PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
(OP)
So I work for a small structural firm and we do a lot of small designs. When a letter is required, I write it, and sign it, and then the principal signs and SEALS it. Isn't it the same thing (repsonibility wise) whether I seal it or not if I put my PE after my name?






RE: PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
Your boss is stamping the letter for the company, and having reviewed, approved, sealed and signed the letter you wrote under his direct supervision, he has assumed the major responsibility.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
RE: PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
The buck stops with the seal. I often do work on projects being run by other PEs in the office and vice versa. The one who seals is the one who has stated that the work was performed by them or under their direct supervision and assumes responsibility. Your PE is the redundant one in this case.
RE: PE Signing Letter, Princable Sealing
If your name shows on the document as a co-signature, you can be held responsible in some jurisdictions....at the least you will have to explain your involvement in deposition or court if a claim makes it that far.
In some states (including my primary practice state of Florida), engineers can be held personally responsible even if under a corporate umbrella (joint and several liability). Make sure your company indemnifies you for your actions on their behalf.