Washington, DC

Rated windows and doors for historic federal buildings that stayed open.

JS Global served as prime contractor for two multi-year programs that fabricated and installed hundreds of AT/FP-rated windows and doors in occupied historic federal buildings in Washington, DC, much of it at night, on weekends, and on holidays.

Rated windows
and doors
  • Multiple occupied buildings
  • Units up to 1,000 lb
  • Night and weekend work
Historic PreservationForce Protection
Project Overview

Heavy, rated assemblies in buildings that cannot close.

Window assemblies weighed 750 pounds or more, and some units reached 1,000 pounds.

As prime contractor, JS Global fabricated and installed AT/FP-rated windows and doors with structural upgrades in steel, aluminum, and composite materials. The work took place in fully occupied buildings, where the occupants’ missions set the schedule.

Project Snapshot

The assignment at a glance.

LocationWashington, DC
FacilityMultiple occupied historic federal buildings
Project TypeRated window and door fabrication and installation
ScopeHundreds of AT/FP-rated windows and doors across two programs
Primary ConstraintOccupied buildings, historic stone, heavy units, changing schedules
Work HoursMuch of the work at night, on weekends, and on holidays
RolePrime contractor
The Challenge

Install heavy assemblies in historic buildings around the people inside them.

01

Lift window units weighing 750 to 1,000 pounds into historic openings from exterior scaffolding.

02

Remove asbestos-containing caulk and lead paint from historic stone and frames safely.

03

Adapt the schedule on short notice as occupant needs changed.

04

Move people and deliveries through badging, off-site screening, and secure perimeters.

The Approach

Plan access, protect occupants, and let the trades work.

  1. 01

    Credential

    Every person on the project received federal security badges, and deliveries were inspected off-site before entering the secure perimeter.

  2. 02

    Protect

    Temporary barriers, staged access, and controlled delivery logistics kept occupants and visitors safe.

  3. 03

    Abate

    Asbestos-containing caulk and lead paint were removed under approved procedures and industrial hygiene oversight.

  4. 04

    Scaffold

    Engineered scaffolding with anti-climb mesh and integrated lifting handled the heavy units.

  5. 05

    Install

    In-house crews installed frames, glazing, and hardware, along with finish work and intrusion detection infrastructure.

The Result

Hardened openings, occupied buildings still working.

01

Hundreds of AT/FP-rated windows and doors were installed across multiple historic federal buildings.

02

Historic stone and metal frames were repaired, cleaned, and finished as part of the work.

03

Work continued in buildings whose occupants could not stop operating, often at night and on weekends.

04

JS Global adjusted its schedule repeatedly to meet changing occupant needs.

What Made It Work

In-house trades made schedule changes manageable.

Occupant schedules changed, and the team changed with them.

JS Global’s own tradespeople handled frames, glazing, hardware, finish work, electrical, and intrusion detection infrastructure, which helped the team adjust the sequence of work when occupant needs shifted.

Project Questions

Installing rated openings in occupied buildings.

Practical answers about ratings, weight, and working around occupants.

01What does AT/FP mean?
AT/FP stands for anti-terrorism and force protection. AT/FP-rated windows and doors are designed to resist forced entry and blast effects.
02How heavy were the units?
Window assemblies weighed over 750 pounds, and some blast-rated units reached 1,000 pounds, so installation used engineered scaffolding with integrated lifting.
03When did the work take place?
The bulk of the work took place at night, on weekends, and on holidays to limit the impact on building occupants.
Plan Around the Occupants

Hardening an occupied historic building?

Share the building, unit sizes, security rating, access rules, and occupant constraints. JS Global will help plan the fabrication, lifting, and schedule around the people inside.

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