At the option of the applicant, DADS reviews plans for new
buildings, additions, conversion of buildings not licensed by DADS,
or remodeling of existing licensed facilities. DADS informs the applicant
of the results of the review within 30 days after receipt of the plans.
If the plans comply with DADS architectural requirements, DADS 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,
the applicant must submit one copy of contract documents including
working drawings and specifications in sufficient detail to interpret
compliance with these standards and assure proper construction by
the general contractor or builder. 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 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 licensed by the Texas Board of Professional
Engineers. Contract documents for additions, remodeling, and construction
of an entirely new facility must be prepared by an architect licensed
by the Texas 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 drawn to scale of 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. DADS review
is limited to the plans and specifications for conversions or remodeling
as submitted.
(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 compliance
with architectural and DADS licensing standards cannot be reasonably
assured or determined by DADS, DADS may request a revised set of documents
for review.
(F) The review of plans and specifications by DADS
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 §92.4 of this chapter (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, including
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; numbered doors including swing; windows; legend or clarification
of wall types; dimensions; fixed equipment; plumbing fixtures; kitchen
basic layout; and identification of all smoke barrier walls from 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, 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; 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 if the layout cannot be adequately
shown on a 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 including exit signs and emergency
egress lighting; emergency electrical provisions including generators
and panels; staff communication system; fire alarm and similar systems
including 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 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 information about installation
techniques; quality standards and manufacturers; references to applicable
codes and other standards used for design; design criteria; special
equipment; hardware; finishes; and any other information DADS may
need to interpret 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 where
the facility is located.
(3) Construction phase.
(A) DADS must be notified in writing prior to construction
start.
(B) All construction not done to comply 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
or initial survey of the facility must be performed by DADS prior
to the facility admitting residents, unless DADS issues a provisional
license. An initial architectural inspection will be scheduled after
DADS receives a notarized licensure application, required fee, fire
marshal approval, and a letter from an architect or engineer stating
that to the best of the architect's or engineer's knowledge that the
facility meets the architectural requirements for a license.
(B) After DADS surveys the completed construction and
finds it acceptable, DADS forwards the information to the Licensing
and Credentialing Unit as part of the applicant's license application.
In the case of additions or remodeling of existing facilities, the
applicant may be required to submit a revision or modification to
an existing license. All buildings, including basic furnishings and
operational needs, grades, drives, and parking must be 100 percent
complete at the time of the initial visit for occupancy approval and
licensing. A facility may admit no more than three residents after
it receives initial approval from DADS but before the license is issued
unless DADS issues a provisional license.
(C) An applicant must make the following documents
available to a DADS surveyor at the time of the survey of the completed
building:
(i) written approval of local authorities as required
by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
Cont'd... |
