| available at final department construction inspection. (xi) Documentation of the installed, modified, extended or repaired medical gas piping system shall be submitted to the department by the same party certifying the piped medical gas systems. The number and type of medical gas outlets (e.g., oxygen, vacuum, medical air, nitrogen, nitrous oxide) shall be documented and arranged tabularly by room numbers and room types. (D) Main storage of medical gases may be outside or inside the facility in accordance with NFPA 99, §5.1. Provision shall be made for additional separate storage of reserve gas cylinders necessary to complete at least one day's procedures. (E) Multiple gas outlets on one medical gas outlet. Y-connections, "twinning," or other similar devices shall not be used on any medical gas outlet. (2) Steam and hot water systems. (A) Boilers. When provided, the boilers shall have the capacity, based upon the net ratings as published in The I-B-R Ratings Book for Boilers, Baseboard Radiation and Finned Tube (commercial) by the Hydronics Institute Division of GAMA, to supply the normal heating, hot water, and steam requirements of all systems and equipment. The document published by the Hydronics Institute Division of GAMA as referenced in this rule may be obtained by writing or calling the Hydronics Institute Division of GAMA at 35 Russo Place, P.O. Box 218, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922, telephone (908) 464-8200. (i) Boiler feed pumps, heating circulating pumps, condensate return pumps, and fuel oil pumps shall be connected and installed to provide normal and standby service. (ii) Supply and return mains and risers of cooling, heating, and process steam systems shall be valved to isolate the various sections of each system. Each piece of equipment shall be valved at the supply and return ends except that vacuum condensate returns need not be valved at each piece of equipment. (B) When required, the facility shall ensure compliance with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Boiler Section, Texas Boiler Law (Health and Safety Code, Chapter 755, Boilers), which requires certification documentation for boilers to be posted on site at each boiler installation. (3) Building sewers shall discharge into a community sewage system. Where such a system is not available, a facility providing sewage treatment shall conform to applicable local and state regulations. (A) Above ground piping. Soil stacks and roof drains installed above ground within buildings shall be drain-waste-vent (DWV) weight or heavier and shall be: copper pipe, copper tube, cast iron pipe, or Schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe. (B) All underground building drains shall be cast iron soil pipe, hard temper copper tube (DWV schedule 40 or heavier), acrylonitrile-butodiene-styrene (ABS) plastic pipe, or PVC, VCP, CPVC pipe. Underground piping shall have at least 12 inches of earth cover or comply with local codes. Existing buildings or portions of buildings that are being remodeled need not comply with this subparagraph. (C) Separate drainage systems for chemical wastes (acids and other corrosive materials) shall be provided. Materials acceptable for chemical waste drainage systems shall include chemically resistant borosilicate glass pipe, high silicone content cast iron pipe, polypropylene plastic pipe, or plastic lined pipe. (D) Drainage and waste piping shall not be installed above or below ceilings in trauma rooms/areas and sterile processing rooms unless precautions are taken to protect the space below from leakage and condensation from necessary overhead piping. Secondary protection shall be required to drain. Any required secondary protection shall be labeled, "code required secondary drain system" every 20 feet in a highly visible print or label. (4) Thermal insulation for piping systems and equipment. Asbestos containing insulation materials shall not be used. (A) Insulation shall be provided for the following: (i) boilers, smoke breeching, and stacks; (ii) steam supply and condensate return piping; (iii) hot water piping and all hot water heaters, generators, converters, and storage tanks; (iv) chilled water, refrigerant, other process piping, equipment operating with fluid temperatures below ambient dew point, and water supply and drainage piping on which condensation may occur. Insulation on cold surfaces shall include an exterior vapor barrier; and (v) other piping, ducts, and equipment as necessary to maintain the efficiency of the system. (B) Insulation flame spread. Flame spread shall not exceed 25 and smoke development rating shall not exceed 50 for pipe insulation as determined by an independent testing laboratory in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, 2000 Edition. (5) Plumbing fixtures. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of nonabsorptive, acid-resistant materials and shall comply with the requirements of the National Standard Plumbing Code, and this paragraph. (A) Sink and lavatory controls. All lavatories used by medical and nursing staff and by patients shall be trimmed with valves or electronic controls which can be operated without the use of hands. Blade handles used for this purpose shall not be less than 4 inches in length. Single lever or wrist blade devices may also be used. (B) Clinical sink traps. Clinical sinks shall have an integral trap in which the upper portion of a visible trap seal provides a water surface. (C) Back-flow or siphoning. All plumbing fixtures and equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the back-flow or back-siphonage of any material into the water supply. The over-the-rim type water inlet shall be used wherever possible. Vacuum-breaking devices shall be properly installed when an over-the-rim type water inlet cannot be utilized. (D) Drinking fountain. Each drinking fountain shall be designed so that the water issues at an angle from the vertical, the end of the water orifice is above the rim of the bowl, and a guard is located over the orifice to protect it from lip contamination. (E) Sterilizing equipment. All sterilizing equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent contamination of the water supply and the entrance of contaminating materials into the sterilizing units. (F) Hose attachment. No hose shall be affixed to any faucet if the end of the hose may become submerged in contaminated liquid unless the faucet is equipped with an approved, properly installed vacuum breaker. (G) Bedpan washers and sterilizers. When provided, bedpan washers and sterilizers shall be designed and installed so that both hot and cold water inlets shall be protected against back-siphonage at maximum water level. (H) Flood level rim clearance. The water supply spouts for lavatories and sinks required in patient care areas shall be mounted so that their discharge points are a minimum of 5 inches above the rim of the fixture. (I) Scrub sink controls. Freestanding scrub sinks and lavatories used for scrubbing in procedure rooms shall be trimmed with foot, knee, or electronic hands-free controls. Single lever wrist blades are not acceptable at scrub sinks. (J) Floor drains or floor sinks. Where floor drains or floor sinks are installed, they shall be of a type that can be easily cleaned by removal of the cover. Removable stainless steel mesh shall be provided in addition to a grilled drain cover to prevent entry of large particles of waste which might cause stoppages. (K) Under counter piping. Under counter piping and above floor drains shall be arranged (raised) so as not to interfere with cleaning of the floor below the equipment. (L) Ice machines. All ice-making machines used to provide ice for human consumption shall be of the self-dispensing type. Copper tubing shall be provided for supply connections to ice machines. (i) General electrical requirements. This subsection contains common electrical and essential emergency system requirements. (1) Electrical requirements. All electrical material and equipment, including conductors, controls, and signaling devices, shall be installed in compliance with applicable sections of the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition, §517; NFPA 99, Chapter 14; the requirements of this subsection, and as necessary to provide a complete electrical system. Electrical systems and components shall be listed by nationally recognized listing agencies as complying with available standards and shall be installed in accordance with the listings and manufacturer's instructions. (A) All fixtures, switches, sockets, and other pieces of apparatus shall be maintained in a safe and working condition. (B) Extension cords and cables shall not be used for permanent wiring. (C) All electrical heating devices shall be equipped with a pilot light to indicate when the device is in service, unless equipped with a temperature limiting device integral with the heater. Cont'd... |
