(a) General. Fire alarms, detection systems, and sprinkler systems shall be as required by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13R Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, or NFPA 13D Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, as specified in NFPA 101, Chapter 32 titled "New Residential Board and Care Occupancies" and Chapter 33 titled "Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies," and as modified in this section.   (1) Each building shall have an approved fire alarm system.   (2) Components shall be compatible and laboratory listed for the use intended.   (3) Wiring and circuitry for alarm systems shall meet the applicable requirements of NFPA Codes, including NFPA 70 National Electric Code, for such systems.   (4) Fire alarm systems shall be installed, maintained, repaired, etc. by an agent having a current certificate of registration with the state fire marshal's office of the Texas Department on Fire Protection, in accordance with the state law. A fire alarm system installation certificate shall be provided as required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. An exception is that large facilities who have professional engineers on staff that are qualified in electrical and electronic installations are not required to have a certificate of registration with the state fire marshal's office, provided they do not sell, install, or maintain fire alarm systems commercially.   (5) Smoke detector sensitivity must be checked within one year after installation and every alternate year thereafter in accordance with NFPA 72. Documentation, including as-built installation drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and a written sequence of operation must be available for examination by the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS). (b) Fire alarm and smoke detection and sprinkler systems for small facilities.   (1) A manual alarm initiating system shall be provided and shall be supplemented by an automatic smoke detection and alarm initiation system in accordance with NFPA 101, Chapter 9, titled "Building Service and Fire Protection Equipment," Section 9-6, titled "Fire Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems."   (2) Smoke detectors shall be installed in resident bedrooms, corridors, hallways, and common living/dining areas. Service areas such as laundries and kitchens shall have heat detectors in lieu of smoke detectors.   (3) The fire alarm control panel shall be located to be in view of staff. The primary power source for the complete fire alarm system must be commercial electric.   (4) Emergency power source shall be from storage batteries or on-site engine-driven generator set.   (5) The operation of any alarm initiating device will sound an audible/visual alarm(s) at the site.   (6) The facility shall have a written contract with a fire alarm company or person licensed by the State Fire Marshall's Office to maintain the fire alarm system semiannually, and the system will be inspected as specified in the contract.   (7) Facilities classified as "impractical evacuation capability," must be protected by a sprinkler system in compliance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, or NFPA 13D with additional requirements for coverage in all dwelling areas and all closets as specified by NFPA 101, Chapters 32 and 33. (c) Fire alarm and emergency systems for large facilities.   (1) The fire alarm system shall be designed so that whenever the general alarm is sounded by activation of any device (manual pull, smoke sensor, sprinkler, kitchen range hood extinguisher, etc.) the following shall occur automatically.     (A) Smoke and fire doors which are held open by approved devices shall be released to close.     (B) Air handlers (air conditioning/heating distribution fans) serving three or more rooms or any means of egress shall shut down immediately.     (C) Smoke dampers shall close.     (D) The proper zone indicating lights shall show on the fire alarm control panel(s), including auxiliary panels.   (2) Fire alarm bells or horns shall be located throughout the building for audible coverage. Flashing alarm lights (visual alarms) of proper intensity shall be installed to be visible in corridors and public areas including dining rooms and living rooms.   (3) A master control panel shall be visible at the main staff station which has alarm and trouble conditions by zones, power-on lights, and required signal devices for trouble conditions. All control panels must be listed in accordance with the provisions of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) for the intended use, i.e., manual, automatic, and water flow activation. Alarm and trouble zoning shall be by smoke compartments and by floors in multi-story facilities.   (4) Remote annunciator panels equipped with alarm by zone and a common trouble signal (both audible and visual) shall be located at auxiliary or secondary staff stations on each floor or major subdivisions of single story facilities, that will indicate the alarm condition of adjacent zones and the alarm conditions at all other staff stations.   (5) Manual pull stations shall be provided at all exits, living rooms, dining rooms, and at or near the staff stations.   (6) The NFPA 13 sprinkler system shall be interconnected with the fire alarm panel as a separate zone for alarm and trouble. Activation of the tamper switch will provide a trouble condition on the fire alarm panel which will not impair the operation of the alarm.   (7) The kitchen range hood extinguisher shall be interconnected with the fire alarm system. This interconnection may be a separate zone on the panel or combined with other initiating devices located in the same zone as the range hood is located.   (8) The fire alarm system shall be arranged to transmit an alarm automatically to the fire department legally committed to serve the area in which the facility is located by the most direct and reliable method allowed by NFPA 101.   (9) Partial sprinkler systems (those provided only for hazardous areas) shall be interconnected to the fire alarm system and comply with NFPA 101. Each partial system shall have a valve with a supervisory switch to sound a supervisory signal, water flow switch to activate the fire alarm, and an end of line test drain.   (10) Emergency electrical services shall be provided to comply with the provisions of NFPA 70. This includes such items as emergency power provided by generator or batteries for fire alarm systems, emergency egress lighting, call systems, TV cameras and monitors (if used for corridor observation), life support systems, designated wall receptacles, etc. The system shall comply with NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities, and NFPA 37 Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines.   (11) Elevators, escalators, and moving walks. Elevators shall comply with the provisions of NFPA 101 and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, and Moving Walks (ANSI A17.1). Elevators are required for buildings having resident facilities (such as bedrooms, dining, or recreation areas) or services (such as diagnostic or therapy) located on other than the main entrance floor. Passenger elevators, escalators, and walks shall be inspected by a qualified agent at least every six months. Freight elevators and dumbwaiters shall be inspected every 12 months.

Source Note: The provisions of this §90.65 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5328; amended to be effective May 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 4060; amended to be effective May 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 3557; amended to be effective May 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 3237