UT System Capital Project Delivery Guide

Governing Laws, Rules, and Regulations

Quick Links for Governing Laws, Rules, and Regulations

 

Project Compliance and Risk Mitigation (Back to Top)

Facilities belonging to UT System and its institutions are governed, operated, supported, and maintained by the UT System Board of Regents through delegated authority from the Texas Legislature.  All parties involved in the management and delivery of the UT System’s Capital Improvement Program are charged with maintaining regulatory compliance and mitigating risk throughout the project delivery process.

The laws, rules, and regulations that govern UT System Capital Project delivery are outlined in the U.T. System Risk Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for Major Capital Projects.  This plan was developed to help ensure compliance by identifying potential risks and exposures for project stakeholders.  An editable version of the template can be downloaded via the link below and further developed as needed.

Resources for Project Compliance and Risk Mitigation

 

Building Codes and Standards (Back to Top)

Facilities belonging to The University of Texas System and its institutions are properties of the State of Texas and must comply with State fire, life safety, energy and water conservation standards as outlined in the U.T. System Risk Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for Major Capital Projects.

Building Codes

With the exception of the NFPA standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal and coordination with local fire departments and first responders, facilities belonging to The University of Texas System and its institutions are the property of the State of Texas and are not subject to local building codes.  However, failure to meet minimum accepted standards of building construction can result in unsafe conditions and expose UT System and its institutions to legal claims.  All UT institutions are encouraged to coordinate their project planning and construction activities with local safety officials as needed and adopt nationally recognized building standards to ensure adequate safety and provide consistency for design, review, and inspections.  The UT System Office of Capital Projects (OCP) has adopted the International Building Code (IBC) as a minimum standard for all projects managed by OCP.

Sustainability Practices

Per Systemwide Policy UTS169 Sustainability Practices, any new capital or major renovation project will apply, as a minimum, the energy efficiency design and construction principles of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 or the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as established by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).  The planning and design process for all UT System projects must also include consideration of project life cycle cost, recognizing the importance of long-term operations, maintenance, total cost of ownership, budgetary constraints, and programmatic requirements.

With a goal of reducing UT System’s non-renewable energy consumption, each institution must evaluate alternative energy designs for all new Major Capital Projects.

Resources for Building Codes and Standards

 

Key U. T. System Rules, Regulations, and Policies (Back to Top)

Regents' Rules and Regulations:

U. T. Systemwide Policies:

External Agencies (Back to Top)

All new capital or major renovation projects must meet the current regulatory requirements of the following agencies. (Agency list is not all–inclusive)

State Agencies:

National Agencies: