PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing

[TimmyH76]

So I work for a small structural firm and we do a lot of small designs. When a letter is required, I write it, and sign it, and then the principal signs and SEALS it. Isn't it the same thing (repsonibility wise) whether I seal it or not if I put my PE after my name?

 

[msquared48]

Whether you put your PE notification or not on the paper, you are still under the umbrella of the E&O insurance of the company.

Your boss is stamping the letter for the company, and having reviewed, approved, sealed and signed the letter you wrote under his direct supervision, he has assumed the major responsibility.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[nutte]

Timmy, you're right, you're still responsible since you're a PE, with or without a stamp. The stamp is redundant in that regard.

 

[rday]

Likely an insurance thing. Limit the number of licensed engineers wielding their seal and you limit your exposure from the insurer's stand point.

The buck stops with the seal. I often do work on projects being run by other PEs in the office and vice versa. The one who seals is the one who has stated that the work was performed by them or under their direct supervision and assumes responsibility. Your PE is the redundant one in this case.

 

[Ron]

The rules vary from state to state, but generally, if you sign and seal the document you are assuming "responsible charge" a legally defined term referring to a licensed engineer's responsibility.

If your name shows on the document as a co-signature, you can be held responsible in some jurisdictions....at the least you will have to explain your involvement in deposition or court if a claim makes it that far.

In some states (including my primary practice state of Florida), engineers can be held personally responsible even if under a corporate umbrella (joint and several liability). Make sure your company indemnifies you for your actions on their behalf.