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Facilities Development Division (FDD) - Plan Review & Construction Observation
Plan Review and Construction Compliance Goal:
Plan Review and Construction Compliance will (a) provide quality service to our clients by being efficient, flexible, responsive and accountable, and (b) will review plans, specifications, and observe health care facilities construction to ensure compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Plan Review & Construction Observation
SB 224 Project Review
The enactment of SB 224 added Health and Safety Code Section 129875.2 to the Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act. This statute authorizes hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and intermediate care facilities (ICF) of "multi-story" construction to perform some maintenance and repair work without plan approval by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Facilities Development Division (OSHPD). Additionally, these projects do not require OSHPD field observation until the project is completed.
The SB 224 provisions apply only to "multi-story" health facilities (AB 2632 procedures apply to single-story facilities). This expedited procedure applies only to alteration projects that are: designed to restore the health facility to normal operational status; necessary for repair of systems or equipment; or undertaken for routine maintenance purposes. Examples of such repair or maintenance projects might include replacement of hot water heaters, dishwashers, handrails, and finish materials. Except for the provisions in the bill for expedited permitting, these construction projects must still conform to the provisions of the latest California Building Standards Code. This memo describes the procedures and requirements for using this expedited permitting process.
An Application for SB 224 Project Building Permit (#OSH-FD-706), Testing, Inspection and Observation (TIO) Program and an Application for Inspector of Record (IOR) must be submitted and approved by OSHPD before construction begins. If the facility is a SNF or ICF, submittal of an IOR application is not necessary. The Application for SB 224 Project Building Permit must include a description of the work to be performed, and how the project meets the criteria set forth in statute. Specifically, the project must meet all of the following criteria:
- The construction or alteration is for a "multi-story" building.
- The construction or alteration is undertaken to repair existing systems or to keep up the course of normal or routine maintenance.
- The construction or alteration either restores the facility to the same operational status, or improves operational status from its operating condition immediately prior to the event, occurrence, or condition that necessitated the alteration.
- The scope of the construction or alteration is not ordinarily within the standard of practice of a licensed architect or registered engineer.
- The construction or alteration does not degrade the status or condition of the fire and life safety system from the status of the system immediately prior to the event, occurrence, or condition that necessitated the alteration.
The Office will notify the applicant in ten (10) working days or less if the project has been accepted or rejected, or is exempt from OSHPD review. If accepted, the Regional Compliance Officer (RCO) will sign the application/permit form and notify the applicant and Area Compliance Officer. Any special conditions for the approval will be noted on the application form. Upon OSHPD approval of the application/permit, TIO Program and, if applicable, an IOR application, the construction work may commence.
The OSHPD must inspect and approve the completed work prior to use of the system or subject of construction or alteration. Any deficiencies must be corrected before use of the system or alteration will be allowed. The Office may require interim inspection when walls, ceilings or other construction materials will cover the finished work. Responsible parties shall file verified reports in accordance with the requirements of the TIO Program.
The procedures outlined above for the implementation of SB 224 do not preclude a hospital, SNF or ICF from performing emergency work required by equipment failure, natural disaster or other occurrences that require immediate repair or replacement to ensure occupant safety or health. In such instances, the facility must request and obtain authorization from the Office prior to performing the work, and submit an Application for Plan Review and construction documents as soon as possible. Please contact the RCO for specific requirements related to authorization for emergency work.
Questions regarding these procedures or projects submitted under SB 224 should be directed to the Regional Compliance Officer.