ONE OF THE TWR WINDOWS HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 8 INCHES OF WATER AND CONDENSATION BETWEEN THE PANES.

Narrative

ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE TWR CAB WINDOWS AT SIG. THERE IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 8' OF WATER BTWN THE PANES AND VISION OUT THE REST OF THE WINDOW IS OBSCURED BY CONDENSATION. THE CONDITION HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME. IN 1985 THE CTLRS STARTED RECORDING THE WATER LEVEL WITH A GREASE PENCIL. FORTUNATELY; THE WINDOW OVERLOOKS AN AIRSPACE SECTOR FROM WHICH ACFT SELDOM APCH. EVEN IF IT DID; HOWEVER; IT IS VERY PROBABLE THE WINDOW WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED 3 YRS AFTER ITS DETERIORATION. AS FAR AS I KNOW; THE AIR TFC MGR HAS TAKEN ALL REQUIRED STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. IT HAS BEEN RPTED TO ARWYS FAC; COST ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET REQUEST; ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FIND A SUITABLE CONTRACTOR; A STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED TO SEE IF THE EFFORT IS WORTH IT; AND ON AND ON. THE WINDOW IS ONLY PART OF THE PROB. THE WHOLE TWR IS BADLY RUSTED IN SEVERAL AREAS AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS STEADILY INCREASING. HOW CAN AIR TFC CTLRS BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SVC TO THE FLYING PUBLIC WHEN THE BASIC OPERATING FAC CANNOT BE MAINTAINED IN A TIMELY MANNER? I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PROC FOR MAINTAINING CTL TWRS IN PROPER CONDITION BE STREAMLINED. TO ME THAT WOULD MEAN GIVING THE LCL MGRS MORE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE SUCH REPAIRS. OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON USUALLY FOLLOW HIS RECOMMENDATION ANYWAY. THE ONLY RESTRICTION I PROPOSE ON THE LCL MGR BEYOND COST JUSTIFICATION WOULD BE THE MAINT OF THE ORIGINAL OPERATING CAPABILITY OF THE FAC AFTER REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: THE TWR WINDOW HAS BEEN REPAIRED.