Texas Administrative Code
Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES
Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 265 - GENERAL SANITATION
Subchapter A - HEALTH AND SANITATION FOR MASS GATHERINGS
Section 265.3 - Minimum Standards

Universal Citation: 25 TX Admin Code § 265.3

Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025

(a) Water supply.

(1) The quality of water to be supplied shall meet the approval of the county health officer, and on his request an evaluation of the supply may be made by the Department of Health Resources.

(2) Water shall be provided at the rate of at least one pint per hour for each person present at the site.

(3) Water shall be delivered to the dispensing points in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of contamination. All water conveyor facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected prior to being used and any containers used for water delivery shall be covered to prevent the entrance of dust, insects, or other contaminants.

(4) A suitable water outlet or water container shall be provided for each 100 persons and be conveniently located for dispensing the water. If containers are utilized for water distribution, the containers shall be properly covered and provisions made for keeping the covers locked. A chlorine residual of at least 0.2 milligrams per liter shall be maintained at all times at each water distribution point.

(5) The use of the common drinking cup is prohibited. At least one dispensable cup shall be provided for each person per hour of attendance.

(b) Toilet facilities.

(1) Toilet facilities, separate for each sex and plainly marked "Men' and "Women, ' shall be provided at a rate of no more than 50 persons per toilet seat. Such facilities shall be designed to shield the occupants from public view.

(2) Privies, if provided, shall be structurally sound and shall be designed to prevent access of flies to deposited excreta.

(3) Portable type toilets, if provided, shall have waste therefrom collected at intervals of sufficient frequency to preclude overflow and the wastes therefrom shall be disposed of in a manner that does not create a health hazard or nuisance.

(4) Handwashing and drying facilities shall be provided in the vicinity of each toilet building or location. Waste produced from such handwashing facilities shall be collected and disposed of either by holding tanks or subsurface absorption fields.

(c) Vector control. Sufficient equipment and chemicals shall be available to control insect vector problems in a manner approved by the county health officer.

(d) Minimum area. An area of at least 50 square feet per person shall be provided at the premises.

(e) Solid waste facilities.

(1) All solid waste shall be stored in suitable containers with tight fitting lids and such containers shall be conveniently located throughout the area.

(2) All solid waste shall be collected twice daily or at such more frequent intervals as may be necessary to maintain sanitary conditions at the site and be disposed of in a facility which has been approved by the county health officer.

(f) Noise control. Amplifying equipment used shall be designed to control the noise level at the perimeter of the site on which the gathering shall take place and be so operated that at no time more than 70 decibels is registered on the "A' scale at slow response of a standard sound level meter which meets the specifications of the American National Standards Institute.

(g) Food sanitation.

(1) All food and beverages sold or furnished shall be obtained from approved sources.

(2) Foods, while being stored, prepared, or served, shall be protected from contamination.

(3) All perishable food shall be stored at such temperatures as will protect against spoilage.

(4) All potentially hazardous food which consists in whole or in part of milk or milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish shall be maintained at safe temperatures (45 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above).

(5) The washing and sanitizing of food equipment and utensils shall be in compliance with the requirements set forth in the State Sterilization Law, Texas Civil Statutes Article 4476-9.

(6) All food service personnel shall wear clean outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices while on duty. Handwashing facilities shall be provided.

(h) Medical and nursing care.

(1) At least one emergency aid station for each 10,000 persons or fraction thereof shall be maintained and be clearly identifiable by a prominent sign during the entire time of the mass gathering.

(2) Each emergency aid station shall have on duty at all times at least two persons who have had, as a minimum, training in first aid either by the American Red Cross or as a medical corpsman in the armed services. One shall be in charge.

(3) Each emergency aid station shall be provided with the following equipment and supplies:
(A) a tent or other suitable temporary shelter shall be erected at a convenient location on the grounds of the mass gathering to house the emergency aid station.

(B) folding cots-six;

(C) blankets-eight;

(D) chest or box (for supplies)-one;

(E) chairs-two;

(F) flashlights-two;

(G) pail or plastic wastebasket-two;

(H) paper bags for waste-24;

(I) paper towels (roll or package)-four;

(J) pitcher (with cover)-two;

(K) tourniquet (rubber tubing)-three;

(L) adhesive bandages (assorted)-four dozen;

(M) adhesive tape, three inches and four inches-four rolls each size;

(N) bandages, two inches and four inches-12 rolls each size;

(O) triangular bandage, 40 inches-six;

(P) cotton balls (prepackaged)-400;

(Q) alcohol, isopropyl-two pints;

(R) scissors, blunt-one pair;

(S) snake bite kit-one;

(T) splints-six;

(U) bag mask resuscitator with oxygen supply-one;

(V) stretcher-one;

(W) thermometer, oral-two;

(X) bandage compress, two inches, three inches, and four inches-six each size;

(Y) four inches by four inches cotton gauze squares-100.

(4) A written plan for the evacuation of sick or injured persons shall be provided and approved by the county health officer covering the following services and a copy of the plan shall be placed in a conspicuous place in the emergency aid station.
(A) name, location, and telephone number(s) of one or more available licensed physicians;

(B) name, location, and telephone number(s) of an available ambulance;

(C) name, location, and telephone number(s) of an available nearby hospital;

(i) Final site cleanup. At the conclusion of a mass gathering, the site shall be inspected by the county health officer for health and sanitation considerations. The landowner, upon notification by the county health officer of the existence of any unsanitary conditions, shall immediately cause such conditions to be corrected.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.