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.
Cont'd...