Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 297 - INDOOR AIR QUALITY › Subchapter A - GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS › Section 297.1 - General Provisions

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Purpose. Health and Safety Code, Chapter 385, Indoor Air Quality in
											  Government Buildings, requires the Board of Health (board) to establish voluntary guidelines for indoor air
											  quality (IAQ) in government buildings, including guidelines for ventilation and indoor air pollution control
											  systems. The department developed these guidelines to promote practices that prevent or reduce the
											  contamination of indoor air, thereby contributing to a safe, healthy, productive and comfortable environment
											  for building occupants. Benefits of good IAQ may include improved health of occupants, decrease in the spread
											  of infectious disease, protection of susceptible populations, increased productivity of occupants, improved
											  relationships/fewer complaints, reduction in potential building closures and relocation of occupants, less
											  deterioration of buildings and equipment, reduced maintenance costs, and decreased liability and
											  risk.
(b) Scope. These are voluntary guidelines for government
											  buildings. Only buildings that are enclosed on all sides from floor to ceiling by walls or windows (exclusive
											  of door ways) that extend from the floor to the ceiling are covered by these guidelines. Examples of
											  governmental buildings include, but are not limited to, office buildings, public schools, public colleges,
											  public universities, laboratories, dormitories, correctional facilities, courts, libraries, hospitals,
											  warehouses, convention centers, sports facilities or any other building that is defined in this guideline as
											  a government building. Open air parking garages and other facilities that are not enclosed are not covered by
											  these guidelines. These guidelines are not intended to cover industrial-type activities in governmental
											  buildings that are covered by occupational health and safety guidelines and standards unless these activities
											  affect office, classroom, or other non-industrial occupied areas. Industrial-type activities would commonly
											  be found in laboratories, maintenance shops, print shops, woodworking shops, or automotive maintenance and
											  repair shops.
(1) The department does not have any enforcement authority
											  requiring implementation of these guidelines. They do not create liability for a governmental entity for an
											  injury caused by the failure to comply with the voluntary guidelines established by the board under Health
											  and Safety Code, §
											385.002.
(2) Additional information on IAQ and a list of other resources for more
											  information can be provided by the Indoor Air Quality Branch of the department. There are several resources
											  available free of charge which offer guidance on the development of an IAQ Management Plan and which provide
											  forms that can be used or modified to fit the needs of governmental buildings. These include the U.S.
											  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publications, "Building Air Quality Action Plan and Building Air
											  Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers, Indoor Air Quality Building Education Assessment
											  Model (I-BEAM) Software" and "IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit". These resources are available on the
											  Internet at www.epa.gov/iaq.
(3) The needs, costs and available
											  funding for improving the IAQ vary greatly in different governmental entities. Governmental administrators
											  should evaluate, and adopt or promote those guidelines that in their judgment are relevant, applicable and
											  feasible to implement. It is important to realize that these guidelines are presented as a basic standard of
											  practice that the department is encouraging governmental administrators to strive for.
(4) If portions of these guidelines conflict with any applicable building
											  codes or other laws, then such laws take precedence over these guidelines. It is the responsibility of each
											  governmental building administrator and other users of these guidelines to comply with applicable laws
											  including but not limited to, those related to building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, fire
											  protection, safety, energy use and environmental protection.