(a) All buildings in which existing facilities licensed by the department are located shall comply with this subsection.
  (1) A facility that is licensed before the effective date of these rules is considered to be a pre-existing or existing facility and shall continue, at a minimum, to meet the licensing requirements under which it was originally licensed.
  (2) Existing licensed facilities shall meet the requirements for Existing Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies contained in Chapter 21 of the 2003 editions of the National Fire Protection Association 101, Life Safety Code, (NFPA 101). All documents published by NFPA as referenced in this section may be obtained by writing or calling the NFPA at the following address or telephone number: National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101 or (800) 344-3555. NFPA documents are also available for public inspection during regular working hours at the offices of Architectural Review Group, Texas Department of State Health Services, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3199.
  (3) In lieu of meeting the requirements in paragraph (1) of this subsection, an existing licensed facility may, instead, comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code, 2003 Edition (NFPA 101), Chapter 21, Existing Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies.
(b) All major remodeling, renovations, additions and alterations to an existing facility shall be completed in accordance with the requirements for new construction in §131.143 of this title (relating to Construction Requirements for a New Facility). All areas of an existing facility that is not part of the a major remodel, renovation, addition or alteration to the facility, are not required to meet these new construction requirements as long as the existing portion met the rules and codes that were in effect when it was originally constructed and licensed. When existing conditions make such changes impractical, the department may grant a conditional approval of minor deviations from the requirements of §131.143 of this title, if the intent of the requirements is met and if the care, safety and welfare of patients will not be jeopardized. The operation of the facility, accessibility of individuals with disabilities, and safety of the patients shall not be jeopardized by a condition(s), which is not in compliance with this chapter.
  (1) Any alteration, modification, replacement, or installation of new building equipment (such as mechanical, electrical, emergency power equipment, energy/utility management, conveying systems, plumbing, fire protection, or other equipment) with a primary function of building service that affects life safety, infection control, changes the functional operation, or the health, safety, and welfare of patients and staff shall comply with the requirements for new construction and shall not be replaced, materially altered, or extended in an existing facility until complete plans and specifications have been submitted to the department, and the department has reviewed and approved the plans and specifications in accordance with §131.146 of this title (relating to Preparation, Submittal, Review and Approval of Plans, and Retention of Records).
  (2) Minor remodeling or alterations within an existing facility which do not involve alterations to load bearing members and partitions, change functional operation, affect fire safety, or involve any of the major changes listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection are considered minor projects and require evaluation and approval by the department. A facility shall submit by mail or fax a written request and floor plan for evaluation, a brief description of the proposed changes, and sketches of the area being remodeled. Based on such submittal, the department shall evaluate and determine whether any additional submittals or inspections are required. The department shall notify the facility of its decision. Patching, restoration, or painting of materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures for the purpose of maintaining such materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures in good or sound condition would not require submission to the department for approval.
  (3) All remodeling or alterations which involve alterations to load bearing members or partitions, change functional operation, or affect fire safety are considered major projects. A facility shall comply with this section before beginning construction of major projects.
    (A) Plans shall be submitted in accordance with this section for all major remodeling or alterations.
    (B) Phasing of construction in existing facilities.
      (i) Projects involving alterations of or additions to existing buildings shall be programmed and phased so that on-site construction shall minimize disruptions of existing functions.
      (ii) Access, exit access, and fire protection shall be maintained so that the safety of the occupants shall not be jeopardized during construction.
      (iii) A noncombustible or limited combustible dust and vapor barrier shall be provided to separate areas undergoing demolition and construction from occupied areas. When a fire retardant plastic material is used for temporary daily usage, it shall be removed at the end of each day.
      (iv) The air inside the construction area shall be protected by mechanical filtration that recirculates inside the space or is exhausted directly to the exterior.
      (v) The area shall be properly ventilated and maintained. The area under construction shall have a negative air pressure differential to the adjoining areas which shall continue as long as construction dust and odors are present.
      (vi) Temporary sound barriers shall be provided where intense prolonged construction noises will disturb patients or staff in the occupied portions of the building during patient treatment times.
      (vii) When construction occurs after hours or on weekends, the facility shall thoroughly clean all areas of construction and provide a clean safe environment before treating patients. The facility shall ensure all fire safety protection and building systems are in place and working properly.
(c) A previously licensed facility which has been vacated or used for other purposes shall comply with all the requirements for new construction contained in §131.143 of this title in order to be licensed.

Source Note: The provisions of this §131.142 adopted to be effective June 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 4400