Texas Administrative Code › Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 554 - NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION › Subchapter D - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION › Division 6 - PLAN REVIEW › Section 554.344 - Plan Review

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
At the option of the applicant, HHSC will review plans
						for a new building, an addition to a building, a conversion of a building not
						licensed by HHSC, or rehabilitation of an existing licensed facility. 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
					 contract documents described in paragraph (2) of this subsection before
					 construction begins. Documents must be in sufficient detail to demonstrate
					 compliance with this subchapter and ensure 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 include 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 licensed
					 professional engineer approved by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers to
					 operate in Texas. Contract documents for additions, rehabilitation of, or
					 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 may be to a scale such as 1/16 inch per foot
					 or 1/32 inch per foot for very large buildings.
(D) Plans and specifications for the
					 conversion of a building not licensed by HHSC or rehabilitation of an existing
					 building must be complete for all parts and features involved.
(E) The facility is responsible for employing
					 qualified personnel to prepare the contract documents for construction. If the
					 contract documents contain errors or omissions to the extent that conformance
					 with standards cannot be reasonably ensured or determined, HHSC may request a
					 revised set of documents for review.
(F) The review of plans and specifications by
					 HHSC is based on general utility, the minimum licensing standards, and
					 conformance with NFPA 101. This review must not to be construed as an
					 all-inclusive approval of the structural, electrical, or mechanical components,
					 nor does it constitute the review of required building plans for compliance
					 with TAS as administered and enforced by the Texas Department of Licensing and
					 Regulation.
(G) Fees for plan
					 review will be required according to § 554.219 of this chapter (relating
					 to Plan Review Fees).