(a) Plans for new buildings, additions, conversions of buildings not licensed by DADS, and the remodeling of existing licensed facilities must be submitted to DADS for review. No later than 30 days after receipt of the plans, DADS informs an applicant in writing of the results of the review.
(b) If the submitted plans comply with DADS architectural requirements, DADS may not subsequently change the architectural requirement that applies to the project unless the change is required by federal law or an applicant fails to complete the project no later than two years after submitting the plans to DADS.
(c) DADS may grant a waiver of the two-year period for delays due to unusual circumstances.
(d) DADS may impose a deadline for completing a project using requirements that are revised after the project was reviewed.
(e) Submittal of plans.
(1) One copy of contract documents must be submitted to DADS before construction begins. The documents must:
(2) Final copies of plans must be submitted to DADS and include:
(3) Sheets and sections covering structural, electrical, mechanical, and sanitary engineering final plans, designs, and specifications must bear the seal of a professional engineer licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.
(4) An architect licensed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners must prepare contract documents for additions, remodeling, and construction of a new center. Drawings must bear the seal of the architect.
(5) A final plan for a major addition to a center must be submitted to DADS and include a basic layout to scale of the entire building into which the addition will connect. North direction must be shown. The entire basic layout must be scaled to fit on a single 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch sheet.
(6) Final plans and specifications for conversions or remodeling must be submitted to DADS and include all parts and features involved.
(7) Qualified staff must be employed to prepare the contract documents for construction. If the contract documents have errors or omissions to the extent that compliance with this chapter cannot be reasonably ensured or determined, DADS may request a revised set of documents for review.
(8) DADS review of the plans and specifications is based on general utility and compliance with this chapter and the Life Safety Code. DADS review is not an all-inclusive review of the structural, electrical, or mechanical components of a center. DADS review does not 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.
(9) Plan review fees must be submitted in accordance with §15.113 of this chapter (relating to Plan Review Fees).
(f) Contract documents.
(1) Site plan documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(2) Foundation plan documents must be submitted to DADS and include general foundation design and details.
(3) Floor plan documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(4) For both new construction and additions or remodeling to existing buildings, an overall plan of the entire building drawn or reduced to fit on a single 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch sheet must be submitted to DADS.
(5) Schedules must be submitted to DADS and include:
(6) Elevations and roof plans must be submitted to DADS. Plans must include exterior elevations, including:
(7) Contract document details must be submitted to DADS and include:
(8) Building structure documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(9) Electrical documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(10) Plumbing documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(11) Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(12) Sprinkler system documents must be submitted to DADS and include:
(13) Specifications must be submitted to DADS that include:
(14) Other layouts, plans or details must be submitted to DADS as necessary for DADS to obtain a clear understanding of the design and scope of the project. Plans covering private water or sewer systems that have been reviewed by the health or wastewater authority having appropriate jurisdiction must be submitted to DADS.
(g) Construction phase.
(1) DADS Architectural Unit must be notified in writing before beginning construction of a new center or the remodeling of an existing center.
(2) DADS requires additional drawings if construction of the center is not performed in accordance with the completed plans and specifications as submitted to DADS for review or as modified in accordance with DADS review requirements, if the change is significant.
(h) Initial inspection of completed construction.
(1) After completion of construction, including grounds and basic equipment and furnishings, DADS performs an initial architectural inspection of the center before the center admits a minor. DADS schedules an initial architectural inspection after DADS receives a licensure application, required fees, fire marshal approval, approval of local building authority, and a letter from an architect or engineer stating that, to the best of the architect or engineer's knowledge, the center meets the building requirements for licensure.
(2) If DADS Life Safety Code staff inspect the completed construction and find it in compliance with this chapter, the DADS Architectural Unit forwards the information to the DADS Licensing and Credentialing Unit as part of an applicant's license application. For additions to or remodeling of an existing center, DADS may require an applicant to submit a revision or modification to an existing license. The building, including basic furnishings and operational needs, grades, drives, and parking, must be 100 percent complete at the time of DADS initial architectural inspection. A center may admit at least one but no more than three minors after it receives initial approval from DADS but before a license is issued.
(3) An applicant must make the following documents related to the completed building available to DADS architectural inspection surveyor at the time of the inspection: