PE Drawing Stamp 1

[7carisfast]

Does anyone know of any website which lists the benefits/requirements of getting electrical drawings stamped by an Electrical PE per state? My immediate state in question is PA. What type of drawings are typically required to be stamped and in what industry? I would imagine power one lines, but what about motor schematics, two-wires, cables schedules, etc. TIA

 

[alehman]

If depends on the application. If the drawings are part of a set to be used for construction of a building and obtaining a building permit, the local authorities will probably require them to be sealed.

Some states require any final drawings prepared by a P.E. to be stamped, regardless of intended use. Check your state laws.

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=432715

 

[dpc]

Google up Pennsylvania engineering registrations or something similar and find the appropriate state engineering licensing board. There will probably be links to the state statutes and rules covering engineering.

 

[Electic]

All the way across country in WA state, I am disappointed in the poor publicity regarding PE licenses and stamping drawings, especially for electrical engineering work.

Some jurisdictions will require a PE stamp for structural and civil work but i have never worked where that is a 'requirement' for electrical designs.

This becomes an issue because my work as a PE is held to high standards, yet an electrician performing electrical designs can shortcut any part of the process and at worst get a correction. This became a monetary issue when I was asked to quote design for daycare center in a mall, and knew the state would require load calcs for the entire mall, yet the electrician who I was competing with laughed my concern off and successfully built the place without such documentation. This inequity was pointed out to our state board and their official response was: requiring PE stamps seems self serving (though requiring a licensed electrician is considered public interest).

That was a long time ago an I have since made a good career of consulting for industries that appreciate performance, often wondering why I continue to pay renewal on my PE license.

 

[7carisfast]

Electic,
That's my similar concerns stated as well. So far, I only see the PE as a "symbol" to confirm the individual is a true EE. The PE does help in today's job market search, but I question the actual need for it, compared to civil or arch requirements mandated by local code or regulations.

 

[dpc]

If you do any projects for governments, public agencies, etc the drawings and specifications must be sealed by a licensed engineer, including the electrical design. It is certainly a legal requirement in those situations.

 

[lansford]

Electic stated the reality correctly. In many instances in at least PA, everyone is the competitor of the PE consultant in the electrical field.
JIM

 

[Electic]

DPC, you say "If you do any projects for governments, public agencies, etc the drawings and specifications must be sealed by a licensed engineer, including the electrical design. It is certainly a legal requirement in those situations."

That is not the case for all government work and varies by jurisdiction. Even if there is a statute requiring licensed engineers, such is easily circumvented by changing the work description to not include the word 'engineering'.
This happens regularly even within government work.

In Washington State, the State plan reviewers must be journeyman electricians by law, so it is unlikely they will also be licensed engineers. That arrangement does not support engineers.

 

[dpc]

Electic.

I yield to your deeper level of cynicism.

Strangely enough, someone recently wanted to hire us to review and stamp the electrical design for a mobile X-Ray unit being installed in WA, because the plan reviewer demanded it. That would never be an issue in Oregon, since electricians can do electrical designs up to 600 V and 600 A (or something like that).

 

[alehman]

The other problem I see is the "plan stampers". Even where a PE seal is required any electrician can create the drawings and hire one of these shops to stamp them for fairly little cost. I get requests myself for this type of service from time to time (which I always decline after informing the requester that this is illegal).

I think the quality of typical MEP drawings has gone down the tubes in part because of these practices and their effects in this competitive market. The result is engineers (sometimes deservedly) get a reputation for poor quality product. I've seen this too often. Those of us who try to produce quality must find a niche in industries that value such service. Those are getting harder to find.

 

[EEJaime]

When one does work that is reviewed by agencies such as the Division of the State Architect, (California schools), the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, (California Healthcare work), in the City of Los Angeles, etc..., it is required that each project have an "Engineer of Record" for each discipline, and that that engineer seal all construction documents including specifications, calculations, energy forms, and construction reports through to the Certificates of Completion. This may not be the same in all States, but it is the law here in CA.