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TITLE 26HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 506SPECIAL CARE FACILITIES
SUBCHAPTER HPHYSICAL PLANT AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
RULE §506.94Preparation, Submittal, Review and Approval of Plans

(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):

Cont'd...

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