Tire Engineers
Tire Engineers
(OP)
I thought this was a laugh but a tire shop here, "Tire Engineers", in Houston,TX got fined $5,000 by the Texas Board of Engineers.
Tire Engineers; Case Number B–35363
Violation: From on or about June 17, 2014, and continuing to the present day, Tire Engineers operated stores located at 3801 FM 1092, Missouri City, Texas, 77459 and 12807 FM 1960 Road West, Houston, Texas 77065, that displayed signage that included the phrase "Tire Engineers." Tire Engineers offered to perform engineering services and represented to the public it was capable of engaging in the practice of engineering.
Act/Rule Violated: Tex. Occ. Code §1001.405(e) and 22 TAC §137.71(1).
Resolution: Cease & Desist Order & Administrative Penalty of $5,000.00
Tire Engineers; Case Number B–35363
Violation: From on or about June 17, 2014, and continuing to the present day, Tire Engineers operated stores located at 3801 FM 1092, Missouri City, Texas, 77459 and 12807 FM 1960 Road West, Houston, Texas 77065, that displayed signage that included the phrase "Tire Engineers." Tire Engineers offered to perform engineering services and represented to the public it was capable of engaging in the practice of engineering.
Act/Rule Violated: Tex. Occ. Code §1001.405(e) and 22 TAC §137.71(1).
Resolution: Cease & Desist Order & Administrative Penalty of $5,000.00





RE: Tire Engineers
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Tire Engineers
However, this seems too extreme. While the name is a little annoying to the engineering profession I doubt anyone in their right mind would confuse them for a business providing professional engineering services. I think this is no worse than "Rug Doctor" where it's clearly distinguished from the licensed profession.
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Tire Engineers
Dr. Scholl is a doctor, which means he spent nine years in med school. That man wasted his time. It took him nine years to learn that cushions make shoes comfortable. I would have bought that shit from a Mr. Scholl. Maybe even a Senor Scholl.
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
The public perceives that engineers are smarter than the average bear. That's great for those who suffered through engineering school and EARNED a degree in engineering. Not so for the guy who calls himself an engineer just because it sounds cool and implies he's "purty smart".
Such laws are in place for a reason. It is purely to protect the practice of engineering as it applies to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public. It should serve this purpose. When someone uses the term "Weather Engineers", "Air Engineers" or similar, it is in an effort to fool the public into thinking they have more expertise than they actually have.
Don't let it happen. It is the one thing that promotes a degradation of the profession and lowers the pay of every legitimate engineer.
The Texas Board was exactly right and I applaud their protection of our profession.
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
I have witnessed US state Attorneys General office issue "cease and desist" letters to said companies outlining their naming infringements and indicating that failure to comply will result in fines and legal actions.
IMO, North Americans get pretty hung up on titles and status. I recall first seeing a parking space in the US saying "Reserved for Employee of the Month" and laughed out loud in disbelief. But, I also refer to doctors and dentists by first name, when introduced to me as Dr., so this stuff to me is just amusing
RE: Tire Engineers
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Tire Engineers
Would anyone actually believe a 'Rug Doctor' machine could do anything besides clean your rug?
Or even 'Dr Pepper' would be anything except a sugary drink.
RE: Tire Engineers
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: Tire Engineers
Please remember: we're not all guys!
RE: Tire Engineers
Texas does have a industrial exemption
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
But sanction how? The board itself isn't going to collect the fee. If you were an actual P.E. I can see the threat being more realistic as you'd be afraid of losing your license, and therefore your ability to practice engineering. But for someone who isn't an engineer in the first place and is spending all day installing tires? I imagine they couldn't give a flip. I need someone to tell (and prove to) me the board gets a REAL legal authority in the mix and the action is enforced (like a lien on the business, or jail time for an individual). Otherwise, it's fluff.
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Tire Engineers
http://www.tireengineers.com/
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Tire Engineers
"The Board discussed the status of two firms who have "Engineering" in their titles. It was confirmed
that the original exemption for Tire Engineers would continue even though they have been bought out
by Express Oil Change. It was also agreed that the title Express Oil Change/Tire Engineers does not
tend to convey the impression that the firm or individuals are professional engineers or that the firm is offering engineering. The Board disapproved the request from Life Safety Engineers to be allowed to
practice in Alabama without an engineering Certificate of Authorization. The title "Life Safety
Engineers" could give the impression that the firm was offering and performing engineering."
-Alabama BELS Meeting Minutes October 29, 2014
RE: Tire Engineers
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
RE: Tire Engineers
But it did make me think. Somewhere, there must be engineers who design tires. Maybe they're automotive engineers or chemical engineers or electrical engineers who went astray. And I bet there's a carload of engineering that goes into tires.
RE: Tire Engineers
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Tire Engineers
As far as I know, they would be required to comply with the engineering laws in Texas also, provided they are in Texas.
"similar to the use to describe a train driver"- There is a specific exemption for that kind of usage, that is, an operating engineer that actually runs an engine; and I think that is true in most states.
"Dr Pepper"- I recall reading in the past that as part of the deal to use that name, they also omitted the period after Dr... so yes, that issue has arisen.
RE: Tire Engineers
Not saying you're wrong, but according to a quick google search the period was dropped for stylistic reasons.
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Tire Engineers
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Tire Engineers
Actually, googling around some, I find the statement on Wikipedia about stylistic reasons, I find statements elsewhere about "not a real doctor so there's no period" but don't see anything really authoritative to support that either. I do remember reading it in that past, but not an issue I cared to research to confirm, either.