GENERAL FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS.
Fort Worth City Code § 16-429
in effect§ 16-429 GENERAL FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS.
(a) General requirements.
(1) All stairs, porches, platforms and step elevations greater than 24 inches shall provide handrails or guardrails for usage by children in accordance with the city building code.
(2) All glazing (including windows and doors) shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the city building code.
(3) The lead level of the water from each water tap and water cooler in the facility, which water is accessible to or consumed by children, must be at or below the maximum levels allowed by the Texas Safe Drinking Water Act. The department shall cause water from such water taps and water coolers to be collected and sampled:
a. Prior to issuance of an original child-care establishment permit by the department;
b. Upon repair or replacement of water supply lines or fixtures or the extension of such lines in the facility; or
c. As needed in the determination of the regulatory authority.
(b) Room finishes.
(1) All surfaces of kitchen and restroom doors shall be smooth and easily cleanable. All splash areas in kitchens and bathrooms and the walls immediately adjacent thereto, shall have smooth and easily cleanable surfaces. EASILY CLEANABLE shall mean that surfaces are readily accessible and made of such materials and finish and so fabricated that residue may be effectively removed by normal methods.
(2) All floors shall be smooth, easily cleanable and free of the following: cracks, bare concrete, splinters, sliding rugs, telephone jacks and electrical outlets.
(3) Carpets shall be closely woven, of short nap and kept clean and in good repair. All carpets and carpeted areas shall be vacuumed daily and shampooed as needed. Carpet use prohibited in restrooms and kitchens.
(c) Sanitation control measures for fixtures and facilities.
(1) All toilet fixtures and facilities shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the city plumbing code.
(2) There shall be separately designated restrooms for all gender unless:
a. The restroom only has a single toilet located within; or
b. A restroom with multiple toilets is supervised to ensure only one gender occupies the restroom at a time.
(3) All handwashing lavatories shall be provided with hot and cold water under pressure, tempered by means of a mixing valve or combination faucet. The facility must ensure that the temperature of hot water available to children is no higher than 120°F. Self-closing or metering faucets shall provide
a flow of water for at least 15 seconds without having to be reactivated. Soap and a hand-drying device or disposable towels shall be provided for use by both staff and children.
(4) Restroom facilities shall be cleaned and sanitized at least once daily and more often if necessary. Carpet use is prohibited in restrooms. Restrooms shall be mechanically ventilated to control odors. Installation and maintenance of mechanical vents shall be in accordance with the city mechanical code.
(5) All toilets shall be equipped with open front toilet seats in accordance with the city plumbing code.
(6) Each sink shall be designated as a “single-purpose use” sink. Combination fixtures, such as faucet/water fountains, are prohibited. Each child-care center shall have the following sinks.
a. There shall be at least one handwashing lavatory in each restroom or immediately adjacent to each restroom.
b. If the facility has a diaper changing station, there must be a handwashing lavatory in every room where there is at least one diaper changing station.
c. If the facility engages in food preparation, there must be a three-compartment sink in the food preparation area.
(7) The source of potable water shall be from a public water supply or a private water system which has been approved by the department or the Texas commission on environmental quality, maintained and operated according to Texas commission on environmental quality drinking water standards. Water under pressure shall be provided in adequate supply to meet the provisions of the Texas department of health drinking water standards. A copy of the Texas commission on environmental quality water standards is on file with the city secretary.
(8) All sewage shall be discharged into a public sanitary sewer system or into a private sewage disposal system approved by the Texas commission on environmental quality.
(9) All refuse shall be kept in containers constructed and maintained of durable material with tight fitting lids or covers, and shall be nonabsorbent and free from leaks. All containers shall be kept covered when not in use. A sufficient number of containers shall be available to hold all refuse. Refuse shall be stored in clean areas, away from the children and shall be inaccessible by flies, insects, rodents and other pests.
(10) All outer openings of a facility shall be protected against the entrance of flies, insects, rodents and other pests by outward opening and self-closing doors, closed windows, screens or other effective means of protection and control as approved by the regulatory authority.
(11) Toxic substances, both indoors and out, shall be inaccessible to children at all times. All containers holding toxic substances shall be clearly labeled to identify the toxic substance contents.
(12) All toxic substances shall be dispensed and used in such a manner so as to prevent the toxic substance from constituting a hazard to the children or staff.
(13) In the event that laundering is done on the premises, all clothes dryers shall be vented to the exterior of the building in accordance with the city mechanical code.
(14) In all child-care centers, all light fixtures shall either be properly shielded or shall contain only shatterproof light bulbs. At least 50 foot candles of light shall be provided in all areas of any room to which children have access.
(Ord. 11209, § 3, passed 11-24-1992; Ord. 27524-03-2025, § 8, passed 3-11-2025)
Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-19772Fetched: 10/26/2026