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Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

(OP)
Hello,

Quick ethics based question; I am working with a family member who needs some stamped certificates for a commercial renovation they are working on. I am not licensed in that province, so I was just going to do the work and give unstamped designs to him so he can run around and find a local firm to review & stamp for issuance to the city for permitting.

He went to the City and found out that they would accept it with a stamp from another province on it regardless. I don't feel comfortable doing this as it directly contravenes the whole point of provincial level regulations (there might be some area specific conditions that I overlooked... ext - get people who know the area to look over the work!).

Is this something you would report to that provinces Association? Or a quick call into the city engineer? Or am I being too much of a goodie two shoes?

Thanks!

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

I guess that depends on the situation.

What exactly are you stamping?

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

If the AHJ grants you an exception to seal the drawings, and he/she is allowed to grant such an exception per the applicable code then I see no problem with it. You will definitely want to get it in writing from the AHJ and possibly note it on the drawing somehow just for the benefit of others who may view the drawings in the future.

I would actually be more comfortable doing it this way than simply blindly handing over your work to another engineer to review and seal based on your design. The other engineer needs to be in responsible charge of the design. To me this means that you would have to communicate directly with him/her to explain the concept, design intent, review drawings and calculations, etc.

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

(OP)
It is a structural renovation for an masonry factory.

-Taking the existing 25' tall CMU production area and turning it into a 12' main and 10' upper group living facility.
-Multi-occupancy structure with commercial bays throughout the rest of the building.
-A local architect is issuing schedules, so I am just doing structural.
-Small bit of an expansion cantilevering the second floor of the group home out with new pilings designed & inspected by a local geo/structural firm.

I don't feel comfortable taking any of the geo portion of the project on and that is why I want a local to review and approve the foundation for the new loads from the second floor (by my work the existing piers supporting the structure are adequate for the second floor).

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

Ethically, I agree that you should be okay with the consent of the AHJ which you'll want to document. I would have a chat about this with your insurer as well however.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

Well, the AHJ may say it is OK and acceptable...then go on to accept it...but you still might be violating the state or province's engineering practice act.

Just because some city plan reviewer will OK it doesn't mean you aren't still practicing without a license in violation of the law.

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RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

"Working with a family member" was the part that attracted my attention. That may give you more problems than it is worth.

RE: Canada - Issuing a Certificate in a Province you are not registered in

The city may accept it but your stamp is worthless outside your province unless you get professional designation from the province of interest.

This seems like a bad play. Contact whoever provides your liability insurance and I'm sure they'll set you straight.

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