The Perkins Building was completed in 1974 and currently serves as the Headquarters to the Department of Labor. It is occupied by approximately 5,000 employees and is located on a 10.35 acre site adjacent to the National Mall and within walking distance of the Capitol and the Federal Triangle. The Perkins Building sits atop Interstate 395 with several Interstate ventilation systems at the south side of the building. In addition, 2nd and 3rd Streets NW pass under a portion of the building.
Singleton was responsible for the design and construction for the complete replacement of the fire alarm system. The work was performed at night in a fully occupied building without any interruptions to the existing system. The fire alarm system in the Perkins Building was antiquated and did not meet modern building codes or current GSA requirements. The existing system was upgraded to provide emergency voice communication features and to comply with the National Fire Alarm Code and current GSA requirements. This work included designing, furnishing, and installing a new, complete analog/addressable network voice evacuation fire alarm system for the building which remained occupied throughout construction. The system included all wiring, raceways, pull boxes, terminal cabinets, outlet and mounting boxes, control equipment, alarm, and supervisory signal initiating devices, alarm notification appliances, and all other accessories and miscellaneous items required for a complete operating system. The scope included the monitoring of existing Elevator, Computer Room, and other remote Fire Alarm Control Panels existing in the building.