Texas Administrative Code › Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 506 - SPECIAL CARE FACILITIES › Subchapter G - SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND FIRE PROTECTION › Section 506.81 - General Safety

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) The building
				  must be kept in good repair. Electrical, heating and cooling must be maintained
				  in a safe manner. The department may require the licensee to submit evidence to
				  this effect, consisting of a report from the fire marshal, city or county
				  building official having jurisdiction, licensed electrician, or a registered
				  professional engineer.
(b) Use of
				  electrical appliances, devices, and lamps, must be such as not to overload
				  circuits or cause excessive lengths of extension cords.
(c) In facilities of 16 beds or less, all
				  draperies and other window coverings in public or common areas, and in bedrooms
				  and living units shall be flame resistant. In facilities of 17 beds or more,
				  draperies shall be flame resistant, where smoking is permitted.
(d) In facilities of 17 beds or more, all
				  floor carpet installed in public or common spaces shall be Class I or II based
				  on the "Critical Radiant Flux" ratings. Proper documentation must be
				  provided.
(e) Open flame heating
				  devices are prohibited. All fuel burning heating devices must be vented.
				  Working fireplaces are accepted if of safe design and construction and if
				  screened or otherwise enclosed.
(f)
				  There must be a least one telephone in the facility available to both staff and
				  residents for use in case of an emergency. Emergency telephone numbers,
				  including at least fire, police, ambulances, EMS, and poison control center,
				  must be posted conspicuously at or near the telephone.
(g) An initial pressure test of facility gas
				  lines from the meter must be provided. Additional pressure tests will be
				  required when the facility has major renovations or additions where the gas
				  service is interrupted. All gas heating systems must be checked prior to the
				  heating season for proper operation and safety by persons who are licensed or
				  approved by the State of Texas to inspect such equipment. A record of this
				  service must be maintained by the facility. Any unsatisfactory conditions must
				  be corrected promptly.
(h) Exterior
				  and interior stairs must have handrails that are firmly secured to prevent
				  falls.
(i) Cooling and heating must
				  be provided for occupant comfort. Conditioning systems must be capable of
				  maintaining the comfort ranges of 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 82 degrees
				  Fahrenheit in resident-use areas. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
				  (HVAC) equipment must comply with the provisions of National Fire Protection
				  Association (NFPA) 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and
				  Ventilating Systems, 1999 edition, or NFPA 90B, Standard for the Installation
				  of Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, 1999, as applicable. NFPA 90A
				  requires automatic shut down upon activation of the fire alarm in HVAC systems
				  of over 2,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) capacity. All documents published by
				  NFPA as referenced in these rules may be obtained by writing or calling the
				  NFPA at the following address or telephone number: National Fire Protection
				  Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471 or (800)
				  344-3555.
(j) For existing
				  facilities which were licensed prior to the effective date of these rules,
				  illumination shall be provided to meet the needs of the residents and staff
				  without eye strain or glare. Each resident bedroom shall have sufficient
				  illumination for reading and general use. For new facilities, minimum
				  illumination must be 10 foot-candles in resident rooms during the day and 20
				  foot-candles in corridors, staff stations, dining rooms, lobbies, toilets,
				  bathing facilities, laundries, stairways and elevators during the day.
				  Illumination requirements for these areas apply to lighting throughout the
				  space and should be measured at approximately 30 inches above the floor
				  anywhere in the room. Minimum illumination for medication preparation or
				  storage areas, kitchen, and staff station desks must be 50 foot-candles during
				  the day. Illumination requirements for these areas apply to the task performed
				  and should be measured on the tasks.
(k) All buildings three floors or higher and
				  in facilities that provide services, treatment, or social activities of floors
				  above or below the level of discharge shall have a passenger elevator. The
				  lowest level of discharge will be the first floor for determining floor
				  level.
(l) Floor, ceiling, and wall
				  finish materials must be complete and in place to provide a sanitary and
				  structurally safe environment.
(m)
				  All equipment requiring periodic maintenance, testing, and servicing must be
				  reasonably accessible. Necessary equipment to conduct these services, such as
				  ladders, specific tools, and keys, must be readily available on site. Access
				  panels (20 inches x 20 inches minimum) must be provided for building
				  maintenance and must be located for reasonable access to equipment or barriers
				  installed in the attic or other concealed spaces.
(n) The facility shall implement procedures,
				  in accordance with the standards and recommendations of Compressed Gas
				  Association in its publication, Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in
				  Containers, 1991 edition, that assure safe and sanitary use and storage of
				  oxygen. Liquid oxygen containers must be certified by Underwriters Laboratory
				  (UL) or other approved testing laboratory for compliance with NFPA 50, Standard
				  for Bulk Oxygen Systems of Consumer Sites, 1996 edition. The facility is
				  responsible for defining all potential hazards both graphically and verbally to
				  all persons involved in the use of liquid oxygen and ensuring the liquid oxygen
				  provider does also.