Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-22-.02

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-5-22-.02 - Submission Of Plans And Specifications

(1)New Facilities, Additions, and Alterations. Plans and specifications shall be submitted for review and approval to the Alabama Department of Public Health for any building that is intended to be occupied as a health care facility, and for additions and alterations to health care facilities.

(2)Minor Alterations and Remodeling of Facilities That Are Currently Licensed. Minor alterations and remodeling are building construction projects which do not affect the structural integrity of the building, which do not change functional operation, which do not affect fire safety, and which do not add beds or facilities over those for which the facility is licensed. Such projects are not required to be submitted for approval. Projects which consist only of patching, restoration, or painting of materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures for maintenance purposes do not require submission.

(3) Plan Review Fees. Each project submitted for review is subject to fees for the plan reviews and inspections, as described in Alabama AdministrativeCode Chapter 420-5-21, "Payment of Plan Review Fees."

(4) Preparation of Plans and Specifications. Drawings and specifications shall be prepared under the supervision and control of an architect currently registered in Alabama. Final drawings and specifications shall bear the registration seal of the architect and any professional consultants. Drawings shall be coordinated and the scale of drawings submitted shall be consistent for all disciplines.

(5) Preliminary Plan Submission. One set of plans and outline specifications shall be submitted with the Department's standard transmittal form.

(a) Preliminary plans shall include the following:

1. A functional program clearly explaining the purpose and requirements of the project. The program shall list the Alabama State Board of Health rule that applies to the project, and any other design standard to which the project is designed.

2. Site plan showing size, shape and topography of entire site; location of proposed building and any existing structures; adjacent streets, highways, sidewalks, railroads, etc., all properly designated; size, characteristics, and location of all existing public utilities.

3. Floor plans showing overall dimensions of buildings; location, size and purpose of all rooms; location and size of all doors, windows, and other openings, with swing of doors properly indicated; location of stairs, elevators, dumbwaiters, vertical shafts, and chimneys. Renovations within existing health care facilities shall include floor plan(s) showing the existing use of all rooms and spaces included in the renovations. If phased construction is planned, each phase shall be clearly indicated on the plans.

4. Typical wall section(s).

5. Life safety and egress plans, indicating exit paths, travel distances, fire-rated and smoke walls, smoke compartment areas, fire extinguisher locations, etc. Minimum scale shall be 1/8"=1' -0" for the entire area of, or the area affected by, the project. In addition to these, smaller scale plans may be submitted, to show a larger area or the complete floor. Life safety plans at the same scale as the project floor plan, with color graphics, are recommended. All required or planned interim safety measures, such as temporary dust or construction barriers and temporary exit arrangements, shall be shown. If phased construction is planned, life safety plans showing the conditions at the start of each phase shall be provided.

6. Listing of applicable codes, and a chart or matrix showing the construction type of the project areas, with the required rating of each structural element, the tested design number or equivalent for each element, and the corresponding typical plan detail(s) . Where an existing structure is involved with no alterations, a matrix is not required but the existing building's construction type shall also be shown.

7. Outline specifications of materials and methods.

8. Estimated construction cost, excluding design fees and medical equipment.

(b) Written approval of preliminary plans and specifications shall be obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health prior to the submission of final working drawings and specifications.

(6) Final Stage Submission. One set of final plans and specifications shall be submitted with the Department's standard transmittal form.

(a) Final stage drawings and specifications shall include the following:

1. Civil drawings

2. Architectural drawings, including life safety plans, code, design and construction type information, all as noted above.

3. Structural drawings

4. Mechanical drawings to include plumbing, fire protection, heating, and air conditioning

5. Electrical and auxiliary systems drawings

6. Detailed specifications

(b) Written approval of working drawings and specifications shall be obtained from the Alabama Department of Public Health prior to beginning construction.

(7) Fire Sprinkler Plans (if applicable).

(a) Submit 1 set of sprinkler shop drawings, including hydraulic calculations and manufacturer's data for all proposed equipment, with the Department's standard transmittal form. Shop drawings and calculations shall bear the review approval stamp with date and initials of the project's engineer of record for fire protection.

(b) Sprinkler companies that submit plans and install sprinkler systems shall hold a current permit granted by the Alabama State Fire Marshal. The permit number and NICET III designer's name and registration shall be shown on plans submitted, as required by Code of Ala. 1975, Section 34-33-9.

(c) Written approval of sprinkler plans and calculations shall be obtained prior to beginning installation.

(d) Sprinkler companies shall, at the final inspection, submit a copy of inspection/testing/trip test reports, and material and test certificates for aboveground and below-ground piping with a statement certifying design, installation, and freeze protection per the appropriate standard of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

(8) Contract Modifications. Any contract modification which affects the function, design, fire protection, or purpose of a facility shall be submitted to the Alabama Department of Public Health for review. Written approval shall be obtained prior to beginning work set forth in the contract modification.

(9) Inspections. The Alabama Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives shall have access at all times to work for inspection whenever it is in preparation or progress, and the owner shall ascertain that proper facilities are made available for such access and inspection. The architect shall make a final inspection to ensure completion of the project. After such inspection, the architect shall submit a written request for a final inspection by a representative of the Alabama Department of Public Health. The project shall not be approved for its intended use prior to the Department's final inspection and written approval.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-22-.02

New Rule: Filed June 10, 2002; effective July 15, 2002. Amended: Filed September 18, 2003; effective October 23, 2003. Amended: Filed June 20, 2005; effective July 25, 2005. Amended: Filed June 26, 2009; effective July 31, 2009. Amended: Filed July 23, 2012; effective August 27, 2012.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXV, Issue No. 03, December 30, 2016, eff. 1/29/2017.

Author: Victor C. Hunt

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, 22-21-20, et. seq.