Question:
I am very glad I'm part of this group. But the funny thing is, ever since I joined the medlib listservers group, I have been asked to obtain very out of my league information. Anway...here is the latest query. I have been told by our hospital safety officer that I am in very bad violation of the fire safety code. Apparently, the space between the top of my books and journals and the ceiling is 5 inches. I have been told that I must remove both books and shelves in order to meet safety regulations. However, before I rush out and buy more shelves I would like to know if there is a standard for libraries on the correct spacing.

Answer: I think it is pretty standard throughout the U.S. - in California it is also 18 inches and once a year the fire inspector walks through and eyeballs it. We also pay a safety service to check the hospital for problems and that is one of the things they look for in the library (the other major thing is bookcases bolted to the wall studs - earthquake country here.)