LCREP said:
As an insurance AHJ I wish more engineers who stamp plans would actually know what the heck they are doing so it would make my job easier.
I'm positive this lament can be echoed by all the experienced regulars who post on this forum whether they be a professional engineer, insurance representative or NICET certified technician.
As a NICET IV technician having 40 years experience I can tell you there is no greater joy than working on a project where a
knowledgeable and experienced professional engineer is involved. At the same time there's no worse nightmare than having an inexperienced idiot in charge even if there is PE initials after his name.
Seriously, I know a couple FPE's that I have worked with in the past and I really look forward to working with them on a project because, for me anyway, it's a fun thing. Then there are a couple PE's around that when I see their name on a project I head the other direction because I don't need the experience working with idiots.
NICET stands for "National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology" and NICET is a non-profit division of the National Society of Professional Engineers.
About NICET
NICET certification does not entitle the certificant to practice engineering. The practice of engineering is defined and regulated by state engineering licensing boards; unlawful practice of engineering is a violation of state laws. When not exempted by state law, the performance of work by the engineering technician/technologist which constitutes the practice of engineering must be under the direct supervision and control of a licensed professional engineer.
Most states have laws that exempt us... some engineers hate the idea we do engineering so we don't call it that but we do it anyway.
Many states, among them Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and the list can be expanded have laws very similar to what Georgia has regarding the design (we call it design, we aren't supposed to engineer) of fire sprinkler systems.
Georgia Fire Sprinkler Act
In Georgia every company must employ full time at least one "Certificate of Competency Holder" at each place of business. The "Certificate Holder" is the person who actually holds the Certificate of Competency.
Georgia Fire Sprinkler Act said:
(a) successfully completing a competency test by current certification by NICET at Level III or Level IV in automatic sprinkler system layout and/or by successfully completing such other or additional examinations as the Commissioner may designate. For renewal of such certificate, proof of maintaining NICET Certification at or above Level III in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout is required; or (b) submitting to the Commissioner a certification from either the state fire commissioner or state fire marshal of another jurisdiction whenever a reciprocal agreement has been entered into between the jurisdiction and the State of Georgia pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
I don't know of any other "examinations" given in Georgia and I think that is a holdover from when the law was adopted and they grandfathered in some people.
Here is the form we use to submit fire sprinkler drawings to the state fire marshal for review
354S Fire Suppression System Transmittal Letter
As indicated on the form only a Certificate of Competency Holder can submit drawings for plan approval and to be a Certificate of Competency Holder you have to have NICET III or IV.
For what it is worth Georgia will come down very hard on a professional engineer that is working outside his area of experience and competency. If I receive drawings or specifications from a licensed Georgia PE I am supposed to follow those even if it's wrong. I mean who am I to argue with a PE who designates the 30,000 sq ft sales floor of a sporting goods store a Light Hazard Occupancy with a density of .10 over 1,500 with heads spaced 225 sq ft? What can happen in Georgia is I draw it up exactly that way, include a letter of why I think it is wrong with my plans and transmittal so if the state fire marshal finds it an issue their beef isn't with me but the PE and the PE's licensing board. I'm happy with this because I am all set up for a change order that will knock the PE's socks off while he argues not with me but his licensing board.
And no, while I could have done it I didn't. I did my job the right way because I take it very seriously.
Because I take my job seriously if I am ever in doubt about how to do something I know two FPE's I can go to for an answer. One charges $225 an hour to consult but he was well, well worth it on a couple projects.
And that is what NICET is and how it works.