| (a) Smoke compartmentation must be as described in
NFPA 101 and in this section.
(b) An exit sign must be provided on each side of corridor
smoke doors unless otherwise directed by HHSC.
(c) The metal frames for the wire glass view panels
in smoke doors must be steel, unless otherwise approved by HHSC. The
bottom of the view panel must not be higher than 54 inches above the
floor. Pairs of opposite (double egress) swinging smoke doors in corridors
must have push/pull hardware. The door leaves must align in the closed
position.
(d) Smoke barrier walls in concealed spaces such as
attics, must have prominent signs on each side that read: "Warning:
Smoke/fire barrier. Properly seal all openings."
(e) Provisions must be made for reasonable access to
concealed smoke barrier walls for maintaining smoke dampers and so
that walls and dampers can be visually checked periodically for conformance
by facility staff, service persons, and inspectors. Access must provide
for visual inspection of both sides of the wall, and of all parts
(end-to-end and top-to-bottom). Ceiling access panels must be prefabricated
metal panel, or its equivalent, and be at least 20 inches by 20 inches
with no obstructions above (such as ducts) to hamper entrance, and
it must be fire rated if required to maintain ceiling-roof or ceiling-floor
fire rating. Access must be provided for both sides of the wall.
(f) Air systems should be designed to avoid having
ducts which penetrate smoke barrier walls, thus eliminating the need
for smoke dampers which are often a problem to maintain in proper
working condition.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §554.336 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4408; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871; amended to be effective January 2, 2022, 46 TexReg 9037 |
