SECTION 310:675-5-23. Submission of plans and specifications and related requests for services

(a)   Submission of plans. Before construction is begun, plans and specifications, covering the construction of new buildings or major alterations to existing buildings shall be submitted to the Department for review as provided in OAC 310:675-5-24 or OAC 310:675-5-25.

(1)   Plans and specifications are required for the following alterations:

(A)   Changes that affect path of egress;

(B)   Change of use or occupancy;

(C)   Repurposing of spaces;

(D)   Structural modifications;

(E)   Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) modifications;

(F)   Electrical modifications that affect the essential electrical system;

(G)   Changes that require modification or relocation of fire alarm initiation or notification devices;

(H)   Changes that require modification or relocation of any portion of the automatic fire sprinkler system;

(I)   Replacement of fixed medical equipment if the alteration requires any work noted in (A) through (H) of this paragraph;

(J)   Replacement of or modifications to any required magnetic or radiation shielding;

(K)   Changes to or addition of any egress control devices or systems.

(2)   Plans and specifications are not required for the following alterations:

(A)   Painting, papering tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work provided that the new finishes shall meet the requirements of this Chapter;

(B)   Ordinary repairs and maintenance;

(C)   Modifications to nurse call or other signaling/communication/information technology systems provided the modifications meet the requirements of this Chapter; or

(D)   Replacement of fixed or moveable medical equipment that does not affect electrical, HVAC, or shielding requirements noted above.

(b)   Fees. Each construction project submission shall be accompanied by the appropriate review fee based on the cost of design and construction of the project. Fees for plan and specification reviews and related Department services are as follows:

(1)   Design and construction plans and specifications fee: two one-hundredths percent (0.02%) of the cost of design and construction of the project, with a minimum fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and a maximum fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00);

(2)   Request for exception or temporary waiver fee: Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00);

(3)   Application for self-certification fee: Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00);

(4)   Courtesy construction inspection fee: Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00);

(5)   Professional consultation or technical assistance fee: Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each eight hours or major fraction thereof of staff time. For technical assistance requiring travel, the fee may be increased to include the Department's costs for travel.

(c)   Fees when greater than two (2) submittals required. The fee for review of design and construction plans and specifications shall cover the cost of review for up to two (2) stage one and two (2) stage two submittals and one final inspection. If a stage one or stage two submittal is not approved after two (2) submissions, another review fee shall be required with the third submittal. If a fast-track stage package is not approved after the second submittal, another review fee based on the cost of the project shall be required with the third submittal of the package.

(d)   Review process. Design and construction plans and specifications shall be reviewed in accordance with the following process.

(1)   Unless otherwise provided in this Subchapter, the Department shall have ten (10) calendar days in which to initially determine if the filed application is administratively complete

(A)   Upon determining that the application is not administratively complete, the Department shall immediately notify the applicant in writing and shall indicate with reasonable specificity the inadequacies and measures necessary to complete the application. Such notification shall not require nor preclude further review of the application and further requests for specific information. If the Department fails to notify the applicant as specified in this Paragraph, the period for technical review shall begin at the close of the administrative completeness review period. Upon submission of correction of inadequacies, the Department shall have an additional ten (10) calendar days to review the application for completeness.

(B)   Upon determination that the application is administratively complete, the Department shall immediately notify the applicant in writing. The period for technical review begins.

(2)   The Department shall have forty-five (45) calendar days from the date a completed application is filed to review each application for technical compliance with the relevant regulations and reach a final determination. The Department shall provide the results of the review, including a statement of any deficiencies, in writing. The written notice shall offer the applicant an opportunity to discuss the results of the review with the Department.

(A)   The time period for technical review is tolled (the clock stops) when the Department has asked for supplemental information and advised the applicant that the time period is tolled pending receipt.

(B)   To make up for time lost in reviewing inadequate materials, a request for supplemental information may specify that up to 30 additional calendar days may be added to the deadline for technical review, unless the request for supplemental information is a second or later request that identifies new deficiencies not previously identified

(C)   An application shall be deemed withdrawn if the applicant fails to supplement an application within 90 calendar days after the Department's request, unless the time is extended by agreement for good cause.

(D)   Extensions may be made as provided by law.

[Source: Added at 34 Ok Reg 1305, eff 10-1-17]