(a) Electrical system. A new large Type A assisted living facility must ensure an electrical system meets the requirements of 9.1.2, Electrical Systems, in NFPA 101, Chapter 9, Building Service and Fire Protection Equipment.
(b) Lighting. A new large Type A assisted living facility must provide illumination throughout the building. Minimum lighting levels must not be lower than:
(1) 10 footcandles in resident rooms during the day--illumination requirements for these areas apply to lighting throughout the space, as measured at 30 inches above the floor anywhere in the room;
(2) 20 footcandles in each corridor, staff station, dining room, lobby, toilet room, bathroom, bathing facility, laundry room, stairway, and elevator during the day--illumination requirements for these areas apply to lighting throughout the space, as measured at 30 inches above the floor anywhere in the room; and
(3) 50 footcandles for each medication preparation or storage area, kitchen, and desk within a staff station. Illumination requirements apply when the area is in use for a task it supports, as measured where the task is being performed.
(c) Telephone. A new large Type A assisted living facility must provide at least one telephone in the facility that is available to both staff and residents. Emergency telephone numbers must be posted conspicuously at or near the telephone, including fire, police, emergency medical services, and poison control center services.
(d) Communication system. A new large Type A assisted living facility that consists of two or more floors or separate buildings must provide a communication system from each resident living unit to a central staff station.
(1) The communication system must:
(2) A new large Type A assisted living facility may provide:
(3) A new large Type A assisted living facility may provide residents with portable, wireless call transmitters, such as pendants or wrist bands. However, a device may not be a substitute for a fixed call station in a resident living unit.
(e) Generator.
(1) A new large Type A assisted living facility that provides a system to supply, distribute, and control electricity for emergency lighting and illumination of exit signs required by NFPA 101, such as a system that uses a generator set as an alternate source of power, must comply with the requirements of Article 700, Emergency Systems, in NFPA 70, Chapter 7, Special Conditions.
(2) A new large Type A assisted living facility that provides a system to supply, distribute, and control electricity for systems and equipment not identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection must comply with the requirements of Article 702, Optional Standby Systems, in NFPA 70.
(3) The alternate power source for the emergency system may supply other emergency loads, legally required standby loads, and optional standby system loads where the source has adequate capacity to ensure adequate power to the different circuits in the following priority:
Source Note: The provisions of this §553.238 adopted to be effective August 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 5189