety equipment where needed, shall be provided
by the Government.
2. ORGANIZATION
A. Responsibility for the direction of the Safety Program
should be delegated to a responsible individual, desig-
nated as the Safety Representative.
3. PROGRAM
A. Accident Records. - All injuries arising out of, or
during the course of employment should be reported by
the Supervisor on the form "Supervisor's Report of
Injury. (This Report is on the reverse side of the
U.S. Employee's Compensation Commission Form, CA-1,
(1) Adopted from the report "Accident Prevention for Federal
Employees, If submitted to the President of the United States by
the Chairman of the Federal Interdepartmental Safety Council,
March 29, 1946.
C- 69090
1
Revised August 1, 1945). Separate accident records as
far as is practicable, should be obtained on accidents
occurring to the public. Such a compilation is useful
for preventing the recurrence of similar accidents.
The Safety Representative should investigate all re-
ported accidents and initiate corrective action as
indicated
B. Fire Reports. A report should be prepared of all
fires regardless of size. A suggested form is in-
cluded in the Appendix. If desired the Navy Depart-
ment's Fire Protection Engineers will make a study
and analysis of these reports periodically for the
purpose of determining and suggesting remedial
action.
C. Safety Inspections. - It is important that weekly in-
spections be made of all parts of the White House
and grounds by the Safety Representative or his
delegated representative. These inspections are for
the purpose of disclosing and initiating corrective
action on conditions relating to Fire Protection,
Environmental Safety, Protection of the Public, and
Property Conservation. (The Navy Department will
make available the services of its Safety and Fire
Protection Engineers, to train the individuals as-
signed this duty.)
D. Standards or Regulations. - Standards or regulations
should be issued covering working conditions and
practices, including provision and use of personal
protective equipment. These standards or regula-
tions should be distributed to all supervisors,
office and maintenance personnel. (The Navy Depart-
ment will make available the services of its Safety
Engineers to assist in the preparation of these
standards or regulations.)
E. Selection, Placement, Orientation, and Training of
Personnel. --- The inclusion of safety in the selec-
tion, placement, orientation, and training of per-
sonnel should be affected. Personnel should be as-
signed only to such jobs as they are physically
qualified to perform and they should be permitted to
work only when they are physically fit. Personnel
on the maintenance staff should be given adequate
and complete instruction by their supervisors on
the safe practices to follow when engaged in a
given task. The use of printed Safety Standards or
Regulations (refer to recommendation (3D)),
thoroughly explained to and understood by the per-
sonnel, will assist in the accomplishment of this
U.S. ARCHIVES "NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE AND LIBEARY
c-69090
2
GOVERNMENT
objective The proper integration of safety in
orientation and training (the later being a con-
tinuous process) of the personnel, will not only
lessen the opportunity for personal injury but will
reflect in the efficiency with which work is per-
formed.
F. Education. - Safety educational materials such as
the display of posters on bulletin boards, stra-
tegically located so they can be readily seen by the
personnel, and literature for the supervisors and
the Safety Representative, should be used as one
means for maintaining and creating interest in ac-
cident prevention. (The Navy Department will make
available material of this type.)
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C- 69090
3
SECTION II
FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
This Government activity is situated on a plot of ground
of about fifteen acres bordering on the high value district of
Washington to the east. It consists of a group of three
buildings with the longer axis parallel to and about 300 feet
south of Pennsylvania Avenue. The Executive Mansion is on line
with the Jefferson Memorial to the south and 16th Street to
the north, and is flanked by the Executive Office Building
and the East Wing.
The past fire record has been excellent, the last fire
of any consequence being in 1929 when the Executive Offices
were involved. This excellent record is due to the careful
and constant supervision that is given this Activity and the
high general standards of order and neatness that are main-
tained.
EXPOSURE
The principal exposure to fire from outside sources is
from the State Department Building across West Executive
Avenue. This exposure hazard is considered moderate. No
special treatment for the Executive Office Building against
this exposure is considered necessary since there is open
space of 100 feet between buildings.
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ARCHIVES AND RECORDS
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A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
SERVICE
The oldest of the group of buildings is the Executive
Mansion which is 4 stories and attic in height, locally
referred to as 3 stories, attic and basement, because of
the fact that the rear of the building is lower than the front.
The exterior walls are of masonry and the floors and roof of
fire-resistive construction except the second floor which is
of the quick-burning type. There is an inherent defect in the
design of the building in that the stair shafts which form
vertical flues are not cut off from the floors so that a fire
originating on a lower floor might spread unobstructedly
throughout the entire building. This condition, combined with
inadequate exit facilities, introduces a life hazard to those
occupying the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Fortunately many of the common hazards do not exist as
the building does not have its own heating plant, steam being
supplied from the outside. Gas is no longer available, as
electricity is used for illumination and cooking. The various
maintenance shops have been placed outside in a detached
building. There is no storage on lower floors.
C-69090
4
At times certain portions of the Executive Mansion are
used as places of public assembly, especially the East Room
and the State Dining Room. At such times adequate and proper
exit facilities are important.
There are no cut-offs between the Executive Mansion and
the other buildings but since the connecting terraces between
them are ofufire-resistive construction with a small amount
of combustible contents the possibility of a fire spreading
from one to another is remote.
B. WEST TERRACE
The Executive Mansion is connected to the Executive
Office Building by a one story fire-resistive structure known
as the West Terrace.
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
At the west end of the group of buildings and bordering
on the West Executive Avenue is the Executive Office Building.
This building is two stories and basement in height of fire-
resistive construction having metal trim on the second floor
and wood trim on the first floor and in the basement. The
principal exit from the second floor consists of a stairway,
although egress is also available from the second floor to the
roof of the West Terrace.
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The Executive Mansion is connected to the East Wing
by a one story fire-resistive structure known as the East
Terrace.
E. EAST WING
The last building built is known as the East Wing,
erected in 1942, with the main entrance to it on East
Executive Avenue. It is two stories and basement in height,
of reinforced concrete construction, and is served by one
open stairway and an enclosed elevator. Connected to the
basement of the East Wing are the air raid shelter and the
tunnel to the Treasury. The principal means of egress from
the second floor consists of a stairway, although egress is
also available from the second floor to the roof of the
East Terrace.
F. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
The Maintenance or Shop Building is under the North
Portico to the north of the Executive Mansion and is under-
ground. A service driveway separates the building from the
Executive Mansion. The tunnel to the Treasury Puilding is
connected to the Shop Building.
C-69090
5
OCCUPANCY
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
The Executive Mansion is generally referred to as the
White House. The basement or ground floor contains the
Diplomatic Reception Room, China Room, White House Library,
Billiard Room, Ushers' Room, Clinic, Kitchen, and Servants'
Dining Room. On the first floor are the fumous East, Green,
Blue, Red, and State Dining Room. The President's private
Dining Room and the Ushers' Office are also on the first
floor. The North and South Porticos are on the first floor
level of the Mansion.
The President and his family have their private quarters
on the second floor.
On the third floor are guest rooms, servants' quarters,
and storage rooms. The President's Sun Parlor and Promenade
Deck, situated on the roof over the second floor, are reached
by mèans of a connecting stairway from the third floor. (The
third floor is of smaller area than the second floor.)
The Attic is vacant except for electric wiring and provides
access to the base of the flag pole by means of a trap door.
B. WEST TERRACE
The West Terrace contains the President's private Swim-
ming Pool and Gymnasium. The Bouquet Room, Grounds Department
Tool Room, and a small office, are also located in the West
Terrace.
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
The Executive Office Building is occupied on the first
floor by the President's Office, Cabinet Room, Press Room,
Conference Room, and office of President's Secretaries. The
second floor is used principally for general offices, while
the basement contains the Messenger Room, Press Release Room,
utilities rooms, and general storage rooms.
D. EAST TERRACE
The East Terrace houses the President's private Motion
Picture Projection Room, the Projection Booth, the Loggia,
and the Foyer.
E. EAST WING
The first floor of the East Wing is devoted to office
space and a Board Room. The second floor is used entirely as
office space. In the basement is the Guard Office (Security.
Room), Guard Locker Room, Guard Lunch Room, maintenance shops,
and some storage rooms.
c-69090
6
F. GARAGE
There are no garage facilities on the Grounds. The
White House motor vehicles are kept at the War Department
Garage, 20th and C Streets, N.W.
G. GENERAL
Smoking is permitted generally throughout the buildings.
It is probably impossible to control this hazard at State
affairs.
PROTECTION
A. WATER SUPPLY
Source - Supply is received from the Gravity Service
of the District of Columbia.
Fire Hydrants - There are five fire hydrants located
on the Grounds near the Executive Mansion. Three of
these are on the north side and two are on the south
side. All hydrants are of the Smith make, having
one 4-inch and two 21-inch outlets. Each hydrant is
provided with a gate valve in the connection to the
main.
An 8-inch main extends into the Grounds from a 12-inch
main in Pennsylvania Avenue, and supplies two of the above-
mentioned hydrants. A 6-inch main extends from the above
8-inch main and supplies the third hydrant. The two hydrants
south of the Executive Mansion are supplied by 6-inch connect-
ion to a public main. The above mains are cross-connected
underneath the buildings with domestic piping of 4-inch and
smaller diameter.
B. FIRE FLOW TESTS
Fire flow tests were conducted on Thursday, May 16 between
10 and 11 A.M. Tests on the north side of buildings were made
with and without the fountain operating. The difference in
volume and pressure between the two tests was of no material
consequence. A flow test was also conducted on the 12-inch
public main in Pennsylvania Avenue to determine the quantity
available for supply to fire department pumpers.
The amount of water available for use by pumpers outside
is considered satisfactory but is insufficient in pressure to
supply adequately private fire protection equipment such as
existing standpipe and hose stations on upper floors or
automatic sprinklers, should this type of protection be pro-
vided in areas of upper floors. The water supply for hydrants
inside the Grounds is not sufficient in quantity or pressure.
C-69090
7
Results of the fire flow tests are contained in the
following table:
FIRE FLOW TESTS
Pressure Lbs
Quantity
Per Sq. Inch
Available
Location
Discharge
Static
Residual
Quantity
At
At
Gals. Per
(Hydrant
(Hydrant
Required
20#
10
Min.
Closed)
Open)
* North Side
Ex. Mansion
650
31
261/2
3500
1050 1490
**
North Side
Ex. Mansion
750
33
261/2
3500
1090 1490
*** South Side
Ex. Mansion
730
35
22
3500
790 1020
Pennsylvania
Avenue North
of Executive
Mansion
1140
34
33
3500
4700 6300
With North Fountain Operating.
With North Fountain Shut Off.
With South Fountain Operating.
While there is ample amount of water at low pressure for
pumper suction supply outside of the grounds, the quantity
within the grounds would be restricted to a supply for one
pumper on the north and one on the south side. The pressure
of the supply is inadequate for standpipe and sprinklers on
the upper floors.
C. FIRE DEPARTMENT
Dependence for fighting fires beyond an incipient
state is placed entirely on the municipal fire
department of the District of Columbia.
Any incipient fire would be handled by Police
Guards with portable extinguishers or standpipe
and hose. An ample supply of extinguishers are
distributed throughout the premises and he guards
are all trained in their use.
C-69090
8
Because of insufficient pressure, the standpipe would not
be very effective on upper floors. Standpipe is equipped
with 75 feet of 1/2 inch unlined linen hose and also a 2/2
inch gated connection to which fire department hose can be
attached. Outside siamese fire department connection is
provided for use of pumpers in order to furnish good
volume and pressure.
Alarms that are considered beyond the control of first
aid fire appliances on hand are transmitted by telephone
to the District of Columbia Fire Department as a "local"
alarm and bring a response of one engine company, one
aerial ladder company and a Battalion Chief.
When, in the judgment of the Police Guard in charge, the
fire appears serious, a "general" alarm is transmitted to the
fire department. This can be accomplished by means of two
city fire alarm boxes on the Grounds. These boxes can be
pulled directly or can be actuated by auxiliary boxes located
on the ground floor of the Executive Office Building, the
Ushers' Office and from the Security Room in the basement. One
of the City Fire Alarm Boxes is located near the north-west
corner of the Executive Offices (Box #1234) and the other is
near the north-west corner of the East Wing (Box #157).
Response to a "general" or Box Alarm includes four engine
companies, rescue squad company, two aerial-ladder trucks and
two Battalion Chiefs.
All signals from combined night-watch and manual fire
alarm system and the automatic fire alarm ("Aero") system are
received in the Security Room. The system is designated as a
local central station system inasmuch as no signals are trans-
mitted to the American District Telegraph Office.
The District of Columbia Fire Department has thoroughly
planned its method of response and placing of companies in the
event of fire. In this plan, the Department would not ordinarily
make use of any of the five fire hydrants within the Grounds
on a box alarm but instead would connect their pumpers to public
hydrants on streets bordering the Grounds. This plan is based
upon the maneuverability of fire apparatus and the fact that
the inside hydrants would not supply more than one pumper on
the north, and also one pumper on the south side of the buildings.
It would be satisfactory to use these inside hydrants provided
it was only necessary to use one pumper on the north and south
sides. Should it then become necessary to connect to hydrants
on the bordering streets, the supply to the inside hydrants
would probably be reduced to such an extent that pumpers already
operating inside the Grounds would have to be shut down.
C-69090
9
The buildings extend entirely across the Grounds so it
would be necessary for fire apparatus to pass outside them in
going from the north to the south side.
For the amount of water required and available for fire-
fighting purposes, see "Fire Flow Tests," under Water Supply.
Police Guards are stationed continuously at all gates
leading to the Grounds so that the Fire Department would lose
no time in entering the Grounds.
The Fire Department would also make use of the standpipe
system by connecting their 21-inch hose to the riser and supply-
ing water in sufficient pressure and volume by means of pumpers
discharging into the siamese connection.
D. FIRE ALARM AND GUARD SERVICE
As mentioned previously, this activity is dependent,
for fighting major fires, upon the fire fighting forces
of the Municipal Fire Department of the District of
Columbia.
The Fire Department may be called by a manual alarm
system from five places: (1) north of the Executive
Office, (2) ground floor of the Executive Office in
Hall #30, (3) Ushers' Office, (4) north of Office
Building, East Wing, and (5) the Security Room.
All buildings are equipped with manual fire alarm
and guard reporting systems, special telephones for
guards making rounds, fire extinguishers, mostly of
the soda and acid type, and some of the carbon dioxide
type, where electrical hazards exist. In addition,
the White House has, throughout, an automatic fire
alarm system of the rate of temperature rise type.
Guards make recorded hourly rounds at night. In
addition, they are stationed at six permanent posts.
E. STANDPIPE (FIRE LINE)
In the East Wing there is a three inch standpipe with
11-inch outlet on each floor to which is attached 75
feet of unlined linen firehose placed in a glass front
cabinet in which are also a 21-inch hose outlet, one
21-gallon fire extinguisher, and a fire axe. This
standpipe is supplied by a 3-inch connection to the
domestic water system and a Fire Department. connection
outside of the building. This equipment is of doubtful
protection on the top floor on account of low water
pressure.
10
C-69090
F. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING system
The Transformer Room is equipped with an automatic
carbon dioxide extinguishing system.
G. LIGHTNING PROTECTION
Lightning protection has been provided for the
Executive Mansion on account of its height.
H. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
The only place where sprinklers have been installed
is in the Trash Disposal Room under the North Portico.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to provide adequate security against fire for
life and property (especially since there are many objects of
great historical and sentimental value), the following improve-
ments are recommended:
4.
FIRE DEPARTMENT PROTECTION
The District of Columbia Fire Department should be called
by telephone immediately upon the discovery of a fire, regard-
less of the extent. Arrangements for responding in such cases
could be made so as to minimize disturbance to occupants and
avoid publicity.
5.
WATER SUPPLY
Public Water - In view of the low pressure in the District
water supply svstem for sprinklers and additional standpipe in
the White House hereinafter proposed, a study of the problem of
improving the pressure has been made, including an interview
with the Superintendent of the District Water Department,
resulting in two possible solutions:
First
The District Water Department construction
program for improving its water works system includes
a project for extending the first high service from
contour 70 to contour 50. The increased area covered
through lowering this service by 20 contours would
still not include the White House, since it is now
served by the low service and is at contour 40. Were
it requested officially, however, a study would be
made to determine whether it would be practicable
to extend the first high service to a lower contour
limit to include the White House. Preliminary
11
C-69090
consideration of the matter indicates that it would
be rather doubtful if it could be accomplished for
the following reasons:
A. At contour 40, the first high service would
also take in the Treasury and State Depart-
ment Buildings and the contiguous streets
which would necessitate further extensions,
particularly eastward.
B. By increasing the pressure at the White
House to about 75 pounds, it might cause
some trouble with old plumbing fixtures
since the domestic service in the White
House Grounds is not separated from that
of the fire service and has been installed
with a view to operating at the lower pressure.
Second
The second method would be to:
A. Boost the pressure locally by a booster pump
with a new connection to the 8-inch main
entering the North Grounds from Pennsylvania
Avenue, and discharging into a separate system
of 6-inch and 8-inch pipe distribution system
solely for supplying the proposed sprinklers
and standpipe.
B. Install a booster pump having a capacity of
not less than 500 GPM, be automatic starting,
and equipped with dual drive. It should
have a discharge pressure sufficient to give
a residual pressure of at least 15 pounds at
the highest sprinklers proposed for the third
floor of the White House, say a discharge
pressure of 75 pounds at the pump.
C. Locate the pump at the proposed new construc-
tion north of the North Portico where the
addition to the Carpenter Shop is to be made.
The second method is recommended.
Private Swimming Pool - The contemplated new road north
of the West Terrace would make accessible for fire
apparatus the Swimming Pool as an emergency water supply.
At the time, a permanent pipe connection to this Pool for
fire pumper suction supply, should be made.
12
C-69090
6.
FIRE INSPECTION
It is important that weekly fire inspections be made of
all parts by White House personnel. These inspections should
be implemented by surveys made semi-annually by professionally
trained fire protection engineers. If desired, the Bureau of
Yards and Docks could make such semi-annual surveys and would
also train the White House personnel assigned to make weekly
fire inspections.
7. AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM system
Much is dependent upon the prompt discovery of a fire at
its start. The existing automatic fire alarm system was
installed in the Executive Mansion for that purpose. Its
operation results from the rate of temperature rise rather
than the attainment of a fixed temperature. It is a funda-
mental law of physics that air expands when heated. The fire
detecting elèment of this system is air contained liň continu-
ous lengths of small, flexible copper tubing. When the fire
starts, the heat causes the air within the tubing to expand.
This creates an increased pressure within the tubing which
forces the flexible diaphragms to make electrical contacts which
initiate the alarm.
A. This intricate and delicately balanced system
requires specially trained mechanics for testing
and maintenance. Because of the special training
required, it is important that a service contract
providing for quarterly inspections and tests be
executed with the company which installed the
system.
B. The automatic fire alarm system should be
extended to:
(1) The Executive Office Building.
(2) The East Wing
(3) The pipe space back of the kitchen
on the third floor of the Executive
Mansion.
8.
FIRE HYDRANT
A. The fire hydrant in the ground to the north of
the East Wing should be made more conspicuous as
it is now partly hidden by foliage.
9.
EXIT FACILITIES
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Stairway connecting the Ground, 1st, 2nd, and
3rd Floors. - One of the required means of egress
from the second floor and the only one from the
13
C-69090
third floor which is about 60 feet above the
ground level, consists of an interior stairway
at the west side, adjacent to the passenger
elevator shaftway, which is not cut off, and
which would permit fire to spread unrestrictedly
upward, spreading out on each floor and cutting
off egress from the upper floors. To improve
this stairway as a required means of egress,
the openings on each floor into it throughout
its entire length should be protected with self-
closing fire doors. Further, the door into the
kitchen at the base of the stairway should be
kept unlocked in case it is necessary to use that
door to get outside the building. As a security
measure this door could be equipped with panic
hardware so that it could be opened only from
the stair and elevator side.
(2) Grand Staircase. - Another means of egress from
the second floor is by way of the Grand Stair-
case, east of the entrance from the North Portico.
At the bottom of this stairway is a two-piece
grille sliding gate which is kept shut and, until
recently, had been locked with a padlock in order
to prevent intruders reaching the second floor
(the private quarters of the President). As this
stairway constitutes a second means of egress
from the second floor, it is highly important
that either this gate be kept unlocked or, if
locked, arrangements to be made so that it can
be quickly and easily opened from the upstairs
side by occupants. Y&D Drawing No. 431,658,
appended to this report shows schematically a
method for swinging the two parts of this gate
and equipping it with panic hardware.
(3) Third Floor, Additional Exit - As stated in
recommendation (9) (A) (1), there is only one exit
from the third floor. In addition to guest
rooms and the servants' quarters, there is a
Sun Parlor, access to which is gained by a stair-
way leading from the third floor. It is impor-
tant that another satisfactory exit be provided
from the third floor in case the stairway at the
west, covered in recommendation (9) (A) (1), could
not be reached. There are two ways of accom-
plishing this:
First: Construct a new stairway extending
from the 2nd to the 3rd floor in the
vicinity of the main or grand stair-
way to the east. This new stairway
should be cut off at either the 2nd
or 3rd floor to prevent flue action
in the case of a fire nearby.
c-69090
14
Second: Provide an outside fire escape. For
esthetic reasons, it is not desirable
to construct a permanent outside fire
escape. However, the third floor is
of fire-resistive construction and
the area it occupies is set back
from the exterior walls of the lower
portion of the building. Consequently,
there is a promenande outside of the
third floor from which occupants
could be rescued in case the stair-
way at the west side could not be used.
One means of doing this would be to
provide an outside aerial ladder on
the roof of the West Terrace, of
sufficient length to reach the coping
at the point where the present goose-
neck ladder is located. This ladder
could be stored flat on the roof of
the Terrace where it would be incon-
spicuous, but ready for use when
required.
The provision of an inside stairway,
is, of course, the most reliable
solution and is recommended. As a
last resort, if an inside stairway
is entirely unacceptable, an outside
ladder stored on the West Terrace,
should be provided.
(4) East Room. - As it is not practicable to change
the doors of exits in the East Room to open in
the direction of exit travel (outwardly) in case
of fire, it is recommended that during functions
a guard be stationed at those doors opening onto
the roof of the East Terrace with instructions
to open them immediately in case of an emergency.
Those doors on the exits opening indoors should
be left open during such affairs.
B. EAST WING
(1) Second Floor. - Provide a secondary means of
egress from the south side of the S econd floor.
(2) Conference Room (First Floor) - It would be
desirable to make available an additional exit
from this room. It is suggested that the door
fartherest from the main entrance be kept free
as an emergency exit and SO designated.
C. EAST TERRACE
c-69090
15
(1) Motion Picture Theater.
(a) It would be desirable to provide panic bar
hardware on the projection room door located at
such height that it will be easily operative from
the level of the raised deck of the interior of
the booth.
(b) It would be desirable to install panic bar
hardware on the door at the rear of the moving
picture theater. This would necessitate re-
hanging the door so that it would swing out
into the hallway.
10. FIRE CUT OFFS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Light Well (Third Floor) - The floor light well
in the third floor should be removed and opening
floored over with fire-resistive construction.
At present it forms an unprotected opening be-
tween the second and third floors and at the same
time appears not to add materially to the illumi-
nation on the second floor.
(2) North Portico. - The hollow space between the
roof and celotex ceiling in the North Portico
is open. This opening would permit fire to gain
entrance into this concealed space and spread
out of reach of hose streams. Access opening
should be closed.
(3) Seal up all old and unused ducts to prevent
spread of fire, as these passages are out of
reach of hose streams and sprinkler water.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Paint Shop. - Cut off the Paint Shop from the
Air Raid Tunnel to Treasury by protecting the
doorway with a fire door and bricking up open-
ings over it.
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Incinerator Room. - The area inside the Inciner-
ator Room, immediately adjacent to the sliding
metal fire door, must be kept free of materials
at all times, otherwise the effectiveness of
this fire protection device will be completely
nullified.
16
c-69090
11. STANDPIPE
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) At present there are no means of fighting fire
at the upper levels of the Executive Mansion
except from the ground which presents a handi-
cap to the fire fighters in the extinguishment
of a fire in the upper portion of this building.
It is recommended that a 6-inch - standpipe pro-
vided with a proper water supply having suffi-
cient pressure to permit fire fighting at the
roof level of this building be installed in a
new elevator enclosure proposed for this build-
ing. There should be 12-inch outlets on each
floor with sufficient hose to reach all portions,
and a roof outlet with a controlling valve
extending through the roof (to prevent freezing,
and permit water to be turned on from the roof)
In addition, there should be a 21-inch gated
connection at each floor for fire department use.
An outside siamese connection should be provided.
12. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Third Floor - Sprinklers should be installed
throughout much of the third floor, particularly
in store rooms 1 to 4 inclusive, the Kitchen,
Valet Room, and storage space at the north end
of the North Portico. This kind of protection
is also desirable in the servants' quarters on
this floor in view of the untidiness in some of
the clothes closets and the general use of
electric pressing irons. A water supply for
these sprinklers has been discussed.
(2) State Dining Room. - One or two sprinklers
should be provided for the two closets at the
west side of the State Dining Room, behind wallwood
paneling. (One is a broom closet, the other
contains dining table leaves).
B. EAST TERRACE
(1) Projection Booth and Film Storage Closet. -
Automatic sprinklers should be provided in the
Projection Booth and in the Film Storage Closet.
The wooden door of this closet should be re-
placed by a fire door.
17
c-69090
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) File Storage Room (Basement) - Provide sprink-
lers in File Storage Room (under Cabinet Room),
Storage Room No. 10 in basement, and in the
Messenger Room.
D. EAST WING
(1) Storage Room and Protective Area. - Provide
sprinklers in storage room in the basement and
in the air raid shelters, which are now used
for miscellaneous storage. It is quite likely
that much of the material stored in the Air Raid
Shelter could be disposed of since it appears to
have little value.
E. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Provide automatic sprinklers in the Paint,
Electrical; and .Carpenter Shops, Chair Store
Room, Locker Room and Toilet.
13. ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS
A. executive MANSION
(1) Servants' Quarters, Sewing Rooms, and Valet
Room (Third Floor
(a) Electric irons are used generally through-
out the servants' quarters on the third floor.
Most of them are not equipped with red signal
lights. If practical, it is advisable to
restrict pressing on the third floor to a
location such as the Valet Room where it could
be supervised and the irons properly supplied
through circuits equipped with safety devices.
(b) The present wooden ironing boards and
ironing table in the Valet Room should be re-
placed with all metal equipment.
(c) The ironing boards and ironing table in
the Valet Room should be covered with non-
flammable glass cloth coverings, and asbestos
padding.
(2) Room No. 41. - In the closet in Room No. 41,
pendent light cord is cut at fixture. This
should be replaced.
18
C-69090
(3) Attic. - The attic contains a considerable
quantity of what appears to be dead wiring.
It is recommended that the electrician trace
out all circuits, eliminating dead wiring.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Carpenter Shop. - Provide an incombustible sup-
port for electrically heated glue pot.
(2) Carpenter Shop. - Replace temporary wiring for
planer with permanent type.
14. DRAPERIES AND AWNINGS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION, SOUTH PORTICO, EAST TERRACE,
AND EAST WING
(1) Where draperies are used to any great extent, such
as in the Motion Picture Projecting Room, the
State Dining Room, and the Conference Room (East
Wing), it is recommended that they be treated to
render them flame retardant. After dry cleaning,
draperies should be retreated. If the awning
over the South Portico has not been rendered
flame retardant, then the canvas should be treated
or replaced with canvas which has been so treated.
15. HEATING HAZARDS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Grease ducts serving cooking devices should be
cleaned periodically. This can readily be
accomplished as ducts are designed to permit
ready accessibility.
16. TEMPORARY WOOD PARTITIONS
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Use of temporary wooden partitions for closets,
etc. in the basement should be prohibited. Ar-
rangements should be made for ultimate replace-
ment of existing wood partitions with concrete
block or other fire resistant construction.
These wooden partitions tend to nullify the
general fire resistant type of construction
used in this wing.
17. FIRE EXTINGUISHER
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Mess of the Secretaries. - Provide one 15 pound
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69090
CO2 extinguisher for Kitchen or Private Dining
Room in the Executive Office Building.
18. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
A. executive OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. - It was
observed that a flammable liquid wax treatment
for floors is being used. This material should
no longer be used and it should be replaced with
a non-flammable material. The continued use of
a flammable liquid floor wax presents two prob-
lems; namely, (a) floor surfaces are being sat-
urated and coated with a flammable material which
in itself is undesirable, and (b) open containers
of the flammable floor wax, together with mops
saturated with this material, are stored in this
room, thereby increasing the amount of combustible
material in this area.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Paint Shop.
(a) At the close of the working day, all open
paint containers used during the course of the
day's operations should be removed into th vault
area where the general paint stock is stored.
One method of facilitating this safe operating
practice would be to construct a mobile bench
or cabinet for holding the paint cans. This
would allow the stock of paint necessary during
the work day to be moved in and out of the vault
to the working area.
(b) Hooks should be installed adjacent to the
clothes lockers so that the painters overalls
and jackets could be hung out in the open at the
close of the work day. It is undesirable to
store, in confined areas such as wooden lockers,
garments covered with paint and paint solvents.
C. EAST WING
(1) Mechanical Department.
(a) In view of the hazard attendant to the use
of gasoline blowtorches and plumbers furnaces,
it would be desirable to consider the replace-
ment of these units with propane gas fired
equipment.
C-69090
20
(b) The gasoline safety can which is used to
fuel the gasoline blowtorch and furnace should
be provided with a safety screen in the pouring
spout of the can. It would be desirable to
provide a safety can for this purpose which has
a flexible spout so as to minimize the oppor-
tunity of spillage when fueling these two pieces
of equipment.
(c) Gasoline torches and plumbers furnaces
frequently leak, and when left inside, partic-
ularly in lockers, constitute a considerable
fire hazard. It is suggested not to store this
equipment in lockers and preferable to place
them in liquid-tight pans in the event that
leaks should develop when the equipment is not
in use.
19. SMOKING
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) Space occupied by State Department. - At present
a "NO SMOKING" rule is enforced in that area of
the building occupied by the White House because
of the importance of providing maximum security
to the President's files, against loss or damage
from fire. White House Police Officer Doyle
called attention to the fact that the second
floor, occupied by the State Department, does
not enforce a "NO SMOKING" rule. It would seem
therefore, that in order to provide maximum
security for the President's file and mail room,
consideration should be given to the enforcement
of a "NO SMOKING" rule for the entire occupancy
of the building.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Paint Shop. - Smoking, or the carrying of lighted
pipes, cigars, or cigarettes should be prohibited
in the Raint Shop.
20. WASTE PAPER AND OILY RAGS
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room. - At present, provision is made to
gather the waste paper and other trash, resulting
from the opening of mail, into open canvas
baskets and bags which are located at the south
end of the room. This condition presents a
housekeeping problem, as well as a potential
21
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fire hazard. Provision should be made to schedule
the removal of this trash at the end of each
day's work. Metal receptacles, kept properly
covered, should be used. If it is not possible
to maintain a daily schedule for the removal of
waste paper and other waste materials from this
area, then they should be kept in a fire resistant
enclosure.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Compressor Room. - Provide a self-closing
standard metal waste can for oily waste and
and wiping rags. This is to replace the
small metal can with loose cover now being
used for this purpose. Oily waste and
wiping rags, particularly if containing
oils subject to spontaneous ignition, are
highly dangerous.
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Paint Shop. - A self-closing type metal waste can
should be provided for the disposal of wiping
cloths.
21. FIREPLACE SCREENS
Screen protection, partly to keep sparks from igniting
floor or rugs, and partly to prevent ignition of clothing, is
essential for every fireplače, even if used only occasionally.
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Full length screens which will completely enclose
the entire opening to the fircplace should be
provided for all fireplaces throughout the
building.
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22
SECTION III
SANITATION
The sanitary defects as listed in this report are con-
sidered to be hazards to the purity of the potable water
supply. These hazards are represented by the possibility of
back-siphonage into the potable water supply from fittings
with improper air clearance above the rim of plumbing fix-
tures, lack of siphon breakers on certain fixtures where this
is the only practicable form of protection, and direct con-
nections between the sewerage system and the potable water
system.
RECOMMENDATIONS
22. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- LAVATORY FAUCETS AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
All lavatory faucets which discharge below the rim of
the fixtures should be replaced with faucets which discharge
at least 1½ inches above the lavatory rim. Kitchen equip-
ment, which has potable water inlets below the rim of the
equipment, should be cut off to allow an air space of 2
inches above the rim. This will avoid the possibility of
back siphonage and possible pollution of potable water
system. The following is a list of lavatories, and kitchen
equipment, by location, having below rim inlets which should
be corrected:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor.
(a) Diplomatic Reception Room Toilet Lavatory
(2) Mezzanine Floor.
(a) Large "Cresent" dishwasher in the
Mezzanine Pantry (water inlet).
(3) Third Floor.
(a) All lavatories (inlets equipped with
hose connection which project below
rim of the lavatory).
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement.
(a) Secret Service Toilet Lavatories
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23
(b) Women's Toilet Lavatories
(c) Men's Toilet Lavatories
(d) Engineer's Toilet Lavatory
C. WEST TERRACE
(1) Bouquet Room Toilet Lavatories
23. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- DRIPS, WASTES, AND OVERFLOWS
All drips, wastes, and overflows from potable water
supplied equipment which discharge below the rims of
devices used as floor drains should be cut off or so ar-
ranged that there will be an air gap of at least 1/2 inches.
This will avoid the possibility of back-siphonage, and
possible pollution of potable water systems. The following
is a list of locations where modifications to the piping is
necessary:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor.
(a) The overflow from the roof cooling system
and a drain from the refrigerator in the
kitchen continue into an open pipe, lo-
cated in the Electrical Machinery Room,
used as a floor drain.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) The "Brunner" and the "Westinghouse" compressors
for the Cold Storage Room are water cooled and
have drains which extend below the rim of a
pipe used as a floor drain.
C. EAST WING
(1) Basement.
(a) Fan Room No. 1. - Potable water is con-
nected directly to the Diesel engine in
Fan Room No. 1 for cooling. Drips are
to a floor drain with ells of the piping
laying on top of the floor drain.
(b) Machine Room.
(1) Potable water is connected directly
to the compressor for chilled water
24
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system in the Machine Room with
drip discharging without proper
air gap.
(2) The pipe line from the relief valve
in the hot water heating tank in
the Machine Room extends below the
rim of the floor drain.
D. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Compressor Room. The 75-ton and 150-tan "Carrier"
refrigeration units for the air condi-
tioning systems are direct connected to
the sewer. The drips for these machines
discharge below the rims of the "sight"
drains. Potable water is used direct
connected to the Diesel engine cooling
system with drips that discharge below
rims of "sight" drains.
E. WEST TERRACE
(1) Bouquet Room. - The water cooled air compressor
in the Bouquet Preparation Room is direct con-
nected to the water system and has a drain which
projects below the rim of a pipe used as a floor
drain.
24. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- FLOAT VALVES AND FLUSH VALVES
Float Valves. - All float valves in the tank type water-
closets should be adjusted so that the water level is main-
tained at least one inch below the float valve and they
should be individually inspected to insure that the silenc-
ing tubes cannot cause siphonage. If the water level cannot
be maintained below the valve, or if the silencing tubes
siphon, the present float valves should be replaced with safe
type float valves.
Flush Valves. - A siphon breaker should be installed in
the flush valve discharge line to the fixture of all water-
closets having flush valves.
The correction of the two conditions enumerated above
will avoid the possibility of back-siphonage of sewerage
from a flooded water-closet into the potable water system.
The following is a list of locations where these conditions
exist:
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25
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) All water-closets (Flush valves)
(2) Third Floor
(a) All water-closets (Tank type with sub-
merged float valves).
B. EAST WING
(1) Basement
(a) All water-closets (Flush Valves)
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement, 1st, and 2nd Floors.
(a) All water-closets (Flush valves)
D. WEST TERRACE
(1) All Water-Closets (Flush valves)
25. DRINKING FOUNTAINS
All vertical jets of drinking fountains should be re-
placed with sanitary unsubmergible guarded inlet type jets,
or if this is not practicable, it is recommended that the
entire drinking fountain be replaced with the sanitary un-
submergible guarded jet type. The drinking fountains at the
following locations are of the insanitary type:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) The vertical jet drinking fountain in the
West Hall.
B. EAST TERRACE
( )
(1) The vertical jet drinking fountain in the
Foyer, and the one at the east end of the
Loggia.
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) First Floor
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(a) The vertical jet drinking fountain in
the Lobby.
26. CROSS-CONNECTIONS
In some parts of the plumbing system of the Swimming
Pool there is a possibility of the potable water supply
system being polluted as a result of cross connections.
It is important that all such points of interconnection be
eliminated as follows:
First
All potable water for pump filters and chemical
tanks sho ld be supplied through an over-rim surge
tank and the Swimming Pool recirculating water pump
priming connections should be disconnected.
Second
The filter backwash line should discharge over-
rim into a steel or concrete sump which would be con-
nected to the sewer through a trap. The scum gutter
drain line and the vacuum cleaning discharge line from
the Swimming Pool should also discharge over-rim into
this sump.
The following is a list of locations of cross-connections
to the potable water supply which should be corrected:
A. WEST TERRACE
(1) Swimming Pool. - Potable water is directly
connected to the pool filtered water supply
line for pool make-up, to the chemical mix-
ing and supply tanks, and to the recirculat-
ing pump suction for priming purposes when
the pump is used for vacuum cleaning. The
filter backwash line, the scum gutter drains
(through a connection with the backwash
drain pipe), and the vacuum cleaning wastes
discharge directly into the sewer.
27. UNVENTED TRAPS
Traps must be vented in order to prevent breaking the
water seal in the trap and allowing the sewer gas to escape
through the trap, if the water seal is not continuously
maintained. The unvented trap in the following location
should be corrected by properly venting the waste piping:
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C-69090..
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Third Floor
(a) The sink in the Valet Room discharges
through an unvented trap at the sink,
through a long pipe connected with a
storm drain.
28. LAWN DISPLAY FOUNTAINS
All of the lawn display fountains located on the Grounds
with below-water level potable water inlets should be provided
with recirculating pumps and an over-rim makeup water supply.
In addition to correcting a sanitary defect, this will save
large quantities of potable water.
28
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SECTION IV
STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND APPURTENANCES
The safety considerations included in this report relate
to structure, environment and appurtenances. The measures
recommended for the correction of hazards, actual or poten-
tial, are based upon accepted safety engineering standards,
techniques and practices.
During the conduct of the survey several conditions
were observed as potential sources of accidents, for which no
final conclusive remedial action is being submitted at this
time. Further study and research is indicated. When this
has been accomplished, a supplemental report will be sub-
mitted. However, for purposes of identification the follow-
ing is a summary of these conditions:
OVERLOADING OF FLOORS. - In view of the large gather-
ings of people which assemble in the East Room there
is a possibility of overloading the floor. A search
is still being made for the structural drawings. This
check by calculation of structural strength may have
to be supplemented by actual loading of the floor while
observing the deflections obtained. If structural
drawings are not obtainable, this loading will be the
only means available to us for checking the strength
of this floor.
CHANDELIERS. - A serious hazard may exist from failure
of supports for the heavy chandeliers in the East Room
(three chandeliers at approximately 1800 pounds each),
the Green Room (one chandelier at approximately 300
pounds), the Blue Room (one chandelier at approximately
650 pounds), the Red Room (one chandelier at approxi-
mately 250 pounds), and the State Dining Room (one
chandelier at approximately 1000 pounds) It is not
known at the present time just what these supports con-
sist of, or their present condition. The only effective
way of determining this is to examine these supports.
Such an inspection may disclose that new mounting
brackets be fabricated and properly anchored into the
ceiling beams. It may also be necessary to supplement
the original beams with additional steel beams at
specific locations. The main supporting chains should
also be inspected and if necessary replaced with new
welded steel chain. The component parts of the fix-
ture should be checked and replaced as found necessary.
It is understood that it will be possible for this
work to be done when remodeling work on the second
floor is taking place. If the proposed remodeling is
postponed due to material shortages or other circum-
29
C-69090
stances, it is strongly recommended that this inspection
be carried out, in any event, at the earliest possible
date because of the unknown condition of the supports.
The medium weight chandeliers in the Main Hall,
the Entrance Hall, and the North Portico, should
be examined at the same time and appropriate
recommendations submitted to correct any structural
defects found.
PRESIDENTIAL SEAL. - The bronze relief seal of The
President of the United States, set in the floor of the
Main Lobby, presents a tripping and falling hazard.
Study is being given to the possibility of recessing
the seal below the level of the floor surface and pro-
viding a transparent covering over the seal, the top
surface of which will be level with the plane of the
top surface of the floor.
RECOMMENDATIONS
29. PAINTINGS AND PICTURES
The hangings and supports for heavy paintings and mirrors
present a hazard due to the poor design of the wall anchorage
and the frame brackets, and the size of the cable or wire used
to support the frames.
All paintings and mirrors should be removed from the
walls and the frames repaired if necessary. New frame
brackets and wall anchors of adequate strength and substan-
tially fastened in place, should be installed. All medium
and heavy weight paintings and mirrors should have at least
two separate steel frame brackets fastened to the frame by
not less than four wood screws. These frame brackets may be
designed for direct attachment to the wall anchors, or sus-
pended by means of two separate supporting wires or cables.
As an example of the direct attachment type of mounting
believed to be adequate, attention is called to the existing
hangings on the heavy pictures in the East Foyer. There are
two separate frame brackets and wall anchors per picture.
The steel frame brackets have four to six screws each, fasten-
ing them to the wood frame. (These screws would act princi-
pally in shear.) The steel frame brackets are formed to en-
close steel rings, which in turn are placed over forged
hooks well anchored into the masonry wall. These hooks have
an adequate upturn of approximately two inches so there is
no possibility of the steel rings becoming disengaged.
The following is a list of the paintings and mirrors which
should be inspected for necessary repairs and for the in-
stallation of new frame brackets and wall anchors:
C-69090
30
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) First Floor
(a) East Room. - Four heavy mirrors and two
heavy paintings.
(b) Green Room. - One heavy mirror and one
heavy painting.
(c) Red Room. - One heavy mirror and one
medium-weight painting.
(d) State Dining Room. - One light-weight
painting.
(e) Private Dining Room. - One heavy paint-
ing and two medium-weight mirrors.
(f) Main Lobby. - Two heavy mirrors.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Room No. 1. - Mirror over fireplace.
Light-weight pictures.
(b) Room No. 3. - Two mirrors.
(c) Room No. 4. - Very large mirror over
fireplace.
(d) Room No. 5. - Large painting and very
large mirror.
(e) Study. - Five mirrors.
(f) Room No. 6. - Two light-weight pictures,
and one moderate-weight mirror.
(g) Room No. 8. - One light-weight picture,
and one heavy mirror.
(h) East Hall. - Two light-weight paintings.
(i) Room No. 9. - One heavy painting, and one
light-weight mirror.
(j) Room No. 10. - One light-weight mirror.
(k) Room No. 11. - Heavy mirror over fireplace.
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C-69090
(1) Room No. 12. - Heavy mirror and light-
weight mirror.
(m) Center Hall. - Four heavy paintings.
30. WINDOW GLASS
Much of the window glass, manufactured and installed
many years ago, has become warped. It would be considered
inferior in quality to the window glass which is manufactured
today, due to the technological advances which have been made
in the glass manufacturing industry. Upon replacement of
some of this glass throughout the various portions of the
Executive Mansion it was found to be highly fragile.
All the old type window glass throughout the buildings
should be replaced with one-quarter inch thickness, tempered
window glass. The following tabulation indicates the lo-
cations where it is most important to make replacements of
the old window glass. However, in such locations as the
second floor of the Executive Mansion, and the President's
Office in the Executive Office Building, complete replace-
ment with one-quarter inch, tempered glass should be made,
regardless of the conditions of the existing glass.
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground, First, Second, and Third Floors
(a) Replace all old type window glass.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) First Floor
(a) Replace existing window glass in the
President's Office.
31. ELEVATORS
Present Passenger Elevator, Executive Mansion. -
The present installation has been inspected and found to be
rugged, oversize, and reasonably safe for service require-
ments. The operating mechanism, cables, safety devices,
alarm, and structural supports are all in good condition. The
only variations from safe practices noted were the use of
glass in the door and in the interior of the cab, together
with the semi-open top type cab. The entire installation
was in good order and well maintained. It is inspected each
week by District Elevator Inspector, each month by the
Federal Works Agency and a twenty-four hour watch is main-
tained by the House Electricians. Major maintenance is
done by the Otis Elevator Company. The car gate operating
mechanism, together with the gate latch and contact mechanism,
32
C-69090
is somewhat loose and noisy, but this is inherent in this
type of mechanism.
Proposed New Elevator, Executive Mansion. - A review has
been made of the design of the proposed new elevator which
will be installed at an early date. The proposed installa-
tion is of the latest approved type and complies with all
American Standard Safety Code requirements except for a
mirror inside the cab and the use of glass in the doors.
Weights of the proposed new installation and of the present
elevator have been obtained from the Otis Elevator Company.
From these, it is found that the relative wall bearing loads
at the top of the hoistway (including impact) for the new
installation will be slightly less than existing loads.
Although the applied loads will be re-located, the beam
distribution system will not require reinforcing the existing
supporting walls of the hoistway.
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Present Elevator Installation. - If for any
reason it is decided to delay the installa-
tion of the new elevator, the following cor-
rections should be made to the present ele-
vator:
(a) Install a structurally adequate closure
to replace the present semi-open top of
the cab. This will also make necessary
a cab ventilation system.
(b) Replace all glass in the door and cab
interior with high strength safety glass.
(c) Repair the car gate operating mechanism,
together with the gate latch, to correct,
as much as possible, the present noisy
condition.
(2) New Elevator Installation
(a) In the design of the new elevator, the
door and mirror glass should be speci-
fied as high strength safety glass.
32. WALKWAY SURFACES - STAIRS
The prevention of injuries due to falls or near falls
on stairways, is a common problem. The unsafe condition of
the stariway or its approaches, together with unsafe acts
on the part of persons using the stairway, are the two
principal sources of stairway accidents. Defective main-
C-69090
33
tenance and construction such as slippery surfaces, defective
treads, defective handrails or lack of handrails, spiral
turns, slopes greater or less than preferred range, tread
risers or handrails of unsafe dimensions, are all factors
which contribute to stairway accidents. Unsafe acts such as
mis-step, running or haste, and failure to use handrail are
some of the more outstanding unsafe acts which contribute
to stairway accidents. The following is a list by location,
of the unsafe stairway conditions which should be corrected:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Spiral Staircase connecting the Ground, First,
and Mezzanine Floors. - The forward edge of
the spiral steel treads are very slippery.
These treads should be replaced with cast
abrasive metal treads. As an interim measure,
the present treads may be regrooved.
(2) Grand Staircase connecting First and Second
Floors. - The flexible hand-guides, consist-
ing of green plush-covered rope, which are
installed on both sides of the grand stair-
case, are not considered to be adequate
handrails. The green plush rope cord is
looped through metal wall supports, which in
themselves are adequate. However, the cord.
although highly decorative, is totally in-
adequate as a handrail because when a load,
put on any one section, the cord moves through
the loop bracket, taking up the slack in the
other sections of the flexible hand guides,
with the result that the section-under load
is pulled down almost to the tread level.
(a) A rigid handrail should be provided to
replace the present plush-covered rope
hand guide.
(3) Second Floor
(a) East Hall
(1) The stairway which connects the
East Hall with the Center Hall
should be provided with standard
handrails on both side walls.
(2) The stairway which connects the
East Hall with the Center Hall
should be provided with recessed,
flush-type lighting fixtures so as
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C-69090
to provide adequate illumination
for the stair treads. This is
particularly important in view of
the lack of color differentiation
between the stair treads and the
floor.
(4) Promenade Deck
(a) Sun Parlor
(1) Standard handrails should be in-
stalled on both sides of the stair-
way leading from the third floor
hall to the Sun Parlor.
(2) The existing installation of the
brass nosing strips and rubber
matting treads does not provide a
safisfactory, safe walkway surface.
The smoothness of the brass nosing
strips and the joint between the
nosing strips and the rubber matting
provides a tripping hazard. It
would be desirable to remove these
materials and install abrasive metal
stair treads. Since there is no
further necessity for the rubber
matting on the landing from the
stairs to the level of the Sun
Parlor floor it would be desirable
to remove this material and ex-
tend the linoleum floor covering
from the Sun Parlor to cover this
area.
(3) The wooden ramp on the outside of
the north door of the Sun Parlor
should be repaired so that it will
be more secure.
(5)
Roof
(a) The present method of access to the flag
pole, located above the North Portico,
consists of an open stairway with wooden
treads leading from the Promenade Deck to
the Roof. A wooden slat catwalk extends
over the roof from the head of this stair-
way to the platform at the foot of the
flag pole. The present installation is
not considered satisfactory for use dur-
ing that season of the year when ice and
C-69090
35
snow accumulate on these walkway sur-
faces. It is suggested, therefore,
that this installation be replaced by
a safety type, self cleaning, open
grille which will minimize the slipping
and falling hazard during the winter
season. It would likewise be desir-
able to install a standard handrail on
one side of the catwalk.
B. EAST WING
(1) First Floor
(a) Stairs to Foyer. - A standard handrail
should be installed in the center of
the main stairway leading to the Foyer.
C. 501-17th STREET
(1) Main Entrance. - Standard handrails should be
provided on both sides of the outside cement
steps leading to the main entrance.
33. WALKWAY SURFACES - FLOORS
The importance of providing and maintaining floor sur-
faces free of defects must not be underestimated in the pre-
vention of falls of persons. Structural defects, the use of
slippery floor treatment preparations, loose objects on the
floor surface, and unsafe walking habits, all contribute to
floor hazards which may result in serious injuries due to
falls.
The following is a list of floor hazards, which should
be corrected:
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) First Floor
(a) The President's Office
(1) The cracks in the floor at the
entrance to the hall leading to
the washroom need to be repaired.
(2) Door stop for the door leading to
Miss Conway's office should be re-
located to its original position.
Its present location provides a
tripping hazard.
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36
(b) East Exit. - The rubber matting which ex-
tends from the door sill outside of the
Executive Office Building down the ramp
should be removed.
B. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room
(a) The linoleum on the floor is blistered in
several areas, and many of the joints have
buckled, which in its present condition
presents a tripping hazard. This should
be corrected by trimming and re-cementing
the linoleum to the floor.
(b) The condensate pipe of the refrigerator
now drains onto the floor adjacent to the
entrance to the refrigerator, thereby
presenting a slipping or falling hazard.
Provision should be made to pipe this
condensate drain out of the building.
(2) File Room. - Many of the joints of the
linoleum on the floor have buckled and pre-
sent a tripping hazard. The joints should
be trimmed and the linoleum securely ce-
mented to the floor.
34. WALKWAY SURFACES - RUGS
Secondary walkway surfaces such as rugs and mats are
a prolific source of accidents due to slipping and falling
when the rug or mat slides out of position underfoot. Al-
though the hazard is most prevalent with small scatter rugs,
large rugs laid on a smooth floor surface or which lack
body or firmness also contribute to falls of persons. Rugs
that are torn and curl on the edges are a grave hazard,
especially when walked upon by elderly persons.
The hazardous condition of the rugs listed below should
be corrected as indicated:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Housekeeper's Office. - Provide sponge
rubber mats, cut to proper size for
placement under all scatter rugs.
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37
(2) First Floor
(a) Private Dining Room. - Apply a non-
slip preparation to underside of the
large rug.
(b) Green Room. - The silk damask tapestry
rug should be provided with a backing
which will give greater body to the rug,
thereby lessening the tendency for rug
to slip and buckle.
(c) Main Entrance. - The present small rug
is worn and should be replaced with a
new rug provided either with a sponge
rubber rug mat or a non-slip prepara-
tion applied to the underside of the
rug.
(3) Second Floor
(a) All bathrooms. - Provide a sponge rubber
mat for each bathroom rug.
(b) Small South-East Bedroom. - The edges
of the rug, located under the bed, curl
and ripple due to the extreme flexibility
of the rug, thereby presenting a tripping
hazard. A lining or sizing should be ap-
plied to the back of the rug so as to
minimize the curling and rippling of the
edges.
(c) Miss Margaret Truman's Sitting Room. -
Provide sponge rubber mats for all
scatter rugs used in this room and under
the rug in the hallway leading to the
bath and bedroom.
(d) Miss Margaret Truman's Bedroom. - Trim
the bottom edge of the clothes closet
door so that it will allow the door to
be opened over the rug without breaking
the edge of the rug.
(e) Miss Odum's Office. - The edge of the rug
nearest the entrance is badly frayed and
should be repaired.
(f) Blue Room (Room No. 14) - The small
scatter rugs to which is now attached a
backing of smooth surface material should
be provided with sponge rubber rug mats.
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38
(4) Third Floor
(a) All bathrooms. - Provide a sponge rubber
mat for each bathroom rug.
(b) Room No. 44
(1) The rug needs to be repaired.
(2) Provide a sponge rubber mat under
that section of the rug near the
entrance docr.
(c) Kitchen. - The linoleum mat in front of
the kitchen door should be removed be-
cause it provides a tripping and slipping
hazard.
(d) Room No. 39. - Sponge rubber mats should
be placed under the two scatter rugs.
(e) Room No. 34. - Provide a sponge rubber
mat under the rug.
B. EAST WING
(1) Second Floor
(a) Commander Miller's Office. - The section
of the rug adjacent to the entrance is
badly curled and it provides a serious
tripping hazard. This condition should
be corrected either by turning the rug
end for end, or placing an adhesive
stiffening underneath the edge of the
rug.
35. MACHINE GUARDING
In order to provide the maximum degree of safety to
the personnel engaged in the operation of mechanical equip-
ment no machines should be used unless properly protected.
Woodworking machines are extremely hazardous in their
operation. A review of the White House employee accident
records for a period of several years, points conclusively
that the most serious accidents involving members of the
Maintenance Staff, occurred on woodworking machines. It
is not enough to equip machines with adequate guards, but
it is also necessary that the guards be used continuously.
This is a matter of supervision and training.
The following equipment should be guarded as indicated:
C-6909C
39
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room. - The wire screen guard enclosure
around the compressor unit of the refrigerator,
needs to be repaired
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Carpenter Shop
(a) The present guarding of the band saw is
not entirely in accord with recognized
safety standards. The guarding should
be completed by installing an enclosure
on the inside of each of the present
wheel guards. In addition, re-design
the existing angle guard which covers
the unused portion of the saw blade be-
tween the guide rolls and the upper
wheel enclosure. Attach the lower sec-
tion of this sliding guard to the guide
rolls so that it will be self adjusting
to raise and lower with the guide.
(b) The twin abrasive grinder should be pro-
vided with illuminated non-shatterable
safety glass eye shields.
(c) The circular fed variety saw should be
provided with a hood which will cover the
saw at all times, and constructed SO that
it will adjust itself automatically to
the thickness of the stock being sawed.
This guard should consist essentially of
a hood, a splitter, and non-kickback
fingers. It is important that instruc-
tions be issued to the workmen that the
saw guard shall be used on all opera-
tions except those which require passing
the work over the top of the saw, such as
rabbeting, dadoing, or grooving.
(d) The single spindle wood shaper should be
provided with a safety cutting head which
will minimize the opportunity of bits
flying loose from the head. The cutting
head should be enclosed with a cage or
adjustable guard, so designed as to keep
the operator's hands aways from the
cutting edge.
(e) The new DeWalt saw which is being
C-69090
40
purchased should be provided with an
adjustable guard which will protect the
lower half of the saw blade. It is
also necessary that that portion of the
table directly in front of the path of
travel of the saw be extended so that
when the saw is pulled forward at its
maximum point of travel, the front edge
of the saw will not extend at any time,
beyond the front edge of the table.
(f) The new single head surfacer specifi-
cations should provide for sectional
feed rolls and preferably with sectional
finger devices to prevent kickbacks
(these also serve as chip breakers).
C. EAST WING
(1) Mechanical Department. - The twin abrasive
bench grinder should be provided with indi-
vidual illuminated non-shatterable safety
glass eye shields. There should be one
shield installed for use over the wire brush
and another unit for use over the abrasive
wheel.
36. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - FLEXIBLE CORDS
Defective flexible cords are a source of electric shock
as well as being a fire hazard. The braid covering on cords
is of a more or less combustible nature and may soon become
frayed. Maintenance of cords is of the utmost importance.
Flexible cords should not be used for fixed wiring,
should not be spliced and should not be tacked, stapled or
otherwise fastened to walls or woodwork. They should not
be tied to or draped over pipes or other supports. It is
important that cords of floor, table, and desk lamps be of
sufficient length so that the cord is not suspended above
floor level thereby presenting a tripping hazard. Walking
into or tripping over flexible cords may not only cause
damage to the cord and attachment plug, but may also cause
irrepairable damage to the lamp or appliance if it falls
to the floor. The Underwriter's Knot must be used when con-
necting flexible cords to attachment plugs.
The following is a list, by location, of defective
flexible cord installations which should be corrected. The
defect is indicated in each instance:
C-6909(
41
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Second Floor
(a) The Lincoln Room (Room No. 33)
(1) Hobnail glass lamp cord is spliced
and is too short for the present
location of the lamp.
(2) The attachment plug to the cord of
floor lamp adjacent to the fire-
place is connected to a side wall
lighting fixture. A baseboard
convenience outlet should be in-
stalled for the use of this lamp
cord.
(b) The President's Bedroom. - The floor
lamp cord is too short for the present
location of the lamp.
(c) Miss Margaret Truman's Sitting Room. -
The cord of the floor lamp adjacent to
the piano is too short for the present
location of the lamp.
(2) Third Floor
(a) Foyer. - The lamp cord covering is
frayed.
(b) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - The goose-
neck lamp cord covering is frayed.
(c) valet. - One of the electric iron
cords has a frayed covering.
(d) Room No. 40. - The cord covering of each
of the two table lamps is frayed.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) First Floor
(a) Mr. Hassett's Office. - A means should
be devised to eliminate the necessity
for the cord to extend over the rug at
the left side of Mr. Hassett's secretary's
desk.
42
C-69090
(b) Mr. Ayer's Office. - A means should be
devised to eliminate the necessity for
the cord to extend over the rug at the
left side of Mr. Ayer's secretary's
desk.
(c) Lobby. - Several of the cords of the
floor lamps have frayed covering.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Staff Office Room. - The present method
of supplying current to the electric
typewriter by the means of a long flex-
ible cord extending from a convenience
outlet on the south side of the room and
attached to the ceiling lighting fixtures
for support should be discontinued. A
suitable convenience outlet should be
installed on the floor, under the desk
for the attachment of the flexible
cord needed to supply current to this
equipment.
C. EAST WING
(1) First Floor
(a) Dr. Steelman's Office (South-east corner
of building) - Lamp cords have frayed
covering.
(b) Mr. Gardner's Secretary's Office. - The
cord to the fluorescent desk lamp should
be lengthened SO that it can be laid
near the wall.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Mr. Tolley's Office
(1) A flexible extension cord now
passes over the floor from the wall
to the desk where the illuminating
work is done. This should be cor-
rected by installing sufficient
convenience outlets under the two
desks.
(2) The radio aerial cord which rests
on the floor adjacent to the desk
in the northeast corner of the
43
C-69090
room should be placed in pancake
wire moulding over the floor.
D. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room. - The cord covering of the lamp
on Mr. Clark's desk is frayed.
37. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - GROUNDING
In order to minimize the possibility of electric shock
resulting from energized non-current carrying metal parts,
ground wires should be installed on the following equip-
ment:
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) File Room. - Coco Cola machine
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Hallway to old Presidential File Room. - Coco
Cola Machine.
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
(1) All portable electric hand tools, and floor
washing and conditioning equipment should
be provided with a ground attachment at the
plug. A three-prong attachment plug (one
prong for connection to the grounding con-
ductor) should be used if the electrical
system is grounded. If the portable electric
tools and equipment are used with an un-
grounded electrical system, then a two-
pole plug with the grounding connector
brought out of the side of the plug in a
"pigtail" should be used. A spring clip
attached to the end of the "pigtail should
be clamped to a near-by water pipe or other
suitable ground before the plug is inserted,
to complete the "power" connection.
38. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - BATHROOM APPLIANCES
The shock hazard of touching live electrical appliances,
switches, etc. with wet hands is well known. The hazard
is considerably greater when a person is standing on a wet
surface or is in a tub of water. Under these conditions
contact with live parts at ordinary voltage of 110-120
volts has frequently been fatal.
Portable electrical appliances such as radio recievers,
radiant heaters, etc. if used in bathrooms should be located
44
C-69090
where they cannot be reached from the tub, shower, or
basin. (Note - Electric razors are an exception since
they are designed and tested for safe use in bathrooms.)
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Second Floor
(a) The bathrooms of the Blue Room and the
Yellow Room. - If the portable electric
radiant heater located in each of these
bathrooms are to continue in use the
cords should be shortened or the con-
venience outlet re-located so that the
heater cannot be reached from the tub,
shower, or basin.
39. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - PORTABLE HOT PLATES
The use of portable electric hot plates in locations
not suited for their safe operation and where provision has
not been made for their attachment to convenience outlets
equipped with signal lights, presents an electric shock and
fire hazard. Portable electric hot plates are used in
many of the offices and rest rooms of the White House.
These appliances are the personal property of the employees
and include equipment which does not bear Underwriter's
Approval. This later point is significant because the
safety of appliances, not so tested and approved is ques-
tionable.
The use of portable electric hot plates, except where
specific provision has been made for their safe use and
operation, should be prohibited. Only equipment which
bears Underwriter's Approval should be used.
The following is a list, by location, of portable
electric hot plates now being used under unsafe conditions:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Ushers Room. - One hot plate.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (Under North Portico)
(1) Paint Shop. - One hot plate.
C. WEST TERRACE
(1) Ground Department (Tool Room. ) - One hot
plate.
C-69090
45
D. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) First Floor
(a) Mr. Hassett's Office. - One hot plate.
(b) Mr. Ayer's Office. - -One hot plate.
(c) Telephone and Teletype Room. - One
hot plate and one grill.
(d) Correspondence Review. - One hot
plate.
(e) Ladies Rest Room. - One hot plate.
E. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room, Ladies Rest Room. - One hot
plate.
(2) File Room, Ladies Rest Room. - One hot
plate.
40. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - MISCELLANEOUS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) First Floor
(a) South Portico. - The present method of
supporting the wiring of the illuminat-
ing system for this area is considered
unsatisfactory. If a section of the
awning is carried away, either because
of high wind or the excessive weight of
snow or ice, the wiring system will
likewise be damaged. A suggested method
for correcting this condition is to
install a lighting circuit independent
of the awning frames and attached to
the side wall of the building, utilizing
angle refractors for the purpose of pro-
viding adequate illumination. Weather
proof fixtures and fittings should be
used for this installation.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Closet (adjacent to Miss Odum's Office) --
Replace key-type brass socket located
adjacent to slop sink with a bakelite
C-69090
46
or porcelain pull-chain fixture. The
chain should be provided with an in-
sulating link. The present installa-
tion presents a possible shock hazard.
(3) Roof. - If it is contemplated to maintain
the air conditioning compressor unit on the
roof, then it would be desirable to check
the present flexible metal conduit to insure
compliance with the National Electric Code
for cable installations subject to weather
exposure. The armored cable presently in
use is corroded to a considerable degree and
therefore this check is deemed advisable.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement. - Within the room where the main
switch panel is located there are a number of
service pipe lines, including water, heating,
and sewerage disposal pipes. Most of these
are concentrated in an area of the ceiling
located directly over the main switch panel.
An effort has been made to preclude the
possibility of leaks from dripping onto the
bus bars and the top of the switch panel.
However, the present protection is not con-
sidered entirely adequate and therefore it is
suggested that a continuous, seamless canopy,
constructed of material impervious to mois-
ture, and provided with suitable drainage,
be installed over the entire area under the
pipes, so as to provide maximum protection
from the possibility of liquid splashing
onto the main switch panel. This is par-
ticularly important in view of the presence
of valves, as well as the age of some of
the piping in this area.
41. ELECTRIC FANS
The use of wall mounting type electric fans at
floor level is an unsafe practice since there is the
possibility of hand injuries if contact is made with the
rotating blades. If floor level air circulation is
desirable then only equipment designed for this purpose
should be provided.
All wall mounting type fans should be securely
fastened to the side walls at a height of 5 ft. 6 inches
from the floor.
C-69090
The following is a list, by location, where wall
mounting type fans are used at floor level:
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Second Floor
(a) Telephone Exchange Room. - One fan.
B. EAST WING
(1) Basement
(a) Security Room. - One fan.
(2) First Floor
(a) East Entrance (at guard desks) - The
two electric fans which are mounted on
brackets attached to the radiators in
front of each guard's desk should be
re-located and mounted on the side
walls.
(3) Second Floor
(a) Mr. Tolley's Office. - Two fans.
(b) Social Correspondence (Mr. Magee's
Office) - Two fans.
42. FILE CABINETS AND CLOTHES LOCKERS
Individual units of file cabinets and clothes
lockers present the hazard of being tipped over when used
improperly. If two or three drawers nearest the top of
the cabinet are pulled out full length and left in that
position and the person leans on the extended drawers,
there is a great possibility of the file cabinet unit
toppling over onto the person using the files. Individual
units of clothes lockers present a similar hazard. inju-
ries have occurred when the person using the locker
reached up onto the shelf, using the front edge of the
shelf as a hand hold. This unsafe practice has frequently
resulted in the clothes locker unit being pulled over onto
the person.
All file cabinet and clothes locker units should be
bolted together so as to eliminate the possibility of
toppling over or being pulled over.
The following is a list, by location, where this
C-69090
48
should be done:
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) File Room
(a) Bolt together all file cabinets. (The
majority of the file cabinets are
bolted together but some individual
units remain unattached.)
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Press Release Section. - Bolt together
all file cabinets. (The majority of
the file cabinets are bolted together
but some individual units remain un-
attached. )
(b) Secret Service Locker Room. - Bolt to-
gether all clothes lockers.
(c) Men's Rest Room. - Bolt together all
clothes lockers.
(2) First Floor
(a) Mr. Ross' Office. -- Bolt together all
file cabinets.
(3)
Second Floor
(a) Telephone and Teletype Room. - Bolt
together the two file cabinets.
(b) Records Office. - Bolt together all
file cabinets.
(c) Men's Rest Room. - Bolt together all
clothes lockers.
(d) Ladies Rest Room. - Bolt together all
clothes lockers.
(e) Accounting Office. - Bolt together all
file cabinets.
C. EAST WING
(1) Basement
0-69090 )
49
(a) Police Locker Room. - Bolt together
all clothes lockers.
(2) Second Floor
(a) United States Secret Service (Pro-
tective Research) - Bolt together
all letter and card file cabinets.
(b) Social Correspondence Room (Mr. Magee) .-
Bolt together all file cabinets.
(c) Mr. Tolley's Office. - Bolt together
all file cabinets.
43. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The judicious use of personal protective equipment,
in industrial operations, as an aid in the prevention of
occupational injuries and disease, is one of the mest
important phases of safety engineering.
Care must be exercised to select the appropriate
kind of safety equipment for each particular hazard. In
addition to the proper selection of safety equipment,
it is necessary that the equipment be used and maintained
properly.
Supervisors and employees must fully understand the
value and importance of using personal protective safety
equipment. Many industrial injuries can be avoided if the
employees are willing to accept the temporary slight dis-
comfort or inconvenience which may occur when wearing
safety equipment. These are small trifles in comparison
to the permanency of lost vision or the lingering effects
of an occupational disease.
The following personal protective safety equipment
should be furnished to the employees by the Government, and
used under the following conditions:
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Incinerator Room
(1) The incinerator operator should
wear a non-flammable, clear
plastic face shield so as to
protect his eyes and face while
loading and tending the inciner-
ator.
C-69090
50
(2) Because of the presence of
broken glass in the waste paper
and waste material bin in the
incinerator room, it would be
advisable to provide the opera-
tor with leather gauntlet gloves
so as to avoid the possibility of
lacerations to his hands.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
(1) Eye Protection. - All personnel engaged in
work involving eye hazards; such as metal
machining, drilling, chipping, grinding,
and welding, should be required to wear
the proper type eye protection. Indi-
vidual goggles should be furnished to all
workmen subject to eye hazards. A system
should be developed for the periodic
sterilization and repair of these goggles.
(2) Electrician's Rubber Protective Equipment. -
Rubber gloves conforming to Federal Speci-
fications should be worn when working on
"hot" lines.
(3) Respiratory Protection. - A chemical car-
tridge type respirator, bearing the ap-
proval of the U.S. Bureau of Mines should
be worn when engaged in the application
of paint remover, and while spray painting.
(4) Foot Protection. - All maintenance em-
ployees should be urged to purchase work
shoes with steel-toe caps. Safety shoes
are commercially available and provide ex-
cellent protection against crushed toes.
The steel-toe cap is an integral part of
the shoe, therefore these shoes are no
different in appearance than regular work
shoes.
44. HANDLING OF MATERIALS.
Lacerations, bruises, fractures, strains, and
hernias are common injuries resulting from unsafe condi-
tions and unsafe practices in the handling of materials.
Proper job-training will, to a large degree,
minimize the opportunity for injuries arising from un-
safe practices and the provision of mechanical material
handling devices will eliminate many unsafe conditions.
C-69090
'51
The following is a list of unsafe material handling
conditions which should be corrected:
A. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. -
Tilting barrel racks should be pro-
vided for the 55 gallon drums of floor
wax, in order to minimize the oppor-
tunity for strains and hernias during
the handling of these barrels.
(b) Compressor Room. - Provide tilting
racks for the 55 gallon oil drums
stored in this area. The use of these
racks will materially assist in the
handling of these drums.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Trash House
(a) Provide barrel tilt racks for the 55
gallon floor wax and cleaner barrels.
(b) At the present time broken glass is
frequently thrown in with the general
trash. It would be highly desirable
to provide a separate container for
broken glass SO as to keep it sepa-
rated from the other waste materials,
thereby minimizing the opportunity
for workmen to cut their hands while
handling the trash in connection with
its removal from the Trash House.
45. HOUSEKEEPING
Certain temporary or casual factors are conducive to
accidents. These pertain to housekeeping conditions and
include such items as too much wax on the floor, materials
improperly stored, tools and equipment not returned to
their proper place, and the accumulation of odds and
ends where they may, under certain circumstances, create
unsafe conditions.
Good housekeeping has often been summarized by the
phrase, "A place for everything and everything in its
place. is If the "place" has not been provided, the
employee finds adherence to this principle impossible.
C-69090
52
The start of a good housekeeping program is an analysis of
the facilities, a determination of the adequacy of exist-
ing equipment such as shelves, bins, storage rooms, work-
ing places and the like. Once the facilities have been
established then there should be insistence that the
employees use them. This is one phase of a safety pro-
gram which needs continuous follow-up until the proper
work habits have been developed. "Good Housekeeping"
is in effect "Safe Housekee ing. "
The following poor housekeeping conditions should
be corrected:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Stationary Vacuum Cleaner Room. - Pro-
vide necessary racks and shelves for
storing the materials in this area.
Remove material which has no further
value or use.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Pantry. - The butlers now hang their
soiled dish towels, coats, and aprons
on the banister of the spiral stairs
at the pantry landing. They also store
brushes and mops on the landing.
Adequate space should be provided for
the safe storage of this equipment.
A suggested solution is to install a
cabinet in the corner of the pantry
located between the doors of the
Private and State Dining Rooms. The
lower section of this cabinet or closet
could be used to store the soiled table
linen.
(b) Closets in State Dining Room. - Better
housekeeping should be maintained in
the two closets located at the north
side of the fireplace. Cleaning
cloths and other equipment should be
removed from these closets.
(3) Third Floor
(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46). - The
material now stowed in the area adja-
cent to the expansion tank should be
removed and better housekeeping main-
C-69090
53
tained in this area.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Carpenter Shop. - Suitable racks should be
provided for hanging C clamps. At present
these clamps are stored under the work
bench and present an undesirable arrange-
ment, both from a safety and operating
consideration.
(2) Storeroom. - The arrangement of the material
in the storeroom should be improved. The
G.I. cans which were used when the White
House was painted should be removed from
this area and thoroughly cleaned.
(3) Tunnel under North Portico. - The general
arrangement of materials stored in this
area should be improved, and all unnecessary
equipment removed.
(4) Men's Locker and Toilet Rooms. - Better
housekeeping conditions should be maintained
in this area.
(5) Passageway to Electrical Department, Paint
Department, and Storeroom Area. - The loose
material and equipment now stored along this
passageway should be removed and the pas-
sageway kept clear at all times.
(6) Paint Shop. - The old upholstered sitting
chairs now in this area should be removed.
(7) Areaway between Shops and Kitchen. - Loose
beverage bottles should not be allowed to
accumulate on walkway surfaces. Instruc-
tions should be issued that all bottles
are to be returned to racks or cases, lo-
cated in designated areas. The present
practice of placing empty beverage bottles,
not in racks or cases, on the driveway
under the North Portico should be dis-
continued.
C. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Basement
(a) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. -
The general arrangement of materials
54
C-69090
stored in the area should be improved.
Equipment or materials of no value or
further use should be removed.
(b) Mess of the Secretaries (Kitchen) -
The miscellaneous material stored on
top of the cabinets should be re-
moved. This condition can be cor-
rected by providing proper storage
space for cleaning rags, etc.
(c) Main Switch Panel Room. - All mis-
cellaneous materials now stored in
the room where the main switch panel
is located should be removed from
this area.
(2) Second Floor
(a) Staff Office Room. - It would be
desirable to keep the top of the
supply cabinet free of miscellaneous
office equipment and supplies.
D. EAST WING
(1) Basement
(a) Janitor's Room. - The tops of the
clothes lockers should be kept free
of miscellaneous materials.
(b) Protective Area.
(1) The housekeeping and general
storage of materials is very
poor and should be improved.
(2) Better housekeeping should pre-
vail in that area used by the
police for oiling and cleaning
fire arms. A self-closing metal
waste can should be provided for
the disposal of oily rags.
(c) Storerooms (several) - The arrange-
ment of the materials stored in
these areas should be improved.
(d) Hallway. - That area of the hallway
which is now used for storing the
spotlights and floodlights should
be kept clear of such equipment. A
55
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suggested solution to remedy this
condition would be to install a ramp
over a portion of the stairway leading
to the Protective Area so that the
spotlights and floodlights could be
rolled down into and stored in a sec-
tion of the Protective Area.
(2)
Second Floor
(a) White House Architect's Office. - Better
housekeeping conditions should be main-
tained in that area of the office now
devoted to the storage of file boxes
and other miscellaneous materials
stored in this area.
E. 501-17th STREET
(1) Electrician's Control Room. - Better house-
keeping should be maintained in this area.
It is particularly important not to allow
loose papers to accumulate in this room.
46. FOOD PREPARATION AND HANDLING (FOREIGN-SUBSTANCE
CONTROL)
The obligation of keeping food free of foreign-
substances during its preparation, cooking, and serving
is universally admitted.
Foreign-substance control involves considerations
such as the health and manner of dress of the food
handlers; the physical condition of the area where food
is prepared, cooked, and served; the method of opening
food containers and their storage for daily use; and
the construction and physical condition of the utensils
and the cooking or food preparation implements.
The following is a list of conditions which should
be corrected or procedures which should be put into
effect:
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION AND EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Physical Examinations for Food Handlers. -
All personnel engaged in food handling
and processing should be given a complete
physical examination every three months.
(2) Wearing Apparel and Accessories. - It is
important that all personnel engaged in
c-69090
56
food handling and processing do not wear
any jewelry while working. Aprons should
not be held in place by pins. Women en-
gaged in preparing and cooking food should
wear closely woven hair nets and men should
wear the standard design chef's hat.
(3) Food Processing Utensils. No enameled
utensils for the cooking and preparation
of food should be used because of the
ever present danger of chips becoming
mixed with the food.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Mess of the Secretaries (Kitchen) . -
A sub-ceiling should be installed so
as to completely enclose all exposed
piping in the Kitchen, which at pre-
sent is a source of foreign-substance
exposure, because flecks of paint or
other foreign substances may fall
into the food being prepared. The
sub-ceiling must be constructed of
materials which can be finished off
in a smooth surface.
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Cold Storage Room. - It is imperative that
all food containers be kept covered when
stored in this area.
D. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Kitchen
(1) The G. I. cans used for the
storage of dry ingredients
should be replaced with covered,
seamless containers fabricated
from non-corrosive metal (stain-
less steel is satisfactory).
The G. I. cans are not considered
as desirable containers because
they are not of seamless construc-
tion. The painted exterior
C-69090
57
presents the possibility of paint
chips contaminating the food be-
ing processed.
(2) Repair chipped plaster at seams
above wall cabinets and around
frame of ventilating grille over
the stove.
(3) Consideration should be given to
the complete air conditioning of
the kitchen. This would make it
possible to seal the outside
windows and eliminate dust coming
into the food preparing area, par-
ticularly in view of the close
proximity of the work shops and
the service driveway.
(4) The single thickness window glass
panels on the lights located
under the hood over the cooking
range should be replaced with
tempered glass panels.
(2) First Floor and Mezzanine
(a) Pantry. - The broken dowels of the
dishwashing machine racks should be
replaced so as to minimize the chip-
ping of dishes and glassware.
47. BATHROOM HAZARDS - RUBBER BATH MATS, HANDGRABS,
PORCELAIN FAUCET HANDLES
So many serious accidents occur in the bathroom that
it is well called the most dangerous room in the home.
Some of the most common accident hazards are, slipping
as one gets in or out of the tub which is the cause of
many bad falls, and scalding which has resulted when
entering the tub or shower before testing the water.
Porcelain handles on the lavatory and shower mixing
valves also present a hazard due to the possibility of
the porcelain breaking under strain. Occurrences of
this type have frequently resulted in severe lacerations
to the hand.
In order to minimize accidents of the type enumer-
ated above, substantial handgrabs should be installed
vertically on the long side wall of the tub recess for
use when taking a shower, rubber bath mats designed to
provide a suction grip on the inside bottom surface of
the tub should be used, the showers should be provided
58
C-69090
with mixing valves and the porcelain handles on the lava-
tory faucets and the shower mixing valves should be re-
placed with metal handles.
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1)
Second Floor
(a) All Bathrooms
(1) A rubber suction grip bath mat
should be provided for use in
each bathroom.
(2) A handgrab should be installed
vertically on the long side wall
of each tub recess.
(3) Each shower should be provided
with a mixing valve. (Note: The
showers in the President's and
Mrs. Truman's Bathrooms are
equipped with mixing valves and
therefore are exempt from this
recommendation.)
(2) Third Floor
(a) The Lavatories and Showers in all
Bathrooms and Living Quarters. . The
porcelain faucet and shower mixing
valve handles should be replaced with
metal handles.
(b) All Bathrooms
(1) A rubber suction mat should be
provided for use in each bathroom.
(2) A handgrab should be installed
vertically on the long side wall
of each tub recess. (Note: In
the bathrooms of Rooms No. 39,
No. 132, and No. 137, the pre-
sent handgrab located just above
the rim of the tub is not suit-
ably located for use when taking
a shower.)
48. BATHROOM HAZARDS - LIGHT SHAFTWAYS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
C-69090
59
(1) Second Floor
(a) The President's Bathroom, the Blue
Room Bathroom, and the Yellow Room
Bathroom. - An intermediate skylight,
glazed with armored glass, should be
installed in the light shaft below
the sills of the windows, at the
third floor level, which open out
into the shaftway. The installation
of this intermediate skylight should
be such as to provide for ventilation,
and designed so that it may be easily
moved in order to allow cleaning of
the skylight, located in the ceiling
of the bathroom. The purpose of this
intermediate protective skylight is
to minimize the opportunity for ob-
jects falling off the window sills
at the third floor level to crash
through the glass of the skylight on
the second floor, into the bathroom.
49. REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT
A. 501-17th STREET
(1) Mail Room. - In view of the fact that the
refrigerator is frequently locked at night,
it would be desirable to install a warning
sign, attached to the refrigerator door,
directly above the handle, with the follow-
ing wording, "WARNING - MAKE CERTAIN NO ONE
IS IN REFRIGERATOR ROOM BEFORE LOCKING DOOR."
An audible alarm on a transformer, opera-
tive from inside of the box should also be
installed.
B. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Cold Storage Room. - The Cold Storage Room
should also be provided with a warning sign
and the present battery-operated alarm
should be replaced by an alarm operating on
a transformer.
50. LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS
A. MAINTENANCE SHOPS
(1) Until such time as more adequate storage
facilities are provided for the painter's
C-69090
60
ladders, those ladders now stored out-of-
doors should be weather protected.
(2) All straight, extension, and "A or trestle"
ladders should be provided with ladder
shoes, attached to the lower ends of the
side rails, to prevent slipping when in
service.
(3) All stepladders, straight, sectional, and
"A or trestle" ladders should be completely
coated with a suitable preservative mater-
ial, preferably a linseed-oil coating or
outside spar varnish. Paint should not be
used as a preservative coating since it
does not permit detection of weaknesses
which may develop during the life of the
ladder.
(4) Each ladder should be serially numbered or
otherwise identified, and should be subject
to a system of regular inspection.
B. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Third Floor
(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - Provide
a movable ladder with treads so as
to provide access to linen closets.
(b) Storage Room (Over North Portico) -
The stepladders stored in this area
are in poor condition and should be
repaired or replaced with new equip-
ment.
51. GENERAL CONDITIONS
A. EXECUTIVE MANSION
(1) Ground Floor
(a) Main Corridor
(1) It would be advisable to provide
a means of anchorage between the
busts and the pedestals now
situated in the corridor adjacent
to the main stairway.
(2) The wall support, for the portiere
C-69090
61
rod, on the south side of the cor-
ridor adjacent to the Oval Room
is loose and needs to be refas-
tened.
(2) First Floor
(a) East Room
(1) The small marble top tables, lo-
cated at the north and south
ends of the room should be se-
curely fastened to the wall.
(2) The broken marble slab on one of
the small tables located adjacent
to the south wall should be re-
paired.
(3) Second Floor
(a) The President's Bathroom
(1) The present wall cabinet is of
inadequate size to accommodate
the toilet article bottles which
are now placed on the top of the
cabinet. It would be preferable
to provide a wall cabinet of ad-
equate size to accommodate these
bottles, or to provide a shelf
adjacent to the present cabinet,
for holding these toilet article
bottles. This shelf should be
provided with a guardrail on the
front and ends.
(2) The wall bracket of the shower
curtain rod is loose at that
point where it is fastened to
the wall. This should be re-
paired and consideration given
to a means of strengthening or
further supporting this fixture
at the point of attachment.
(b) Mrs. Truman's Bathroom. = A cor-
rugated rubber mat should be cemented
to the platform of the bath scales.
(c) Closet (Adjacent to the entrance to
Miss Odum's Office.)
C-69090
62
(1) A substantial and adequate fix-
ture for hanging the eight-foot
stepladder store in this closet
should be nrovid. d
(2) The broken glass door knob on
inside of closet door should be
replaced.
(d) North Hall. - Bridge tables are stored
in this hall adjacent to the window.
If the bridge tables are to continue
to be stored in this area a suitable
rack should be provided for this pur-
pose.
(4) Third Floor
(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - The sew-
ing table which is now covered with
paper in order to give a smooth work-
ing surface, should be covered with a
sheet of "masonite" or its equivalent.
(b) Rooms No. 34 and No. 35. - If it is
desirable to provide a wooden shelf
on the top of each of the radiators
in these rooms, then it should be
raised with suitable supports, so
that the top of the shelf will not
lay directly on top of the radiator
sections.
(c) Rooms No. 31 and No. 32. - In each
bathroom the glass soap dish should
be replaced with a metal soap dish.
(5) Promenade Deck. - On the south side of
the Promenade Deck adjacent to the north
Sun Parlor exit, two sections of 2" X 4"
stock, joined together, pass overhead; one
end resting near a chimney and the other
resting on the coping of the south side
of the house. These timbers support a
cable which extends downward to the Map
Room. It would be desirable to provide a
more satisfactory means of supporting this
cable.
B. WEST TERRACE
C-69090
63
(1) Swimming Pool
(a) It would be advisable to have an at-
tendant on duty at all times when the
Swimming Pool is in use. This indi-
vidual should be thoroughly qualified
in the water safety and life saving
techniques of the American Red Cross.
(b) A non-slip rubber mat should be se-
curely cemented to the platform of the
weighing scales.
(c) It would be desirable to remove the
loose glass table top from each of the
small tables located in the Swimming
Pool area and the Ladies Dressing
Room. If necessary, provide a table
top surface of non-breakable material.
C. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) Carpenter Shop. - It is important to
establish as a safe practice, the removal
of nails from the rim of the nail kegs so
as to eliminate lacerations to the wrists
and arms of personnel engaged in getting
nails out of the kegs.
(2) Passageway to Electrical Department, Paint
Department, and Storeroom Area. - Stops
should be installed on the lower sections
of the hinged windows so that the windows,
when fully opened, will not extend beyond
the vertical plane of the wall.
(3) Paint Shop. - A wall-type fan should be in-
stalled SO as to provide general ventila-
tion for this area.
D. EAST TERRACE
(1) Motion Picture Theater. - The movable
structure which supports the motion picture
screen presents a crushing hazard to persons
when it is rotated into position. The
electro-mechanical mechanism which rotates
this structure is operated by remote control
from the Projection Booth. Injury to persons
may result if they are inadvertently in the
path of this structure when the screen is
being positioned for use.
C-69090
64
A suggested means for minimizing this danger
is to:
(a) Install an emergency stop button
switch in the immediate area of the
structure supporting the screen and
have an attendant on duty whose
responsibility will be to keep the
area clear when the screen is being
positioned. The emergency stop
button should be located SO that it
will be readily accessible to the
attendant.
52. SAFETY STANDARDS
A. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)
(1) New Carpenter Shop. - In the design and
layout of the New Carpenter Shop it is
important to incorporate all applicable
safety standards, (see Appendix). The
Navy Department safety and fire-protection
engineers will be available to review the
plans and specifications for this project.
53. WHITE HOUSE POLICE
A. NORTH-WEST GATE. - The guards at the North-west
gate should instruct all pedestrians to use the
sidewalk to the main entrance. The placement
of a suitable sign, worded, "PLEASE USE SIDEWALK'
located at the junction point of the two drive-
ways, would be of assistance in guiding pe-
destrians.
B. EXECUTIVE MANSION. - Guards who are assigned
the duty of guiding visitors through the
Executive Mansion should be instructed to call
to the attention of the parties, the desira-
bility of holding onto the handrails when going
down stairways, and to watch their step when
coming to the bottom landing of the stairway.
C-69090
65
APPENDIX
A. REFERENCE MATERIAL
c-69090
66
APPENDIX
I. SAFETY CODES AND STANDARDS
The correction of existing unsafe conditions and practices
as well as the inclusion of safety engineering practices and
techniques in the design and layout of new buildings, shops
or operations, and the procurement and installation of equip-
ment, should be based upon accepted safety codes and standards.
The following is a list of safety codes and standards
which may be helpful:
TITLE
SOURCE
1.
Abrasive Wheels, American Standard Safety
ASA,B7-1943
Code for the Use, Care and Protection
of
2.
Accident Prevention in Construction,
ASA,A10.1-1939
Manual of
3.
Air Conditioning, Warm Air Heating, Air
Standards of
Cooling and Ventilating Systems,
the National
the Installation of
Board of Fire
Underwriters
4.
Blower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock
Ditto
and Vapor Removal, the Installation of
5.
Building Construction, American Standard
ASA,A10.2-1944
Safety Code for
6.
Building Exits Code
ASA,A9.1-1942
7.
Centrifugal Fire Pumps, Installation
Standards of
and Operation of
the National
Board of Fire
Underwriters
8.
Compressed Air Machinery and Equipment,
ASA, B19-1938
American Standard Safety Code for
9.
Containers for Storing and Handling
Standards of
Flammable Liquids, the Installation
the National
of
Board of Fire
Underwriters
10. Electric and Gas Welding and Cutting
ASA, Z49.1-1944
Operations, Safety in
11. Electric Wiring and Apparatus, Standard
ASA,C1-1940
of the National Board of Fire
Underwriters for
12. Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Escalators,
ASA,A17.1-1937
American Standard Safety Code for
ASA,A17.3-1942
13. Elevators, Inspector's Manual, American
ASA,A17.2-1945
Standard Practice for the Inspection
of
14. Exhaust Systems, Fundamentals Relating
ASA, Z9
to the Design and Operation of
15. Floor and Wall Openings, Railings and Toe
ASA,A12-1932
Boards, American Standard Safety Code
for
67
C-69090
APPENDIX
TITLE
SOURCE
16. Gas Systems for Welding and Cutting, the
Standards of
Installation and Operation of
the National
Board of Fire
Underwriters
17. Grounding and Bonding Equipment Standard
Underwriters'
for
Laboratories,
Inc.
18. Industrial Lighting, American Recommended
ASA,A11-1942
Practice of
19. Ladders, American Standard Safety Code for
ASA,A14-1935
Construction, Care and Use of
20. Mechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus,
ASA,B15-1927
Safety Code for
21. Proprietary, Auxiliary and Local Systems
Standards of
for Watchman, Fire Alarm and
the National
Supervisory Service, the Installa-
Board of Fire
tion, Maintenance and Use of
Underwriters
22. Shoes, Men's Safety
ASA,241.1-1944
ASA,Z41.2-1944
ASA,Z41.3-1944
ASA,Z41.4-1944
ASA,Z41.5-1944
ASA,Z41.6-1944
23. Sprinkler Equipment, the Installation of
Standards of
the National
Board of Fire
Underwriters
24. Standpipe and Hose Systems, the In-
Standards of
stallation of
the National
Board of Fire
Underwriters
25. Woodworking Machinery, American Standard
ASA,01.1-1944
Safety Code for
II. SAFETY RULES, REGULATIONS, TECHNICAL DATA, AND
INFORMATION ON FIRE PREVENTION
The following list of reference material is a source of
general and specific information relating to accident and Fire
Prevention.
TITLE
SOURCE
1. Accident Facts - 1945 Edition
National
Safety Council
2. Chemicals, A Table of Common Hazardous
National Fire
Protection
Assoc.
3. Circular Saw Guard
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
C-69090
68
APPENDIX
TITLE
SOURCE
4. Circular Saws, Guarding of DeWalt
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
5. Circular Saw, Filler Piece for Narrow
Safety Branch,
Ripping
OIR, Navy
Department
6. Grooving, Slotting and Some Dado Opera-
Safety Branch,
tions, Guard for
OIR, Navy
Department
7. Circular Saw (Rip), Kick Back Finger For
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
8. Circular Saws, Spreaders for
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
9. Fire Fighting and Fire Extinguishment,
Bureau of
Suggestions on
Yards and
Docks
10. Fire Prevention and Fire Protection
Bureau of
Yards and
Docks
11. Goggle Cleaning Panel
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
12. Grinding Wheel Accidents (Accident Facts
National
Facts Memo No. Gen-6)
Safety Council
13. Industrial Safety Standards, Handbook of
National Con-
servation
Bureau
14. Ladder Platform
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
15. Motion Picture Service, Instructions
U.S. Navy -
NAVPERS 15072
16. Power-Saw Accidents (Accident Facts Memo
National
No. Gen-2)
Safety Council
17. Regulations Governing Administration of
U.S.Employees'
U.S. Employees' Compensation Act
Compensation
Commission
18. Safe Practices Pamphlets
National
Safety Council
Goggles
No. 14
Protective Clothing
No. 16
Woodworking Machinery and Equipment
No. 20
Fire Extinguishment
No. 24
Fire Causes and Prevention
No. 31
Hand Tools
No. 41
Organizing a Complete Industrial
No. 42
Safety Program
Teaching Safety to New Employees
No. 65
C-69090
69
APPENDIX
TITLE
SOURCE
Maintaining Interest in Safety
No. 67
Maintenance and Repair Men
No. 70
Safety Inspections
No. 75
Purchasing for Safety
No. 103
19. Safety Instruction Cards
National Safety
Council
20. Safety Instruction Cards, Index of
National Safety
Council
21. Stairway Accidents (Accident Facts Memo
Ditto
No. Gen-7)
22. Wood Shapers, Guard For
Safety Branch,
OIR, Navy
Department
23. Wood Shaper Fixtures
Ditto
NOTE: The Navy Department will provide the White House with
a complete set of the above Reference Material.
C-69090
70
APPENDIX
PPENDIX
B. FORMS
C-69090
71
FORM NO. I
APPENDIX
FEDERAL FIRE COUNCIL
Room 6336, Federal Works Building
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REPORT OF FIRE
ON
GOVERNMENT OWNED OR LEASED PROPERTY
This report should be made for all fires occurring on
Government owned or leased property and is for the informa-
tion of administrative officers and the Federal Fire Council
as authorized by Executive Order 7397 of June 20, 1936.
DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE
1. BUILDING
LOCATED AT
2. LOCATION OF FIRE IN BUILDING
3. TIME (Date and hour)
4. BUILDING, Length and width
Height (Stories)
5. TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
(a) Framing
(e) Roof Construction
(b) Exterior walls
(f) Roof covering
(c) Floor construction
(g) Partitions
(d) Floor surface
(h) Interior finish
6. OCCUPANCY
7. EXTENT OF DAMAGE
(a) Amount of property damage in dollars:
(1) Building
$
(2) Inventoried contents or household goods-
$
(3) Records and other uninventoried contents $
(b) Highly valuable documents or other irreplaceable
contents
$
(c) Loss of life
(d) Injury to persons
FFC-3R. p-1.
C-69090
72
APPENDIX
8. CAUSE OF FIRE
9. HOW WAS FIRE EXTINGUISHED?
10. WHAT FIRE ALARM AND/OR FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT IS
PROVIDED IN THE BUILDING?
11. WAS THERE ANY DEFECT OR INADEQUACY IN FIRE APPARATUS OR ANY
OTHER DEFICIENCY? (Explain fully if any)
12. HOW WAS FIRE ALARM TRANSMITTED?
13. SUGGESTIONS AS TO PREVENTING SIMILAR FIRES IN FUTURE
14. STORY OF THE FIRE:
Report by
Title
Date of report
FFC-3R. p-2
Note: A supply of these forms may be secured from the
Federal Fire Council.
C-69090
73
APPENDIX
FORM II.
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT OF INJURY
(Specify
This Supervisor's Report of Injury is for use in the prevention of injuries
Departmental regulations will govern its use
Department
Bureau or office
(Post Office, Interior. Veterans Adm., etc.)
(U. S. Engineers, Bureau of Standards, etc.)
Place of employment
Division, shop, etc.
(Arsenal, navy yard, etc.)
(City)
(State)
Name of injured employee
Age
Sex
(Give first name fully)
Occupation
Length of time at trade or occupation
years
months
1. Describe accident or health hazard fully (what injured was doing, what happened, etc.)
DO NOT USE
2. What unsafe conditions caused accident or industrial (occupational) disease? (For example: Defective brakes, no
guard rail on scaffold, highly waxed floor, unguarded punch press, concentration of benzol fumes, etc.)
3. What was done wrong (unsafely) that caused accident or industrial (occupational) disease? (For example: Failure
to wear provided goggles, using box or chair instead of ladder, using mushroomed chisel, jumping off moving car, etc.)
4. What has been done to prevent similar occurrences?
5. What is recommended to prevent similar occurrences?
I
on
Signed by
Title
Date
Reviewed by
Title
Date
Comments of Reviewing Official (with particular reference to answers to questions 4 and 5) :
Extent of disability: (check one) First aid
Disabling injury
Death
Nature of injury
Part of body affected
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
16-45868-1
OLLICE
EMPLOYEE'S NOTICE OF INJURY OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE
Federal Employees' Compensation Act of September 7, 1916, as amended
This notice should be submitted to the immediate superior by an injured civil employee of the Federal Government, or by someone on
his behalf, within 48 hours after the injury. Notice may be given either personally or by mail. It should be retained by the official superior
unless the injury causes disability for work beyond the day or shift when injury occurred, or results in any charge against the Commission
for medical expense, when it should be forwarded to the United States Employees' Compensation Commission together with the official
superior's report of injury, Form C. A. 2. Before compensation is paid, written claim on Form C. A. 4 must be submitted to the Commission.
of (MHP fo suq
Date of this notice
Date
, 19
1. I hereby certify that I am employed as a
Jine
(Occupation)
at the
(Place of employment)
and on
,
, 19
, at
m.
(Day of week)
(Date)
(Hour, a. m. or p. m.)
I was injured in the performance of my duties at
is
(Location where injury occurred)
2. Cause of injury
(Describe as best you can how and why injury occurred)
$ peeu gone
of
(occabetions)
3. Nature of injury
(Name part of body affected-fractured left leg, bruised right thumb, etc.)
brucp
S
4. Names of witnesses to injury
5. If this notice was not given within 48 hours after the injury, explain reason for delay and state name of person to
(MPST MS8 Myst pubbeneq'
DO
whom notice was first given, and when
10
(CIA6
embjoyee
V&G
(CIP)
This injury was not caused by my willful misconduct, intention to bring about the injury or death of myself or.of
another, nor by my intoxication, and I hereby make claim for compensation and medical treatment to which I may be
entitled by reason of the injury sustained by me.
Name
Address
(Street and number)
C. A. 1
Revised August 1, 1945
II'
16-45868-1
(City or town)
(State)
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
C. DRAWING
C-69090
75
GLASS MOUNTED IN CONTINUOUS
REMOVABLE FRAME
REVISE ORNAMENT AND PROVIDE
8x14 EXISTING
BRACKETED BALL-BEARING PIVOT
IRON BAR
AT THIS LOCATION
AREAS OF GATES SHOWN WITH
DIAGONAL LINES SHALL BE
COVERED ON CORRIDOR SIDE
ANGLE CLIPS AS REQUIRED
WITH GLASS PANEL AS INDICATED
SHIM
WELDED TO FRAME AND
IN DETAIL
TAP SCREWED TO GRILLE
SHATTER PROOF
GLASS PANEL
INSTALL PANIC HARDIVARE WITH
DETAIL OF FRAME
VERTICAL OPERATING LEVER AND
LOCKING BAR TO FLOOR ON EACH
FOR GLASS PANEL
GATE.
SCALE:- FULL SIZE
H
PROVIDE BALL- BEARING PIVOT
AT STAIR LANDING.
LEVATION
SCALE 3/4" 11-0"
REMOVE THIS PORTION OF GATE
1-
DOTTED LINES INDICATE NEW
CLOSE SLIDING GATE
BRACKETED BALL BEARING
POCKET IN JAMBS
PIVOT AT TOP OF GATE
NAVY DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF YARDS & DOCKS
WHITE HOUSE
EXECUTIVE MANSION
SCHEMATIC FOR
PROVIDE DOOR STOPS TO PREVENT GLASS
PANELS FROM STRIKING CORNERS OF JAMBS
PROPOSED REVISION OF
ORNAMENTAL GATES
Y.E.D DRAVING NO
PLAN
431.658
SCALE:- AS NOTED
SCALE 3/4" 1'0"
Page data
- Page
- 90
- Source index
- 0
- Type
- document
- Media ID
- 32c61e7586050f27
- Size
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Document data
- ID
- 354584159
- Core
- doc
- Type
- document
DTO data
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"ocrText": "THE UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY\nWASHINGTON\n12 July 1946\nHE WHITE HOUSE\nJUL 12 2 18 PM '46\nRECEIVED\nMy dear Mr. President:\nIn accordance with our conversation\nat Cabinet Meeting this morning, I am sending\nyou herewith twenty-three copies of the report\nof the Navy on the \"Safety Survey of the White\nHouse.\"\nRespectfully yours,\nHARPY E. ARCHIVES \"NATIONAL RECORDS TRUMAN AND LIBRARY\nU.S.\nSERVICE'\nGOVERNMENT\nJohn NATIONAL S. TRUMI\nThe President\nThe White House\nBARRY U.S. ARCHIVES SERVICE\" RECORDS GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARY\n12 July 1946\nMy dear Mr. President:\nIn accordance with our conversation\nat Cabinet Meeting this morning, I am sending\nyou herewith twenty-three copies of the report\nof the Navy on the \"Safety Survey at the White\nHouse\".\nRespectfully yours,\nHARPY S NATIONAL TRUMAH LIBERTY\nU.S.\nThe President\nJohn\nThe White House\nTHE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY\nWASHINGTON\n12 July 1946\nMy dear Mr. President:\nI take pleasure in presenting to you\na copy of a Safety Survey of the White House\nwhich was made by the Navy Department at your\nrequest.\nTwenty-three additional copies of\nthis survey will be delivered to Mr. H. R. Crim,\nthe Chief Usher. In view of the very complete\nand detailed description of the safety and fire\nhazards of the White House, I suggest that the\nvarious copies of the survey be treated as\nconfidential.\nRespectfully yours,\nBARRY U.S. ARCHIVES \"NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE GOVERNMENT TRUMAN AND LIBRARY\nEncl:1\nActing Secretary Jullian\nThe President\nThe White House\nSAFETY SURVEY\nof\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\nBY\nTHE NAVY DEPARTMENT\nJUNE 1946\nBARRY ARCHIVES A \"NATIONALD TROMAN TIBERT\nU.S.\nGOVERNMENT\nC-69090\nPREFACE\nARCHIVES A NATIONAL ALBRARY\nSERVICE\nOn April 5, 1946, the President of the United States di-\nrected a letter to the heads of executive departments and\nagencies, with the request that they take inventory of their\nrespective safety organizations and programs, and, if they\nfound them inadequate, that they take the steps necessary to\nstrengthen them. The President's genuine interest in the\nproblem of accident prevention was further indicated by his\nrequest that a complete Safety Survey of the White House be\nmade. This direction was transmitted to the Executive Office\nof the Secretary, Navy Department, and a Survey was accord-\ningly undertaken.\nThe scope of this Survey embraced the White House and\nGrounds, and the space occupied in the temporary building\ndesignated as 501-17th Street. The national importance of\nthe White House, the official home of the Presidents of the\nUnited States and the repository of objects of great histor-\nical and sentimental value, together with the functional use\nof these premises, embodying a combination of private living\nquarters, areas of public assembly, office operations, and\nmaintenance and repair facilities made this assignment unique.\nIn this Survey, an objective study was made of current\nhazards which should be corrected in order to establish con-\nditions providing the maximum degree of safety and to con-\nstruct a pattern for future use in the establishment of a\nsafety program for the White House. The recommendations re-\nsulting from this Survey are set forth in detail in order to\naccomplish two objectives: first, it was deemed desirable to\nrecord all conditions presenting accident hazards which it\nwas possible to observe during the time in which the Survey\nwas conducted; and secondly, continuing action will be re-\nquired in order to make certain that the maximum degree of\nsafety prevails at all times. In view of the foregoing, the\ndetailed presentation of the recommendations will serve as\nguidelines for subsequent safety surveys which should be es-\ntablished as an integral part of the White House Safety\nProgram.\nIn Section I of the Survey Report, consideration is given\nto the establishment of a safety policy, organization, and\nprogram for the White House in order to provide continuing\naction in the prevention of accidents.\nIn Section II of the Survey Report, fire protection and\nprevention are discussed in detail. This section presents\na narrative description of existing facilities as well as\ninadequacies and points out suggested remedial action.\nI\nC-69090\nIn Section III of the Survey Report, hazards to the purity\nof the potable water-supply system are discussed. Although\nthe field operations embraced a complete study of the potable\nwater-supply system, this section of the Report deals only\nwith the defective conditions which should be corrected.\nIn Section IV of the Survey Report, the safety consid-\nerations which relate to structure, environment, and appurte-\nnances are discussed in detail. The field survey included a\ncomplete inspection of the premises as well as the operations\nbeing conducted at the time of the Survey; but in the interest\nof conservation of space there are discussed in this section\nof the Report only those conditions which were found defective\nand the remedial action necessary to bring about their cor-\nrection.\nIn conclusion, the Navy Department stands ready to offer\nthe services of its safety and fire-protection engineers to\nassist in the execution of the program and recommendations\nembodied in this Survey. The Appendix contains a selection\nof reference and informational material which will be helpful\nin completing many of the recommendations listed in the Report.\nThe information upon which this Survey is based was col-\nlected at various times during May and June 1946 by repre-\nsentatives of the Navy Department. The Office of Industrial\nRelations, Executive Office of the Secretary and the Bureau\nof Yards and Docks collaborated in this Survey. The Survey\nwas conducted under the general supervision of Mr. Edward B.\nLandry, Office of Industrial Relations (Safety Branch), Exec-\nutive Office of the Secretary, assisted by the following\nrepresentatives of the Bureau of Yards and Docks: Captain A.J.\nFay (CEC) USN, Captain H. K. Hughes (CEC) USNR, Commander P.H.\nPeterman (CEC) USNR, and Lieut. Commander G. P. Stahl (S) USNR.\nIn the coordination of the field survey data, valuable assist-\nance was given by Mr. Melbourne F. Sinnard, Office of Indus-\ntrial Relations (Safety Branch), Executive Office of the\nSecretary.\nAcknowledgment is made of the valuable assistance ren-\ndered by the Chief Usher of the White House, the White House\nArchitect, the President's Physician, and other personnel of\nthe White House who were most cooperative throughout the\nentire inspection. The Fire and Water Department of the Dis-\ntrict of Columbia also contributed materially to the effective\nness of the Survey.\nBARRY ARCHIVES NATIONAL RECORDS\nChief, 4.g ensp 49 Cusp\nU.S.\nSERVICE MENT\nChief,\nOffice of Industrial Relations\nBureau of Yards and Docks\n1 July 1946\nII\nC-69090\nTRUMAN\nBARRY\nNATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nCONTENTS\nRECORDS\nLIBRARY\nU.S.\nSERVICE\ngovernment\nSECTION\nPAGE\nPREFACE\nI\nI.\nPOLICY, ORGANIZATION, AND PROGRAM\n1\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n1\nNo. 1. POLICY.\n1\nNo. 2. ORGANIZATION.\nl\nNo. 3. PROGRAM\n1\nA. Accident Records\n1\nB. Fire Reports.\n2\nC. Safety Inspections.\n2\nD. Standards or Regulations\n2\nE. Selection, Placement, Orientation,\nand Training of Personnel.\n2\nF. Education.\n3\nII. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION\n4\nEXPOSURE.\n4\nCONSTRUCTION\n4\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n4\nB. WEST TERRACE\n5\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n5\nD. EAST TERRACE\n5\nE. EAST WING\n5\nF. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n5\nOCCUPANCY\n6\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n6\nB. WEST TERRACE\n6\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n6\nD. EAST TERRACE\n6\nE. EAST WING\n6\nΓ. GARAGE\n7\nG. GENERAL.\n7\nPROTECTION\n7\nA. WATER SUPPLY\n7\nSource\n7\nFire Hydrants\n7\nB. FIRE FLOW TESTS\n7\nC. FIRE DEPARTMENT\n8\nD. FIRE ALARM AND GUARD SERVICE\n10\nE. STANDPIPE (FIRE LINE)\n10\nF. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 11\nG. LIGHTNING PROTECTION\n11\nH. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS\n11\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n11\nNo. 4. FIRE DEPARTMENT PROTECTION\n11\nNo. 5. WATER SUPPLY.\n11\nc-69090\nIII\n'NATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nCONTENTS\nRECORDS\nLIBRARY\nSERVICE\nSECTION\nPAGE\nII. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (Cont.)\nPublic Water\n11\nPrivate Swimming Pool\n12\nNo. 6. FIRE INSPECTION\n13\nNo. 7. AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM\n13\nNo. 8. FIRE HYDRANT\n13\nNo. 9. EXIT FACILITIES\n13\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n13\nB. EAST WING\n15\nC. EAST TERRACE\n15\nNo. 10. FIRE CUT OFFS\n16\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n16\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n16\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n16\nNo. 11. STANDPIPE\n17\nA. EXECUTIVE M INSION\n17\nNO. 12. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS\n17\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n17\nB. EAST TERRACE\n17\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n18\nD. EAST WING\n18\nE. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n18\nNo. 13. ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS\n18\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n18\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n19\nNo. 14. DRAPERIES AND AWNINGS\n19\n1. EXECUTIVE MANSION, SOUTH PORTICO\nEAST TERRACE, AND EAST WING\n19\nNo. 15. HEATING HAZARDS\n19\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION.\n19\nNo. 16. TEMPORARY WOOD PARTITIONS\n19\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n19\nNo. 17. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS\n19\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n19\nNo. 18. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS\n20\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n20\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n20\nC. EAST WING\n20\nNo. 19. SMOKING.\n21\nA. 501-17th STREET\n21\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n21\nNo. 20. WASTE PAPER AND OILY RAGS\n21\nA. 501-17th STREET\n21\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n22\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n22\nIV\nC-69090\nTRUMAN\n\"NATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nRECORDS\nLIBRARY\nSERVICE™\nCONTENTS\nGOVERNMENT\nSECTION\nPAGE\nII. FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION (Cont.)\nNo. 21. FIREPLACE SCREENS\n22\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n:\n22\nIII. SANITATION\n23\nRECOMMENDATIONS.\n23\nNo. 22. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- LLAVATORY\nFAUCETS AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT.\n23\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n23\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n23\nC. WEST TERRACE.\n24\nNo. 23. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- DRIPS, WASTES,\nAND OVERFLOWS\n24\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n24\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n24\nC. EAST WING\n24\nD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILI ING\n25\nE. WEST TERRACE.\n25\nNo. 24. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- FLOAT VALVES\nAND FLUSH VALVES\n25\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n26\nB. EAST WING.\n26\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n26\nD. WEST TERRACE.\n26\nNo. 25. DRINKING FOUNTAINS\n26\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n26\nB. EAST TERRACE.\n26\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n26\nNo. 26. CROSS-CONNECTIONS.\n27\nA. WEST TERRACE.\n27\nNo. 27. UNVENTED TRAPS\n27\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n28\nNo. 28. LAWN DISPLAY FOUNTAINS\n28\nIV. STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND APPURTENANCES\n29\nOVERLOADING OF FLOORS\n29\nCHANDELIERS\n29\nPRESIDENTIAL SEAL\n30\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n30\nNo. 29. PAINTINGS AND PICTURES\n30\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n31\nNo. 30. WINDOW GLASS\n32\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n32\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n32\nNo. 31. ELEVATORS\n32\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n33\nV\nc-69090\nTROMAN\nCONTENTS\nHARRY\nARCHIVES \"NATIONAL RECORDS and\nLIBRARY\nSECTION\nSERVICE\nPAGE\nIV. STRUCTURE, environment, AND APPURTENANCES (Cont.)\nNo. 32. WALKWAY SURFACES -- STAIRS\n33\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n34\nB. EAST WING\n36\nC. 501-17th STREET\n:\n36\nNo. 33. WALKWAY SURFACES -- FLOORS\n36\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n36\nB. 501-17th STREET\n37\nNo. 34. WALKWAY SURFACES --\nRUGS\n37\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n37\nB. EAST WING\n39\nNo. 35. MACHINE GUARDING\n39\nA. 501-17th STREET\n40\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n40\nC. EAST WING\n41\nNo. 36. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- FLEXIBLE\nCORDS.\n41\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n42\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n42\nC. EAST WING\n43\nD. 501-17th STREET\n44\nNo. 37. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- GROUNDING\n44\nA. 501-17th STREET\n44\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n44\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n44\nNo. 38. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- BATHROOM\nAPPLIANCES\n44\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n45\nNo. 39. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS -- PORTABLE\nHOT PLATES\n45\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n45\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n45\nC. WEST TERRACE\n45\nD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n46\nE. 501-17th STREET\n46\nNo. 40. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS\n--\nMISCELLANEOUS\n46\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n46\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n47\nNo. 41. ELECTRIC FANS\n47\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n48\nB. EAST WING\n48\nNo. 42. FILE CABINETS AND CLOTHES\nLOCKERS\n48\n1. 501-17th STREET\n49\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n49\nC. EAST WING\n49\nC-69090\nVI\nMYWOUL\nHARRY\n'NATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nCONTENTS\nRECORDS\nSECTION\nSERVICE\nPAGE\nIV.\nSTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND APPURTENANCES (Cont.)\nNo. 43. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SAFETY\nEQUIPMENT\n50\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n50\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n51\nNo. 44. HANDLING OF MATERIALS.\n51\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n52\nNo. 45. HOUSEKEEPING.\n52\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n53\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n54\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n54\nD. EAST WING\n55\nE. 501-17th STREET\n:\n56\nNo. 46. FOOD PREPARATION AND HANDLING\n(FOREIGN-SUBSTANCE CONTROL) 56\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION AND EXECUTIVE\nOFFICE BUILDING\n56\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING.\n:\n57\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n57\nD. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n57\nNo. 47. BATHROOM HAZARDS -- RUBBER\nBATH MATS, HANDGRABS, AND\nPORCELAIN FAUCET HANDLES\n58\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n59\nNo. 48. BATHROOM HAZARDS -- LIGHT\nSHAFTWAYS\n59\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n59\nNo. 49. REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT\n60\nA. 501-17th STREET\n60\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n60\nNo. 50. LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS\n60\nA. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n60\nB. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n61\nNo. 51. GENERAL CONDITIONS\n61\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n61\nB. WEST TERRACE\n63\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n64\nD. EAST TERRACE\n:\n64\nNo. 52. SAFETY STANDARDS\n65\nA. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH\nPORTICO)\n65\nNo. 53. WHITE HOUSE POLICE.\n65\nA. NORTH-WEST GATE\n65\nB. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n:\n65\nVII\nc-89090\nCONTENTS\nPAGE\nAPPENDIX\n66\nA. REFERENCE MATERIAL.\n66\nI. SAFETY CODES AND STANDARDS.\n67\nII. SAFETY RULES, REGULATIONS, TECHNICAL\n68\nDATA, AND INFORMATION ON FIRE\nPREVENTION.\nB. FORMS\n71\nI. REPORT OF FIRE ON GOVERNMENT OWNED OR\nLEASED PROPERTY\n72\nII. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT OF INJURY.\n74\nC. DRAWING\n75\nI. WHITE HOUSE, EXECUTIVE MANSION,\nSCHEMATIC FOR PROPOSED REVISION\nOF ORNAMENTAL GATES (Y&D DRAWING\nNO. 431,658)\n76\nTRUMAM\nNATIONA\nARCHIVE AND\nRECORDS\nANYUS\nSERVICE\"\nNOVERNMENT\nC- 69090\nVIII\nSECTION I\nPOLICY, ORGANIZATION, AND PROGRAM (1)\nAccident prevention is not a static problem. The initial\nstep toward providing a safe environment in which to live is to\ncorrect the physical hazards. However, this alone is not enough.\nIt is equally if not more important to develop an attitude of\nsafety consciousness in the minds of the individuals who are in\nresidence or employed at the White House. In order to accomplish\nboth these objectives, it is important to establish a safety or-\nganization and program which will serve as a means of providing\ncontinuing action for the prevention of accidents. The policy,\norganization, and program set forth below applies to the office\nstaff and the maintenance staff.\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n1. POLICY\nHARRY ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL SERVICE\" RECORDS TRUMAN AND MENT LIBRARY\nA. A clear-cut policy should be announced by responsible\nauthority, made clear to all department heads, and to\nall employees, reiterated at suitable intervals, and\nenforced. This policy to include:\n(1) That line supervision is responsible for safety.\n(2) That all equipment and practices shall be such\nas to afford reasonable safety at all times.\n(3) That personal protective equipment and other\nsafety equipment where needed, shall be provided\nby the Government.\n2. ORGANIZATION\nA. Responsibility for the direction of the Safety Program\nshould be delegated to a responsible individual, desig-\nnated as the Safety Representative.\n3. PROGRAM\nA. Accident Records. - All injuries arising out of, or\nduring the course of employment should be reported by\nthe Supervisor on the form \"Supervisor's Report of\nInjury. (This Report is on the reverse side of the\nU.S. Employee's Compensation Commission Form, CA-1,\n(1) Adopted from the report \"Accident Prevention for Federal\nEmployees, If submitted to the President of the United States by\nthe Chairman of the Federal Interdepartmental Safety Council,\nMarch 29, 1946.\nC- 69090\n1\nRevised August 1, 1945). Separate accident records as\nfar as is practicable, should be obtained on accidents\noccurring to the public. Such a compilation is useful\nfor preventing the recurrence of similar accidents.\nThe Safety Representative should investigate all re-\nported accidents and initiate corrective action as\nindicated\nB. Fire Reports. A report should be prepared of all\nfires regardless of size. A suggested form is in-\ncluded in the Appendix. If desired the Navy Depart-\nment's Fire Protection Engineers will make a study\nand analysis of these reports periodically for the\npurpose of determining and suggesting remedial\naction.\nC. Safety Inspections. - It is important that weekly in-\nspections be made of all parts of the White House\nand grounds by the Safety Representative or his\ndelegated representative. These inspections are for\nthe purpose of disclosing and initiating corrective\naction on conditions relating to Fire Protection,\nEnvironmental Safety, Protection of the Public, and\nProperty Conservation. (The Navy Department will\nmake available the services of its Safety and Fire\nProtection Engineers, to train the individuals as-\nsigned this duty.)\nD. Standards or Regulations. - Standards or regulations\nshould be issued covering working conditions and\npractices, including provision and use of personal\nprotective equipment. These standards or regula-\ntions should be distributed to all supervisors,\noffice and maintenance personnel. (The Navy Depart-\nment will make available the services of its Safety\nEngineers to assist in the preparation of these\nstandards or regulations.)\nE. Selection, Placement, Orientation, and Training of\nPersonnel. --- The inclusion of safety in the selec-\ntion, placement, orientation, and training of per-\nsonnel should be affected. Personnel should be as-\nsigned only to such jobs as they are physically\nqualified to perform and they should be permitted to\nwork only when they are physically fit. Personnel\non the maintenance staff should be given adequate\nand complete instruction by their supervisors on\nthe safe practices to follow when engaged in a\ngiven task. The use of printed Safety Standards or\nRegulations (refer to recommendation (3D)),\nthoroughly explained to and understood by the per-\nsonnel, will assist in the accomplishment of this\nU.S. ARCHIVES \"NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE AND LIBEARY\nc-69090\n2\nGOVERNMENT\nobjective The proper integration of safety in\norientation and training (the later being a con-\ntinuous process) of the personnel, will not only\nlessen the opportunity for personal injury but will\nreflect in the efficiency with which work is per-\nformed.\nF. Education. - Safety educational materials such as\nthe display of posters on bulletin boards, stra-\ntegically located so they can be readily seen by the\npersonnel, and literature for the supervisors and\nthe Safety Representative, should be used as one\nmeans for maintaining and creating interest in ac-\ncident prevention. (The Navy Department will make\navailable material of this type.)\nTRUMAN\nAngyn\nARCHIVES AND\nLIDRARY\nRECORDS\nU.S.\nC- 69090\n3\nSECTION II\nFIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION\nThis Government activity is situated on a plot of ground\nof about fifteen acres bordering on the high value district of\nWashington to the east. It consists of a group of three\nbuildings with the longer axis parallel to and about 300 feet\nsouth of Pennsylvania Avenue. The Executive Mansion is on line\nwith the Jefferson Memorial to the south and 16th Street to\nthe north, and is flanked by the Executive Office Building\nand the East Wing.\nThe past fire record has been excellent, the last fire\nof any consequence being in 1929 when the Executive Offices\nwere involved. This excellent record is due to the careful\nand constant supervision that is given this Activity and the\nhigh general standards of order and neatness that are main-\ntained.\nEXPOSURE\nThe principal exposure to fire from outside sources is\nfrom the State Department Building across West Executive\nAvenue. This exposure hazard is considered moderate. No\nspecial treatment for the Executive Office Building against\nthis exposure is considered necessary since there is open\nspace of 100 feet between buildings.\nTROMAN\nCONSTRUCTION\nARCHIVES AND RECORDS\nLIBRARY\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\nSERVICE\nThe oldest of the group of buildings is the Executive\nMansion which is 4 stories and attic in height, locally\nreferred to as 3 stories, attic and basement, because of\nthe fact that the rear of the building is lower than the front.\nThe exterior walls are of masonry and the floors and roof of\nfire-resistive construction except the second floor which is\nof the quick-burning type. There is an inherent defect in the\ndesign of the building in that the stair shafts which form\nvertical flues are not cut off from the floors so that a fire\noriginating on a lower floor might spread unobstructedly\nthroughout the entire building. This condition, combined with\ninadequate exit facilities, introduces a life hazard to those\noccupying the 2nd and 3rd floors.\nFortunately many of the common hazards do not exist as\nthe building does not have its own heating plant, steam being\nsupplied from the outside. Gas is no longer available, as\nelectricity is used for illumination and cooking. The various\nmaintenance shops have been placed outside in a detached\nbuilding. There is no storage on lower floors.\nC-69090\n4\nAt times certain portions of the Executive Mansion are\nused as places of public assembly, especially the East Room\nand the State Dining Room. At such times adequate and proper\nexit facilities are important.\nThere are no cut-offs between the Executive Mansion and\nthe other buildings but since the connecting terraces between\nthem are ofufire-resistive construction with a small amount\nof combustible contents the possibility of a fire spreading\nfrom one to another is remote.\nB. WEST TERRACE\nThe Executive Mansion is connected to the Executive\nOffice Building by a one story fire-resistive structure known\nas the West Terrace.\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\nAt the west end of the group of buildings and bordering\non the West Executive Avenue is the Executive Office Building.\nThis building is two stories and basement in height of fire-\nresistive construction having metal trim on the second floor\nand wood trim on the first floor and in the basement. The\nprincipal exit from the second floor consists of a stairway,\nalthough egress is also available from the second floor to the\nroof of the West Terrace.\nTROMAN\nD. EAST TERRACE.\nASUVH\n'NATIONAL\nARCHIVES AND\nLIBRARY\nRECORDS\nSERVICE\"\nThe Executive Mansion is connected to the East Wing\nby a one story fire-resistive structure known as the East\nTerrace.\nE. EAST WING\nThe last building built is known as the East Wing,\nerected in 1942, with the main entrance to it on East\nExecutive Avenue. It is two stories and basement in height,\nof reinforced concrete construction, and is served by one\nopen stairway and an enclosed elevator. Connected to the\nbasement of the East Wing are the air raid shelter and the\ntunnel to the Treasury. The principal means of egress from\nthe second floor consists of a stairway, although egress is\nalso available from the second floor to the roof of the\nEast Terrace.\nF. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\nThe Maintenance or Shop Building is under the North\nPortico to the north of the Executive Mansion and is under-\nground. A service driveway separates the building from the\nExecutive Mansion. The tunnel to the Treasury Puilding is\nconnected to the Shop Building.\nC-69090\n5\nOCCUPANCY\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\nThe Executive Mansion is generally referred to as the\nWhite House. The basement or ground floor contains the\nDiplomatic Reception Room, China Room, White House Library,\nBilliard Room, Ushers' Room, Clinic, Kitchen, and Servants'\nDining Room. On the first floor are the fumous East, Green,\nBlue, Red, and State Dining Room. The President's private\nDining Room and the Ushers' Office are also on the first\nfloor. The North and South Porticos are on the first floor\nlevel of the Mansion.\nThe President and his family have their private quarters\non the second floor.\nOn the third floor are guest rooms, servants' quarters,\nand storage rooms. The President's Sun Parlor and Promenade\nDeck, situated on the roof over the second floor, are reached\nby mèans of a connecting stairway from the third floor. (The\nthird floor is of smaller area than the second floor.)\nThe Attic is vacant except for electric wiring and provides\naccess to the base of the flag pole by means of a trap door.\nB. WEST TERRACE\nThe West Terrace contains the President's private Swim-\nming Pool and Gymnasium. The Bouquet Room, Grounds Department\nTool Room, and a small office, are also located in the West\nTerrace.\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\nThe Executive Office Building is occupied on the first\nfloor by the President's Office, Cabinet Room, Press Room,\nConference Room, and office of President's Secretaries. The\nsecond floor is used principally for general offices, while\nthe basement contains the Messenger Room, Press Release Room,\nutilities rooms, and general storage rooms.\nD. EAST TERRACE\nThe East Terrace houses the President's private Motion\nPicture Projection Room, the Projection Booth, the Loggia,\nand the Foyer.\nE. EAST WING\nThe first floor of the East Wing is devoted to office\nspace and a Board Room. The second floor is used entirely as\noffice space. In the basement is the Guard Office (Security.\nRoom), Guard Locker Room, Guard Lunch Room, maintenance shops,\nand some storage rooms.\nc-69090\n6\nF. GARAGE\nThere are no garage facilities on the Grounds. The\nWhite House motor vehicles are kept at the War Department\nGarage, 20th and C Streets, N.W.\nG. GENERAL\nSmoking is permitted generally throughout the buildings.\nIt is probably impossible to control this hazard at State\naffairs.\nPROTECTION\nA. WATER SUPPLY\nSource - Supply is received from the Gravity Service\nof the District of Columbia.\nFire Hydrants - There are five fire hydrants located\non the Grounds near the Executive Mansion. Three of\nthese are on the north side and two are on the south\nside. All hydrants are of the Smith make, having\none 4-inch and two 21-inch outlets. Each hydrant is\nprovided with a gate valve in the connection to the\nmain.\nAn 8-inch main extends into the Grounds from a 12-inch\nmain in Pennsylvania Avenue, and supplies two of the above-\nmentioned hydrants. A 6-inch main extends from the above\n8-inch main and supplies the third hydrant. The two hydrants\nsouth of the Executive Mansion are supplied by 6-inch connect-\nion to a public main. The above mains are cross-connected\nunderneath the buildings with domestic piping of 4-inch and\nsmaller diameter.\nB. FIRE FLOW TESTS\nFire flow tests were conducted on Thursday, May 16 between\n10 and 11 A.M. Tests on the north side of buildings were made\nwith and without the fountain operating. The difference in\nvolume and pressure between the two tests was of no material\nconsequence. A flow test was also conducted on the 12-inch\npublic main in Pennsylvania Avenue to determine the quantity\navailable for supply to fire department pumpers.\nThe amount of water available for use by pumpers outside\nis considered satisfactory but is insufficient in pressure to\nsupply adequately private fire protection equipment such as\nexisting standpipe and hose stations on upper floors or\nautomatic sprinklers, should this type of protection be pro-\nvided in areas of upper floors. The water supply for hydrants\ninside the Grounds is not sufficient in quantity or pressure.\nC-69090\n7\nResults of the fire flow tests are contained in the\nfollowing table:\nFIRE FLOW TESTS\nPressure Lbs\nQuantity\nPer Sq. Inch\nAvailable\nLocation\nDischarge\nStatic\nResidual\nQuantity\nAt\nAt\nGals. Per\n(Hydrant\n(Hydrant\nRequired\n20#\n10\nMin.\nClosed)\nOpen)\n* North Side\nEx. Mansion\n650\n31\n261/2\n3500\n1050 1490\n**\nNorth Side\nEx. Mansion\n750\n33\n261/2\n3500\n1090 1490\n*** South Side\nEx. Mansion\n730\n35\n22\n3500\n790 1020\nPennsylvania\nAvenue North\nof Executive\nMansion\n1140\n34\n33\n3500\n4700 6300\nWith North Fountain Operating.\nWith North Fountain Shut Off.\nWith South Fountain Operating.\nWhile there is ample amount of water at low pressure for\npumper suction supply outside of the grounds, the quantity\nwithin the grounds would be restricted to a supply for one\npumper on the north and one on the south side. The pressure\nof the supply is inadequate for standpipe and sprinklers on\nthe upper floors.\nC. FIRE DEPARTMENT\nDependence for fighting fires beyond an incipient\nstate is placed entirely on the municipal fire\ndepartment of the District of Columbia.\nAny incipient fire would be handled by Police\nGuards with portable extinguishers or standpipe\nand hose. An ample supply of extinguishers are\ndistributed throughout the premises and he guards\nare all trained in their use.\nC-69090\n8\nBecause of insufficient pressure, the standpipe would not\nbe very effective on upper floors. Standpipe is equipped\nwith 75 feet of 1/2 inch unlined linen hose and also a 2/2\ninch gated connection to which fire department hose can be\nattached. Outside siamese fire department connection is\nprovided for use of pumpers in order to furnish good\nvolume and pressure.\nAlarms that are considered beyond the control of first\naid fire appliances on hand are transmitted by telephone\nto the District of Columbia Fire Department as a \"local\"\nalarm and bring a response of one engine company, one\naerial ladder company and a Battalion Chief.\nWhen, in the judgment of the Police Guard in charge, the\nfire appears serious, a \"general\" alarm is transmitted to the\nfire department. This can be accomplished by means of two\ncity fire alarm boxes on the Grounds. These boxes can be\npulled directly or can be actuated by auxiliary boxes located\non the ground floor of the Executive Office Building, the\nUshers' Office and from the Security Room in the basement. One\nof the City Fire Alarm Boxes is located near the north-west\ncorner of the Executive Offices (Box #1234) and the other is\nnear the north-west corner of the East Wing (Box #157).\nResponse to a \"general\" or Box Alarm includes four engine\ncompanies, rescue squad company, two aerial-ladder trucks and\ntwo Battalion Chiefs.\nAll signals from combined night-watch and manual fire\nalarm system and the automatic fire alarm (\"Aero\") system are\nreceived in the Security Room. The system is designated as a\nlocal central station system inasmuch as no signals are trans-\nmitted to the American District Telegraph Office.\nThe District of Columbia Fire Department has thoroughly\nplanned its method of response and placing of companies in the\nevent of fire. In this plan, the Department would not ordinarily\nmake use of any of the five fire hydrants within the Grounds\non a box alarm but instead would connect their pumpers to public\nhydrants on streets bordering the Grounds. This plan is based\nupon the maneuverability of fire apparatus and the fact that\nthe inside hydrants would not supply more than one pumper on\nthe north, and also one pumper on the south side of the buildings.\nIt would be satisfactory to use these inside hydrants provided\nit was only necessary to use one pumper on the north and south\nsides. Should it then become necessary to connect to hydrants\non the bordering streets, the supply to the inside hydrants\nwould probably be reduced to such an extent that pumpers already\noperating inside the Grounds would have to be shut down.\nC-69090\n9\nThe buildings extend entirely across the Grounds so it\nwould be necessary for fire apparatus to pass outside them in\ngoing from the north to the south side.\nFor the amount of water required and available for fire-\nfighting purposes, see \"Fire Flow Tests,\" under Water Supply.\nPolice Guards are stationed continuously at all gates\nleading to the Grounds so that the Fire Department would lose\nno time in entering the Grounds.\nThe Fire Department would also make use of the standpipe\nsystem by connecting their 21-inch hose to the riser and supply-\ning water in sufficient pressure and volume by means of pumpers\ndischarging into the siamese connection.\nD. FIRE ALARM AND GUARD SERVICE\nAs mentioned previously, this activity is dependent,\nfor fighting major fires, upon the fire fighting forces\nof the Municipal Fire Department of the District of\nColumbia.\nThe Fire Department may be called by a manual alarm\nsystem from five places: (1) north of the Executive\nOffice, (2) ground floor of the Executive Office in\nHall #30, (3) Ushers' Office, (4) north of Office\nBuilding, East Wing, and (5) the Security Room.\nAll buildings are equipped with manual fire alarm\nand guard reporting systems, special telephones for\nguards making rounds, fire extinguishers, mostly of\nthe soda and acid type, and some of the carbon dioxide\ntype, where electrical hazards exist. In addition,\nthe White House has, throughout, an automatic fire\nalarm system of the rate of temperature rise type.\nGuards make recorded hourly rounds at night. In\naddition, they are stationed at six permanent posts.\nE. STANDPIPE (FIRE LINE)\nIn the East Wing there is a three inch standpipe with\n11-inch outlet on each floor to which is attached 75\nfeet of unlined linen firehose placed in a glass front\ncabinet in which are also a 21-inch hose outlet, one\n21-gallon fire extinguisher, and a fire axe. This\nstandpipe is supplied by a 3-inch connection to the\ndomestic water system and a Fire Department. connection\noutside of the building. This equipment is of doubtful\nprotection on the top floor on account of low water\npressure.\n10\nC-69090\nF. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING system\nThe Transformer Room is equipped with an automatic\ncarbon dioxide extinguishing system.\nG. LIGHTNING PROTECTION\nLightning protection has been provided for the\nExecutive Mansion on account of its height.\nH. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS\nThe only place where sprinklers have been installed\nis in the Trash Disposal Room under the North Portico.\nRECOMMENDATIONS\nIn order to provide adequate security against fire for\nlife and property (especially since there are many objects of\ngreat historical and sentimental value), the following improve-\nments are recommended:\n4.\nFIRE DEPARTMENT PROTECTION\nThe District of Columbia Fire Department should be called\nby telephone immediately upon the discovery of a fire, regard-\nless of the extent. Arrangements for responding in such cases\ncould be made so as to minimize disturbance to occupants and\navoid publicity.\n5.\nWATER SUPPLY\nPublic Water - In view of the low pressure in the District\nwater supply svstem for sprinklers and additional standpipe in\nthe White House hereinafter proposed, a study of the problem of\nimproving the pressure has been made, including an interview\nwith the Superintendent of the District Water Department,\nresulting in two possible solutions:\nFirst\nThe District Water Department construction\nprogram for improving its water works system includes\na project for extending the first high service from\ncontour 70 to contour 50. The increased area covered\nthrough lowering this service by 20 contours would\nstill not include the White House, since it is now\nserved by the low service and is at contour 40. Were\nit requested officially, however, a study would be\nmade to determine whether it would be practicable\nto extend the first high service to a lower contour\nlimit to include the White House. Preliminary\n11\nC-69090\nconsideration of the matter indicates that it would\nbe rather doubtful if it could be accomplished for\nthe following reasons:\nA. At contour 40, the first high service would\nalso take in the Treasury and State Depart-\nment Buildings and the contiguous streets\nwhich would necessitate further extensions,\nparticularly eastward.\nB. By increasing the pressure at the White\nHouse to about 75 pounds, it might cause\nsome trouble with old plumbing fixtures\nsince the domestic service in the White\nHouse Grounds is not separated from that\nof the fire service and has been installed\nwith a view to operating at the lower pressure.\nSecond\nThe second method would be to:\nA. Boost the pressure locally by a booster pump\nwith a new connection to the 8-inch main\nentering the North Grounds from Pennsylvania\nAvenue, and discharging into a separate system\nof 6-inch and 8-inch pipe distribution system\nsolely for supplying the proposed sprinklers\nand standpipe.\nB. Install a booster pump having a capacity of\nnot less than 500 GPM, be automatic starting,\nand equipped with dual drive. It should\nhave a discharge pressure sufficient to give\na residual pressure of at least 15 pounds at\nthe highest sprinklers proposed for the third\nfloor of the White House, say a discharge\npressure of 75 pounds at the pump.\nC. Locate the pump at the proposed new construc-\ntion north of the North Portico where the\naddition to the Carpenter Shop is to be made.\nThe second method is recommended.\nPrivate Swimming Pool - The contemplated new road north\nof the West Terrace would make accessible for fire\napparatus the Swimming Pool as an emergency water supply.\nAt the time, a permanent pipe connection to this Pool for\nfire pumper suction supply, should be made.\n12\nC-69090\n6.\nFIRE INSPECTION\nIt is important that weekly fire inspections be made of\nall parts by White House personnel. These inspections should\nbe implemented by surveys made semi-annually by professionally\ntrained fire protection engineers. If desired, the Bureau of\nYards and Docks could make such semi-annual surveys and would\nalso train the White House personnel assigned to make weekly\nfire inspections.\n7. AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM system\nMuch is dependent upon the prompt discovery of a fire at\nits start. The existing automatic fire alarm system was\ninstalled in the Executive Mansion for that purpose. Its\noperation results from the rate of temperature rise rather\nthan the attainment of a fixed temperature. It is a funda-\nmental law of physics that air expands when heated. The fire\ndetecting elèment of this system is air contained liň continu-\nous lengths of small, flexible copper tubing. When the fire\nstarts, the heat causes the air within the tubing to expand.\nThis creates an increased pressure within the tubing which\nforces the flexible diaphragms to make electrical contacts which\ninitiate the alarm.\nA. This intricate and delicately balanced system\nrequires specially trained mechanics for testing\nand maintenance. Because of the special training\nrequired, it is important that a service contract\nproviding for quarterly inspections and tests be\nexecuted with the company which installed the\nsystem.\nB. The automatic fire alarm system should be\nextended to:\n(1) The Executive Office Building.\n(2) The East Wing\n(3) The pipe space back of the kitchen\non the third floor of the Executive\nMansion.\n8.\nFIRE HYDRANT\nA. The fire hydrant in the ground to the north of\nthe East Wing should be made more conspicuous as\nit is now partly hidden by foliage.\n9.\nEXIT FACILITIES\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Stairway connecting the Ground, 1st, 2nd, and\n3rd Floors. - One of the required means of egress\nfrom the second floor and the only one from the\n13\nC-69090\nthird floor which is about 60 feet above the\nground level, consists of an interior stairway\nat the west side, adjacent to the passenger\nelevator shaftway, which is not cut off, and\nwhich would permit fire to spread unrestrictedly\nupward, spreading out on each floor and cutting\noff egress from the upper floors. To improve\nthis stairway as a required means of egress,\nthe openings on each floor into it throughout\nits entire length should be protected with self-\nclosing fire doors. Further, the door into the\nkitchen at the base of the stairway should be\nkept unlocked in case it is necessary to use that\ndoor to get outside the building. As a security\nmeasure this door could be equipped with panic\nhardware so that it could be opened only from\nthe stair and elevator side.\n(2) Grand Staircase. - Another means of egress from\nthe second floor is by way of the Grand Stair-\ncase, east of the entrance from the North Portico.\nAt the bottom of this stairway is a two-piece\ngrille sliding gate which is kept shut and, until\nrecently, had been locked with a padlock in order\nto prevent intruders reaching the second floor\n(the private quarters of the President). As this\nstairway constitutes a second means of egress\nfrom the second floor, it is highly important\nthat either this gate be kept unlocked or, if\nlocked, arrangements to be made so that it can\nbe quickly and easily opened from the upstairs\nside by occupants. Y&D Drawing No. 431,658,\nappended to this report shows schematically a\nmethod for swinging the two parts of this gate\nand equipping it with panic hardware.\n(3) Third Floor, Additional Exit - As stated in\nrecommendation (9) (A) (1), there is only one exit\nfrom the third floor. In addition to guest\nrooms and the servants' quarters, there is a\nSun Parlor, access to which is gained by a stair-\nway leading from the third floor. It is impor-\ntant that another satisfactory exit be provided\nfrom the third floor in case the stairway at the\nwest, covered in recommendation (9) (A) (1), could\nnot be reached. There are two ways of accom-\nplishing this:\nFirst: Construct a new stairway extending\nfrom the 2nd to the 3rd floor in the\nvicinity of the main or grand stair-\nway to the east. This new stairway\nshould be cut off at either the 2nd\nor 3rd floor to prevent flue action\nin the case of a fire nearby.\nc-69090\n14\nSecond: Provide an outside fire escape. For\nesthetic reasons, it is not desirable\nto construct a permanent outside fire\nescape. However, the third floor is\nof fire-resistive construction and\nthe area it occupies is set back\nfrom the exterior walls of the lower\nportion of the building. Consequently,\nthere is a promenande outside of the\nthird floor from which occupants\ncould be rescued in case the stair-\nway at the west side could not be used.\nOne means of doing this would be to\nprovide an outside aerial ladder on\nthe roof of the West Terrace, of\nsufficient length to reach the coping\nat the point where the present goose-\nneck ladder is located. This ladder\ncould be stored flat on the roof of\nthe Terrace where it would be incon-\nspicuous, but ready for use when\nrequired.\nThe provision of an inside stairway,\nis, of course, the most reliable\nsolution and is recommended. As a\nlast resort, if an inside stairway\nis entirely unacceptable, an outside\nladder stored on the West Terrace,\nshould be provided.\n(4) East Room. - As it is not practicable to change\nthe doors of exits in the East Room to open in\nthe direction of exit travel (outwardly) in case\nof fire, it is recommended that during functions\na guard be stationed at those doors opening onto\nthe roof of the East Terrace with instructions\nto open them immediately in case of an emergency.\nThose doors on the exits opening indoors should\nbe left open during such affairs.\nB. EAST WING\n(1) Second Floor. - Provide a secondary means of\negress from the south side of the S econd floor.\n(2) Conference Room (First Floor) - It would be\ndesirable to make available an additional exit\nfrom this room. It is suggested that the door\nfartherest from the main entrance be kept free\nas an emergency exit and SO designated.\nC. EAST TERRACE\nc-69090\n15\n(1) Motion Picture Theater.\n(a) It would be desirable to provide panic bar\nhardware on the projection room door located at\nsuch height that it will be easily operative from\nthe level of the raised deck of the interior of\nthe booth.\n(b) It would be desirable to install panic bar\nhardware on the door at the rear of the moving\npicture theater. This would necessitate re-\nhanging the door so that it would swing out\ninto the hallway.\n10. FIRE CUT OFFS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Light Well (Third Floor) - The floor light well\nin the third floor should be removed and opening\nfloored over with fire-resistive construction.\nAt present it forms an unprotected opening be-\ntween the second and third floors and at the same\ntime appears not to add materially to the illumi-\nnation on the second floor.\n(2) North Portico. - The hollow space between the\nroof and celotex ceiling in the North Portico\nis open. This opening would permit fire to gain\nentrance into this concealed space and spread\nout of reach of hose streams. Access opening\nshould be closed.\n(3) Seal up all old and unused ducts to prevent\nspread of fire, as these passages are out of\nreach of hose streams and sprinkler water.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Paint Shop. - Cut off the Paint Shop from the\nAir Raid Tunnel to Treasury by protecting the\ndoorway with a fire door and bricking up open-\nings over it.\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Incinerator Room. - The area inside the Inciner-\nator Room, immediately adjacent to the sliding\nmetal fire door, must be kept free of materials\nat all times, otherwise the effectiveness of\nthis fire protection device will be completely\nnullified.\n16\nc-69090\n11. STANDPIPE\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) At present there are no means of fighting fire\nat the upper levels of the Executive Mansion\nexcept from the ground which presents a handi-\ncap to the fire fighters in the extinguishment\nof a fire in the upper portion of this building.\nIt is recommended that a 6-inch - standpipe pro-\nvided with a proper water supply having suffi-\ncient pressure to permit fire fighting at the\nroof level of this building be installed in a\nnew elevator enclosure proposed for this build-\ning. There should be 12-inch outlets on each\nfloor with sufficient hose to reach all portions,\nand a roof outlet with a controlling valve\nextending through the roof (to prevent freezing,\nand permit water to be turned on from the roof)\nIn addition, there should be a 21-inch gated\nconnection at each floor for fire department use.\nAn outside siamese connection should be provided.\n12. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Third Floor - Sprinklers should be installed\nthroughout much of the third floor, particularly\nin store rooms 1 to 4 inclusive, the Kitchen,\nValet Room, and storage space at the north end\nof the North Portico. This kind of protection\nis also desirable in the servants' quarters on\nthis floor in view of the untidiness in some of\nthe clothes closets and the general use of\nelectric pressing irons. A water supply for\nthese sprinklers has been discussed.\n(2) State Dining Room. - One or two sprinklers\nshould be provided for the two closets at the\nwest side of the State Dining Room, behind wallwood\npaneling. (One is a broom closet, the other\ncontains dining table leaves).\nB. EAST TERRACE\n(1) Projection Booth and Film Storage Closet. -\nAutomatic sprinklers should be provided in the\nProjection Booth and in the Film Storage Closet.\nThe wooden door of this closet should be re-\nplaced by a fire door.\n17\nc-69090\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) File Storage Room (Basement) - Provide sprink-\nlers in File Storage Room (under Cabinet Room),\nStorage Room No. 10 in basement, and in the\nMessenger Room.\nD. EAST WING\n(1) Storage Room and Protective Area. - Provide\nsprinklers in storage room in the basement and\nin the air raid shelters, which are now used\nfor miscellaneous storage. It is quite likely\nthat much of the material stored in the Air Raid\nShelter could be disposed of since it appears to\nhave little value.\nE. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Provide automatic sprinklers in the Paint,\nElectrical; and .Carpenter Shops, Chair Store\nRoom, Locker Room and Toilet.\n13. ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS\nA. executive MANSION\n(1) Servants' Quarters, Sewing Rooms, and Valet\nRoom (Third Floor\n(a) Electric irons are used generally through-\nout the servants' quarters on the third floor.\nMost of them are not equipped with red signal\nlights. If practical, it is advisable to\nrestrict pressing on the third floor to a\nlocation such as the Valet Room where it could\nbe supervised and the irons properly supplied\nthrough circuits equipped with safety devices.\n(b) The present wooden ironing boards and\nironing table in the Valet Room should be re-\nplaced with all metal equipment.\n(c) The ironing boards and ironing table in\nthe Valet Room should be covered with non-\nflammable glass cloth coverings, and asbestos\npadding.\n(2) Room No. 41. - In the closet in Room No. 41,\npendent light cord is cut at fixture. This\nshould be replaced.\n18\nC-69090\n(3) Attic. - The attic contains a considerable\nquantity of what appears to be dead wiring.\nIt is recommended that the electrician trace\nout all circuits, eliminating dead wiring.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Carpenter Shop. - Provide an incombustible sup-\nport for electrically heated glue pot.\n(2) Carpenter Shop. - Replace temporary wiring for\nplaner with permanent type.\n14. DRAPERIES AND AWNINGS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION, SOUTH PORTICO, EAST TERRACE,\nAND EAST WING\n(1) Where draperies are used to any great extent, such\nas in the Motion Picture Projecting Room, the\nState Dining Room, and the Conference Room (East\nWing), it is recommended that they be treated to\nrender them flame retardant. After dry cleaning,\ndraperies should be retreated. If the awning\nover the South Portico has not been rendered\nflame retardant, then the canvas should be treated\nor replaced with canvas which has been so treated.\n15. HEATING HAZARDS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Grease ducts serving cooking devices should be\ncleaned periodically. This can readily be\naccomplished as ducts are designed to permit\nready accessibility.\n16. TEMPORARY WOOD PARTITIONS\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Use of temporary wooden partitions for closets,\netc. in the basement should be prohibited. Ar-\nrangements should be made for ultimate replace-\nment of existing wood partitions with concrete\nblock or other fire resistant construction.\nThese wooden partitions tend to nullify the\ngeneral fire resistant type of construction\nused in this wing.\n17. FIRE EXTINGUISHER\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Mess of the Secretaries. - Provide one 15 pound\n19\n69090\nCO2 extinguisher for Kitchen or Private Dining\nRoom in the Executive Office Building.\n18. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS\nA. executive OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. - It was\nobserved that a flammable liquid wax treatment\nfor floors is being used. This material should\nno longer be used and it should be replaced with\na non-flammable material. The continued use of\na flammable liquid floor wax presents two prob-\nlems; namely, (a) floor surfaces are being sat-\nurated and coated with a flammable material which\nin itself is undesirable, and (b) open containers\nof the flammable floor wax, together with mops\nsaturated with this material, are stored in this\nroom, thereby increasing the amount of combustible\nmaterial in this area.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Paint Shop.\n(a) At the close of the working day, all open\npaint containers used during the course of the\nday's operations should be removed into th vault\narea where the general paint stock is stored.\nOne method of facilitating this safe operating\npractice would be to construct a mobile bench\nor cabinet for holding the paint cans. This\nwould allow the stock of paint necessary during\nthe work day to be moved in and out of the vault\nto the working area.\n(b) Hooks should be installed adjacent to the\nclothes lockers so that the painters overalls\nand jackets could be hung out in the open at the\nclose of the work day. It is undesirable to\nstore, in confined areas such as wooden lockers,\ngarments covered with paint and paint solvents.\nC. EAST WING\n(1) Mechanical Department.\n(a) In view of the hazard attendant to the use\nof gasoline blowtorches and plumbers furnaces,\nit would be desirable to consider the replace-\nment of these units with propane gas fired\nequipment.\nC-69090\n20\n(b) The gasoline safety can which is used to\nfuel the gasoline blowtorch and furnace should\nbe provided with a safety screen in the pouring\nspout of the can. It would be desirable to\nprovide a safety can for this purpose which has\na flexible spout so as to minimize the oppor-\ntunity of spillage when fueling these two pieces\nof equipment.\n(c) Gasoline torches and plumbers furnaces\nfrequently leak, and when left inside, partic-\nularly in lockers, constitute a considerable\nfire hazard. It is suggested not to store this\nequipment in lockers and preferable to place\nthem in liquid-tight pans in the event that\nleaks should develop when the equipment is not\nin use.\n19. SMOKING\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Space occupied by State Department. - At present\na \"NO SMOKING\" rule is enforced in that area of\nthe building occupied by the White House because\nof the importance of providing maximum security\nto the President's files, against loss or damage\nfrom fire. White House Police Officer Doyle\ncalled attention to the fact that the second\nfloor, occupied by the State Department, does\nnot enforce a \"NO SMOKING\" rule. It would seem\ntherefore, that in order to provide maximum\nsecurity for the President's file and mail room,\nconsideration should be given to the enforcement\nof a \"NO SMOKING\" rule for the entire occupancy\nof the building.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Paint Shop. - Smoking, or the carrying of lighted\npipes, cigars, or cigarettes should be prohibited\nin the Raint Shop.\n20. WASTE PAPER AND OILY RAGS\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room. - At present, provision is made to\ngather the waste paper and other trash, resulting\nfrom the opening of mail, into open canvas\nbaskets and bags which are located at the south\nend of the room. This condition presents a\nhousekeeping problem, as well as a potential\n21\nc-69090\nfire hazard. Provision should be made to schedule\nthe removal of this trash at the end of each\nday's work. Metal receptacles, kept properly\ncovered, should be used. If it is not possible\nto maintain a daily schedule for the removal of\nwaste paper and other waste materials from this\narea, then they should be kept in a fire resistant\nenclosure.\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Compressor Room. - Provide a self-closing\nstandard metal waste can for oily waste and\nand wiping rags. This is to replace the\nsmall metal can with loose cover now being\nused for this purpose. Oily waste and\nwiping rags, particularly if containing\noils subject to spontaneous ignition, are\nhighly dangerous.\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Paint Shop. - A self-closing type metal waste can\nshould be provided for the disposal of wiping\ncloths.\n21. FIREPLACE SCREENS\nScreen protection, partly to keep sparks from igniting\nfloor or rugs, and partly to prevent ignition of clothing, is\nessential for every fireplače, even if used only occasionally.\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Full length screens which will completely enclose\nthe entire opening to the fircplace should be\nprovided for all fireplaces throughout the\nbuilding.\nc-69090\n22\nSECTION III\nSANITATION\nThe sanitary defects as listed in this report are con-\nsidered to be hazards to the purity of the potable water\nsupply. These hazards are represented by the possibility of\nback-siphonage into the potable water supply from fittings\nwith improper air clearance above the rim of plumbing fix-\ntures, lack of siphon breakers on certain fixtures where this\nis the only practicable form of protection, and direct con-\nnections between the sewerage system and the potable water\nsystem.\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n22. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- LAVATORY FAUCETS AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT\nAll lavatory faucets which discharge below the rim of\nthe fixtures should be replaced with faucets which discharge\nat least 1½ inches above the lavatory rim. Kitchen equip-\nment, which has potable water inlets below the rim of the\nequipment, should be cut off to allow an air space of 2\ninches above the rim. This will avoid the possibility of\nback siphonage and possible pollution of potable water\nsystem. The following is a list of lavatories, and kitchen\nequipment, by location, having below rim inlets which should\nbe corrected:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor.\n(a) Diplomatic Reception Room Toilet Lavatory\n(2) Mezzanine Floor.\n(a) Large \"Cresent\" dishwasher in the\nMezzanine Pantry (water inlet).\n(3) Third Floor.\n(a) All lavatories (inlets equipped with\nhose connection which project below\nrim of the lavatory).\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement.\n(a) Secret Service Toilet Lavatories\nC-69090\n23\n(b) Women's Toilet Lavatories\n(c) Men's Toilet Lavatories\n(d) Engineer's Toilet Lavatory\nC. WEST TERRACE\n(1) Bouquet Room Toilet Lavatories\n23. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- DRIPS, WASTES, AND OVERFLOWS\nAll drips, wastes, and overflows from potable water\nsupplied equipment which discharge below the rims of\ndevices used as floor drains should be cut off or so ar-\nranged that there will be an air gap of at least 1/2 inches.\nThis will avoid the possibility of back-siphonage, and\npossible pollution of potable water systems. The following\nis a list of locations where modifications to the piping is\nnecessary:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor.\n(a) The overflow from the roof cooling system\nand a drain from the refrigerator in the\nkitchen continue into an open pipe, lo-\ncated in the Electrical Machinery Room,\nused as a floor drain.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) The \"Brunner\" and the \"Westinghouse\" compressors\nfor the Cold Storage Room are water cooled and\nhave drains which extend below the rim of a\npipe used as a floor drain.\nC. EAST WING\n(1) Basement.\n(a) Fan Room No. 1. - Potable water is con-\nnected directly to the Diesel engine in\nFan Room No. 1 for cooling. Drips are\nto a floor drain with ells of the piping\nlaying on top of the floor drain.\n(b) Machine Room.\n(1) Potable water is connected directly\nto the compressor for chilled water\n24\nC-69090\nsystem in the Machine Room with\ndrip discharging without proper\nair gap.\n(2) The pipe line from the relief valve\nin the hot water heating tank in\nthe Machine Room extends below the\nrim of the floor drain.\nD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Compressor Room. The 75-ton and 150-tan \"Carrier\"\nrefrigeration units for the air condi-\ntioning systems are direct connected to\nthe sewer. The drips for these machines\ndischarge below the rims of the \"sight\"\ndrains. Potable water is used direct\nconnected to the Diesel engine cooling\nsystem with drips that discharge below\nrims of \"sight\" drains.\nE. WEST TERRACE\n(1) Bouquet Room. - The water cooled air compressor\nin the Bouquet Preparation Room is direct con-\nnected to the water system and has a drain which\nprojects below the rim of a pipe used as a floor\ndrain.\n24. BACK-SIPHONAGE -- FLOAT VALVES AND FLUSH VALVES\nFloat Valves. - All float valves in the tank type water-\nclosets should be adjusted so that the water level is main-\ntained at least one inch below the float valve and they\nshould be individually inspected to insure that the silenc-\ning tubes cannot cause siphonage. If the water level cannot\nbe maintained below the valve, or if the silencing tubes\nsiphon, the present float valves should be replaced with safe\ntype float valves.\nFlush Valves. - A siphon breaker should be installed in\nthe flush valve discharge line to the fixture of all water-\nclosets having flush valves.\nThe correction of the two conditions enumerated above\nwill avoid the possibility of back-siphonage of sewerage\nfrom a flooded water-closet into the potable water system.\nThe following is a list of locations where these conditions\nexist:\nC-69090\n25\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) All water-closets (Flush valves)\n(2) Third Floor\n(a) All water-closets (Tank type with sub-\nmerged float valves).\nB. EAST WING\n(1) Basement\n(a) All water-closets (Flush Valves)\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement, 1st, and 2nd Floors.\n(a) All water-closets (Flush valves)\nD. WEST TERRACE\n(1) All Water-Closets (Flush valves)\n25. DRINKING FOUNTAINS\nAll vertical jets of drinking fountains should be re-\nplaced with sanitary unsubmergible guarded inlet type jets,\nor if this is not practicable, it is recommended that the\nentire drinking fountain be replaced with the sanitary un-\nsubmergible guarded jet type. The drinking fountains at the\nfollowing locations are of the insanitary type:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) The vertical jet drinking fountain in the\nWest Hall.\nB. EAST TERRACE\n( )\n(1) The vertical jet drinking fountain in the\nFoyer, and the one at the east end of the\nLoggia.\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) First Floor\n26\nC-69090\n(a) The vertical jet drinking fountain in\nthe Lobby.\n26. CROSS-CONNECTIONS\nIn some parts of the plumbing system of the Swimming\nPool there is a possibility of the potable water supply\nsystem being polluted as a result of cross connections.\nIt is important that all such points of interconnection be\neliminated as follows:\nFirst\nAll potable water for pump filters and chemical\ntanks sho ld be supplied through an over-rim surge\ntank and the Swimming Pool recirculating water pump\npriming connections should be disconnected.\nSecond\nThe filter backwash line should discharge over-\nrim into a steel or concrete sump which would be con-\nnected to the sewer through a trap. The scum gutter\ndrain line and the vacuum cleaning discharge line from\nthe Swimming Pool should also discharge over-rim into\nthis sump.\nThe following is a list of locations of cross-connections\nto the potable water supply which should be corrected:\nA. WEST TERRACE\n(1) Swimming Pool. - Potable water is directly\nconnected to the pool filtered water supply\nline for pool make-up, to the chemical mix-\ning and supply tanks, and to the recirculat-\ning pump suction for priming purposes when\nthe pump is used for vacuum cleaning. The\nfilter backwash line, the scum gutter drains\n(through a connection with the backwash\ndrain pipe), and the vacuum cleaning wastes\ndischarge directly into the sewer.\n27. UNVENTED TRAPS\nTraps must be vented in order to prevent breaking the\nwater seal in the trap and allowing the sewer gas to escape\nthrough the trap, if the water seal is not continuously\nmaintained. The unvented trap in the following location\nshould be corrected by properly venting the waste piping:\n27\nC-69090..\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Third Floor\n(a) The sink in the Valet Room discharges\nthrough an unvented trap at the sink,\nthrough a long pipe connected with a\nstorm drain.\n28. LAWN DISPLAY FOUNTAINS\nAll of the lawn display fountains located on the Grounds\nwith below-water level potable water inlets should be provided\nwith recirculating pumps and an over-rim makeup water supply.\nIn addition to correcting a sanitary defect, this will save\nlarge quantities of potable water.\n28\nC-69090\nSECTION IV\nSTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND APPURTENANCES\nThe safety considerations included in this report relate\nto structure, environment and appurtenances. The measures\nrecommended for the correction of hazards, actual or poten-\ntial, are based upon accepted safety engineering standards,\ntechniques and practices.\nDuring the conduct of the survey several conditions\nwere observed as potential sources of accidents, for which no\nfinal conclusive remedial action is being submitted at this\ntime. Further study and research is indicated. When this\nhas been accomplished, a supplemental report will be sub-\nmitted. However, for purposes of identification the follow-\ning is a summary of these conditions:\nOVERLOADING OF FLOORS. - In view of the large gather-\nings of people which assemble in the East Room there\nis a possibility of overloading the floor. A search\nis still being made for the structural drawings. This\ncheck by calculation of structural strength may have\nto be supplemented by actual loading of the floor while\nobserving the deflections obtained. If structural\ndrawings are not obtainable, this loading will be the\nonly means available to us for checking the strength\nof this floor.\nCHANDELIERS. - A serious hazard may exist from failure\nof supports for the heavy chandeliers in the East Room\n(three chandeliers at approximately 1800 pounds each),\nthe Green Room (one chandelier at approximately 300\npounds), the Blue Room (one chandelier at approximately\n650 pounds), the Red Room (one chandelier at approxi-\nmately 250 pounds), and the State Dining Room (one\nchandelier at approximately 1000 pounds) It is not\nknown at the present time just what these supports con-\nsist of, or their present condition. The only effective\nway of determining this is to examine these supports.\nSuch an inspection may disclose that new mounting\nbrackets be fabricated and properly anchored into the\nceiling beams. It may also be necessary to supplement\nthe original beams with additional steel beams at\nspecific locations. The main supporting chains should\nalso be inspected and if necessary replaced with new\nwelded steel chain. The component parts of the fix-\nture should be checked and replaced as found necessary.\nIt is understood that it will be possible for this\nwork to be done when remodeling work on the second\nfloor is taking place. If the proposed remodeling is\npostponed due to material shortages or other circum-\n29\nC-69090\nstances, it is strongly recommended that this inspection\nbe carried out, in any event, at the earliest possible\ndate because of the unknown condition of the supports.\nThe medium weight chandeliers in the Main Hall,\nthe Entrance Hall, and the North Portico, should\nbe examined at the same time and appropriate\nrecommendations submitted to correct any structural\ndefects found.\nPRESIDENTIAL SEAL. - The bronze relief seal of The\nPresident of the United States, set in the floor of the\nMain Lobby, presents a tripping and falling hazard.\nStudy is being given to the possibility of recessing\nthe seal below the level of the floor surface and pro-\nviding a transparent covering over the seal, the top\nsurface of which will be level with the plane of the\ntop surface of the floor.\nRECOMMENDATIONS\n29. PAINTINGS AND PICTURES\nThe hangings and supports for heavy paintings and mirrors\npresent a hazard due to the poor design of the wall anchorage\nand the frame brackets, and the size of the cable or wire used\nto support the frames.\nAll paintings and mirrors should be removed from the\nwalls and the frames repaired if necessary. New frame\nbrackets and wall anchors of adequate strength and substan-\ntially fastened in place, should be installed. All medium\nand heavy weight paintings and mirrors should have at least\ntwo separate steel frame brackets fastened to the frame by\nnot less than four wood screws. These frame brackets may be\ndesigned for direct attachment to the wall anchors, or sus-\npended by means of two separate supporting wires or cables.\nAs an example of the direct attachment type of mounting\nbelieved to be adequate, attention is called to the existing\nhangings on the heavy pictures in the East Foyer. There are\ntwo separate frame brackets and wall anchors per picture.\nThe steel frame brackets have four to six screws each, fasten-\ning them to the wood frame. (These screws would act princi-\npally in shear.) The steel frame brackets are formed to en-\nclose steel rings, which in turn are placed over forged\nhooks well anchored into the masonry wall. These hooks have\nan adequate upturn of approximately two inches so there is\nno possibility of the steel rings becoming disengaged.\nThe following is a list of the paintings and mirrors which\nshould be inspected for necessary repairs and for the in-\nstallation of new frame brackets and wall anchors:\nC-69090\n30\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) First Floor\n(a) East Room. - Four heavy mirrors and two\nheavy paintings.\n(b) Green Room. - One heavy mirror and one\nheavy painting.\n(c) Red Room. - One heavy mirror and one\nmedium-weight painting.\n(d) State Dining Room. - One light-weight\npainting.\n(e) Private Dining Room. - One heavy paint-\ning and two medium-weight mirrors.\n(f) Main Lobby. - Two heavy mirrors.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Room No. 1. - Mirror over fireplace.\nLight-weight pictures.\n(b) Room No. 3. - Two mirrors.\n(c) Room No. 4. - Very large mirror over\nfireplace.\n(d) Room No. 5. - Large painting and very\nlarge mirror.\n(e) Study. - Five mirrors.\n(f) Room No. 6. - Two light-weight pictures,\nand one moderate-weight mirror.\n(g) Room No. 8. - One light-weight picture,\nand one heavy mirror.\n(h) East Hall. - Two light-weight paintings.\n(i) Room No. 9. - One heavy painting, and one\nlight-weight mirror.\n(j) Room No. 10. - One light-weight mirror.\n(k) Room No. 11. - Heavy mirror over fireplace.\n01\nC-69090\n(1) Room No. 12. - Heavy mirror and light-\nweight mirror.\n(m) Center Hall. - Four heavy paintings.\n30. WINDOW GLASS\nMuch of the window glass, manufactured and installed\nmany years ago, has become warped. It would be considered\ninferior in quality to the window glass which is manufactured\ntoday, due to the technological advances which have been made\nin the glass manufacturing industry. Upon replacement of\nsome of this glass throughout the various portions of the\nExecutive Mansion it was found to be highly fragile.\nAll the old type window glass throughout the buildings\nshould be replaced with one-quarter inch thickness, tempered\nwindow glass. The following tabulation indicates the lo-\ncations where it is most important to make replacements of\nthe old window glass. However, in such locations as the\nsecond floor of the Executive Mansion, and the President's\nOffice in the Executive Office Building, complete replace-\nment with one-quarter inch, tempered glass should be made,\nregardless of the conditions of the existing glass.\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground, First, Second, and Third Floors\n(a) Replace all old type window glass.\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) Replace existing window glass in the\nPresident's Office.\n31. ELEVATORS\nPresent Passenger Elevator, Executive Mansion. -\nThe present installation has been inspected and found to be\nrugged, oversize, and reasonably safe for service require-\nments. The operating mechanism, cables, safety devices,\nalarm, and structural supports are all in good condition. The\nonly variations from safe practices noted were the use of\nglass in the door and in the interior of the cab, together\nwith the semi-open top type cab. The entire installation\nwas in good order and well maintained. It is inspected each\nweek by District Elevator Inspector, each month by the\nFederal Works Agency and a twenty-four hour watch is main-\ntained by the House Electricians. Major maintenance is\ndone by the Otis Elevator Company. The car gate operating\nmechanism, together with the gate latch and contact mechanism,\n32\nC-69090\nis somewhat loose and noisy, but this is inherent in this\ntype of mechanism.\nProposed New Elevator, Executive Mansion. - A review has\nbeen made of the design of the proposed new elevator which\nwill be installed at an early date. The proposed installa-\ntion is of the latest approved type and complies with all\nAmerican Standard Safety Code requirements except for a\nmirror inside the cab and the use of glass in the doors.\nWeights of the proposed new installation and of the present\nelevator have been obtained from the Otis Elevator Company.\nFrom these, it is found that the relative wall bearing loads\nat the top of the hoistway (including impact) for the new\ninstallation will be slightly less than existing loads.\nAlthough the applied loads will be re-located, the beam\ndistribution system will not require reinforcing the existing\nsupporting walls of the hoistway.\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Present Elevator Installation. - If for any\nreason it is decided to delay the installa-\ntion of the new elevator, the following cor-\nrections should be made to the present ele-\nvator:\n(a) Install a structurally adequate closure\nto replace the present semi-open top of\nthe cab. This will also make necessary\na cab ventilation system.\n(b) Replace all glass in the door and cab\ninterior with high strength safety glass.\n(c) Repair the car gate operating mechanism,\ntogether with the gate latch, to correct,\nas much as possible, the present noisy\ncondition.\n(2) New Elevator Installation\n(a) In the design of the new elevator, the\ndoor and mirror glass should be speci-\nfied as high strength safety glass.\n32. WALKWAY SURFACES - STAIRS\nThe prevention of injuries due to falls or near falls\non stairways, is a common problem. The unsafe condition of\nthe stariway or its approaches, together with unsafe acts\non the part of persons using the stairway, are the two\nprincipal sources of stairway accidents. Defective main-\nC-69090\n33\ntenance and construction such as slippery surfaces, defective\ntreads, defective handrails or lack of handrails, spiral\nturns, slopes greater or less than preferred range, tread\nrisers or handrails of unsafe dimensions, are all factors\nwhich contribute to stairway accidents. Unsafe acts such as\nmis-step, running or haste, and failure to use handrail are\nsome of the more outstanding unsafe acts which contribute\nto stairway accidents. The following is a list by location,\nof the unsafe stairway conditions which should be corrected:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Spiral Staircase connecting the Ground, First,\nand Mezzanine Floors. - The forward edge of\nthe spiral steel treads are very slippery.\nThese treads should be replaced with cast\nabrasive metal treads. As an interim measure,\nthe present treads may be regrooved.\n(2) Grand Staircase connecting First and Second\nFloors. - The flexible hand-guides, consist-\ning of green plush-covered rope, which are\ninstalled on both sides of the grand stair-\ncase, are not considered to be adequate\nhandrails. The green plush rope cord is\nlooped through metal wall supports, which in\nthemselves are adequate. However, the cord.\nalthough highly decorative, is totally in-\nadequate as a handrail because when a load,\nput on any one section, the cord moves through\nthe loop bracket, taking up the slack in the\nother sections of the flexible hand guides,\nwith the result that the section-under load\nis pulled down almost to the tread level.\n(a) A rigid handrail should be provided to\nreplace the present plush-covered rope\nhand guide.\n(3) Second Floor\n(a) East Hall\n(1) The stairway which connects the\nEast Hall with the Center Hall\nshould be provided with standard\nhandrails on both side walls.\n(2) The stairway which connects the\nEast Hall with the Center Hall\nshould be provided with recessed,\nflush-type lighting fixtures so as\n34\nC-69090\nto provide adequate illumination\nfor the stair treads. This is\nparticularly important in view of\nthe lack of color differentiation\nbetween the stair treads and the\nfloor.\n(4) Promenade Deck\n(a) Sun Parlor\n(1) Standard handrails should be in-\nstalled on both sides of the stair-\nway leading from the third floor\nhall to the Sun Parlor.\n(2) The existing installation of the\nbrass nosing strips and rubber\nmatting treads does not provide a\nsafisfactory, safe walkway surface.\nThe smoothness of the brass nosing\nstrips and the joint between the\nnosing strips and the rubber matting\nprovides a tripping hazard. It\nwould be desirable to remove these\nmaterials and install abrasive metal\nstair treads. Since there is no\nfurther necessity for the rubber\nmatting on the landing from the\nstairs to the level of the Sun\nParlor floor it would be desirable\nto remove this material and ex-\ntend the linoleum floor covering\nfrom the Sun Parlor to cover this\narea.\n(3) The wooden ramp on the outside of\nthe north door of the Sun Parlor\nshould be repaired so that it will\nbe more secure.\n(5)\nRoof\n(a) The present method of access to the flag\npole, located above the North Portico,\nconsists of an open stairway with wooden\ntreads leading from the Promenade Deck to\nthe Roof. A wooden slat catwalk extends\nover the roof from the head of this stair-\nway to the platform at the foot of the\nflag pole. The present installation is\nnot considered satisfactory for use dur-\ning that season of the year when ice and\nC-69090\n35\nsnow accumulate on these walkway sur-\nfaces. It is suggested, therefore,\nthat this installation be replaced by\na safety type, self cleaning, open\ngrille which will minimize the slipping\nand falling hazard during the winter\nseason. It would likewise be desir-\nable to install a standard handrail on\none side of the catwalk.\nB. EAST WING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) Stairs to Foyer. - A standard handrail\nshould be installed in the center of\nthe main stairway leading to the Foyer.\nC. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Main Entrance. - Standard handrails should be\nprovided on both sides of the outside cement\nsteps leading to the main entrance.\n33. WALKWAY SURFACES - FLOORS\nThe importance of providing and maintaining floor sur-\nfaces free of defects must not be underestimated in the pre-\nvention of falls of persons. Structural defects, the use of\nslippery floor treatment preparations, loose objects on the\nfloor surface, and unsafe walking habits, all contribute to\nfloor hazards which may result in serious injuries due to\nfalls.\nThe following is a list of floor hazards, which should\nbe corrected:\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) The President's Office\n(1) The cracks in the floor at the\nentrance to the hall leading to\nthe washroom need to be repaired.\n(2) Door stop for the door leading to\nMiss Conway's office should be re-\nlocated to its original position.\nIts present location provides a\ntripping hazard.\nC-69090\n36\n(b) East Exit. - The rubber matting which ex-\ntends from the door sill outside of the\nExecutive Office Building down the ramp\nshould be removed.\nB. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room\n(a) The linoleum on the floor is blistered in\nseveral areas, and many of the joints have\nbuckled, which in its present condition\npresents a tripping hazard. This should\nbe corrected by trimming and re-cementing\nthe linoleum to the floor.\n(b) The condensate pipe of the refrigerator\nnow drains onto the floor adjacent to the\nentrance to the refrigerator, thereby\npresenting a slipping or falling hazard.\nProvision should be made to pipe this\ncondensate drain out of the building.\n(2) File Room. - Many of the joints of the\nlinoleum on the floor have buckled and pre-\nsent a tripping hazard. The joints should\nbe trimmed and the linoleum securely ce-\nmented to the floor.\n34. WALKWAY SURFACES - RUGS\nSecondary walkway surfaces such as rugs and mats are\na prolific source of accidents due to slipping and falling\nwhen the rug or mat slides out of position underfoot. Al-\nthough the hazard is most prevalent with small scatter rugs,\nlarge rugs laid on a smooth floor surface or which lack\nbody or firmness also contribute to falls of persons. Rugs\nthat are torn and curl on the edges are a grave hazard,\nespecially when walked upon by elderly persons.\nThe hazardous condition of the rugs listed below should\nbe corrected as indicated:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Housekeeper's Office. - Provide sponge\nrubber mats, cut to proper size for\nplacement under all scatter rugs.\nC-69090\n37\n(2) First Floor\n(a) Private Dining Room. - Apply a non-\nslip preparation to underside of the\nlarge rug.\n(b) Green Room. - The silk damask tapestry\nrug should be provided with a backing\nwhich will give greater body to the rug,\nthereby lessening the tendency for rug\nto slip and buckle.\n(c) Main Entrance. - The present small rug\nis worn and should be replaced with a\nnew rug provided either with a sponge\nrubber rug mat or a non-slip prepara-\ntion applied to the underside of the\nrug.\n(3) Second Floor\n(a) All bathrooms. - Provide a sponge rubber\nmat for each bathroom rug.\n(b) Small South-East Bedroom. - The edges\nof the rug, located under the bed, curl\nand ripple due to the extreme flexibility\nof the rug, thereby presenting a tripping\nhazard. A lining or sizing should be ap-\nplied to the back of the rug so as to\nminimize the curling and rippling of the\nedges.\n(c) Miss Margaret Truman's Sitting Room. -\nProvide sponge rubber mats for all\nscatter rugs used in this room and under\nthe rug in the hallway leading to the\nbath and bedroom.\n(d) Miss Margaret Truman's Bedroom. - Trim\nthe bottom edge of the clothes closet\ndoor so that it will allow the door to\nbe opened over the rug without breaking\nthe edge of the rug.\n(e) Miss Odum's Office. - The edge of the rug\nnearest the entrance is badly frayed and\nshould be repaired.\n(f) Blue Room (Room No. 14) - The small\nscatter rugs to which is now attached a\nbacking of smooth surface material should\nbe provided with sponge rubber rug mats.\nC-69090\n38\n(4) Third Floor\n(a) All bathrooms. - Provide a sponge rubber\nmat for each bathroom rug.\n(b) Room No. 44\n(1) The rug needs to be repaired.\n(2) Provide a sponge rubber mat under\nthat section of the rug near the\nentrance docr.\n(c) Kitchen. - The linoleum mat in front of\nthe kitchen door should be removed be-\ncause it provides a tripping and slipping\nhazard.\n(d) Room No. 39. - Sponge rubber mats should\nbe placed under the two scatter rugs.\n(e) Room No. 34. - Provide a sponge rubber\nmat under the rug.\nB. EAST WING\n(1) Second Floor\n(a) Commander Miller's Office. - The section\nof the rug adjacent to the entrance is\nbadly curled and it provides a serious\ntripping hazard. This condition should\nbe corrected either by turning the rug\nend for end, or placing an adhesive\nstiffening underneath the edge of the\nrug.\n35. MACHINE GUARDING\nIn order to provide the maximum degree of safety to\nthe personnel engaged in the operation of mechanical equip-\nment no machines should be used unless properly protected.\nWoodworking machines are extremely hazardous in their\noperation. A review of the White House employee accident\nrecords for a period of several years, points conclusively\nthat the most serious accidents involving members of the\nMaintenance Staff, occurred on woodworking machines. It\nis not enough to equip machines with adequate guards, but\nit is also necessary that the guards be used continuously.\nThis is a matter of supervision and training.\nThe following equipment should be guarded as indicated:\nC-6909C\n39\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room. - The wire screen guard enclosure\naround the compressor unit of the refrigerator,\nneeds to be repaired\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Carpenter Shop\n(a) The present guarding of the band saw is\nnot entirely in accord with recognized\nsafety standards. The guarding should\nbe completed by installing an enclosure\non the inside of each of the present\nwheel guards. In addition, re-design\nthe existing angle guard which covers\nthe unused portion of the saw blade be-\ntween the guide rolls and the upper\nwheel enclosure. Attach the lower sec-\ntion of this sliding guard to the guide\nrolls so that it will be self adjusting\nto raise and lower with the guide.\n(b) The twin abrasive grinder should be pro-\nvided with illuminated non-shatterable\nsafety glass eye shields.\n(c) The circular fed variety saw should be\nprovided with a hood which will cover the\nsaw at all times, and constructed SO that\nit will adjust itself automatically to\nthe thickness of the stock being sawed.\nThis guard should consist essentially of\na hood, a splitter, and non-kickback\nfingers. It is important that instruc-\ntions be issued to the workmen that the\nsaw guard shall be used on all opera-\ntions except those which require passing\nthe work over the top of the saw, such as\nrabbeting, dadoing, or grooving.\n(d) The single spindle wood shaper should be\nprovided with a safety cutting head which\nwill minimize the opportunity of bits\nflying loose from the head. The cutting\nhead should be enclosed with a cage or\nadjustable guard, so designed as to keep\nthe operator's hands aways from the\ncutting edge.\n(e) The new DeWalt saw which is being\nC-69090\n40\npurchased should be provided with an\nadjustable guard which will protect the\nlower half of the saw blade. It is\nalso necessary that that portion of the\ntable directly in front of the path of\ntravel of the saw be extended so that\nwhen the saw is pulled forward at its\nmaximum point of travel, the front edge\nof the saw will not extend at any time,\nbeyond the front edge of the table.\n(f) The new single head surfacer specifi-\ncations should provide for sectional\nfeed rolls and preferably with sectional\nfinger devices to prevent kickbacks\n(these also serve as chip breakers).\nC. EAST WING\n(1) Mechanical Department. - The twin abrasive\nbench grinder should be provided with indi-\nvidual illuminated non-shatterable safety\nglass eye shields. There should be one\nshield installed for use over the wire brush\nand another unit for use over the abrasive\nwheel.\n36. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - FLEXIBLE CORDS\nDefective flexible cords are a source of electric shock\nas well as being a fire hazard. The braid covering on cords\nis of a more or less combustible nature and may soon become\nfrayed. Maintenance of cords is of the utmost importance.\nFlexible cords should not be used for fixed wiring,\nshould not be spliced and should not be tacked, stapled or\notherwise fastened to walls or woodwork. They should not\nbe tied to or draped over pipes or other supports. It is\nimportant that cords of floor, table, and desk lamps be of\nsufficient length so that the cord is not suspended above\nfloor level thereby presenting a tripping hazard. Walking\ninto or tripping over flexible cords may not only cause\ndamage to the cord and attachment plug, but may also cause\nirrepairable damage to the lamp or appliance if it falls\nto the floor. The Underwriter's Knot must be used when con-\nnecting flexible cords to attachment plugs.\nThe following is a list, by location, of defective\nflexible cord installations which should be corrected. The\ndefect is indicated in each instance:\nC-6909(\n41\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Second Floor\n(a) The Lincoln Room (Room No. 33)\n(1) Hobnail glass lamp cord is spliced\nand is too short for the present\nlocation of the lamp.\n(2) The attachment plug to the cord of\nfloor lamp adjacent to the fire-\nplace is connected to a side wall\nlighting fixture. A baseboard\nconvenience outlet should be in-\nstalled for the use of this lamp\ncord.\n(b) The President's Bedroom. - The floor\nlamp cord is too short for the present\nlocation of the lamp.\n(c) Miss Margaret Truman's Sitting Room. -\nThe cord of the floor lamp adjacent to\nthe piano is too short for the present\nlocation of the lamp.\n(2) Third Floor\n(a) Foyer. - The lamp cord covering is\nfrayed.\n(b) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - The goose-\nneck lamp cord covering is frayed.\n(c) valet. - One of the electric iron\ncords has a frayed covering.\n(d) Room No. 40. - The cord covering of each\nof the two table lamps is frayed.\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) Mr. Hassett's Office. - A means should\nbe devised to eliminate the necessity\nfor the cord to extend over the rug at\nthe left side of Mr. Hassett's secretary's\ndesk.\n42\nC-69090\n(b) Mr. Ayer's Office. - A means should be\ndevised to eliminate the necessity for\nthe cord to extend over the rug at the\nleft side of Mr. Ayer's secretary's\ndesk.\n(c) Lobby. - Several of the cords of the\nfloor lamps have frayed covering.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Staff Office Room. - The present method\nof supplying current to the electric\ntypewriter by the means of a long flex-\nible cord extending from a convenience\noutlet on the south side of the room and\nattached to the ceiling lighting fixtures\nfor support should be discontinued. A\nsuitable convenience outlet should be\ninstalled on the floor, under the desk\nfor the attachment of the flexible\ncord needed to supply current to this\nequipment.\nC. EAST WING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) Dr. Steelman's Office (South-east corner\nof building) - Lamp cords have frayed\ncovering.\n(b) Mr. Gardner's Secretary's Office. - The\ncord to the fluorescent desk lamp should\nbe lengthened SO that it can be laid\nnear the wall.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Mr. Tolley's Office\n(1) A flexible extension cord now\npasses over the floor from the wall\nto the desk where the illuminating\nwork is done. This should be cor-\nrected by installing sufficient\nconvenience outlets under the two\ndesks.\n(2) The radio aerial cord which rests\non the floor adjacent to the desk\nin the northeast corner of the\n43\nC-69090\nroom should be placed in pancake\nwire moulding over the floor.\nD. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room. - The cord covering of the lamp\non Mr. Clark's desk is frayed.\n37. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - GROUNDING\nIn order to minimize the possibility of electric shock\nresulting from energized non-current carrying metal parts,\nground wires should be installed on the following equip-\nment:\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) File Room. - Coco Cola machine\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Hallway to old Presidential File Room. - Coco\nCola Machine.\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n(1) All portable electric hand tools, and floor\nwashing and conditioning equipment should\nbe provided with a ground attachment at the\nplug. A three-prong attachment plug (one\nprong for connection to the grounding con-\nductor) should be used if the electrical\nsystem is grounded. If the portable electric\ntools and equipment are used with an un-\ngrounded electrical system, then a two-\npole plug with the grounding connector\nbrought out of the side of the plug in a\n\"pigtail\" should be used. A spring clip\nattached to the end of the \"pigtail should\nbe clamped to a near-by water pipe or other\nsuitable ground before the plug is inserted,\nto complete the \"power\" connection.\n38. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - BATHROOM APPLIANCES\nThe shock hazard of touching live electrical appliances,\nswitches, etc. with wet hands is well known. The hazard\nis considerably greater when a person is standing on a wet\nsurface or is in a tub of water. Under these conditions\ncontact with live parts at ordinary voltage of 110-120\nvolts has frequently been fatal.\nPortable electrical appliances such as radio recievers,\nradiant heaters, etc. if used in bathrooms should be located\n44\nC-69090\nwhere they cannot be reached from the tub, shower, or\nbasin. (Note - Electric razors are an exception since\nthey are designed and tested for safe use in bathrooms.)\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Second Floor\n(a) The bathrooms of the Blue Room and the\nYellow Room. - If the portable electric\nradiant heater located in each of these\nbathrooms are to continue in use the\ncords should be shortened or the con-\nvenience outlet re-located so that the\nheater cannot be reached from the tub,\nshower, or basin.\n39. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - PORTABLE HOT PLATES\nThe use of portable electric hot plates in locations\nnot suited for their safe operation and where provision has\nnot been made for their attachment to convenience outlets\nequipped with signal lights, presents an electric shock and\nfire hazard. Portable electric hot plates are used in\nmany of the offices and rest rooms of the White House.\nThese appliances are the personal property of the employees\nand include equipment which does not bear Underwriter's\nApproval. This later point is significant because the\nsafety of appliances, not so tested and approved is ques-\ntionable.\nThe use of portable electric hot plates, except where\nspecific provision has been made for their safe use and\noperation, should be prohibited. Only equipment which\nbears Underwriter's Approval should be used.\nThe following is a list, by location, of portable\nelectric hot plates now being used under unsafe conditions:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Ushers Room. - One hot plate.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (Under North Portico)\n(1) Paint Shop. - One hot plate.\nC. WEST TERRACE\n(1) Ground Department (Tool Room. ) - One hot\nplate.\nC-69090\n45\nD. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) First Floor\n(a) Mr. Hassett's Office. - One hot plate.\n(b) Mr. Ayer's Office. - -One hot plate.\n(c) Telephone and Teletype Room. - One\nhot plate and one grill.\n(d) Correspondence Review. - One hot\nplate.\n(e) Ladies Rest Room. - One hot plate.\nE. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room, Ladies Rest Room. - One hot\nplate.\n(2) File Room, Ladies Rest Room. - One hot\nplate.\n40. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS - MISCELLANEOUS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) First Floor\n(a) South Portico. - The present method of\nsupporting the wiring of the illuminat-\ning system for this area is considered\nunsatisfactory. If a section of the\nawning is carried away, either because\nof high wind or the excessive weight of\nsnow or ice, the wiring system will\nlikewise be damaged. A suggested method\nfor correcting this condition is to\ninstall a lighting circuit independent\nof the awning frames and attached to\nthe side wall of the building, utilizing\nangle refractors for the purpose of pro-\nviding adequate illumination. Weather\nproof fixtures and fittings should be\nused for this installation.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Closet (adjacent to Miss Odum's Office) --\nReplace key-type brass socket located\nadjacent to slop sink with a bakelite\nC-69090\n46\nor porcelain pull-chain fixture. The\nchain should be provided with an in-\nsulating link. The present installa-\ntion presents a possible shock hazard.\n(3) Roof. - If it is contemplated to maintain\nthe air conditioning compressor unit on the\nroof, then it would be desirable to check\nthe present flexible metal conduit to insure\ncompliance with the National Electric Code\nfor cable installations subject to weather\nexposure. The armored cable presently in\nuse is corroded to a considerable degree and\ntherefore this check is deemed advisable.\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement. - Within the room where the main\nswitch panel is located there are a number of\nservice pipe lines, including water, heating,\nand sewerage disposal pipes. Most of these\nare concentrated in an area of the ceiling\nlocated directly over the main switch panel.\nAn effort has been made to preclude the\npossibility of leaks from dripping onto the\nbus bars and the top of the switch panel.\nHowever, the present protection is not con-\nsidered entirely adequate and therefore it is\nsuggested that a continuous, seamless canopy,\nconstructed of material impervious to mois-\nture, and provided with suitable drainage,\nbe installed over the entire area under the\npipes, so as to provide maximum protection\nfrom the possibility of liquid splashing\nonto the main switch panel. This is par-\nticularly important in view of the presence\nof valves, as well as the age of some of\nthe piping in this area.\n41. ELECTRIC FANS\nThe use of wall mounting type electric fans at\nfloor level is an unsafe practice since there is the\npossibility of hand injuries if contact is made with the\nrotating blades. If floor level air circulation is\ndesirable then only equipment designed for this purpose\nshould be provided.\nAll wall mounting type fans should be securely\nfastened to the side walls at a height of 5 ft. 6 inches\nfrom the floor.\nC-69090\nThe following is a list, by location, where wall\nmounting type fans are used at floor level:\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Second Floor\n(a) Telephone Exchange Room. - One fan.\nB. EAST WING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Security Room. - One fan.\n(2) First Floor\n(a) East Entrance (at guard desks) - The\ntwo electric fans which are mounted on\nbrackets attached to the radiators in\nfront of each guard's desk should be\nre-located and mounted on the side\nwalls.\n(3) Second Floor\n(a) Mr. Tolley's Office. - Two fans.\n(b) Social Correspondence (Mr. Magee's\nOffice) - Two fans.\n42. FILE CABINETS AND CLOTHES LOCKERS\nIndividual units of file cabinets and clothes\nlockers present the hazard of being tipped over when used\nimproperly. If two or three drawers nearest the top of\nthe cabinet are pulled out full length and left in that\nposition and the person leans on the extended drawers,\nthere is a great possibility of the file cabinet unit\ntoppling over onto the person using the files. Individual\nunits of clothes lockers present a similar hazard. inju-\nries have occurred when the person using the locker\nreached up onto the shelf, using the front edge of the\nshelf as a hand hold. This unsafe practice has frequently\nresulted in the clothes locker unit being pulled over onto\nthe person.\nAll file cabinet and clothes locker units should be\nbolted together so as to eliminate the possibility of\ntoppling over or being pulled over.\nThe following is a list, by location, where this\nC-69090\n48\nshould be done:\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) File Room\n(a) Bolt together all file cabinets. (The\nmajority of the file cabinets are\nbolted together but some individual\nunits remain unattached.)\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Press Release Section. - Bolt together\nall file cabinets. (The majority of\nthe file cabinets are bolted together\nbut some individual units remain un-\nattached. )\n(b) Secret Service Locker Room. - Bolt to-\ngether all clothes lockers.\n(c) Men's Rest Room. - Bolt together all\nclothes lockers.\n(2) First Floor\n(a) Mr. Ross' Office. -- Bolt together all\nfile cabinets.\n(3)\nSecond Floor\n(a) Telephone and Teletype Room. - Bolt\ntogether the two file cabinets.\n(b) Records Office. - Bolt together all\nfile cabinets.\n(c) Men's Rest Room. - Bolt together all\nclothes lockers.\n(d) Ladies Rest Room. - Bolt together all\nclothes lockers.\n(e) Accounting Office. - Bolt together all\nfile cabinets.\nC. EAST WING\n(1) Basement\n0-69090 )\n49\n(a) Police Locker Room. - Bolt together\nall clothes lockers.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) United States Secret Service (Pro-\ntective Research) - Bolt together\nall letter and card file cabinets.\n(b) Social Correspondence Room (Mr. Magee) .-\nBolt together all file cabinets.\n(c) Mr. Tolley's Office. - Bolt together\nall file cabinets.\n43. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT\nThe judicious use of personal protective equipment,\nin industrial operations, as an aid in the prevention of\noccupational injuries and disease, is one of the mest\nimportant phases of safety engineering.\nCare must be exercised to select the appropriate\nkind of safety equipment for each particular hazard. In\naddition to the proper selection of safety equipment,\nit is necessary that the equipment be used and maintained\nproperly.\nSupervisors and employees must fully understand the\nvalue and importance of using personal protective safety\nequipment. Many industrial injuries can be avoided if the\nemployees are willing to accept the temporary slight dis-\ncomfort or inconvenience which may occur when wearing\nsafety equipment. These are small trifles in comparison\nto the permanency of lost vision or the lingering effects\nof an occupational disease.\nThe following personal protective safety equipment\nshould be furnished to the employees by the Government, and\nused under the following conditions:\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Incinerator Room\n(1) The incinerator operator should\nwear a non-flammable, clear\nplastic face shield so as to\nprotect his eyes and face while\nloading and tending the inciner-\nator.\nC-69090\n50\n(2) Because of the presence of\nbroken glass in the waste paper\nand waste material bin in the\nincinerator room, it would be\nadvisable to provide the opera-\ntor with leather gauntlet gloves\nso as to avoid the possibility of\nlacerations to his hands.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n(1) Eye Protection. - All personnel engaged in\nwork involving eye hazards; such as metal\nmachining, drilling, chipping, grinding,\nand welding, should be required to wear\nthe proper type eye protection. Indi-\nvidual goggles should be furnished to all\nworkmen subject to eye hazards. A system\nshould be developed for the periodic\nsterilization and repair of these goggles.\n(2) Electrician's Rubber Protective Equipment. -\nRubber gloves conforming to Federal Speci-\nfications should be worn when working on\n\"hot\" lines.\n(3) Respiratory Protection. - A chemical car-\ntridge type respirator, bearing the ap-\nproval of the U.S. Bureau of Mines should\nbe worn when engaged in the application\nof paint remover, and while spray painting.\n(4) Foot Protection. - All maintenance em-\nployees should be urged to purchase work\nshoes with steel-toe caps. Safety shoes\nare commercially available and provide ex-\ncellent protection against crushed toes.\nThe steel-toe cap is an integral part of\nthe shoe, therefore these shoes are no\ndifferent in appearance than regular work\nshoes.\n44. HANDLING OF MATERIALS.\nLacerations, bruises, fractures, strains, and\nhernias are common injuries resulting from unsafe condi-\ntions and unsafe practices in the handling of materials.\nProper job-training will, to a large degree,\nminimize the opportunity for injuries arising from un-\nsafe practices and the provision of mechanical material\nhandling devices will eliminate many unsafe conditions.\nC-69090\n'51\nThe following is a list of unsafe material handling\nconditions which should be corrected:\nA. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. -\nTilting barrel racks should be pro-\nvided for the 55 gallon drums of floor\nwax, in order to minimize the oppor-\ntunity for strains and hernias during\nthe handling of these barrels.\n(b) Compressor Room. - Provide tilting\nracks for the 55 gallon oil drums\nstored in this area. The use of these\nracks will materially assist in the\nhandling of these drums.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Trash House\n(a) Provide barrel tilt racks for the 55\ngallon floor wax and cleaner barrels.\n(b) At the present time broken glass is\nfrequently thrown in with the general\ntrash. It would be highly desirable\nto provide a separate container for\nbroken glass SO as to keep it sepa-\nrated from the other waste materials,\nthereby minimizing the opportunity\nfor workmen to cut their hands while\nhandling the trash in connection with\nits removal from the Trash House.\n45. HOUSEKEEPING\nCertain temporary or casual factors are conducive to\naccidents. These pertain to housekeeping conditions and\ninclude such items as too much wax on the floor, materials\nimproperly stored, tools and equipment not returned to\ntheir proper place, and the accumulation of odds and\nends where they may, under certain circumstances, create\nunsafe conditions.\nGood housekeeping has often been summarized by the\nphrase, \"A place for everything and everything in its\nplace. is If the \"place\" has not been provided, the\nemployee finds adherence to this principle impossible.\nC-69090\n52\nThe start of a good housekeeping program is an analysis of\nthe facilities, a determination of the adequacy of exist-\ning equipment such as shelves, bins, storage rooms, work-\ning places and the like. Once the facilities have been\nestablished then there should be insistence that the\nemployees use them. This is one phase of a safety pro-\ngram which needs continuous follow-up until the proper\nwork habits have been developed. \"Good Housekeeping\"\nis in effect \"Safe Housekee ing. \"\nThe following poor housekeeping conditions should\nbe corrected:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Stationary Vacuum Cleaner Room. - Pro-\nvide necessary racks and shelves for\nstoring the materials in this area.\nRemove material which has no further\nvalue or use.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Pantry. - The butlers now hang their\nsoiled dish towels, coats, and aprons\non the banister of the spiral stairs\nat the pantry landing. They also store\nbrushes and mops on the landing.\nAdequate space should be provided for\nthe safe storage of this equipment.\nA suggested solution is to install a\ncabinet in the corner of the pantry\nlocated between the doors of the\nPrivate and State Dining Rooms. The\nlower section of this cabinet or closet\ncould be used to store the soiled table\nlinen.\n(b) Closets in State Dining Room. - Better\nhousekeeping should be maintained in\nthe two closets located at the north\nside of the fireplace. Cleaning\ncloths and other equipment should be\nremoved from these closets.\n(3) Third Floor\n(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46). - The\nmaterial now stowed in the area adja-\ncent to the expansion tank should be\nremoved and better housekeeping main-\nC-69090\n53\ntained in this area.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Carpenter Shop. - Suitable racks should be\nprovided for hanging C clamps. At present\nthese clamps are stored under the work\nbench and present an undesirable arrange-\nment, both from a safety and operating\nconsideration.\n(2) Storeroom. - The arrangement of the material\nin the storeroom should be improved. The\nG.I. cans which were used when the White\nHouse was painted should be removed from\nthis area and thoroughly cleaned.\n(3) Tunnel under North Portico. - The general\narrangement of materials stored in this\narea should be improved, and all unnecessary\nequipment removed.\n(4) Men's Locker and Toilet Rooms. - Better\nhousekeeping conditions should be maintained\nin this area.\n(5) Passageway to Electrical Department, Paint\nDepartment, and Storeroom Area. - The loose\nmaterial and equipment now stored along this\npassageway should be removed and the pas-\nsageway kept clear at all times.\n(6) Paint Shop. - The old upholstered sitting\nchairs now in this area should be removed.\n(7) Areaway between Shops and Kitchen. - Loose\nbeverage bottles should not be allowed to\naccumulate on walkway surfaces. Instruc-\ntions should be issued that all bottles\nare to be returned to racks or cases, lo-\ncated in designated areas. The present\npractice of placing empty beverage bottles,\nnot in racks or cases, on the driveway\nunder the North Portico should be dis-\ncontinued.\nC. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Storage Room for Cleaning Supplies. -\nThe general arrangement of materials\n54\nC-69090\nstored in the area should be improved.\nEquipment or materials of no value or\nfurther use should be removed.\n(b) Mess of the Secretaries (Kitchen) -\nThe miscellaneous material stored on\ntop of the cabinets should be re-\nmoved. This condition can be cor-\nrected by providing proper storage\nspace for cleaning rags, etc.\n(c) Main Switch Panel Room. - All mis-\ncellaneous materials now stored in\nthe room where the main switch panel\nis located should be removed from\nthis area.\n(2) Second Floor\n(a) Staff Office Room. - It would be\ndesirable to keep the top of the\nsupply cabinet free of miscellaneous\noffice equipment and supplies.\nD. EAST WING\n(1) Basement\n(a) Janitor's Room. - The tops of the\nclothes lockers should be kept free\nof miscellaneous materials.\n(b) Protective Area.\n(1) The housekeeping and general\nstorage of materials is very\npoor and should be improved.\n(2) Better housekeeping should pre-\nvail in that area used by the\npolice for oiling and cleaning\nfire arms. A self-closing metal\nwaste can should be provided for\nthe disposal of oily rags.\n(c) Storerooms (several) - The arrange-\nment of the materials stored in\nthese areas should be improved.\n(d) Hallway. - That area of the hallway\nwhich is now used for storing the\nspotlights and floodlights should\nbe kept clear of such equipment. A\n55\nC-69090\nsuggested solution to remedy this\ncondition would be to install a ramp\nover a portion of the stairway leading\nto the Protective Area so that the\nspotlights and floodlights could be\nrolled down into and stored in a sec-\ntion of the Protective Area.\n(2)\nSecond Floor\n(a) White House Architect's Office. - Better\nhousekeeping conditions should be main-\ntained in that area of the office now\ndevoted to the storage of file boxes\nand other miscellaneous materials\nstored in this area.\nE. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Electrician's Control Room. - Better house-\nkeeping should be maintained in this area.\nIt is particularly important not to allow\nloose papers to accumulate in this room.\n46. FOOD PREPARATION AND HANDLING (FOREIGN-SUBSTANCE\nCONTROL)\nThe obligation of keeping food free of foreign-\nsubstances during its preparation, cooking, and serving\nis universally admitted.\nForeign-substance control involves considerations\nsuch as the health and manner of dress of the food\nhandlers; the physical condition of the area where food\nis prepared, cooked, and served; the method of opening\nfood containers and their storage for daily use; and\nthe construction and physical condition of the utensils\nand the cooking or food preparation implements.\nThe following is a list of conditions which should\nbe corrected or procedures which should be put into\neffect:\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION AND EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Physical Examinations for Food Handlers. -\nAll personnel engaged in food handling\nand processing should be given a complete\nphysical examination every three months.\n(2) Wearing Apparel and Accessories. - It is\nimportant that all personnel engaged in\nc-69090\n56\nfood handling and processing do not wear\nany jewelry while working. Aprons should\nnot be held in place by pins. Women en-\ngaged in preparing and cooking food should\nwear closely woven hair nets and men should\nwear the standard design chef's hat.\n(3) Food Processing Utensils. No enameled\nutensils for the cooking and preparation\nof food should be used because of the\never present danger of chips becoming\nmixed with the food.\nB. EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Mess of the Secretaries (Kitchen) . -\nA sub-ceiling should be installed so\nas to completely enclose all exposed\npiping in the Kitchen, which at pre-\nsent is a source of foreign-substance\nexposure, because flecks of paint or\nother foreign substances may fall\ninto the food being prepared. The\nsub-ceiling must be constructed of\nmaterials which can be finished off\nin a smooth surface.\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Cold Storage Room. - It is imperative that\nall food containers be kept covered when\nstored in this area.\nD. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Kitchen\n(1) The G. I. cans used for the\nstorage of dry ingredients\nshould be replaced with covered,\nseamless containers fabricated\nfrom non-corrosive metal (stain-\nless steel is satisfactory).\nThe G. I. cans are not considered\nas desirable containers because\nthey are not of seamless construc-\ntion. The painted exterior\nC-69090\n57\npresents the possibility of paint\nchips contaminating the food be-\ning processed.\n(2) Repair chipped plaster at seams\nabove wall cabinets and around\nframe of ventilating grille over\nthe stove.\n(3) Consideration should be given to\nthe complete air conditioning of\nthe kitchen. This would make it\npossible to seal the outside\nwindows and eliminate dust coming\ninto the food preparing area, par-\nticularly in view of the close\nproximity of the work shops and\nthe service driveway.\n(4) The single thickness window glass\npanels on the lights located\nunder the hood over the cooking\nrange should be replaced with\ntempered glass panels.\n(2) First Floor and Mezzanine\n(a) Pantry. - The broken dowels of the\ndishwashing machine racks should be\nreplaced so as to minimize the chip-\nping of dishes and glassware.\n47. BATHROOM HAZARDS - RUBBER BATH MATS, HANDGRABS,\nPORCELAIN FAUCET HANDLES\nSo many serious accidents occur in the bathroom that\nit is well called the most dangerous room in the home.\nSome of the most common accident hazards are, slipping\nas one gets in or out of the tub which is the cause of\nmany bad falls, and scalding which has resulted when\nentering the tub or shower before testing the water.\nPorcelain handles on the lavatory and shower mixing\nvalves also present a hazard due to the possibility of\nthe porcelain breaking under strain. Occurrences of\nthis type have frequently resulted in severe lacerations\nto the hand.\nIn order to minimize accidents of the type enumer-\nated above, substantial handgrabs should be installed\nvertically on the long side wall of the tub recess for\nuse when taking a shower, rubber bath mats designed to\nprovide a suction grip on the inside bottom surface of\nthe tub should be used, the showers should be provided\n58\nC-69090\nwith mixing valves and the porcelain handles on the lava-\ntory faucets and the shower mixing valves should be re-\nplaced with metal handles.\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1)\nSecond Floor\n(a) All Bathrooms\n(1) A rubber suction grip bath mat\nshould be provided for use in\neach bathroom.\n(2) A handgrab should be installed\nvertically on the long side wall\nof each tub recess.\n(3) Each shower should be provided\nwith a mixing valve. (Note: The\nshowers in the President's and\nMrs. Truman's Bathrooms are\nequipped with mixing valves and\ntherefore are exempt from this\nrecommendation.)\n(2) Third Floor\n(a) The Lavatories and Showers in all\nBathrooms and Living Quarters. . The\nporcelain faucet and shower mixing\nvalve handles should be replaced with\nmetal handles.\n(b) All Bathrooms\n(1) A rubber suction mat should be\nprovided for use in each bathroom.\n(2) A handgrab should be installed\nvertically on the long side wall\nof each tub recess. (Note: In\nthe bathrooms of Rooms No. 39,\nNo. 132, and No. 137, the pre-\nsent handgrab located just above\nthe rim of the tub is not suit-\nably located for use when taking\na shower.)\n48. BATHROOM HAZARDS - LIGHT SHAFTWAYS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\nC-69090\n59\n(1) Second Floor\n(a) The President's Bathroom, the Blue\nRoom Bathroom, and the Yellow Room\nBathroom. - An intermediate skylight,\nglazed with armored glass, should be\ninstalled in the light shaft below\nthe sills of the windows, at the\nthird floor level, which open out\ninto the shaftway. The installation\nof this intermediate skylight should\nbe such as to provide for ventilation,\nand designed so that it may be easily\nmoved in order to allow cleaning of\nthe skylight, located in the ceiling\nof the bathroom. The purpose of this\nintermediate protective skylight is\nto minimize the opportunity for ob-\njects falling off the window sills\nat the third floor level to crash\nthrough the glass of the skylight on\nthe second floor, into the bathroom.\n49. REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT\nA. 501-17th STREET\n(1) Mail Room. - In view of the fact that the\nrefrigerator is frequently locked at night,\nit would be desirable to install a warning\nsign, attached to the refrigerator door,\ndirectly above the handle, with the follow-\ning wording, \"WARNING - MAKE CERTAIN NO ONE\nIS IN REFRIGERATOR ROOM BEFORE LOCKING DOOR.\"\nAn audible alarm on a transformer, opera-\ntive from inside of the box should also be\ninstalled.\nB. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Cold Storage Room. - The Cold Storage Room\nshould also be provided with a warning sign\nand the present battery-operated alarm\nshould be replaced by an alarm operating on\na transformer.\n50. LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS\nA. MAINTENANCE SHOPS\n(1) Until such time as more adequate storage\nfacilities are provided for the painter's\nC-69090\n60\nladders, those ladders now stored out-of-\ndoors should be weather protected.\n(2) All straight, extension, and \"A or trestle\"\nladders should be provided with ladder\nshoes, attached to the lower ends of the\nside rails, to prevent slipping when in\nservice.\n(3) All stepladders, straight, sectional, and\n\"A or trestle\" ladders should be completely\ncoated with a suitable preservative mater-\nial, preferably a linseed-oil coating or\noutside spar varnish. Paint should not be\nused as a preservative coating since it\ndoes not permit detection of weaknesses\nwhich may develop during the life of the\nladder.\n(4) Each ladder should be serially numbered or\notherwise identified, and should be subject\nto a system of regular inspection.\nB. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Third Floor\n(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - Provide\na movable ladder with treads so as\nto provide access to linen closets.\n(b) Storage Room (Over North Portico) -\nThe stepladders stored in this area\nare in poor condition and should be\nrepaired or replaced with new equip-\nment.\n51. GENERAL CONDITIONS\nA. EXECUTIVE MANSION\n(1) Ground Floor\n(a) Main Corridor\n(1) It would be advisable to provide\na means of anchorage between the\nbusts and the pedestals now\nsituated in the corridor adjacent\nto the main stairway.\n(2) The wall support, for the portiere\nC-69090\n61\nrod, on the south side of the cor-\nridor adjacent to the Oval Room\nis loose and needs to be refas-\ntened.\n(2) First Floor\n(a) East Room\n(1) The small marble top tables, lo-\ncated at the north and south\nends of the room should be se-\ncurely fastened to the wall.\n(2) The broken marble slab on one of\nthe small tables located adjacent\nto the south wall should be re-\npaired.\n(3) Second Floor\n(a) The President's Bathroom\n(1) The present wall cabinet is of\ninadequate size to accommodate\nthe toilet article bottles which\nare now placed on the top of the\ncabinet. It would be preferable\nto provide a wall cabinet of ad-\nequate size to accommodate these\nbottles, or to provide a shelf\nadjacent to the present cabinet,\nfor holding these toilet article\nbottles. This shelf should be\nprovided with a guardrail on the\nfront and ends.\n(2) The wall bracket of the shower\ncurtain rod is loose at that\npoint where it is fastened to\nthe wall. This should be re-\npaired and consideration given\nto a means of strengthening or\nfurther supporting this fixture\nat the point of attachment.\n(b) Mrs. Truman's Bathroom. = A cor-\nrugated rubber mat should be cemented\nto the platform of the bath scales.\n(c) Closet (Adjacent to the entrance to\nMiss Odum's Office.)\nC-69090\n62\n(1) A substantial and adequate fix-\nture for hanging the eight-foot\nstepladder store in this closet\nshould be nrovid. d\n(2) The broken glass door knob on\ninside of closet door should be\nreplaced.\n(d) North Hall. - Bridge tables are stored\nin this hall adjacent to the window.\nIf the bridge tables are to continue\nto be stored in this area a suitable\nrack should be provided for this pur-\npose.\n(4) Third Floor\n(a) Sewing Room (Room No. 46) - The sew-\ning table which is now covered with\npaper in order to give a smooth work-\ning surface, should be covered with a\nsheet of \"masonite\" or its equivalent.\n(b) Rooms No. 34 and No. 35. - If it is\ndesirable to provide a wooden shelf\non the top of each of the radiators\nin these rooms, then it should be\nraised with suitable supports, so\nthat the top of the shelf will not\nlay directly on top of the radiator\nsections.\n(c) Rooms No. 31 and No. 32. - In each\nbathroom the glass soap dish should\nbe replaced with a metal soap dish.\n(5) Promenade Deck. - On the south side of\nthe Promenade Deck adjacent to the north\nSun Parlor exit, two sections of 2\" X 4\"\nstock, joined together, pass overhead; one\nend resting near a chimney and the other\nresting on the coping of the south side\nof the house. These timbers support a\ncable which extends downward to the Map\nRoom. It would be desirable to provide a\nmore satisfactory means of supporting this\ncable.\nB. WEST TERRACE\nC-69090\n63\n(1) Swimming Pool\n(a) It would be advisable to have an at-\ntendant on duty at all times when the\nSwimming Pool is in use. This indi-\nvidual should be thoroughly qualified\nin the water safety and life saving\ntechniques of the American Red Cross.\n(b) A non-slip rubber mat should be se-\ncurely cemented to the platform of the\nweighing scales.\n(c) It would be desirable to remove the\nloose glass table top from each of the\nsmall tables located in the Swimming\nPool area and the Ladies Dressing\nRoom. If necessary, provide a table\ntop surface of non-breakable material.\nC. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) Carpenter Shop. - It is important to\nestablish as a safe practice, the removal\nof nails from the rim of the nail kegs so\nas to eliminate lacerations to the wrists\nand arms of personnel engaged in getting\nnails out of the kegs.\n(2) Passageway to Electrical Department, Paint\nDepartment, and Storeroom Area. - Stops\nshould be installed on the lower sections\nof the hinged windows so that the windows,\nwhen fully opened, will not extend beyond\nthe vertical plane of the wall.\n(3) Paint Shop. - A wall-type fan should be in-\nstalled SO as to provide general ventila-\ntion for this area.\nD. EAST TERRACE\n(1) Motion Picture Theater. - The movable\nstructure which supports the motion picture\nscreen presents a crushing hazard to persons\nwhen it is rotated into position. The\nelectro-mechanical mechanism which rotates\nthis structure is operated by remote control\nfrom the Projection Booth. Injury to persons\nmay result if they are inadvertently in the\npath of this structure when the screen is\nbeing positioned for use.\nC-69090\n64\nA suggested means for minimizing this danger\nis to:\n(a) Install an emergency stop button\nswitch in the immediate area of the\nstructure supporting the screen and\nhave an attendant on duty whose\nresponsibility will be to keep the\narea clear when the screen is being\npositioned. The emergency stop\nbutton should be located SO that it\nwill be readily accessible to the\nattendant.\n52. SAFETY STANDARDS\nA. MAINTENANCE SHOPS (UNDER NORTH PORTICO)\n(1) New Carpenter Shop. - In the design and\nlayout of the New Carpenter Shop it is\nimportant to incorporate all applicable\nsafety standards, (see Appendix). The\nNavy Department safety and fire-protection\nengineers will be available to review the\nplans and specifications for this project.\n53. WHITE HOUSE POLICE\nA. NORTH-WEST GATE. - The guards at the North-west\ngate should instruct all pedestrians to use the\nsidewalk to the main entrance. The placement\nof a suitable sign, worded, \"PLEASE USE SIDEWALK'\nlocated at the junction point of the two drive-\nways, would be of assistance in guiding pe-\ndestrians.\nB. EXECUTIVE MANSION. - Guards who are assigned\nthe duty of guiding visitors through the\nExecutive Mansion should be instructed to call\nto the attention of the parties, the desira-\nbility of holding onto the handrails when going\ndown stairways, and to watch their step when\ncoming to the bottom landing of the stairway.\nC-69090\n65\nAPPENDIX\nA. REFERENCE MATERIAL\nc-69090\n66\nAPPENDIX\nI. SAFETY CODES AND STANDARDS\nThe correction of existing unsafe conditions and practices\nas well as the inclusion of safety engineering practices and\ntechniques in the design and layout of new buildings, shops\nor operations, and the procurement and installation of equip-\nment, should be based upon accepted safety codes and standards.\nThe following is a list of safety codes and standards\nwhich may be helpful:\nTITLE\nSOURCE\n1.\nAbrasive Wheels, American Standard Safety\nASA,B7-1943\nCode for the Use, Care and Protection\nof\n2.\nAccident Prevention in Construction,\nASA,A10.1-1939\nManual of\n3.\nAir Conditioning, Warm Air Heating, Air\nStandards of\nCooling and Ventilating Systems,\nthe National\nthe Installation of\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n4.\nBlower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock\nDitto\nand Vapor Removal, the Installation of\n5.\nBuilding Construction, American Standard\nASA,A10.2-1944\nSafety Code for\n6.\nBuilding Exits Code\nASA,A9.1-1942\n7.\nCentrifugal Fire Pumps, Installation\nStandards of\nand Operation of\nthe National\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n8.\nCompressed Air Machinery and Equipment,\nASA, B19-1938\nAmerican Standard Safety Code for\n9.\nContainers for Storing and Handling\nStandards of\nFlammable Liquids, the Installation\nthe National\nof\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n10. Electric and Gas Welding and Cutting\nASA, Z49.1-1944\nOperations, Safety in\n11. Electric Wiring and Apparatus, Standard\nASA,C1-1940\nof the National Board of Fire\nUnderwriters for\n12. Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Escalators,\nASA,A17.1-1937\nAmerican Standard Safety Code for\nASA,A17.3-1942\n13. Elevators, Inspector's Manual, American\nASA,A17.2-1945\nStandard Practice for the Inspection\nof\n14. Exhaust Systems, Fundamentals Relating\nASA, Z9\nto the Design and Operation of\n15. Floor and Wall Openings, Railings and Toe\nASA,A12-1932\nBoards, American Standard Safety Code\nfor\n67\nC-69090\nAPPENDIX\nTITLE\nSOURCE\n16. Gas Systems for Welding and Cutting, the\nStandards of\nInstallation and Operation of\nthe National\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n17. Grounding and Bonding Equipment Standard\nUnderwriters'\nfor\nLaboratories,\nInc.\n18. Industrial Lighting, American Recommended\nASA,A11-1942\nPractice of\n19. Ladders, American Standard Safety Code for\nASA,A14-1935\nConstruction, Care and Use of\n20. Mechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus,\nASA,B15-1927\nSafety Code for\n21. Proprietary, Auxiliary and Local Systems\nStandards of\nfor Watchman, Fire Alarm and\nthe National\nSupervisory Service, the Installa-\nBoard of Fire\ntion, Maintenance and Use of\nUnderwriters\n22. Shoes, Men's Safety\nASA,241.1-1944\nASA,Z41.2-1944\nASA,Z41.3-1944\nASA,Z41.4-1944\nASA,Z41.5-1944\nASA,Z41.6-1944\n23. Sprinkler Equipment, the Installation of\nStandards of\nthe National\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n24. Standpipe and Hose Systems, the In-\nStandards of\nstallation of\nthe National\nBoard of Fire\nUnderwriters\n25. Woodworking Machinery, American Standard\nASA,01.1-1944\nSafety Code for\nII. SAFETY RULES, REGULATIONS, TECHNICAL DATA, AND\nINFORMATION ON FIRE PREVENTION\nThe following list of reference material is a source of\ngeneral and specific information relating to accident and Fire\nPrevention.\nTITLE\nSOURCE\n1. Accident Facts - 1945 Edition\nNational\nSafety Council\n2. Chemicals, A Table of Common Hazardous\nNational Fire\nProtection\nAssoc.\n3. Circular Saw Guard\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\nC-69090\n68\nAPPENDIX\nTITLE\nSOURCE\n4. Circular Saws, Guarding of DeWalt\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n5. Circular Saw, Filler Piece for Narrow\nSafety Branch,\nRipping\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n6. Grooving, Slotting and Some Dado Opera-\nSafety Branch,\ntions, Guard for\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n7. Circular Saw (Rip), Kick Back Finger For\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n8. Circular Saws, Spreaders for\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n9. Fire Fighting and Fire Extinguishment,\nBureau of\nSuggestions on\nYards and\nDocks\n10. Fire Prevention and Fire Protection\nBureau of\nYards and\nDocks\n11. Goggle Cleaning Panel\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n12. Grinding Wheel Accidents (Accident Facts\nNational\nFacts Memo No. Gen-6)\nSafety Council\n13. Industrial Safety Standards, Handbook of\nNational Con-\nservation\nBureau\n14. Ladder Platform\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n15. Motion Picture Service, Instructions\nU.S. Navy -\nNAVPERS 15072\n16. Power-Saw Accidents (Accident Facts Memo\nNational\nNo. Gen-2)\nSafety Council\n17. Regulations Governing Administration of\nU.S.Employees'\nU.S. Employees' Compensation Act\nCompensation\nCommission\n18. Safe Practices Pamphlets\nNational\nSafety Council\nGoggles\nNo. 14\nProtective Clothing\nNo. 16\nWoodworking Machinery and Equipment\nNo. 20\nFire Extinguishment\nNo. 24\nFire Causes and Prevention\nNo. 31\nHand Tools\nNo. 41\nOrganizing a Complete Industrial\nNo. 42\nSafety Program\nTeaching Safety to New Employees\nNo. 65\nC-69090\n69\nAPPENDIX\nTITLE\nSOURCE\nMaintaining Interest in Safety\nNo. 67\nMaintenance and Repair Men\nNo. 70\nSafety Inspections\nNo. 75\nPurchasing for Safety\nNo. 103\n19. Safety Instruction Cards\nNational Safety\nCouncil\n20. Safety Instruction Cards, Index of\nNational Safety\nCouncil\n21. Stairway Accidents (Accident Facts Memo\nDitto\nNo. Gen-7)\n22. Wood Shapers, Guard For\nSafety Branch,\nOIR, Navy\nDepartment\n23. Wood Shaper Fixtures\nDitto\nNOTE: The Navy Department will provide the White House with\na complete set of the above Reference Material.\nC-69090\n70\nAPPENDIX\nPPENDIX\nB. FORMS\nC-69090\n71\nFORM NO. I\nAPPENDIX\nFEDERAL FIRE COUNCIL\nRoom 6336, Federal Works Building\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\nREPORT OF FIRE\nON\nGOVERNMENT OWNED OR LEASED PROPERTY\nThis report should be made for all fires occurring on\nGovernment owned or leased property and is for the informa-\ntion of administrative officers and the Federal Fire Council\nas authorized by Executive Order 7397 of June 20, 1936.\nDEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHMENT, BUREAU, OFFICE\n1. BUILDING\nLOCATED AT\n2. LOCATION OF FIRE IN BUILDING\n3. TIME (Date and hour)\n4. BUILDING, Length and width\nHeight (Stories)\n5. TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION\n(a) Framing\n(e) Roof Construction\n(b) Exterior walls\n(f) Roof covering\n(c) Floor construction\n(g) Partitions\n(d) Floor surface\n(h) Interior finish\n6. OCCUPANCY\n7. EXTENT OF DAMAGE\n(a) Amount of property damage in dollars:\n(1) Building\n$\n(2) Inventoried contents or household goods-\n$\n(3) Records and other uninventoried contents $\n(b) Highly valuable documents or other irreplaceable\ncontents\n$\n(c) Loss of life\n(d) Injury to persons\nFFC-3R. p-1.\nC-69090\n72\nAPPENDIX\n8. CAUSE OF FIRE\n9. HOW WAS FIRE EXTINGUISHED?\n10. WHAT FIRE ALARM AND/OR FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT IS\nPROVIDED IN THE BUILDING?\n11. WAS THERE ANY DEFECT OR INADEQUACY IN FIRE APPARATUS OR ANY\nOTHER DEFICIENCY? (Explain fully if any)\n12. HOW WAS FIRE ALARM TRANSMITTED?\n13. SUGGESTIONS AS TO PREVENTING SIMILAR FIRES IN FUTURE\n14. STORY OF THE FIRE:\nReport by\nTitle\nDate of report\nFFC-3R. p-2\nNote: A supply of these forms may be secured from the\nFederal Fire Council.\nC-69090\n73\nAPPENDIX\nFORM II.\nSUPERVISOR'S REPORT OF INJURY\n(Specify\nThis Supervisor's Report of Injury is for use in the prevention of injuries\nDepartmental regulations will govern its use\nDepartment\nBureau or office\n(Post Office, Interior. Veterans Adm., etc.)\n(U. S. Engineers, Bureau of Standards, etc.)\nPlace of employment\nDivision, shop, etc.\n(Arsenal, navy yard, etc.)\n(City)\n(State)\nName of injured employee\nAge\nSex\n(Give first name fully)\nOccupation\nLength of time at trade or occupation\nyears\nmonths\n1. Describe accident or health hazard fully (what injured was doing, what happened, etc.)\nDO NOT USE\n2. What unsafe conditions caused accident or industrial (occupational) disease? (For example: Defective brakes, no\nguard rail on scaffold, highly waxed floor, unguarded punch press, concentration of benzol fumes, etc.)\n3. What was done wrong (unsafely) that caused accident or industrial (occupational) disease? (For example: Failure\nto wear provided goggles, using box or chair instead of ladder, using mushroomed chisel, jumping off moving car, etc.)\n4. What has been done to prevent similar occurrences?\n5. What is recommended to prevent similar occurrences?\nI\non\nSigned by\nTitle\nDate\nReviewed by\nTitle\nDate\nComments of Reviewing Official (with particular reference to answers to questions 4 and 5) :\nExtent of disability: (check one) First aid\nDisabling injury\nDeath\nNature of injury\nPart of body affected\nU. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE\n16-45868-1\nOLLICE\nEMPLOYEE'S NOTICE OF INJURY OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE\nFederal Employees' Compensation Act of September 7, 1916, as amended\nThis notice should be submitted to the immediate superior by an injured civil employee of the Federal Government, or by someone on\nhis behalf, within 48 hours after the injury. Notice may be given either personally or by mail. It should be retained by the official superior\nunless the injury causes disability for work beyond the day or shift when injury occurred, or results in any charge against the Commission\nfor medical expense, when it should be forwarded to the United States Employees' Compensation Commission together with the official\nsuperior's report of injury, Form C. A. 2. Before compensation is paid, written claim on Form C. A. 4 must be submitted to the Commission.\nof (MHP fo suq\nDate of this notice\nDate\n, 19\n1. I hereby certify that I am employed as a\nJine\n(Occupation)\nat the\n(Place of employment)\nand on\n,\n, 19\n, at\nm.\n(Day of week)\n(Date)\n(Hour, a. m. or p. m.)\nI was injured in the performance of my duties at\nis\n(Location where injury occurred)\n2. Cause of injury\n(Describe as best you can how and why injury occurred)\n$ peeu gone\nof\n(occabetions)\n3. Nature of injury\n(Name part of body affected-fractured left leg, bruised right thumb, etc.)\nbrucp\nS\n4. Names of witnesses to injury\n5. If this notice was not given within 48 hours after the injury, explain reason for delay and state name of person to\n(MPST MS8 Myst pubbeneq'\nDO\nwhom notice was first given, and when\n10\n(CIA6\nembjoyee\nV&G\n(CIP)\nThis injury was not caused by my willful misconduct, intention to bring about the injury or death of myself or.of\nanother, nor by my intoxication, and I hereby make claim for compensation and medical treatment to which I may be\nentitled by reason of the injury sustained by me.\nName\nAddress\n(Street and number)\nC. A. 1\nRevised August 1, 1945\nII'\n16-45868-1\n(City or town)\n(State)\nAPPENDIX\nAPPENDIX\nC. DRAWING\nC-69090\n75\nGLASS MOUNTED IN CONTINUOUS\nREMOVABLE FRAME\nREVISE ORNAMENT AND PROVIDE\n8x14 EXISTING\nBRACKETED BALL-BEARING PIVOT\nIRON BAR\nAT THIS LOCATION\nAREAS OF GATES SHOWN WITH\nDIAGONAL LINES SHALL BE\nCOVERED ON CORRIDOR SIDE\nANGLE CLIPS AS REQUIRED\nWITH GLASS PANEL AS INDICATED\nSHIM\nWELDED TO FRAME AND\nIN DETAIL\nTAP SCREWED TO GRILLE\nSHATTER PROOF\nGLASS PANEL\nINSTALL PANIC HARDIVARE WITH\nDETAIL OF FRAME\nVERTICAL OPERATING LEVER AND\nLOCKING BAR TO FLOOR ON EACH\nFOR GLASS PANEL\nGATE.\nSCALE:- FULL SIZE\nH\nPROVIDE BALL- BEARING PIVOT\nAT STAIR LANDING.\nLEVATION\nSCALE 3/4\" 11-0\"\nREMOVE THIS PORTION OF GATE\n1-\nDOTTED LINES INDICATE NEW\nCLOSE SLIDING GATE\nBRACKETED BALL BEARING\nPOCKET IN JAMBS\nPIVOT AT TOP OF GATE\nNAVY DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF YARDS & DOCKS\nWHITE HOUSE\nEXECUTIVE MANSION\nSCHEMATIC FOR\nPROVIDE DOOR STOPS TO PREVENT GLASS\nPANELS FROM STRIKING CORNERS OF JAMBS\nPROPOSED REVISION OF\nORNAMENTAL GATES\nY.E.D DRAVING NO\nPLAN\n431.658\nSCALE:- AS NOTED\nSCALE 3/4\" 1'0\""
}