Stamp on others' drawing 1

[uniquengeer]

Is it legal in Massachusetts for a structural engineer to stamp a plan that someone else drew? I read that it is not according to MGL 112. Would like some opinions.

Does engineer who stamps plan have to visit site at intervals or at least to inspect framing? In other words, make sure it is done according to the plan he stamped?

Thanks

 

[uniquengeer]

I'm working a case where design was done by a design firm and the drawings have a stamp of an engineer who is unrelated to the drawing and has his own firm.

The design firm did the plan and then an engineer stamps it. The law says the engineer can only stamp a plan that he draws. Is this true?

What actions against engineer have been seen by anyone?

This same engineer is testifying that the contractor missed an ridge beam LVL which is on a plan he stamped illegally with no calculations with them. Conventional lumber used instead. The building inspector signed off on frame. The engineer never visited site. The bank paid on the frame after doing their inspection. The owner of house knew and never notified anyone including engineer. Contractor sues for final payment then owner countersues for ridge beam. Owners obligation was engineering and all plans. Owner supplied faulty plan, never has engineer do walk thru rough frame. Contractor requested engineer to do walk-thru but he never did.

Is plan valid with inappropriate stamp of engineer and no calculations for any LVL on plan?

 

[paddingtongreen]

I can't answer for Mass. but in most states, perhaps all, the work must be performed under the supervision of the EOR. A number of states tried to write laws requiring the EOR to be involved to the end of the job after a series of disasters, but entrenched interests stopped it. I don't know if Mass. was able to pass that law or not.

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

 

[Ron]

Engineers can generally sign and seal the work of others if they:

1. Have supervisory control over the production of the design

2. Perform an adequate review of the design to take responsibility for it.

An engineer is under no obligation to visit the site to check whether the contractor is following his design, unless he is contractually obligated for site inspections.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Agree w/ Ron. Most states have that basic set of rules.

 

[uniquengeer]

O.k Thank you.

In this case it is the owner who was contractually obligated to engage the engineer to do project survey or affidavit. Owner did not do so even after contractor requested he do so because of all the changes to the plan the owner had done as well as attempts to save cost to the plan.

The drawings did not come with any calculations to any of the noted LVL's on the plan.

I would think calculations are integral or critical part of any plan showing or depicting an LVL upon it. No? Otherwise what does it mean?

Thank you

 

[BAretired]

In Canada, calculations are not normally provided. Beam sizes shown on a drawing sealed by an engineer means "use these sizes".

BA

 

[Ron]

Agree with BA...calculations are usually not provided if the engineer of record selects the size. If the design is delegated to a specialty engineer, calculations are often required so that the EOR can check.