Alzheimer's units, if segregated from other parts of the Type
B facility with approved security devices, must meet the following
requirements within the Alzheimer's unit:
(1) Resident living areas must be in compliance with
applicable requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter (relating
to Facility Construction).
(2) Resident dining areas must be in compliance with
applicable requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter for resident
dining areas.
(3) Resident toilet and bathing facilities must be
in compliance with applicable requirements in Subchapter D of this
chapter for resident toilet and bathing facilities.
(4) A monitoring station must be provided within the
Alzheimer's unit with a writing surface such as a desk or counter,
chair, task illumination, telephone or intercom, and lockable storage
for resident records.
(5) Access to at least two approved exits remote from
each other must be provided in order to meet the NFPA 101 requirements.
(6) In large facilities, cross corridor control doors,
if used for the security of the residents, must be similar to smoke
doors, which are each 34 inches in width and swing in opposite directions.
A latch or other fastening device on a door must be provided with
a knob, handle, panic bar, or other simple type of releasing device.
(7) An outdoor area of at least 800 square feet must
be provided in at least one contiguous space. This area must be connected
to, be a part of, be controlled by, and be directly accessible from
the facility.
(A) Such areas must have walls or fencing that do not
allow climbing or present a hazard and meet the following requirements.
These minimum dimensions do not apply to additional fencing erected
along property lines or building setback lines for privacy or to meet
requirements of local building authorities.
(i) Minimum distance of the enclosure fence from the
building is 8 feet if the fence is parallel to the building and there
are no window openings.
(ii) Minimum distance of the enclosure fence (parallel
with building walls) from bedroom windows is 20 feet if the fencing
is solid and 15 feet from bedroom windows if the fencing is open.
(iii) For unusual or unique site conditions, areas
of enclosure may have alternate configurations with HHSC approval.
(B) Access to at least two approved exits remote from
each other must be provided from the enclosed area in order to meet
the Life Safety Code requirements.
(C) If the enclosed area involves a required exit from
the building, the following additional requirements must be met:
(i) A minimum of two gates must be remotely located
from each other if only one exit is enclosed. If two or more exits
are enclosed by the fencing and entry access can be made at each door,
a minimum of one gate is required.
(ii) The gates must be located to provide a continuous
path of travel from the building exit to a public way, including walkways
of concrete, asphalt, or other approved materials.
(iii) If gates are locked, the gate nearest the exit
from the building must be locked with an electronic lock that operates
the same as electronic locks on control doors or exit doors and is
in compliance with the National Electrical Code for exterior exposure.
Additional gates may also have electronic locks or may have keyed
locks provided staff carry the keys. All gates may have keyed locks,
provided all staff carry the keys, and the outdoor area has an area
of refuge which:
(I) extends beyond a minimum of 30 feet from the building;
and
(II) the area of refuge allows at least 15 square feet
per person (resident, staff, visitor) potentially present at the time
of a fire.
(8) Locking devices may be used on the control doors
provided the following criteria are met:
(A) The building must have an approved sprinkler system
and an approved fire alarm system to meet the licensing standards.
(B) The locking device must be electronic and must
be released when any one of the following occurs:
(i) activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system;
(ii) power failure to the facility; or
(iii) activation of a switch or button located at the
monitoring station and at the main staff station.
(C) A key pad or buttons may be located at the control
doors for routine use by staff.
(9) Locking devices may be used on the exit doors provided:
(A) the locking arrangements meet §7.2.1.6 of
the NFPA 101; or
(B) the following criteria are met:
(i) the building must have an approved sprinkler system
and an approved fire alarm system to meet the licensing standards;
(ii) the locking device must be electro-magnetic; that
is, no type of throw-bolt is to be used;
(iii) the device must release when any one of the following
occurs:
(I) activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system;
(II) power failure to the facility; or
(III) activation of a switch or button located at the
monitoring station and at the main staff station;
(iv) a key pad or buttons may be located at the control
doors for routine use by staff;
(v) a manual fire alarm pull must be located within
five feet of each exit door with a sign stating, "Pull to release
door in an emergency"; and
(vi) staff must be trained in the methods of releasing
the door device.
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