63A-5b-602. Design criteria, standards, and procedures.
(1) The director shall establish design criteria, standards, and procedures for the planning, design, and construction of a new facility and for improvements to an existing facility, including life-cycle costing, cost-effectiveness studies, and other methods and procedures that address: the need for the facility; the effectiveness of the facility's design; the efficiency of energy use; and the usefulness of the facility over the facility's lifetime.
(2) Before proceeding with construction, the director and the officials charged with the administration of the affairs of the particular agency shall approve the location, design, plans, and specifications.
(3) The director shall prepare or have prepared by one or more private persons the designs, plans, and specifications for the projects administered by the division.
(4) Before construction may begin, the director shall review the design of projects exempted from the division's administration under Sectionto determine if the design: 63A-5b-604 complies with any restrictions placed on the project by the director; and is appropriate for the purpose and setting of the project.
(5) Notwithstanding the requirements of, the director may: Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act accelerate the design of a project funded by an appropriation act passed by the Legislature in the Legislature's annual general session; use an unencumbered existing account balance to fund that design work; and reimburse the account balance from the amount funded for the project when the appropriation act funding the project becomes effective.
(6) If the director establishes design criteria or standards that exceed the minimum requirements of the State Construction Code adopted under Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act, the director shall ensure that the additional criteria or standards are: appropriate for the intended use and setting of the facility; and cost-effective over the expected useful life of the facility.