(a) The Commission will approve only those preparation rooms which meet the requirements of Occupations Code Chapter 651 and the following minimum standards:
  (1) must be of sufficient size and dimensions to accommodate an operating table, a sink with water connections, and an instrument table, cabinet, or shelves:
    (A) the operating table must be non-porous, with edges raised at least 3/4 inch around the entire table and a drain opening at the lower end;
    (B) the sink must have hot and cold running water and drain freely; and
    (C) must be equipped with an aspirator;
  (2) must contain an injection/embalming machine and sufficient supplies and equipment for normal operations;
  (3) must be clean, sanitary, and only used for purposes related to the care of the deceased;
  (4) must not have defective construction which permits the entrance of rodents;
  (5) must not have evidence of infestation of insects or rodents;
  (6) must be private and have no general passageway through it;
  (7) must be properly ventilated with an exhaust fan that provides at least five room air exchanges per hour;
  (8) must not have public restroom facilities located within the room;
  (9) must have walls that run from floor to ceiling and that are covered with tile, or by plaster or sheetrock painted with washable paint;
  (10) must have floors of concrete with a glazed surface, or tiled in order to provide the greatest sanitary condition possible, if tile is used, any grout or joint sealant must be unbroken and intact;
  (11) must have doors, windows, and walls constructed to prevent odors from entering any other part of the building;
  (12) must have all windows and openings to the outside screened; and
  (13) have appropriate personal protection equipment related to universal precautions.
(b) For establishments exempt under §203.10 of this title (relating to Preparation Room Exemption), the executive director may require the establishment to have a room with some of the above standards if deceased human remains will be present at the establishment.

Source Note: The provisions of this §203.31 adopted to be effective October 18, 2015, 40 TexReg 7069; amended to be effective October 3, 2019, 44 TexReg 5625