Document Jy4rzRXzeGXnBM8XdMZn3jN6

<i. C. Lake Manager, Cmrnmra inT'-. '3tin Installation anri Fij.jni ru}.naar,-..( Planning and Development Western Electric 38C0 Golf Road Rolling Meadows. III. 60008 312 956-3165 MR. G. A. NAVARRO, Manager Engineering Switching Equipment and Step-by-Step PECC Hawthorne Works Re: Transite Cable Penetration Closures File; IE 600.3 At a conference held on March 22, 1974 in New York City with represen tatives from AT&T, BTL, CIE and WECo Medical Director, it was decided that the Bell System approach is to eliminate, wherever possible and practical, the fabrication of transite material under uncontrolled en vironment within Central Offices. This general policy means the elimi nation of transite material used in Central Offices as cable penetra tion closures on floors and walls. Attached is a letter from BTL giving permission to substitute steel for transite on an interim'basis. Since we want to eliminate any possible health hazards to our installers, we are requesting that you take im mediate action to substitute steel for transite on all affected piece part drawings. The type of steel used for floor covers should be of similar thickness as the present ceiling covers. We are recommending that the wall covers be made out of 1/16" thick steel. This matter was discussed with Mr. J. Simpson, BTL on April 8, 1974 and it was stated that the testing of wall closures should be com pleted by the 1st quarter of 1975. Att Copy w/Att. to V. Pferd - Whippany-BTL J. Simpson - Whippany-BTL --. . d L d U .'. - Hawthorne Works -J T U ' -' ce. ln - Hawthorne Works - ::_'..'Lnorr,r- Work s 003663 Transite Cable Hole Cover Plates - Case 20233-3 6 Bell Laboratories Whippany Road Whippany, New Jersey 07981 Phone (201)386-3000 MAR 2 1 RECO March 18, 1974 Mr. J. Glowacki Assistant Manager Common Installation Engineering and Services WE - Rolling Meadows - ,' i` . ' Re: Letter of June 5, 1973j concerning use of transite cable hole covers . The health problems associated with the generation of asbestos particles in the field use of transite cable hole cover plates are fully understood by the Buildings and Power Laboratory. My department has completed a test program evaluating the fire resistance of cable holes packed v.ith KS-5043 bags and is near ing completion of a similar evaluation program on the cable hole closure filled to 25 percent by volume with communication cable. A report is currently being issued on'the first program, and the report on the second group of tests will be issued shortly thereafter. Based on the results from these two programs, it is our opinion that a steel cover plate, comparable to the present ceiling plate, should be used as an interim measure to replace the transite cover plate. It should be cut and handled identically to the ceiling plate. Several'alternative materials are being considered for possible future use but will require test evaluation to determine their compatibility with closure design requirements. We shall keep you informed as to progress in this area. W. Pf^ra Head Telephone Building Planning Department r\ CONFIDENTIAL UUdOo4