Delegated Engineer
Delegated Engineer
(OP)
In our neck of the woods an architect can perform engineering "purely incidental" to his practice, and vice versa. What this actually means from a practical standpoint seems to be a gray area, and we find that each of the surrounding building dept's has their own interpretation.
Where the architect can be the design professional of record, what happens if he wants to delegate some aspect of the design? Specific case involves a small kennel like facility at a site with poor soil conditions. Architect wanted us (structural engineers) to do the foundation design only. Because we were not sure who then becomes the engineer of record for whole project, we declined. Did not want to become EOR for whole project by default. Not exactly a large project, but seems to be a can of worms from a liability standpoint.
Anyone agree or disagree with our position?
Where the architect can be the design professional of record, what happens if he wants to delegate some aspect of the design? Specific case involves a small kennel like facility at a site with poor soil conditions. Architect wanted us (structural engineers) to do the foundation design only. Because we were not sure who then becomes the engineer of record for whole project, we declined. Did not want to become EOR for whole project by default. Not exactly a large project, but seems to be a can of worms from a liability standpoint.
Anyone agree or disagree with our position?






RE: Delegated Engineer
RE: Delegated Engineer
I think in most USA states, there must be an identified EOR for the entire project..not a number of engineers for different pieces.
RE: Delegated Engineer
Clear definition of scope will differentiate and an additional caveat that you would not be accepting the designation of EOR would be appropriate, to both the client and the local building official.
RE: Delegated Engineer
If FSS just does the footings, and a pre-engineered bldg engineer just does the framing, who ensures that they properly work together? How does this work in practice in Florida?
RE: Delegated Engineer
RE: Delegated Engineer
Do be sure to list your scope very carefully. i also made sure that the different sheets were numbered differently, eg for one project my sheets were SF (structural foundation sheets) and another engineers drawings were SS (structural steel sheets). I also had to ask the client to change the title sheet so that my name did not appear as structural engineer on the cover sheet. I was NOT structural engineer for the project, and therefore had to insist that the steel designers name also be placed on the title sheet, or that mine be removed. you also need to be sure that your construction services arelimited if you do decide to do this kind of work, so that if you are conscientious you do not wind up getting all of the calls simply because you respond. I don't like it, buit it is what is done here.
RE: Delegated Engineer
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this part or of any other law, no registered engineer whose principal practice is civil or structural engineering, or employee or subordinate under the responsible supervision or control of the engineer, is precluded from performing architectural services which are purely incidental to his or her engineering practice, nor is any registered architect, or employee or subordinate under the responsible supervision or control of such architect, precluded from performing engineering services which are purely incidental to his or her architectural practice. However, no engineer shall practice architecture or use the designation "architect" or any term derived therefrom, and no architect shall practice engineering or use the designation "engineer" or any term derived therefrom.
There is a similar provision in the engineering law (Chapter 471). Further, Florida allows GENERAL CONTRACTORS to structurally design one and two family residences (FSS...you know more about this than I, so correct me if I'm off base here!), even though there is a formal design submittal requirement now with the inclusion of shear wall design. Fortunately, most General Contractors won't touch it!
RE: Delegated Engineer