Where field conditions necessitate a substantial change in the approved plans,

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is responsible for ensuring that installations comply with approved plans and applicable codes. When substantial changes are required due to unforeseen field conditions, the work must not deviate from the approved design without the AHJ's consent. The standard administrative procedure is for the applicant or contractor to submit revised drawings or amended construction documents for the AHJ's review and approval. This ensures the modified design maintains the required level of safety and compliance before the altered work proceeds.

B. The applicant is responsible for notifying the AHJ and seeking approval for any substantial changes; inaction would be a violation.

C. The applicant or their designer prepares and submits revised drawings to the AHJ for approval, not to themselves.

D. The AHJ must review and approve substantial changes to fulfill their duty of ensuring code compliance and public safety.

1. NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021 Edition, Section 1.13.6, "Amended Construction Documents." This section states, "Any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an amended set of construction documents."

2. SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th Edition, Chapter 56, "Construction and Commissioning," Section 56.3.2, "Changes to the Approved Design." This section explains, "The AHJ should be notified of any changes to the approved design... Depending on the significance of the change, the AHJ may require a formal resubmittal of the design documents for review and approval."

3. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Fire Protection Engineering Program, Course FP 571, "Building Fire Safety Systems Design." Course materials emphasize that the plan review and approval process is iterative and that field changes, especially substantial ones, require formal resubmission and approval from the AHJ to be valid.