Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of ...

OSHPD believes the key to receiving approved geotechnical and engineering geologic reports in
a timely manner is to use experienced firms and to submit the reports early in the process.
Consequently, the geotechnical report for the selected project site should be submitted prior to
the preliminary review if possible. The approved report will establish the foundation and structural
design criteria necessary for the structural engineer to design preliminary submittal data.
Best Practice 10: Ensure OSHPD is contacted for interpretation or clarification of all code
issues that require clarification
OSHPD expects the licensed design professional to know and follow the code in the preparation
of design. The code itself is somewhat flexible and open to interpretation. When designers have
questions or require clarity as to the meaning of specific code issues, or need validation of their
interpretation, they are encouraged to seek clarifications through the various channels OSHPD
provides.
• The designer may contact the Building Standards Unit for clarification of specific aspects
of the code to determine their applicability.
• Design teams may present concepts to a regional plan review staff on an appointment
basis in Pre-application Conferences to validate specific design issues or to clarify project
scope (OSHPD Remodel CAN Conference).
• Design teams should clarify which aspects of their design may not adhere to the specifics
of the code. These issues include:
o Alternate means of compliance for architectural, electrical, mechanical, and
structural conditions;
o Alternate methods of protection for fire and life safety issues; and
o Program flexibility, which affects the relationship between architecture codes and
the specific needs of different care delivery models.
• The resources of the SB 1953 Seismic Retrofit Program can be used to ensure that the
designer understands his or her obligations under the Seismic Safety Act and is including
the scope needed in the project to further compliance needs.
• Plans can be submitted for a preliminary review by OSHPD. The purpose of the
preliminary review is to obtain written comments that validate or correct the basics of the
architectural and fire and life safety elements of design. A preliminary review can mitigate
potentially gross errors in the documents submitted for permitting. To get the most out of
the process, plans should be submitted at about the 50 percent Design Development (DD)
stage. Architects and engineers should sequence for the intended results. OSHPD
preliminary review comments should be included by the architect or engineer at the end of
the DD phase and the comments can then be incorporated into the construction
documents. The preliminary review submittal date will also fix the date of applicable codes
to which the project will be designed.
Best Practice 11: Determine during the design process whether you want to have early
permits for portions of the work
(OSHPD Best Practices) Page 97 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011