8 CCR 1507-30, art. 4 - Prequalification of Building Department

4.1 The Division may prequalify a Building Department to conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue certificates of occupancy, issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, and take enforcement action to ensure that a building or structure has been constructed in conformity with these rules.

4.2 In lieu of applying for a building permit through the Division, an affected Board may, at its own discretion, opt to use the appropriate Prequalified Building Department that otherwise has code enforcement jurisdiction over the location in which the school is situated and has entered into a MOU with the Division as the delegated authority to conduct building code plan reviews, inspections and issue certificates of occupancy.

4.2.1 A Building Department that otherwise has code enforcement jurisdiction over the location in which a school is situated may, through intergovernmental agreement (IGA), utilize the services of another Prequalified Building Department. A copy of this IGA shall be provided to the Division prior to submitting for any permit.

4.3 Prequalification Process

4.3.1 Application Form: In order to be considered for prequalification, the Building Department shall complete an application form, and include each qualified applicant seeking certification as a plan reviewer or inspector on a public school construction project. Qualified applicants shall comply the provisions of 8 C.C.R 1507- 101 (BUILDING AND FIRE CODE ADOPTION AND CERTIFICATION OF INSPECTORS FOR FIRE & LIFE SAFETY PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE OF COLORADO).Plan reviewer and Inspector certifications issued by the Division to applicants holding ICC or national certifications will be valid for three years, whereas certifications issued to applicants on the basis of demonstrated education, training, and experience will be valid for one year, and will require ICC or national certification prior to renewal.

4.3.2 Memorandum of Understanding: After the Division has reviewed the application and determined that the Building Department has plan reviewers and inspectors that have the necessary education, training, and experience; the Division may issue and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Building Department and the Division. Pursuant to this MOU, the Division may prequalify a Building Department to conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue Certificates of Occupancy, and issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy to ensure that a building or structure has been constructed in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by the Division, and take enforcement action.

A) Nothing in the MOU shall be construed to allow the Building Department to take enforcement action other than in relation to the building codes adopted by the Division.

B) Nothing in the MOU shall be construed to allow the Division to delegate to a Prequalified Building Department without the approval of the Board unless such action is taken for violation of third party inspection requirements as described in Article 7.1.2 of this rule.

C) Nothing in the MOU shall be construed to allow the Building Department to assume authority for plan review and/or inspection services in locations in which it does not otherwise have code enforcement authority.

4.4 Duties of Prequalified Building Departments

4.4.1 The Prequalified Building Department shall conduct the necessary plan reviews, issue building permits, conduct inspections, issue certificates of occupancy, issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy, and take enforcement action to ensure that a building or structure constructed in conformity with the building and fire codes adopted by the Division.

4.4.2 The Prequalified Building Department shall not take enforcement action other than in relation to the building codes adopted by the Division.

4.4.3 The Prequalified Building Department shall only use plan reviewers and inspectors within their Building Department that have been certified by the Division to work on public school construction projects.

4.4.4 The Prequalified Building Department shall cause copies of the building plans to be sent to the local fire department or the Division for review of fire safety issues.

4.4.5 If the building or structure is in conformity with the adopted building and fire codes, and if the Qualified Fire Department or the Division certifies that the building or structure is in compliance with the adopted fire code, the Prequalified Building Department shall issue the necessary Certificate of Occupancy prior to use of the building or structure by the permit applicant.

4.4.6 If all inspections are not completed and the Board requires immediate occupancy, and if the Board has passed the appropriate inspections, including fire inspections, that indicate there are no life safety issues the Prequalified Building Department may issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy to allow the Board to occupy the buildings and structures.

4.4.7 The Prequalified Building Department shall attest that inspections are complete and all violations are corrected before the Board is issued a Certificate of Occupancy. Inspection records shall be retained by the Prequalified Building Department for two years after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

4.4.8 The Prequalified Building Department may set reasonable fees and collect these fees to offset the cost of plan review and inspection of public school construction projects. Public School Boards shall be notified of any adjustment of fees a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the change

Notes

8 CCR 1507-30, art. 4

37 CR 21, November 10,2014, effective 11/30/2014 42 CR 05, March 10, 2019, effective 3/30/2019 43 CR 02, January 25, 2020, effective 2/14/2020 43 CR 14, July 25, 2020, effective 8/14/2020