Texas Administrative Code › Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 559 - DAY ACTIVITY AND HEALTH SERVICES REQUIREMENTS › Subchapter C - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES › Section 559.44 - Plans, Approvals, and Construction Procedures

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
At the option of the applicant, DADS will review plans for
					 new buildings, additions, conversion of buildings not licensed by DADS, or
					 remodeling of existing licensed facilities. DADS will, within 30 days, inform
					 the applicant in writing of the results of the review. If the plans comply with
					 DADS' architectural requirements, DADS 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. DADS 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. 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
				  DADS is based on general utility, the minimum licensing standards, and
				  conformance of the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, 2000 edition, 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 § 559.22 of Title 40 (relating to Plan Review
				  Fees).