MEDICAL CLINIC OCCUPANCY
Construction plans submitted to local California building departments are to comply with the 1994 Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, the 1993 National Electric Code, and the 1995 State of California Amendments. Each of the following comments are to presented here as a sample of code issues that should be resolved in the construction plans and documents, and should not be considered comprehensive. This comment list itself is not a building permit, nor does inclusion of all components of this list necessarily guarantee a permit can be obtained from an administrative authority (local jurisdictions will most assuredly have local building and zoning ordinances which must be complied with). Always check with your local building department, fire department and planning department for information and permits. Keep in mind that all construction work requires permits and inspections, with very few exceptions. Even with a permit, construction is not to violate any section of the UBC, UMC, UPC, NEC, nor any federal, state or local regulation.
SUGGESTED SHORT LIST OF PLAN CHECK ITEMS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROJECT:
____ Please provide Hazardous Materials Safety Data sheets on significant quantities of chemicals stored or used in conjunction with this business or anticipated with future tenant improvements.
_____ The plans are to contain a statement indicating the name of the person fulfilling the duties of the architect or engineer of record, such as: "The architect of record will be...". UBC Sec. 106.3.4.
____Call out on plans if there is a equipment with internal silver recovery process at lab, or call out on plans the proposed hazardous waste disposal program, naming the specific handler.
_____ Clarify whether there is any X-ray use. If so, provide medical radiation physicist's report on shielding (or a minimum two layers of 5/8" sheetrock will provide minimum protection if X-ray equipment is specified not to exceed 60 seconds per week of "on time" at 90 KVP intensity). See Calif. State Building Code Chapter 31C.
____ Please clarify whether wiring to receptacles in patient areas is in metal raceways with additional copper equipment ground wire to the subpanel per NEC 517-13 (a). Type MC and AC cable with copper ground may be used if the outer metal jacket is also part of an approved grounding means. Flexible metal conduit is not acceptable. Patient care areas include therapy areas, recreational areas, solaria and patient corridors.
_____ Tamper-resistant receptacles are required in pediatric patient care areas where children could be left unattended. NEC 517-18(c).
_____ Call out whether there will be Ethylene Oxide (ETO) Sterilization areas. Such areas are to comply with Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 423A.4 and Title 24, Calif. Mechanical Code § Sec. 416.
_____ Clarify whether there are any swamp coolers. Evaporative coolers are prohibited in health facilities. Title 24, Calif. Mechanical Code § Sec. 404.2 Ex.
____ Please clarify that new doors to have handicap lever hardware.
_____ Title 24 CCR, Part 3 (California Electric Code) § Sec. 210-7 (g) requires the minimum electrical receptacle mounting height be 15" above the floor. § Sec. 380-8 (c) specifies a maximum switch height of 48".
_____ The Americans with Disabilities Act is enforced by the Justice Department, which requires existing buildings to be accessible. In addition to ADA requirements, remodel projects built under California Title 24 with an estimated value of approximately $85,000.00 or more are to be brought up to current handicap accessibility standards. Where compliance creates an unreasonable hardship, such California projects valued under $85,000.00 need only meet current handicap accessibility standards for the newly remodeled area and provide handicap upgrades through the pathway serving the remodeled area up to an amount equal to 20% of the project value. California Title 24 § Sec. 1134B.2.1.3112A.(a) BUT THIS DOES NOT REMOVE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET ADA STANDARDS IN THE ENTIRE BUILDING.
These are the California Title 24 upgrades, in the order of importance; accessible entrance, accessible path of travel from arrival points, accessible restrooms, accessible drinking fountain and public phone:
A.)____ Provide an accessible entrance ramp. Ramp width is to be at least that width which is required for stairs, but not less than 60" for primary entrances with an occupant load of 300 or more. Ramps may be 36" wide when serving Group R occupancies with an occupant load under 50. All other pedestrian ramp widths must be at least 48"; Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1133B.5.2.2. The area or level landing depth at a ramp is to be at leastless than 42" plus the door width", and when the door swings out onto the landing; Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1133B.5.3107A (b). Handrails are required on ramps when the slope exceeds 5% (1:20). Handrails are required on both sides, except for ramps serving individual dwelling units which may have a handrail on the open side, § Sec. 1133B.5.5. When ramps are not enclosed by walls and exceed 10 feet in length, a wheel guide rail or guide curb shall be installed on both sides of the ramp; Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1133B.5.6. Minimum ramp headroom is 7’- 0", UBC Sec. 1007.9.
B.)_____ Where tThe area or level landing depth at a passage door is to be at leastless than 60", and when the door swings out onto the landing, 48" when the door swings away. tThere must be a strike-edge clearance to the side of the door of 36" when the approach is from the hinge side, 24" when from the latch side. Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1004.9.2.2a.3304 (i.1) 2 B. Side clearance at exterior doors shall be at least 24", interior doors shall have 18". § 1004.9.2.3a.
C.)_____ Where an exit cannot be made handicap accessible, an area for evacuation assistance must be provided. Such locations include vestibules, rooms, elevator lobbies, exit balconies and enclosures. UBC Sec. 1104.
D.)____ Entrance signs. Handicap accessible entrances are to be posted along with additional directional signs. Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1117B.5.7. Exterior routes of travel between buildings are to be accessible, Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1127B.1.
E.)_____ Commercial parking is to include at least one handicap reserved stall which is van accessible with a 17'- 0" minimum combined stall and aisle width. This is identified with a "VAN ACCESSIBLE" parking sign. Title 24, Calif. Building Code § Sec. 1129B.4.2.3107A (b).
F.)____ The Americans with Disability Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities who are employed in existing buildings. It is not recommend ignoring the ADA handicap accessibility requirements in existing buildings. It is recommended that you provide complete details on handicap restrooms as well as site and building accessibility.
_____ Provide note on plans that signs require separate permits.
_____ Where sheetrock occurs in restrooms under wall finishes, the use of water-resistant gypsum board is to be specified. UBC 2512.
Patient rooms minimum 8’ dimension, T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.4 & 420A.4.3.
Door width 44" if wheeled stretcher is used, T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.6.1.
Pocket door is not permitted per T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.6.2.
Call out window screen meeting T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.7.
Treatment room 34 to meet T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.9.3 for sheet goods, self-coved.
Restroom floors to be sheet goods, self-coved per T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.10 and 420A.9.
Clarify trash handling per T24 Bldg Code Sec. 422A.12.1.
Clarify basement protection per UBC Sec. 712 and 904.2.2.
Any altered water piping to be sterilized per T24 Bldg Code Sec. 423A.5.
Specify lab to conform to NFPA 99-1993 per T24 Bldg Code Sec. 423A.3.
Specify that lighting will be protected per State Electrical Code Sec. 517.21 (c).
