Steel Doors Get Winning Grades at NEA Headquarters

WASHINGTON, DC--January 11, 2001

Steel doors and frames at the National Education Association (NEA) play a key role in maintaining the appearance and functionality of widely used areas such as elevator lobbies. Installed several years ago as part of a major renovation, the doors and frames were selected for their durability and trouble-free operation.

Former Mansion Now Teachers' Union Home

NEA encompasses 2.5 million members who work at every level of education, from preschool to university graduate programs. Founded in 1857 in Philadelphia, the organization is now headquartered in Washington, D.C., Although not apparent from the outside, the group's headquarters building began its life as the Guggenheim mansion. Several additions and a major renovation later, its appearance has completely changed and its size has grown to approximately 350,000 sq. ft. of usable space. Craig Groff, Manager, Building Services, explains, "In the renovation, we gutted the building all the way down to the steel and concrete. We now have eight floors above ground and three below."

Doors Meet Functional Test

The building now includes offices for a staff of more than 500 people. All doors and frames in heavily used areas such as elevator lobbies and stairwells were provided by Steelcraft, part of IR Security & Safety. Where required by code, fire-rated doors and frames are used. Other steel door and frame applications include the building's many equipment rooms and mechanical areas. Stairwell doors also perform an important security function. Groff says that all seven of the building's stairwells are secured and require a proximity card for reentry. "Once you get in a stairwell, you have to go all the way down to the first floor."