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 5 - FACILITIES LICENSED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 AND BEFORE APRIL 2, 2018 › Section 554.340 - Mechanical Requirements

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
The design of the mechanical systems must be done by or
						under the direction of a registered professional (mechanical) engineer approved
						by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to operate in
						Texas, and the parts of the plans and specifications covering mechanical design
						must bear the legible seal of the engineer. Building services pertaining to
						utilities; heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems; vertical
						conveyors; and chutes must be in accordance with NFPA 101. Required plumbing
						fixtures must be in accordance with NFPA 101 and § 554.334 of this chapter
						(relating to Architectural Space Planning and Utilization) in specific use
						areas.
(1) Plumbing.
(A) All plumbing systems must be designed and
					 installed in accordance with the requirements of the plumbing code of the
					 municipality. In the absence of a municipal code, a nationally recognized
					 plumbing code must be used. Any discrepancy between an applicable code and
					 these requirements must be called to the attention of HHSC.
(B) Supply systems must assure an adequacy of
					 hot and cold water. An average rule-of-thumb design for hot water for resident
					 usage (at 110 degrees Fahrenheit) is to provide 6-1/2 gallons per hour per
					 resident in addition to kitchen and laundry use.
(C) Water supply must be from a system
					 approved by TCEQ, or from a system regulated by an entity responsible for water
					 quality in that jurisdiction as approved by TCEQ.
(D) The sewage system must connect to a
					 system permitted by TCEQ, or to a system regulated by an entity responsible for
					 water quality in that jurisdiction as approved by TCEQ.
(E) The minimum ratio of fixtures to
					 residents shall be as required in § 554.334(c) of this chapter.
(F) For design calculation purposes,
					 resident-use hot water must not exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit at the fixture.
					 For purposes of conforming to licensure requirements, an operating system
					 providing water from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 115 degrees Fahrenheit is
					 acceptable. Hot water for laundry and kitchen use must be normally 140 degrees
					 Fahrenheit except that dish sanitizing, if done by hot water, must be 180
					 degrees Fahrenheit.
(G) Water
					 closets raised to provide a seat height 17 inches to 19 inches from the floor
					 is required for persons with disabilities.
(H) Showers for wheelchair residents must not
					 have curbs. Tub and shower bottoms must have a slip-resistant surface. Shower
					 and tub enclosures, other than curtains, must be of tempered glass, plastic,
					 and other safe materials.
(I)
					 Drinking fountains must not extend into exit corridors.
(J) Fixture controls easily operable by
					 residents must be provided (such as lever type).
(K) Plumbing fixtures for residents must be
					 vitreous china or porcelain finished cast iron or steel unless otherwise
					 approved by HHSC. Bathing units constructed of class B fire rated fiberglass
					 are acceptable for use.
(L)
					 Hand-washing sinks for staff use are required in many areas throughout the
					 facility in accordance with § 554.334 of this chapter (relating to
					 Architectural Space Planning and Utilization). Lavatories are required to be
					 provided adjacent to water closets in each area.
(M) The soiled utility room must be provided
					 with a flushing device such as a water closet with bedpan lugs, a spray hose
					 with a siphon breaker or similar device, such as a high neck faucet with lever
					 controls and a deep sink that is large enough to submerse a bedpan. A
					 sterilizer for sanitizing may be used in place of a deep sink.
(N) Siphon breakers or back-flow preventers
					 must be installed with any water supply fixture where the outlet or attachments
					 may be submerged.
(O) Clean-outs
					 for waste piping lines must be provided and located so that there is the least
					 physical and sanitary hazard to residents. Where possible, clean-outs must open
					 to the exterior or areas which would not spread contamination during clean-out
					 procedures.
(P) All boilers not
					 exempted by the Texas Health and Safety Code §
												755.022
					 must be inspected and certified for operation by The Texas Department of
					 Licensing and Regulation.