SECTION 510.127. Preparation, Submittal, Review and Approval of Plans

(a) General.

(1) Facility owners or operators may not begin construction of a new building or additions to or renovations or conversions of existing buildings until final construction documents are reviewed and approved by the department.

(2) Plans and specifications describing the construction of new buildings and additions to or renovations and conversions of existing buildings shall be prepared by registered architects and/or licensed professional engineers.

(3) Preliminary plans shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

(4) Final plans and specifications shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(b) Preliminary documents. Preliminary documents shall consist of a functional program narrative, preliminary plans, and outline specifications. These documents shall contain sufficient information to establish the project scope, description of functions to be performed, project location, required fire safety and exiting requirements, building construction type, compartmentation showing fire and smoke barriers, bed count and services, and the usage of all spaces, areas, and rooms on every floor level.

(1) Preparation of preliminary plans. Preliminary plans shall be of a sufficiently large scale to clearly illustrate the proposed design but not less than one-eighth inch equals one foot. Preliminary plans shall provide the following information.

(A) Floor area and bed distribution. The total floor area on each level involved in construction, together with the proposed bed distribution, shall be shown on the drawings.

(B) Floor plan. Each floor plan shall indicate and identify all individual spaces, doors, windows and means of egress.

(C) Existing floor plan. An overall floor plan showing existing spaces, smoke partitions, smoke compartments, and exits and their relationship to the new construction shall be submitted on all renovations or additions to an existing facility. Plans for remodeling of spaces above or below the level of discharge shall include the level of discharge floor plan, showing all exits at that level. When there are two different levels of discharge, plans for both levels shall be submitted.

(D) Construction type and fire rating. Building sections shall be provided to illustrate construction type and fire protection rating. Section(s) shall be drawn at a scale sufficiently large to clearly present the proposed construction system.

(E) Area map. A map of the area within a two mile radius of the facility site shall be provided and any hazardous and undesirable location noted in §134.122(a) of this title (relating to New Construction Requirements) shall be identified.

(F) Site plan. A site plan shall be submitted and shall indicate the location of the proposed building(s) in relation to property lines, existing buildings or structures, access and approach roads, and parking areas and drives. Any overhead or underground utilities or service lines shall also be indicated.

(G) Outline specifications. Outline specifications shall provide a general description of the construction, materials, and finishes that are not shown on the drawings.

(2) Functional program narrative. The facility shall provide a functional program narrative presented on facility letterhead and signed by facility administration. The narrative program shall be submitted to the department at the preliminary plan (stage 1) review, and be approved by the department. The narrative shall include the functional description of each space and the following:

(A) departmental relationships, number of patient beds in each category, and other basic information relating to the fulfillment of the facility's objectives;

(B) a description of each function to be performed, approximate space needed for these functions, occupants of the various spaces, types of equipment required, interrelationship of various functions and spaces;

(C) energy conservation measures, included in building, mechanical and electrical designs; and

(D) the type of construction (existing or proposed) as stated in Table 18-1.6.2 of National Fire Protection Association 101, Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures, 2000 edition (NFPA 101), published by the National Fire Protection Association. All documents published by the NFPA as referenced in this section may be obtained by writing or calling the NFPA at the following address and telephone number: Post Office Box 9101, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101, [phone].

(3) Submission of preliminary plans. One set of preliminary plans, outline specifications covering the construction of new buildings or alterations, additions, conversions, modernizations, or renovations to existing buildings, a functional program narrative, a completed and signed Application for Plan Review, and the applicable plan review fee in accordance with §134.26(c) of this title (relating to Fees) shall be submitted to the Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 for review and approval. For convenience, preliminary plans may be reduced for preliminary submittal. The cost of submitting plans and specifications shall be borne by the sender.

(4) Preliminary plan review. All deficiencies noted in the preliminary plan review shall be satisfactorily resolved. Written department approval of preliminary plans must be obtained prior to proceeding with final plans and specifications. This requirement also applies to fast-track projects.

(c) Construction documents. Construction documents or final plans and specifications shall be submitted to the department for review and approval prior to start of construction. All final plans and specifications shall be appropriately sealed and signed by a registered architect and a professional engineer licensed by the State of Texas.

(1) Preparation of construction documents. Construction documents shall be well prepared so that clear and distinct prints may be obtained, shall be accurately and adequately dimensioned, and shall include all necessary explanatory notes, schedules, and legends and shall be adequate for contract purposes. Compliance with model building codes and this chapter shall be indicated. The type of construction, as classified by National Fire Protection Association 220, Standard on Types of Building Construction, 1999 edition, shall be provided for existing and new facilities. Final plans shall be drawn to a sufficiently large scale to clearly illustrate the proposed design but not less than one-eighth inch equals one foot. All rooms shall be identified by usage on all plans (architectural, fire safety, mechanical, electrical, etc.) submitted. Separate drawings shall be prepared for each of the following branches of work.

(A) Architectural plans. Architectural drawings shall include the following:

(i) site plan showing all new topography, newly established levels and grades, existing structures on the site (if any), new buildings and structures, roadways, walks, and the extent of the areas to be landscaped. All structures which are to be removed under the construction contract and improvements shall be shown. A general description of the immediate area surrounding the site shall be provided;

(ii) plan of each floor and roof to include fire and smoke separation, means of egress, and identification of all spaces;

(iii) schedules of doors, windows, and finishes;

(iv) elevations of each facade;

(v) sections through building; and

(vi) scaled details as necessary.

(B) Fire safety plans. These drawings shall be provided for all newly constructed buildings, conversions of existing buildings for facilities, additions to existing licensed facilities, and remodeled portions of existing buildings containing licensed facilities. Fire safety plans shall be of a sufficiently large scale to clearly illustrate the proposed design but not less than one-sixteenth inch equals one foot and shall include the following information:

(i) separate fire safety plans (preferably one floor plan per sheet) shall indicate location of fire protection rated walls and partitions, location and fire resistance rating of each fire damper, and the required means of egress (corridors, stairs, exits, exit passageways); and

(I) when a new building is to contain a proposed facility, when an existing building is converted to a facility, or when an addition is made to an existing facility building, plans of each floor and roof shall be provided;

(II) when a portion of a building is remodeled or when a new service is added, only the plan of the floor where the remodeling will take place or new service will be introduced and the plan of the floor of discharge shall be provided;

(ii) designated smoke compartments with floor areas of each compartment, location and fire resistance rating (one or two hour) of each smoke partition, location, type and fire resistance rating of each smoke damper;

(iii) location of all required fire alarm devices, including all fire alarm control panels, manual pull stations, audible and visual fire alarm signaling devices, smoke detectors (ceiling and duct mounted), fire alarm annunciators, fire alarm transmission devices, fire sprinkler flow switches and control valve supervisory switches on each of the floor plans; and

(iv) areas protected with fire sprinkler systems (pendant, sidewall or upright, normal or quick response, and temperature rating shall be indicated), stand pipe system risers and sizes with valves and inside and outside fire department connections, fire sprinkler risers and sizes, location and type of portable fire extinguishers.

(C) Equipment drawings. Equipment drawings shall include the following:

(i) all equipment necessary for the operation of the facility as planned. The design shall indicate provisions for the installation of large and special items of equipment and for service accessibility;

(ii) fixed equipment (equipment which is permanently affixed to the building or which must be permanently connected to a service distribution system designed and installed during construction for the specific use of the equipment). The term "fixed equipment" includes items such as laundry extractors, walk-in refrigerators, communication systems, and built-in casework (cabinets);

(iii) movable equipment (equipment not described in clause (ii) of this subparagraph as fixed). The term "moveable equipment" includes wheeled equipment, plug-in type monitoring equipment, and relocatable items; and

(iv) equipment which is not included in the construction contract but which requires mechanical or electrical service connections or construction modifications. The equipment described in this clause shall be identified on the drawings to ensure its coordination with the architectural, mechanical, and electrical phases of construction.

(D) Structural drawings. Structural drawings shall include:

(i) plans for foundations, floors, roofs, and all intermediate levels;

(ii) a complete design with sizes, sections, and the relative location of the various members;

(iii) a schedule of beams, girders, and columns;

(iv) dimensioned floor levels, column centers, and offsets;

(v) details of all special connections, assemblies, and expansion joints; and

(vi) special openings and pipe sleeves dimensioned or otherwise noted for easy reference.

(E) Mechanical drawings. Documentation for selection of the type of heating and cooling system based on requirements contained in §134.122(d)(3)(A) of this title shall be included with the mechanical plans. Mechanical drawings shall include:

(i) complete ventilation systems (supply, return, exhaust), all fire and smoke partitions, locations of all dampers, registers, and grilles, air volume flow at each device, and identification of all spaces (e.g. corridor, patient room, operating room);

(ii) boilers, chillers, heating and cooling piping systems (steam piping, hot water, chilled water), and associated pumps;

(iii) cold and warm water supply systems, water heaters, storage tanks, circulating pumps, plumbing fixtures, emergency water storage tank(s) (if provided), and special piping systems such as for deionized water;

(iv) non-flammable medical gas piping (oxygen, compressed medical air, vacuum systems, nitrous oxide), emergency shut-off valves, pressure gages, alarm modules, gas outlets;

(v) drain piping systems (waste and soiled piping systems, laboratory drain systems, roof drain systems);

(vi) fire protection piping systems (sprinkler piping systems, fire standpipe systems, water or chemical extinguisher piping system for cooking equipment);

(vii) piping riser diagrams, equipment schedules, control diagrams or narrative description of controls, filters, and location of all duct mounted smoke detectors; and

(viii) laboratory exhaust and safety cabinets.

(F) Electrical drawings. Electrical drawings shall include:

(i) electrical service entrance with service switches, service feeders to the public service feeders, and characteristics of the light and power current including transformers and their connections;

(ii) location of all normal electrical system and essential electrical system conduits, wiring, receptacles, light fixtures, switches and equipment which require permanent electrical connections, on plans of each building level:

(I) light fixtures marked distinctly to indicate connection to critical or life safety branch circuits or to normal lighting circuits; and

(II) outlets marked distinctly to indicate connection to critical, life safety or normal power circuits.

(iii) telephone and communication, fixed computers, terminals, connections, outlets, and equipment;

(iv) nurses calling system showing all stations, signals, and annunciators on the plans;

(v) in addition to electrical plans, single line diagrams prepared for:

(I) complete electrical system consisting of the normal electrical system and the essential electrical system including the on-site generator(s), transfer switch(es), emergency system (life safety branch and critical branch), equipment system, panels, subpanels, transformers, conduit, wire sizes, main switchboard, power panels, light panels, and equipment for additions to existing buildings, proposed new facilities, and remodeled portions of existing facilities. Feeder and conduit sizes shall be shown with schedule of feeder breakers or switches;

(II) complete nurses calling system with all stations, signals, annunciators, etc. with room number noted by each device and indicating the type of system (nurses regular calling system, nurses emergency calling system, or staff emergency assistance calling system); and

(III) a single line diagram of the complete fire alarm system showing all control panels, signaling and detection devices and the room number where each device is located; and

(vi) schedules of all panels indicating connection to life safety branch, critical branch, equipment system or normal system, and connected load at each panel.

(2) Final plan review. All deficiencies noted in the final plan review shall be satisfactorily resolved before approval of project for construction will be granted.

(3) Construction approval. Construction shall not begin until written approval by the department is received by the owner of the facility.

(4) Construction document changes. Any changes to construction documents which affect or change the function, design, or designated use of an area shall be submitted to the department for approval prior to authorization of the modifications.

(d) Special submittals.

(1) Designer certified construction documents. In an effort to shorten the plan review and approval process, design professionals may submit, at the discretion of the department, a set of final construction documents, the department's completed checklist of licensing requirements and a certification letter which states that the plans and specifications, based on the department's checklist comply with the requirements of this chapter. Project certification forms shall be signed by the licensee or applicant and the architect(s) and engineer(s) of record.

(2) Fast-track projects. Submittal of fast-track projects shall be at the discretion of the department and shall be submitted in not more than three separate packages.

(A) First package. The first package shall include:

(i) a map showing the location of the proposed facility site and adjacent surrounding area at least two miles in radius identifying any hazardous and undesirable location noted in §134.122(a) of this title;

(ii) preliminary architectural plans and a detailed building site plan showing all adjacent streets, site work, underslab mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, and related specifications; and

(iii) foundation and structural plans.

(B) Second package. The second package shall include complete architectural plans and details with specifications and fire safety plans as described in subsection (c) of this section.

(C) Third package. The third package shall include complete mechanical, electrical, equipment and furnishings, and plumbing plans and specifications, as described in subsection (c) of this section.

(3) Fire sprinkler systems. Fire sprinkler systems shall comply with the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler systems, 1999 edition (NFPA 13). Fire sprinkler systems shall be designed or reviewed by an engineer who is registered by the Texas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in fire protection specialty or is experienced in hydraulic design and fire sprinkler system installation. A short resume shall be submitted if registration is not in fire protection specialty.

(A) Fire sprinkler working plans, complete hydraulic calculations and water supply information shall be prepared in accordance with NFPA 13, §§8-1, 8-2 and 8-3, for new fire sprinkler systems, alterations of and additions to existing ones.

(B) Certification of changes in an existing system is not required when relocation of not more than twenty sprinkler heads is involved.

(C) One set of fire sprinkler working plans (sealed by the engineer), calculations and water supply information shall be forwarded to the department together with the engineer's certification letter stating that the sprinkler system design complies with the requirements of NFPA 13. Certification of the fire sprinkler system shall be submitted prior to system installation.

(D) Upon completion of the fire sprinkler system installation and any required corrections, written certification by the engineer, stating that the fire sprinkler system is installed in accordance with NFPA 13 requirements, shall be submitted prior to or with the written request for the final construction inspection of the project.

(e) Resubmittal of construction documents. When construction is delayed for longer than one year from the plan approval date, construction documents shall be resubmitted to the department for review and approval. The plans shall be accompanied by a new Application for Plan Review and a plan review fee.

(f) Project delay or cancellation. The licensee or owner shall provide written notification to the department when a project has been placed on hold, canceled or abandoned.

(g) On-hold projects. The department may close a project file after one year of its receipt of an Application for Plan Review for projects that have been placed on hold.

Source Note: The provisions of this §510.127 adopted to be effective January 1, 2004, 28 TexReg 5154; transferred effective June 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register May 17, 2019, 44 TexReg 2469