Texas Administrative Code › Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION › Chapter 551 - INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY OR RELATED CONDITIONS › Subchapter D - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY CONSTRUCTION › Section 551.75 - Plans, Approvals, and Construction Procedures

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
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).