(a) Purpose. To establish guidelines for the protection from fire and smoke of the Texas Capitol, the Capitol extension, and the General Land Office and their occupants. To create a safe environment for persons performing construction work in the buildings and for the public.
(b) Oversight. The policy will be administrated by the Capitol fire marshal at the direction of the executive director and the State Fire Marshal's Office.
(c) Standard Procedures. The Capitol fire marshal shall:
(1) perform regular inspections of the premises to identify and correct conditions within the buildings which may create fire safety concerns;
(2) oversee routine testing of all fire alarm systems, smoke management systems, and fire suppression systems. Such tests shall be performed at least annually and as often as needed to assure full operation of all systems in an emergency;
(3) perform regular assessments of all fire evacuation plans and schedule regular training and drills for building occupants;
(4) advise the executive director of any unsafe conditions which exist and cannot be routinely corrected;
(5) assure that all trash receptacles are constructed of fire resistant material approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual System (FM);
(6) routinely collect and keep on file Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) listing hazardous materials in State Preservation Board controlled buildings and maintain an accessible file of MSDS sheets.
(d) Fire watch procedures.
(1) Purpose. To provide safety guidelines for state personnel and outside contractors who will be performing work involving open flames, sparks, generation of high temperature, or highly combustible materials within or near the buildings.
(2) Guidelines. In instances in which construction or repairs involve open flames, sparks, or the use of highly combustible materials, a fire watch will be established. The most current fire safety procedures and standards will be applied. Personnel and contractor must meet the requirements established in NFPA 51-B as a minimum, but other currently accepted fire safety procedures shall also apply. Basic procedure shall include but are not limited to the following.
(3) Permits and supervision.
Source Note: The provisions of this §111.21 adopted to be effective May 7, 1992, 17 TexReg 2979; amended to be effective April 12, 1994, 19 TexReg 2197; amended to be effective April 30, 2000, 25 TexReg 3527