Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
(OP)
Our office policy is not to stamp calculations prepared by another engineer with our "submission stamp". We just review them and keep a copy of the calculations. Althought the stamp is a disclaimer to protect us, the owner of our firm tells us not too stamp the calculations with our stamp. Although we are not responsible for errors, this further protects us if something were to go wrong.
Sometimes I get comtractors insisting that we put our review stamp on the calculation package but I always refuse. I'm going to contact our professional association about this to see what they recommend but I was wondering what the policy is on this at other offices around Canada and the USA.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Sometimes I get comtractors insisting that we put our review stamp on the calculation package but I always refuse. I'm going to contact our professional association about this to see what they recommend but I was wondering what the policy is on this at other offices around Canada and the USA.
Any comments would be appreciated.





RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
If it is obvious that they are wrong, then you may have a duty to reject them. If there is nothing obvious about their competence, then you can take them at face value, say you have reviewed them in accordance with the submittal process and rely on their accuracy.
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
Dik
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
You should also inquire with your E&E insurance to get their thoughts.
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
As others have correctly pointed out, your liability is the same if something goes wrong whether or not you have shop stamped the submittal and in fact the lack of a stamp could be harmful to your case.
There are weasel words on the stamp to the effect that "This review is for general conformance to the project plans and specifications. The contractor/engineer is responsible for complying with all provisions of the contract." I doubt this would help if we were named in a lawsuit.
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
All responses above bring up some great points ---- not sure where the answer lies.
IF given that scenario - I redo ALL the calcs and seal those AND CHARGE for them --- IMHO
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
We stamp calculations. However, if you don't stamp them, considers writing this in the specifications. Then, you have something to reference when the contractor asks for stamped calculations.
RE: Reviewing calculations by another enginner received as a submission
i've seen a lot of calcs that are in the middle of the submittal with material properties, warranty, etc. How does that get separated and addressed?
our office rule is "if it's not on paper, it didn't happen." seems like not stamping the "no exceptions taken" would be less defensible since everybody else is stamping their submittals.