john f. kennedy space center brevard county, florida - Environmental ...

of four, 60-inch by 42-inch metal louvers; to the west of the projection is a metal swing door, and
then a ribbon of ten 60-inch by 42-inch louvers.
The east elevation faces the entrance to the RPSF. On this elevation is a 28-ft by 21-ft rolling
metal door for equipment, flanked on each side by a metal swing door for personnel. The south
elevation contains three centrally located metal swing doors on the ground floor level. Above the
central door, approximately 12 ft above grade, are two metal swing doors, accessed by a set of
metal steps. Each of the doors opens into one of two crane control rooms. At both the west and
east ends of this elevation is a ribbon of ten 60-inch by 42-inch metal louvers. The west elevation
is similar to the east elevation, except that it has two 21-ft by 21-ft rolling metal doors for
horizontal SRB segments at the center of the façade, with a metal swing door for personnel
towards each end. Across all four elevations, except along the north projection, are two 12-inch
reveals at approximately 20 ft and 30 ft above grade.
The interior of the RPB is essentially composed of an open, warehouse-style plan. A set of
railroad tracks, centered on the east and southern west rolling doors, passes through the building
along the east-west axis. These tracks are used to transport horizontal SRB segments. Projecting
from the south wall, at 12 ft above the finished floor (aff), are the two 9.5-ft by 8-ft control
rooms, one for each of the two overhead cranes. At 74 ft aff on the south and north walls are the
crane rails, which allow the cranes to move along the east-west axis. Below each crane rail, at 64
ft aff, is a 4-ft wide catwalk. The catwalk on the north wall is accessed by a vertical
ladder/platform combination on the north end of the west wall; the catwalk on the south wall has
similar access mechanisms at the south end of both the west and east walls. Along the western
end of the north wall is a 72-ft-long, 22-ft-wide mezzanine level at approximately 21 ft aff. It can
be accessed by metal stairs at each of its ends.
Centered on the north vertical lift door are two workstands, oriented north and south of one
another. Each workstand has two platform levels at 32 ft and 49 ft aff, which measure
approximately 32 ft by 22 ft. At the west and east ends of each level are 6-ft-wide stationary
platforms. The central 20-ft portion is shaped around the SRB, divided in half, and hinged at the
juncture with the stationary platforms, allowing the platforms to be lifted so that the SRBs can be
placed within the workstand. The platform levels are accessed by a set of metal steps to the west,
also used for the mezzanine level, and a set of metal steps to the east, which also provide access
to the two workstands along the eastern end of the north wall. The two northeast workstands are
oriented west and east of one another. Each workstand has five platform levels, at approximately
10 ft, 21 ft, 29 ft, 39 ft, and 49 ft aff, which measure approximately 25 ft by 27 ft. These
platforms are separated from the north wall plane by an approximately 11-ft-wide stationary
platform structure, with five levels at corresponding heights. Like those in the projection, the
central 20-ft portion of these stands is shaped around the SRB, divided in half, and hinged at the
east and west ends so that they can lift open for SRB placement. As previously mentioned, the
workstands have an access stair at the west end, and there is a set of metal stairs at the east end.
In addition, these workstands can be accessed by the elevator and stairwell that sit in the northern
projection.
The resource boundary extends from the outer footprint of the Rotation/Processing Building,
approximately 10 feet, which includes the facility and all necessary components historically
required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Rotation/Processing Building is considered individually eligible for
listing in the NRHP in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criteria