49 CFR § 299.421 - Emergency roof access.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s299.421"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 299.421 - Emergency roof access."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "299.421"
section_name: "Emergency roof access."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "299"
part_name: "TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD HIGH-SPEED RAIL SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20133, 20141, 20302-20303, 20306, 20701-20702, 21301-21302, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "85 FR 69731, Nov. 3, 2020, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "299"
---


# 299.421 Emergency roof access.

(a) *Number and dimensions.* Each passenger car shall have a minimum of two emergency roof access locations, each providing a minimum opening of 660 mm (26 inches) longitudinally (*i.e.,* parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car) by 610 mm (24 inches) laterally.

(b) *Means of access.* Emergency roof access shall be provided by means of a conspicuously marked structural weak point in the roof for access by properly equipped emergency response personnel.

(c) *Location.* Emergency roof access locations shall be situated so that when a car is on its side—

(1) One emergency access location is situated as close as practicable within each half of the roof as divided top from bottom; and

(2) One emergency access location is situated as close as practicable within each half of the roof as divided left from right. (*See* Figure 1 to this paragraph.)

(d) *Obstructions.* The ceiling space below each emergency roof access location shall be free from wire, cabling, conduit, and piping. This space shall also be free of any rigid secondary structure (*e.g.,* a diffuser or diffuser support, lighting back fixture, mounted PA equipment, or luggage rack) where practicable. It shall be permissible to cut through interior panels, liners, or other non-rigid secondary structures after making the cutout hole in the roof, provided any such additional cutting necessary to access the interior of the vehicle permits a minimum opening of the dimensions specified in paragraph (a) of this section to be maintained.

(e) *Marking instructions.* Each emergency roof access location shall be conspicuously marked with retroreflective material of contrasting color meeting the minimum requirements specified in § 299.423. Legible and understandable instructions shall be posted at or near each such location.