Architectural sign off of "minor" construction 3

[z633]

This question applies to the state of California, USA. It has come to my attention that a local architectural draftsman, doing commercial work, including the electrical sheets has been getting jobs through the city/county. These drawings including electrical, are blanket stamped by a registered architect, with the exception of structural. The term was mentioned that the electrical work was "minor-construction". The rubber stamping architect has not actively practice design for many years, He works in a planning department. As an licensed electrical engineer doing competing type work in this area I am offended. As a first step, I am planning on having a talk with this architect. I am looking for some ammunition that might persuade him to reconsider this practice that I consider is a means of getting a quick-buck.

 

[LHA]

Good luck, but tread lightly; if "he works in a planning department" and "has been getting jobs through the city/county", he is certainly well-connected with (and may actually be) the person/people who review your work - provided you work in the same Municipality.

There is nothing illegal with the "local architectural draftsman" doing the work, provided the "rubber stamping architect" is 1) licensed and 2) overseeing the work. How often he "actively practices design" is of no legal consequence in most eastern US states, perhaps CA has some stipulation, though...make sure they do before you use this as a justification.

Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve

 

[jheidt2543]

One tactic to consider, is to contact you local PE organization and have them contact the architect. That way you are not the singled out if he should be reviewing your work in the future. This also provides a first step be for a report to the registration board.

 

[z633]

Thank you for the comments. However I think I gave too much superficial information that was not at the core of my main issue.

What defines "minor" construction, and at what point is an architect overstepping the legally defined bounds of his license.

Sure architects have a broad base of issues concerning buildings, but, every one I have worked with would be lucky to quote ohm's law correctly.

The job that got me riled up is a movie studio to night-club conversion. Lots of young innocent, inebriated people confined to a darkened areas.

There are politics at work here, however, I think it is above who stamps the drawings, but rather, who gets the big score once the item is open for business.

 

[rholder98]

In Texas, an architect can sign drawings for a commercial building less than 5000 sq ft. Perhaps there is some similar line in the sand in California. Does this architect in fact work for the department responsible for approving these drawings? That seems like a conflict of interest to me.

 

[z633]

Thanks rholder, that was the type of info I was looking for. Off-Line I have hear in CA that an artifact or civil could sign off the pretty much anything. Oh well.

 

[IRstuff]

It appears that the architect is getting monetary benefits from work subcontracted by the city to a supplier.

This would be a conflict of interest unrelated to any perogatives of a licensed architect, particularly if he's involved in the source selection process.

TTFN

 

[z633]

To clarify, There is no conflict of interest. The architect is on the other side of the fence. In reality "you get what you pay for" generally applies. The contractors do not like to work with sloppy plans and the owners/investors do not like to deal with the associated delays and troubles that result from sloppy plans. I will just continue to do quallity work. This speaks for itself in a small community with limited A/E competition.

 

[Ron]

In most states, the allowable overlap between architects and engineers is confined to civil/structural work. Other disciplines would constitute practice outside the area of expertise. Complain to the state board of architecture and to the state board of engineers. It appears to be a violation of both.

 

[z633]

Ron, I like your line of thought. I would rather talk to this architect first as a warning shot across the bow so to speak before calling in the calvery.

 

[Ron]

z633...that's a good professional courtesy. If he's doing this routinely, he's not likely going to listen, but at least you will feel good about having taken that first step....then go the respective boards. His punishment if found "guilty" will not likely be severe...likely more of a reprimand and some continuing education in the state's engineering/architecture laws.