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

OSHPD allows larger new construction projects to have complete phases of construction broken
out into incremental submittals for permitting. Typical incremental submittals might be foundations
and structure in one package and the building skin and interior build-out in a second package.
Incremental project permits can sometimes allow for an earlier start to new construction than
would occur if a permit for the entire building had to be obtained first. The decision for increment
submittals should be included in preliminary submittals. However, although incremental
submittals may reduce time frames they may also add cost and complexity.
Best Practice 12: Begin production of the construction documents only upon receipt of
design development sign-offs
Once construction documents are completed, adding, deleting, or changing programs and
services will add cost and result in delays because OSHPD will need to review the program again.
A hospital gains the maximum benefit of OSHPD services prior to completion of construction
documents. Obtain all design development sign-offs before producing the construction
documents. Upon completion of documents, an independent plan reviewer should be retained to
ensure the design meets code and to minimize the number of OSHPD backchecks.
Best Practice 13: Avoid Deferred Submittals
Designers in California sometimes ask OSHPD to allow the submittal of designs for various
building systems to be delayed until after the project has been approved and permitted. Deferrals
are requested by the design team and it is up to OSHPD to determine whether they will be
granted. At one time, it was seen as a courtesy to the design team to allow deferred submittals;
however, this practice has led to designs that are poorly coordinated. Review of deferred approval
applications can take as long as the review for the initial application and can cause delays if not
managed properly. Modern design management supports early coordination of all building
elements to be designed together. Insist on there being no deferred submittals that cannot be
otherwise avoided.
Deferred submittals may be used by hospitals for large or technologically-sensitive pieces of
clinical equipment when there will be long periods of time between design and installation.
Because in a new hospital five years may elapse between preparation of construction documents
and the completion of construction, use of the deferred approval method will allow the hospital
owner to select the most current technology for installation without having to change a prior
design. A hospital owner must recognize that some deferred submittals are common unless a
subcontractor or manufacturer has been selected early enough to incorporate the necessary
details and calculations into the OSHPD submittal documents.
13a. Deferred Submittals - Clinical Equipment
Clinical Equipment (CTs, MRI, PETs, etc.) presents a unique challenge to owners and
designers. Medical staff wants the latest technology when procuring large expensive
clinical equipment so it is in their interest to delay the selection and procurement of the
equipment as long as possible. Designers need the specifications of the equipment and
(OSHPD Best Practices) Page 98 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011