Section 855.25  Alternative Procedures and Variances

a)         A variance may be requested by submitting a written proposal to the Department a minimum of 20 days before the commencement of work.  The written proposal shall include a detailed description of the procedure(s) to be used in lieu of the requirements of this Part.  The capability of the alternative procedure(s) to provide an orderly, efficient, and safe abatement which ensures protection equivalent to that provided by this Part or to otherwise satisfy the intent of this Part shall be the basis for approval or denial of the variance. The Department shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision to either grant or deny the variance within 20 days after receipt of the request.  The project manager shall keep the approved variance available at the work site at all times.

b)         Variances on abatement project activities shall be issued on a per project basis.  Variance requests shall bear the signature of the licensed project designer.  Variances shall be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.

c)         A completed Request for Variance Cover Sheet form provided by the Department shall be submitted with each variance request.