Design / Build Contracts

F

fgandara

New User
Location
Tustin, CA 92780
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Can an Electrical Contractor, with only a state license, enter a design build contract with an owner or GC and that client sends your documents out for another EC to bid and build? We are not licensed PE, we would partner or subcontract that out but the intent was for us to design a system for us to install. My understanding is that as a licensed electrical contractor we can only design systems for our installation, not for others? curious......
 
electrofelon said:
why not? If a PE is not required for the scope of work in the first place, then it seems like anyone can design it. I am not aware of any law in Washington that says I can only do design for myself.
Click to expand...
Good question, If I moved to WA and offered a 'professional electrical design service' on my own without a PE to supervise,
my designs while not required to be done by a PE (say basic electrical plans and load calcs) would require my engineering education and experience in the NEC , Energy Code and Mechanical code etc.
And
I probably would apply "special knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to such professional services or creative work as planning, design, and supervision of construction"
So I'd probably meet the definition of "practicing engineering" :

RCW 18.43.010: General provisions.

app.leg.wa.gov app.leg.wa.gov

RCW 18.43.020: Definitions.

app.leg.wa.gov app.leg.wa.gov
 
electrofelon said:
why not? If a PE is not required for the scope of work in the first place, then it seems like anyone can design it. I am not aware of any law in Washington that says I can only do design for myself.
Click to expand...
But a PE is required for the original work, unless it is being installed by the contractor that did the design.
 
tortuga said:
Good question, If I moved to WA and offered a 'professional electrical design service' on my own without a PE to supervise,
my designs while not required to be done by a PE (say basic electrical plans and load calcs) would require my engineering education and experience in the NEC , Energy Code and Mechanical code etc.
And
I probably would apply "special knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to such professional services or creative work as planning, design, and supervision of construction"
So I'd probably meet the definition of "practicing engineering" :

RCW 18.43.010: General provisions.

app.leg.wa.gov app.leg.wa.gov

RCW 18.43.020: Definitions.

app.leg.wa.gov app.leg.wa.gov
Click to expand...
Nope, I do not agree. Note the first art of the definition: "any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education, training, and experience . Since electricians do load calc and design as part of their daily jobs, and they are not required to, and the vast majority do not have, engineering training or education, I dont see that type of work fitting the definition.
 
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