| (5) An assisted living facility must ensure that a
sprinkler system component that requires testing is tested in accordance
with NFPA 25.
(6) An assisted living facility must ensure that a
sprinkler system component that requires maintenance is maintained
in accordance with NFPA 25.
(7) An assisted living facility must ensure that an
individual sprinkler head is inspected and maintained in accordance
with NFPA 25.
(8) An assisted living facility must maintain onsite
documentation of compliance with this subsection and must maintain
record copies of documents regarding the installation of a fire sprinkler
system, including as-built installation drawings, hydraulic calculations,
proof of adequate fire sprinkler water supply, and installation certificates
for the system.
(9) An assisted living facility must make documentation
described in paragraph (8) of this subsection available to HHSC on
request.
(i) Portable fire extinguishers.
(1) An assisted living facility must ensure staff are
appropriately trained in the use of each type of extinguisher in the
facility.
(2) An assisted living facility must inspect and maintain
portable fire extinguishers and:
(A) ensure that its staff perform regular monthly inspections
or "quick checks" to ensure extinguishers are located in the designated
place, extinguisher locations are not obstructed to access or visibility,
and the pressure gauge reading or indicator on the extinguisher is
in the operable range or position;
(B) ensure annual maintenance and inspection or "thorough
checks" are performed according to NFPA 10 by an individual employed
by a company holding an appropriate Extinguisher Certificate of Registration
from the State Fire Marshal's Office to perform inspection, testing,
and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers;
(C) maintain onsite, a record of all fire extinguisher
inspections and maintenance performed; and
(D) replace unserviceable fire extinguishers.
(j) General facility condition and safety features.
(1) An assisted living facility must ensure staff utilize
procedures to avoid cross-contamination between clean and soiled processes,
including the handling of linens and cooking utensils.
(2) An assisted living facility must keep all buildings
in good repair.
(A) An assisted living facility must maintain electrical,
heating, and cooling systems so these systems operate in a safe manner.
As evidence that these systems operate in a safe manner, HHSC may
require the facility to submit a report prepared by one of the following:
(i) the fire marshal;
(ii) the city or county building official having jurisdiction
over the location of the facility;
(iii) a licensed electrician; or
(iv) a registered professional engineer.
(B) An assisted living facility must ensure electrical
appliances, devices, and lamps do not overload circuits or use extension
cords of excessive length.
(3) An assisted living facility must keep all buildings
free of accumulations of dirt, rubbish, dust, and hazards.
(4) An assisted living facility must maintain floors
in good condition and clean floors regularly.
(5) An assisted living facility must structurally maintain
walls and ceilings and must repair, repaint, or clean walls and ceilings
whenever needed.
(6) An assisted living facility must keep storage areas
and cellars organized and free from obstructions.
(7) An assisted living facility must not store any
items in attic spaces.
(8) An assisted living facility must ensure all equipment
requiring periodic maintenance, testing, and servicing is accessible.
(A) An assisted living facility must ensure equipment
that is necessary to conduct maintenance, testing, and services, including
ladders, specific tools, and keys, is readily available to staff or
maintenance personnel on site.
(B) An assisted living facility must provide access
panels, at least 20 inches wide by 20 inches long, for building maintenance
and must ensure access panels are located for reasonable access to
equipment and fire or smoke barrier walls installed in the attic or
other concealed spaces.
(k) Waste and storage containers.
(1) An assisted living facility must provide metal
waste baskets of substantial gauge or any UL- or FM-approved container
in each area where smoking is permitted, if applicable, in accordance
with the facility's smoking policies required in subsection (f) of
this section.
(2) An assisted living facility must provide one or
more garbage, waste, or trash containers with close-fitting covers,
made of metal or of any UL- or FM-approved material, for use in kitchens,
janitor closets, laundry rooms, mechanical or boiler rooms, general
storage rooms, and similar places. A facility may use disposable plastic
liners in the containers for sanitation.
(3) An assisted living facility must ensure waste,
including waste classified as Special Waste from Health Care-Related
Facilities, trash, and garbage are disposed of from the premises at
regular intervals according to state and local requirements. The facility
may not permit or allow an accumulation of waste on the facility premises,
either inside or outside of facility buildings.
(l) Pest control.
(1) An assisted living facility must have an ongoing
and effective pest control program executed by facility staff or by
contract with a licensed pest control company.
(2) An assisted living facility must ensure the chemicals
used to control pests are the least toxic and least flammable chemicals
that are effective.
(3) An assisted living facility must ensure each operable
window is provided with an insect screen.
(m) Flammable or combustible liquids. An assisted living
facility must not store flammable or combustible liquids, such as
gasoline, oil-based paint, charcoal lighter fluid, or similar products
in a building that houses residents.
(n) Storage of oxygen. An assisted living facility
must ensure sanitary use and storage of oxygen for the safety of all
residents.
(1) An assisted living facility must ensure oxygen
cylinders in the possession and under the control of the facility
are:
(A) identified by attached labels or stencils naming
the contents;
(B) not stored with flammable or combustible materials;
(C) protected from abnormal mechanical shock, which
is liable to damage the cylinder, valve, or safety device;
(D) protected from tamper by unauthorized individuals;
(E) if not supported in a proper cart or stand, properly
chained or supported;
(F) stored so the cylinders can be used in the order
received from the supplier;
(G) if empty and full cylinders are stored in the same
enclosure or room, stored so that empty cylinders are separated from
full cylinders; and
(H) if empty, marked to avoid confusion and delay if
a full cylinder is needed in a rapid manner.
(2) An assisted living facility must adopt, implement,
and enforce procedures for resident use, storage, and handling of
oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen containers in the possession and
under the control of residents, to ensure the safety of all residents.
(o) Gas pressure test.
(1) An assisted living facility must obtain an initial
pressure test of facility gas lines from the gas meter or propane
storage tank to all gas-fired appliances and equipment.
(2) An assisted living facility must obtain an additional
gas pressure test when the facility performs major renovations or
additions to the gas piping or gas-fired equipment that interrupt
gas service or replace gas-fired equipment.
(p) Annual gas heating check.
(1) An assisted living facility must ensure all gas
heating systems are checked at least once per year, prior to the heating
season for proper operation and safety by persons who are licensed
or approved by the State of Texas to inspect the equipment.
(2) An assisted living facility must maintain records
of the testing of the gas heating system.
(3) An assisted living facility must correct unsatisfactory
conditions.
(q) Emergency generator. A large assisted living facility
that uses an emergency generator to provide power to emergency lighting
systems must ensure the generator is tested and maintained according
to Chapter 8, Routine Maintenance and Operational Testing, in NFPA
110. Routine maintenance and operational testing required by NFPA
110 includes the following procedures:
(1) a readily available record of inspections, test,
exercising, operation, and repairs;
(2) monthly testing of cranking batteries;
(3) weekly inspection of the generator set and other
components that make up the emergency power system;
(4) monthly exercise of the generator under load;
(5) monthly test of transfer switches; and
(6) a continuous operational test for at least 1-1/2
hours every three years.
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