Health Facilities
Since HB12-1268 was passed, DFPC has been responsible for enforcing the Life Safety Code in healthcare facilities statewide from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, effective 1 July, 2013.
The primary purpose of the Health Facilities work unit is to ensure that all buildings under the jurisdiction of DFPC are built and/or maintained in accordance with the requirements of state statutes, regulations, and adopted codes. To accomplish this, the work unit receives and processes building, fire, and life safety permit submittal documents. It performs plan reviews and inspections under currently adopted codes and referenced standards, as applicable.
Adopted Codes
All work done on health facilities that is not considered as maintenance or service will require a permit and adhere to the adopted codes of the Division.
Email contact: cdps_dfpc_health@state.co.us
Healthcare Facilities
Permits are needed for Healthcare Facilities that fall under one or more of the following conditions:
- new construction
- renovation
- addition
- system upgrade
- change of occupancy
Behavioral Health Entities
If you are a provider seeking a license from the Behavioral Health Administration for a space exceeding 4,900 square feet of licensed space or your location provides inpatient services, please apply for a permit.
Deferred Submittals
- Fire Alarm - product data sheets, battery calculations, electronic drawings
- Fire Sprinkler - product data sheets, battery calculations, electronic drawings
- Kitchen Hood - product data sheets & electronic drawings
- Underground - product data sheets, electronic drawings, letter from water purveyor indicating where UG fire line begins as a private service line and maintained by owner
- Other approved/alternate systems - product data sheets & electronic drawings
Limited Scope Projects
As part of your Certificate of Compliance (COC) limited scope projects shall be allowed and a permit is not required by the Division. All work completed shall be in accordance with the Limited Scope Project List and a log of all such work must be kept and inspect able during DFPC Licensure Life Safety Surveys.
You may use the Limited Scope Project Log created by the Division or use a log of your own, just make sure that it includes all of the outlined information.
Apply For A Permit
If you have a Certificate of Compliance for a limited scope project a permit is not required. See the above section "Limited Scope Projects" for more information.
Phased Permits
Larger healthcare projects may require phased permits, please submit an online application for each phase.
- Project name on the application i.e. Project Name - Phase 1 Main permit [NAME]
- Plans will coincide with the phase permit applied for, no need to upload an entire set of plans for the phase
- Overall phasing plan
Required Forms
Health Facility Construction Permits will require all of the forms/information below to be submitted:
Functional program - a letter on company letterhead providing what type of procedures they will perform and how they are using the space. Risk assessment assign a category (1-4) to every room in accord with NFPA 99.
- Failure of equipment/system may cause major injury or death to patient or caregiver
- Failure of equipment/system may cause minor injury to patient or caregiver
- Failure of equipment/system is not likely to cause injury to patient or caregiver
- Failure of equipment/system will have no impact on patient or caregiver
Pre-Construction Meeting
Some larger, more complex projects may require a pre-construction meeting in order for you, as the applicant, to know what is needed and expected upon application. If you have questions or would like to talk to someone about a pre-construction meeting please contact the Division at 303-239-4100
If, after speaking with one of our Fire and Life Safety staff members, it has been determined that a pre-construction meeting is necessary, please complete the following meeting request form.