| (a) Cooling and heating must be provided, as necessary,
for resident comfort. Heating systems in resident use areas must be
capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit,
and cooling of 81 degrees Fahrenheit maximum, with humidity in the
normal comfort range.
(b) The facility must be well ventilated using windows,
mechanical ventilation, or a combination of both. Rooms and areas
which do not have outside windows and which are used by residents
or staff must be provided with functioning mechanical ventilation
to change the air on a basis commensurate with the room usage.
(c) Air systems must provide for the induction and
mixing of at least 10 percent outside fresh air into the facility
unless otherwise approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
(HHSC), that is, 100 percent continuous recirculation of interior
air in most areas is not acceptable; or the system must be designed
to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) requirements.
(d) Operable outside windows must be provided with
insect screens that prevent insect entry.
(e) Rooms such as baths, toilets, soiled linen, trash
or garbage rooms, soiled utilities, janitor's closets, and other such
areas which produce odors, fumes, excessive moisture, etc., must be
provided with an exhaust system ducted to the exterior, meeting nationally
recognized standards for capacity and function.
(f) Electrical and mechanical systems must be safe
and in working order. HHSC may require the facility sponsor or licensee
to submit evidence to this effect, consisting of a written report
by the local fire marshal, city/county building official having jurisdiction,
or a registered professional engineer.
(g) Use of electrical appliances, devices, and lamps
must be such as not to overload circuits.
(h) Portable heaters and open-flame heating devices
are prohibited. All fuel burning devices must be vented. Working fireplaces
are acceptable if of safe design and construction, and if screened
or otherwise suitably enclosed.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §551.70 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5328; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883; amended to be effective February 24, 2022, 47 TexReg 787 |
