| (a) Structurally sound. An existing small Type A assisted
living facility must ensure any building is structurally sound regarding
actual or expected dead, live, and wind loads in accordance with applicable
building codes.
(b) Separation of occupancies. An existing small Type
A assisted living facility must be separated from other occupancies
by a fire barrier having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating
constructed according to the requirements of NFPA 101 and its referenced
standards, unless otherwise permitted by paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(1) An existing small Type A assisted living facility
must be separated from other assisted living facilities, hospitals,
or nursing facilities. Beginning August 31, 2021, an existing small
Type A assisted living facility must be separated from any new occupancy
or new use subject to the Texas Health and Human Services commission
(HHSC) licensing.
(2) An existing small Type A assisted living facility
is not required to be separated from another occupancy not subject
to HHSC licensing standards if the two occupancies are so intermingled
that construction of a fire barrier having a 2-hour fire resistance
rating is impractical and the following conditions are met.
(A) The means of escape, construction, protection,
and other safeguards for the entire building must comply with the
NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small Type A assisted living
facility.
(B) HHSC must be given unrestricted and unannounced
access at any reasonable time to inspect the other occupancy type
for compliance with the NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small
Type A assisted living facility.
(c) Sheathing.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection,
an existing small Type A assisted living facility must ensure all
buildings used by residents are sheathed with materials providing
a fire resistance rating and ensure:
(A) interior wall and ceiling surfaces have finished
surfaces, substrates, or sheathing with a fire resistance rating of
not less than 20 minutes; and
(B) columns, beams, girders, or trusses that are not
enclosed within walls or ceilings are encased in materials having
a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes.
(2) A sprinkler system does not substitute for the
minimum sheathing requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) A building constructed to meet the minimum building
construction type requirements of 19.1.6, Minimum Construction Requirements,
in NFPA 101, Chapter 19, Existing Health Care Occupancies, is not
also required to be sheathed.
(d) Interior finish. An existing small Type A assisted
living facility must ensure interior wall and ceiling finish materials
meet the requirements of 33.2.3.3.2, Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish,
in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies.
(e) Vertical openings. An existing small Type A assisted
living facility must ensure vertical openings are protected according
to the requirements of 33.2.3.1, Protection of Vertical Openings,
in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies.
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