• Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
    Notice
  • Fed Register #:
    39:11481-11482
  • Standard Number:
  • Title:
    Variance
  • Abstract:

    Variance granted to Rollins College from the standards prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.37(i) concerning means of egress must have a ceiling height of 7'6", with projections no less than 6'8" from the floor. Effective March 28, 1974, and shall remain in effect until modified or revoked.


[Federal Register: Thursday, March 28, 1974 (Volume 39, Number 61)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11481-2]
From printed Federal Register page via PDF
 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[V-74-16]

ROLLINS COLLEGE
Grant of Variance

 I. Background

Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida 32789, made application pursuant to section 6(d) of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1596; 29 U.S.C. 655), and 29 CFR 1905.11 for a variance from the safety and health standard prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.37(i). The standard requires that a means of egress must have a ceiling height of 7'6", with projections no less than 6'8" from the floor. Facilities affected by this application are: Eleven dormitories at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida 32789, (Rollins, Hooker, Lyman, Gale, Pugsley, Mayflower, Cross, Strong, Corrin, Fox, Rex Beach). Notice of the application for variance was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on September 25, 1973 (38 FR 26781) The notice invited interested persons, including affected employers and employees, to submit written data, views, and arguments regarding the grant or denial of the variance requested. In addition, affected employers and employees were notified of their right to request for a hearing have been a variance. No written comments and no request for a hearing have been re-received.

II. Facts

The applicant requests a variance to allow the installation of acoustical ceilings in the corridors at a height of 7'2". This ceiling will provide a cover for air conditioning pipes and a base for lighting and fire detectors. The clearance requirement of 6'8" for obstructions will be maintained. The corridors have a maximum travel distance to protected stairs or exits of 30 feet, with a maximum of 13 rooms opening onto a corridor. The buildings have a maximum height of 3 stories, and all functioning rooms have outside windows for alternate means of egress. The buildings are equipped with an automatic fire alarm system which has ionization detectors for very early warning. The system automatically relays alarms to the city fire department located within 1/2 mile of the buildings.

III. Decision

29 CFR 1910.37(i) requires that the ceiling height for means of egress shall be no less than 7'6". This is intended to provide sufficient head clearance in emergency situations. The applicant states that it intends to lower the ceiling height by 4". This is not considered to be a significant change, since very few people exceed a height of 7'2", and few of such people would be employees working for substantial periods of time in corridors of the college dormitories affected by the application. Therefore, it is decided that the applicant will be providing a place of employment as safe as that required by the standard.

IV. Order

Pursuant to authority in section 6(d) of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), it is ordered that Rollins College be, and it is hereby, authorized to install an acoustical ceiling at a height of 7'2" from the floor in the means of egress, in lieu of the 7'6" ceiling height required by 29 CFR 1910.37(i), provided that it maintains a 6'8" clearance for projections.

As soon as possible, Rollins College shall give notice to affected employees of the terms of this order by the same means required to be used to inform them of the application for variance.

Effective date. This order shall become effective on March 28, 1974, and shall remain in effect until modified or revoked in accordance with section 6(d) of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 25th day of March 1974.

JOHN STENDER,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc.74-7201 Filed 3-27-74;8:45 am]