Surveying vs Engineering vs Mapping

Question

Surveying vs Engineering vs Mapping

amilanes (Civil/Environmental)

(OP)

8 Jun 15 14:01

Can any of you provide some insight on the distinction between surveying services, engineering services, and mapping services? My firm is a registered engineering firm in Louisiana. We have two PEs on staff (myself and my business partner). We are a very small environmental consulting firm that also provides GIS and Mapping services. I am a certified GIS Professional (GISP) as well as my GIS Manager. According to the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS), there is a close relationship between land surveying and some areas of engineering. Based on our interpretation of the rules, mapping functions which require the establishment of relationships to property ownership boundaries are unique to land surveying and must be performed by a PLS. Pretty much every other type of mapping function can be performed by a PE or PLS. We do not perform property boundary surveys but we do provide many types of other mapping services. I think we are fine, but after LAPELS recently sent letters to every pipeline company in the state warning them to ensure their contractors were properly licensed and following the rules, I just wanted to double check.

I've attached the portion of the LA rules that discusses surveying and mapping.

Thanks

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=8f931dd4-2701-4627-855b-b2

TehMightyEngineer (Structural) · Answer 1 · 2015-06-08 16:33:39

From my reading of most definitions of what qualifies as "practice of surveying" that requires a licensed surveyor is almost anything. Using a tape measure to layout a fence = surveying. Finding a property pin = surveying. Glancing sideways at a total station = surveying. The definition is very broad and overly so in my opinion.

That said, I've also adopted a similar understanding to yours; that property lines and other "for record" surveying must be done by a PLS. But making a contour map for a engineering hydrology study or something similar is not surveying. Otherwise why are engineers taught basic surveying in college? I bet if someone really wanted they could still get you in trouble for it, though. Probably best to check with your local engineering board to see what their take on it is.

Maine Professional and Structural Engineer. www.fepc.us

IRstuff (Aerospace) · Answer 2 · 2015-06-08 17:14:18

Subparagraph c would seem to cover exactly what you are describing. That said, people are strange (so sayeth Jim Morrison), and there's no guarantee that you won't get hassled by someone.

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amilanes (Civil/Environmental) · Answer 3 · 2015-06-08 19:05:16

Here is the letter from LAPELS. We perform mapping services for this pipeline company. To date, nothing has been stamped by us since we haven't prepared any "engineering plans" or the like. I still feel we are ok. I don't see a need to stamp general maps that don't contain engineering details.

In the example cited by LAPELS, I would think alignment drawings could be prepared by a PE or PLS. Typically, alignment drawings aren't boundary surveys, so a PE stamp should be fine.

I'd rather not open up Pandora's box by contacting LAPELS either.

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=d82b314f-2869-4f59-8982-ed

IRstuff (Aerospace) · Answer 4 · 2015-06-08 19:37:03

I don't see any major issues. The specific example seems to be in the context of the mapping products having no seals at all, given that the contractor appears to have been contracted only for maintenance services, and was asked to do something that they probably weren't licensed for at all. They seemed to go out of their way to include PEs in the context of that example.

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TehMightyEngineer (Structural) · Answer 5 · 2015-06-08 20:02:40

Agreed, it seemed like all they were concerned about with was that the contractor had a licensed person, either engineer or surveyor, with the Louisiana board. I wouldn't worry about this unless you're specifically locating or using property lines for something in your design (per the rules you posted in your OP).

Maine Professional and Structural Engineer. www.fepc.us

beej67 (Civil/Environmental) · Answer 6 · 2015-06-16 05:42:47

I suspect you could make all the pipeline maps you want, for the purposes of maintenance or such, but you couldn't seal an easement document.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com

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Surveying vs Engineering vs Mapping