Request by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an Alternate Standard for Emergency Egress in Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs)

Federal RegisterAug 25, 1994

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1960

[Docket No. F-01]

Request by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an

Alternate Standard for Emergency Egress in Air Traffic Control Towers

(ATCTs)

AGENCY: Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department

of Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Request for Comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA has requested approval from OSHA for an alternate

standard regulating emergency egress in Air Traffic Control Towers

(ATCTs). In this notice. OSHA has published the proposed alternate

standard for public review and comments.

DATES: The last date for interested persons to submit comments is

September 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be sent to the Docket Office, Docket No. F-

01, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N2625, 200 Constitution Avenue,

N.W., Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. John Plummer, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Director, Office of

Federal Agency Programs, Room N3112, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: (202) 219-8151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and

Health Act (the Act) contains provisions to assure safe and healthful

working conditions for Federal employees. Under that section, it is the

responsibility of the head of each Federal agency to establish and

maintain an effective and comprehensive occupational safety and health

program which is consistent with the standards promulgated under

section 6 of the Act. The Secretary of Labor (the Secretary), under

section 19, is to report to the President certain evaluations and

recommendations with respect to the programs of the various agencies,

and the duties which section 24 of the Act imposes on the Secretary of

Labor necessarily extend to the collection, compilation, and analysis

of the occupational safety and health statistics from the Federal

Government.

Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for

Federal Employees, issued February 26, 1980, prescribes additional

responsibilities for the heads of agencies, the Secretary, and the

General Services Administrator. Among other duties, the Secretary is

required to issue basic program element in accordance with which the

heads of agencies shall operate their safety and health programs. These

basic program elements are set forth in 29 CFR Part 1960. Although

agency heads are required to comply with all standards issued under

section 6 of the Act and to operate a program in accordance with the

basic program elements, those elements contain numerous provisions

which, by their terms, permit agency heads the flexibility necessary to

implement their programs in a manner consistent with their respective

missions, sizes, and organization. Thus, an agency head, after

consultation with agency employees or their representatives and with

appropriate safety and health committees may request the Secretary to

consider approval of an alternate standard. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1960.17,

when requesting an alternate standard the agency head must do the

following:

(a) Any request by the head of the agency for an alternate standard

shall be transmitted to the Secretary.

(b) Any such request for an alternate standard shall not be

approved by the Secretary unless it provides equivalent or greater

protection for affected employees. Any such request shall include:

(1) A statement of why the agency cannot comply with the OSHA

standard or wants to adopt an alternate standard;

(2) A description of the alternate standard;

(3) An explanation of how the alternate standard provides

equivalent or greater protection for the affected employees;

(4) A description of interim protective measures afforded employees

until a decision is rendered by the Secretary of Labor; and

(5) A summary of written comments, if any, from interested

employees, employee representative, and occupational safety and health

committees.

This Notice is a request for comment on the proposed alternate

standard submitted to OSHA by the FAA. This action is intended to

assist the Secretary in assuring that ample opportunity has been given

to allow affected employees, employee representatives and interested

parties, such as occupational safety and health committees, to comment

on the effectiveness of the proposed alternate standard and on its

equivalence to appropriate OSHA standards. The Secretary also believes

that review of this alternate standard by the scientific community and

those National Committees responsible for developing comparable

standards is essential so that workers in ATCTs are free from the

hazards posed by inappropriate means of egress.

Alternate Standard

The FAA provided materials in support of the proposed alternate

standard to 29 CFR 1910.36 (b)(8). FAA's request was based on the

following:

A number of specifications established in the existing

alternate standard for ATCTs require types of construction beyond those

mandated in OSHA regulations or in life safety and building codes.

A licensed fire protection engineer has provided several

alternate protection measures for ATCTs which were not included in the

existing alternate standard.

The existing alternate standard does not address important

operational ATCT requirements (e.g., 360 degrees field of vision at the

cab level) or their relationship with protective structural or

procedural features.

Additionally, FAA describes the alternate as follows:

The revision to the existing alternate standard provides types of

ATCT construction and methods of operation which enhance the fire

detection and notification, fire resistance, smoke control, and

emergency response features for ATCTs. These features provide early

warning of the presence of fire or smoke, flame and smoke spread

control, and automatic notification of emergency response units such

that a level of fire safety equivalent to two means of egress are

afforded ATCT occupants.

FAA contends that the alternate standard provides equivalent or

greater protection for the affected employees because of enhancements

such as, but not limited to:

An ATCT stairway smoke control system;

Fire resistant rated materials for stairway enclosures and

openings;

Self-closing or automatic fire doors;

ATCT fire alarm system wiring in accordance with NFPA 72

reliability standards;

Automatic smoke detection;

Automatic fire detection, alarm, and signaling systems

with automatic fire department and ATCT notification and ATCT cab

annunciator panels with battery backup;

Prohibition of storage of high hazard materials or use of

more then minimal amounts of high hazard materials for specific duties;

Occupancy above the level of exit discharge only be able-

bodied persons;

Prescribed quality and type of interior finish materials;

Specified levels of fire resistant rated opening

protective to base buildings.

Commenters are requested to comment on FAA's finding of equivalency

as well as on the appropriateness of the enhancements.

Comments are requested on the following:

(1) Is an alternate standard necessary, or are technologies such

that two means of egress are possible in ATCTs?

(2) Should an alternate standard be designed and formatted like

equivalent OSHA standards?

(3) Does this alternate standard provide equivalent protection for

affected employees as does the equivalent OSHA standard?

(4) What interim measures should be in effect while approval for

this alternate standard is being considered?

(5) Should Chapter 12 be revised in accordance with the new Life

Safety Codes (LSC)?

(6) Are there requirements set forth in Chapter 12 which are

inappropriate?

(7) Should there be requirements proposed in Chapter 12 which go

beyond the concept of allowing a single means of egress, e.g. width of

steps, slopes of ladders, etc.?

Public Participation

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and

comments with respect to this alternate standard. These comments must

be postmarked on or before (insert date 30 days after publication in

the Federal Register), and submitted in quadruplicate to the Docket

Office, Docket No. F-01, Room N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Comments limited to 10

pages or less also may be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046,

provided the original and three copies are sent to the Docket Office

thereafter.

Written submissions must clearly identify the provisions of the

alternate standard which are being addressed and the position taken

with respect to each issue. The data, views, and comments that are

submitted will be available for public inspection and copying at the

above address.

Signed at Washington, DC this 12th day of August, 1994.

Joseph A. Dear,

Assistant Secretary of Labor.

Alternate Emergency Egress Standard for Airport Traffic Control

Towers--Final Version

August 30, 1993.

Alternate Emergency Egress Standard for Air Traffic Control Towers

(ATCT)

a. Scope and Application

1. General. Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) are unique

structures used for the control of aircraft, usually over or near an

airport facility. The distinctive mission of ATCTs requires ATCT

designs that permit 360 deg. visibility at the cab level and, in

many cases, sufficient space for radar equipment and administrative

activities related to ATCT operations.

2. This standard applies to all ATCTs.

3. Specific. This standard sets forth minimum fundamental

requirements essential to providing a safe means of egress from fire

and similar emergencies. Nothing in this standard shall be construed

to prohibit a better type of building construction, more exits, or

otherwise safer conditions than the minimum requirements specified

herein.

4. Equivalent Protection. The use of alternative arrangements or

construction, developed or approved by a licensed fire protection

engineer, may be permitted by the authority having jurisdiction when

it is shown that these features provide a level of safety to life

equivalent to that required in this standard or, where this standard

is silent on an issue, by other standards or codes.

b. Definitions

1. ``Aisle'' is a passageway between rows of desks, cabinets,

equipment, etc, generally within a room or work area which leads to

or connects with a corridor.

2. ``Approved'' refers to equipment listed or approved by a

nationally recognized testing laboratory.

3. ``ASTM'' represents the American Society for Testing and

Materials, who establishes flame spread characteristics for

materials used in building construction and furnishing.

4. ``ATCT'' represents an airport traffic control tower and is

an occupied structure containing equipment and supplies necessary

for aircraft control and related activities.

5. ``Authority Having Jurisdiction'' is the Department of Labor,

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) is responsible for implementing the

requirements of this standard for FAA-owned or occupied ATCTs.

6. ``Base Building'' is a single or multiple level structure

attached to an ATCT and which may house administrative, air traffic

control, or facility management functions.

7. ``Corridor'' is an enclosed passageway which limits the means

of egress to a single path of travel.

8. ``Decorations'' are curtains, hangings, draperies, mirrors,

or other embellishments suspended from walls or ceilings.

9. ``Draftstopping'' is any building material installed to

prevent the movement of air, smoke, gases, and flame to other areas

of the building through large concealed passages such as attic

spaces and floor assemblies with suspended ceilings or open-web

trusses.

10. ``Emergency action plan'' is a plan for a workplace, or

parts thereof, describing what procedures the employer and employees

must take to ensure employee safety from fire or other emergencies.

11. ``Emergency escape route'' is the route that employees are

directed to follow in the event they are required to evacuate the

workplace or seek a designated refuge area.

12. ``Exit'' is that portion of a means of egress which is

separated from all other spaces of the building or structure by

construction or equipment as required in this standard to provide a

protected way of travel to the exit discharge.

13. ``Exit access'' is that portions of a means of egress which

leads to an exit.

14. ``Exit discharge'; is that portion of a means of egress

between the termination of an exit and a public way.

15. ``Fire Partition'' is a vertical assembly of material having

protected openings and designed to restrict the spread of fire.

16. ``Fire Resistive or Resistant'' refers to the ability of

materials or assemblies of construction to withstand exposure under

standard fire test conditions for a prescribed temperature and

period of time without structural failure.

17. ``Fire Separation Assembly'' is a continuous barrier, either

horizontally or vertically oriented, with a fire resistance rating

and protected openings, designed to restrict the spread of fire.

18. ``Fire Separation Distance'' is the distance in feed

measured from the building face to the closest interior lot line, to

the center line of a street or public way or to an imaginary line

between two buildings on the same property.

19. ``Firestopping'' is approved noncombustible building

material installed to prevent the movement of flame and gases to

other areas of a building through small concealed passages in

building components such as floors, walls, and stairs.

20. ``Furnishings'' are chairs, tables, plants, or other movable

objects.

21. ``Hazardous Areas'' are areas of an ATCT possessing a degree

of hazard greater than that normal to the facility, such as areas

used for the storage of combustibles or flammable materials, or

areas containing furnaces or boilers.

22. ``High hazard contents'' are contents classified as those

which are liable to burn with extreme rapidity or from which

poisonous fumes or explosions are to be feared in the event of fire

(such as flammable or combustible liquids).

23. ``Interior Finish'' is the exposed interior surfaces of a

building including, but not limited, to, walls and ceilings.

24. ``Link'' is a connecting passageway between at ATCT and a

base building. Links are usually one story in height with direct

access to the exterior.

25. ``Listed'' refers to equipment or material included in a

list published by an organization acceptable to the ``authority

having jurisdiction'' and concerned with product evaluation, that

maintains periodic inspection of listed equipment or material and

whose listing states either that the equipment or material meets

appropriate standards or has been tested and found suitable for use

in a specified manner.

26. ``Means of Egress'' is a continuous and unobstructed way of

exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public

way and consists of three separate and distinct parts: the way of

exit access, the exit, and the way of exit discharge. A means of

egress comprises the vertical and horizontal ways of travel and

shall include intervening room spaces, doorways, hallways,

corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures,

lobbies, horizontal exit, courts, and yards.

27. ``Noncombustible Construction'' is construction in which the

materials have been tested in accordance with ASTM E136 and conform

to the criteria contained in Section 7 of that test method (e.g.,

gypsum wallboard).

28. ``NRTL'' is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.

29. ``Opening Protectives'' are the parts of an opening in a

fire barrier that ensure the integrity of the protected barrier.

Opening protective fire protection ratings for different fire

barrier ratings are established in NFPA 101--Life Safety Code.

30. ``Protected Construction'' is construction in which the

structural members are protected from fire so that they can

withstand exposure to fire for specified periods of time.

31. ``Public way'' is any street, alley, or other parcel of land

open to the outside air leading to a public street, which has been

deeded, dedicated, or otherwise permanently appropriated to the

public for public use and which as a clear width and height of not

less than 10 feet.

32. ``Shaft'' is an enclosed space extending through one or more

stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive

floors, or floors and the roof.

33. ``Smokeproof enclosure'' is an enclosed interior stairway

designed to limit the infiltration of heat, smoke, and fire gases

from a fire in any part of the building by either natural or

mechanical means.

34. ``Story'' is that portion of a building included between the

upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof

next above.

35. ``Structural elements'' are the beams, columns, and other or

similar supporting members of an ATCT.

36. ``Type of Construction Classifications'' are classifications

which designate the fire resistance rating requirements of

protection provided for certain types of construction, as follows:

First number represents: Exterior bearing walls.

Second number represents: Structural frame or columns and

girders, supporting loads for more than one floor.

Third number represents: Floor construction.

37. ``Type I Construction'' is that type in which the structural

members, including walls, columns, beams, floors, and roofs, are of

approved noncombustible or limited-combustible materials and have

fire resistance ratings not less than 443 or 332 (see NFPA 220,

Table 3).

38. ``Type II Construction'' is that type not qualifying as Type

I construction in which the structural members, including walls,

columns, beams, floors, and roofs, are of approved noncombustible or

limited-combustible materials and have fire resistance ratings not

less than 222, 111, or 000 (see NFPA 220, Table 3).

39. ``Type III Construction'' is that type in which exterior

walls and structural members that are portions of exterior walls are

of approved noncombustible or limited-combustible materials, and

interior structural members, including walls, columns, beams,

floors, and roofs, are wholly or partly of wood of smaller

dimensions than required for Type IV construction or of approved

noncombustible, limited-combustible, or other approved combustible

materials. In addition, structural members have fire resistance

ratings not less than 221 or 200 (see NFPA 220, Table 3).

40. ``Type IV Construction'' is that type in which exterior and

interior walls and structural members that are portions of such

walls are of approved noncombustible or limited-combustible

materials. Other interior structural members, including columns,

beams, arches, floors, and roofs, are of solid or laminated wood

without concealed spaces and comply with the provisions of NFPA 220

section 3-4.2 through 3-4.6. In addition, structural members have

fire resistance ratings not less than 2HH (see NFPA 220, Table 3 and

section 3-4 for additional information on Type IV construction).

Interior columns, arches, beams, girders, and trusses of approved

materials other than wood are permitted by NFPA 220 section 3-4.1

provided they are protected to provide a fire resistance rating of

not less than 1 hour. Certain concealed spaces are permitted by NFPA

220 section 3-4.4.

41. ``Vertical opening'' is an opening through a floor or roof.

c. General Provisions

1. Existing ATCTs occupied at the time of adoption of this

standard may remain in use provided:

(a) The occupancy classification remains the same.

(b) No serious life safety hazard exists that would constitute

an imminent threat.

2. Federally-owned or operated ATCTs shall be provided with

protection of occupants and means of egress which meets the

requirements of this chapter or shall have a plan established for

bringing the structure into compliance with this chapter.

3. Compliance with this standard shall not be construed as

eliminating or reducing the necessity for other provisions for

safety of persons using a structure under normal occupancy

conditions.

d. Protection of Employees During Construction and Repair

Operations

1. No new ATCT under construction shall be occupied in whole or

in part until all means of egress and fire protection features for

that area of the structures are completed and ready for use.

2. No existing ATCT shall be occupied during repairs or

alterations unless all existing means of egress and any existing

fire protection features are continuously maintained, or in lieu

thereof, other measures are taken which provide equivalent safety

(e.g., contractor-provided fire watches).

3. No flammable or explosive substances or equipment used for

repairs or alterations shall be introduced or stored in an ATCT

while the ATCT is in operation, unless safeguards are provided to

prevent any additional danger (e.g., contractor-provided fire

watches, use of only those amounts of flammable substances in the

ATCT necessary for the immediate task at hand).

e. Protection for Persons With Disabilities

1. Persons who are unable to use the stairway for emergency

egress and who are permitted access to the ATCT shall be restricted

to the level of exit discharge only.

2. Provisions must be made for employees who are temporarily

unable to use the ATCT stairway.

3. Such provisions may include:

(a) requiring duties to be performed at the level of exit

discharge only; or,

(b) ensuring that pre-planned procedures have been established

to facilitate the egress of persons with disabilities during

emergencies.

f. Structural and Architectural Design Requirements

1. General. The structural elements of new ATCT facilities shall

be noncombustible.

(a) The new ATCTs shall be of Type I, II, III, or IV

construction as defined by NFPA 220, as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Height in feet,

measured from

Type of construction grade to cab

floor

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I (443 or 332)........................................ Unlimited.

II (222).............................................. 240

II (111).............................................. 100

II (000).............................................. 85

III (211)............................................. 65

IV (2HH).............................................. 65

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exception: Existing ATCTs may be constructed of protected

combustible materials provided they meet the other criteria

established in this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated

protectives, fire detection and alarm systems and the provisions of

section c.1).

(b) The minimum fire resistance ratings of structural elements

shall be as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Type of construction

Structural elements -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I (443) I (332) II (222) II (III) II (000) III (211) IV (2HH)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exterior Walls...................... Loadbearing................... 4 3 2 1 0 2 2

Nonloadbearing................ 0 0 0 0 0 \1\0 \1\0

Fire Separation Assemblies.......... Exits......................... 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Shafts (other than exits)..... 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Hazardous Area Separations....

(6)

Fire Partitions..................... Exit Access Corridors.........

(6)

Tenant Space Separations...... 1 1 1 1 0 1 1

Other Nonloadbearing Partitions..... \1\0 \1\0 \1\0 \1\0 \1\0 \1\0 0

Interior loadbearing walls, Supporting more than 1 floor.. 4 3 2 1 0 \1\0 See Note a.

loadbearing partitions, columns,

girders, trusses (other than roof

trusses), and framing.

Supporting 1 floor/roof only.. 3 2 1\1/2\ 1 0 \1\1

Structural members supporting wall.. 3 2 1\1/2\ 1 0 \1\1 \1\1

(6)

Floor construction incl beams....... 3 2 1\1/2\ 1 0 \1\1 See Note a.\1\

Roof construction, including beams, 15 feet or less in height to 2 1\1/2\ 1 1 0 \1\1 See Note a.\1\

trusses and framing, arches and lowest member.

roof deck.

More than 15 feet, but less 1 1 1 0 0 \1\0 See Note a.\1\

than 20 feet to lowest member.

20 feet or more to lowest 0 0 0 0 0 \1\0 See Note a.\1\

member.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\May be combustible construction.

Note a: See NFPA 220 for details.

required to be constructed of noncombustible construction, the use

of combustible elements shall be permitted subject to the

limitations of this section without altering the construction

classification.

(1) Roofs, Floors, and Walls. Combustible elements in roofs,

floors, and walls are permitted to be used for the following

components:

A. Interior finish and trim materials as prescribed in section

g.1.

B. Fire retardant treated wood.

C. Mastic and caulking materials applied to provide flexible

seals between components of exterior wall construction.

D. Roof covering materials as prescribed in section f.1.(b).

2. Exterior Walls.

(a) Exterior walls of ATCTs shall be noncombustible.

Exception: Exterior nonloadbearing walls of existing ATCTs may

be constructed of combustible materials if the structural elements

of the ATCT are protected.

(b) Exterior walls of ATCTs shall be protected from weather

damage.

3. Exterior Opening Protectives.

(a) Approved protected construction shall be provided for every

opening that is less than 15 feet vertically above the roof of an

adjoining building and within a horizontal fire separation distance

of 15 feet of an adjacent building, unless the building's roof

construction affords a fire resistance rating of not less than one

hour.

4. Fire Separation Assemblies.

(a) Fire separation assemblies installed to enclose exits, floor

openings, vertical shafts, and for separation of hazardous areas

shall be constructed of approved materials consistent with the

limitations for the type of construction and shall have not less

than the fire resistance rating prescribed by section f.1.(b).

(b) Openings in exit enclosures other than unexposed exterior

openings shall be limited to those necessary for exit access to the

enclosure from normally occupied spaces and for egress from the

enclosure. All opening protectives in fire separation assemblies

shall have the minimum fire resistance rating as prescribed in

section f.9.

the top of the fire resistance rated floor assembly below to the

underside of the slab or deck above and shall be securely attached

thereto. These walls shall be continuous through all concealed

spaces such as the space above a suspended ceiling. The supporting

construction shall be protected to afford the required fire

resistance rating of the fire separation assembly supported. All

hollow vertical spaces shall be firestopped at every floor level as

required in section f.11.

Exception: Interstitial (crawl space) subjunction (immediately

below the cab) levels do not require fire separation assemblies

provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established in this

standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection

and alarm systems).

(d) Where exterior walls serve as a part of a required fire

resistance rated enclosure, such walls shall comply with the

requirements of section f.2 of exterior walls and the fire

resistance rated enclosure requirements shall not apply.

5. Vertical Shafts.

(a) Vertical shafts include stairways; HVAC, mechanical,

electrical, and plumbing chases; elevators; and dumbwaiters.

(b) Vertical shafts and their enclosures shall be constructed of

materials permitted by f.1 for the type of construction of the ATCT.

Vertical shaft walls which are exterior walls shall be constructed

of materials approved for exterior walls.

separation assemblies having at least a 2-hour fire resistive

rating.

Exception: Vertical shafts connecting fewer than four (4)

stories may be enclosed by 1-hour rated construction.

(d) A vertical shaft that does not extend to the underside of

the roof deck shall be enclosed at the top with a fire separation

assembly having a fire resistance rating of not less than that

required for the shaft enclosure walls.

(e) Shafts which do not extend to the bottom of the ATCT shall

be enclosed at the lowest ATCT level with a fire separation assembly

(e.g., fire resistant construction) having a fire resistance rating

of not less than that required for the shaft enclosure walls, or the

shaft shall terminate in a room having an occupancy related to the

purpose of the shaft. The room shall be separated from the remainder

of the ATCT by fire separation assemblies having a fire resistance

rating with openings protected as prescribed in section f.9.

(f) Every shaft opening shall be protected by a normally closed,

self-closing, or automatic closing door, cover, hatch, removable

section, damper, or other device arranged to meet the requirements

of f.9 or f.10.

6. Elevators and Dumbwaiters. Elevators and dumbwaiters shall

conform to the requirements of the Safety Code for Elevators and

Escalators (ASME A17.1 for new elevators and dumbwaiters and ASME/

ANSI A17.3 for existing elevator and dumbwaiters) American Society

of Mechanical Engineers and the American National Standards

Institute, New York, New York.

Exception: For existing elevators, Phase II emergency in-car

operation shall not be required.

7. Fire Partitions.

(a) Fire partitions for new ATCTs shall be noncombustible and

have the minimum fire resistance rating prescribed by section

f.1.(b) for the type of construction.

Exception: Existing partitions may be of combustible

construction provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established

in this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire

detection and alarm systems).

(b) All fire partitions must extend from the floor slab to the

bottom of the slab above or shall connect with ceiling construction

having a fire resistance rating of not less than that required for

the fire partition walls.

partitions shall have the minimum fire resistance rating as set

forth in section f.9.

(d) Penetrations through assemblies shall comply with section

f.11.(b).

8. Floor/Ceiling and Roof/Ceiling Assemblies.

(a) All floor openings connecting two or more stories shall be

protected by a vertical shaft enclosure that complies with section

f.5.

(b) All penetrations of a floor/ceiling assembly shall be

protected by a shaft enclosure that complies with section f.5.

Exception: A shaft enclosure shall not be required where cables,

cable trays, conduits, tubes, or pipes penetrate a floor assembly

and are protected with an approved through-penetration protection

system tested in accordance with ASTM E814. The system shall have an

``F'' rating and a ``T'' rating of not less than 1 hour, but not

less than the required fire resistance rating of the assembly being

penetrated.

Exception: Hatch openings at the top of the shaft are permitted

when a 1.5 hour fire rated assembly is provided at the hatch opening

or when a protected enclosure around the shaft opening is a 1.5 hour

fire rated assembly.

accordance with section f.1.(b).

9. Fire Door Assemblies.

(a) Fire door assemblies shall provide a fire resistance rating

in accordance with the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Required Minimum

assembly opening

Type of assembly rating protection

(hours)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fire separation assemblies having a fire

resistance rating greater than one hour.......... 4 3

3 3

2 1\1/2\

1\1/2\ 1\1/2\

Fire separation assemblies:

Shaft and exit enclosure walls.................. 1 1

Other fire separation assemblies................ 1 \3/4\

Fire partitions:

Exit access corridor enclosure wall............. 1 \1/3\

\1/2\ \1/3\

Other fire partitions........................... 1 \3/4\

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Operation. Fire doors shall be self-closing and latching.

Stairwell doors may be held open by approved devices that will meet

all of the following requirements:

(1) The device shall release the door and the door shall

automatically close and latch if the ATCT fire alarm is operated.

(2) The fire door shall be provided with appropriate hardware so

that it can be instantly reopened manually by some simple and

readily obvious operation (e.g., panic hardware, door knob).

10. Fire Dampers. Fire dampers shall be installed in accordance

with the applicable provisions of NFPA 90A, Standard for the

Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.

11. Firestopping and Draftstopping.

(a) Firestops or draftstops shall be provided as specified

herein in all walls, partitions, and other concealed spaces or

openings, horizontal and vertical, to prevent the free passage of

flame and the products of combustion and shall be sufficient to

maintain the fire resistance rating of the wall, partition, or floor

pierced.

(b) Wall and floor openings penetrated by materials (e.g.,

telephone and communication cables) where the materials are required

to be frequently changed, added, etc., may be firestopped using

mineral wool, firestop pillows, or other fire resistive material.

there is the potential for fire, heat, or smoke passage, other than

a properly enclosed service shaft, pass, or chase.

(d) Firestopping shall consist of approved noncombustible

materials securely fastened in place. In open spaces of wood

framing, firestops may be of approved noncombustible materials or of

two-inch lumber installed with tight joints or the equivalent.

(e) The integrity of all firestopping and draftstopping

materials shall be continuously maintained.

(f) Firestopping shall be installed in the locations specified

in section f.11.(a), including:

(1) concealed wall spaces;

(2) connections between horizontal and vertical spaces;

(3) concealed spaces between stairway stringers at the top and

bottom of the run; and

(4) ceilings and floor openings.

(g) Draftstopping shall be installed in ATCTs of Types III and

IV construction in locations specified below:

(1) Floors. Where ceilings are suspended below solid wood joists

or suspended or attached directly to the bottom of open-web wood

floor trusses, the space between the ceiling and the floor above

shall be divided by draftstopping installed so that horizontal areas

do not exceed 1,000 square feet.

(2) Draftstopping materials shall not be less than half-inch

gypsum board, \3/8\-inch plywood or other approved materials

adequately supported.

(3) Concealed roof spaces shall be provided with draftstopping

such that no horizontal area exceeds 3,000 square feet.

Exception: Draftstopping is not required in a concealed space

when ATCTs are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler

system, provided that automatic sprinklers are also installed in

combustible concealed spaces.

12. Hazardous Areas. Rooms or Areas designated as hazardous

areas shall be separated from the remainder of the ATCT by fire

separation assemblies as follows:

(a) Boiler and furnace rooms. Boiler and furnace rooms shall be

separated by 1-hour fire resistance rated construction or provided

with an automatic fire suppression system.

(b) Storage rooms.

(1) Storage rooms greater than 50 square feet in area shall be

separated by 1-hour fire resistance rated construction.

(2) Storage rooms greater than 100 square feet in area shall be

separated by 2-hour fire resistance rated construction.

of the ATCT by 2-hour fire resistance rated construction.

(d) Other Electrical Equipment Rooms. Other electrical equipment

rooms shall be separated by 1 hour fire resistance rated

construction or provided with an automatic fire suppression system.

13. Connections to Base Buildings.

(a) The base building shall be separated from the ATCT by a fire

separation assembly with a minimum fire resistance rating equivalent

to the rating required of the stair shaft.

(b) The exit stairway of an ATCT which is directly connected to

a base building, or is connected to a base building by a link, shall

be a smokeproof enclosure or pressurized in accordance with this

standard.

following:

A. At least one smokeproof or pressurized stairway.

B. ATCT stairways that discharge into a base building at the

level of exit discharge with these considerations:

(a) Means of Egress on the level of exit discharge shall be free

and unobstructed to the exterior of the building.

(b) Entire level of exist discharge is provided with automatic

sprinkler protection, and any nonsprinklered areas are separated by

fire rated construction equivalent to the rating required for the

stair shaft.

the base building not separated by fire rated construction

equivalent to the rating required for the stairway.

(d) Smoke detectors shall be provided on the base building side

of openings between the ATCT and the base building.

C. Where the ATCT exist stairway does not discharge onto the

level of exit discharge of the base building (as in an ATCT on top

of a terminal) safe and continuous passageways, aisles, or corridors

leading directly to base building exits shall be maintained and so

arranged as to provide convenient access for each occupant to at

least two exists by separate ways of travel, except as a single exit

or limited dead ends are permitted by other provisions of this

standard.

g. Interior Finishes

1. Interior Finish and Trim.

(a) All materials used for interior finish and trim shall be

classified in accordance with ASTM E84. The classifications of

interior finishes referred to in this section correspond to flame

spread ratings on the flame spread test scale determined by ASTM E84

as follows: Class A flame spread, 0-25; Class B flame spread, 26-75;

Class C flame spread, 76-200.

(1) Foam plastics shall not be installed as interior trim or

finish.

(2) Interior wall and ceiling finish materials that have a

smoke-developed rating greater than 450 when tested in accordance

with ASTM E84 shall not be permitted.

(b) All materials used inside an exit stairway shall have fire

hazard ratings of not more than 25 for flame spread and not more

than 50 for smoke development.

interior finish shall have fire hazard ratings of not more than 25

for flame spread and not more than 450 for smoke development and

fuel contribution (Class A).

Exception: Carpeting may be used as wall covering in non-

sprinklered areas provided the carpet type meets the requirements of

the 8 x 12 x 8 ft room/corner fire test procedure described in NFPA

101, Section A-6-5.2.3 (1991 edition).

(d) In sprinklered ATCTs, all materials used for interior finish

in enclosed rooms and spaces and in means of egress shall have fire

hazard ratings of not more than 75 for flame spread and not more

than 450 for smoke development.

Exception: Carpeting with a Class A flame spread classification

may be used as wall covering provided it is used only in rooms

protected by an approved automatic fire suppression system.

(e) Baseboards, chair rails, moldings, trim around openings and

other interior trim, not in excess of 10 percent of the aggregate

wall and ceiling areas of any room or space, shall be of Class A, B,

or C materials.

(f) Paint, veneer, and other thin final finishing materials not

over 0.035-inch thick and applied directly to a noncombustible base

are permitted and may be used provided that such materials do not

significantly increase the fire hazard ratings of the base material

involved.

(g) Fire retardant paints. Fire retardant paints or solutions

shall be re-applied as necessary to maintain the required flame

retardant properties.

2. Interior Floor Finish.

(a) Finished floors or floor covering materials of a traditional

type, such as wood, vinyl, linoleum, terrazzo, and other resilient

floor covering materials, are exempt from the requirements of this

section. Floor coverings judged by the authority having jurisdiction

to represent an unusual hazard, such as carpet, shall meet the

requirements of this section.

(b) Interior floor finish in means of egress shall be of not

less than Class B materials in accordance with ASTM E648. Class B

corresponds to a critical radiant flux of 0.22 watts/cm\2\ as

defined in ASTM E648. In all other areas the interior floor finish

shall comply with the Department of Commerce FF-1 ``pill test''

(CPSC 16 CFR 1630).

condition that the areas have partitions which extend from the floor

to the ceiling. Where partitions do not satisfy this criterion, the

room or space is considered part of the corridor.

3. Furnishings and Decorations.

(a) No furnishings, decorations, or other objects shall be so

placed as to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom, or

visibility thereof.

(b) No furnishings or decorations of an explosive or highly

flammable character shall be used in any occupancy.

h. ATCT Console Construction

Consoles in the ATCT which are not constructed entirely of

noncombustible materials shall comply with National Electrical

Manufacturers Association Standard LD3, which incorporates a

``Radiant Heat Resistance'' test which measures the ability of the

surface of high pressure decorative laminate to resist spot damage

when subjected to a radiant heat source.

i. Electrical Requirements

All electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with the

National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, 1993, National Fire Protection

Association, Quincy, Massachusetts.

j. Means of Egress

1. General. Every ATCT shall be provided with exits of kinds,

number, location, protective features, and capacity appropriate to

the individual building or structure, with due regard to the unique

character of ATCTs, the number of persons exposed, the fire

protection available, and the height and type of construction of the

building or structure, to afford all occupants convenient facilities

for escape.

2. Occupancy and Use Requirements.

(a) ATCT structures are occupied by personnel and contain

equipment and supplies necessary for aircraft control operations.

ATCTs are designed to provide 360 deg. visibility from the cab

level.

(b) ATCTs may not be used for living or sleeping purposes.

only able-bodied persons.

(d) No combustible materials shall be located in, under, or

within the immediate vicinity of the ATCT except necessary furniture

and equipment.

(e) High hazard contents shall not be permitted in the ATCT or

the immediate vicinity thereof.

(f) ATCT exits shall be so arranged and maintained as to provide

free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or

structure at all times when it is occupied. No locks or fastening

which prevents unimpeded escape from the inside of any building

shall be installed.

3. General Limitations

(a) Permissible Means of Egress components. Means of egress

shall consist only of the approved components as described in this

section. Means of egress shall be constructed as components of the

building or shall be permanently affixed thereto.

(b) Headroom. Means of egress shall be so designed and

maintained as to provide adequate headroom, but in no case shall the

ceiling height be less than 7 feet 6 inches nor any projection from

the ceiling be less than 6 feet 8 inches from the floor.

Exception: In existing ATCTs where the headroom is less than

that required in this section, signs reading ``Low Clearance'' shall

be placed on both sides of the obstruction.

inches in a means of egress, the difference in elevation shall be

negotiated by stairs or ramps.

(d) Means of egress walking surfaces shall provide sufficient

friction to prevent slipping under normal conditions.

4. Types and Location of Means of Egress

(a) Access to means of egress.

(1) Means of egress shall be so located and exit access shall be

so arranged that exits are readily discernible and unobstructed at

all times.

(2) In no case shall access to an exit be through a bathroom, or

other room subject to locking, except where the exit is required to

serve only the room subject to locking.

(3) Exit access shall be so arranged that it will not be

necessary to travel toward any area of hazardous occupancy in order

to reach the nearest exit, unless the path of travel is effectively

shielded from the high hazard location by suitable partitions or

other physical barriers.

(b) Discharge from exits.

(1) All exit discharges shall empty directly to the street, or

to a yard, court, or other open space that gives safe access to a

public way. The streets to which the exits discharge shall be of

width adequate to accommodate all persons leaving the building.

Yards, courts, or other open spaces to which exits discharge shall

also be of adequate width and size to provide all persons leaving

the building with ready access to the street.

(2) The exit discharge shall be so arranged as to make clear the

direction of egress to the public way.

(1) Access to an exit may be by means of any exterior balcony,

porch, gallery, or roof that conforms to the requirements of this

standard.

(2) Exterior ways of exit access shall have smooth, solid

floors, substantially level, and shall have guards on the unenclosed

sides.

(3) Where accumulation of snow or ice is likely because of the

climate, the exterior way of exit access shall be maintained so that

these accumulations of snow and ice will be regularly removed.

(4) A permanent, direct path of travel shall be maintained over

the required exterior way of exit access. There shall be no

obstruction by railings, barriers, or gates that divide the open

space into sections.

(5) An exterior way of exit access, such as a courtyard,

balcony, bridge, or porch shall be so arranged that there are no

dead ends in excess of 20 feet.

(6) Any gallery, balcony, bridge, porch, or other exterior exit

access that projects beyond the outside wall of the building shall

comply with the requirements of this section (j.4.(c)) as to width

and arrangement.

5. Occupant Load

(a) ATCTs may have an occupant load of 20 persons per floor and

not more than 80 persons total provided that the type of ATCT

construction is Type I, II, III, or IV.

(b) The occupant load shall be the maximum number of persons

that may be in the space at any time.

load of each floor considered individually need be used in computing

the capacity of the exits at the floor, provided that exit capacity

shall not be decreased in the direction of exit travel.

6. Width and Capacity of Means of Egress

(a) The capacity of the means of egress for any floor, balcony,

tier, or other occupied space shall be sufficient for the occupant

load thereof.

(b) The minimum exit width shall not be less than 28 inches for

existing ATCTs and not less than 36 inches for new ATCTs.

point of the means of egress.

(d) A door during its swing shall not reduce the width of the

means of egress to one-half of the required exit width.

(e) When fully open, a door shall not project more than 7 inches

into the required width of an aisle, corridor, passageway, or

landing.

(f) Where a single way of exit access leads to an exit, its

capacity in terms of width shall be at least equal to the required

capacity of the exit to which it leads. Where more than one way of

exit access leads to an exit, each shall have a width adequate for

the number of persons it must accommodate.

(g) Means of egress shall be measured in inches per person. The

ATCT egress capacity shall be 0.3 inch per person for stairways and

0.2 inch per person for level components.

(1) Level Egress Components. (including Class A Ramps). If an

entry doorway has 28 inches clear width, a discharge doorway has 28

inches clear width, and a stairway is 30 inches wide, the egress

capacity would be 100 persons, or the smallest of the three

capacities.

Example:

28 in./0.2 = 140 persons for the entry doorway

28 in./0.2 = 140 persons for the discharge doorway

30 in./0.3 = 100 persons for the stairway

(2) Inclined Egress Components (including Class B Ramps). For

Class B ramps used for ascent, the width per person shall be

increased by 10 percent beyond what is required for Class A ramps.

Widths for Class B ramps used for descent shall be calculated the

same as for Class A ramps.

(h) A ramp shall be designated as Class A or Class B based on

the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Class A Class B

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minimum width.......... 44 inches.............. 30 inches.

Maximum slope.......... 1 in 10................ 1 in 8.

Maximum height between 12 feet................ 12 feet.

landings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Number of Exits

(a) A single means of egress from an ATCT is permitted where:

(1) the exit is protected by a smokeproof enclosure as set forth

in section j.13, or a pressurized enclosure as set forth in section

j.13.(d).

(2) An automatic fire detection and alarm system is provided.

(3) ATCTs are not used for living or sleeping purposes.

(4) ATCTs are occupied by only able-bodied persons.

(5) No combustible materials are located in, under, or in the

immediate vicinity of the ATCT except necessary furniture and

equipment.

(6) The tower is subject to occupancy by no more than 20 persons

per floor and not more than 80 persons total.

(7) Other requirements and exceptions specified in this standard

for existing ATCTs are satisfied.

(b) Base buildings shall have as a minimum two exits remote from

each other so arranged as to minimize the possibility that both may

be blocked by any one fire or other emergency condition.

Exception: A single means of egress is permissible for those

base buildings consisting of a single story, above ground and having

less than 350 square feet gross floor area, and where all other

requirements of this standard are met.

exit component or a means of egress from an ATCT facility.

Exception: Ladders may be used for access to or egress from

normally unoccupied roof areas.

8. Exit Access Passageways and Corridors

(a) Every corridor shall be not less than 44 inches in width.

Exception: Exit access passageways and corridors in existing

ATCTs shall be no less than 28 inches provided they meet the other

criteria established in this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated

protectives, fire detection and alarm systems).

(b) Aisles shall not be less than 28 inches in width.

9. Means of Egress Doorways

(a) Every door which is required to serve as an exit shall be so

designed and constructed that the way of exit travel is obvious and

direct. Windows that, because of their physical configuration or

design and the materials used in their construction, could be

mistaken for doors shall be made inaccessible to the occupants by

barriers or railings.

(b) Any door in a means of egress shall be of the side-hinged,

or pivoted-swinging type. The door shall be so designed and

installed that it is capable of swinging from any position to the

full use of the opening in which it is installed. Doors shall swing

in the direction of exit travel where serving a room or area with an

occupant load of 50 or more, where used in an exit enclosure, and

where serving a high hazard area.

Exception: Horizontal sliding doors may be used in means of

egress provided they comply with the criteria established in NFPA

101--Life Safety Code Section 5-2.1.14.

Exception: Revolving doors may be used in means of egress

provided they comply with NFPA 101--Life Safety Code Section 5-

2.1.10.

installation of a door not less than 36 inches in width.

(d) Exit doors shall be capable of opening at least 90 degrees

and shall be mounted so as to provide a clear width of exit not less

than 28 inches.

(e) A means of egress door shall be so arranged as to be readily

opened from the side from which egress is to be effected at all

times when the building is occupied. No lock or fastening to prevent

free escape from the inside of an ATCT facility shall be installed.

(f) Doors shall latch upon closing except that a latch or other

fastening device on a door shall be provided with a knob, handle,

panic bar, or other simple type of releasing device.

(g) Doors required to be fire rated shall be marked by the

manufacturer with a label indicating the fire resistive rating of

the door and the approved testing laboratory. Door hardware shall be

labeled appropriately.

(h) Automatic or self-closing doors shall operate so that in the

event that the fire alarm is activated either manually or

automatically, the ``hold open device'' automatically releases and

the door automatically closes and latches.

(i) All doors shall be equipped with hardware which can be

instantly reopened manually by some simple type of releasing device.

10. Stairways

(a) ATCT stairways serving an occupant load of more than 50

shall be not less than 44 inches in width. Stairways serving an

occupant load of 50 or less may be 36 inches wide. Handrails may

project from each side of a stairway at a distance of 3\1/2\ inches

into the required width. A stringer may project inside the measured

width not more than 1\1/2\ inches.

Exception: The width of a stairway may be 28 inches in existing

ATCTs provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established in this

standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection

and alarm systems).

(b) Circular stairways are prohibited except in ATCT cabs where

the circular stairway serves an occupant load of 10 or less and the

minimum width of run is not less than 5 inches and the rise is not

more than 9 inches.

Exception: The run of steps from the cab for existing ATCTs may

be less than 5 inches (when measured 12 inches from the center

column) provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established in

this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire

detection and alarm systems).

stairway shall not exceed 7\1/2\ inches and the minimum run (tread

depth) shall not be less than 10 inches. For stairways constructed

after the effective date of this standard, the stair rise shall not

be less than 4 inches and shall not exceed 7 inches and the minimum

run shall be 11 inches.

Exception No. 1: Stairways serving an occupant load of less than

10 and stairways to roofs may be constructed with an 8-inch maximum

rise and 9-inch minimum run.

Exception No. 2: Circular stairways as permitted by section

j.10.(b) are excluded from this requirement.

Exception No. 3: The rise of steps from the cab for existing

ATCTs may be greater than 7\1/2\ inches and the run in existing

ATCTs may be greater than 10 inches (when measured 12 inches from

the center column) provided the ATCT meets the other criteria

established in this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated

protectives, fire detection and alarm systems).

(d) The least dimension of a stair landing shall not be less

than the required width of the stairway (36 inches for new ATCTs and

28 inches for existing ATCTs), except that the landing dimension in

the direction of egress travel need not exceed 4 feet where the

travel from one stair flight to the next stair flight is a straight

run.

(e) There shall be not more than 12 feet vertically between

landings.

Exception: Distances between landings in existing ATCTs serving

an occupant load of 10 or less may be more than 12 feet provided the

ATCT meets the other criteria established in this standard (e.g.,

fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection and alarm

systems).

(f) Exit stairs that continue beyond the floor of discharge

shall be interrupted at the floor of discharge by partitions, doors,

or other effective means.

11. Guards

(a) Means of egress such as stairs or landings that are more

than 30 inches above the floor or the grade below shall be provided

with guards at least 42 inches high to prevent falls over the open

side.

Exception: Existing handrails meeting the requirements of

section j.12 below shall be permitted to serve as guards.

(b) Guards shall have a pattern such that a sphere 4 inches in

diameter cannot pass through the opening.

Exception: Guards in existing ATCTs may have an approved

intermediate rail.

12. Handrails

(a) Handrails shall continue for the full length of each flight

of stairs. At turns of stairs, inside handrails shall be continuous

between flights and landings.

Exception: On existing stairs, the handrails are not required to

be continuous between flights of stairs at landings provided the

ATCT meets the other criteria established in this standard (e.g.,

fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection and alarm

systems).

(b) Handrails on stairs shall not be less than 34 inches nor

more than 38 inches above the surface of the tread.

Exception No. 1: Handrails that form part of a guard shall be

permitted to have a maximum height of 42 inches above the surface of

the tread provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established in

this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire

detection and alarm systems).

Exception No. 2: Handrails in existing ATCTs shall not be less

than 30 inches above the surface of the tread.

Exception No. 3: Additional handrails, beyond those required in

this standard, are permitted at heights other than those stipulated

provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established in this

standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection

and alarm systems).

required passageway, aisle, corridor, stair, or ramp width.

(d) The clear space between the handrail and the adjacent wall

or surface shall not be less than 1\1/2\ inches.

13. Smokeproof Enclosures

(a) A smokeproof enclosure shall consist of a continuous

stairway enclosed by walls of fire resistive construction. The top

of the enclosure shall be located within 50 feet travel distance

from the most remote point of the cab for existing ATCTs and 20 feet

travel distance from the most remote point of the cab for new ATCTs.

(b) The smokeproof enclosure shall be designed for natural or

mechanical ventilation in compliance with NFPA 101--Life Safety

Code.

smokeproof enclosure. The enclosure construction meet the

requirements of section f.5.(c) of this standard.

Exception: A pressurized stairway system may be used where the

ATCT is protected by an automatic sprinkler system or is provided

with equivalent levels of protection established in this standard

(e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection and alarm

systems).

(d) Pressurized Stairway Requirements. Smokeproof enclosures by

stairway pressurization shall comply with the following:

(1) the ATCT meets the other criteria established in this

standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire detection

and alarm systems); and

(2) the exist stairways are pressurized to a minimum of 0.15

inch of water column and a maximum of 0.35 inch of water column in

the shaft relative to the building measured with all stairway doors

closed under maximum anticipated stack pressures.

14. Exit Signs

(a) Exists shall be marked by a readily visible sign. Access to

exists shall be marked by readily visible signs in all cases where

the exit or pathway to an exit is not immediately visible to the

occupants.

(b) Any door, passage, or stairway which is neither an exit nor

a way of exit access, and which is so located or arranged as to be

likely to be mistaken for an exit, shall be identified by a sign

reading ``Not an Exit'' or similar designation, or shall be

identified by a sign indicating its actual character, such as ``To

Basement,'' ``Storeroom,'' ``Linen Closet,'' or the like.

access shall be so located and of such size, color, and design as to

be readily visible. No decorations, furnishings, or equipment which

impair visibility of an exit sign shall be permitted, nor shall

there be any brightly illuminated sign (for other than exit

purposes), display, or object in or near the line of vision to the

required exit sign of such a character as to so detract attention

from the exit sign that it may not be noticed.

(d) Lettering of exit signs shall be at least 6 inches high with

the principal strokes of letters not less than three-fourths of an

inch wide.

(e) A sign reading ``Exit,'' or similar designation, with an

arrow indicating the directions, shall be placed in every location

where the direction(s) of travel to reach the nearest exit is not

immediately apparent.

(f) Every exit sign shall be suitably illuminated by a reliable

light source of not less than 5 foot-candles, either internally or

externally, on the illuminated surface.

Exception: Approved internally illuminated signs which evenly

illuminate letters shall have a minimum luminance of 0.06 foot

lambert.

15. Illumination of Means of Egress

(a) An emergency lighting system for means of egress shall be

provided for every ATCT facility.

(b) In the absence of an emergency lighting system consisting of

a prime mover-operated electric generator, electric battery-operated

emergency lights shall be used which comply fully with the National

Electrical Code, NFPA 70.

the time the ATCT is occupied.

(d) The floors throughout the means of egress shall have an

illumination of not less than 1 footcandle.

(e) Any required illumination shall be arranged so that failure

of any single lighting unit will not leave any area in total

darkness.

16. Emergency Power Requirements

(a) ATCTs more than 75 feet high shall have stand-by power in

accordance with NFPA 70--National Electrical Code and NFPA 110--

Emergency Standby Power Systems, Class I, Type 60 for the emergency

lighting, automatic fire alarm system, electrical fire pump, central

control station, mechanical equipment for smokeproof enclosures, and

at least one elevator serving all floors except the cab which is

transferable to any elevator.

(b) ATCTs less than 75 feet shall have emergency power for

emergency lighting, automatic fire alarm systems, and mechanical

equipment for smokeproof enclosures.

Exception: In existing ATCTs, emergency power to elevators is

not required provided the ATCT meets the other criteria established

in this standard (e.g., fire resistance rated protectives, fire

detection and alarm systems).

17. Fire Escape Ladders and Exterior Stairs

(a) Fire escape ladders and exterior stairs shall not constitute

any of the required means of egress in ATCTs.

(b) Although this standard contains provisions for fire escape

ladders and exterior stairs on ATCTs, it does not recommend their

use for several primary reasons:

(1) possible icing in cold conditions;

(2) fear of height by users;

(3) poor condition due to low maintenance;

(4) lack of protection from smoke and fire;

(5) lack of appropriate fall protection; and

(6) slow descent rate of users.

(1) Fire escape ladders shall be permitted to be used only under

the following conditions:

A. the ladders comply with OSHA requirement 29 CFR 1910.27,

Fixed Ladders;

B. to provide access to unoccupied roof or maintenance areas;

and

C. To provide a second means of escape from ATCTs only if fire

conditions prevent the use of the primary means of egress or prevent

other less dangerous means of escape or rescue.

(d) Fire Escape Exterior Stairs.

(1) Fire escape stairs shall be permitted in existing ATCTs but

shall not constitute more than 50 percent of the required exit

capacity.

(2) Fire escape stairs shall provide a continuous, unobstructed,

safe path of travel to the exit discharge or a safe area of refuge.

(3) Fire escape stairs shall also comply with the other

provisions of 1991 edition of NFPA 101--Life Safety Code, Chapter 5-

2.8 for fire escape stairs.

Exception: Existing noncomplying fire escape stairs may be

continued to be used subject to the authority having jurisdiction.

18. Openings in exit enclosures shall be confined to those

necessary for access to the enclosure from normally occupied spaces

and for egress from the enclosure.

k. Fire Protection

1. General. Fire detection, alarm, and suppression equipment

including detectors, manual and automatic alarms, and portable

extinguishers shall be provided at ATCT facilities.

2. Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. In every ATCT,

automatic fire detection and alarm systems shall be provided to warn

occupants of the existence of fire.

(a) Fire detection and alarm systems. Fire detection and alarm

systems shall be maintained and tested in accordance with the

requirements of 29 CFR 1910.164(c) and NFPA 72.

(b) The fire alarm control panel which indicates the existence

and location of a fire shall be installed in a constantly attended

area in a location acceptable to the responding fire department,

typically at the ATCT front entrance.

accordance with the following styles of wiring per NFPA 72:

A. Initiating device circuits shall be Style D.

B. Indicating appliance circuits shall be Style Z.

C. If a multiplex system, signaling line circuits shall be Style

6 or 7.

Exception: Any style of wiring that complies with NFPA 72 shall

be permitted if the ATCT is fully sprinklered.

(d) The fire detection and alarm system shall automatically

notify the fire department providing service to the ATCT, or an

effective plan for notifying the fire department shall be

established.

(e) Alarms shall sound in all occupied spaces at a sound level

of 15 dBA above the ambient sound pressure level to assure

notification of all personnel in accordance with NFPA 72.

Exception: Alarm horns or bells are not required in ATCT cab or

TRACON. An annunciator complying with k.2. (g), below, shall be

provided.

(f) Manual fire alarm stations shall be provided in the path of

escape. The stations shall be plainly marked, and lighted for ease

of use in an emergency.

(g) When automatic sprinkler systems are employed, the systems

shall be supervised by the alarm system.

(h) An annunciator panel to indicate the location of an actuated

manual station, automatic detector, or waterflow switch shall be

provided in the ATCT cab and TRACON which incorporates a silencing

feature in accordance with NFPA 72 and Underwriters Laboratory.

Additionally, annunciators shall resound an alarm indication at the

annunciator after a period of 90 seconds if the system has not been

reset or cleared.

(i) All detection and alarm equipment shall be listed by a

Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

(j) Products of combustion (smoke) detectors shall be provided

in all areas throughout an ATCT. Spacing of detectors shall not

exceed the maximum distance indicated by tests performed by the

approving laboratory for the particular device used.

(k) A secondary power source shall be provided for every fire

detection and alarm system and shall operate automatically in the

event of failure of the primary power source. Secondary power may be

supplied by either an engine driven generator or by storage

batteries of sufficient capacity.

(l) Detectors need not be provided in spaces above suspended

ceilings where no combustibles are present.

(m) Detectors shall be installed below raised floors in

accordance with the applicable provisions of NFPA 72.

(n) Detectors shall be installed in air handling systems

downstream of air handlers with a capacity of greater than 2,000

cubic feet per minute. Upon activation of a detector, the associated

air handling unit will be shut down.

3. Standpipe Systems. Standpipe systems, where required by local

building code, shall conform to those local building codes.

4. Automatic Sprinkler, Halon 1301, Other Extinguishing Systems,

and Portable Fire Extinguishers.

(a) Sprinkler Systems.

(1) Where automatic sprinklers are installed in an ATCT,

sprinklers shall be provided in all areas or rooms.

(2) Sprinkler systems shall generally be of the wet type unless

subject to freezing conditions. Waterflow and valve tamper

supervision shall be annunciated with a listed alarm check valve or

other listed waterflow detecting alarm device with the necessary

attachments required to give an alarm. Installation shall comply

with NFPA 13.

(3) All automatic sprinkler systems shall be continuously

maintained in reliable operating condition at all times, and such

periodic inspections and tests shall be made as are necessary to

assure proper maintenance.

(b) Halon or Other Extinguishing Systems (see note in section

k.3.(c)(4)).

(1) Halon 1301 extinguishing systems or other alternative

extinguishing systems may be used in lieu of automatic sprinklers

for existing ATCT computer or electronic equipment areas. Such areas

include but are not limited to ATCT cabs, TRACON rooms,

communications equipment rooms, and radar equipment rooms. However,

a Halon 1301 or other alternative extinguishing system shall not be

considered to be equivalent to an automatic sprinkler system for

purposes of omitting the requirement for fire resistive construction

as required in this standard unless it has automatic standby

capacity.

(2) Halon 1301 or other alternative extinguishing systems shall

be designed as an automatic sensing and actuating type with

sufficient standby capacity.

(3) Halon 1301 systems shall be installed and maintained in

accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation and NFPA No. 12A,

1973, Halogenated Fire Extinguishing Agent Systems--Halon 1301,

National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts.

(4) Other alternative extinguishing systems shall be maintained

in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and the

appropriate NFPA standard.

(1) General.

A. Portable extinguishers shall be maintained in a fully charged

and operable condition, and kept in their designated places at all

times when they are not being used.

B. Extinguishers shall be conspicuously mounted where they will

be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of

fire. They shall be mounted along normal paths of travel.

C. Extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view.

In large rooms and in certain locations where visual obstruction

cannot be completely avoided, signs shall be provided to

conspicuously indicate the location and intended use of

extinguishers.

D. All extinguishers shall be marked conspicuously as to their

intended use upon different classes of fire to ensure choice of the

proper extinguisher.

(2) Inspection and Maintenance.

A. Extinguishers shall be inspected monthly, or at more frequent

intervals when circumstances require, to ensure they are in their

designated places, to ensure they have not been actuated or tampered

with, and to detect any obvious physical damage, corrosion, or other

impairments. Any extinguisher showing defects shall be given a

complete maintenance check and repaired or replaced, as necessary.

B. At regular intervals, not more than 1 years apart, or when

specifically indicated by an inspection, extinguishers shall be

thoroughly examined and/or recharged or repaired to ensure

operability and safety; or replaced as needed.

C. Extinguishers removed from the premises to be recharged or

repaired shall be replaced by spare extinguishers during the period

they are gone.

D. Each extinguisher shall have a durable tag securely attached

to show the maintenance or recharge date and the initials or

signature of the person who performs this service.

E. If, at any time, an extinguisher shows evidence of corrosion

or damage, it shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test, or

replaced.

(3) Selection and Location. A fire extinguisher of proper size

and type shall be available within 75 feet from any point in a room.

This requirement may increase the number of extinguishers over the

quantity required in the table on Minimum Quantity and Type of Fire

Extinguishers.

Minimum Quantity and Type of Fire Extinguisher (Note 1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water, antifreeze and

Room or area type loaded stream Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Halon 1301

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATCT, All Occupied and Support Note 2, 4................ ......................... Note 4

Areas.

Electronic Equipment Room..... Note 2, 4................ Note 3, 4................ Note 4

Mechanical Equipment Room..... Note 2, 4................ Note 3, 4................ Note 4

Telco Equipment Room.......... Note 2, 4................ Two 15 lb. Extinguishers Note 4

Note 3, 4.

Engine Generator Room......... Note 2, 4................ One 15 lb. Extinguisher Note 4

Note 3, 4.

Electric Storage Area......... Note 2, 4................ Note 3, 4................ Note 3

General Storage Area.......... Note 2, 4................ One 15 lb. Extinguisher ..........................

Note 3, 4.

Maintenance Shop.............. Note 2, 4................ One 15 lb. Extinguisher ..........................

Note 3, 4.

Kitchen....................... Note 2, 4 Multipurpose... ......................... One 2A, 10B:C Halon

Extinguisher

Office Space.................. ......................... ......................... ..........................

ATCT Cab...................... Note 2, 4................ Note 3, 4................ Note 4

TRACON Room................... Note 2, 4................ Note 3, 4................ Note 4

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note:

1. An extinguisher shall be available within 75 feet from any point in a room. This may increase the number of

extinguishers over the quantity required in the above table. Multiple extinguishers of a lesser rating may not

be substituted for one larger extinguisher.

2. One 2\1/2\ gallon extinguisher shall be provided per 300 square feet of floor area or portion thereof.

3. One 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher shall be required for each 1600 square feet of floor area or portion thereof.

4. Halon 1301 or 1211 extinguishers may be used instead of CO2 or water, antifreeze and loaded stream

extinguishers in existing ATCTs. A Halon extinguisher rated 10 B:C may be substituted for a 15 lb. CO2

extinguisher. A Halon extinguisher with 2A rating may be substituted for a water, antifreeze and loaded stream

extinguisher with a 2\1/2\ gallon capacity.

5. Multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers are preferred for use on all types of fires. Multipurpose dry

chemical extinguishers may be used instead of CO2, or water, antifreeze and loaded stream extinguishers in

ATCTs. A multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher rated 10 B:C may be substituted for a 15 lb. CO2 extinguisher.

A multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher with 2A rating may be substituted for a water, antifreeze and loaded

stream extinguisher with a 2\1/2\ gallon capacity.

(4) Halogenated extinguishing agents are no longer in

production. Existing supplies of Halon extinguishers may remain in

use until they are either discharged or require repair.

(5) ATCTs constructed and occupied after the date this standard

is promulgated shall not be equipped with halogenated fire

extinguishers.

1. Fire Prevention and Evacuation Plan

1. Fire Prevention Plan.

(a) Each ATCT shall develop a written fire prevention plan which

shall include at a minimum the following:

(1) a list of all of the major workplace fire hazards and their

proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources

(e.g., welding, smoking) and their control procedures, and the type

of fire protection equipment or systems which can control a fire

involving those hazards;

(2) names or job titles of personnel responsible for maintaining

equipment and systems installed to prevent or control fire;

(3) names or job titles of personnel responsible for controlling

fuel source hazards; and

(4) a list of extinguishers installed at the facility and their

locations.

(b) Housekeeping. The employer shall control accumulations of

flammable and combustible materials so that they do not contribute

to a fire emergency. Housekeeping procedures shall be included in

the written fire prevention plan.

(1) The employer shall inform employees of the fire hazards of

the materials and processes to which they are exposed.

(2) The employer shall review with each employee upon initial

assignment and annually thereafter those parts of the fire

prevention plan which the employee must know in the event of an

emergency. The written fire prevention plan shall be kept in the

workplace and be available for employee review.

(3) Employers shall train employees on the use of the various

type of fire extinguishers used in their facility.

(4) Supervisors shall document employee fire prevention training

in employee records.

2. Emergency Evacuation Plan.

(a) An emergency egress plan shall be developed and posted at

each ATCT facility where it is available for employee review.

(b) This plan shall include actions employers and employees must

take to ensure safety from fire and other emergencies. The plan

shall include, at a minimum the following:

(1) emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route

assignments;

(2) procedures to be followed by employees who remain to perform

critical ATCT operations before they evacuate;

(3) procedures to account for all employees after emergency

evacuation has been completed;

(4) rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to

perform them; and

(5) names or job titles of persons or departments who can be

contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the

plan.

(6) This plan shall be posted in a place readily available to

employees. A diagram of designated emergency egress routes shall be

posted along the path of egress.

(1) Before implementing the emergency action plan, the employer

shall designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist

in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees.

(2) The employer shall review the plan with each employee

covered by the plan at the following times:

A. initially when the plan is developed;

B. whenever the employee's responsibilities or designated

actions under the plan change; and

C. whenever the plan is changed.

D. The employer shall review with each employee upon initial

assignment and annually thereafter those parts of the evacuation

plan which the employee must know to protect the employee in the

event of an emergency.

(d) Fire drills shall be held periodically. Fire drills shall be

held often enough to ensure that each employee participates in at

least one drill annually.

(e) Since all personnel may not be able to leave their positions

during a fire drill, employees who were not able to participate

shall be briefed on the emergency evacuation route and instructed to

use this route the next time they leave the facility in order to

familiarize themselves with the exit route. Supervisors shall

document employee briefings in employee records.

(f) Ladders shall not be used during evacuation drills as their

use during drills poses unnecessary risk.

Material Provided in Support of the Proposed Alternate Standard to 29

CFR 1910.36(b)(8)

A statement of why the agency cannot comply with the OSHA standard

or wants to adopt an alternate standard.

The existing alternate standard was proposed by the Department of

Transportation (DOT) and accepted by the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) for Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) in

1982 in recognition of the characteristic structure of ATCTs and the

unique FAA mission to control aircraft from these buildings.

Contributing factors in the DOT pursuit of an alternate standard

included the feasibility of using alternate life safety measures which

provided an equivalent level of protection for ATCT occupants, the

enormous expense and impracticality of adding a second exit to existing

ATCTs or constructing ATCTs with two remote exits, and the need to

minimize disruption of the commercial and private aviation activities.

DOT requests modification to the existing alternate standard for

ATCTs for the reasons stated below.

A number of specifications established in the existing

alternate standard for ATCTs require types of construction beyond those

mandated in OSHA regulations or in life safety and building codes.

A licensed fire protection engineer has provided several

alternative protection measures for ATCTs which were not included in

the existing alternate standard.

The existing alternate standard does not address important

operational ATCT requirements (e.g., 360 deg. field of vision at the

cab level) or their relationship with protective structural or

procedural features.

A description of the alternate standard.

The revision to the existing alternate standard provides types of

ATCT construction and methods of operation which enhance the fire

detection and notification, fire resistance, smoke control, and

emergency response features for ATCTs. These features provide early

warning of the presence of fire or smoke, flame and smoke spread

control, and automatic notification of emergency response units such

that a level of fire safety equivalent to two means of egress are

afforded ATCT occupants.

An explanation of how the alternate standard provides equivalent or

greater protection for the affected employees.

Enhancements to the alternate standard include:

an ATCT stairway smoke control system;

fire resistant rated materials for stairway enclosures and

openings;

self-closing or automatic fire doors;

ATCT fire alarm system wiring in accordance with NFPA 72

reliability standards;

automatic smoke detection;

automatic fire detection, alarm, and signalling systems

with automatic fire department and ATCT notification and ATCT cab

annunciator panels with battery backup;

prohibition of storage of high hazard materials or use of

more than minimal amounts of high hazard materials for specific duties;

occupancy above the level of exit discharge only by able-

bodied persons;

prescribed quality and type of interior finish materials;

specified levels of fire resistant rated opening

protectives to base buildings.

These and other measures in the proposed revision to the alternate

standard will provide equivalent or greater protection for ATCTs.

A description of interim protective measures afforded employees.

Pending approval of the proposed alternate standard, DOT has

completed standard design ATCT structural fire safety enhancements

proposed by the Rolf Jensen Associates licensed fire protection

engineer. These enhancements comply with the proposed alternate

standard. Other ATCTs are currently under going review by the licensed

fire protection engineer contractor and up-grades are scheduled for

completion by December 1994. In the interim, DOT has initiated a

program in which ATCT employees are trained in emergency response

techniques (evacuation plan, fire response techniques, and fire

extinguisher use), agreements are made with local fire and rescue

response units to ensure prompt fire control and medical service

response, smoke detectors and fire alarms are installed, and

housekeeping material and storage practices are improved.

[FR Doc. 94-20473 Filed 8-24-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-M

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