SECTION 553.121. Construction Requirements for an Existing Small Type B Assisted Living Facility

(a) Structurally sound. An existing small Type B assisted living facility must ensure any building is structurally sound regarding actual or expected dead, live, and wind loads in accordance with applicable building codes.

(b) Separation of occupancies. An existing small Type B assisted living facility must be separated from other occupancies by a fire barrier having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating constructed according to the requirements of NFPA 101 and its referenced standards, unless otherwise permitted by paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(1) An existing small Type B assisted living facility must be separated from other assisted living facilities, hospitals, or nursing facilities. Beginning August 31, 2021, an existing small Type A assisted living facility must be separated from any new occupancy or new use subject to HHSC licensing.

(2) An existing small Type B assisted living facility is not required to be separated from another occupancy not subject to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) licensing standards if the two occupancies are so intermingled that construction of a fire barrier having a 2-hour fire resistance rating is impractical and the following conditions are met.

(A) The means of escape, construction, protection, and other safeguards for the entire building must comply with the NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small Type B assisted living facility.

(B) HHSC must be given unrestricted and unannounced access at any reasonable time to inspect the other occupancy type for compliance with the NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small Type B assisted living facility.

(c) Sheathing.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, an existing small Type B assisted living facility must ensure all buildings used by residents are sheathed with materials providing a fire resistance rating.

(A) Interior wall and ceiling surfaces must have finished surfaces, substrates, or sheathing with a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes.

(B) Columns, beams, girders, or trusses that are not enclosed within walls or ceilings must be encased in materials having a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes.

(2) A sprinkler system does not substitute for the minimum sheathing requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(3) A building constructed to meet the minimum building construction type requirements of 19.1.6, Minimum Construction Requirements, in NFPA 101, Chapter 19, Existing Health Care Occupancies, is not also required to be sheathed.

(d) Interior finish. An existing small Type B assisted living facility must ensure interior wall and ceiling finish materials meet the requirements of 33.2.3.3.2, Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish, in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(e) Vertical openings. An existing small Type B assisted living facility must ensure vertical openings are protected according to the requirements of 33.2.3.1, Protection of Vertical Openings, in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

Source Note: The provisions of this §553.121 adopted to be effective August 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 5189