• Enact and manage delegated requirements from the Office of the State Architect, State Buildings Programs
  State Buildings Programs
• Continue and improve adopted model building code enforcement for the university.
• Securing building code regulatory compliance for the university.
• Provide a central location for reference resources.
• Advising Facilities Management Director, SBP Delegate, Project Managers and Operations on building code analysis, interpretations and code evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with Industry standards, specifications and regulations required for public safety.
• Liaison with State approved 3rd party plan review and inspection agencies, Poudre Fire Authority and other state inspection services.

Programming

• Determining the viability of project scope prior to budgeting.
• Verifying the feasibility of program objectives, strategic plans and fiscal resources.
• Formulating analysis & judgment within the context of available guidelines.
• Providing supporting documentation for complex code issues.
• Implementing OSHA and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) polices.

Design

• Work with design teams to achieve Code Compliance through design process.
• Advise on code interpretations, statutory rules, regulations and variances.
• Detect, expose, document, and communicate problems, of potential code violations during design.

Construction Inspections

• Administration and performing of multiple trade inspections during construction.
• Administration and performing of routine code audits for existing buildings for code compliance.
• Regulate external/internal collaborative problem-solving team activities associated with the construction industry.
• Work with other code enforcement officials to identify, assess and determine viable solutions to problems.
• Oversight of code compliance program, inspection records.

Documentation

• Communication
• Formulation and execution of Code policies for the university.
• Accountable for setting organizational policies and objectives.
• Maintaining code compliance files on each project.
• Annual documentation of Agency Action Plan for Code Compliance for SBP Delegate.
• Ensuring CSU building standards manual reflects current codes.

Other

• Tracking building audits.
• Organizational chart
• Funding

Managed By

Mike Rush AIA, CBO
State Buildings Delegate, Chief Building Official
970-491-0080

Becca Mueller
Plans Examiner, Permit Technician, Inspection Manager
970-568-2132

Code Administration Program

The Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA)/State Buildings Programs (SBP) is responsible as per Colorado Revised Statue 24-301303 for establishing minimum building codes for all construction by state agencies on state-owned or state lease-purchased properties or facilities. The intent of the SBP code compliance policy is to coordinate the efforts of state personnel responsible for managing construction projects, in order to ensure compliance with approved building codes and standards, by establishing standardized methods to review construction documents and inspect buildings under construction. Colorado State University has been granted full delegate authority for enforcement of all State Buildings Programs establishes building code policies and procedures. Mike Rush is the State Buildings Program Delegate at the University and Facilities Management has established a Building Department to manage building code compliance for the University.

CSU Facilities Management Building Department

Mike Rush AIA, CBO
State Buildings Delegate, Chief Building Official
970-491-0080

Becca Mueller
Plans Examiner, Permit Technician, Inspection Manager
970-568-2132

Russ Johnson
Electrical Inspector
State of Colorado Licensed Master Electrician, ICC Certified Commercial Electrical Inspector
970-567-6545

Building Inspection Request
To request an inspection from the CSU Building Department click the link above.
You will need the Project number and Permit number to submit a request.

Codes, Regulations, and Standards

A current list of the State Buildings Programs approved and adopted building codes can be found at: State Buildings Programs. CSU Facilities Planning Design and Construction Standards can be found at: CSU Facilities Planning Design and Construction Standards. CSU has other requirements for accreditation or funding also see:

• Animal facilities – AAALAC Standards (Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, Intl)
• Biosafety level – NIH and CDC guidelines appearing in “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories” 3rd edition.
• Radiation – State of Colorado Radiation Rules and Regulations.

Asbestos abatement at CSU is managed by Environmental Health Services and regulated by the Department of Public Health and Environment. The link below will take you to EHS web site for the CSU asbestos program. CSU Asbestos Program The link below will take you to the Department of Public Health and Environments asbestos page with a link to Colorado Regulation 8. Colorado Regulation 8

DORA Licensed Plumbers and Electricians

CSU Building Department Inspectors and authorized inspection agents are required by C.R.S. to verify that all plumbers, electricians and their apprentices are licensed by the State of Colorado D.O.R.A. All electricians, plumbers and apprentices are required to provide their state issued license to CSU inspectors or authorized inspecting agent upon request. If proof cannot be given at the time of the request the electrician, plumber or apprentice will not be allowed to stay on the job site until the license is provided to the inspector. These inspections are done randomly and can be at anytime during a project. The electricians, plumbers and apprentices are required to have their licenses with them or readily available at all times.

Links

FM Building Department Responsibilities 

CSU Code Compliance Process

CSU Code Compliance Process

Plan Reviews

1. CSU has five ICC Certified Code Consultants. They are Stephen Hall Architects, C-West Code Consultants, Safebuilt Colorado, Blythe Design + CO, and Code Consultants International, Inc. These are all listed as third party code consultants for design review of Capital Construction, Controlled Maintenance, cash and in-house funded projects, except for projects exempt under IBC 105.2. Projects exempt by 105.2 are reviewed by CSU Building Department ICC Certified Plans examiner and are granted a waiver from third party code review.
2. It is the responsibility of the Agency, project manager, and design team to acquire code compliance on construction drawings with one of the listed third party code consultants or a waiver if project is eligible.
3. Once code compliance is received an electronic copy is sent to CSU Building Department for review and issuance of a Building Inspection Record (BIR), permit number and notice to proceed.
4. If a waiver is granted on a project, the signed waiver is returned to the project manager and notification.
5. CSU works closely with Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) during the design process. The design documents are submitted to PFA by the project manager for review and comment at the Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Document phases. There are often meetings between PFA and CSU/Design team.
6. CSU Environmental Health Services (EHS) is the delegated health authority on campus. The plans are submitted at SD, DD, and CD to CSU Environmental Health Services for review and comment. For projects having this scope, meetings are typical from inception through final documents.

Building Inspections

1. For the majority of projects, CSU executes contracts with approved ICC certified Code Consultants for all inspections excluding elevators and boilers where State inspectors will still be utilized.
2. Building Inspections for smaller projects and those not covered by contracted ICC Code Inspections Consultants are conducted with CSU Building Department personnel, State Inspectors (Elevators, and Boilers), the design architect/engineer, Poudre Fire Authority, and Environmental Health Services. CSU Building Department ICC Certified and State board licensed inspectors conduct the electrical, structural, mechanical, and plumbing inspections at the standard intervals and when called. The inspectors who are ICC Certified and State Board licensed to conduct the inspections are:
   • Electrical:Russell Johnson, Lic #3108, ICC Certification #8358019, and Tony Flores, Lic. #29977, ICC Certification #8126211.
   • Special:Approved ICC Code Inspection Consultant or Professional Engineer:
3. CSU has been recognized and granted authority by both DORA electrical and plumbing boards to issue permits and perform inspections as its own jurisdiction. As stated above, our inspection process utilizes both ICC Certified Code and state licensed consultants and/or Building Department inspectors’ staff as listed above. CSU also has the design professional engineers to monitor projects during construction to ensure work is installed as per design.
4. Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) conducts inspections during construction on fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems and does final inspections and testing on alarm and sprinkler systems. PFA also conducts egress access inspections during final construction inspections in coordination with CSU Facilities, Environmental Health, and the contractors.
5. Required NFPA annual inspections on Fire alarms and fire suppression systems are conducted by CSU Alarm shop in agreement with PFA. The results of inspections are sent to CSU Risk Management office for review and forwarded to FM Global for review as well.
6. CSU, EHS, and PFA are prioritizing buildings on CSU campus that need consistent evacuation drills based on risk factors. Currently, all residence halls have drills conducted as per NFPA and other buildings with high risk elements also have evacuation drills conducted as required by NFPA. Buildings with lower risks have drills done less frequently due to manpower issues within PFA and CSU as agreed to by both parties. Evacuation Drill records are kept by CSU Environmental Health Services.
7. Health code final inspections are conducted by CSU EHS inspectors. The final inspection is required by the CSU Department of Environmental Health prior to written approval for operation and licensure of the establishment. EHS requires receipt of a completed Retail Establishment License Application, including tax numbers, fees, etc., prior to scheduling the opening inspection.
8. For boilers installed during construction, observations are made by the design engineer, ICC Certified Code consultants, and in-house staff for conformance to the design documents. This is done in preparation for the official inspection, which is conducted by the State boiler inspector and documented in their inspection report. Annual inspections are also performed by the State boiler inspector and coordinated with the Boiler/Chiller supervisor from Facilities Management.
9. For elevators and escalators installed during construction, observations are made by the design engineer, ICC Certified Code Consultants, and in-house staff for conformance to the design documents. This is done in preparation for the official inspection, which is conducted by the State elevator inspector and documented in their inspection report. Annual inspections are also performed by the State elevator inspector and coordinated with CSU’s Facilities Management elevator supervisor.

Code Compliance Documentation

1. CSU Facilities Building Department Code Compliance Manager maintains electronic copies of the code compliance documentation in a dedicated file. This file is kept permanently. A project file is also kept on each new project, which includes interim reviews, correspondence and reports. These project files are kept permanently and in their entirety. In addition, permanent files are maintained on periodic inspections of existing buildings, by room and by code deficiency, if any.
2. The CSU Code Compliance Manager maintains reference material for all relevant codes for the Trades and Construction sections and for ready reference for anyone within the Facilities Management Department.
3. As per the requirement in the SBP Building Code Compliance policy, the following documents must be submitted with the appropriate transmittal that is included in the policy:
   • Notice of Code Compliance including inspection recommendations or memo from agency stating code review was not required. If the Compliance Notice was contingent on the inclusion of the Construction Documents code review comments (as most are), the agency project manager must certify that the comments were incorporated into the drawings and specifications or provide an explanation for why they weren’t.
   • If alternative methods, modifications, or appeals were approved for this project, detailed documentation must be submitted.
   • Authorization to Bid (non-delegated agencies only)
   • Closeout Documents (non-delegated agencies only)
   • Closing Out Checklist
   • Contract Close Out
   • Building Inspection Record
   • Final Construction Project Application (SC 4.1) with original SC 4.1 and all subsequent revised SC 4.1’s. Attach a written explanation of the utilization of contingency funds and the original project budget request form CC-C for capital construction or CM-03 for controlled maintenance.
   • The individual responsible for coordinating the code compliance documentation and project closeout final SC4.1 for CSU is Shelly Carroll /Project Approval & Submittal Specialist.

Other Health, Life, and Safety

1. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be provided on all projects where appropriate. Coordination with Environmental Health Services through the University Representative is suggested.
2. Certification: All on site work shall be supervised by personnel who are certified and licensed by the State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for removal of friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials. Supervisor shall remain on site during performance of all asbestos containing material abatement processes.
3. Laws and regulations: All work shall be performed in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division, Regulation No. 8, Part B, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
4. Contracts: Asbestos abatement shall be included in the General Contractor’s work. Air monitoring and testing shall be included, but it shall be performed by an independent firm under a contract directly with the General Contractor.