1. (a) Cooling and heating shall be provided, as necessary, for resident comfort. Heating systems in resident use areas shall be capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and cooling of 81 degrees Fahrenheit maximum, with humidity in the normal comfort range.
2. (b) The facility shall be well ventilated through the use of windows, mechanical ventilation, or a combination of both. Rooms and areas which do not have outside windows and which are used by residents or personnel shall be provided with functioning mechanical ventilation to change the air on a basis commensurate with the room usage.
3. (c) Air systems shall provide for the induction and mixing of at least 10% outside fresh air into the facility unless otherwise approved by DHS, that is, 100% continuous recirculation of interior air in most areas is not acceptable; or the system shall be designed to meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
4. (d) Operable outside windows shall be provided with insect screens that prevent insect entry.
5. (e) Rooms such as baths, toilets, soiled linen, trash or garbage rooms, soiled utilities, janitor's closets, and other such areas which produce odors, fumes, excessive moisture, etc., shall be provided with an exhaust system ducted to the exterior, meeting nationally recognized standards for capacity and function.
6. (f) Electrical and mechanical systems shall be safe and in working order. The department may require the facility sponsor or licensee to submit evidence to this effect, consisting of a written report by the local fire marshal, city/county building official having jurisdiction, or a registered professional engineer.
7. (g) Use of electrical appliances, devices, and lamps shall be such as not to overload circuits.
8. (h) Portable heaters and open-flame heating devices are prohibited. All fuel burning devices shall be vented. Working fireplaces are acceptable if of safe design and construction, and if screened or otherwise suitably enclosed.

Source Note:The provisions of this §551.70 adopted to be effective July 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5328; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883.