LANL Sigma Building

TA-3 Building 66
The Sigma Building is categorized as a Hazard Category 3 nuclear facility. Constructed in 1958 and 1959, the building has approximately 168,200 ft2 (51,267 m2) of floor space spread over 4 levels. Most of the space is occupied by laboratories for metallurgical and ceramics projects, offices and administrative space, and storage areas for hazardous chemicals (such as concentrated acids and caustic solutions). The rest of the space, about 55,000 ft2 (16,764 m2), is devoted to various mechanical systems that provide for ventilation and other equipment required for protecting the facility and workers. Building and process air is exhausted from the building through five major stacks and numerous small roof stacks.
Today the Sigma Building is primarily used for materials synthesis and for processing and characterizing and fabricating metallic and ceramic items, including DU items used in the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Program. Bulk DU is stored in the Sigma Building as supply and feed stock. Current activities in the Sigma Building focus on test hardware, prototype fabrication, and materials research for the DOE’s Nuclear Weapons Program, but they also include activities related to energy, environment, industrial competitiveness, and strategic research.