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Industrial Board
Overview of Program

Variance Request Procedure 2008-2009 Meeting Dates
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The Industrial Board is a group of private citizens who have been given authority to review certain matters related to the Department of Labor and Industry. They review decisions made by the Department to determine if their decisions are consistent with the purpose and intent of certain laws enforced by the Department. They also have authority to grant variances to Regulations.

Under the Administrative Code of 1929, as amended by Act 80 of 1998, the Industrial Board consists of six members - one a licensed architect, one a licensed engineer, one a representative of the building industry with experience in building safety, one a representative of an employee organization with experience in building safety, and two representatives of the general public. These members are appointed by the Governor and are confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate. The Secretary of Labor and Industry, or his designee, is Chairman of the Board.

Act 80 gives the Industrial Board the authority to establish technical Advisory Boards to assist in the performance of its duties. Currently, there are three Advisory Boards: the Elevator Advisory Board, Boiler Advisory Board, and the Liquefied Petroleum and Gas Advisory Board. These members are appointed by the Secretary of Labor and Industry. These Boards were established to draft, maintain, and interpret Regulations and to give technical advice on variances. The Advisory Boards meet at the call of the Chairman.

The Industrial Board meets at least once each month to hold hearings and to consider appeals on the following Regulations within its jurisdiction:

Fire and Panic
Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessels
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Elevators, Escalators, Dumbwaiters and Hoists
Dry Cleaning
Bedding and Upholstery
Stuffed Toys
Employment Agency
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Safety Glazing
Uniform Construction Code

Variance Request Procedure

The appeal procedure to the Industrial Board can be referenced in Section 49.15 of the Pennsylvania Code, Title 34, Fire and Panic Regulations.

Requests for variances must be submitted on the following form which is self-explanatory. This Variance Request Form (LIIB-115) must be accompanied by the appropriate requirements needed for review as listed on the bottom of the form. This request must be submitted by the owner of the building or his representative. There is no fee for variance requests.

Prior to submission to the Board for a variance, plans must be reviewed by the Buildings Section of the Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety. This review is necessary to ensure that all matters that require Board action are addressed.

Variance requests should not be submitted via e-mail or via facsimile. If you have any questions, please contact the Industrial Board Office at 717-787-6114.

Meeting Dates for 2008 and 2009

In accordance with the Sunshine Law Meeting Notice, (Act 84 of 1986), proposed Industrial Board meeting dates are published as a matter of public record. Meeting dates are subject to change based on Board Members' schedules and, if changed, republication is made.

The proposed meeting dates for 2008 are as follows:

January 22 and 23 (24 th if needed) February 26 and 27 (28 th if needed)
March 25 and 26 (27 th if needed) April 23 and 24 (25 th if needed)
May 28 and 29 (30 th if needed) June 24 and 25 (26 th if needed)
July 29 and 30 (31 st if needed) August 26 and 27 (28 th if needed)
September 23 and 24 (25 th if needed) October 21 and 22 (23 rd if needed)
November 12 and 13 (14 th if needed) December 16 and 17

The proposed meeting dates for 2009 are as follows:

January 27 and 28 (29 th if needed) February 24 and 25 (26 th if needed)
March 24 and 25 (26 th if needed) April 28 and 29 (30 th if needed)
May 26 and 27 (29 th if needed) June 23 and 24 (25 th if needed)
July 28 and 29 (30 th if needed) August 25 and 26 (27 th if needed)
September 22 and 23 (24 th if needed) October 27 and 28 (29 th if needed)
November 17 and 18 (19 th if needed) December 15 and 16 (17 th if needed)