The Importance of Preliminary Plan Review

• Preliminary plan reviews are an integral part of the design process.
• This is true for large projects as well as small ones.
• Preliminary Plan Reviews may be more critical to the small project that moves on a faster time line.
• It is always beneficial to engage the code official during the design process.
• For mega projects, this is the time to develop a Project Permit Master Plan.

How To Prepare for a Preliminary Plan Review

Your content should include the following:

• Use group

- Areas of hazardous or classification of use

• Construction type
• Sprinkled/non-sprinkled
• Allowable height and area calculations
• Separation of uses and tenants
• Fire resistance rating requirements
• Means of egress review – occupancy load, exit requirements and locations, exit component requirements, dead-end conditions, etc.
• Other special requirements

- Uses, institutional, atrium, mezzanine

- Phasing of construction outline, if applicable

The format – use a format which is most appropriate for your project, or that you feel the most comfortable. Whichever format you select, your project should include the following:

• Reference specific sections to verify code source
• Walk through your logic; provide outline of all disciplines
• Include your calculation backup (height and area compliance, occupancy load for egress, mixed use calculation, etc.)
• Be prepared to discuss the intended sequence of occupancy if the project requires a Master Plan.

If you believe you may be a candidate, or plan to apply for our Express Review Program, please let staff know up front.

To make the most of your meeting, discuss both the code review and the plan; plan may be in schematic or design development level, just so they include:

• Exit locations
• Site plan, when appropriate
• Separation conditions
• Room titles and uses
• Door swings, etc.

Request the presence of the appropriate disciplines, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, zoning and fire.

Provide an agenda for the meeting when applying for a preliminary review meeting.  This agenda is beneficial for the plans examiners to best utilize the time allotted for the preliminary review.

It may be appropriate for the owner to attend if the code interpretation will deal heavily with use, process, or materials.

Bring proposed solutions – the code official will tell you what he thinks.

Seek agreement on the review, or identify areas requiring revision or further definition.

At the Conclusion of Your Preliminary Plan Review

Confirm the permit application process.

Confirm the construction document content to be submitted.

Complete follow-up meeting notes in detail, confirming any agreements or required revisions. Please include signature lines for each reviewer to sign off on your meeting notes.

General Provisions

  Availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays
1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., or 3:30 p.m.  The lead time is generally 1 - 2 weeks depending the on the number of requested trades.
  Scheduling: To schedule a Preliminary Plan Review, complete an OnSchedule application, select Preliminary Review, select the appropriate disciplines, attach an agenda, submit to the OnSchedule Coordinators by fax, email or in person.

Questions: Please contact an OnSchedule Coordinator at 704-336-3837 x 1 x 1.