Stamping vs signing 6

[ICman]

I really don't use my PE license much around here, since almost everything we do is for internal use only. However, an engineer (not PE) came to me with a design that had to have a PE stamp on it.

Of course, the drawings had to go out today (Friday before Labor Day weekend). I basically turned him down, since I didn't do the design and didn't oversee the work. I told him that if I had a chance to review it, I would then stamp it for him (assuming that everything was OK).

Since I've only been here a couple of years (he's been here 17+), I am not real familiar with the SOP, but ... he was upset and said he would just ask another PE to sign, since they have before. Was I wrong to turn him down?

Now, I'm also wondering, if a drawing is stamped, BUT NOT SIGNED, is it assumed to be "approved"? Or, if it's stamped "Pending", does that affect the approval status?

I decided that either one could be construed as approved, so I didn't offer. It might take a court case to really determine, but I thought I'd throw it on the table for discussion. Has anyone ever done this?

. . . Steve

 

[jsummerfield]

There is little confusion in the Texas law. I cannot address the issue for other states. Following is an except that appears applicable.

Texas Engineering Practice Act and Rules Subchapter F Administration §131.81 Definitions
(10) Direct supervision - Critical watching, evaluating, and directing of engineering activities with the authority to review, enforce, and control compliance with all engineering design criteria, specifications, and procedures as the work progresses. Direct supervision will consist of an acceptable combination of: exertion of significant control over the engineering work, regular personal presence, reasonable geographic proximity to the location of the performance of the work, and an acceptable employment relationship with the supervised persons. Engineers providing direct supervision of engineering under the Act, §1001.405(f), shall be personally present during such work.

Check your own state regulations.

John