26 Tex. Admin. Code § 554.337 - Fire Protection Systems
(a) Fire
protection systems include detection, alarm, and communication systems; fixed
automatic extinguishment systems; and portable extinguishers. These systems
must meet the requirements of NFPA 101, and of this section. Components must be
compatible and laboratory listed for the use intended.
(b) Fire protection systems must meet the
requirements of all applicable NFPA standards, such as NFPA 72 for alarm
systems, as referenced in NFPA 101. Wiring and circuitry for alarm systems must
meet the applicable requirements of NFPA standards including the NFPA 70 for
these systems.
(c) Requirements of
emergency electrical systems must be in accordance with §
554.341 of this chapter (relating
to Electrical Requirements). Requirements for sprinkler systems must be in
accordance with §
554.340(4) of
this chapter (relating to Mechanical Requirements).
(d) Partial sprinkler systems (those provided
only for hazardous areas) must be interconnected with the fire alarm and comply
with NFPA 101. Each partial system must have a valve with a supervisory switch
to sound a trouble signal, water flow switch to activate the fire alarm, and an
end-of-line test drain.
(e) 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.
(f) 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 must occur automatically:
(1) smoke
and fire doors which are held open by approved devices must be released to
close;
(2) air handlers (air
conditioning or heating distribution fans) serving three or more rooms or any
means of egress must shut down immediately;
(3) smoke dampers must close; and
(4) the alarm-initiating-device location must
be clearly indicated on the fire alarm control panel(s) and all auxiliary
panels.
(g) 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 in a manner
that will identify exit routes.
(h)
A master control panel indicating the location of all alarm, trouble, and
supervisory signals, by zone or device, must be visible at the main nurse
station. Fire alarm system components must be laboratory-listed as compatible.
Alarm and trouble zoning must be by smoke compartments and by floors in
multi-story facilities.
(i) Remote
annunciator panels, indicating location of alarm initiation, by zone or device,
and trouble indication, must be located at auxiliary or secondary nurse
stations on each floor, and will indicate the alarm condition of adjacent zones
and the alarm conditions at all other nurse stations.
(j) Manual pull stations must be provided at
all exits, living rooms, dining rooms, and at or near the nurse
stations.
(k) The sprinkler system
must be monitored for flow and tamper conditions by the fire alarm
system.
(l) 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.
(m) Portable fire
extinguishers must be provided throughout the facility as required by NFPA
Standard 10 and as determined by the local fire department and the Texas
Department of Human Services. The following requirements are applicable to fire
extinguishers:
(1) Extinguishers in resident
corridors must be spaced so that travel distance is not more than 75 feet. The
minimum size of extinguishers must be either 2 1/2 gallon for water type or 5
pound for ABC type.
(2)
Extinguishers must be installed on hangers or brackets supplied or mounted in
approved cabinets. Recessed cabinets are required for extinguishers located in
corridors.
(3) Extinguishers
installed under conditions where they are subject to physical damage must be
protected from impact or dislodgement.
(4) Extinguishers having a gross weight not
exceeding 40 pounds must be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is
not more than five feet above the floor. Extinguishers having a gross weight
greater than 40 pounds must be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is
not more than 3-1/2 feet above the floor. In no case may the clearance between
the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor be less than four
inches.
(5) Portable extinguishers
provided in hazardous rooms should be located as close as possible to the exit
door opening and nearest the latch (knob) side.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.