Texas Administrative Code › Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 554 - NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION › Subchapter D - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION › Division 9 - FACILITIES LICENSED ON OR AFTER APRIL 2, 2018 › Section 554.362 - Miscellaneous Details for New Facilities

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Safety related details. A high degree of
					 safety for the occupants is needed to minimize accidents more apt to occur with
					 the residents in a nursing facility. Consideration must be given to the fact
					 that many have impaired vision, hearing, spatial perception, and ambulation.
(1) Hazards such as sharp corners, edges, or
					 unexpected steps must be avoided.
(2) Drinking fountains, telephone booths,
					 vending machines, and portable equipment must not restrict corridor traffic or
					 reduce corridor width.
(3) Windows
					 must be designed to prevent residents from accidentally falling through the
					 windows.
(4) Doors that normally
					 stay open or are frequently used must not swing out into the corridor unless
					 required by NFPA 101 or another provision of this subchapter. Alcoves must be
					 provided for doors that must swing outward toward a corridor or way of egress.
(5) Safety glass must be used
					 where required by local building codes or NFPA 101.
(6) Thresholds and expansion joint covers
					 must be flush with the floor surface to facilitate use of wheelchairs and
					 carts.
(7) A facility must provide
					 grab bars at all residents' toilets, showers, tubs, and sitz baths. The bars
					 must be 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter and must have 1-1/2 inch clearance to
					 walls. Bars must have sufficient strength and anchorage to sustain a
					 concentrated load of 250 pounds. Grab bar standards must comply with standards
					 adopted under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(8) Handrails must be provided on both sides
					 of corridors used by residents, and must meet the following:
(A) A clear distance of 1-1/2 inches must be
					 provided between the handrail and the wall;
(B) Handrails must be securely mounted to
					 withstand downward forces of 250 pounds;
(C) Handrails may be omitted on wall segments
					 less than 18 inches in length;
(D)
					 A window must be considered part of the wall segment in which it is installed
					 and must not interrupt the continuity of the handrail;
(E) Handrails must be mounted 33 inches to 36
					 inches above the floor, and must comply with standards adopted under the
					 Americans with Disabilities Act and with TAS.
(F) Where fixed furniture is provided in
					 corridors, as permitted by NFPA 101 and § 554.326(n) of this subchapter
					 (relating to Safety Operations), the handrail may be omitted, provided the
					 handrail terminates no more than 18 inches from the fixed furniture.
(9) Ends of handrails and grab
					 bars must be constructed with return ends to walls to prevent snagging the
					 clothes of residents.
(10) Ceiling
					 fan blades must be at least seven feet above the floor and be located so as not
					 to interfere with the operation of any ceiling-mounted smoke detectors.