# 26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.111: 26 TAC § 553.111. Construction Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES > Texas · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_111 ## Section - **Citation:** 26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.111 - **Heading:** 26 TAC § 553.111. Construction Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES - **Jurisdiction:** Texas - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Texas Administrative Code / Title 26 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES / Part 1 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION / Chapter 553 LICENSING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES / 26 TAC § 553.111 ## Text (a) Structurally sound. An existing small Type A assisted living facility must ensure any building is structurally sound regarding actual or expected dead, live, and wind loads in accordance with applicable building codes. (b) Separation of occupancies. An existing small Type A assisted living facility must be separated from other occupancies by a fire barrier having at least a 2-hour fire resistance rating constructed according to the requirements of NFPA 101 and its referenced standards, unless otherwise permitted by paragraph (2) of this subsection. (1) An existing small Type A assisted living facility must be separated from other assisted living facilities, hospitals, or nursing facilities. Beginning August 31, 2021, an existing small Type A assisted living facility must be separated from any new occupancy or new use subject to the Texas Health and Human Services commission (HHSC) licensing. (2) An existing small Type A assisted living facility is not required to be separated from another occupancy not subject to HHSC licensing standards if the two occupancies are so intermingled that construction of a fire barrier having a 2-hour fire resistance rating is impractical and the following conditions are met. (A) The means of escape, construction, protection, and other safeguards for the entire building must comply with the NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small Type A assisted living facility. (B) HHSC must be given unrestricted and unannounced access at any reasonable time to inspect the other occupancy type for compliance with the NFPA 101 requirements for an existing small Type A assisted living facility. (c) Sheathing. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, an existing small Type A assisted living facility must ensure all buildings used by residents are sheathed with materials providing a fire resistance rating and ensure: (A) interior wall and ceiling surfaces have finished surfaces, substrates, or sheathing with a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes; and (B) columns, beams, girders, or trusses that are not enclosed within walls or ceilings are encased in materials having a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes. (2) A sprinkler system does not substitute for the minimum sheathing requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection. (3) A building constructed to meet the minimum building construction type requirements of 19.1.6, Minimum Construction Requirements, in NFPA 101, Chapter 19, Existing Health Care Occupancies, is not also required to be sheathed. (d) Interior finish. An existing small Type A assisted living facility must ensure interior wall and ceiling finish materials meet the requirements of 33.2.3.3.2, Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish, in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies. (e) Vertical openings. An existing small Type A assisted living facility must ensure vertical openings are protected according to the requirements of 33.2.3.1, Protection of Vertical Openings, in NFPA 101, Chapter 33, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies. ## Nearby sections - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.100 26 TAC § 553.100. General Requirements, DIVISION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_100.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.101 26 TAC § 553.101. Definitions, DIVISION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_101.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.103 26 TAC § 553.103. Site and Location for all Assisted Living Facilities, DIVISION 2. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_103.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.104 26 TAC § 553.104. Safety Operations, DIVISION 2. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_104.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.107 26 TAC § 553.107. Building Rehabilitation, DIVISION 3. BUILDING REHABILITATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_107.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.110 26 TAC § 553.110. General Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_110.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.111 26 TAC § 553.111. Construction Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_111.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.112 26 TAC § 553.112. Space Planning and Utilization Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_112.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.113 26 TAC § 553.113. Means of Escape Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_113.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.115 26 TAC § 553.115. Fire Protection Systems Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_115.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.116 26 TAC § 553.116. Hazardous Area Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_116.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.117 26 TAC § 553.117. Mechanical Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_117.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.118 26 TAC § 553.118. Electrical Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_118.md) - [26 Tex. Admin. Code § 553.119 26 TAC § 553.119. Miscellaneous Requirements for an Existing Small Type A Assisted Living Facility, DIVISION 4. EXISTING SMALL TYPE A ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_119.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T26_P1_C553_S553_111. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.