California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development

Facilities Development Division (FDD) FAQs

The series of "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQs) below are related specifically to health facility construction in California. The FAQs cover a broad range of topics such as Title 24 - California Building Standards Code, FDD′s administrative procedures and processes (i.e. plan submittal, plan review and construction processes, etc.) and the technical areas of design/construction (i.e. architectural, electrical, fire and life safety, mechanical, plumbing and structural). The purpose of these FAQs is to provide responses to questions that are often asked of our FDD staff and that are not unique to one specific project. New FAQs will be added to the website on an as needed basis.

The FAQs are not intended to be code interpretations and they do not replace the Code Application Notices or Policy Intent Notices (CANs/PINs).

Health Facility Construction FAQs  (Click on a category)

• ADMINISTRATIVE - 2007 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE enforcement, plan submittal, plan review and construction observation processes, applicable codes, etc.
• ARCHITECTURAL
• ELECTRICAL
• FIRE & LIFE SAFETY – smoke barriers, general building limitations, fire-resistive materials and construction, fire alarms, fire/smoke dampers, means of egress
• MECHANICAL
• PLUMBING
• STRUCTURAL – structural design, anchorage and bracing

If you are interested in the SB 1953 Seismic Retrofit Program FAQs please click here.

Related Information:

• Title 24, Part 1, California Building Standards Administrative Code
• OSHPD - FREER Manual (Field Reviewed Projects, Exempt Projects & Expedited Review Projects)
• OSHPD Regulations – Code Changes to Title 24,California Building Standards Code

Related Links:

• California Building Standards Commission
  www.bsc.ca.gov

We welcome your feedback regarding this FAQ website. Any questions or comments may be directed to the Regulations Unit click here.