What buildings can a Civil Engineer Design? 2

[structuralaggie]

I am registered as a civil engineer in California. We are looking at doing some structural work in LA county, and I am trying to determine exactly what type of buildings I am authorized to design. The only restrictions I found on the board's web site was schools and hospitals, but I thought there were other restrictions, like a maximum height. I actually think this was one of the questions on the seismic exam. I guess I might have missed that one.

 

[JStephen]

This came up on a post a few months ago, and I looked and also didn't see anything on the CA board site. (I was remembering 200'). Is this maybe in IBC or ASCE 7 or a CA building code rather than in the board rules?

 

[JAE]

I thought it was 160 feet tall - that is the limit shown in the various height limits in table 1617.6 of IBC 2000.

 

[henri2]

"Structural engineering plans. For buildings exceeding 160 feet in height, each sheet of the structural calculations and structural plans shall be prepared under the supervision of, and shall bear the signature or approved stamp of, a person aurhotized to practice structural engineering by the State of California."---City of Los Angeles Building Code Section 106.3.3.3

The excerpt above comes from the 99 COLA Bldg Code..do not have the latest one handy. I believe other major jurisdictions have similar requirements.

If memory serves me right, this was something that was challenged back in the 80s..at a time when the provision might have had something like "...bear signatue or approved stamp of a CA licensed structural engineer..." or words to that effect.

 

[whyun]

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/pubs/building_design_auth.pdf

This is the general California requirement. henri2 is right about the City of LA requirements. If your job is at the County of LA, it is best to contact them directly or check the county codes.

 

[structuralaggie]

Thanks

 

[Intern2007]

Per UBC 97: Max height is 65 ft, 160 ft or 240 ft depends on types of building, i.e, regular or irregular (TBL 16-L, 16-M), type of lateral resistence system use(TBL 16-N).
Hope this help.

 

[structuralaggie]

I knew I had read it somewhere. I don't have the CBC in this office. Thanks.