BUILDING 455 EXHAUST GAS PROBLEM INVESTIGATION
-Results and Recommendations-

Observations in Building 455 on May 1, 1992 at approximately 1245

Talked to employees in Code 471, located on the second floor, south area of Building 455. Warm day, windows were open. The first incident that was reported was a truck had idled a long period of time below the windows, which had pushed fumes up into the office space.

What was of real concern, were the amount of vehicles in the garage area. According to the Code 471 employees, when the garage doors are closed, vehicle fumes have a tendency to rise into the office spaces. This especially happens if the vehicle exhaust is not duct outside the building.

While in the building for about a half hour, observed one forklift and one small scooter started up for short periods of time, no exhaust ducting was utilized. Fume build up was not present; one must remember that the large overhead garage doors were open on both ends of the building. During cold weather, this would not be the case. Fume build up could be quite rapid.

RECOMMENDATION:
Relocate personnel out of the upper floor of the building; NFPA Regulations (National Fire Codes) clearly state that when garage operations and office operations are mixed in the same building, there are requirements that must be met (one of which is ventilation). OF NOTE: In 1989, Shop Stores was moved out of the second floor for just this reason.

If personnel cannot be relocated, then MANDATORY use of the exhaust ducting is the rule.

Vehicles moving into and out of the building must expedite their movement and not allow prolonged engine operation.
Ensure that vehicles that park outside upper floor windows shut off the engines.


Enclosure 
(1) to NAVSHIPYD PUGET ltr 5100 Ser 106/1672 JUL 31 1992