As the Civil Engineer on a project , am I required to stamp non-structural pages? 2

[Travis Roberts]

Hi Everyone,

I work for myself and generally am involved with residential projects. I do the structural calculations and oversee the structural sheets in the plan set. One of my regular clients is wanting me to stamp the non-structural sheets of the plans (in addition to the other sheets).

This involves the floor plans, elevation views, electrical plan, etc.... maybe even the site plan..... all of which I did not design or create. I believe the code says that all sheets need to be signed by the "designer" who was responsible for their creation. The people who drew these sheets are not architects or anything "official" , just draftspeople , which is fine.

I feel signing these non-structural sheets could open me up for extra liability and since they aren't things I'm experienced in, I am resistant to sign them. Does the code accept that a "non-professional" could be signing these pages?

This is probably something I should note in my original contracts, but for now my question is basically , do I need to sign off on these sheets? I've seen plans go through our building dept. without the non-structural sheets signed by anybody, but sometimes they do want them "signed".

Is this something that can vary by county?  Any input in general about this is appreciated. As always, thank you for your time.

 

[dik]

Your drawing set should include all project drawings that you are responsible for.

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[JAE]

Most US state laws for engineering require you to sign ONLY those plans in which you had direct design responsibility or had direct supervision over those who designed it.
You also should only sign and seal plans, more precisely designs, in which you have the adequate amount of experience and knowledge.

So if you are a structural/civil engineer, signing electrical drawings is not a good idea and could get you disciplined.

If you read through the various state laws (I've been licensed in up to 28 states) you will see that your stamp and signature testify that you were the engineer responsible for that design. The stamp/signature does not guarantee anything, warrant anything or certify anything.

There are two sources of authority for you in these matters:
1. Your state engineering board
2. The local authority having jurisdiction over your particular project (AHJ)

Sometimes I've seen the AHJ try to get you to sign sheets that the board would demand you not sign so you have to keep the board (the engineering laws of your state) primary over any local code officer.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

It sounds like you might have 1 degree of separation from the building official and everything is going through your client. I suspect you'll be doing your client and yourself a favor by stamping ONLY the work you oversaw the design of. If the AHJ is REALLY requiring more engineering formality of these other elements..... that same AHJ might see YOUR stamp as being an unacceptable. You don't want to solve a little problem by creating an even bigger problem.

It seems to me like your client might be representing their own understanding of the problem and having you stamp all the plans is their solution. If the AHJ may really looking for comprehensive professional oversight, you can do some of this without directly involving yourself in details of the work being reviewed. It could be something as simple as a letter that summarizes which businesses did which designs, the personnel involved and stating whether they are qualified for this construction type