Electronic Signature
Electronic Signature
(OP)
As a practice, we "electronically" stamp our drawings with the following process. I have asked a number of other professionals and so far very little has been said. I'm considering talking to the board but thought I would stop here first. My question to you, in your opinion do you feel we meet the requirements of our State? (Washington Administrative Code provide below )
1) we have an 8.5x11 sheet with a number of blank seals printed on it.
2) to "seal" a document, we identify the documents being sealed, sign, date, hand write the expiration date, and finally include our job number.
3) we then scan this page to PDF where it is cut and pasted into the model space of our Autocad file. On each page a viewport displays the signed stamp.
4) we keep a copy of all of our signed seals for future verification.
5) as a policy we never release a "working" Autocad drawing, instead we wblock the information requested, never including a signed stamp. If a revision takes place after the release of drawings, the drawing file is saved with a new revision date in the file name. The old stamp would then be replaced for the next issuance of drawings.
6) our final document is usually a PDF which is either printed and/or provided on disk.
Your thoughts please.
WAC Chapter 196-23-070
Signature.
The terms "signature or signed," as used in chapter 18.43 RCW and/or Title 196 WAC, shall mean the following:
(1) A handwritten identification that represents the act of putting one's name on a document to attest to its validity. The handwritten identification must be:
(a) Original and written by hand;
(b) Permanently affixed to the document(s) being certified;
(c) Applied to the document by the identified licensee[;][.]
(d) Placed directly over the seal/stamp of the licensee.
(2) A digital identification that is an electronic authentication process attached to or logically associated with an electronic document. The digital identification must be:
(a) Unique to the licensee using it;
(b) Capable of independent verification;
(c) Under the exclusive control of the licensee using it;
(d) Linked to a document in such a manner that the digital identification is invalidated if any data in the document is changed.
1) we have an 8.5x11 sheet with a number of blank seals printed on it.
2) to "seal" a document, we identify the documents being sealed, sign, date, hand write the expiration date, and finally include our job number.
3) we then scan this page to PDF where it is cut and pasted into the model space of our Autocad file. On each page a viewport displays the signed stamp.
4) we keep a copy of all of our signed seals for future verification.
5) as a policy we never release a "working" Autocad drawing, instead we wblock the information requested, never including a signed stamp. If a revision takes place after the release of drawings, the drawing file is saved with a new revision date in the file name. The old stamp would then be replaced for the next issuance of drawings.
6) our final document is usually a PDF which is either printed and/or provided on disk.
Your thoughts please.
WAC Chapter 196-23-070
Signature.
The terms "signature or signed," as used in chapter 18.43 RCW and/or Title 196 WAC, shall mean the following:
(1) A handwritten identification that represents the act of putting one's name on a document to attest to its validity. The handwritten identification must be:
(a) Original and written by hand;
(b) Permanently affixed to the document(s) being certified;
(c) Applied to the document by the identified licensee[;][.]
(d) Placed directly over the seal/stamp of the licensee.
(2) A digital identification that is an electronic authentication process attached to or logically associated with an electronic document. The digital identification must be:
(a) Unique to the licensee using it;
(b) Capable of independent verification;
(c) Under the exclusive control of the licensee using it;
(d) Linked to a document in such a manner that the digital identification is invalidated if any data in the document is changed.





RE: Electronic Signature
RE: Electronic Signature
In Ohio, where I use that license the most, I also digitally sign the PDF, just above the seal, with the date I am "signing" the PDF. When you receive the PDF, it will saw the document was digitially signed by me when you click on the signature (Adobe Acrobat). If you change the document, the signature becomes disassocaited with the document.
I have been able to e-mail my clients the PDF's and they in turn submit them to blueprinters for copying. Makes my life easier and allows my client to "save" reimbursable costs. I have even e-mail revisions directly to a building department to avoid a correction letter.
In Ohio, this is certainly okay, and in most states, they should be adopting similar language since, at the federal level, digital signatures are became legal when Clinton signed the Millinium Act back in 2000 or something.
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Electronic Signature
Some allow it - some don't!!! And their requirements are all over the board!!
RE: Electronic Signature
RE: Electronic Signature
RE: Electronic Signature
RE: Electronic Signature
"A digital identification... logically associated with an electronic document." It seems to leave a bit of room for implementation.
You do raise an interesting point with regards to review and having a quiet moment alone to reflect one last time before issuing documents. I have often wondered what others use as a review process, but that is for another post.
I appreciate the input so far, I would welcome others...
RE: Electronic Signature
RE: Electronic Signature
In your case it seems like you don't meet part (d) i.e. your stamp and seal are part of the drawings and modifications can be made under the same seal.
Remember you are personally responsible for your seals and should protect the seal from falling in any hand, internal or external.
RE: Electronic Signature
What do you mean by "issue directory". Is this something you create in your directory tree or a function I am not aware of?
Thank you for your post...