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TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 117END STAGE RENAL DISEASE FACILITIES
SUBCHAPTER GFIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
RULE §117.93Handling and Storage of Gases and Flammable Liquids

(a) An ESRD facility shall comply with the requirements of this section for handling and storage of gas and flammable liquids. The ESRD facility premises shall be kept free from accumulations of combustible materials not necessary for immediate operation of the facility.

  (1) Flammability of liquids and gases shall be determined by National Fire Protection Association 329, Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases, 2002 Edition. All documents published by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as referenced in this section may be obtained by writing or calling the NFPA at the following address or telephone number: National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101 or (800) 344-3555.

  (2) Nonflammable gases shall be stored and distributed in accordance with Chapter 5 of the National Fire Protection Association 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities, 2002 edition (NFPA 99).

  (3) Oxygen shall be administered in accordance with NFPA 99, §9.6.

(b) Alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are considered flammable. When used, the ABHRs shall meet the following requirements:

  (1) The dispensers may be installed in a corridor so long as the corridor width is six feet or greater. The dispensers shall be installed at least four feet apart.

  (2) The maximum individual dispenser fluid capacity is 1.2 liters for dispensers in rooms, corridors, and areas open to corridors, and 2.0 liters for dispensers in suites of rooms.

  (3) The dispensers shall not be installed over or directly adjacent to electrical outlets and switches.

  (4) Dispensers installed directly over carpeted surfaces shall be permitted only in sprinklered smoke compartments.

  (5) Each smoke compartment may contain a maximum aggregate of 10 gallons of ABHR solution in dispensers and a maximum of five gallons in storage.

(c) No motor vehicles including gasoline powered standby generators or any amount of gasoline shall be located within the ESRD facility building. Other devices which may cause or communicate fire, and which are not necessary for patient treatment or care, shall not be stored within the ESRD facility building. All such devices and materials when necessary shall be used within the building only with precautions ensuring a reasonable degree of safety from fire.

(d) The installation, use, and maintenance of gas fired appliances and gas piping installations shall comply with the National Fire Protection Association 54, National Fuel Gas Code, 2002 Edition. The use of portable gas heaters and unvented open flame heaters is specifically prohibited.


Source Note: The provisions of this §117.93 adopted to be effective July 6, 2010, 35 TexReg 5835

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