• Welcome to the new and improved Building Code Forum. We appreciate you being here and hope that you are getting the information that you need concerning all codes of the building trades. This is a free forum to the public due to the generosity of the Sawhorses, Corporate Supporters and Supporters who have upgraded their accounts. If you would like to have improved access to the forum please upgrade to Sawhorse by first logging in then clicking here: Upgrades

CA - Commercial Plans Requirements

A

Alias

Registered User
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
1,649
Location
State of Disbelief
$ = = =



"Am I out of line?"
Click to expand...
In my opinion, ..."No!"In some states, the requirement for an RDP submittal will depend

upon the Occupancy Groups involved, ...or the occupant loading, ...or

what some insurance companies will require, ...or the square

footage of the project.



~ ~ ~ &
 
WHAT REQUIRES SIGNATURE OF A CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL

ENGINEER OR CALIFORNIA REGISTERED ARCHITECT?

All plans submitted for permit are required to be signed by either a California

Professional Engineer or California Registered Architect, as specified in Sections 5537

and 6737 of the California Business & Professions Code with the following

exceptions for exempt structures:

• Single family dwellings of conventional woodframe construction not more than two

stories and basement in height.

• Multiple dwellings containing not more than four dwelling units (total of existing plus

new) of woodframe construction on any lawfully divided lot. Total of four dwelling

units in clusters such as apartments or condominiums,

• Garages or other structures appurtenant to single-family dwelling or multiple

dwellings not more than two stories and basement in height.

• Agricultural and ranch buildings unless the building official deems that an undue risk

to the public health, safety or welfare is involved.

However, if any portion of any structure exempted by these sections, deviates from the

requirements for conventional light wood-frame construction or tables of limitation for

wood frame construction found in Division IV of Chapter 23 (Section 2320) of the

Building Code as adopted by local jurisdiction, then the building official may require the

preparation of plans, drawings, specifications or calculations for that portion a

Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. The documents for that portion shall

bear the stamp and signature of the licensee who is responsible for their preparation.

Sections 5538 and 6745 of the California Business & Professions

Code:

These Sections of the California Business & Professions Code do not prohibit any

person from furnishing plans for any of the following:

• Nonstructural store fronts, interior alterations, fixtures, cabinetwork, furniture, or

other appliances or equipment.

• Any nonstructural work necessary to provide for their installation. However, an

unlicensed person may not prepare plans for those alterations that will change or

affect any components of the structural system or safety of the building or its

occupants. Safety of the building includes such items as exiting, fire, structural, and

other code requirements.

Except as specifically noted above, here are some examples of projects that require

plans to be prepared, signed and stamped by a California Professional Engineer or

California Registered Architect:

• New non-exempt buildings and additions to existing non-exempt buildings,

• Projects with interior or exterior structural alterations,
 
The requirement for a professional engineer's stamp and signature is tied to state law regulating the practice of architecture and engineering and not the building code. When the building code talks about an engineer or architect needing to do something the building code is either restating what is required by the licensing statutes or it is wrong. In other words if the CBC (a regulation) requires the involvement of a professional engineer or architect not required by statute the CBC is wrong. regulations are secondary to statutes.

The Calif Board for Professional Engineers, Landsurveyors, and Geotechnical Engineers has a useful publication "Guide to Engineering & Land Surveying for City and County Officials" This can be downloaded from the state web site.

The excerpt by Mark Handler could infer that you never need the signature of an Electrical Engineer. I am not convinced that statement is always true but the issue may be moot. Because the architectural licensing laws essentially allow architects to practice engineering theoreticaly an architect's signature could make the question moot in most cases.
 
And any architect in California that would willingly sign drawings without a thorough understanding of what they are accepting responsibility for is:

A) a dam(n) fool,

B) without E&O coverage (even if they've paid their premium), and

C) not going to be licensed much longer than it takes the California Architect's Board to revoke their license.
 
Mark K said:
The Calif Board for Professional Engineers, Landsurveyors, and Geotechnical Engineers has a useful publication "Guide to Engineering & Land Surveying for City and County Officials" This can be downloaded from the state web site.
Click to expand...
http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/pubs/local_officials_guide.pdf

Electrical engineering includes studies or activities relating to the generation,

transmission, and utilization of electrical energy, including the design of electrical,

electronic and magnetic circuits and the technical control of their operation and

of the design of electrical gear. It is concerned with research, organizational and

economic aspects of the above. (B&P Code § 6731.5)

Can an unlicensed person offer engineering services?

(B&P Code §§ 6730, 6732, 6736, 6736.1)

An unlicensed person cannot off er to practice civil (including structural and

geotechnical), electrical, or mechanical engineering services, unless otherwise exempt.

An unlicensed person can off er to and practice any of the “title act” branches of

engineering.

Can a contractor prepare electrical or mechanical drawings?

(B&P Code § 6737.3)

A contractor appropriately licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) may

only design electrical or mechanical systems which he or she will install. An employee

of the contractor may perform the installation
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Can a contractor prepare electrical or mechanical drawings? (B&P Code § 6737.3)

A contractor appropriately licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) may

only design electrical or mechanical systems which he or she will install. An employee

of the contractor may perform the installation
Click to expand...
Are they limited to the size of the system?

Fl limited contractors design systems based on their A, B or C classification on their liscense. That was 20 years ago things may be different today.
 
"....may only design electrical or mechanical systems which he or she will install....."

So yes he/she is limited by their license.
 
MtnArch you may be right but many individuals are oblivious to these issues.

Thanks Mark I was having trouble finding the contractors exemption for the design of electrical systems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top