OSU Construction Practices
Reviewed November 2011
All construction, renovation and remodeling of any structure owned or operated by
Oklahoma State University shall be designed and constructed according to all
codes/standards that are referenced by the International Code Council (as adopted by the State of Oklahoma) and shall be in accordance with OSU Policies and Procedures.
By the authority of the State
Fire Marshal, the OSU Fire Marshal is the Authority Having Jurisdiction" (AHJ) over all matters pertaining
to Fire Codes and Life Safety Codes on the campuses or property of the Oklahoma State
University System.
The International Building Code, NFPA codes, and other applicable
codes are listed on the Oklahoma
State Fire Marshal's website. Current codes can also be found
on the Oklahoma Secretary
of State's Office
of Administrative Rules website. (ICC 2006 is the current
version.) Also see OSU Policy 1-0109, "Alterations
to Buildings."
Current Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing codes, as listed by the State Construction Industries Board, can be found on the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules website. (ICC 2006 is the current version.)
Any fire alarm system to be installed in a University building shall meet the standards as set forth by the Oklahoma State University Fire Marshal for an addressable fire alarm.
Projects are subject to a Cease
& Desist Order when found to
be in violation of applicable codes or when changes have been made in the plans without
proper addendums or change orders approved by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction.
Upon notice from the AHJ, work on any building or structure that has been prosecuted contrary
to the provisions of the applicable codes or in an unsafe and dangerous manner shall
be immediately stopped.
The Cease & Desist Order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the
property or the owner's agent or to the person performing the work, and shall state the
conditions under which the work will be permitted to resume.
The Construction Permit shall be issued
by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (or designee). Work shall not begin until the Permit is
approved.
The AHJ and designee shall examine or cause to be examined all
applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after
filing. If the application of the construction documents do not corform to the
requirements of all pertinent codes and laws, the AHJ shall reject such application in
writing stating the reasons therefore. If the AHJ is satisfied that the proposed
work conforms to the requirements of the applicable codes and laws, the AHJ shall issue a
permit therefore as soon as practicable.
Suspension of permit: Any permit
issued shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within 30 days after
issuance of the permit.
A Certificate of Occupancy, indicating completion of the work for
which a Construction Permit was issued, shall be obtained from
the AHJ or designee prior to any occupancy of a structure
except as provided by code.
Temporary Occupancy:
Upon request of the holder of the permit, a temporary certificate of
occupancy shall be issued before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit
provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely prior to full completion
of the structure without endangering life or public welfare.
When a structure is entitled thereto, the AHJ
shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy within 10 days after written application.
Upon completion of the final inspection and correction of any violations or
discrepancies, the Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued.
During the planning stage of any project, the Project Coordinator or Architect shall submit an Asbestos Abatement
request form to Physical Plant for the purpose of surveying
the proposed project site for the presence of asbestos-containing material. Request forms are available on-line.
The completed Abatement Form shall be attached to the final Plans Review. Without
this document, a Construction Permit shall not be issued.
If any work is to be performed in a confined space, workers
shall be required to have training in confined space entry. OSHA-defined training
requirements can be found in the OSU Confined Space manual.
A work area is defined as a confined space if:
- it has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.
- it is an open-topped space such as a pit or excavation.
- its size or location may make rescue efforts difficult.
- it is not designed for continuous worker occupancy.
Any work that creates a dirty, dusty or wet atmosphere may activate
the fire detection system. When this condition exists, the contractor shall request
the deactivation of the fire detection system for the construction area.
If the building is occupied, the fire alarm system shall be put in
the "trouble" mode during normal working hours and placed back into service upon
the end of the work shift by EHS fire alarm technicians.
If the building is unoccupied, the fire alarm system shall be
deactivated for the duration of the project. The contractor shall assume
responsibility of the facility during the contract period.
Fire suppression (sprinkler) systems shall only be deactivated by
EHS fire alarm technicians upon approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Any fire alarm system to be installed in a University building shall meet the standards as set forth by the Oklahoma State University Fire Marshal for an addressable fire alarm.
Before welding, cutting, soldering or other hot work is begun, a Hot
Work Permit must be issued (in person) by EHS personnel. At the discretion of the
Safety Inspector, the permit shall be issued either daily or for the duration of the
project.
Failure to notify the EHS office of hot work could result in
unintended fire alarms.
Repeated fire alarm activation due to unauthorized hot work may
result in the Authority Having Jurisdiction imposing a monetary fine on the
responsible parties.
All excavations or trenches 4 feet or greater in depth shall be
appropriately benched, shored, or sloped according to the procedures and requirements set
forth in OSHA's Excavation Standard, 29 CFR 1926.650, .651, and .652.
Excavations or trenches 20 feet deep or greater must have a
protective system designed by a registered professional engineer.
For regulations regarding proper shoring and trenching, see the EHS Shoring & Trenching Manual.
A Cease & Desist Order will be issued
by the Authority Having Jurisdiction against any job being performed in an
improperly-shored trench.
During construction, all projects will be inspected at regular
intervals for safe working practices, good construction practices and adherence to
applicable codes. If serious violations are found, a Cease
& Desist Order may be issued.
Right of Entry: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or designee shall have the authority to enter at any reasonable time any structure or premises for which a Construction Permit has been issued for the purpose of
inspecting the work site.
When the AHJ or designee has reasonable cause to believe that a code
violation and/or unsafe work practice exists, the AHJ or designee is authorized to enter
the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect (subject to constitutional
restrictions on unreasonable search and seizures). If entry is refused or not
obtained, the AHJ is authorized to pursue recourse, as provided by law.
End of Manual 
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