shamsdebout:
Although you are new to the field, I do believe your question is very relevant. I can only share my opinion and experience on the same subject. The question is more relevant for work in the existing facilities.
There is a difference between what should be expected and what is expected by clients.
In my opinion, the following would be considered a reasonable expectation of a consulting engineer (CE) of a MEP firm in the USA:
The CE should know the reasonable routing of conduits that is feasible and constructible. There should be adequate information on the contract document that shall allow a bidder to price the job correctly as to length, bends and rise/falls. For example, if the conduits are expected to be run in the above ceiling space before it hits a chase and goes up the floor and to the roof, the CE shall verify that the route is reasonably free of obstructions and is doable. Any special difficulties of the work should be highlighted.
Now you may or may not have adequate means, training or licensing to verify all existing conditions. If it only takes poking your head above ceiling tiles or through a access door, I would think you should be able to do it. If it requires verifying inaccessible spaces or difficult to reach locations such as very high ceiling and requires a contractor or electrician's skills and tools, you have all the right to let the owner know that that is the case. Let the owner decide if he wants you to hire the necessary contractor or electrician's help (during the design) or he can hire directly, but eventually the Owner has to pay for the effort and time.
Similar logic 'should' apply to underground feeders. CE should make reasonable effort to find out U/G obstructions from available documents and talking to owner, but short of performing a survey. If a survey is required, it should be done by a professional and be compensated by Owner.
I have used this tactic successfully and most clients had no issues or they agreed as to what route to show as they were reasonably sure of what is feasible in their buildings. Some did not like the facts but could not deny it. So they agreed but were not happy.
As I said, many clients or architects think that since they hired you to do some work, they expect everything out of you even unreasonable things. There are always clients who would never be satisfied but that is part and parcel of the business. In that case you state your position, keep notes somewhere and do the best you can.
Rafiq Bulsara
