The commission shall determine the compliance of each facility's exits, emergency plans, programs, drills, procedures, equipment, and the other measures for life safety in accordance with these rules. Variances from the strict requirements of these rules may be granted by the commission in accordance with the variance procedures set forth in Chapter 299 of this title (relating to Variance Procedure Rules), but only when it is clearly evident that reasonable life safety is thereby secured.
37 Tex. Admin. Code § 263.3