At the option of the applicant, the Texas Health and Human
Services Commission (HHSC) will review plans for new buildings, additions,
conversion of buildings not licensed by HHSC, or remodeling of existing
licensed facilities. HHSC will, within 30 days, inform the applicant
in writing of the results of the review. If the plans comply with
HHSC's architectural requirements, HHSC 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 two years. HHSC may grant a waiver of this two-year
period for delays due to unusual circumstances. There is no time limit
to complete a project, only a time limit for completing a project
using requirements that have been revised after the project was reviewed.
(1) Submittal of plans.
(A) For review of plans, submit one copy of working
drawings and specifications (contract documents) before construction
begins. Documents must be 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 that shows 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 Texas Board of 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 Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE). 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 will connect. North direction must be shown. The entire
basic layout usually 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 HHSC
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 §551.20 of this chapter (relating to Plan Review Fees).
(2) Contract documents.
(A) Site plan documents must include:
(i) grade contours;
(ii) streets (with names);
(iii) north arrow;
(iv) fire hydrants;
(v) fire lanes;
(vi) utilities, public or private;
(vii) fences; and
(viii) unusual site conditions, such as:
(I) ditches;
(II) low water levels;
(III) other buildings on-site; and
(IV) 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:
(i) room names, numbers, and usages;
(ii) doors (numbered), including swing;
(iii) windows;
(iv) legend or clarification of wall types;
(v) dimensions;
(vi) fixed equipment;
(vii) plumbing fixtures;
(viii) kitchen basic layout; and
(ix) 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:
(i) door materials, widths, and types;
(ii) window materials, sizes, and types;
(iii) room finishes; and
(iv) special hardware.
(F) Elevations and roof plan must include:
(i) exterior elevations, including:
(I) material note indications; and
(II) any rooftop equipment;
(ii) roof slopes;
(iii) drains;
(iv) gas piping, etc.; and
(v) interior elevations where needed for special conditions.
(G) Details must include:
(i) wall sections as needed, especially for special
conditions;
(ii) cabinet and built-in work, basic design only;
(iii) cross sections through buildings as needed; and
(iv) miscellaneous details and enlargements as needed.
(H) Building structure documents must include:
(i) structural framing layout and details (primarily
for column, beam, joist, and structural building);
(ii) roof framing layout (when it cannot be adequately
shown on cross section); and
(iii) 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:
(i) electrical layout, including lights, convenience
outlets, equipment outlets, switches, and other electrical outlets
and devices;
(ii) service, circuiting, distribution, and panel diagrams;
(iii) exit light system (exit signs and emergency egress
lighting);
(iv) emergency electrical provisions (such as generators
and panels);
(v) staff communication system;
(vi) fire alarm and similar systems (such as control
panel, devices, and alarms); and
(vii) sizes and details sufficient to assure safe and
properly operating systems.
(J) Plumbing documents must include:
(i) plumbing layout with pipe sizes and details sufficient
to assure safe and properly operating systems;
(ii) water systems;
(iii) sanitary systems;
(iv) gas systems; and
(v) other systems normally considered under the scope
of plumbing, fixtures, and provisions for combustion air supply.
(K) HVAC documents must include:
(i) sufficient details of HVAC systems and components
to assure a safe and properly operating installation, including, heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning layout, ducts, protection of duct
inlets and outlets, combustion air, piping, exhausts, and duct smoke
or fire dampers; and
(ii) equipment types, sizes, and locations.
(L) Sprinkler system documents must include:
(i) plans and details of NFPA designed systems;
(ii) plans and details of partial systems provided
only for hazardous areas; and
(iii) electrical devices interconnected to the alarm
system.
(M) Specifications must include:
(i) installation techniques;
(ii) quality standards and manufacturers;
(iii) references to specific codes and standards;
(iv) design criteria;
(v) special equipment;
(vi) hardware;
(vii) finishes; and
(viii) any others as needed to amplify drawings and
notes.
(N) Other layouts, 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) HHSC must be notified in writing before construction
starts.
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