Texas Administrative Code
Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
Chapter 554 - NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION
Subchapter D - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION
Division 9 - FACILITIES LICENSED ON OR AFTER APRIL 2, 2018
Section 554.356 - Smoke Compartments (Subdivision of Building Spaces) for New Facilities

(a) Smoke compartments must be as described in NFPA 101 and in this section.

(b) A facility must provide an exit sign on each side of corridor smoke barrier doors, unless otherwise directed by HHSC.

(c) The metal frame for a vision panel in a smoke barrier door must be steel, unless otherwise approved by HHSC. The bottom of a vision panel must be located no more than 43 inches above the floor. A facility must provide push or pull hardware on pairs of opposite swinging, double egress smoke barrier doors in corridors. Door leaves must align in the closed position.

(d) A facility must provide prominent signs on each side of smoke barrier walls in concealed spaces such as attics. The signs must state: "Warning: Smoke/fire barrier. Properly seal all openings."

(e) A facility must provide reasonable access to concealed smoke barrier walls for maintaining smoke dampers, where provided, so that walls and dampers can periodically be visually checked for conformance by facility staff, service personnel, and inspectors. A facility must provide access to both sides of the wall, and to all parts, end-to-end and top-to-bottom. A facility must provide prefabricated metal ceiling access panels, or their equivalent, that are at least 20 inches wide by 20 inches long. Ceiling access panels must be fire resistance-rated if required to maintain the fire resistance rating of a roof-ceiling or floor-ceiling assembly.

(f) A facility should design air systems to avoid ducts that penetrate smoke barrier walls, thus eliminating the need for smoke dampers which are often a problem to maintain in proper working condition.