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Code Books

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walleyebuster

Structural
Oct 20, 2010
3
Good evening everyone!

Just wanted to get some opinions from the board. Do you guys/gals purchase your own code books or is that something you ask your company to provide? I work in a small company and my boss is comfortable using his ACI 318-92. Unfortunately, I learned from 08 in school and have no desire to go "backwards" in terms of code progression as it will limit my code exposure in the years leading up to sitting for the PE/SE. I don't really mind purchasing the new ones on my own as I do most of the design myself (and if I leave I can keep them), but at the rate the codes update it will get quite costly on the already depleted checkbook.

Thanks for any insight!
 
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I'm in business for myself, so I have to buy everying for my self...obviously, even though I have no money.

However, when I had money and worked for a firm many a year - decade - ago, they did buy the code books we needed.

Hope this helps.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
 
I have generally always bought my own reference books, even when I worked for larger companies (pain in the ass to get them to purchase anything). As a result, I have a pretty good library.

As for your boss...he's putting himself in a higher liability position by not using the documents referenced in the currently required building code for your area.
 
We have a library with all relevant codes that we need purchased by the company - ACI (318 & 530), ASCE 7, IBC, NDS, CRSI, Masonry Designer's Guide, and others. There are typically 3-5 of each of these, and we all have our own copy of AISC 360-05.

I purchase my own references beyond that - texts mostly.
 
Reference books like Marks', Roark's, Blodgett, etc I always buy myself. Code books I would expect to be purchased by the employer unless it was made clear at the outset that a part of my salary was a "code book allowance", sort of like a "car allowance" for salesmen.

Personally I'd view an organization that was making its engineers buy their own code books that they view their employees more as long-term contractors.

 
Our company buys all applicable code books. We have them logged in as library copies and permanently checked out to the individual engineers. That way the company can officially own them, just in case it gets contentious when someone leaves the company.
Sometimes we get "free" copies of ACI 318 or AISC as part of training and those we get to keep as our own.
Textbooks are another matter. Some we buy ourselves, some we have the company buy. Company copies go in the library.
Our company has the enlightened philosophy that they'll provide the tools necessary to do our jobs. If they want us to design to current codes, they need to supply them. I've worked for places where you were on your own.
 
I have personal copies of all major Structural Codes. In addition, everytime there is a major update or an upgrade on any of these codes, I notify the senior engineers or senior management about it and make sure I convince them to buy it.

Our company also has a decent library of books, codes, publications, vendor catalogs etc. adding up close to 2000 books.

 
Buy your own, keep them all, you will appreciate that you did one day.
 
Code books are expensive and tend to change every 3 years or so. Best not to go down that line as it could cost you a lot of money.

I would never expect an employee to provide their own codes.
 
it is good to buy your own book since its a sort of investment

but if it is an code that is older, i think your company needs to purchase it
actually, the company must purchase its own books and they have to since some of the design books are pricey

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. engineers creates wonderful buildings, but only God can creates wonderful minds
 
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