Shop Drawing Review 1

[JJEL]

Hi guys. So at my new job, I've been told that we, as the structural engineer of record, do not review structural steel shops....we don't even receive a copy. I should point out that I'm in the manufacturing world, not consulting. I guess my question is, does the seor have a legal responsibility to review and approve steel shops?

Thanks

 

[Ron]

It depends on how your state board treats the design process for what you do. For example, in my state, the SEOR provides an overall design, then delegates the design of certain elements and components to the producer as a specific delegated structural function. By law, the structural engineer must provide certain information and expectations for the delegated engineer. The delegated engineer is then responsible for those aspects of the design and must provide an appropriate package of design(shop drawings and calculations)for the structural engineer to review for compliance with his instructions and overall design intent.

Here (in Florida) it is a statutory requirement and if you don't comply you are in violation of state law.

 

[JStephen]

We have dealt with a number of engineers that won't ever "approve" anything for fear of liability.

 

[msquared48]

Then again, Florida also has a two beer limit prior to happy hour. But that was because of the problem with the legislators at lunch.

Where was I?...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[Ron]

Hey Mike...that only applies to their expense accounts!

No two beer limit. Drink up....it's 5:00 somewhere!

 

[Lutfi]

It is my opinion that the review of shop drawings is considered post design (construction support) service. If the owner did not retain the SEOR to provide these services, I do not think the SEOR is obligated to review them.

All insurance companies encourage the engineers to procure the construction support services. If owners do not want to pay for these services, engineers should request that their liability be limited.

Ron, states that in Florida the review of shop drawings are "Statutory". I disagree with the use of the word "Statutory" since Chapter 471 does not mention one single word about the review of shop drawings! The engineer is hired to perform a design and not to review shop drawings. Some engineers favor to delegate the design of certain components such as joists, joist girders, pre-engineered wood trusses, PEMB, foundations, etc. In that case Florida Administrative Code, FAC 61G15 has rules that governs the review of Structural Delegated Engineering Documents.

Florida Administrative Code, FAC 61G15, defines shop drawings as follows:

"Shop Drawings: Drawings depicting installation means and methods, catalog information on standard products, prepared by a contractor, manufacturers, or professional engineers for incorporation into the project which are prepared based on engineering direction contained in Engineering Documents. Shop drawings do not require the signature, date and seal of a professional engineer."

The rules in FAC 61G15, mandates the SEOR to review Structural Delegated Engineering Documents. These are submittals that deal with the design of certain components within the complete structural system. This is only required because the SEOR is solely responsible for the entire structural system he designed. Merely delegating a design of a component does not relief the SEOR from his responsibility. FAC 61G15 defines Structural Delegated Engineering Documents as follows:

"Structural Delegated Engineering Documents. Documents prepared by a delegated engineer to whom the engineer of record for the structure has delegated responsibility for the design of a structural component or system."

The FAC 61G15 also clearly defines the responsibility of the SEOR in 61G15-31.001 as follows:

"61G15-31.001 General Responsibility.
The engineer of record for a structure is responsible for all structural aspects of the design of the structure including the design of all of the structure’s systems and components. As noted herein the engineer of record for a structure may delegate responsibility for the design of a system or component part of the structure to a qualified delegated engineer. In either case the structural documents shall address, as a minimum, the items noted in the following subsections covering specific structural systems or components. Both the engineer of record for the structure and the delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, and with the requirements of the more specific structural responsibility rules contained herein."

Here is a link to FAC and Florida Statues on the FBOE web site:

http://www.fbpe.org/lawsrules.asp

Having said that, it is my opinion that if the SEOR provides a complete structural design and did not delegate any components design, I see no obligation to review shop drawings other than to provide a measure of quality control to owner assuming the owner is willing to pay for these services.






Regards,
Lutfi