Engineer reviews submittals--Is he on the hook?

[iwire]

May I presume that the "stamp" to which you refer is not the one that is more properly called the "PE Seal"?

That is correct.

I also dug out one from a previous job to check it out.

It is a stamp with the Engineering firms info with a signature added of the particular engineer for the job.

It does not say 'approved'

It says

'Reviewed and found generally acceptable. Minor deviations may be noted. No further submittal required if notations are complied with'

I did not find any notations so it appears this is their standard 'approval' stamp.

 

[Mr. Bill]

Everyone say's the EC is on the hook and should pay, as always the subcontractors are at fault! This always makes me angry.
Why is it the contractor?s problem? What is the engineers review for, if not to pick up submittal errors? The engineer is paid to review and approve.

The engineer is paid to review the submittals to reduce the amount of incorrect products that would otherwise show up on the jobsite and which the EC would be told to replace in the punchlist. Not good for schedules that way or for the EC's budget.

What is the EC liable for? IMO, the EC is responsible for building per plans and specs. If the EC wants to install a product that is different, then the Owner needs to be aware of that before accepting the EC's bid. That's what voluntary alternates are for on the bid form. If the drawings are garbage then state what was bid.

If drawings and specs have different voltages for light fixtures then submit an RFI or look at the panel it's wired to. If the Engineer reviewed it and then later said it's the other voltage I'd say the EC is entitled to an extra. Paid for by the Engineer rather than the Owner. There's no value added to justify billing the Owner additional money.

And from Greg's example, I'd say if the EC ordered per the luminaire schedule and no where on the electrical drawings does it reference additional or alternative luminaires on the architectural sheets then that would be an extra for the EC also. The EC should coordinate with other trade's drawings, expecially the mechanical schedule, but I don't think the EC should have to hunt and peck thru the entire bid set for what they need to bid.

I try to be fair but it usually angers the EC.

 

[acdcmontana]

My submittal stamp:

My submittal stamp:

Engineering Submittal review is limited to the information shown on the submittal and/or shop plans and only for general conformance with the design concept of the project and general compliance with the information given in the contract documents and does not relieve contractor from complying with all requirements of the contract plans and specifications and occurs only after General Contractor approval. Any action shown is subject to the requirements & terms of the plans and specifications.

Contractor is responsible within the standard of care for the profession for dimension, electrical, & fit issues, which shall be confirmed and correlated at the job site; fabrication processes and techniques of construction; method and means; installation; coordination of his work with that of all other trades; and the safe & satisfactory performance of work. Engineer not responsible for incorrect or incompatible equipment, parts, or devices, shown on submittals and/or shop plans where differing from any part of plans; whether or not mentioned or noted on submittal review.

 

[hgrace]

In over 30 years as an EC , I have never seen an EE pick up any cost for any err or omission.