PE signed test results

[barret504]

If a test in a lab is run is it valid if it is NOT signed by a Professional Engineer?
For instance if a lab runs ASTM E1886 / E1996 for windows exposed to high winds and impact protective systems, can they justify an answer without a PE?

 

[JAE]

Probably depends a lot on the official language of the state/country where the project is located. Some areas have more explicit definitions of the engineering activities that the law covers.

Usually testing in labs is not "engineering" in my area.



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[Ron]

Just the opposite in my area. Any engineering report beyond simple tabulated test data must be signed by a licensed professional engineer. Testing laboratories that provide construction materials testing must have engineer on staff.

In Florida, all windows must have state Product Approval, the testing for which must be signed and sealed by licensed prof engineer.

As JAE notes....depends on the jurisdiction

 

[JAE]

Does that include simple concrete cylinder breaks?

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[IRstuff]

The wording of the California PE Act would seem to suggest that a turn-key test run by a technician and a subsequent computer-generated report would be outside of the purview of the PE Act

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[Ron]

JAE...that has been interpreted variously in Florida. I have always held that it is required and when I ran a testing lab for others and for myself, reviewed, signed and sealed all reports done under my responsible charge. My thought process was that any concrete test report could be problematic and could require engineering evaluation to resolve, so the report itself should be in that same line of responsibility. I've also seen testing labs put out crap concrete reports that do not meet ASTM or state law requirements.

Unfortunately for my hand, I have signed and sealed over a hundred reports on many days!

 

[dicksewerrat]

We got a spec that required a DC PE employed by a lab to sign reports. We could not find a lab with the DC lic. The spec and job was pulled till they redid the spec. Haven't seen it out again yet.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com