| (a) Any conditions considered to be a fire, safety,
or health hazard will be grounds for disapproval of a site by HHSC.
A new facility may not be built in an area designated as a floodplain
of 100 years or less.
(b) Site grades must provide for positive surface water
drainage so that there will be no ponding or standing water on the
designated site. This does not apply to local government requirements
for engineered controlled run-off holding ponds.
(c) A new building or addition must be set back at
least 10 feet from the property lines except as otherwise approved
by HHSC.
(d) Exit doors from the building must not open directly
onto a drive for vehicular traffic, but must be set back at least
six feet from the edge of the drive, measured from the end of the
building wall in the case of a recessed door, to prevent accidents
due to lack of visual warning.
(e) Walks must be provided as required from all exits
and must be of non-slip surfaces free of hazards. Walks must be at
least 48 inches wide except as otherwise approved. Ramps must be used
in lieu of steps where possible for the individuals with a disability
and to facilitate bed or wheelchair removal in an emergency.
(f) Outdoor activity, recreational, and sitting spaces
must be provided and appropriately designed, landscaped, and equipped.
Some shaded or covered outside areas are needed. These areas must
be designed to accommodate residents in wheelchairs.
(g) Each facility must have parking space to satisfy
the needs of residents, employees, staff, and visitors. In the absence
of a formal parking study, each facility must provide for a ratio
of at least one parking space for every four beds in the facility.
This ratio may be reduced slightly in areas convenient to public parking
facilities. Space must be provided for emergency and delivery vehicles.
A parking space must not block or inhibit egress from the outside
exit doors. Parking spaces and drives must be at least ten feet away
from windows in bedrooms, dining areas, and living areas.
(h) Barriers must be provided for resident safety from
traffic or other site hazards by the use of appropriate methods such
as fences, hedges, retaining walls, railings, or other landscaping.
These barriers must not inhibit emergency egress to a safe distance
away from the building.
(i) Open or enclosed courts with resident rooms or
living areas opening upon them must not be less than 20 feet in the
smallest dimension unless otherwise approved by HHSC. Nonparallel
wings forming an acute angle may have a maximum of two windows in
each wing that are separated by a distance less than 20 feet, but
not less than ten feet, when measured between the nearest edges of
the opposing openings.
(j) Auxiliary buildings located within 20 feet of the
main building must meet the applicable requirements in NFPA 101 for
separation and construction.
(k) Other buildings on the site must meet the appropriate
occupancy section or separation requirements in NFPA 101.
(l) Fire service and access must be as follows:
(1) The facility must be served by a paid or volunteer
fire department. The fire department must provide written assurance
to HHSC that the fire department can respond to an emergency at the
facility within an appropriately prompt time for the travel conditions
involved.
(2) The facility must be served by an adequate water
supply that is satisfactory and accessible for fire department use
as determined by the fire department serving the facility and by HHSC.
(3) There must be at least one readily accessible fire
hydrant located within 300 feet of the building. The hydrant must
be on a minimum six inch service line. The hydrant, its location,
and service line, or equivalent must be as approved by the local fire
department and HHSC.
(4) The building must have suitable all-weather fire
lanes as required by local fire authorities or, if no local fire authority
has jurisdiction, by HHSC. As a minimum, the fire department must
be able to access two sides of the building.
(m) Enclosed exterior spaces, such as fenced areas,
that are in a means of egress to a public way must meet the requirements
of §19.2208(a)(6) of this chapter (relating to Standards for
Certified Alzheimer's Facilities).
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §554.352 adopted to be effective March 22, 2018, 43 TexReg 1646; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871 |
