Drawing Submittals Florida #2

[SteveGregory]

We are new to Florida. I think that the company that we are working for will be the Engineer-of-record for this project and we will be using their title blocks for our drawings. Although we will seal our own work, I think that we should be using their Certificate of Authorization number on their title block adjacent to our seal. Is this correct?

Another project is coming up soon and we will be working for an architect this time. Since they are architects only and not engineers, the subconsultants would all be considered Engineer(s)-Of-Record. Therefore in this case, we would use our own Certificate of Authorization number on the title block. Is this correct?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

If your company is doing engineering in FL and you hold yourself out be such - then you need a COA.

Just a few hubdred bucks and paper work

 

[SteveGregory]

Currently, we don't have any clients in Florida and we don't plan to seek out work there. We just happen to have some clients doing work there and they asked us to help them out. We might not do anything else in Florida for years.

I was just trying to understand the requirements, so that we don't trip up. We don't have a COA number in our state. I guess we're just backwards kinda folks.

 

[a2mfk]

If your company is doing engineering work and using their title block on the drawings, they must be authorized to do so by the FL Board of PEs like Mike said and obtain a CA. However, I believe if you are working as a subconsultant to another engineering company and your drawings will be part of their set, and are doing business as "John Doe, PE", then you could just sign and seal the drawings without a CA. However, your company name should NOT appear on any signed and sealed documents. Only your name, PE number, and an address should be on the drawings.

When I first started out on my own I just did it as a DBA until I formed an LLC.

 

[SteveGregory]

Let me try again on my first question.

Engineering Company A is hiring a subconsultant named Engineering Compant B for a project. Company B will use the Title Block and CA number belonging to Company A for each drawing they produce. Also, Company B will use their own seal on each drawing they produce.

Is this correct for Florida?

 

[Ron]

If you are signing/sealing on behalf of a company, without regard to your client's status, you must have a COA in Florida.

Read Chapter 471, Florida Statutes and Rule 61G15 of the Florida Administrative Code

Here's a link to both....

http://fbpe.org/lawsrules.asp

 

[MiketheEngineer]

BTW - Florida is one of those states that gets REAL picky about these things. One time (at band camp) my embosser broke - when they required that. Soooo - I used an old rubber stamp.

I got a call the next day - guess what - the engineer reviewing our work "just happened" to be on the Board and started to tear into me. I interrupted him and explained my predicament and followed up in a week or so with "embossed" seal.... What luck.

If I were you - pop for the COA...

 

[a2mfk]

So sign a contract with company A that hires you as an independent contractor for this job. Seal your drawings with your FL PE seal on sheets with Company A's title block. If anyone ever asks, you have a signed contract with Company A. Your normal full time company B is not involved whatsoever.

Or like we have all said, its not a big deal to get a CA. In fact, as a resident of the great state of Florida and an engineer who pays plenty of annual fees to them, I demand that you get a CA and send in a few extra bucks just for good measure.

 

[Ron]

SteveGregory...one thing a2mfk forgot to tell you is that since you're coming in from out of state and want to get a CA, you have to buy beer for all Eng-Tips engineers in Florida!

 

[a2mfk]

Ron, excellent point, and good beer too. Not everyone in Florida only drinks Busch and Natty light.

 

[SteveGregory]

Thanks for the tips!

I was looking in 61G15 for the reference to the type of beer required. Maybe we could meet somewhere tomorrow night and you could let me know when I get there.

 

[Ron]

Steve...what part of the state will you be in?

 

[SteveGregory]

Orlando, if my plane doesn't get stuck in the snow.

 

[Ron]

Good place. Spent 12 years there and had a business there for 6 years. Convenient to everything.

Good luck. Let us know if we can help.

 

[a2mfk]

I'll be in downtown Orlando for happy hour Friday evening...

 

[SteveGregory]

Sorry a2, I'm back in Virginia today. I went from 68 degrees with the A/C running to 28 degrees when I arrived home and had to scrape my winshield off.