QUOTE= mcelweec How many of you re-engineer projects?
Well we do mostly large projects and my job is power distribution only on any job the power risers.And on most new construction plans they are not 100 % from the start we RFI the engineer to clear up issues like conduit size and wire size and breaker size or equipment not fitting into a space meaning not to the nec as the EC is responsible contact wise for any code issues. The electrical engineer never talks to the mechanical engineer or architect ever !! And they all size the electrical rooms too small . The only projects i enjoy doing are power plants its planned its electrical equip & conduit and trays and buss duck is routed & elevations given to and from for you on a print and anyone in your way moves and the engineer team is on site to assist with issues . In commercial the electrician is doing the planning & routing on his own . I have to tell a electrical engineer that this is not going to work sometimes and i get paid less!!! We are always up front never wait to the end of a project all our problems and code issues are docked 6 months pior to the start of the project .comments take care be SAFE!
Some of us engineers
do talk with the mechanical guys. Some of us
do argue for every inch of space we can get from an architect. Getting solid information is not always as easy as it should be. Yes, things get missed. You have the benefit of understanding the spatial relationships in the real world. We have to trust that the dimensions we're given from manufacturers (if they are available) are accurate ... and even if they are somebody is bound to provide a different sized equal.
IMO, good relationships between the entire design team ... and then with the contractors on site is what makes a good project. I really do appreciate comments and suggestions from the contractors, which is why I frequent this forum. I have learned a lot from RFIs and walking around job sites, I listen to and often heed suggestions of, on site contractors. I have learned to think about how to get from point A to point B ... I will teach those younger than me to think about things like that in advance as well instead of making them learn it on their own.
I'm still not perfect, and I never will be. But until there is civil conversations between the contractors and the engineers (some do) instead of money grubbing change orders (some do) projects will be delayed and overbudget.
Yes, I understand that there are a lot of enginers out there that don't care (I've worked for them) ... but we're not all like that.
Sorry for the attitude, but occasionally I need to stick up for us designers!