| (a) Compliance.
(1) When local regulations are in effect and enforced
governing the construction of a new SCF or the renovation or modification
of an existing SCF, the SCF shall be constructed in accordance with
the local regulations and submission of construction documents to
the department is not required. An SCF may voluntarily submit construction
documents to the department.
(2) In the absence of local regulations, a new or existing
SCF shall comply with the following subparagraphs (A) - (E) of this
paragraph, and subsections (b) - (e) of this section.
(A) 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.
(B) 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.
(C) A program narrative shall be prepared in accordance
with subsection (b) of this section and submitted to the department
at the time of the submission of the Application for Plan Review.
(D) Preliminary plans shall be prepared and submitted
in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(E) Final plans and specifications shall be prepared
and submitted in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(b) Functional program narrative. The facility shall
provide a functional program narrative presented on facility letterhead
and signed by facility administration. The narrative shall include
the functional description of each space and the following:
(1) departmental relationships, number of patient beds
in each category, and other basic information relating to the fulfillment
of the facility's objectives;
(2) 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;
(3) energy conservation measures, included in building,
mechanical and electrical designs; and
(4) the type of construction (existing or proposed)
as stated in §18-1.6.2, or §32.1.1.3, 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 02169-7471, (800) 344-3555.
(c) 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 §125.91(c) of this title (relating to 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) 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 §125.15 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.
(3) Preliminary plan review. All deficiencies noted
in the preliminary plan review shall be satisfactorily resolved.
(d) 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):
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