SECTION 553.215. Fire Protection Systems Requirements for a New Small Type A Assisted Living Facility

(a) Fire alarm and smoke detection system. A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide a manual fire alarm system meeting the requirements of 9.6, Fire Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems, in NFPA 101, Chapter 9, Building Service and Fire Protection Equipment, as modified by this section.

(1) General. A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure the operation of any alarm initiating device automatically activates the manual fire alarm system evacuation alarm for the entire building.

(2) Smoke detectors.

(A) A new small Type A assisted living facility must install smoke detectors in resident bedrooms, corridors, hallways, living rooms, dining rooms, offices, kitchens, laundries, attached garages used for car parking, and public or common areas, except as permitted in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph.

(B) A new small Type A assisted living facility may install heat detectors in lieu of smoke detectors in kitchens, laundries, and attached garages used for car parking.

(C) A new small Type A assisted living facility located in a building constructed to meet the requirements of NFPA 101, Chapter 18, New Health Care Occupancies, may install a smoke detection system meeting the requirements of 18.3.4.5.3, Nursing Homes, in NFPA 101, Chapter 18, New Health Care Occupancies, in lieu of the requirements found in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(3) Alarm control panel.

(A) A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide a fire alarm control unit, or a fire alarm annunciator providing annunciation of all fire alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals by audible and visible indicators, in a location visible to staff at or near the staff area that is attended 24 hours a day.

(B) A new small Type A assisted living facility is not required to ensure a fire alarm control unit or fire alarm annunciator is visible to staff if the fire alarm is monitored by devices carried by all staff.

(4) Fire alarm power source.

(A) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure a fire alarm system is powered by a permanently-wired, dedicated branch circuit that is powered from a commercial power source in accordance with NFPA 70.

(B) A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide a secondary, emergency power source meeting the requirements of NFPA 72.

(b) Fire sprinkler system.

(1) A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide one of the following fire sprinkler systems according to the requirements of 32.2.3.5, Extinguishment Requirements, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(A) A fire sprinkler system meeting the requirements of NFPA 13 in accordance with 32.2.3.5.3;

(B) A fire sprinkler system meeting the requirements of NFPA 13R in accordance with 32.2.3.5.3.1; or

(C) A fire sprinkler system meeting the requirements of NFPA 13D in accordance with 32.2.3.5.3.2.

(2) A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide electrical supervision of any fire sprinkler system according to the requirements of 32.2.3.5.4, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(c) Protection of attics. A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure an attic is protected according to the requirements of 32.2.3.5.7, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(d) Portable fire extinguishers. A new small Type A assisted living facility must provide and maintain portable fire extinguishers according to the requirements of NFPA 10.

(1) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure all requirements of NFPA 10 are followed for all extinguisher types, including requirements for location, spacing, mounting heights, monthly inspections by staff, yearly inspections by a licensed agent, any necessary servicing, and hydrostatic testing as recommended by the manufacturer.

(2) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure portable fire extinguishers are located so the travel distance from any point in the facility to an extinguisher is no more than 75 feet.

(3) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure the actual size of any portable fire extinguisher meets the requirements of NFPA 10 for maximum floor area per unit covered, but an extinguisher must be no smaller than the following.

(A) A water-type portable fire extinguisher must have a rating of at least 1-A according to NFPA 10.

(B) All other portable fire extinguishers must have a rating of at least 2-A:10-B:C according to NFPA 10.

(4) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure portable fire extinguishers are installed on hangers or brackets supplied with the extinguisher or mounted in an approved cabinet.

(5) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure a portable fire extinguisher is protected from impact or dislodgement.

(6) A new small Type A assisted living facility must ensure a portable fire extinguisher is installed at an appropriate height.

(A) A portable fire extinguisher having a gross weight of up to 40 pounds must be installed so the top of the extinguisher is not more than five feet above the floor.

(B) A portable fire extinguisher having a gross weight greater than 40 pounds must be installed so the top of the extinguisher is not more than three and a half feet above the floor.

(C) A portable fire extinguisher must be installed so the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor is at least four inches.

(7) A portable extinguisher provided in a hazardous room must be located as close as possible to the door leading from the room and on the latch or knob side of the door.

Source Note: The provisions of this §553.215 adopted to be effective August 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 5189