Private K-12 School Projects

Private K-12 projects are administered by DCM's Plan Review Division, and are not administered by DCM's Contract Administration Division nor DCM's Project Inspection Division.

• Plans and specifications of all K-12 projects must be submitted to the DCM Technical Staff for review, regardless of estimated construction cost.
• K-12 projects estimated over $750,000.00:
  A plan review can commence upon DCM's receipt of all required items including a completed B-1: Transmittal form; see Manual of Procedures - Chapter 3: Submittal Requirements & Procedures for Plan Review, helpful plan review submittal highlights, and the User Fees webpage. DCM cannot issue a Project Comment Letter unless any required Plan Review Fee has been paid. DCM's approval of the final submittal must be obtained, as well as DCM's approval of submittals of any Required Actions noted on the Project Comment Letter issued by DCM for the final submittal review must be obtained, prior to the receipt of bids. Project Comment Letters issued by DCM Plan Reviewers are emailed to the Owner, Lead Design Professional, and State Fire Marshal's Office.
• K-12 projects for capital improvement, or alterations, additions, repair, or maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems or any alterations, additions, repair, or maintenance of a roof, with both both a certified estimate after design completion of $750,000.00 or Less and a contract awarded on or after 10/01/22:
  • Determination of whether or not a project is in the $750,000.00 or Less classification is based on the total estimated cost of the entire project including all phases and bid packages.
  • $750,000.00 or Less projects with a contract awarded on or after 10/01/22 do not owe Plan Review Fees; such projects are still subject to DCM plan reviews which can commence upon DCM's receipt of all required items including a completed B-1: Transmittal form; see Manual of Procedures - Chapter 3: Submittal Requirements & Procedures for Plan Review, and helpful plan review submittal highlights.
  • DCM's Project Comment Letter for the Final submittal must be obtained, prior to the receipt of bids. Project Comment Letters issued by DCM Plan Reviewers are emailed to the Owner, Lead Design Professional, and State Fire Marshal's Office.
• If the project involves a storm shelter, see DCM Bulletin #23-01 Updated Guidance on Mandatory Storm Shelters in Public and Private K-12 Schools required by the International Building Code dated 11/21/22, and note that the following three documents must be included in the project manual submitted for final plan review: DCM Form B-15: Owner’s Statement of Responsibility for Tornado Storm Shelter (Hurricane Shelter Where Applicable), DCM Form C-17: Contractor’s Statement of Responsibility for Construction of Tornado Storm Shelter (Hurricane Shelter Where Applicable), and DCM Form B-14: Certification of Structural Observations.
• Private K-12 school projects use contract documents as deemed appropriate by the Owner.

Special Circumstances

• Emergency Projects
• Construction Self-Performance Projects
• Manufactured Buildings Projects

Schoolhouses are within DCM's Code Jurisdiction; Definition per Alabama Administrative Code 355-12-1.04