Section 17 - Plans, Specifications, Computations and Other Data(a) General. When an application is filed, it shall be accompanied by one complete set of the plans and specifications, the structural design computations, and a fee calculated on the estimated cost. (See Section 20.) The check prints of plans and specifications, computations and other data filed with the application are the property of and shall be retained by the office after the backcheck process is completed and until the project files are closed.
(b) Plans. Plans shall show the use or occupancy of all parts of the school buildings and shall give such other information as may be required to indicate the nature of the work proposed and to show compliance with the act and these rules and regulations. The plans shall be legible and sufficiently detailed and cross-referenced to show clearly the pertinent features of the construction, and shall have sufficient dimensions to be readily interpreted. Where a project includes several school buildings, the plans for each shall be drawn independently except that details common to all need not be repeated. Submitted plans and specifications which are obviously incomplete or incorrect, shall be returned to the designer with a request for compliance with these rules and regulations before checking is resumed by the office.
(c) Specifications. Specifications shall completely set forth the requirements for the various types of materials that will enter into permanent construction and shall describe the methods not covered in the technical regulations which are to be used to obtain the required quality of the work shown on the plans as described in the specifications.(d) Design Computations. Computations, stress diagrams and other pertinent data shall accompany the plans and specifications and shall be sufficiently complete so that calculations for individual structural members can be readily interpreted. The computations shall be prefaced by a statement clearly and concisely outlining the basis for the structural design and indicating the manner in which the proposed school building will resist vertical loads and horizontal forces. The computations shall be sufficiently complete to establish that the structure will resist the loads and forces prescribed in Part 2, Title 24, CAC. Assumed safe bearing pressures on soils and specified strengths of concrete shall be given in computations and noted on plans. Where unusual conditions occur, such additional data as are pertinent to the work shall be submitted.(e) Site Data. Site data for all school sites shall include a soil investigation report including sub-surface site work, laboratory testing, an evaluation of site soil conditions, a recommendation for the type of foundations to be used and an allowable design value for the soil bearing capacity. For new school sites located in the "Special Studies Zones" (commonly known as Alquist-Priolo Zones) as described in Sections 39002 and 39002.5 of the Education Code, a geologic and earthquake hazard report including an evaluation of both known and potentially active local and regional fault systems and of slope stability and liquefaction potential as hazards to school structures, shall be submitted with the application.
For existing school sites, the Architect shall prepare a geologic hazards statement evaluating the potential for geologic or earthquake damage for projects involving alterations, additions or new construction.
(f) Estimates of Cost. Estimates of cost shall be based on the cost prevailing at the time the plans and specifications are submitted to the office. The estimated cost of a project shall be increased as necessary to include the estimated cost of every alternate building or portion thereof shown on the plans or specifications as if each alternate building and portion were to be constructed separately and simultaneously. When a contract amount, or the cumulative total of two or more contract amounts, exceeds the estimated cost by more than 30 percent the estimated cost shall be revised. An additional fee based upon the revision shall be paid before proceeding with the work. When the actual cost of constructing all the work shown on the approved plans is less than 70 percent of the estimated cost a refund may be claimed. (See Section 22 for actual cost.)
(g) Deferred Approvals. Where a portion of the construction cannot be adequately detailed on the approved plans because of variations in product design and manufacture, the approval of plans for such portion may be deferred until the material suppliers are selected provided the following conditions are met: (1) The plans clearly indicate that a deferred approval by the office is required for the indicated portions of the work prior to fabrication and installation.(2) The plans and specifications adequately describe the performance and loading criteria for such work.(3) The architect or structural engineer responsible for preparation of plans and specifications for the project manually signs the plans and specifications for the deferred approval items. Such architect or structural engineer must prepare his own plans; however, he may adopt or modify plans prepared by a manufacturer or anyone else provided that he accepts responsibility thereof.(h) Signatures Required. All plans and specifications submitted for approval shall bear the manual signature of the architect or professional engineer in general responsible charge of design. When responsibility for a portion of the work has been delegated, the plans and specifications covering that portion of design shall also bear the manual signature of the responsible professional engineer or architect.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 21, § 17
Note: Authority cited: Sections 39152 and 81142, Education Code. Reference: Sections 39145, 39002, 39002.5, 81135, 81033 and 81033.5, Education Code.