SECTION 554.343. Elevators

All buildings having residents' facilities (such as bedrooms, dining rooms, or recreation areas) or resident services (such as diagnostic or therapy) located on other than the main entrance floor must have at least one electric or electrohydraulic elevator and must comply with standards adopted under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Code, §A17.1.

(1) Number of elevators.

(A) At least one hospital-type elevator must be installed where one to 60 resident beds are located on any floor other than the main entrance floor.

(B) At least two (one of which must be hospital-type) elevators must be installed where 61 to 200 resident beds are located on floors other than the main entrance floor, or where the major inpatient services are located on a floor other than those containing resident beds. Elevator service may be reduced for those floors which provide only partial inpatient services.

(C) At least three (one of which must be hospital-type) elevators must be installed where 201 to 350 resident beds are located on floors other than the main entrance floor or where the major inpatient services are located on a floor other than those containing resident beds. Elevator service may be reduced for those floors which provide only partial inpatient services.

(D) For facilities with more than 350 resident beds, the number of elevators must be determined from a study of the facility plan and the estimated vertical transportation requirements.

(2) Cars and platforms. Cars of hospital-type elevators must have inside dimensions that will accommodate a resident bed and attendants and must be at least five feet wide by seven feet six inches deep. The car door must have a clear opening of not less than three feet eight inches.

(3) Leveling. Elevators must be equipped with an automatic leveling device of the two-way automatic maintaining type with an accuracy of 1/2 inch.

(4) Operation. Elevators, except freight elevators, must be equipped with a two-way special service switch to permit cars to bypass all landing button calls and be dispatched directly to any floor.

(5) Accessibility provisions. Elevator controls, alarm buttons, and telephones, must be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

(6) Protection from fire. Elevator call buttons, controls, and door safety stops must be of a type that will not be activated by heat or smoke. Door openings must meet the requirements of the Life Safety Code for protection of vertical openings.

(7) Field inspection and tests. Inspections and tests must be made and the owner must be furnished written certification that the installation meets the requirements set forth in this section and all applicable safety regulations and codes.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.343 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