At the option of the applicant, the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) reviews plans for new buildings, additions, conversion of buildings not licensed by DHS, or remodeling of existing licensed facilities. DHS informs the applicant of the results of the review within 30 days. If the plans comply with DHS's architectural requirements, DHS may not subsequently change the architectural requirement applicable to the project unless the change is required by federal law or the applicant fails to complete the project within a reasonable time. (1) Submittal of plans. (A) For review of plans, before construction is begun, submit one copy of working drawings and specifications (contract documents) in sufficient detail to interpret compliance with these standards and assure proper construction. Documents must be prepared according to accepted architectural practice and must include general construction, special conditions, and schedules. (B) Final copies of plans must have (in the reproduction process by which plans are reproduced) a title block showing name of facility, person, or organization preparing the sheet, sheet numbers, facility address, and drawing date. Sheets and sections covering structural, electrical, mechanical, and sanitary engineering final plans, designs, and specifications must bear the seal of a registered professional engineer approved by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers to operate in Texas. Contract documents for additions, remodeling, and construction of an entirely new facility must be prepared by an architect licensed by the Texas State Board of Architectural Examiners. Drawings must bear the seal of the architect. (C) A final plan for a major addition to a facility must include a basic layout to scale of the entire building onto which the addition connects. North direction must be shown. Usually the entire basic layout can be to scale such as 1/16 inch per foot or 1/32 inch per foot for very large buildings. (D) Plans and specifications for conversions or remodeling must be complete for all parts and features involved. (E) The sponsor is responsible for employing qualified personnel to prepare the contract documents for construction. If the contract documents have errors or omissions to the extent that conformance with standards cannot be reasonably assured or determined, a revised set of documents for review may be requested. (F) The review of plans and specifications by DHS is based on general utility, the minimum licensing standards, and conformance of the Life Safety Code, and is not to be construed as all-inclusive approval of the structural, electrical, or mechanical components, nor does it include a review of building plans for compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards as administered and enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. (G) Fees for plan review will be required in accordance with §92.20 of this title (relating to License Fees). (2) Contract documents. (A) Site plan documents must include grade contours; streets (with names); North arrow; fire hydrants, fire lanes, utilities, public or private; fences; and unusual site conditions, such as ditches, low water levels, other buildings on-site, and indications of buildings five feet or less beyond site property lines. (B) Foundation plan documents must include general foundation design and details. (C) Floor plan documents must include room names, numbers, and usages; doors (numbered) including swing; windows; legend or clarification of wall types; dimensions; fixed equipment; plumbing fixtures; kitchen basic layout; and identification of all smoke barrier walls (outside wall to outside wall) or fire walls. (D) For both new construction and additions or remodeling to existing buildings, an overall plan of the entire building must be drawn or reduced to fit on an 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch sheet. (E) Schedules must include door materials, widths, and types; window materials, sizes, and types; room finishes; and special hardware. (F) Elevations and roof plan must include exterior elevations, including material note indications and any roof top equipment; roof slopes, drains, gas piping, etc., and interior elevations where needed for special conditions. (G) Details must include wall sections as needed, especially for special conditions; cabinet and built-in work, basic design only; cross sections through buildings as needed and miscellaneous details and enlargements as needed. (H) Building structure documents must include structural framing layout and details (primarily for column, beam, joist, and structural building); roof framing layout (when cannot be adequately shown on cross section); and cross sections in quantity and detail to show sufficient structural design and structural details as necessary to assure adequate structural design and calculated design loads. (I) Electrical documents must include electrical layout, including lights, convenience outlets, equipment outlets, switches, and other electrical outlets and devices; service, circuiting, distribution, and panel diagrams; exit light system (exit signs and emergency egress lighting); emergency electrical provisions (such as generators and panels); staff communication system; fire alarm and similar systems (such as control panel, devices, and alarms); and sizes and details sufficient to assure safe and properly operating systems. (J) Plumbing documents must include plumbing layout with pipe sizes and details sufficient to assure safe and properly operating systems, water systems, sanitary systems, gas systems, and other systems normally considered under the scope of plumbing, fixtures, and provisions for combustion air supply. (K) Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) documents must include sufficient details of HVAC systems and components to assure a safe and properly operating installation including, but not limited to, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning layout, ducts, protection of duct inlets and outlets, combustion air, piping, exhausts, and duct smoke and/or fire dampers; and equipment types, sizes, and locations. (L) Sprinkler system documents must include plans and details of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designed systems; plans and details of partial systems provided only for hazardous areas; and electrical devices interconnected to the alarm system. (M) Specifications must include installation techniques; quality standards and/or manufacturers; references to specific codes and standards; design criteria; special equipment; hardware; finishes; and any others as needed to amplify drawings and notes. (N) Other layout, plans, or details as may be necessary for a clear understanding of the design and scope of the project, including plans covering private water or sewer systems, must be reviewed by local health or wastewater authority having jurisdiction. (3) Construction phase. (A) DHS must be notified in writing prior to construction start. (B) All construction not done in accordance with the completed plans and specifications as submitted for review and as modified in accordance with review requirements will require additional drawings if the change is significant. (4) Initial survey of completed construction. (A) Upon completion of construction, including grounds and basic equipment and furnishings, a final construction inspection (initial survey) of the facility must be performed by DHS prior to admitting residents, unless a provisional license has been granted. An initial architectural inspection will be scheduled after DHS receives a notarized licensure application, required fee, fire marshal approval, and a letter from an architect or engineer stating to the best of their knowledge that the facility meets the architectural requirements for licensure. (B) After DHS surveys the completed construction and finds it acceptable, DHS forwards this information to the Facility Enrollment Section as part of the information needed to issue a license to the facility. In the case of additions or remodeling of existing facilities, a revision or modification to an existing license may be necessary. Note that the building, including basic furnishings and operational needs, grades, drives, and parking must be essentially 100% complete at the time of this initial visit for occupancy approval and licensing. A facility may accept up to three residents between the time it receives initial approval from DHS and the time the license is issued unless a provisional license has been granted. (C) The following documents must be available to DHS's NFPA 101 inspecting surveyor at the time of the survey of the completed building: (i) written approval of local authorities as required in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; (ii) written certification of the fire alarm system by the installing agency (Form FML-009) of the Texas State Fire Marshal); Cont'd... |
