[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SARBANES (for himself and Ms. Mikulski):
  S. 2502. A bill to establish in the Office of the Architect of the 
Capitol the position of Director of Fire Safety and Protection to 
assume responsibility for fire safety and protection activities of the 
Architect of the Capitol, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Rules and Administration.


               UNITED STATES CAPITOL FIRE PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation, 
together with my colleague, Senator Mikulski, to enhance fire safety 
and protection in the United States Capitol and the buildings within 
the Capitol Complex.
  Last year, in response to a request made by congressional employees 
under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, the General Counsel 
of the Office of Compliance conducted a fire safety inspection of the 
Capitol Complex. The resulting report, the Report on Fire Safety 
Inspections of Congressional Buildings, outlined an alarming number of 
fire code violations in the U.S. Capitol, as well as the House and 
Senate Office Buildings. The report identified significant fire code 
violations existing throughout every one of these buildings, including, 
but not limited to, ``lack of fire barriers to retard the spread of 
fire and smoke, inadequate exit signs and exit capacity, deficient 
emergency lighting, limited sprinkler coverage, and dangerous storage 
of flammable and toxic materials.'' Furthermore, in March, the Office 
of Compliance issued eight citations ordering the Architect of the 
Capitol, who is responsible for fire safety and protection within the 
Complex, to take action to increase fire alarm and sprinkler systems 
testing and improve the training of staff in the handling of hazardous 
materials.
  My legislation seeks to address these fire code violations by 
improving upon the expertise and accountability of the Office of the 
Architect of the Capitol with regard to fire safety. The measure 
establishes a position to be appointed by and responsible to the 
Architect to meet his responsibility for fire safety and protection 
within the Capitol Complex. The Director of Fire Safety and Protection 
will work to ensure that all properties under the jurisdiction of the 
Architect, including the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Office 
Buildings, Library of Congress, U.S. Botanical Gardens, and the Capitol 
Power Plant, meet the applicable codes and standards established by the 
National Fire Protection Association. The Director will be responsible 
for conducting regular inspections of the properties, as well as their 
fire alarm and protection systems, and training employees of the 
Architect of the Capitol in the proper use and maintenance of these 
systems and the storage of hazardous chemicals and materials. This 
legislation would also require the Director to make semiannual reports 
to the Congress on the progress of his or her efforts in making the 
Capitol Complex fire-safe.
  As a longtime advocate for historic preservation, I want to stress 
that this legislation recognizes the historic nature of the buildings 
under the jurisdiction of the Architect and provides the Director with 
the flexibility necessary to ensure that the properties are preserved 
and rehabilitated in such a manner to retain their historical and 
architectural significance.
  Mr. President, the United States Capitol Fire Protection Act is an 
important step in addressing a critical situation. I urge my colleagues 
to support its passage.

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