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This is the newest toll switching center in the territory of Bell of Pennsylvania. It is the largest single project that the Company has ever undertaken. It cost about $37.5 million dollars and requires just over 100 people to operate it. It provides us with 8,500 additional toll circuits by using some of the most sophisticated equipment known in the art of telephony, and these circuits enable us to handle the rapidly increasing number of long distance calls from all over the Southeastern part of Pennsylvania, but more especially Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Northern Philadelphia. With this new switching center, Bell of Pa. will stay well ahead of our customers calling requirements in this area. The Fort Washington long distance switching center building has complete air conditioning, but no heating system. With no burning fuel, it will be pollution free, Enough heat is generated by the electronic switching equipment so that even on the coldest day, the air will have to be cooled, and about one-third of the heat will be expelled into the atmosphere. Normal electric service is provided by two 2500 KVA transformers. Emergency electrical service is provided by three turbine generators on the premises. There is a complete fire detection and alarm system and a monitored security system. There is a total area of 121,000 square feet in the building. Enough concrete was used to build a two lane highway ten miles long. There are 750 tons of steel, 625 tons of face brick, switching capability can be doubled without difficulty. |
