New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 7 - HEALTH
Chapter 8 - RESIDENTIAL HEALTH FACILITIES
Part 3 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING RESIDENTIAL SHELTER CARE FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN
Section 7.8.3.117 - HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR-CONDITIONING FOR COMMUNITY HOMES

A. Heating, air-conditioning, piping, boilers, and ventilation equipment must be furnished, installed and maintained to meet all requirements of current state and local mechanical, electrical, and construction codes.

B. The heating method used by the facility has a minimum of 68 degrees Farenheit with controls provided for adjusting the temperature as appropriate for client and staff comfort.

C. The use of unvented heaters, open flame heaters or portable heaters is prohibited.

D. A supply of outside air sufficient to assure proper combustion must be provided in all spaces where fuel-fired boilers, furnaces, or heaters are located to assure proper combustion.

E. All fuel-fired boilers, furnaces, or heaters must be connected to an approved venting system to take the products of combustion directly to the outside air.

F. Each facility must be adequately ventilated at all times to provide fresh air and the control of unpleasant odors by either mechanical or natural means.

G. All gas-fired heating equipment must be provided with a 100 percent automatic cutoff control valve that operates in the event of pilot failure.

H. The facility must be provided with a system for maintaining client and staff comfort during periods of hot weather.

I. All boilers, furnaces or heater rooms are protected from other parts of the building by construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour and doors which are self-closing with a three-quarters of an hour fire resistance.

J. All central ventilation and air condition systems must have provided filters having efficiencies greater than 25 percent.

K. All gas-burning heating and cooking equipment must be connected to an approved venting system to take the products of combustion directly to the outside air.

L. All openings to the outer air used for ventilation must be screened with screening material of not less than 16 meshes per lineal inch.

M. Screen doors must be equipped with self-closing devices.

N. A facility will install barriers or take other steps to ensure heating units are inaccessible to children. Heating units include hot water pipes, hot water baseboard heaters hotter than 110 degrees Farenheit, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and wood stoves.