CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

[A]106.1 General. Submittal documents consisting of construction documents, special inspection and structural observation programs, investigation and evaluation reports, and other data shall be submitted in digital form with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of Puerto Rico. Where special conditions exist, the code official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional. Exception: The code official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code, as established by the Joint Regulation. [A]106.2 Construction documents. Construction documents shall be in accordance with Sections 106.2.1 through 106.2.6. 816 [A]106.2.1 Construction documents. Construction documents shall be dimensioned and drawn on suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted to be submitted where approved by the code official. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the code official, and as established by the Joint Regulation. The work areas shall be shown. [A]106.2.2 Fire protection system(s) shop drawings. Shop drawings for the fire protection system(s) shall be submitted to indicate compliance with this code and the construction documents and shall be approved prior to the start of system installation. Shop drawings shall contain information as required by the referenced installation standards in Chapter 9 of the Puerto Rico Building Code. [A]106.2.3 Means of egress. The construction documents for Alterations-Level 2, Alterations-Level 3, additions and changes of occupancy shall show in sufficient detail the location, construction, size and character of all portions of the means of egress in compliance with the provisions of this code. The construction documents shall designate the number of occupants to be accommodated in every work area of every floor and in all affected rooms and spaces. [A]106.2.4 Exterior wall envelope. Construction documents for work affecting the exterior wall envelope shall describe the exterior wall envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with this code. The construction documents shall provide details of the exterior wall envelope as required, including windows, doors, flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves or parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive membrane, and details around openings. The construction documents shall include manufacturer's installation instructions that provide supporting documentation that the proposed penetration and opening details described in the construction documents maintain the wind and weather resistance of the exterior wall envelope. The supporting documentation shall fully describe the exterior wall system that was tested, where applicable, as well as the test procedure used. [A]106.2.5 Exterior balconies and elevated walking surfaces. Where the scope of work involves balconies or other elevated walking surfaces exposed to water from direct or blowing rain, snow or irrigation, and the structural framing is protected by an impervious moisture barrier, the construction documents shall include details for all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system. The construction documents shall include manufacturer's installation instructions. [A]106.2.6 Site plan. The construction documents submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing to scale the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades, and the proposed finished grades; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey. In the case of demolition, the site plan shall show construction to be demolished 817 and the location and size of existing structures and construction that are to remain on the site or plot, as established by the Joint Regulation. [A]106.3 Examination of documents. The code official shall examine or cause to be examined the submittal documents and shall ascertain by such examinations whether the construction or occupancy indicated and described is in accordance with the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws or ordinances. [A]106.3.1 Approval of construction documents. Where the code official issues a permit, the construction documents shall be approved in writing or by digital stamp as "Reviewed for Code Compliance." One set of construction documents in digital format, so reviewed, shall be retained by the code official and a copy shall be returned to the applicant. A printed copy shall be kept at the site of work, and shall be open to inspection by the code official or a duly authorized representative. [A]106.3.2 Previous approval. This code shall not require changes in the construction documents, construction or designated occupancy of a structure for which a lawful permit has been issued and the construction of which has been pursued in good faith with this Code, and the Joint Regulation [A]106.3.3 Phased approval. The code official is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted, provided that adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with pertinent requirements of this code. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted. [A]106.3.4 Deferred submittals. Deferral of any submittal items shall have the prior approval of the code official. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall list the deferred submittals on the construction documents for review by the code official Submittal documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the registered design professional in responsible charge who shall review them and forward them to the code official with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and that they have been found to be in general conformance to the design of the building. The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until their deferred submittal documents have been approved by the code official. [A]106.4 Amended construction documents. Work shall be installed in accordance with the reviewed construction documents, and any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an amended set of construction documents. [A]106.5 Retention of construction documents. A digital set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the code official, as established by the Joint Regulation. 818 [A]106.6 Design professional in responsible charge and Designated Inspector. Registered Design Professionals and Designated Inspectors shall comply with all applicable laws in Puerto Rico, including Act 135 of June 15, 1967 with amendments and Act 7 of July 19, 1985 with amendments in the certification process and the Joint Regulation. Where it is required that documents be prepared by a registered design professional, the code official shall be authorized to require the owner or the owner's authorized agent to engage and designate on the building permit application a registered design professional who shall act as the registered design professional in responsible charge. If the circumstances require, the owner or the owner's authorized agent shall designate a substitute registered design professional in responsible charge who shall perform the duties required of the original registered design professional in responsible charge. The code official shall be notified in writing by the owner or the owner's authorized agent if the registered design professional in responsible charge is changed or is unable to continue to perform the duties and the owner and the new registered design professionals shall comply with the requirements established in the Joint Regulation. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating submittal documents prepared by others, including phased and deferred submittal items, for compatibility with the design of the building. Where structural observation is required, the inspection program shall name the individual or firms who are to perform structural observation and describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur.