SECTION 554.306. Toilet Facilities

Each resident room must be equipped with or located near toilet and bathing facilities.

(1) Bedrooms not provided with their own (or shared) direct-access toilets and baths must have general-use baths and toilets conveniently located for each sex.

(2) Bathtubs or showers must be provided at minimum rate of one for each 20 beds which are not otherwise served by bathing facilities directly accessible from resident bedrooms.

(3) In toilet facilities designed for multi-resident use, water closets must be separated in such a manner that they can be used independently and afford privacy. Toilet paper in a suitable dispenser must be provided within reach of each toilet.

(4) Water closets and lavatories must be provided at a minimum rate of one for each eight beds which are not otherwise served by fixtures directly accessible from resident bedrooms. A lavatory must be provided in or adjacent to each area having a water closet.

(5) Lavatories must be equipped with a mixer faucet and hot and cold water. Resident-use hot water must be provided within the temperature guidelines specified in §19.322(g) of this title (relating to Plumbing).

(6) There must be a sufficient number of toilet rooms and bathing areas designed to accommodate residents in wheelchairs, including sufficient space in or around fixtures. Proper heights, locations, and installations must be made for grab bars, and any mirrors and accessories provided.

(7) Grab bars and lavatories must be substantially anchored to withstand sustained and repeated downward and outward pressure. Grab bars must be provided at all resident water closets and bathing fixtures. New grab bar installations must meet the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Elimination of Architectural Barriers Section.

(8) Floors, walls, and ceilings must have a nonabsorbent, cleanable surface. Floors and tub or shower standing surfaces must be slip resistant.

(9) Doors to bathing and toilet facilities must be wide enough for safe and easy passage of residents in wheelchairs. Folding or sliding doors must not be used unless it can be established that no safety hazard exists.

(10) Keys to resident baths or toilets with privacy locks must be kept readily available to staff.

(11) Provision must be made for sanitary hand washing and drying by staff, visitors, or residents at each lavatory.

(12) Bathrooms and toilets rooms must have a negative air pressure in relation to adjacent areas with air exhausted through ducts to the exterior.

(13) Bathing areas must be provided with safe heating.

(14) Bathtubs, showers, and lavatories must be kept clean and in proper working order. They must not be used for laundering or for storage of soiled materials or for the cleaning of mops or brooms.

(15) Nurse-call devices must be provided at resident-use baths and toilets and be within easy reach of residents.

(16) Electrical outlets in wet areas must be provided with ground fault interrupters, excluding toilet rooms where there are no bathing units.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.306 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4408; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871