Construction Requirements
Building Codes And Permits

Due to the number of buildings in use by the University of Houston - Clear Lake with a wide variety of occupancy that includes advanced commercial structures with complex mechanical and electrical systems, it is necessary to clearly outline the policy defining the responsibilities for operation and maintenance of these buildings and the component systems.

The University of Houston - Clear Lake is required by law and ordinances of the State of Texas to comply with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code that governs all trades.  As a state agency, the University of Houston - Clear Lake is not required to obtain building permits.  The University of Houston System has established insurance requirements for general contractors performing any work on the Clear Lake campus. 

The general contractor is required to furnish a Certification of Insurance Coverage.  The types of coverage and limits of liability refer to the State of Texas Uniform General Conditions in Construction Contracts, revised 8/16/00 by the GSC Commission. Since these change periodically, refer to the GSC website for the latest insurance requirements at www.gsc.state.tx.us/faconstr/ugc2000.doc (Article VI). Currently, the insurance requirements are as follows:

In order to comply with these codes, alterations to any building including its structure and/or its installed mechanical and electrical systems require inspection from the authority supervising the appropriate portion of the governing code.  The law and ordinances further specify classifications of work that must be performed under the direct supervision of licensed personnel who are bonded by the city and the state.

All staff and faculty are further guided by University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL) Draft Policy Letter, SUBJECT: Remodeling and On-Site Contractor Policy.

UHCL Policy Letter: Remodeling and On-Site Contractor Policy.

It is the policy of the University of Houston - Clear Lake to route all requests for remodeling and subcontractor work within the confines of the University through the Facilities Management and Construction office.  The reasons for this are as follows:

1. On site workers must comply with University and State guidelines for insurance coverage.
2. All remodeling must comply with State accessibility laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and Texas Commission on Environmental Safety Quality (TCEQ).
3. Remodeling projects over $50,000 in scope must be submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for review and inspection.
4. Building renovation plans must be coordinated with and amended to the overall building plans on CAD so that all existing plans reflect the actual construction in place.
5. All proposed construction documents must be reviewed by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and the Police department for compliance.  Surfaces and finishes to be demolished or altered must be tested for hazardous materials to include asbestos.  If asbestos is present, an additional 10 days may be necessary to notify the Texas Department of Health.  If any hazardous material is  present, the materials must be abated in compliance with State and Federal requirements.
6. Plans and construction must be coordinated with existing electrical service, emergency power service, heating, ventilating and air conditioning service, sprinkler systems and fire alarms.
7. Plans and construction must also be in compliance with building standards for colors, finish quality, volatile organic compounds, hardware, locking quality, function, and energy consumption. 
8.  Renovations must be compiled into the report classifications of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Requests for remodeling or subcontractor services may be made either by e-mail to “ServiceCall” or by a call to the Director of Planning, Design and Contract Administration (extension 2256).  An appointment will be made within a week to review the request and a project estimate (work estimates covered later) will be developed for the requestor. 

Jobs estimated at less than $50,000 in scope may be designed and constructed by University of Houston - Clear Lake personnel depending on the complexity of the job and the workload of the staff. 

Jobs estimated at $50,000 or greater must be designed by outside consultants and constructed by outside contractors.

Again, all campus construction must be approved by Facilities Management and Construction.  This includes:

1. All construction regardless of cost goes through Facilities Management and Construction.  
2. University of Houston System project design and development of the plans and specifications under the supervision of a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect.
3. All new installations of mechanical or electrical systems and any repairs or changes to existing mechanical or electrical systems, other than routine maintenance and replacement of system components.  These are performed by a licensed electrician, plumber, or gas fitter as applicable; additionally, inspections are required from any agency having jurisdiction.
4. The operation of building systems must be performed under the supervision of a licensed professional. For example, any work on HVAC equipment or equipment with refrigerant is done by an EPA certified professional. 

Maintenance Responsibilities

Laws and ordinances further specify items of equipment that require periodic inspection to assure that proper maintenance has been performed.  Some examples include the elevators and overhead cranes; these items are inspected annually by a third party. 
 
To comply with these laws and ordinances, to meet the licensing requirements, and to satisfy our own inspection requirements, Facilities Management and Construction is fully responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repairs to the building systems, equipment, and other items listed in this document.

Academic Department Responsibilities

All alterations, additions, repairs, or other maintenance must be authorized by FMC.  All work must be done by FMC assigned personnel, and/or through the services of outside contractors or specialists.

When any University of Houston - Clear Lake department wishes to alter, add, or change areas involving the systems operated and maintained by FMC, a specific request outlining these alterations must be made. 

Each department has the responsibility of maintaining their own departmental equipment.  This may include refrigeration, duplicating, and special laboratory equipment.  FMC will perform maintenance work on department equipment on an Interdepartmental Transfer Request (IDT) chargeable to the ordering department when FMC has qualified personnel available.  FMC will not maintain, service, or calibrate equipment for which specially trained personnel are required.

Before a department places any order for equipment that requires connections, FMC must be consulted to determine the feasibility of installing the equipment.  Special consideration will be given to the additional dead loads (weight of furniture and equipment), live loads (weight of people/operators), plumbing, electrical, and ventilation requirements created by the equipment.

Each department is responsible for turning off lights and HVAC units, closing windows, locking doors, and securing its area at the end of each business day. 

Each department is responsible for proper disposal of furniture.  Furniture disposal must be coordinated through the inventory support office (extension 2142).  Furniture will not be left out for custodial or grounds personnel to pickup.  Furniture left in the hallway creates an immediate concern for all.  Personal items of furniture cannot be “given” to custodial or grounds personnel.  In the past, this has created confusing and embarrassing situations.  Faculty and staff wishing to do so must first move the furniture (or any other personal belongings) off campus.

Each department is responsible for disposal of packaging material (to include pallets and boxes) from computer and/or furniture deliveries.  Packaging materials left in the hallway creates a fire hazard and an immediate concern for all.  Packaging materials will not be left out for custodial or grounds personnel to pickup.  Each department is encouraged to have vendors or contractors delivering such items remove all left over packaging materials.  When this is not possible, a service call is required for disposal.

Each department is responsible for giving special care instructions to the custodial staff.  Typical instructions:   “Please do not turn off” note on appropriate light switch or equipment;  “Please do not erase” on a board; and,  “Please do not throw away” note on anything in a black trash bag, an item left on, in, or next to a trash can, or any items left in a hallway.

Since custodial services are performed on a schedule (Monday through Friday), it is necessary that the groups using 24-hour labs, classrooms and public areas exercise responsibility in cleanliness. In particular, weekend staff is at a minimum with two custodians on Saturdays for the entire campus and none on Sundays.

Without exception, any special event utilizing any facility requires coordination for custodial staff support through Facilities Scheduling Office.  Special events are scheduled by calling the Facilities Scheduling Assistant (extension 2298) FMC Scheduling and Space Planning.  Special events require coordination for custodial staff on a 1.5 day basis; outside clients (none university departments) are charged the actual overtime costs.