Architectural Review

Architectural Review is one of the processes necessary for hospital, ambulatory surgical center (ASC), and special care facility* license approval.  The owner/operator may not begin construction of a new building, new addition, renovation, alteration, modification, or conversion of an existing building until the Department of State Health Services approves final construction documents. The architectural review process is acceptable for end stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities, but is not mandatory, see §117.17(a). Refer to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 117 – End Stage Renal Disease Facilities, 125 – Special Care Facilities, 133 – Hospital Licensing, 134 – Psychiatric Hospitals and Crisis Stabilization Units, or 135 – Ambulatory Surgical Centers, as applicable.

Step I: APPLICATION FOR PLAN REVIEW

Complete and submit with applicable fee.  Fees are not refundable. If you are submitting plans for an ASC or ESRD facility, no plan review fee is due. Click here to download the Application for Plan Review. Word, 80KB or PDF, 82KB

Step II: SUBMIT CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Submit one complete set of construction documents/final plans and specifications to the Department for review and approval. All construction documents/final plans and specifications shall be appropriately sealed and signed by a registered architect and professional engineers licensed by the State of Texas. See TAC 117, 125, 133 134, or 135, as applicable, for detailed requirements. Options for special submittals include:

• Self-certification - Upon your request and at the discretion of the Department, you may be allowed to submit a set of final construction documents and the Self-certification form attesting that plans and specifications are based upon and comply with the requirements of state licensing rules, thereby, expediting the Department review process. Click here to download the Self-certification packet. Word,123KB or PDF, 45KB
  
• Fast-track project - Usually for new hospitals or major new additions. At the discretion of the Department, you may be allowed to submit the project documents in two or three separate packages, allowing the Department to review each package as it is received. This process allows construction to begin as soon as the Department issues approval for the initial package. Submittal of package must be in accordance with §125.94(e)(2), §133.167(d)(2), §134.127(d)(2), or § 135.53(d)(2), as applicable. A fast-track project shall be requested in writing with a brief written description, narrative and construction timeline of the proposed project.
  
• Minor project - A project in a building that holds a current facility license issued by the Department and meets the specifications listed in TAC 125, 133, 134, or 135, as applicable. A minor project shall be requested in writing with a brief written description, narrative of the proposed project, and floor plans of the areas of work. Submit minor project package by mail or fax.

FEASIBILITY CONFERENCE (optional)

The facility owner/operator or representative may request a feasibility conference. A feasibility conference is an informal meeting between a member of the Department's Architectural Review Group staff and the facility owner/operator or representative to determine the feasibility of a project, for consultation and informational purposes, and to facilitate and establish understanding of compliance with the rules and codes. Call Architectural Review staff at 512/834-6649, to schedule a feasibility conference. Required items for the feasibility conference:

1. Completed and signed Application for Plan Review, including required fee. Click here to download the Application for Plan Review. Word, 80KB or PDF, 82KB. Fees are determined by §133.26(c) or §134.26(c). Fees are not refundable. No plan review fee is due with an ASC or ESRD application.
2. Functional program narrative. Must meet specifications in §125, §133.167, §134.127, or §135.53.
3. At the feasibility conference, preliminary or design development plans for review and discussion.

PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS

The Department may request preliminary documents. If requested, the submission shall consist of:

1. Completed and signed Application for Plan Review, including required fee. Click here to download the Application for Plan Review. Word, 80KB or PDF, 82KB. Fees are determined by §125.15, §133.26(c) or §134.26(c). Fees are not refundable. No plan review fee is due with an ASC application.
2. Functional program narrative. Must meet specifications in §125.94(a)(3), §133.167, §134.127, or §135.53.
3. Preliminary plans. Must meet specifications in §125.94(3), §133.167, §134.127, or §135.53.
4. Outline specifications. Must meet specifications in §125.94(c)(1)(G), §133.167, §134.127 or §135.53.

Step III: CONSTRUCTION APPROVAL

Construction shall not commence until the Department has issued a letter granting approval to begin construction. The architect of record or the facility owner/operator shall provide written notification to the Department as to when construction will commence.

Step IV: REQUESTING AN INSPECTION

You must receive written notice from the Department indicating approval of the construction document/final plans before you are allowed to request any inspection. The architect of record or the facility owner/operator shall request an inspection by submitting, at least three weeks in advance of the requested inspection date, an Application for Inspection and the construction inspection fee in accordance with TAC 117, 125, 133, 134, or 135, as applicable, for each intermediate inspection, final inspection, and reinspection requested. Inspection requests by contractors will not be honored. No inspection fee is due with an ASC or ESRD Application for Inspection. Click here to download the Application for Inspection. Word, 51KB or PDF, 27KB.

Step V: FINAL ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL

Upon completion of the above items and submittal of all final approval documents, as required in §117, §125, §133.168, §134.128, or §135 , as applicable, the Department will issue written final approval of the architecture project. This completes the architectural review portion of the facility licensing process. The application for license for each facility and the required components is a separate process and must be completed before the license can be issued. To read about the facility license process, click here and select the facility type from the menu on the left-side of the page: www.dshs.state.tx.us/hfp.

Architectural Power Point Presentation on Title 25 Chapter 133- Hospital Licensing Rules (effective June 21, 2007)

ARG REG Beds and Definitions Presentation (249KB Power Point)

ARG REG Pharmacy Presentation (107KB Power Point)

ARG REG Spatial & Const Presntation (564KB Power Point)

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Facillity Licensing Program
1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - (512) 834-6646

Last Updated November 12, 2007