7 Colo. Code Regs. § 1101-7-3-2
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 24, December 25, 2024
Section 7 CCR 1101-7-3-2 - Prequalification of Appropriate Building DepartmentsOPS may prequalify an Appropriate Building Department to conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue certificates of occupancy, issue temporary certificates of occupancy, and take enforcement action to ensure that a building or structure has been constructed in conformity with these regulations. In lieu of applying for a building permit through OPS, an affected Board may, at its own discretion, opt to use a building department that has been prequalified by OPS to conduct plan reviews, inspections and issue certificates of occupancy.
3-2-1Prequalification Process(a) Application Form: In order to be considered for prequalification, OPS requires a completed application be submitted by the Appropriate Building Department, and by each qualified applicant seeking certification as a plan reviewer or inspector on a public school construction project. Qualified applicants shall have the following minimum qualifications:1) Hold current appropriate plan reviewer and/or building inspector certifications from ICC or other similar national organization, and have demonstrated education, training, and experience, or2) If an applicant is not certified in his or her respective field, the applicant shall have at least five years of demonstrated education, training, and experience in commercial building inspections and receive national certification within one year after the date of certification by OPS. Plan reviewer and Inspector certifications issued by OPS to applicants holding ICC or national certifications will be valid for three years, whereas certifications issued to applicants on the basis of demonstrated education, training, and experience will be valid for one year, and will require ICC or national certification prior to renewal.
(b) Memorandum of Understanding: After OPS has reviewed the application and determined that the Appropriate Building Department has plan reviewers and inspectors that have the necessary education, training, and experience; OPS may issue and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the local jurisdiction and OPS. Pursuant to this MOU, OPS may prequalify an Appropriate Building Department to conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue certificates of occupancy, and issue temporary certificates of occupancy to ensure that a building or structure has been constructed in conformity with the adopted building and fire codes, and take enforcement action. Nothing in the MOU shall be construed to allow the building department to take enforcement action other than in relation to the building and fire codes adopted by OPS. In lieu of applying for a building permit through OPS, an affected Board may, at its own discretion, opt to use a prequalified building department that has entered into a MOU with OPS as the delegated authority.
3-2-2Duties of Prequalified Building Departments(a) The prequalified building department shall conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue certificates of occupancy, and issue temporary certificates of occupancy, and take enforcement action to ensure that a building or structure constructed in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by OPS.(b) The prequalified building department shall not take enforcement action other than in relation to the building and fire codes adopted by OPS.(c) The prequalified building department shall only use plan reviewers and inspectors within their building department that have been certified by OPS to work on Public School Construction projects.(d) The prequalified building department shall cause copies of the building plans to be sent to the appropriate fire department and the Division of Fire Safety for review of fire safety issues.(e) If the building or structure is in conformity with the adopted building and fire codes, and if the Qualified Fire Department or the Division of Fire Safety certifies that the building or structure is in compliance with the adopted fire code, the prequalified building department shall issue the necessary certificate of occupancy prior to use of the building or structure by the permit applicant. (f) If all inspections are not completed and the Board requires immediate occupancy, and if the Board has passed the appropriate inspections that indicate there are no life safety issues, the prequalified building department may issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy to allow the Board to occupy the buildings and structures.(g) The prequalified building department shall attest that inspections are complete and all violations are corrected before the Board is issued a certificate of occupancy. Inspection records shall be retained by the prequalified building department for two years after the certificate of occupancy is issued.(h) The prequalified building department may set reasonable fees and collect these fees to offset the cost of plan review and inspection of Public School construction projects. Public School Boards shall be notified of any adjustment of fees a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the change