What can I sign and seal? 3

[mgardner]

An friend and I are considering starting our own MEP design firm.

Background:
I am a registered PE; he is not. I am an Electrical Engineer; he is a Mechanical designer/engineer. He is eligible to take the EIT, just hasn't ever done it. Mostly we would be doing light commercial and retail work, nothing too elaborate. I trust him and his design but I do not have any specific design exerience in HVAC or plumbing.

Question:
Is it ok for me to sign and seal all the drawings: M, E and P that our company would develop? Or do we need to have a registered Mechanical Engineer on staff in addition to myself.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[BJC]

Answer: No, Yes.

 

[JAE]

Agree with BJC. But call you local engineering board to discuss this as they may have views specific to your location.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Most states say something to the effect that you can only seal those projects for which you have compentcy - either by experience or training.

Get some training/experience in those areas and you could be good to go. Just remember - any project that goes sour may be reviewed by other engineers - in a court of law.

 

[Ashereng]

Mike is correct.

A PE can stamp whatever he/she knows they are competent to stamp.

If you are not competent, you can not rely on someone else's "say so". In that case, you will need to hire a PE competent in that area to review and stamp it.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[DonPhillips]

Mgardner,

If you study and learn some of the basics that goes into light commerical/retail mechanical design, then in most states, you could seal the drawings if prepared under your supervision. I know a brother team where one is an EE and the other an ME, and each knows enough about the other disciple to design and seal simple projects. You unusually only get one or the other representing the firm on a project, so both need to speak the other's language. Just a suggestion.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com