RESPONSIBILITY RULES FOR ENGINEERS

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Article # 9005

RESPONSIBILITY RULES FOR ENGINEERS - Part 3 of 3

Taken from the Florida Administrative code CHAPTER 61G15-34,33

CHAPTER 61G15-34 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

61G15-34.001 General Responsibility.

61G15-34.002 Definitions.

61G15-34.003 Design of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems.

61G15-34.004 Design of Process and Fluid Flow Systems.

61G15-34.005 Design of Heat and Energy Transfer Systems.

61G15-34.006 Design of Material and Human Transfer Systems.

61G15-34.007 Design of Plumbing Systems.

61G15-34.008 Design of Mechanical Machines and Motion Systems.

61G15-34.009 Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems.

61G15-34.001 General Responsibility.

Mechanical Engineering documents shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable technology and with the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. The documents shall identify the Engineer of Record for the mechanical systems project. Mechanical Engineering documents shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the applicable codes and standards as defined herein. The Engineer of Record is responsible for determining the applicability of appropriate codes and standards for a given project. In the event the codes and standards fail to cover or address a specific requirement or situation, alternative research, test results, engineering data, and engineering calculations shall be utilized. New technology may be utilized when said technology has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or improved performance. Construction documents shall indicate the nature and character of mechanical work and shall describe, label and define the required mechanical systems components, processes, equipment and material and its structural utility support systems. Both the Engineer of Record for the Mechanical System and the Delegated Engineer if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, 61G15-30, F.A.C., and with the requirements of the specific rules contained herein.

61G15-34.002 Definitions.

(1) Engineer of Record for the Mechanical Systems. The Florida Registered Professional Engineer who develops the mechanical systems design criteria or performs the analysis and is responsible for the preparation of the mechanical documents for the project.

(2) Mechanical Component. Any individual device to be part of a mechanical system.

(3) Mechanical. Any device or mechanism that operates due to the action of the material forces in nature acting on bodies or masses.

(4) Mechanical System. Any assembly of mechanical components, materials, equipment, work systems, machines, products, or devices which require design in accordance with mechanical engineering standards in order to perform its intended function.

(5) Mechanical Engineering Documents. The mechanical drawings, specifications, reports, and other documents setting forth the overall design and requirements for the construction, alteration, modernization, repair, demolition, arrangement, and/or use of the mechanical system(s), or analysis or recommendations, as prepared by the Engineer of Record for the mechanical system.

(6) Mechanical Submittals. Submittals, catalog information on standard products, or drawings prepared solely to serve as a guide for fabrication and installation and requiring no engineering input. These submittals do not require the seal of a Florida Registered Professional Engineer.

(7) Codes and Standards. Those nationally recognized codes and standards adopted directly or by reference in Part II, Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. Applicable codes and standards are those promulgated by the State Fire Marshal and those required by the state and local authorities having jurisdiction. These codes and standards include those published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Underwriters' Laboratories (UL), American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's Association (SMACCA), American Movement and Control Association (AMCA), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), SBCCA Mechanical and Plumbing Codes, Florida Energy Code, State Building Codes.

61G15-34.003 Design of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems.

(1) Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems are those systems that control the temperature and/or humidity of a particular space or building. Items to be considered in the design and analysis of these systems are ambient dry and wet bulb temperatures, inside dry and wet bulb temperatures, inside design humidity, fresh air makeup, internal heat gains from any sources. Ventilation systems shall be designed to remove foul odors from a space or building, or to remove space heat from equipment rooms. All HVAC systems shall be designed in accordance with the ASHRAE Standards and Building Code as adopted by the authority having jurisdiction. The HVAC systems shall be designed and operated such that the entire building is under positive or neutral pressure when all primary HVAC systems are operating.

(2) Mechanical Engineering documents applicable to HVAC systems shall, where applicable, include but are not limited to the following:

(a) Equipment selection schedule for each piece of mechanical equipment. All equipment shall have capacities listed including efficiencies, electrical or fuel requirements, static pressure and fan air quantities as applicable to the system, fluid flow and pressure head quantities as applicable to the system, and heat transfer capacities.

(b) Floor plans; site plans; and building and mechanical system elevations as appropriate.

(d) Cooling coil requirements based on sensible heat, latent heat and total heat gains.

(e) Heating equipment requirements.

(f) Outside and inside design dry and wet bulb conditions.

(g) Exhaust riser diagrams.

(h) Outside air riser diagrams.

(i) Process flow diagrams with pipe sizes and fluid flow quantities.

(j) Condensate discharge piping with pipe sizes.

(k) Instrumentation and Control System diagrams and sequence of operation.

(l) Ductwork layout and sizing; insulation, supply, return, and exhaust inlet and outlet sizes; and outside air intake sizes. Air quantities shall be specified for inlets and outlets.

(m) Florida Energy Code calculations as applicable.

(n) NFPA Standards and all required fire protection devices and systems.

61G15-34.004 Design of Process and Fluid Flow Systems.

(1) Process and Fluid Flow Systems are those systems that are designed to move fluids either by pumps, fans, or gravity as part of an industrial, commercial, or cogeneration process. Items to be included in the design of these systems are fluid type and characteristics, fluid flow quantities, fluid pressure head, pump type, fan type, piping specifications, ductwork, specifications and process type.

(2) Mechanical documents applicable to fluid flow systems shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) Equipment schedule for each piece of mechanical equipment including fluid type and characteristics, system pressure head and flow requirements, and electrical or fuel requirements.

(b) Floor plans, site plans, and building and system elevations.

(d) System piping or ductwork layout.

(e) Specific system design requirements to allow for independent project review.

(f) List of NFPA, ASHRAE, ASME, ANSI or other applicable design standards and requirements.

(g) Instrumentation and Control Diagrams and sequence of operation.

(h) Required fire protection systems and devices.

61G15-34.005 Design of Heat and Energy Transfer Systems.

(1) Heat and Energy Transfer Systems are those systems that are designed to transfer heat or energy from one fluid to another, as part of an industrial, commercial, or cogeneration, process. Items to be included in the design of these systems are fluid type and characteristics, fluid flow quantities, fluid pressure head, pump type, fan type, heat exchanger type, piping specification, ductwork specification, and process type.

(2) Mechanical documents applicable to heat and energy transfer systems shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) Equipment schedule for each piece of mechanical equipment including fluid type and characteristics, system pressure head and flow requirements, and electrical or fuel requirements.

(b) Floor plans, site plans, and building and systems elevations.

(d) System piping or ductwork layout.

(e) Specific system design requirements to allow independent project review.

(f) List of NFPA, ASHRAE, ASME, ANSI or other applicable design standards and requirements.

(g) Instrumentation and Control Diagrams and sequence of operation.

(h) Required fire protection systems and devices.

61G15-34.006 Design of Material and Human Transfer Systems.

(1) Material and Human Transfer Systems are those systems that are designed to move materials or humans from one place to another as a part of an industrial or commercial process.

(2) Mechanical documents applicable to material and human transfer systems shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) Equipment schedule items to be included in the design of these systems are material type and characteristics, material flow quantities, material or human weight, conveyer types, elevator types, electrical and hydraulic requirements, and ventilation requirements.

(b) Floor plans, site plans, and building and system elevations.

(d) System conveyor and/or elevator layout.

(e) Specific system design requirements to allow for independent project review.

(f) List of NFPA, ASHRAE, ASME or other applicable design codes, standards, and requirements.

(g) Instrumentation and Control Diagrams and sequence of operation.

(h) Required fire protection systems and devices.

61G15-34.007 Design of Plumbing Systems.

(1) Plumbing systems are those systems within a building that convey fluids, and gases generally as required by building codes.

(2) Mechanical Engineering documents applicable to Plumbing Systems shall when applicable, include but are not limited to the following:

(a) Equipment schedules for all plumbing fixtures, water heaters, boilers, pumps, grease traps, septic tanks, storage tanks, expansion tanks, compression tanks and roof and floor drains.

(b) Floor plans, site plans, and building and plumbing system elevations are appropriate.

(d) Sanitary riser diagrams with pipe sizes and total sanitary waste fixture units.

(e) Storm riser diagrams with pipe sizes and cumulative drain area square footages.

(f) Cold water, hot water, sanitary, and storm drainage piping layouts.

(g) System isometrics and flow diagrams of other fluids and gases.

(h) Design data for septic tank, grease trap(s), drain field sizing, when applicable.

(i) List of ASHRAE, ASME, ASPE, ANSI and other applicable codes, design standards, and requirements.

(j) Design shall be in accordance with handicap requirements adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.

(k) Instrumentation and Control Diagrams and sequence of operation.

(l) All plumbing fixtures, valves, pumps, tanks, accessories, specialties, enclosures, and such equipment shall be described and located on the drawings.

(m) Materials for all plumbing systems shall be specified.

61G15-34.008 Design of Mechanical Machines and Motion Systems.

(1) Mechanical Machines and Motion Systems include any and all mechanical systems, devices, machines and equipment used by the public for conveyance, amusement, transportation, or facilitation of any process. These systems would include elevators, escalators, moveable walkways, amusement park rides, etc. Items to be included in the design of these systems include Building Code and permitting requirements, electrical requirements, hydraulic requirements, gear and drive sizes and materials, instrumentation and controls, handicap requirements, structural requirements, operating dynamics requirements.

(2) Mechanical documents applicable to mechanical machines and motion systems shall at a minimum include the following:

(a) Equipment schedule for each piece of mechanical equipment including material type and characteristics, systems weight loading requirements and electrical and hydraulic requirements.

(b) Floor plans, site plans, and building and system elevations.

(d) System layout and design requirements.

(e) Specific system design requirements to allow for independent project review.

(f) List of NFPA, ASHRAE, ASME, ANSI or other applicable design codes, standards, and requirements.

(g) Instrumentation and Control Diagrams and sequence of operation.

(h) Required fire protection systems and devices.

61G15-34.009 Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems.

(1) Instrumentation and Control Systems are used to automate processes, control and monitor HVAC systems, and monitor fire protection systems where applicable. Items to be included in the design of control systems are reliability of control of critical processes, design parameters of systems being controlled, safety of personnel, suitability of instruments and control devices in the environment in which they are to be installed, Building Code requirements, NFPA requirements, ASHRAE design standards for HVAC systems.

(2) Mechanical Engineering documents for instrumentation and controls shall indicate, at a minimum, the following:

(a) A description of the control systems functions, or a functional diagram.

(b) Specification of control instruments and their location.

(d) Control and Process System Diagrams.

(e) Electrical requirements including conductors and cables (may be on electrical drawings).

(f) Sequence of operation for each system.

CHAPTER 61G15-35 RESPONSIBILITY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS PROVIDING THRESHOLD BUILDING INSPECTION

61G15-35.001 General Responsibility

61G15-35.002 Definitions

61G15-35.003 Qualification Program for Special Inspectors of Threshold Buildings.

61G15-35.004 Common Requirements to All Engineers Providing Threshold Building Inspection Services

61G15-35.001 General Responsibility

Professional Engineers offering Threshold Building Inspection services pursuant to Section 553.79, F.S. shall provide inspections in accordance with the structural inspection plan provided by the engineer or architect of record to insure compliance with permitted documents. In addition to inspections in accordance with the structural inspection plan, the engineer will inspect the shoring and reshoring for conformance with shoring and reshoring plans submitted to the enforcing agency.

61G15-35.002 Definitions

(1) Threshold Building Inspector: A registered professional engineer who meets the qualifications and standards set by this Rule Chapter.

(2) Authorized Representative: A representative of the Threshold Building Inspector who undertakes inspections and site visits under the responsible charge of the Threshold Building Inspector.

(3) Structural Inspection Plan: The plan filed for public record by the engineer of record to the enforcing agency to provide specific inspection procedures and schedules.

(4) Shoring and Reshoring Plan: The plan submitted to the enforcing agency regarding the shoring and reshoring of the building.

61G15-35.003 Qualification Program for Special Inspectors of Threshold Buildings.

(1) The minimum qualifying criteria for Special Inspectors of Threshold Buildings, also referred to as Threshold Inspectors, established by the Board shall be as follows:

(a) Proof of current licensure in good standing as a licensed professional engineer whose principal practice is structural engineering in the State of Florida.

(b) Three years of experience in performing structural field inspections on threshold buildings.

(c) Two years of experience in the structural design of threshold buildings. For the purpose of these criteria, structural design shall mean the design of all structural components of the building and shall not be limited to specific structural components only, such as foundations, prestressed or post-tensioned concrete, etc.

(d) Experience in the structural inspection and/or design of at least three threshold buildings. This experience must be within the ten calendar years preceding submission of the application.

(2) Applications.

(a) The instructions and application form for Special Inspector, Form FBPE/TBI/006(08/00) is hereby incorporated by reference, effective March 22, 2001, entitled “Special Inspector Application and Instructions”. Copies of Form FBPE/TBI/006(08/00) may be obtained from the Board office, or by downloading it from the internet web site www.fbpe.org.

(b) All applications for certification as a Special Inspector shall be submitted to the Board on Form FBPE/TBI/006(08/00).

1. Name;

2. Florida license number;

3. Educational and experience dates and sufficient description of each to clearly demonstrate that the

minimum qualification criteria has been met;

4. Letters of recommendation from three registered professional engineers whose principal practice is

structural engineering in the State of Florida, one of whom must be certified as a Special Inspector;

5. The signature, date and seal by the applicant attesting to the competency of the applicant to perform

structural inspections on threshold buildings; and

6. Completed form FBPE/TBI/006(08/00).

(d) Upon a determination that the application contains all of the information requested by these rules, review of the application shall be scheduled for consideration by the Board. Such applications may be approved, rejected or deferred for further information by the Board. If the Board defers an application for additional information, it shall notify the applicant of the information needed. Applicants shall be notified in writing of the Board’s actions as soon as practicable and, in the case of rejected applications, the Board shall set forth the reasons for such rejection.

(3) Temporary Certification. Professional engineers who have been granted temporary licensure in Florida pursuant to the provisions of Section 471.021, F.S., may also be granted temporary certification as a Special Inspector provided the criteria set forth in these rules have been met. Such temporary certification shall be limited to work on one specific project in this state for a period not to exceed one year.

(4) Roster of Special Inspectors. The Board shall maintain a roster of all persons certified as Special Inspectors pursuant to the criteria established in these rules and the law. The roster shall be made available to interested parties upon request. The roster shall be updated on a continuing basis and additions or deletions to the latest published roster may be verified by contacting the Board office.

61G15-35.004 Common Requirements to All Engineers Providing Threshold Building Inspection Services as Special Inspectors:

(1) For each Threshold Building, a notice shall be filed for public record, bearing the name, address, signature, date and seal of the Special Inspector, certifying that the Special Inspector is competent to provide the engineering services for the specific type of structure.

(2) Special Inspectors utilizing Authorized Representatives shall insure the Authorized Representative is qualified by education or licensure to perform the duties assigned by the Special Inspector. The qualifications shall include licensure as a professional engineer or architect; graduation from an engineering education program in civil or structural engineering; graduation from an architectural education program; successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals Examination; or registration as building inspector or general contractor.

(3) Special Inspectors shall be in responsible charge of the work of the Authorized Representative, including reviewing reports and spot checks.

(4) Special Inspectors shall institute quality assurance procedures to include but not be limited to requiring unscheduled visits, utilization or relevant check lists, use of a Daily Inspection Report and insuring that the Special Inspector or the Authorized Representative is at the project whenever so required by the inspection plan.

CHAPTER 61G15-36 PRODUCT EVALUATION

61G15-36.001 General Responsibility.

61G15-36.002 Definitions.

61G15-36.003 Common Requirements to all Product Evaluation Documents.

61G15-36.001 General Responsibility.

Product evaluation documents define procedures, materials, devices, fabrication, and methods of construction and installation of a product or standardized group of products. The product(s) that are the subject of the product evaluation will comply with the building codes listed in the documents when used in accordance with the product evaluation documents. The evaluation shall be based upon an engineering analysis of the assembly or system consisting of tested, listed, or approved components. The engineer of record and delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules and the requirements of the more specific structural responsibility rules.

61G15-36.002 Definitions.

(1) Product. A manufactured product or system required to be approved and certified as complying with the standards specified by the Florida Building Code or by a local authority having jurisdiction.

(2) Product Evaluation Documents. Engineering documents that define procedures, materials, devices, fabrication, and methods of construction and installation of a product, or standardized group of products, through product evaluation or rational analysis, with the objective of obtaining approval from the authority having jurisdiction of that product for installation. Product evaluation documents shall be generic and do not include documents prepared for a site specific project.

(3) Contractor. The Florida licensed contractor who pulls the permit for construction of a project into which the product is to be incorporated. The contractor is responsible for the selection, purchase and installation of the product.

61G15-36.003 Common Requirements to all Product Evaluation Documents.

(1) The product evaluation for various sizes and design capacities shall be specific for each size and design capacity listed.

(2) The documents shall include engineering data presented in a manner that facilitates the application of the product at the project site. The documents shall be annotated to the effect that alterations or additions to the document are not permitted.

(3) The documents shall state under which conditions the product evaluation is suitable to be applied by the Contractor, or under which conditions the product evaluation is only for use by a licensed engineer or architect acting as a Delegated Engineer. The requirements for submission of delegated engineering documents found in Rule 61G15- 30.005(2), FAC, may be waived at the option of the engineer who prepares the product evaluation documents.

(4) The documents shall comply with Chapter 61G15-23, FAC, regarding seals, and shall bear the original seal, signature and date, or shall meet the procedure for signing and sealing electronically transmitted plans, specifications, reports or other documents.

61G15-37.001 Performance Standards and Measurable Outcomes

In order to facilitate efficient and cost effective regulation by the Florida Engineers Management Corporation (“FEMC”), the following performance standards and measurable outcomes are adopted:

(1) FEMC shall make a determination of legal sufficiency within 30 days of receipt of a complaint.

(2) Within fifteen days of receiving a complaint that is determined to be legally sufficient, FEMC shall furnish to the subject or the subject’s attorney a copy of the complaint or document that resulted in the initiation of the investigation.

(3) FEMC shall refer all unlicensed cases to the Department within 15 days.

(4) FEMC shall refer to the board any investigation or disciplinary proceeding not before the Division of

Administrative Hearings pursuant to chapter 120 or otherwise completed by FEMC within 1 year after the filing of a complaint.

(5) FEMC shall periodically notify the person who filed the complaint the status of the investigation, whether probable cause has been found, and the status of any administrative proceeding or appeal.

(6) At least 90 days before the end of a licensure cycle, FEMC shall forward a licensure renewal notification to active or inactive licensees at the licensee’s last known address of record with FEMC.

(7) At least 90 days before the end of a licensure cycle, FEMC shall forward a notice of pending cancellation of licensure to a delinquent status licensee at the licensee’s last known address of record with FEMC.

(8) Upon receipt of an application for a license, FEMC shall examine the application and, within 30 days after such receipt, notify the applicant of any apparent errors or omissions and request any additional information FEMC is permitted by law to require.

(9) Every application for a license shall be approved or denied within 90 days after receipt of a completed application.

(10) If an applicant seeks a license for an activity that is exempt from licensure, FEMC shall notify the applicant and return any tendered application fee within 30 days after receipt of the original application.

Article # 9005 TEST QUESTIONS:

1. When can new technology be used?

When it becomes available.
After it has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or improved performance.
When it becomes a standard.
All of the above.

2. HVAC systems shall be designed and operated such that the entire building is under what kind of pressure when the system is operating?

25 psig
Negative or neutral.
Positive or neutral.
All of the above.

3. Which are nationally recognized codes?

ASME
SMACCA
NFPA
All of the above.

4. Which of these items are to be considered in the design of HVAC systems?

internal heat gains from any source
average daily maximum temperature.
10 year maximum daily rainfall
All of the above.

5. How long does FEMC have to approve or deny an application for a license?

30 days
90 days
120 days
All of the above.

6. What items are to be listed in the design of Heat and Energy Transfer Systems?

Fluid pressure head.
Heat exchanger type.
Pump type.
All of the above.

7. Isometric diagrams showing pipe sizes and total water fixture units are used in what design system?

Energy transfer systems.
Fluid flow systems.
Plumbing systems.
All of the above.

8. In Product Evaluation documents what specifications are not included?

The size and design capacity.
Documents for a site specific project.
Data to facilitate the manufacture of the product.
All of the above.

9. Mechanical Engineering documents for instrumentation and controls shall include which of the following:

Specification of control instruments and their location.
Listing of special tools and instruments required for maintenance of the system
A method for executing a manual over-ride of each system
All of the above.

10. What equipment items are to be included in the design of human transfer systems?

Human weight.
Elevator types.
Ventilation requirements.
All of the above.

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