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Article # 9003
RESPONSIBILITY RULES FOR ENGINEERS - Part 1 of 3
Taken from the Florida Administrative code CHAPTER 61G15-30,31
RESPONSIBILITY RULES COMMON TO ALL ENGINEERS
61G15-30.001 Purpose.
61G15-30.002 Definitions Common to All Engineer's Responsibility Rules.
61G15-30.003 Engineering Document Classification.
61G15-30.004 Engineering Document Submittal to Public Agencies.
61G15-30.005 Request for and Review of Delegated Engineering Documents.
61G15-30.006 Delegated Engineer's Responsibility.
61G15-30.007 Prime Professional's Responsibility.
61G15-30.008 Use of Computer Software and Hardware.
61G15-30.001 Purpose.
The Board has adopted these responsibility rules pursuant to Section 471.033(2), F.S., to safeguard the life, health, property and welfare of the public by promoting proper conduct in the practice of engineering and due care and regard for acceptable engineering principles and standards. The Board considers that professional engineers may avoid disciplinary actions by observing the procedures set forth herein. Failure to comply with these rules may be considered as noncompliance with Rule 61G15-19.001(4), F.A.C., unless the deviation or departure there from is justified by the specific circumstances of the project in question and the sound professional judgment of the engineer. Furthermore, these rules are intended to apply as general guidelines where no contractual relationship exists between the parties addressed herein.
These rules are not intended to take precedence over contractual relationships developed between the parties addressed herein, so long as those contractual relationships do not violate Chapter 471, F.S., or any other rule promulgated pursuant thereto. These responsibility rules shall apply to every person holding a certificate of registration as a professional engineer, every certified engineer intern, and every holder of a certificate of authorization, as appropriate. A professional engineer's practices, education, training, experience, qualifications, technical competence, conduct, and responsibilities in connection with his authorized engineering practice, services, and creative work are subject to regulation solely by the Board of Professional Engineers and the courts.
61G15-30.002 Definitions Common to All Engineer's Responsibility Rules.
(1) Engineer of Record. A Florida professional engineer who is in responsible charge for the preparation, signing, dating, sealing and issuing of any engineering document(s) for any engineering service or creative work.
(2) Prime Professional. A Florida professional engineer, or a duly qualified engineering corporation or partnership, who is engaged by the client to provide any planning, design, coordination, arrangement and permitting for the project and for construction observations in connection with any engineering project, service or creative work. The prime professional engineer may also be an engineer of record on the same project.
(3) Delegated Engineer. A Florida professional engineer who undertakes a specialty service and provides services or creative work (delegated engineering document) regarding a portion of the engineering project. The delegated engineer is the engineer of record for that portion of the engineering project. A delegated engineer usually falls into one of the following categories:
(a) An independent consultant.
(b) An employee or officer of an entity supplying components to a fabricator or contractor, so long as the engineer acts as an independent consultant or through a duly qualified engineering corporation.
(c) An employee or officer of a fabricator or contractor, so long as the engineer acts as an independent consultant or through a duly qualified engineering corporation.
(4) Engineering Documents. Engineering documents are designs, plans specifications, drawings, prints, reports, or similar instruments of service in connection with engineering services or creative work that have been prepared and issued by the professional engineer or under his responsible supervision, direction or control.
(5) Delegated Engineering Documents. Delegated engineering documents are those engineering documents that are prepared by a delegated engineer.
(6) Public Record. An engineering document is "filed for public record" when said document is presented with the engineer of record's knowledge and consent to any federal, state, county, district, authority, municipal or other governmental agency in connection with the transaction of official business with said agency.
61G15-30.003 Engineering Document Classification.
Engineers shall legibly indicate their name and business address, on engineering documents. Engineering documents which are issued for preliminary or conceptual use, shall clearly note the intended purpose of such documents. When elements of the project are shown on an engineering document only for information or clarification and the Engineer does not intend to accept responsibility for the elements, the engineer shall clearly note on the documents the extent of his responsibility.
61G15-30.004 Engineering Document Submittal to Public Agencies.
Engineers shall clearly note on any preliminary engineering documents that such documents are not in final form, but are being transmitted to the public agency to receive agency reviews, comments and interpretations. The documents may subsequently be revised by the engineer to reflect resolution of issues with the public agency prior to final action by the agency. Changes, revisions and modifications to a project may prompt additional document submittal for agency approval action on the same project.
61G15-30.005 Request for and Review of Delegated Engineering Documents.
(1) An engineer of record who delegates a portion of his responsibility to a delegated engineer is obligated to communicate in writing his engineering requirements to the delegated engineer.
(2) An engineer of record who delegates a portion of his design responsibility to a delegated engineer shall require submission of delegated engineering documents prepared by the delegated engineer and shall review those documents for compliance with his written engineering requirements and to confirm the following:
(a) That the delegated engineering documents have been prepared by an engineer.
(b) That the delegated engineering documents of the delegated engineer conform with the intent of the engineer of record and meet the written criteria.
(c) That the effect of the delegated engineer's work on the overall project generally conforms with the intent of the engineer of record.
61G15-30.006 Delegated Engineer's Responsibility.
(1) It is the delegated engineer's responsibility to review the Engineer of Record's written engineering requirements and authorization for the delegated engineering document to determine the appropriate scope of engineering.
(2) The delegated engineering document shall comply with the written engineering requirements received from the engineer of record. They shall include the project identification and the criteria used as a basis for its preparation. If a delegated engineer determines there are details, features or unanticipated project limits which conflict with the written engineering requirements provided by the engineer of record, the delegated engineer shall timely contact the engineer of record for resolution of conflicts.
(3) The delegated engineer shall forward the delegated engineering document to the engineer of record for review. All final delegated engineering documents require the impressed seal and signature of the delegated engineer and include:
(a) Drawings introducing engineering input such as defining the configuration or structural capacity of structural components and/or their assembly into structural systems.
(b) Calculations.
(c) Computer printouts which are an acceptable substitute for manual calculations provided they are accompanied by sufficient design assumptions and identified input and output information to permit their proper evaluation. Such information shall bear the impressed seal and signature of the delegated engineer as an indication that said engineer has accepted responsibility for the results.
61G15-30.007 Prime Professional's Responsibility.
It is the responsibility of the prime professional engineer to retain and coordinate the services of such other professionals as needed to complete the services contracted for the project.
61G15-30.008 Use of Computer Software and Hardware.
The engineer shall be responsible for the results generated by any computer software and hardware that he or she uses in providing engineering services.
CHAPTER 61G15-31 RESPONSIBILITY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS CONCERNING THE DESIGN OF STRUCTURES
61G15-31.001 General Responsibility.
61G15-31.002 Definitions.
61G15-31.003 Design of Structures Utilizing Prefabricated Wood Trusses.
61G15-31.004 Design of Cast-In-Place Post-Tensioned Concrete Structural Systems.
61G15-31.005 Design of Structures Utilizing Precast and Prestressed Concrete Components.
61G15-31.006 Design of Structural Systems Utilizing Open Web Steel Joists and Joist Girders.
61G15-31.007 Design of Pre-Engineered Structures.
61G15-31.008 Design of Foundations.
61G15-31.009 Design of Structural Steel Systems.
61G15-31.001 General Responsibility.
The engineer of record for a structure is responsible for all structural aspects of the design of the structure including the design of all of the structure's systems and components. As noted herein the engineer of record for a structure may delegate responsibility for the design of a system or component part of the structure to a qualified delegated engineer.
In either case the structural documents shall address, as a minimum, the items noted in the following subsections covering specific structural systems or components. Both the engineer of record for the structure and the delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, and with the requirements of the more specific structural responsibility rules contained herein.
61G15-31.002 Definitions.
(1) Engineer of Record for the Structure. The Florida registered professional engineer who develops the structural design criteria and structural framing concept for the structure, performs the analysis and is responsible for the preparation of the structural construction documents.
(2) Structural Component. An individual structural member designed to be part of a structural system.
(3) Structure. The entity to be built.
(4) Structural System. A portion of a structure comprising an assembly of structural components.
(5) Structural Engineering Documents. The structural drawings, specifications and other documents setting forth the overall design and requirements for the construction, alteration, modernization, repair, removal, demolition, arrangement and/or use of the structure, prepared by and signed and sealed by the engineer of record for the structure. Structural engineering documents shall identify the project and specify design criteria both for the overall structure and for structural components and structural systems. The drawings shall identify the nature, magnitude and location of all design loads to be imposed on the structure. The structural engineering documents shall provide construction requirements to indicate the nature and character of the work and to describe, detail, label and define the structure's components, systems, materials, assemblies, and equipment.
(6) Structural Submittals. Submittals required by the structural engineering documents which do not require the seal of a professional engineer, such as:
(a) Drawings prepared solely to serve as a guide for fabrication and installation and requiring no engineering input such as reinforcing steel shop drawings, structural steel, and steel joist and joist girder erection drawings.
(b) Catalog information on standard products not fabricated for a specific project.
(7) Structural Delegated Engineering Documents. Documents prepared by a delegated engineer to whom the engineer of record for the structure has delegated responsibility for the design of a structural component or system.
61G15-31.003 Design of Structures Utilizing Prefabricated Wood Trusses.
(1) When a Structural Engineer of Record and a Delegated Engineer exist as may be determined by applicable Florida law, the apportionment of responsibilities between the Structural Engineer of Record and a Delegated Engineer shall be as set forth in Chapter 2 of ANSI/TPI 1-1995, wherein the Structural Engineer of Record is the Building Designer and the Delegated Engineer is the Truss Designer as those terms are defined in said standard.
(2) The Structural Engineer of Record shall provide design requirements in writing to the Delegated Engineer and shall review the design documents of the delegated engineer for conformance to his written instructions in accordance with Chapter 61G15-30.005, F.A.C.
(3) For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Truss System” shall mean an assemblage of trusses and truss girders, together with all bracing, connections, and other structural elements and all spacing and locational criteria, that, in combination, function to support the dead, live and wind loads applicable to the roof of a structure with respect to a Truss System for the roof, and the floor of a structure with respect to a Truss System for the floor. A Truss System does not include walls, foundations, or any other structural support systems.
(b) “Truss System Engineer” shall mean an engineer who designs a Truss System.
(c) “Truss Design Engineer” shall mean an engineer who designs individual trusses, but does not design a Truss System.
(4) An engineer is a Truss System Engineer if he designs a Truss System. Each of the drawings in the Truss System design package for the Truss System shall include a title block bearing the printed name, address, and license number of the Truss System Engineer and the date of the drawing. The design documentation prepared by the Truss System Engineer shall also include a truss placement plan for the Truss System, showing the location and designation of each truss. Said design documentation for the Truss System shall be signed and sealed by the Truss System Engineer. The cover or index sheet of the Truss System design package may be signed and sealed in lieu of signing and sealing each individual sheet, provided that the cover or index sheet contains the following information:
(a) The name, address and license number of the Structural Engineer of Record, if there is one, and the name, address and license number of the Truss System Engineer.
(b) Identification of the project, by address or by lot number, block number, section or subdivision and city or county.
(c) Identification of the applicable building code and chapter(s) that the Truss System design is intended to meet, the engineer design criteria relied upon in designing the Truss System and the truss design loading.
(d) Identification of any computer program used for engineering the Truss System.
(e) An index of the attached Truss System design drawings. The naming and numbering system utilized for the drawings shall be clear as to how many drawings there are in the set and the date and sequence number of each of these drawings shall be included.
(5) An engineer is a Truss Design Engineer if he designs individual trusses, but does not design the Truss System. Each of the drawings in the truss design package for individual trusses shall include a title block bearing the printed name, address, and license number of the Truss Design Engineer and the date of the drawing. The Truss Design documents prepared by the Truss Design Engineer shall be signed and sealed by the Truss Design Engineer. The cover or index sheet of the truss design package may be signed and sealed in lieu of signing and sealing each individual sheet, provided that the cover or index sheet contains the following information:
(a) The name, address and license number of the Structural Engineer of Record, if there is one, and the name, address, and license number of the Truss Design Engineer.
(b) Identification of the project, by address or by lot number, block number, section or subdivision and city or county.
(c) Identification of the applicable building code and chapter(s) that the truss design is intended to meet, the engineering design criteria relied upon in designing the trusses and the truss design loading.
(d) Identification of any computer program used for engineering the trusses.
(e) An index of the attached truss design drawings. The naming and numbering system utilized for the drawings shall be clear as to how many drawings there are in the set and the date and sequence number of each of these drawings.
61G15-31.004 Design of Cast-In-Place Post-Tensioned Concrete Structural Systems.
(1) Structural engineering documents shall show the magnitude and location of all prestressing forces and all design assumptions.
(2) If the engineer of record for the structure elects to delegate the responsibility for preparation of calculations and installation drawings to a delegated engineer for the post-tensioning system(s), he shall require the submission of installation drawings for review by the engineer of record for the structure. Calculations shall also be submitted which show sufficient information to confirm that the number and size of tendons provided are adequate to provide the prestressing forces shown on the structural engineering documents. Installation drawings shall provide full details of materials to be used including necessary accessories and instructions for construction and shall identify the specific project. The installation drawings and calculations shall bear the impressed seal and signature of the delegated engineer who prepared them.
(3) It is the responsibility of the engineer of record for the structure to review the post-tensioning system installation drawings so that the drawings are coordinated with reinforcing steel shop drawings.
(4) The effect of post-tensioning on other parts of the building is the responsibility of the engineer of record for the structure.
61G15-31.005 Design of Structures Utilizing Precast and Prestressed Concrete Components.
(1) Structural engineering documents shall indicate the configuration of precast and prestressed components and shall include details of supports, anchors and connections for those components.
(2) The engineer of record for the structure may delegate responsibility for the design of precast or prestressed concrete components, or systems utilizing those components, to a delegated engineer. In that case the engineer of record for the structure shall require structural delegated engineering documents for his review as an indication that his intent has been understood and that the specified criteria have been used. Structural delegated engineering documents shall bear the impressed seal and signature of the delegated engineer.
(3) Structural delegated engineering documents shall include component details, calculations, and fabrications and erection drawings. All such submittals shall identify the specific project. The effect of precast and prestressed concrete members on other parts of the building is the responsibility of the engineer of record for the structure.
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61G15-31.006 Design of Structural Systems Utilizing Open Web Steel Joists and Joist Girders.
(1) The Engineer of Record shall indicate on the Structural Engineering Documents the steel joist and joist girder designations from the 1997 Steel Joist Institute's Specifications and load tables and shall indicate the appropriate standards for joist and joist girder design, layout, end supports, anchorage, bridging requirements, etc., including connections to walls. These documents shall indicate special requirements for concentrated loads, non-uniform loads, openings, extended ends, and resistance to uplift loads.
(2) The steel joist and joist girder manufacturer shall design the steel joist and joist girder members in accordance with the 1997 Steel Joist Institute Specifications and load tables to support the loads per the Engineer of Record's specified joist and joist girder designations and/or special loading diagrams, as set forth in Structural Engineering Documents.
The Engineer of Record may require the submission of the steel joist and joist girder design calculations as an indication of compliance. When required to submit the steel joist and joist girder calculations, the steel joist and joist girder manufacturer shall submit a cover letter along with the steel joist and joist girder design calculations. The cover letter shall bear the seal and signature of a Florida registered professional engineer responsible for design of the steel joist and joist girders.
61G15-31.007 Design of Pre-Engineered Structures.
(1) Structural engineering documents for pre-engineered structures shall indicate the necessary measures for adapting the structures to the specific site. They shall indicate all openings, concentrated loads and other special requirements. Foundation conditions assumed in the design shall be indicated as well as the location and magnitude of building reactions on that foundation under all design conditions.
(2) The engineer of record for the structure may delegate responsibility of the design of pre-engineered structures to a delegated engineer requiring submittal of structural delegated engineering documents.
(3) Structural delegated engineering documents shall identify the project and list loading other design criteria. Structural delegated engineering documents shall include fabrication and erection drawings which indicate in detail the construction of the standard structure used or as modified to comply with the requirements of the particular project.
They shall indicate all connection details, openings and other special details. They shall show the magnitude and location of building reactions on the foundation under all design conditions. Calculations supporting the design shall be submitted not only for the standard structure but for modifications and for related components requiring structural design.
61G15-31.008 Design of Foundations.
(1) The structural engineering documents shall designate the foundation capacity and shall include data indicating the nature of the foundation material anticipated.
(2) Site preparation requirements, necessary to provide the foundation capacity, shall be specified in the structural engineering document(s).
(3) The foundation capacity shall be determined on the basis of scientific analysis utilizing investigations, tests or studies conducted or provided by the engineer of record for the structure or by a delegated engineer.
61G15-31.009 Design of Structural Steel Systems.
(1) The engineer of record for the structure is responsible for all aspects of the structure's design including the design of components and connections.
(2) The engineer of record for the structure may detail all structural connections on the structural engineering documents and require fabrication and erection in accordance with these details.
(3) Alternately, the engineer of record for the structure may specify criteria for the design of the structural connections and identify the nature, magnitude, and location of all design loads to be supported by the connections in his structural engineering documents. The engineer of record for the structure may then delegate design responsibility for the selection or modification of the structural connections to a delegated engineer and require delegated engineering submittal.
(4) The structural engineering documents may assign to the fabricator responsibility for implementing the design as specified and for maintaining fabrication and erection tolerances and for ensuring the fit and erectability of the structure.
(5) The fabricator shall forward fabrication and erection drawings for review by the engineer of record for the structure.
Article # 9003 TEST QUESTIONS:
1. What standard must steel joists and joist girders comply with?
ASME Steel Joist Recommendations.
1997 Steel Joist Institute's Specifications and load tables.
AISC Beam and Girder Design 2.1
All of the above.
2. What kind of documents do not require the seal of a professional engineer?
Structural components design criteria.
Structural systems.
Structural fabrication guides.
All of the above.
3. What is the responsibility of an engineer record when part of his work is delegated to another engineer?
Communicate in writing the engineering requirements to the delegated engineer.
Review the documents from the delegated engineer.
Confirm the delegated engineering documents were prepared by an engineer.
All of the above.
4. How is a concrete foundation capacity determined?
By scientific analysis utilizing investigations, tests or studies.
By asking the concrete company.
By making a subscale model and testing it to destruction
All of the above.
5. Besides the engineer of record, who else can be assigned responsibility for designing erection tolerances of structural steel systems?
The draftsman.
The fabricator.
The steel worker.
All of the above.
6. In Post-Tensioned concrete structural systems what must be documented?
Calculations to confirm that the number and size of tendons are adequate.
The magnitude and location of all prestressing forces.
Full details of materials.
All of the above.
7. What is the difference between a Truss System Engineer and a Truss Design Engineer?
The names are interchangeable.
Truss Design Engineers design the complete Truss System.
Truss Design Engineers do not design the complete Truss System.
All of the above.
8. If a delegated engineer finds conflicts with the written engineering requirements, what should he do?
Fix the problem.
Contact the engineer of record for resolution.
Never deviate from the original design specifications.
All of the above.
9. Why were these rules adopted by the Board?
To safeguard the life, health, property and welfare of the public.
To standardize an engineers work.
To take precedence over contracts.
All of the above.
10. In pre-engineered structures, which of the following must be documented?
Measurements adapting the structure to the specific site.
Location of all openings.
Assumed foundation conditions.
All of the above.
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