Operating Policy and Procedure
HSC OP: 75.04, Codes and Standards - Compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other State-adopted Requirements
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to establish requirements for construction and maintenance work to include the minimum standard of testing and maintaining fire detection (e.g. fire alarm) and fire protection systems (e.g. suppression) on all TTUHSC facilities.
REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed on January 1 of each odd-numbered year (ONY) by the Senior Director for Safety Services, and the Senior Director for Facilities Operations, with recommendations for revisions forwarded to the Vice President for Facilities and Safety Services by February 1.
POLICY/PROCEDURE:
1. In addition to NFPA requirements, the Regents’ Rules, Section 08.06, Construction Code Requirements, states that all construction/renovation projects must conform to the most current edition of the following codes and standards:
Note: Codes and standards must also conform to locally adopted editions of the International Codes unless specifically permitted by the TTUHSC Fire Marshal’s Office and/or TTUS Facilities Planning and Construction:
a. International Building Code (IBC);
b. International Energy Conservation Code (IECC);
c. International Fire Code (IFC);
d. International Plumbing Code (IPC);
e. International Electrical Code Administration Provisions (IE-CAP);
f. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (including references to the National Electrical Code) ― editions adopted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office; in the event of a conflict between an applicable edition of the LSC 101 and an applicable edition of the International Building Code, the LSC-101 shall have authority.
g. NFPA 1 Fire Code;
h. National Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards ― applicable editions adopted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and referenced standards as noted in Chapter 35 of the applicable International Building Code edition;
i. State Fire Marshall’s Office (SFMO);
j. ANSI/ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators ― edition adopted by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR);
k. ANSI Z136.1 Standards for Safe Use of Lasers;
l. Factory Mutual Global or current insurance carrier;
m. State Insurance Board requirements governing fire sprinkler systems;
n. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations;
o. ASHRAE Standard 90A, B, &C – Energy Conservation in New Building Design;
p. ASHRAE Standard 62 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality;
q. State Energy Conservation Office requirements, such as ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010 (or latest edition) and 62.1, Energy Standard for Buildings (New Bldg. Design);
r. U.S. Department of Health, Public Health Service regulations and guidelines;
s. State statutes regulating, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM);
(2) Boilers;
(3) Control of Radiation;
(4) Energy Consumption;
(5) Fire Escapes;
(6) Fire Alarms;
(7) Plumbing Fixtures;
(8) Elevators.
t. Elimination of Architectural Barriers ― Chapter 469, Texas Government Code;
u. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (as amended);
v. U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
w. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations;
x. State Energy Conservation Office (SECO);
y. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), HHS Publication No. (CDC) 21-112;
z. TTU system design and construction standards, including but not limited to the TTU system architectural and site design guidelines per Sections 08.02.1 and 08.02.2, Regents’ Rules.
aa. Any other applicable codes, standards, guidelines or best practices deemed necessary for the project or work.
2. In those cases where more than one agency or code has set forth regulations and those regulations are in conflict, the more stringent or more detailed code or regulation shall apply.
3. National Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards require that all facilities which are equipped with fire detection (alarm) or fire protection (suppression) systems shall be maintained and tested. TTUHSC facilities equipped with the fire systems are subject to the following NFPA Standards:
a. Fire Alarm Systems (Detection). NFPA Standard 72, "National Fire Alarm Code."
b. Fire Sprinkler Systems (Protection).
(1) NFPA Standard 13, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems"
(2) NFPA Standard 25, "Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems"
(3) Any current insurance requirements
c. Clean Agent Systems (Protection).
(1) NFPA Standard 2001 "Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems"
(2) NFPA Standard 12A “Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems”
Required maintenance and inspection records shall be kept at the facilities for review by the TTUHSC Fire Marshals.