(a) Types of waivers that may be approved. NARA may approve exceptions to one or more of the standards in this part for:

(1) Systems, methods, or devices that are demonstrated to have equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety to those prescribed by this subpart;

(2) Existing agency records centers that met the NARA standards in effect prior to January 3, 2000, but do not meet a new standard required to be in place on September 28, 2005; and

(3) The application of roof requirements in §§1234.10 and 1234.12 to underground storage facilities.

(b) Where to submit a waiver request. The agency submits a waiver request, containing the information specified in paragraphs (c), (d), and/or (e) of this section to NARA by mail at National Archives and Records Administration; Storage Coordination and Logistics (B-AD); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001.

(c) Content of request for waivers for equivalent or superior alternatives. The agency's waiver request must contain:

(1) A statement of the specific provision(s) of this part for which a waiver is requested, a description of the proposed alternative, and an explanation how it is equivalent to or superior to the NARA requirement; and

(2) Supporting documentation that the alternative does not provide less protection for Federal records than that which would be provided by compliance with the corresponding provisions contained in this subpart. Documentation may take the form of certifications from a licensed fire protection engineer or a structural or civil engineer, as appropriate; reports of independent testing; reports of computer modeling; and/or other supporting information.

(d) Content of request for waiver for previously compliant agency records center. The agency's waiver request must identify which requirement(s) the agency records center cannot meet and provide a plan with milestones for bringing the center into compliance.

(e) Content of request for waiver of roof requirements for underground facility. The agency's waiver request must identify the location of the facility and whether the facility is a drift entrance facility or a vertical access facility.

[74 FR 51014, Oct. 2, 2009, as amended at 83 FR 13655, Mar. 30, 2018]