26 Tex. Admin. Code § 554.321 - Heating, Ventilating, and Air-conditioning Systems (HVAC)
(a) The heating system must maintain a
temperature of not less than 71 degrees Fahrenheit at the resident level in all
resident-use areas. Auxiliary heating devices permanently installed, such as
heat strips in ducts, electric ceiling-mounted heating units, and electric
baseboards, may be used to augment a central heating system as approved by
HHSC.
(b) The cooling system must
be capable of maintaining a temperature suitable for the comfort of the
residents in resident-use areas to an upper limit of 81 degrees.
(c) Air flow must be directed or adjusted so
that a resident is not in direct drafts that could be harmful to the health and
comfort of the resident.
(d)
Unvented heating units and portable heaters are prohibited.
(e) The facility must be well ventilated
through the use of windows, mechanical ventilation, or a combination of both.
Rooms and areas which do not have outside windows and which are used by
residents or personnel must be provided with functioning mechanical ventilation
to change the air on a basis commensurate with the room usage. Air systems must
provide for the induction and mixing of at least 10 percent outside fresh air
into the facility unless otherwise approved by HHSC; that is, 100 percent
continuous recirculation of interior air in most areas is not acceptable. When
certain rooms or areas are dependent on a central air system for proper
ventilation, including exhaust, that central air system fan must run
continuously.
(f) Operable outside
windows must be provided with insect screens. Outside doors must be
self-closing to control entry of insects. All exterior doors must be
effectively weather stripped.
(g)
Heating and air conditioning systems must be provided with clean and effective
air filters.
(h) Ducts and piping
subject to surface condensation must be insulated to prevent condensation at
least in areas which may affect sanitation or cause building
deterioration.
(i) A comfortable
temperature for residents when bathing must be provided.
(j) Heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning systems must comply with the provisions of applicable National
Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standards. Ducts are to be of a Class A
material (noncombustible). Combustion air for gas-fired equipment must be
ducted from the exterior.
(k) Air
flow must be designed to prevent cross contamination within any area where
applicable, such as laundries and kitchens, as well as the system or facility
as a whole.
(l) In relation to
adjacent areas, a positive air pressure must be provided for clean utility
rooms, clean linen rooms, and medication rooms. Conditioned supply air must be
introduced into these rooms.
(m) In
relation to adjacent areas, a negative air pressure must be provided for soiled
utility rooms, soiled laundry rooms, bathrooms, toilets, and other
odor-producing rooms. Air from these rooms must not be recirculated, but
instead must be exhausted through ducts to the exterior by effective
means.
(n) Facility temperature
must be maintained for the comfort of residents.
Notes
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No prior version found.