BU 14-03
BULLETIN: FIRE & LIFE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND
FEE SCHEDULE
PURPOSE: To ensure clients are only charged for the services they require, the Division of the
State Architect (DSA) is implementing a separate fee schedule for the Fire and Life Safety
Compliance program, effective December 1, 2014.
BACKGROUND: In 1992, California Government Code section 14963 (added by Stats. 1991, Ch.
865, Sec. 5), directed DSA to assume responsibility for Fire and Life Safety code compliance
without additional staff or fees. Since that time, significant increases in the complexity and scope of
both Structural codes and Fire and Life Safety codes have increased the time required for project
review and approval.
Additionally, grouping the Structural Safety and Fire and Life Safety compliance programs under a
single fee structure required clients only seeking one of these services to pay for both.
To address this situation, on October 21, 2014, the California Building Standards Commission
approved 2013 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 4, Group 2, Safety of
Construction of Public Schools: Fire & Life Safety, Articles 1 through 6. These building standards
establish separate Fire and Life Safety Compliance regulations, along with associated fees for the
plan review and approval, and oversight of construction for K through 12 public school and
community college district projects over which DSA has jurisdiction. These regulations also:

Ensure clients pay only for services they require.

Improve transparency and accountability for the scope and cost of the Fire and Life
Safety Program.

Reinforce the statutory mandate that program fees cover operational costs.

Present the opportunity for long-term benefits from increased oversight, including reduced
loss of life and property damage from earthquakes, fires and other disasters.
EFFECTIVE DATE AND NEW FEE SCHEDULE: The Fire and Life Safety Compliance filing
fee for project applications received by DSA on or after December 1, 2014 shall be calculated
as follows:

three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) of the first $1,000,000 of the estimated project cost; plus

two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) of the project cost greater than $1,000,000 up to and
including $5,000,000; plus

one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the project cost greater than $5,000,000 up to and
including $25,000,000; plus

five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) of the project cost greater than $25,000,000 up
to and including $100,000,000; plus

one one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%) of the project cost above $100,000,000;

except that the minimum fee in any case shall be $300.00.
BU 14-03 (issued 11-20-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 1 of 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DSA BULLETIN 14-03
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND FEE SCHEDULE
EXAMPLES OF NEW FILING FEE CALCULATION:
(1) Estimated project cost = $40,000
0.3% x $40,000
Filing fee is the minimum charge
=
=
$120.00
$300.00
(2) Estimated project cost = $925,000
0.3% x $925,000
Filing fee
=
=
$2,775.00
$2,775.00
(3) Estimated project cost = $3,840,000
0.3% x $1,000,000
0.2% x $2,840,000
Filing fee
=
=
=
$3,000.00
$5,680.00
$8,680.00
(4) Estimated project cost = $7,260,000
0.3% x $1,000,000
0.2% x $4,000,000
0.1% x $2,260,000
Filing fee
=
=
=
=
$3,000.00
$8,000.00
$2,260.00
$13,260.00
(5) Estimated project cost = $26,500,000
0.3% x $1,000,000
0.2% x $4,000,000
0.1% x $20,000,000
0.05% x $1,500,000
Filing fee
=
=
=
=
=
$3,000.00
$8,000.00
$20,000.00
$750.00
$31,750.00
DETERMINATION OF FILING FEES: The DSA Fire and Life Safety Compliance filing fee is
determined by applying the fee schedule to the estimated project cost, as reported by the project
owner, at the time of application for DSA review of construction documents (i.e. plans,
specifications, and other documents).
When the actual project cost exceeds the estimated cost, a further fee may be due to DSA, equal
to the difference between the filing fee paid and the amount computed in accordance with the fee
schedule using the actual cost of the project. The actual cost of the project is reported by the
project owner using the Statement of Final Actual Project Cost (form DSA 168).
The fee schedule in effect at the time of filing shall apply throughout the duration of the project.
Therefore, projects with applications filed on or before November 30, 2014 and reporting actual
cost of the project on or after December 1, 2014, will not be subject to the new Fire and Life Safety
Compliance fee schedule.
For a project requiring Structural, Fire and Life Safety, and Access Compliance reviews, the total
fee due is the sum of these three fees. For a project requiring Fire and Life Safety and Access
Compliance reviews only, the total fee due is the sum of these two fees.
BU 14-03 (issued 11-20-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
Page 2 of 2
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PR 14-06
PROCEDURE: PLAN REVIEW SUBMITTALS FOR
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
SUPERSEDES: PR 09-05
PURPOSE: This procedure provides a method of digital submission of project documents for
Division of the State Architect (DSA) review and approval. Submittals will be made to the Intake
Project Review Box, a secure cloud-based, collaborative, online file-sharing website.
This method replaces the use of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers, which are no longer being
utilized by DSA. Further, compact discs will no longer be required.
BACKGROUND: The Intake Project Review Box allows internal and external stakeholders to
share, view, and collaborate in real time in one location. Documents which historically were
mailed, processed, and filed physically can now be transferred via the Internet.
Each design professional receives his or her own designated project folder to submit project
documents. The ability to access documents is immediate and fully accessible to collaborators
identified to work on the project.
PROCEDURE: All projects submitted for electronic review shall be submitted to the Intake
Project Review Box. Folders will be established by the DSA regional offices in two tracks: the
Intake Track and the Project Track. A project folder will be created in the Intake Track for initial
document submittal. Once DSA determines that all plan review submittal requirements are met,
the project folder will be moved to a Project Track where the plan review process will occur.
Please refer to Appendix A for further description of the Intake Project Review Box
configuration.
This procedure lists the processes and requirements for requesting permissions to the Intake
Track folder in the Intake Project Review Box, and establishing project folders for uploading
project documents for review.
1.
COMPLETE FORM DSA 95 (INTAKE PROJECT REVIEW BOX REQUEST). The
design professional must complete form DSA 95 and submit via email to the DSA intake
specialist for the DSA regional office having jurisdiction.
1.1
The DSA intake specialist will forward form DSA 95 to the document analyst in their DSA
regional office.
2.
PROJECT FOLDER CREATED WITHIN INTAKE TRACK FOLDER. The DSA
document analyst creates the project folder in the Intake Track folder and names it with the
school name and district (e.g. ABCschool_District).
2.1
A digital copy of form DSA 95 should be placed in the project folder by the DSA
document analyst.
2.2
The DSA document analyst sends an invitation to the design professional, all
collaborators (listed on form DSA 95), and the DSA intake specialist via email through
DSAbox.
2.3
The design professional and all collaborators must accept the invitation to the Intake
Project Review Box. For more information about accepting the Intake Project Review
Box invitation, refer to:
https://dsabox.app.box.com/s/cddhjymdms4v9vtc6ft5/1/1111643067/10033646725/1
PR 14-06 (iss 09-19-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 1 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DSA PR 14-06
PLAN REVIEW SUBMITTALS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
3.
SUBMISSIONS TO DSA.
3.1
The design professional and collaborators shall submit all project documents to the
created project folder, including:
• Application
• Working drawings
• Project specifications
• Structural calculations
• Fire alarm component documents
• Access compliance component documents
• Energy calculations
• Any other project related documents
3.2
For information regarding the recommended naming conventions, please refer to
Appendix B.
3.3
The design professional shall submit all fees with a copy of both the application and form
DSA 95 to the DSA cashier.
4.
DSA INTAKE PROCESS. The DSA intake specialist assesses whether the submittal is
complete; if it is complete, the intake specialist informs the cashier that an application number
may be assigned.
4.1
The DSA cashier processes the fees, enters the application into DSA’s Tracker system,
assigns the project an application number and informs the DSA intake specialist.
4.2
Upon receiving the application number, the DSA intake specialist:
• Records the date documents and fees were received and updates Tracker as
appropriate.
• Requests that the DSA document analyst rename and move the project folder to the
Project Track.
• Notifies supervisors when the project is ready for plan review.
4.3
The DSA document analyst renames the project folder to the application number, and
moves the project folder to the Project Track for plan review when complete.
NOTE: The design professional and all collaborators will maintain access to the project
folder when it is moved to the Project Track.
5.
PLAN REVIEW. DSA supervisors assign the project to DSA plan reviewers and request
that the DSA document analyst invite the DSA plan reviewers through DSAbox.
5.1
The DSA document analyst invites DSA plan reviewers through DSAbox.
5.2
DSA plan reviewers perform plan review based on the individual DSA regional office
procedures.
5.3
The design professional and collaborators as well as DSA staff will transmit plan review
documents using the project folder within the Project Track.
PR 14-06 (iss 09-19-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 2 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DSA PR 14-06
PLAN REVIEW SUBMITTALS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
• Intake Project Review Box Information available:
http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/progProject/dsabox.aspx
A Division of the State Architect (DSA) Procedure documents a process or series of steps that DSA staff and/or
external stakeholders must complete in order to fulfill one or more administrative requirements of DSA's plan and
construction review programs.
PR 14-06 (iss 09-19-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 3 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DSA PR 14-06
PLAN REVIEW SUBMITTALS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
APPENDIX A
INTAKE PROJECT REVIEW BOX FLOW CHART
Intake Project Review Box
DSA Regional Office
Intake Track
ABCSchool_District
Project Track
ABCSchool_District
PR 14-06 (iss 09-19-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
ABCSchool_District
01-111113
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
01-111113
Page 4 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
DSA PR 14-06
PLAN REVIEW SUBMITTALS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
APPENDIX B
RECOMMENDED FILE NAMING SYSTEM
This recommended file naming system is for use by the Design Professionals to establish file
names for submission into the Project Folder and by DSA when returning review files.
The file naming system comprises up to four terms, separated by an underscore. (Note:
Alternative file naming systems should be approved by the Regional Office receiving the
submittal.)
TERM:
EXAMPLE:
1
2
3
4
DWG_INC1_MMDDYY_A
First Term:
The DOCUMENT TYPE comprising the file from a standard list of:
DWG: Working Drawings
SPC: Project manual and specifications
STC: Structural Calculations
FAC: Fire Alarm component submittal
ACS: Access Compliance Component submittal
ENG: Energy calculations
Second Term:
The INCREMENT (if required). If multiple buildings comprise one
increment, this may be replaced by a designation for the building, e.g.:
“BLDG-A”, or “ADMIN”. If there are no increments for a project, this
term may be dropped from the name. (Example: INC1)
Third Term:
The DATE the document was created to communicate the document
version. (Example: MMDDYY)
Fourth Term:
DSA staff will add the letter “A” to the naming convention when the
document is considered to be an approved version of the document.
PR 14-06 (iss 09-19-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 5 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
INTAKE PROJECT REVIEW BOX REQUEST
95
This form is to request access to the Intake Project Review Box for digital submission of project files for plan
review, and to provide access to the identified project collaborators. A separate request is required for each
project. Please include a copy of this request form when submitting the project fee.
Project Name:
District Name:
Form Submitted By:
Email:
Phone:
Project Collaborators - Please include the applicant, design professional in responsible charge, and
delegated design professionals on the form DSA 1 (Please list a minimum of one entry)
Name 1:
Email 1:
Name 2:
Email 2:
Name 3:
Email 3:
Name 4:
Email 4:
Name 5:
Email 5:
Name 6:
Email 6:
Name 7:
Email 7:
Name 8:
Email 8:
Name 9:
Email 9:
Name 10:
Email 10:
Notes:
DSA 95 (issued 09-18-14)
DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Page 1 of 1
STATE OF CALIFORNIA