Page 43 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

1.24 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES

APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

There is a continuing debate between the design profession, construction industry, the pri-
vate sector, and government agencies as to the use of the word “approval” for construction-
related items.
The structural engineer of record is often requested to review, but should not approve
items that are not directly designed or supervised by the SER of the project. Some exam-
ples are contractor-initiated designs, material test results, shoring, temporary bracing,
underpinning, and scheduling.
The SER has a fiduciary responsibility to the client to perform these professional ser-
vices and to pass judgement upon the acceptability of the items for inclusion in the project.
By accepting the reviewed items, the SER, in effect, states that these items are accepted as
“fitness for purpose” and will serve the client for their intended use.
The SER should not be in the position to certify or guarantee manufacturers’ equipment
or items constructed by a contractor.

REVIEW OF PROJECT HISTORY

If a review of the history of a project ever becomes warranted – perhaps as a result of a fail-
ure – the entire history of the project, as well as adherence to the design requirements, can
be reconstructed by the forensic engineer by carefully studying the following records.

Contract Documents
Drawings—dates and revisions
Specifications—dates and revisions
Addenda or bulletins
Contracts and riders
Construction field documents
Site mobilization plan
Permits
Site safety plan
Schedules
Daily reports
Correspondence
Logs
Claims
Violations, if any
Pictures
Surveys
Mill certificates
Material conformance certifications
Work progress records
Weekly, monthly reports
Requisitions