EFFECTIVE July 22, 2024

Purpose:
In accordance with Section II of the Memorandum titled “Ongoing Updates to OSF Process & Procedures (DRAFT),” dated September 7, 2023, this document provides guidance outlining the types of school construction, improvement, and renovation projects waived from plan review submission and OSF approval.
Implementation: Districts shall complete and upload to the OSF Portal the Form F10 – Request for Waiver from OSF Plan Review. This Form is published on the SCDE / OSF website located at New OSF Processes - South Carolina Department of Education -

Note: These projects are not all inclusive and are subject to change by OSF.

Projects NOT Requiring OSF Plan Review and Approval

 

• Athletic Fields - Turf replacement only (No land disturbance work that could potentially impact underground utilities)

 

• Electrical Radio and Television Transmitting Stations: Electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions but do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply, the installations of towers and antennas

 

• Electrical Repairs / Maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles

 

• Nonfixed and movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height

 

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2), and not occupied by students

 

• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work (any alterations must meet code requirements including accessibility and any demolition may require other permits such as regarding asbestos abatement, etc.)

• Portable cooling units, evaporative coolers, ventilation equipment, or heating appliances (electric or gas)

 

• Repaving or repair only of existing parking lots, road entrances or exits, car stacking loops, car or bus drop offs, fire truck access (like for like)

 

• Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe

 

• Resurfacing Gym Flooring
   
• Retaining Walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids
   
• Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less
   
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems 
   
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and that are not part of an accessible route
   
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by code
   
• Storage facilities or sheds not attached to student occupied buildings and not occupied and/or will not contain flammable or hazardous materials
   
• Temporary electrical testing systems: For the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus
   
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
   
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures
   
• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work, and a permit shall be obtained, and inspection made as provided in the code
   
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1
   
• Window awnings in U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support

1. Note for Repairs. The South Carolina Building Code defines repairs as the reconstruction, replacement, or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage. Application or notice to OSF is not required for repairs to structures, provided that such repairs do not include any of the following:
   1. Repairs do not impact on the health and safety of students or the general public. And include, but are not limited to:
      1. The cutting away of any wall, partition, or portion thereof;
      2. The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support;
      3. The removal or change of any required means of egress or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements;
      4. Any addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, or electric wiring; and,
      5. Mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
2. Note for Emergency repairs. Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to OSF
    
3. The School District shall be responsible for:
   1. Ensuring that any materials utilized meet any applicable building code requirements. For example, the district is responsible for ensuring that all carpets, curtains, furniture, and portable equipment meet the building code requirements for smoke development, flammability and flame spread for the location.
   2. Ascertaining that the work complies with applicable codes when professional services are not used.
   3. Exemptions from OSF required review and approval shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of current building codes, laws, and regulations.
   4. Ensuring the project, as applicable to the scope of work, would still be subject to meeting all relevant building code (i.e. Chapter 33 – Safeguards During Construction), fire code, and ICC A117.1 accessibility requirements.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MEMO

• OSF will no longer require plan review for Level 1 Alterations, unless those alterations relate to “fire and life safety standards or specifications,” including but not limited to door locks that prevent evacuation. Moreover, districts must ensure adherence to all accessibility provisions in Level 1 alterations.
• OSF will only require plan review for Level 2 Alterations (as defined by the applicable building code) that involve structural members, fire and life safety, accessibility, HVA/C, roofing, electrical panels, and any fire equipment (alarms, sprinklers, panels, etc.)
• OSF must require plan review for all Level 3 Alterations, as required by code.
• For alterations that do not require OSF involvement, districts must complete a form (to be created by SDE legal division) on the OSF portal certifying compliance with all health, safety, fire, and laws and the SC Building Code