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(a)Hospital facilities. Refer to Texas Department of Health, Hospital Licensing, Physical Plant and Construction Requirements, New Construction Requirements, (25 Texas Administrative Code, §133.162) (the Texas Hospital Licensing Law, Health and Safety Code Chapter 241), regarding ventilation requirements, general mechanical requirements, performance and acceptance of hospital facilities, and HVAC requirements, (25 Texas Administrative Code, §133.169). (b)Correctional facilities. When correctional facilities consider these guidelines, they must also consider compliance with all of the regulations that may affect their mission to protect the general population by securely housing the criminal offenders of the State. Security issues or the original structure of some of the earlier facilities may prevent certain ventilation practices from being incorporated into some of the facility designs. The authority having jurisdiction should prioritize projects based on the criteria above and complete those projects based on hazard concerns and financial ability. All correctional facilities in the State should be participating in the accreditation process through the American Correctional Association (ACA). This process involves evaluations for air circulation, illumination levels and noise levels. (c)Child-frequented facilities. Greater diligence should be taken to ensure indoor air quality in facilities occupied by or frequented by children, such as schools and childcare facilities. Children are considered at higher risk for health problems from poor indoor air quality than are adults.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed
with the Office
of the Secretary of State on July 26, 2002
TRD-200204667 Susan Steeg
General Counsel
Texas Department of Health
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 8, 2002
For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236
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