National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC

The National Gallery of Art is the nation’s art museum and is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Designed by John Russell Pope in the neoclassical style, the museum was established in 1937 for the people of the United States of America by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, with funds for construction (later provided by The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust for the West Building) and a substantial art collection donated by Andrew W. Mellon. When Mr. Mellon began his art collection, he intended to form a gallery of art for the nation in Washington. In 1937 (the year of his death), he promised his collection to the United States. While his donated collection forms the core of the Gallery’s collection, major donations have been provided by several donors, along with individual gifts for hundreds of others.

The museum was accepted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. The Gallery’s collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, medals, and decorative arts traces the development of Western Art from the medieval period to the present, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and the largest mobile ever created by Alexander Calder.

National Fire Protection was contracted to provide wet sprinkler systems to office areas and a unique high pressure, concealed water mist system within the museum and galleries. The water mist system is one of kind; it protects priceless pieces of art, sculptures, and paintings. Not only did NFP install a system to protect invaluable national treasures, but did so while the building remained open to the public. The pipe work is stainless steel and run in chases, building cavities, and ceiling voids (all concealed), with the nozzles being located to comply with code and to compliment the architectural ceiling details.

NFP’s Installation Team was a 2005 Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award Winner for their work on this project.