There is in the department a Hospital Building Safety Board that shall be appointed by the director. The board shall advise the director and, notwithstanding Section 13142.6 and except as provided in Section 18945, shall act as a board of appeals in all matters relating to the administration and enforcement of building standards relating to the design, construction, alteration, and seismic safety of hospital building projects submitted to the

department pursuant to this chapter.

Further, notwithstanding Section 13142.6, the board shall act as the board of appeals in matters relating to all fire and panic safety regulations and alternate means of protection determinations for hospital building projects submitted to the department pursuant to this chapter.