|
|
TA-43 More Details |
|
|
March 1998 1 4 5 TA and Facilities Descriptions
©2004 lasg.org |
TA-43 More Details
March 1998 1 4 5 TA and Facilities Descriptions
4.23.2.1 Facility Hazard Categories
Table 4-21 identifies the facilities at TA-43 that fall into a facility hazard category because of the
type of operations performed in the facility.
March 1998 1 4 6 TA and Facilities Descriptions
4.23.2.1.1 Nuclear Facility Hazard Categories
No buildings at TA-43 are categorized as nuclear facilities.
4.23.2.1.2 Non-Nuclear Facility Hazard Categories
4.23.2.1.2.1 Buildings Categorized L/CHEM
4.23.2.1.2.1.1 Health Research Laboratory
Building 1 (Figure 4-23, Sheet 1) is categorized both as L/RAD and L/CHEM. However, Figure 4-
23 shows the building as L/CHEM because chemical contaminants are the greater concern. The
main building consists of three stories with offices and laboratories; an equipment penthouse;
and a subbasement that houses equipment, shops, and the Laboratory’s in-vivo monitoring
operation. It has a total area of ~93,000 ft2 (~28,346 m2), of which ~53,000 ft2 (~16,154 m2) are
devoted to offices and research laboratories. The original building, constructed in 1953 of reinforced
concrete, has five additions of concrete block and/or reinforced concrete construction.
In addition to chemical and radiological operations, the main building houses a small ~3,000 ft2
(~914 m2) live-animal colony composed of rats, mice, and rabbits used in cell and tissue studies.
The animals are not used for studies of infectious agents. No other mammals, including primates,
are housed in the animal colony.
The building has several HVAC systems that heat or cool air drawn in from outside. The conditioned
air is distributed to individual rooms within the complex. Exhaust air is drawn from individual
rooms and corridors and is channeled out of the building through several stacks. These stacks
are not monitored for toxic or radiological materials, nor do they contain filters. Chemical fume
hoods throughout the building serve simple, laboratory-scale, organic chemistry operations. Radiological
operations are restricted to five labs located on the first floor of the northeast wing.
These operations are not conducted in hoods or gloveboxes, nor do they require special airhandling
equipment. The building is classed as L/RAD (x-ray generating equipment, experimental
and diagnostic x-ray machines, and lasers) and L/CHEM.
In mid-1996, a 5,300-ft2 (1,615-m2) two-floor addition was constructed off the northwest corner of
the existing structure. The flow cytometry research and instrument development program and the
structural biology program will move into the addition in late 1997. This addition will contain five
instrument laboratories, three computer rooms, six offices, a computer graphics room, restrooms,
mechanical and electrical service rooms, and other necessary support closets. The laboratories
will be on the ground floor, where equipment, including lasers, will be isolated from vibration and
the flooring will support heavy loads. Existing plant utilities will be extended from the main building
into the addition, except that the addition will have its own HVAC unit and a new water chiller
system will be installed; the chilled water will cool instruments, mainly lasers.
4.23.2.1.2.1.2 Safety Storage Shed
Building 47 (Figure 4-23, Sheet 1), a safety storage shed where chemical waste is stored, has a
classification of L/CHEM.
4.23.2.1.2.2 Building Categorized L/ENS
One transportable building (Building 20, Figure 4-23, Sheet 1), which houses lasers, is categorized
L/ENS.
March 1998 1 4 7 TA and Facilities Descriptions
4.23.2.2 Nonhazardous Facilities
The rest of the buildings that make up the HRL Complex (Figure 4-23) contain operations considered
to be nonhazardous. The DOE’s Los Alamos Area Office (Building 39) is also considered to
be a nonhazardous facility.
©2004 lasg.org