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TITLE 26HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 559DAY ACTIVITY AND HEALTH SERVICES REQUIREMENTS
SUBCHAPTER CFACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES
RULE §559.42Safety

  (5) An existing building either occupied as an adult day care facility at the time of initial inspection by DADS, or converted to occupancy as an adult day care facility, must meet all local requirements pertaining to the building for that occupancy. DADS may require the facility sponsor or licensee to submit evidence that local requirements are satisfied.

  (6) Adult day care facilities must be of recognized permanent type construction as distinguished from movable buildings or construction. Buildings must be structurally sound with regard to actual or expected dead, live, and wind loads. DADS may require submission of evidence to this effect. Foundations must be permanent, structurally sound for local soil conditions, and in good repair. A letter from a registered professional engineer may be required as validation of a permanent and structurally sound foundation.

  (7) The walking surface in a facility and at the exit discharge must be consistent, nominally level, and without abrupt changes in elevation, trip hazards, or gaps. Floor surfaces may be on different elevations if connected with ramps or steps in accordance with the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, 2000 edition, means of egress chapter.

  (8) DADS will consider a written request from the facility for a waiver of requirements which, if strictly applied, would clearly be impractical in DADS' judgment for existing buildings and structures that have been converted to adult day care occupancy. Any of these modifications will be allowed only to the extent that reasonable life safety against the hazards of fire, explosion, structural, or other building failure and panic are provided and maintained.

(c) Personal safety.

  (1) Fire safety.

    (A) The facility must maintain an onsite copy of the annual fire marshal inspection report by the local fire marshal.

    (B) Storage items must be neatly arranged and placed in the facility to minimize fire hazard. Gasoline, volatile materials, paint, and similar products must not be stored in the building housing clients unless approved by the local fire marshal. Accumulations of extraneous material and refuse are not permitted in the facility.

    (C) The building must be kept in good repair.

    (D) The facility's electrical, mechanical, heating, and cooling systems must be maintained in a safe manner and in working order. DADS may require the facility sponsor or licensee to submit evidence to this effect, consisting of a report from the fire marshal or city or county building official having jurisdiction or a report from a registered professional engineer.

    (E) Electrical appliances, devices, and lamps used in the facility must be used in a manner that prevents overloaded circuits.

    (F) If the facility uses extension cords in excess of six feet, they must be shielded or protected.

    (G) Smoking regulations must be established and enforced by the facility and conspicuously posted in the facility.

      (i) All smoking must be supervised.

      (ii) The facility must prohibit smoking in any room, ward, or compartment where flammable liquids, combustible gas, or oxygen are used or stored and in any other hazardous location. The facility must post a "No Smoking" sign in these areas.

      (iii) Ashtrays of noncombustible material and safe design must be provided in all areas where smoking is permitted.

      (iv) Metal containers of substantial gauge or any UL- or FM-approved containers with self- closing cover devices into which ashtrays can be emptied must be provided in all areas where smoking is permitted.

    (H) The facility must have an emergency fire lane for access of fire apparatus if required by local authorities.

    (I) An initial pressure test of facility gas lines from the meter must be provided. Additional pressure tests are required when the facility has major renovations or additions during which the gas service is interrupted. Testing must be performed by a person licensed with the State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

    (J) The facility must have all gas heating systems checked for proper operation and safety before the heating season by a person licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to perform maintenance work on gas-fired equipment. Any unsatisfactory conditions must be corrected promptly.

    (K) Curtains or draperies in public spaces and individual rooms in which smoking is allowed must be flame retardant.

    (L) Portable fire extinguishers of appropriate type and placed in the appropriate location must be provided by the facility in accordance with NFPA 10.

    (M) The facility must inspect and maintain portable fire extinguishers.

      (i) Portable fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly by facility staff. Facility staff conducting the monthly visual inspection must assure portable fire extinguishers are protected from damage, kept on their mounting brackets or in cabinets at all times, and kept in proper condition and working order.

      (ii) Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected and maintained at least once every 12 months in accordance with NFPA 10 by a person licensed by the State Fire Marshal's office, to include hydrostatic testing as recommended by the manufacturer.

      (iii) A record of all fire extinguisher inspections and maintenance performed must be kept onsite by the facility.

    (N) Garbage, waste, or trash containers provided for kitchens, janitor closets, laundries, mechanical or boiler rooms, general storage, and similar places must be made of metal or any UL- or FM-approved material, having a close fitting cover. Disposable plastic liners may be used in these containers for sanitation.

  (2) General requirements.

    (A) All exterior site conditions must be designed, constructed, and maintained in the interest of clients' safety. Newly constructed ramps must not exceed 1:12 slope. Ramps, walks, and steps must be of slip-resistive texture and be smooth and uniform, without irregularities. Guard rails, fences, and hand rails must be provided as required.

    (B) All stairways must have substantial hand rails properly secured.

    (C) Tubs or showers for client use must have non-slip bottoms or floor surfaces, either built in or applied to the surface.

    (D) Elevators for client use must be in safe operating condition.

    (E) An adequate supply of hot water must be provided. The hot water system connected to all client-use fixtures must deliver warm water no hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the fixture. Hot water for other sanitary usages must be provided at the temperatures required for the appliance or fixture served, or for the operation involved.

    (F) There must be no occupancies or activities adversely affecting the safety of the clients in the buildings or on the premises of the facility.

    (G) Licensure capacity will be calculated at 40 square feet per client. This space may not include the kitchen/food service area, rest rooms, bath areas, office, corridors, stairways, storage areas, and outdoor space. Facilities licensed before October 1, 2000, will be allowed to meet the requirements in effect before October 1, 2000, of 35/50 square feet for ambulatory and semi- ambulatory clients. If a facility licensed before October 1, 2000, chooses to increase its capacity, changes ownership, or relocates, the facility will be required to meet the current standards for usable space, outdoor area, and rooms for privacy.

    (H) An office area must be provided in a central location to record and maintain files for each client.

    (I) An area for rest, other than the treatment and/or exam room, must be provided with a sufficient number of reclining lounge chairs or beds to accommodate the needs of clients.

    (J) The facility must provide a separate room or rooms with beds and with walls from floor to ceiling for those clients who prefer privacy. Facilities licensed on or after May 1, 1999, must ensure that the room(s) with beds provide space for a minimum 5% of the licensed capacity. The usable space in the room(s) must provide not less than 80 square feet per bed for a one-bed room and not less than 60 square feet per bed for multiple-bed rooms. A bedroom shall be not less than eight feet in its smallest dimension, unless otherwise approved by DADS.

    (K) The facility must have at least one room available as a treatment or examination room for use by the nursing staff or the client's physician. The client may not be treated or examined in an area other than the treatment room.

    (L) The facility must have a safe, secure, and suitable outdoor recreation or relaxation area for clients. This area must be connected to, be a part of, be controlled by, and be directly accessible from the facility. This area must be enclosed by a wall or a fence or located in a courtyard and supervised by staff to prevent wandering and large enough to conduct outdoor activities. A chain- link fence must provide protection on top to prevent injury from wire points. This area must be suitably furnished. A minimum of 20% of the required outdoor space must be shaded. The required outdoor space for facilities licensed on or after May 1, 1999 is:

      (i) 400 square feet for facilities up to 59 clients;

      (ii) 600 square feet for facilities up to 99 clients; and

      (iii) 800 square feet for facilities with 100 or more clients.


Source Note: The provisions of this §559.42 adopted to be effective May 1, 1999, 24 TexReg 3100; amended to be effective November 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 10753; amended to be effective April 1, 2007, 32 TexReg 1749; amended to be effective August 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 4677; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 18, 2020, 45 TexReg 9249

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