SECTION 554.362. Miscellaneous Details for New Facilities

(a) Safety related details. A high degree of safety for the occupants is needed to minimize accidents more apt to occur with the residents in a nursing facility. Consideration must be given to the fact that many have impaired vision, hearing, spatial perception, and ambulation.

(1) Hazards such as sharp corners, edges, or unexpected steps must be avoided.

(2) Drinking fountains, telephone booths, vending machines, and portable equipment must not restrict corridor traffic or reduce corridor width.

(3) Windows must be designed to prevent residents from accidentally falling through the windows.

(4) Doors that normally stay open or are frequently used must not swing out into the corridor unless required by NFPA 101 or another provision of this subchapter. Alcoves must be provided for doors that must swing outward toward a corridor or way of egress.

(5) Safety glass must be used where required by local building codes or NFPA 101.

(6) Thresholds and expansion joint covers must be flush with the floor surface to facilitate use of wheelchairs and carts.

(7) A facility must provide grab bars at all residents' toilets, showers, tubs, and sitz baths. The bars must be 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter and must have 1-1/2 inch clearance to walls. Bars must have sufficient strength and anchorage to sustain a concentrated load of 250 pounds. Grab bar standards must comply with standards adopted under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(8) Handrails must be provided on both sides of corridors used by residents, and must meet the following:

(A) A clear distance of 1-1/2 inches must be provided between the handrail and the wall;

(B) Handrails must be securely mounted to withstand downward forces of 250 pounds;

(C) Handrails may be omitted on wall segments less than 18 inches in length;

(D) A window must be considered part of the wall segment in which it is installed and must not interrupt the continuity of the handrail;

(E) Handrails must be mounted 33 inches to 36 inches above the floor, and must comply with standards adopted under the Americans with Disabilities Act and with TAS.

(F) Where fixed furniture is provided in corridors, as permitted by NFPA 101 and §19.326(n) of this subchapter (relating to Safety Operations), the handrail may be omitted, provided the handrail terminates no more than 18 inches from the fixed furniture.

(9) Ends of handrails and grab bars must be constructed with return ends to walls to prevent snagging the clothes of residents.

(10) Ceiling fan blades must be at least seven feet above the floor and be located so as not to interfere with the operation of any ceiling-mounted smoke detectors.

(b) General details.

(1) Concrete floors, whether finished by sealant, or similar product, must not be used as the finished floor unless specifically approved in writing by HHSC. An exception is mechanical equipment rooms and maintenance or similar areas.

(2) Sound separation must be provided in corridor walls and resident room party walls. Provide a minimum Sound Transmission Class of 30 per ASTM E90.

(3) A facility must provide attic access for building maintenance and inspection.

(4) A facility must provide illumination and a safe platform in the attic at all attic access locations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.362 adopted to be effective March 22, 2018, 43 TexReg 1646; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871