Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
Alzheimer's units, if segregated from other parts of the
Type B facility with approved security devices, must meet the following
requirements within the Alzheimer's unit:
(1) Resident living areas must be in
compliance with applicable requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter
(relating to Facility Construction).
(2) Resident dining areas must be in
compliance with applicable requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter for
resident dining areas.
(3) Resident
toilet and bathing facilities must be in compliance with applicable
requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter for resident toilet and bathing
facilities.
(4) A monitoring
station must be provided within the Alzheimer's unit with a writing surface
such as a desk or counter, chair, task illumination, telephone or intercom, and
lockable storage for resident records.
(5) Access to at least two approved exits
remote from each other must be provided in order to meet the NFPA 101
requirements.
(6) In large
facilities, cross corridor control doors, if used for the security of the
residents, must be similar to smoke doors, which are each 34 inches in width
and swing in opposite directions. A latch or other fastening device on a door
must be provided with a knob, handle, panic bar, or other simple type of
releasing device.
(7) An outdoor
area of at least 800 square feet must be provided in at least one contiguous
space. This area must be connected to, be a part of, be controlled by, and be
directly accessible from the facility.
(A)
Such areas must have walls or fencing that do not allow climbing or present a
hazard and meet the following requirements. These minimum dimensions do not
apply to additional fencing erected along property lines or building setback
lines for privacy or to meet requirements of local building authorities.
(i) Minimum distance of the enclosure fence
from the building is 8 feet if the fence is parallel to the building and there
are no window openings.
(ii)
Minimum distance of the enclosure fence (parallel with building walls) from
bedroom windows is 20 feet if the fencing is solid and 15 feet from bedroom
windows if the fencing is open.
(iii) For unusual or unique site conditions,
areas of enclosure may have alternate configurations with HHSC
approval.
(B) Access to
at least two approved exits remote from each other must be provided from the
enclosed area in order to meet the Life Safety Code requirements.
(C) If the enclosed area involves a required
exit from the building, the following additional requirements must be met:
(i) A minimum of two gates must be remotely
located from each other if only one exit is enclosed. If two or more exits are
enclosed by the fencing and entry access can be made at each door, a minimum of
one gate is required.
(ii) The
gates must be located to provide a continuous path of travel from the building
exit to a public way, including walkways of concrete, asphalt, or other
approved materials.
(iii) If gates
are locked, the gate nearest the exit from the building must be locked with an
electronic lock that operates the same as electronic locks on control doors or
exit doors and is in compliance with the National Electrical Code for exterior
exposure. Additional gates may also have electronic locks or may have keyed
locks provided staff carry the keys. All gates may have keyed locks, provided
all staff carry the keys, and the outdoor area has an area of refuge which:
(I) extends beyond a minimum of 30 feet from
the building; and
(II) the area of
refuge allows at least 15 square feet per person (resident, staff, visitor)
potentially present at the time of a fire.
(8) Locking devices may be used on
the control doors provided the following criteria are met:
(A) The building must have an approved
sprinkler system and an approved fire alarm system to meet the licensing
standards.
(B) The locking device
must be electronic and must be released when any one of the following occurs:
(i) activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler
system;
(ii) power failure to the
facility; or
(iii) activation of a
switch or button located at the monitoring station and at the main staff
station.
(C) A key pad or
buttons may be located at the control doors for routine use by
staff.
(9) Locking
devices may be used on the exit doors provided:
(A) the locking arrangements meet
§7.2.1.6 of the NFPA 101; or
(B) the following criteria are met:
(i) the building must have an approved
sprinkler system and an approved fire alarm system to meet the licensing
standards;
(ii) the locking device
must be electro-magnetic; that is, no type of throw-bolt is to be
used;
(iii) the device must release
when any one of the following occurs:
(I)
activation of the fire alarm or sprinkler system;
(II) power failure to the facility;
or
(III) activation of a switch or
button located at the monitoring station and at the main staff
station;
(iv) a key pad
or buttons may be located at the control doors for routine use by
staff;
(v) a manual fire alarm pull
must be located within five feet of each exit door with a sign stating, "Pull
to release door in an emergency"; and
(vi) staff must be trained in the methods of
releasing the door device.
