Building Code
Administration Program
Policies and Procedures
Manual
CONTENTS
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM………..2-2 A. Policy………..2-2 B. Purpose………..2-2 C. Authority……….2-2 D. Responsibilities……….2-4 E. Procedures………..4-5e F. Definitions………..5-5 G. Fee Schedule and Fee Sample Calculations……..……….6-7 H. Applicable Codes and Standards………8-8
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
A. POLICY (USF #6—019)
Florida law and regulations require that all new buildings constructed, and modifications to existing buildings, be reviewed and inspected for compliance with adopted building codes and standards. The policy requires that all University entities, conducting building construction, repair, or modifications on University-owned property, submit construction documents (drawings and/or specifications) for review, obtain a building permit (see forms) for construction, which, after proper inspection and completion, is certified for occupancy, re-occupancy, or completion. Maintenance projects, not requiring code compliance, such as painting, flooring, equipment replacement, minor repairs, etc. are exempt from the code permitting process with permission of the Building Code Administrator.
B. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Program is to establish and implement Building Code Administration for the University of South Florida Capital Improvement Program. Such regulated practice of building code compliance is necessary, in the interest of public health and safety, which shall be provided through compliance of all adopted codes and standards. The Program will be administered by the Building Code Administrator, through document reviews and construction inspections.
C. AUTHORITY
Building Code Administration is required by F.S. Sect. 240.209, regulated by F.S. Chapter 553 Part VII, and delegated by F.A.C. Rule 6C-14.020(2).
Categories of code administration personnel are established in F.S. Chapter 468 Part XII.
D. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. FP&C DIVISION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE (FP&C QA) BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATOR (BCA)
A Building Code Administrator has been appointed to manage the Building Code Administration Program. The Building Code Administrator is certified by the Council of American Building Officials and licensed by the Department of Professional Regulation as a Building Official. The Building Code Administrator administers, for code compliance, the document reviews and construction inspection process.
FP&C QA reviews construction documents for compliance with adopted codes and standards. After reviewing the documents, comments, if any, are returned with appropriate references. A ‘letter of code compliance’ (see forms) is issued after final review and approval of 100% construction documents and upon resolution of all outstanding comments.
The General Contractor (GC) or the Construction Manager (CM) or the Project Manager (PM) submits to the BCA a request for a building permit.
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CONT.
A building permit is issued to the GC or the CM or the PM upon satisfactory completion of the application process and receipt and review of all necessary documents (see flow chart). The BCA, in conjunction with the GC or CM, develops a ‘construction inspection schedule’ (see forms) to facilitate appropriate inspections, to coincide with the project construction schedule. The building inspector (BI) performs construction inspections in accordance with the established inspection schedule (this requires two business days for scheduling). For example, an inspection request that is submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, will be performed on Wednesday; received by
3:00 p.m. on Thursday, will be performed on Monday. The request must be submitted before
3:00 p.m. in order to have the inspection performed within the next two business days. If the inspection is received after 3:00 p.m., the two-day turn around time will begin the next day (received at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, the inspection will take place Thursday).
Prior to occupancy of a new building or re-occupancy or completion of a renovated building or portions thereof, the BCA issues a ‘certificate of occupancy or re-occupancy or completion’ (see forms). The certificate of occupancy or re-occupancy or completion states that the new or renovated building or portions thereof are complete, constructed in accordance with the
construction documents, and meet the minimum code requirements at the time of issuance of the building permit. The State Fire Marshal and other required University entities must inspect and certify that the new or renovated building or portions thereof are substantially complete, prior to occupancy or re-occupancy or completion.
Fees (see fee schedule) for these services are borne by the project and are billed directly to the appropriate construction account. For minor projects ($1 million or less) payment for the
building permit will be invoiced to the Contractor. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to pay via check, per the invoice provided after application is made. The check can be mailed or delivered by hand to: 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ADM 131 (in the Administration Building). The Contractor may provide a copy of the check, or proof of payment if desired, to Facilities Planning and Construction. Upon deposit confirmation from USF Accounts Receivable, the permit will be issued.
Per Code, no construction may start until the
fee is paid.
2. DESIGN PROFESSIONALS (A/Es)
Design professionals are responsible for the design of the project in accordance with the appropriate adopted codes and standards. FP&C QA reviews the project documents at the completion of the following phases for major projects: program (PRO), conceptual schematic design (CSD), advanced schematic design (ASD), design development (DD), 50% construction documents (50% CD’s), 100% construction documents (100% CD’s). A major project shall be defined as a project with a construction cost greater than $1,000,000. All other projects will be reviewed at the 100% construction documents. A ‘letter of code compliance,’ stating that the building documents comply with all current adopted code requirements, will be issued by the design professionals, after all outstanding comments have been resolved, and prior to the issuance of the building permit.
If the level of work requires the involvement of a design professional as described in Chapter 471 and Chapter 481 of the Florida Statutes, the construction documents must be signed and sealed by the architect and engineers of record.
3. GENERAL CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS
The General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM), applies for the permit. At the time of application for a permit, the GC/CM provides three sets of sealed and signed construction
documents and specifications, a list of all subcontractors with appropriate license numbers, and the ‘letter of code compliance’ indicating the documents have been reviewed by FP&C QA and all outstanding items have been resolved. A building permit is issued after these items have been reviewed and approved by the Building Code Administrator. One of the submitted sets of plans and specifications will be returned with the building permit and will be stamped ‘Reviewed for Code Compliance.’ This set of documents will be kept on site for use by the inspectors.
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CONT.
The GC/CM meets with the Building Code Administrator to develop a building inspection schedule. The GC/CM is responsible for scheduling all required inspections in accordance with the plan developed (two business days turn around time required between when inspection is requested and completed to allow for scheduling). At substantial completion, the GC/CM requests a certificate of occupancy or re-occupancy or completion.
4. UNIVERSITY DEPTS. PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION/MAINTENANCE SERVICES Any University Department/Division providing construction/maintenance services for either themselves or another University entity is required to obtain a building permit, and pay a fee, as specified herein.
E. PROCEDURES
Design:
• Design professionals prepare construction documents in accordance with all applicable Codes.
• FP&C QA review such documents for code compliance and returns ‘comments’ or a ‘letter of code compliance’ as applicable.
Building Permit:
• The GC or CM or PM applies for a ‘building permit’ with the proper fee and three sets of sealed and signed construction documents.
• The BCA submits the three sets of sealed and signed construction documents to the State Fire Marshal (SFM), with two sets to be returned to the BCA. These will become the record set and the contractor’s set with the permit. The project is responsible for plan review fees of the State Fire Marshal’s office and any other regulatory agencies. The State Fire Marshal’s office charges .25% of the construction cost of the project.
• Five sets of fire alarm and/or sprinkler shop drawings need to be submitted to the BCA who will send to the SFM.
• The BCA reviews the ‘building permit’ application and issues a permit, if all information submitted is acceptable and complete: Permit Application with proper fee, three Sets of sealed and signed Construction Documents, Letter of Code Compliance, all applicable Permits (SFM, SWFMD, Water, Sanitary, Fuel Tanks, FEMA, Threshold, etc.).
•
Payment of fees required prior to issuance of permit.
Construction:• The BCA and the GC/CM develop a ‘construction inspection schedule.’
• The GC or CM requests, and FP&C QA performs inspections, in accordance with the inspection schedule.
• Any changes to the permitted construction documents, after review and approval by the consultant, are to be reviewed and approved by the BCA.
• All shop drawings for Sprinkler Systems and Fire Alarms, after review by the consultant, are to be submitted to the BCA for review and submission to the SFM (five sets).
• SFM inspections are to be coordinated through the BCA.
• When construction is ‘substantially completed’ and all required inspections performed, the BCA issues the appropriate ‘certificate of occupancy or re-occupancy or completion.’
F. DEFINITIONS
Construction Documents = Drawings and/or Specifications.
FPC DOCUMENTS REVIEW PROCESS
05/05/03
Process to get Major or Minor Documents reviewed:
• Project Manager (PM) receives eight (8) full size (24” x 36” maximum size for minors), or two full size and six half-size review documents, and one CD with AutoCAD files via regular mail, UPS, courier, etc.
o Receptionist to log in when received and when forwarded to PM (should be the same day).
o PM prepares Construction Documents Request for Review Intake Data Sheet (see Page 5e) requesting action and forwards the documents to the Plans Review Room (FPC 124), (Intake area) and informs the Building Code
Administrative Assistant (BCAA) that they are ready for distribution – who, again, will log this action into tracking spreadsheet.
• BCAA Action:
o Once plans and sign-up sheet are hung in FPC 124, prepare an email notice for document review. There is a standard list used for various types of projects with subgroups/contacts that have already been compiled.
o Include in email notification deadline date to recipients (Noon, two weeks from date plans were received by BCAP when received by noon. Otherwise, the two-week review process begins the next day).
o Distribute original documents to: FPC Civil Engineer – half size FPC Mechanical Engineer – half size FPC Electrical Engineer – half size FPC Construction Coordinator – half size FPC Landscape/Interiors – half size (split set) BCA – half size
Plans Review Room (FPC 124) – full size
Physical Plant (Facilities Enhancement) – full size CD to Jim Neighbours
BCAA receives comments via email (both PM and BCA receive a copy of these emails). After receipt of these comments, the BCAA integrates into one Code Compliance Letter that will be given to the PM and BCA for editing. The Code Compliance Letter will then be signed by the BCA and PM. The PM will then send the completed letter to the design team and contractor.
o Tracking and filing of review comments is essential.
o
BCA keeps one set of plans in the Plans Review Room for storage, (make certain document is labeled).Major Projects Review:
Review at following phases of project: • Program
• Conceptual Schematic Design – 8 sets • Advanced Schematic Design – 8 sets • Design Development – 8 sets
• GMP Submittal – 8 sets
• 50% Construction Documents – 8 sets
• 100% Construction Documents – 8 sets (with Consultant’s Letter of Code Compliance) See USF Design Guidelines 01061.5.2
• Final Permit Construction Documents – signed and sealed (3) • Construction Revisions – signed and sealed (3)
• SIZE OF PLAN SHEETS SHOULD BE 30” x 42” (maximum)
• Five sets of fire alarm and/or sprinkler shop drawings need to be submitted to the BCA who will send to the SFM.
a. All comments must be addressed at the next review by the design team and shall be included in letterform to ease in tracking changes.
b. Documents considered 100% will be submitted for review and need not be signed and sealed. Only after comments, made during review are incorporated, will the final permit set, signed and sealed, be created and submitted including the comments. Only then will permit be issued. State Fire Marshal Approval may add 30 days to issuance of permit. Only the permit set of signed and sealed documents will be sent to the SFM office.
c. Issuance of a Building Permit will be contingent upon compliance with all applicable permits (i.e. SWFMD, EPC, County Health Department, State Fire Marshal, etc.).
d. All comments will be directed to the BCAA with a copy to the BCA and PM. The BCAA will incorporate all comments into one Code Compliance Letter (PM and BCA to edit and co-sign) before forwarding to design team and contractor. This will give the format for response.
e. Include in all submittals a full set of Life Safety Code compliance and Building Code compliance information.
f. “Type of Construction” will be included in DD’s and beyond.
g. Any schedule requests to change the above process shall be submitted in writing for approval.
Minor Projects Review:
Review at following phases of project: • Program
• Conceptual Schematic Design – 8 sets • Advanced Schematic Design – 8 sets • Design Development – 8 sets
• GMP Submittal – 8 sets
• 80% Construction Documents – 8 sets
• 100% Construction Documents – 8 sets (with Consultant’s Letter of Code Compliance) See USF Design Guidelines 01061.5.2
• Final Permit Construction Documents – signed and sealed (3) • Construction Revisions – signed and sealed (3)
• SIZE OF PLAN SHEETS SHOULD BE 24” x 36” (maximum)
• Five sets of fire alarm and/or sprinkler shop drawings need to be submitted to the BCA who will send to the SFM.
a. Space Impact Request Approval will indicate the conditions of approval and may include Building Permit requirements.
b. Review of the Construction Documents is required for any project involving a Building Permit. Architect will sign and seal documents if construction cost is over $25,000 on any one building. Engineer signed and sealed drawings are required if engineering work is over $10,000 or changes to HVAC on systems over 10 tons. Refer to Florida Statutes for specific compliance requirements.
c. Review of Documents will be two weeks from the time they are received by the Building Code Administration Program (BCAP). Only under extreme
circumstances will this time frame be reduced.
d. Documents for Minor projects should be reviewed at 80% and then again at 100% to assure that the design is properly meeting USF Standards and Code requirements.
e. Documents considered 100% will be submitted for review and need not be signed and sealed. Only after comments, made during review are incorporated, will the permit set be created, including the comments. Only then will permit be issued. State Fire Marshal Approval, when required, may add 30 days to issuance of permit. Only the permit set of signed and sealed documents will be sent to the SFM office.
f. A response letter from the design team regarding how the comments were addressed in the documents is required.
g. Issuance of a Building Permit will be contingent upon compliance with all
applicable permits (i.e. SWFMD, EPC, County Health Department, and State Fire Marshal), and payment of the permit application fee.
h. All comments will be directed to the BCAA with a copy to the BCA and PM. The BCAA will incorporate all comments into one Code Compliance Letter and submit to PM and BCA for editing and signature. The PM will then forward the
completed Code Compliance Letter to the design team and contractor. This will give the format for response.
i.
Include in documents a small-scale, full building floor plan, to indicate the exact location of the project, exiting travel distances, and common path of travel for Life Safety Code compliance and general information.Minor Projects not meeting requirements of Item b above
a. Construction Documents will be included with the Building Permit Application by Contractor or PM. A scope-of-work description will be included as to limits of work to be performed.
o The BCA will communicate such description to the document reviewers as necessary. This may be emailed in PDF format. This will only serve as notification. Any concerns at this time should be directed to BCA for follow up during construction and inspection.
Minor Projects BCA Procedure:
Prior to, or during, the design development or budget development, the Project Manager is to request a code review of the existing space. The proposed design shall then include any code issues with the original design scope. This will improve budget estimating and real cost estimating.
STAND UP REVIEW:
When desired, a stand up review to meet and discuss issues can be arranged. The following is what is expected of ALL who participate:
• Documents received for review need to be received a minimum of one week prior to the date of the stand up review.
• Any questions and comments during the stand up will be written and relayed to USF by the design team with response.
• USF reviewers will give, in writing, their comments on this project. They may be handwritten, and have been edited during stand up as to how design team answered. This protects your comment from being forgotten. Copies may be distributed at end of meeting to facilitate the answering of all comments by all concerned.
Code Questions:
Any code-related questions, and approval of such, should not be by phone conversation only. Follow up documentation and subsequent answers shall be in writing.
Other Permitting:
SWFWMD; Health Department; EPC; etc. that require signatures and tracking of the compliance with other regulatory agencies shall be submitted through the BCA for tracking and compliance. Only documents reviewed and approved by USF shall be submitted for processing. A copy of all plans, applications, letters, and documentation shall be submitted to the other regulatory
agencies and shall be provided for USF record keeping. Only complete applications shall be given to assure compliance with USF guidelines and project requirements.
Key to Abbreviations
BCAP = Building Code Administration Program BCA = Building Code Administrator (Roy Clark)
BCAA = Building Code Administrative Assistant (Beth Casey) PM = Project Manager
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
FACILITIES PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
Construction Documents Request for Review Intake Data Sheet
Project Name:Location (i.e. Bldg. Abbreviation, Room#, Bldg.#, Physical Address): Description:
USF Project Number: (PF, PD, PZ, etc. followed by 12 numbers) Phase:
( ) Pro ( ) CSD ( ) ASD ( ) DD ( ) 50% CD’s ( ) 100% CD’s Other:
Date of Documents: Date Received by PM: Date of Transmittal to BCA: Date Review to End (2 weeks):
PM: CC: Construction Budget: GMP $
Building Cost Only: $
(Less Infrastructure, landscaping, parking, etc.)
Account Number to be billed for fees: Contractor:
Design Team Contact:
Where to send completed review comments: Expected Schedule: Start of Construction: End of Construction:
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CONT.
G. FEE SCHEDULE
(REFERENCE: STANDARD BUILDING CODE 1997, APPENDIX B RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE OF PERMIT FEES)
Less than $5,000 No fee, unless life safety code compliance required, in which case a $50.00 flat fee shall be charged.
$5,000 to $50,000 $52.50 for the first $5,000 plus $7.50 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00.
$50,000 to$100,000 $390.00 for the first $50,000.00 plus $6.00 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00.
$100,000 to $500,000 $690.00 for the first $100,000.00 plus $4.50 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00.
$500,000 and up $2,490.00 for the first $500,000.00 plus $3.00 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof.
BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CONT.
FEE SAMPLECALCULATIONS
(ADJUST PER THOUSAND ACCORDINGLY)
CONSTRUCTION COST FEE RANGE (%) $ 5,000 to $ 10,000………$ 52.50 to $ 90.00 (.90%) $ 10,000 to $ 20,000………$ 90.00 to $ 165.00 $ 20,000 to $ 30,000………$ 165.00 to $ 240.00 (.80%) $ 30,000 to $ 40,000………$ 240.00 to $ 315.00 $ 40,000 to $ 50,000………$ 315.00 to $ 390.00 $ 50,000 to $ 60,000………$ 390.00 to $ 450.00 $ 60,000 to $ 70,000………$ 450.00 to $ 510.00 $ 70,000 to $ 80,000………$ 510.00 to $ 570.00 $ 80,000 to $ 90,000………$ 570.00 to $ 630.00 (.70%) $ 90,000 to $ 100,000………$ 630.00 to $ 690.00 $ 100,000 to $ 200,000………$ 690.00 to $ 1,140.00 (.60%) $ 200,000 to $ 300,000………$ 1,140.00 to $ 1,590.00 $ 300,000 to $ 400,000………$ 1,590.00 to $ 2,040.00 $ 400,000 to $ 500,000………$ 2,040.00 to $ 2,490.00 (.50%) $ 500,000 to $ 600,000………$ 2,490.00 to $ 2,790.00 $ 600,000 to $ 700,000………$ 2,790.00 to $ 3,090.00 $ 700,000 to $ 800,000………$ 3,090.00 to $ 3,390.00 $ 800,000 to $ 900,000………$ 3,390.00 to $ 3,690.00 $ 900,000 to $ 1,000,000………$ 3,690.00 to $ 3,990.00 (.40%) $ 1,000,000 to $ 2,000,000………$ 3,990.00 to $ 6,990.00 $ 2,000,000 to $ 3,000,000………$ 6,990.00 to $ 9,990.00 $ 3,000,000 to $ 4,000,000………$ 9,990.00 to $ 12,990.00 $ 4,000,000 to $ 5,000,000………$ 12,990.00 to $ 15,990.00 $ 5,000,000 to $ 6,000,000………$ 15,990.00 to $ 18,990.00 $ 6,000,000 to $ 7,000,000………$ 18,990.00 to $ 21,990.00 $ 7,000,000 to $ 8,000,000………$ 21,990.00 to $ 24,990.00 $ 8,000,000 to $ 9,000,000………$ 24,990.00 to $ 27,990.00 $ 9,000,000 to $ 10,000,000………$ 27,990.00 to $ 30,990.00 $10,000,000 to $ 20,000,000………$ 30,990.00 to $ 60,990.00 $20,000,000 to $ 30,000,000………$ 60,990.00 to $ 99,990.00 $30,000,000 to $ 40,000,000………$ 99,990.00 to $120,990.00 $40,000,000 to $ 50,000,000………$120,990.00 to $150,990.00 (.30%) $50,000,000 to $ 60,000,000………$150,990.00 to $180,990.00 $60,000,000 to $ 70,000,000………$180,990.00 to $210,990.00 $70,000,000 to $ 80,000,000………$210,990.00 to $240,990.00 $80,000,000 to $ 90,000,000………$240,990.00 to $270,990.00 $90,000,000 to $100,000,000………$270,990.00 to $300,990.00
