Clara Barton House Rehabilitation of Roof and Installation of Fire Suppression and Climate Management System EA

The National Park Service is making available for public review and comment an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Clara Barton House Rehabilitation Project. The EA evaluates feasible alternatives to install a new fire suppression system, construct a climate management system, and rehabilitate a failing metal roof at the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, Maryland. Comments are being accepted through April 8, 2015.

The purpose of the project is to preserve the historic house and protect the museum collections on exhibit and in museum storage by installing a fire suppression system, a climate management system, and by rehabilitating a failing metal roof in a manner that is consistent with the historic significance of the house.

Action is needed because the historic structure greatly exceeds building and fire code limitations for an unprotected wooden-framed structure and has an estimated "burn time" of only five to six minutes. The action is also needed because the existing hot water heating system is inadequate and inefficient. Lastly, the low-pitched metal roofs have experienced frequent failures from seasonal expansion and contraction due to built-on-top roof gutters and lack of expansion joints. This is causing damage to the interior ceilings and walls.

The EA also evaluates a no action alternative, which would include no rehabilitation or facility improvements. Under the no action alternative, the current management and maintenance activities would continue.

Document Content:

Clara Barton Rehabilitation EA March2015.pdf   (8.6 MB, PDF file) Press Release for EA 3.9.15.pdf   (123.6 KB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems.