(a) General Requirements.
  (1) Secondhand bedding articles.
    (A) Secondhand bedding articles shall be cleaned and germicidally treated by a method approved by the department in subsection (b) of this section before they may be sold, leased or rented to consumers.
    (B) Bedding articles manufactured, repaired, or renovated in whole or in part from secondhand or recycled materials shall be germicidally treated by a method approved by the department in subsection (b) of this section before they may be sold, leased or rented to consumers.
    (C) Upholstered sofa beds and studio couches are subject to the requirements set forth in paragraph (1)(A) and (B) of this subsection.
  (2) Renovated bedding articles.
    (A) Secondhand or recycled materials shall be germicidally treated by a method approved by the department in subsection (b) of this section before they may be used in the manufacture, repair or renovation of bedding articles.
    (B) Materials that are filthy, stained, oily, have obnoxious odors, harbor insects or pathogenic organisms, were obtained from dumps or junkyards or have been exposed to the elements shall not be used in the manufacture, repair or renovation of bedding articles.
    (C) The outer covers on secondhand mattresses and box springs to be enovated or rebuilt for resale shall be removed to expose the concealed filling materials. Materials described in paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection shall be removed and discarded. When the chemical method of germicidal treatment is used, the mattresses and box springs shall be treated prior to the installation of new covers. Secondhand covers shall not be reused regardless of the germicidal treatment method.
(b) Treatment methods.
  (1) Chemical spray.
    (A) Only those products specifically approved by the department may be used as a germicidal treatment method.
    (B) Mechanical, compressed air, hand pump, or electric sprayers must be used and they must be of the continuous spray type. No intermittant spray devices are allowed.
    (C) Chemicals must be in liquid form. Aerosol sprays shall not be used.
    (D) Liquid sprays must include a simple but positive means of detection or verification by means of an ultra-violet lamp unit.
    (E) Liquid sprays requiring premixing or dilution shall not be approved.
    (F) Spray area must be in such a location as to be protected from wind.
    (G) Manufacturers specifications such as amount of coverage, operator safety precautions, and other warning labels must be followed.
  (2) Dry heat.
    (A) A minimum temperature of 230 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of one hour 15 minutes, within a closed chamber is required for proper germicidal treatment. The minimum temperature may be reduced to 205 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of one hour and 30 minutes for foam products which may be damaged at 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
    (B) The dry heat chamber shall be equipped with a recording clock to accurately record the time and temperature. The clock shall be attached on the outside of the chamber and the heat bulb sending unit must be installed within the chamber at the furtherest point practical from the entry of the heat.
    (C) The chamber and automatic circulating heat devices shall maintain equal and uniform temperatures in all sections of the chamber.
    (D) All articles of bedding shall be spaced within the chamber to allow not less than four inches on all sides of each article for full circulation of heat or air.
  (3) Steam.
    (A) Treatment by the steam method shall consist of steam under pressure of 15 pounds per square inch maintained for 30 minutes or a pressure of 20 pounds per square inch maintained for 20 minutes.
    (B) An alternate method may consist of two applications of streaming steam, maintained for a period of one hour each, to be applied at intervals of not less than six nor more than 24 hours.
  (4) Commercial laundry method. Pillows, quilts, quilted spreads, comforters, pads, sleeping bags, and other similar items will be considered as having been germicidally treated when the filling materials and covering material or ticking are kept intact without opening, and cleaned by a commercial laundry method.
  (5) Other methods. Any other method of germicidal treatment may be used provided it has first been approved in writing by the department.
  (6) Records. All records required by the Act and regulations shall be kept as part of the operator's records for a period of not less than two years. The records shall be available to the department on request.

Source Note: The provisions of this §205.8 adopted to be effective October 16, 1986, 11 TexReg 4156; amended to be effective October 3, 1999, 24 TexReg 8181