PE stamp stormwater conveyance

[lindbls]

In the state of Washington, I'm looking for the law (RCW or WAC) where it's required to have a PE design and stamp utility construction within a public road and through public easements...specifically, stormwater infrastructure.

The specifics: An existing stormwater system was not performing. A public agency maintenance crew replaced all the existing stormwater conveyanc pipe with new pipe, replaced 2 catch basins, added a third, added a drywell, and extended the stormwater pipe possibly 200 feet. The total length of pipe involved was about 700 feet.

This was all done under the guise of "maintenance" with no apparent design and no apparent permits. I've found the RCW that clearly identifies this as a public work, not maintenance. What I still need is where specifically it required that this "public work" requires an engineer's stamp.


Any direction?

 

[RWF7437]

Have you tried the Washington State Board of Engineering examiners ( or whatever the registration board is called in WA) ?

 

[RWF7437]

http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/engineerslandsurveyors/ellaws.html

 

[jartgo]

Great question. I'd be interested in hearing what you find out.

I've had the same question many times although with various scenarios. To me, the standard answer of "...public safety, health, and welfare..." is vague, perhaps intenionally.

What I've generally found is as RWF mentioned, it's up the State Board. If they determine that a certain practice is "practicing engineering" then it requires a PE.

 

[655321]

I think in most places projects undertaken by public agencies that are valued below a certain amount are exempt from requiring licensed engineer/architect oversight. It's around $90,000 in my state.

 

[bimr]

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AE0B564D-7C0E-419D-A8E8-D83A19136BF6/0/ExecOrder1010.pdf

 

[dicksewerrat]

You also have to remember that the 'Maintenance Dept.' is probably run by an engineer with a P.E. behind his name. You bring this up in an inflammatory manner and see what that does to your ability to do work for that agency? Did you ask to see any plans?
The agency probably doesn't need permits to work in their right of way.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[lindbls]

Right on the mark dicksewerrat! It is all in how it's approached...one of the main reasons for pursing this was to be sure the crews were "ok". If not, then we need to change procedures.

Our agency engineer said, unless the maint crew is changing something, an engineer does not get involved. However, if something is changed...the engineer does design or at least review it.


In this case, the additional pipe was about 400ft...with the rest essentially a replacement.

 

[dicksewerrat]

Call the engineer in Maintenance. You will know quickly if he/she did anything. While on the phone offer to do this type of engineering for a reasonable fee.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com