20. Ventilation and temperature in new factories or rooms.
- In any factory or part of a factory which has been built or brought into use after the enforcement of these rules, no worker shall be allowed to work unless-(a)if no mechanical means for general ventilation and for reduction of temperature is employed, and(i)the width of the room exceeds 18 meters (59 ft.) or its floor area exceeds 560 sq. meters (6,128 sq. feet), the aggregate area of ventilating openings as approved or directed by the Chief Inspector:(ii)the width of the room does not exceed 18 meters or its floor area does not exceed 560 sq. meters, the aggregate area of ventilating openings is not less than the area found from the applicable formula in Appendix I :Provided that the Chief Inspector in consideration of the special circumstances of a factory, may permit smaller ventilating openings to be provided:Provided further that for computing the aggregate area of ventilating openings no account shall be taken of doors (except doors without shutters), ventilators or sky-lights.(b)If ventilating openings in any room or building are not adequate mechanical ventilation is provided and fans or other means employed for this purpose are of such capacity as to circulate through the room or the building six times in every hour a volume of air equal to the cubic capacity of the room or building, and(c)The internal height of the roof or the ceiling of any room or shed at the lowest point is not less than 14 feet from the floor level:Provided that the Chief Inspector may allow a lower height of any roof, if-(i)the roof includes sufficient layer of earthen ware, tiles, woods compressed asbestos or any other substance which is a bad conductor or heat; or(ii)it is a double roof with an air space not less than six inches in depth open to the atmosphere at the seves and in case of slopping roofs with sufficient means of egress of hot foul air at the adex; or(iii)a ceiling with sufficient air-space has been provided under the roof; or(iv)the room is air conditioned or other efficient arrangements have been made to keep the temperature of the room within reasonable limits; or(v)the room has re-inforced concrete or other kind of terraced roof; or(vi)on account of the climatic or other conditions or the size of the factory the Chief Inspector considers that a height of 14 feet is not necessary or practicable:Provided further that the Chief Inspector may require the internal height to be increased up to 20 feet, if any process generating heat is carried on within the room or shed.
