Document control for mobile structures

[charliealphabravo]

Hi guys,

I am preparing construction/fabrication drawings for a small steel boom that will be bolted to a mobile piece of equipment (a snubbing unit). I am wondering what language I can put on the drawings to limit the use of the design to this single project/unit. In conventional structural engineering I can just use a property address to control the use of the design.

In this case I wonder if there is a serial number or unit name that is used to track and regulate these types of units. I'd like to solve the problem in general however for the design of any mobile structure.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CELinOttawa]

I'd suggest something like: "Unless specifically authorised by the Engineer in writing, these drawings and specifications shall be used to produce a single steel boom design. All work resulting from the use of these drawings and specifications shall be reviewed by the Engineer prior to any liability being accepted by same. These drawings and specifications have been prepared with the understanding that the Engineer shall continue to have involvement in the production of the end product, and as such shall not be construed as sufficient professional advice in absense of the Engineer's ongoing involvement. This design has been prepared for <CLIENT> and any use by a third party is specifically prohibited, with any consequence of use or interpretation by any third party belonging to said third party."

Mind you, you won't really be able to control the use of the drawings. You should, however, insist that the client agree to a per-unit contract and inspection/review cost and procedure BEFORE you ever send them your work. Make sure that the contract is binding upon and enures for the successors and assigns of both parties as well.

 

[charliealphabravo]

Thanks that helps. It really is a difficult thing to control.

 

[CELinOttawa]

Try impossible. Make sure there are consequences for the client in the contract.

You need, effectively, to make it such that where someone does repeat your design without permission it is both NOT YOUR LIABILITY and RECOVERABLE.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

How would you make it recoverable? Just curious.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[CELinOttawa]

Well recovery is usually a measure of being able to prove that someone used your design without your permission... In the case of MAKING something recoverable, you can but the onous on the client to protect your design (if they will agree; Rare), or stipulate in the contract the cost of repeated works so that if you do catch someone "red handed" as it were, you can pursue for your original fees, the repeat cost, admin in recovery, and legal fees.

Recovery is very rare and troublesome. I simply meant that you should do your best to include language that will help.

You need a good lawyer for this one, I think...

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

"You need a good lawyer for this one, I think... "

Heh, that's why I asked. I couldn't think of a good way to make something easily recoverable and was curious what you had in mind. At my work we obviously state that work done outside of the project number that utilize our design/drawings is not our liability and the usual language that the drawings are our property and so on. I guess there's really nothing more we could do.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.