SECTION 551.74. Safety Operations

(a) The facility must have a program to inspect, test, and maintain the fire alarm system and must execute the program at least once every three months for large facilities and at least once every six months for small facilities.

(1) The facility must contract with a company that is registered by the State Fire Marshal's Office to execute the program.

(2) The person who performs a service under the contract must be licensed by the State Fire Marshal's Office to perform the service and must complete, sign, and date an inspection form similar to the inspection and testing form in NFPA 72 for a service provided under the contract.

(3) The facility must ensure that fire alarm system components that require visual inspection are visually inspected in accordance with NFPA 72.

(4) The facility must ensure that fire alarm system components that require testing are tested in accordance with NFPA 72.

(5) The facility must ensure that fire alarm system components that require maintenance are maintained in accordance with NFPA 72.

(6) The facility must ensure that smoke dampers are inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 101.

(7) The facility must maintain onsite documentation of compliance with this subsection.

(b) The facility must have a program to inspect, test, and maintain the sprinkler system and must execute the program at least once every three months for large facilities and at least once every six months for small facilities.

(1) The facility must contract with a company that is registered by the State Fire Marshal's Office to execute the program.

(2) The person who performs a service under the contract must be licensed by the State Fire Marshal's Office to perform the service and must complete, sign, and date an inspection form similar to the inspection and testing form in NFPA 25 for a service provided under the contract.

(3) The facility must ensure that sprinkler system components that require visual inspection are visually inspected in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R and in accordance with NFPA 25.

(4) The facility must ensure that sprinkler system components that require testing are tested in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R and in accordance with NFPA 25.

(5) The facility must ensure that sprinkler system components that require maintenance are maintained in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R and in accordance with NFPA 25.

(6) The facility must ensure that individual sprinkler heads are inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R and in accordance with NFPA 25.

(7) The facility must maintain onsite documentation of compliance with this subsection.

(c) The facility must formulate, adopt, and enforce smoking policies.

(1) The facility's policies must comply with all applicable codes, regulations, and standards, including local ordinances.

(2) The facility must inform residents, staff, visitors, and other affected parties of the facility's smoking policies.

(3) The facility must prohibit smoking in any room, ward, or compartment where flammable liquids, combustible gas, or oxygen is used or stored and in any other hazardous location. The facility must post a "No Smoking" sign in these areas.

(4) The facility must provide ashtrays of noncombustible material and safe design in all areas where smoking is permitted.

(5) The facility must provide a metal container with a self-closing cover device into which ashtrays can be emptied in all areas where smoking is permitted.

Source Note: The provisions of this §551.74 adopted to be effective March 21, 2011, 36 TexReg 1879; amended to be effective October 12, 2017, 42 TexReg 5508; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883