SECTION 553.233. Means of Egress Requirements for a New Large Type A Assisted Living Facility

(a) A new large Type A assisted living facility must meet the requirements of 32.3.2, Means of Egress, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies, except as described in this section.

(b) The provisions of 32.3.2.11.2, Lockups, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies, are not permitted.

(c) A new large Type A assisted living facility must ensure doors meet the requirements of 32.3.2.2.2, Doors, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies, and the additional requirements of this section.

(1) A resident room door in a new large Type A assisted living facility must latch in its frame to resist the passage of smoke.

(2) In a new large Type A assisted living facility comprised of buildings that contain living units with independent cooking equipment within the living unit, a door between the living unit and a corridor or hallway must:

(A) be self-closing or automatic-closing; and

(B) latch in its frame to resist the passage of smoke.

(3) A resident room door or living unit door must not be arranged to prevent the occupant from closing the door.

(d) A new large Type A assisted living facility providing spaces for use by residents on floors other than the ground floor must provide at least two separate approved stairs and must ensure stairs used as a means of egress meet the requirements of 32.3.2.2.3, Stairs, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(e) A new large Type A assisted living facility must ensure means of egress are marked according to the requirements of 32.3.2.10, Marking of Means of Egress, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies.

(f) A new large Type A assisted living facility must provide emergency lighting according to the requirements of 32.3.2.9, Emergency Lighting, in NFPA 101, Chapter 32, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies, unless each sleeping room has a direct exit to the outside at the finished ground level.

Source Note: The provisions of this §553.233 adopted to be effective August 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 5189