The Client Wants the Plans Sealed Today, but Two Calculations Remain Unverified
A commercial building project in Florida is almost ready for permit submission. The drawings are complete, subcontractors are preparing for construction, and the owner expects work to begin soon. Then the engineer notices that two calculations still need technical review. The client wants the plans signed and sealed before the end of the day. A delay could affect project costs and contractor availability. Still, a professional engineer must consider more than the immediate business impact. A PE ethics course can help engineers examine situations like this, where client expectations conflict with professional responsibility. What Does Signing and Sealing Mean? A professional engineer's signature and seal are not simply the final items on a permit package checklist. They identify the engineer taking professional responsibility for the engineering documents covered by that approval. Florida Statutes Section 471.025 and the applicable Florida Board of Professional Engineers rules gov...