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Important: Tools that Sound Like Firearms to be Used in Clinical Center Pharmacy Construction

Beginning Monday, April 26 at 9am and continuing periodically over the next 4 weeks, mainly Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 9am – 3pm, construction work on the new pharmacy in the Clinical Center will include explosive powder-actuated tools (EPATs) that drive fasteners through structural steel.

When in operation, these tools can sound like a gunshot or firearm discharging. Please do not be alarmed or confused if you work in Building 10 or a nearby building and hear this noise. Use of EPATs is a common practice in assembling steel-frame buildings and structures.

In addition to Building 10, the sound is likely to be heard in the buildings directly east of the Clinical Center, including Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. If you work in these buildings, please ensure your colleagues are aware so no one is unnecessarily alarmed.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as NIH continues with this important construction of the new Clinical Center Pharmacy. For questions regarding this message, please contact the ORS Information Line at orsinfo@mail.nih.gov or 301-594-6677. TTY is available at 301-435-1908.

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