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 2 - FACILITIES LICENSED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 › Section 554.321 - Heating, Ventilating, and Air-conditioning Systems (HVAC)

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) The heating
					 system must maintain a temperature of not less than 71 degrees Fahrenheit at
					 the resident level in all resident-use areas. Auxiliary heating devices
					 permanently installed, such as heat strips in ducts, electric ceiling-mounted
					 heating units, and electric baseboards, may be used to augment a central
					 heating system as approved by HHSC.
(b) The cooling system must be capable of
					 maintaining a temperature suitable for the comfort of the residents in
					 resident-use areas to an upper limit of 81 degrees.
(c) Air flow must be directed or adjusted so
					 that a resident is not in direct drafts that could be harmful to the health and
					 comfort of the resident.
(d)
					 Unvented heating units and portable heaters are prohibited.
(e) The facility must be well ventilated
					 through the use of windows, mechanical ventilation, or a combination of both.
					 Rooms and areas which do not have outside windows and which are used by
					 residents or personnel must be provided with functioning mechanical ventilation
					 to change the air on a basis commensurate with the room usage. Air systems must
					 provide for the induction and mixing of at least 10 percent outside fresh air
					 into the facility unless otherwise approved by HHSC; that is, 100 percent
					 continuous recirculation of interior air in most areas is not acceptable. When
					 certain rooms or areas are dependent on a central air system for proper
					 ventilation, including exhaust, that central air system fan must run
					 continuously.
(f) Operable outside
					 windows must be provided with insect screens. Outside doors must be
					 self-closing to control entry of insects. All exterior doors must be
					 effectively weather stripped.
(g)
					 Heating and air conditioning systems must be provided with clean and effective
					 air filters.
(h) Ducts and piping
					 subject to surface condensation must be insulated to prevent condensation at
					 least in areas which may affect sanitation or cause building
					 deterioration.
(i) A comfortable
					 temperature for residents when bathing must be provided.
(j) Heating, ventilating, and air
					 conditioning systems must comply with the provisions of applicable National
					 Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standards. Ducts are to be of a Class A
					 material (noncombustible). Combustion air for gas-fired equipment must be
					 ducted from the exterior.
(k) Air
					 flow must be designed to prevent cross contamination within any area where
					 applicable, such as laundries and kitchens, as well as the system or facility
					 as a whole.
(l) In relation to
					 adjacent areas, a positive air pressure must be provided for clean utility
					 rooms, clean linen rooms, and medication rooms. Conditioned supply air must be
					 introduced into these rooms.
(m) In
					 relation to adjacent areas, a negative air pressure must be provided for soiled
					 utility rooms, soiled laundry rooms, bathrooms, toilets, and other
					 odor-producing rooms. Air from these rooms must not be recirculated, but
					 instead must be exhausted through ducts to the exterior by effective
					 means.
(n) Facility temperature
					 must be maintained for the comfort of residents.