SECTION 554.314. Fire Alarms, Detection Systems, and Sprinkler Systems

Fire alarms, detection systems, and sprinkler systems must be as required by NFPA 101, NFPA 72, and NFPA 13.

(1) Components must be compatible and laboratory listed for the use intended.

(2) Wiring and circuitry for alarm systems must meet the applicable requirements for NFPA standards, including NFPA 70, for these systems.

(3) Fire alarm systems must be installed, maintained, and repaired by an agent having a current certificate of registration with the State Fire Marshal's Office, in accordance with state law. A fire alarm installation certificate must be provided as required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(4) Smoke detector sensitivity must be checked within one year after installation and every alternate year thereafter in accordance with NFPA 72. Documentation, including as-built installation drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and a written sequence of operation for systems installed after July 1, 2000, must be available for examination by HHSC.

(5) The fire alarm system must be designed so that whenever the general alarm is sounded by activation of any device (such as manual pull, smoke sensor, sprinkler, or kitchen range hood extinguisher) the following will occur automatically:

(A) smoke and fire doors which are held open by an approved device must be released to close;

(B) air handlers (air conditioning/heating distribution fans) serving three or more rooms or any means of egress must shut down immediately;

(C) smoke dampers must close; and

(D) the alarm-initiating location must be clearly indicated on the fire alarm control panel(s) and all auxiliary panels.

(6) Consistent fire alarm bells or horns must be located throughout the building for audible coverage. Flashing alarm lights (visual alarms) must be installed to be visible in corridors and public areas including dining rooms and living rooms.

(7) A master control panel which indicates location of alarm and trouble conditions (by zone or device) must be visible at the main nurse station. All control panels must be listed for intended use, such as manual, automatic, and water-flow activation. Alarm and trouble zoning must be by smoke compartments and by floors in multi-story facilities.

(8) Remote annunciator panels, indicating location of alarm initiation by zone or device and common trouble signals, must be located at auxiliary or secondary nurses stations on each floor or major subdivision of single story facilities and indicate the alarm condition of adjacent zones and the alarm conditions at all other nurse stations.

(9) Manual pull stations must be provided at all exits, living rooms, dining rooms, and at or near the nurse stations.

(10) The NFPA 13 sprinkler system must be monitored for flow and tamper conditions by the fire alarm system.

(11) The kitchen range hood extinguisher must be interconnected with the fire alarm system. This interconnection may be a separate zone on the panel or combined with other initiating devices located in the same zone as the range hood is located.

(12) Partial sprinkler systems provided only for hazardous areas must be interconnected to the fire alarm system and comply with NFPA 101. Each partial system must have a valve with a supervisory switch to sound a supervisory signal, water-flow switch to activate the fire alarm, and an end-of-line test drain.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.314 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4408; amended to be effective August 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 6779; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871; amended to be effective January 2, 2022, 46 TexReg 9037