SFO Controllers reported the building's windows fogged up so the outside became obscured and the ground radar also malfunctioned; and with no traffic management program; the reporters felt it was unsafe to be working traffic at normal speeds.
Synopsis
SFO Controllers reported the building's windows fogged up so the outside became obscured and the ground radar also malfunctioned; and with no traffic management program; the reporters felt it was unsafe to be working traffic at normal speeds.
Narrative
I go up for a second stint in the cab. The previous one I was working Ground with the windows so fogged up you could not see outside. I raised my voice on the previous stint saying we need to slow down traffic because we can't see out the windows and Operations has told us numerous times that the Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC); ground radar; only has 1 functioning channel and that remaining channel is liable to go out at any time because it is ancient and there are no parts for it or funding.Well during the second stint; the ground radar does go out unexpectedly. We are now working traffic with windows that are continually fogging up; an HVAC system that is going between too hot and too cold; and a ground radar that is inoperative. In addition we do not have a traffic management program in to slow things down formally. We were in a [Runway] 10s and 19s configuration so the arrivals are coming slower as a coincidence for that. We are now working traffic at the normal speed we would for this configuration but now at a reduced safety margin because the ground radar is out; and we are having a hard time seeing out the windows.When the ground radar is out of service we need to have a program to slow down traffic. Especially when we also cannot see out the window. We should be working traffic at a reduced efficiency not at a reduced margin of safety.
Second reporter narrative
I took the position at approximately XA:00. During the briefing the cab windows had started to fog up completely. By the time I took the position it was not possible to see out the Tower cab. If you squinted you could make out faint silhouettes. At approximately this time is when a lot of aircraft call for push. I pushed as many aircraft as I felt was safe and taxied them all to the runway as able. I delivered adequate flow to the Local Controller and there was no undue delay to the aircraft. However it was an unsafe situation. I could not verify out the window that the aircraft were indeed doing what they read back. I understand that we have a radar and it was functioning at the time (thankfully). However; Operations has come upstairs numerous times telling us that only one channel of the radar is actually functioning. The one functioning channel also is liable to go out at any point because there is no availability of spare parts; and it has gone out at random points before.The expectation that we work the same volume of traffic at the same efficiency is unrealistic and unsafe in these conditions.In the future if the windows are fogged over completely there should be a slowdown of traffic until the windows are actually cleared of fog. This seems especially important knowing that our ground radar is liable to go out at any moment.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.