Childcare Adaptive Reuse: 86 Issues Including Wrong Jurisdiction Codes
A multi-building childcare adaptive reuse project review uncovered 86 issues—including Florida/Texas code references on a Maryland project, conflicting OA requirements (400 vs 2,000 CFM), panel breaker position conflicts, and extensive document coordination errors—before permit submission.
The Project
A multi-building childcare facility adaptive reuse project at 6709-6711 Old Branch Avenue in Temple Hills, Maryland, converting existing structures for educational use. The project required coordination across architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and civil disciplines with strict compliance requirements for childcare occupancy including life safety, ventilation, and accessibility standards.
Critical Findings (10)
Within the ventilation calculation table, the listed room areas do not match the areas used in the calculation notes for the same rows (e.g., Classroom area shown as 1729 sqft but calculation uses 750 sqft; Kitchenette area 56 sqft but calculation uses 200 sqft; Restrooms area 43 sqft but calculation uses 120 sqft).
The drawings state multiple different total required outside air values and required RTU minimum OA settings: 400 CFM total required OA, 902 CFM total calculated OA (with 950 CFM scheduled min OA), and 1,991 CFM total required OA (with OA damper set to ≥2,000 CFM). These values directly conflict and cannot all be correct for the same project/system.
Maryland State Sprinkler Note 30 on F-01 states sprinkler system compliance with 'NFPA 13, 2002 AS MODIFIED BY THE FLORIDA CITY BUILDING CODE, APPENDIX Q SECTION BC Q102.' However, the Project Information clearly identifies the project location as Temple Hills, MD under Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department jurisdiction, with applicable codes including Maryland State Fire Prevention Code.
Code: Maryland State Fire Prevention Code
On the Schedules/Finishes sheet, D1 is shown as a 72"x80" double storefront; D2 is 36"x80"; and D3 is 36"x80". On the Door/Window schedule sheet, D1 is shown as 3' wide x 6'-10" tall and labeled "TYPE D1 - SINGLE"; D2 is shown as 6' wide x 6'-8" tall and labeled "TYPE D2 - DOUBLE". D3 is shown twice with different widths (8' and 4') while both are labeled "TYPE D3 - DOUBLE".
Multiple sheets state different total required OA and different minimum OA provisions for the RTUs. One note states total required OA is 400 CFM and that RTU-1 & RTU-2 provide minimum OA = 400 CFM or greater. Another schedule shows total calculated OA is 902 CFM with scheduled minimum OA (RTU-1) = 950 CFM. Another OA calculation table states required OA is 1,991 CFM and directs setting the RTU OA damper to ≥ 2,000 CFM minimum. The RTU schedule lists Min. OA (CFM) = 950 for both RTU-1 and RTU-2.
The panel schedule shows ROOF TOP UNIT RTU-1 as an 80A, 3-pole breaker starting at position 27, which would occupy positions 27, 29, and 31. ROOF TOP UNIT RTU-2 is shown as an 80A, 3-pole breaker starting at position 31, which would occupy positions 31, 33, and 35. Position 31 is assigned to both loads.
The set includes a "PROPOSED FLOOR PLAN 'A' 6709" on sheet A101 (scale 1/4" = 1'-0") that is programmed with items like a large "RECEPTION COUNTER" and multiple offices with room numbers/areas, while a separate "PROPOSED 6709 FIRST FLOOR PLAN "A"" on sheet A102 (scale 3/16" = 1'-0") shows a different layout/program including "MEETING ROOM", "ELEVATOR", and "SHOP AREA 1". These cannot both be the same proposed first floor plan "A".
General Notes Note 32 specifies '06 ADA VAN-ACCESSIBLE @ 8.5' X 20' WITH 5' AISLE' for all ADA spaces. However, the Typical Handicap Parking Space detail on page 11 explicitly states '8' AISLE FOR VAN-ACCESSIBLE SPACE' and '5' AISLE FOR CAR SPACE', indicating van-accessible spaces require 8-foot aisles, not 5-foot aisles.
Code: ADA Standards
One part of the notes states adaptive reuse only with "NO building expansion" and also states "NO INCREASE IN GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA) OR BUILDING FOOTPRINT IS PROPOSED." However, the GFA breakdown explicitly lists an "ADDITION: 1,156 SF" and a "GARAGE STORAGE BAY: 1,378 SF," which indicates additional area beyond the existing buildings.
The project is located in Temple Hills, Maryland (Prince George's County), but the General Construction Notes on Sheet 11 specify adherence to Texas standards and jurisdictions.
Sample High Priority Findings (15 Total)
M-02 General Note 12 states 'RTU-1 & RTU-2 PROVIDE MINIMUM OA = 400 CFM OR GREATER' indicating two rooftop units are part of the system. However, the Rooftop Unit Schedule on M-03 only includes RTU-1 (1200 CFM total, 950 CFM min OA). RTU-2 does not appear in the schedule. The Mechanical Layout Plan on M-04 also only shows RTU-1.
The Water Supply Layout Plan labels both toilet rooms as 7'-6" x 5'-8". The Sanitary Layout Plan labels the upper toilet room as 7'-6" x 4'-8" (1'-0" narrower), while the lower toilet room is labeled 7'-6" x 5'-8". This indicates a dimension conflict for the upper toilet room between the two plan views.
The sanitary plan labels an "EXISTING 4" SANITARY LINE" while the sanitary riser diagram calls out a "6" SEWER LINE CONNECTION".
The General Notes state the installation must comply with 2006 code editions and the Uniform Plumbing Code, while another note lists IPC 2018 as the applicable plumbing code. A separate water heater schedule template references IECC 2021, creating a second conflicting energy code edition within the same sheet set.
General Note 29 requires an electric storage water heater with 80-gallon minimum storage and minimum 12 GPM peak hot water demand (18–24 kW input). A separate water heater schedule template lists 50-gallon minimum capacity and a recovery rate of 40 GPM @ 100°F rise.
The Plumbing Specifications on P-01 state that 'SANITARY DRAINAGE PIPING ABOVE FLOOR SHALL BE CO-EXTRUDED PVC DWV (SCHEDULE 40) PIPE.' However, Detail 12 on P-04 (Cast Iron to PVC Transition) includes a critical note stating 'THERE IS TO BE NO EXPOSED PVC ABOVE SLAB' and illustrates cast iron pipe for the portion of the riser above the floor.
The Water Supply Pipe Sizing Calculator on P-01 specifies a 1-1/4" minimum service size, which is echoed in the Backflow Prevention Schedule. However, the Water Supply & Sanitary Layout Plan on P-02 and the Water Supply Riser Diagram on P-03 both specify a Ø2" C.W. connection to the city water main.
On the layout plan, SD-A and RG-1 are called out as 10X8 with 200/50 CFM (SD-A) and 150 CFM (RG-1). In the Air Terminal Schedule, SD-A and RG-1 are listed as 8"x6" neck with 300 CFM. The same designations have different sizes and airflow values between plan and schedule.
The documents explicitly state four bathroom exhaust-only spaces and identify TEF-1 through TEF-4 as typical of 4, but the exhaust fan schedule only lists TEF-1 and TEF-2. In addition, the layout plan tags two separate toilet locations as TEF-1.
The Life Safety Layout Plan (Plan 3) on F-03 shows an overall dimension of 67'-8", while the Egress Layout Plan (Plan 4) on the same sheet shows 68'-8" for what appears to be the same overall building length. This is a 12-inch discrepancy.
Issue Categories
Fire Protection
Fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, standpipe requirements, and fire code compliance
Architectural
Door schedules, floor plans, occupancy loads, egress, and building code compliance
Mechanical
HVAC systems, ventilation rates, outside air requirements, RTU schedules, and mechanical code compliance
Plumbing
Water supply, sanitary drainage, water heaters, fixture counts, and plumbing code compliance
Electrical
Panel schedules, load calculations, service sizing, grounding, and electrical code compliance
Civil
Site plans, parking, ADA compliance, floodplains, utility services, and civil engineering
Code Compliance
Jurisdictional code references, building code editions, and code compliance requirements
Document Coordination
Drawing conflicts, schedule mismatches, sheet numbering errors, and document coordination issues
Value Delivered
"The wrong jurisdiction codes would have been an instant permit rejection. Finding 86 issues—including 13 critical permit blockers—before submission saved us weeks of delays and redesign."
— Project Team, Childcare Facility