Illegal Plan Stamping?
Illegal Plan Stamping?
(OP)
How many of you have seen the website whereon a Pennsylvania P.E. is blantanly advertising “plan stamping” services? If you have not, after reading this message, point your browser to www.engineerapprovals.com. This website's service flies in the face of every engineering licensing law that I have ever encountered. Simply put, the laws generally state that seals should not be affixed to work that is not yours. The mere reviewing of another individual’s work does not constitute “responsible charge.” Responsible charge means that the work has been personally prepared by the engineer or prepared under his responsible supervision, direction and control. In my opinion, this individual is acting as if his P.E. seal is similar to a notary’s seal and that his professional services are merely a commodity. What is your opinion?





RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
Interesting concept, but I'd be pretty reluctant to offer the same service on my web page. Interesting that every reference is to "stamped documents" not to "engineering design". I wonder if anyone has brought this to the attention of the Penn board of registration?
David
RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
http://www.nspe.org/etweb/10604engineerapprovals.asp
RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
David
RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
More complicated plans such as rigging or shoring are also devloped by the contractor. Often an analysis must be done and adjustments made to the drawing.
Although the draing is not developed under the P.E.'s direction, the review is and the final drawing carries the responsibility for sound engineering.
In short if done properly, I don't see the practice as bad, but obviously there are avenues for abuse and dangerous shortcuts.
RE: Illegal Plan Stamping?
Our drawing QA used to take about an hour per sheet just for catching format and other non-engineering errors.
If he's taking an hour per sheet, that's only $19/hr, which is pretty desperate as ahourly rate.
TTFN