| (A) General ventilating systems must be in accordance
with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(B) Provisions for natural ventilation using windows
or louvers must be incorporated into the building design where possible
and practical. These windows or louvers must have insect screens.
(C) All air-supply and air-exhaust systems must be
mechanically-operated. The ventilation rates shown in the table in
clause (xi) of this subparagraph must be considered as minimum acceptable
rates and must not be construed as precluding the use of higher ventilation
rates.
(i) Outdoor air intakes must be located as far as practical
(but normally not less than 10 feet) from exhaust outlets or ventilating
systems, combustion equipment stacks, medical vacuum systems, plumbing
vent stacks, or from areas which may collect vehicular exhaust and
other noxious fumes.
(ii) The ventilation systems must be designed and balanced
to provide the pressure relationship as shown in the table in clause
(xi) of this subparagraph. A final engineered system air balance report
will be required for the completed system to be furnished and certified
by the installer.
(iii) The bottoms of ventilation openings must be not
less than three inches above the floor of any room.
(iv) Doors protecting corridors or ways of egress must
not have air transfer grilles or louvers. Corridors must not be used
to supply air to or exhaust air from any room except that air from
corridors may be used as make-up air to ventilate small toilet rooms,
janitor's closets, and small electrical or telephone closets opening
directly on corridors, provided that the ventilation can be accomplished
by door undercuts not exceeding 3/4 inches.
(v) All exhausts must be continuously ducted to the
exterior. Exhausting air into attics or other spaces is not permitted.
Duct material must be metal.
(vi) All central ventilation or air-conditioning systems
must be equipped with filters of sufficient efficiency to minimize
dust and lint accumulations throughout the system and building including
supply and return plenums and ductwork. Filters with efficiency rating
of 80 percent or greater (based on ASHRAE) are recommended. Filters
for individual room units must be as recommended by the equipment
manufacturer. Filters must be easily accessible for routine changing
or cleaning.
(vii) Static pressures of systems must be within limits
recommended by ASHRAE and the equipment manufacturer (upstream and
downstream).
(viii) In geographic locations or interior room areas
where extreme humidity levels are likely to occur for extended periods
of time, apparatus for controlling humidity levels (preferably between
40-60 percent) are recommended to be installed as a part of central
systems and with automatic humidistat controls.
(ix) Exhaust hoods, ducts, and automatic extinguishers
for kitchen cooking equipment must be in accordance with NFPA 96.
(x) Forced air exhaust must be provided in laundries,
kitchens, and dishwashing areas to remove excess heat and moisture
and to maintain air flow in the direction of clean to soiled areas.
(xi) Ventilation requirements for nursing areas must
be according to the following table:
Attached Graphic
(xii) With relationship to adjacent areas, a positive
air pressure must be provided for clean utility rooms, clean linen
rooms, and medication rooms. Conditioned supply air must be introduced
into these rooms.
(4) Sprinkler systems. The following requirements are
applicable to sprinkler systems:
(A) Sprinkler systems must be in accordance with NFPA
13 and this subchapter.
(B) The design and installation of sprinkler systems
must meet any applicable state laws pertaining to these systems and
one of the following criteria:
(i) The sprinkler system must be designed by a qualified
registered professional engineer approved by the Texas Board of Professional
Engineers and Land Surveyors to operate in Texas. The engineer must
supervise the installation and provide written approval of the completed
installation.
(ii) The sprinkler system must be planned and installed
in accordance with NFPA 13 by firms with certificates of registration
issued by the office of the state fire marshal that have at least
one full-time licensed responsible managing employee (RME). The RME's
license number and signature must be included on the prepared sprinkler
drawings.
(C) Particular attention should be paid to adequate,
safe, and reasonable freeze protection for all piping. The design
of freeze protection should minimize the need for dependence on staff
action or intervention to provide protection.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §554.340 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4408; amended to be effective August 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 6779; amended to be effective May 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 3235; 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 |
