I'm an architect in CA with a client who insists that I need to sign and stamp her Schematic drawings. This is the end of the work with her, we are not continuing on to the CD phase, and I'm looking for official language somewhere that explains to her the stamp and signature are only for permit drawings. I've checked the Architectural Practice Act, and it doesn't mention anything. If you have info that could help, I'd appreciate it.
You're the architect, i.e. the professional. She's not. Just tell her you won't do it because it's not standard practice and your liability is all based on you following standard practice. I have frequently shut down people who weren't owed drawings but wanted them - like subs - by telling them my professional liability doesn't allow it.
Does your contract with her say you will stamp anything?
Why do you have to explain it to her? If you stamp a construction set, you are releasing it for construction and you are assuming all the responsibility. You make the call! This being the schematic set, it is nowhere near ready for construction and life safety of others is on your shoulders.
An architect does not only stamp permit drawings, we stamp statements, addenda and many other things a professional needs to approve. You are vouching the accuracy of something that you had direct supervision of.
You can stamp a napkin if you want but I don't think the local building department would accept that.
Either the client thinks schematic is the full scope of what an architect does or is trying to get a deal on a filing set.
In my experience I have seen what I call schematics signed and sealed but they meet the minimum filing requirements for a job application for permitting based on local adopted building codes. It sounds to me like the services were not fully understood by both parties.
Well, she may have read and misunderstood the Practice Act requirements, which I think you've seen:
§ 5536.1 Signature and Stamp on Plans and Documents; Unauthorized Practice; Misdemeanor (a) All persons preparing or being in responsible control of plans, specifications, and instruments of service for others shall sign those plans, specifications, and instruments of service and all contracts therefore, and if licensed under this chapter shall affix a stamp, which complies with subdivision (b), to those plans, specifications, and instruments of service, as evidence of the person's responsibility for those documents. Failure of any person to comply with this subdivision is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 5536. This section shall not apply to employees of persons licensed under this chapter while acting within the course of their employment
It does not clarify that these requirements apply only to permit and construction drawings, although that is ordinary practice. To ensure you are in the clear, I would send an email requesting clarification from the CAB. If she makes you stamp them, you can get yourself clear by also noting "Schematic Plans: Not for Permit or Construction" on each sheet.
Apr 10, 14 9:20 pm ·
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Documentation of architectural stamp regulations
I'm an architect in CA with a client who insists that I need to sign and stamp her Schematic drawings. This is the end of the work with her, we are not continuing on to the CD phase, and I'm looking for official language somewhere that explains to her the stamp and signature are only for permit drawings. I've checked the Architectural Practice Act, and it doesn't mention anything. If you have info that could help, I'd appreciate it.
just make up a date stamp and be done with it xD
what a tard, she probably wants to move on without your services and try to get a permit and build the project. classic.
You're the architect, i.e. the professional. She's not. Just tell her you won't do it because it's not standard practice and your liability is all based on you following standard practice. I have frequently shut down people who weren't owed drawings but wanted them - like subs - by telling them my professional liability doesn't allow it.
Does your contract with her say you will stamp anything?
Why do you have to explain it to her? If you stamp a construction set, you are releasing it for construction and you are assuming all the responsibility. You make the call! This being the schematic set, it is nowhere near ready for construction and life safety of others is on your shoulders.
An architect does not only stamp permit drawings, we stamp statements, addenda and many other things a professional needs to approve. You are vouching the accuracy of something that you had direct supervision of.
You can stamp a napkin if you want but I don't think the local building department would accept that. Either the client thinks schematic is the full scope of what an architect does or is trying to get a deal on a filing set. In my experience I have seen what I call schematics signed and sealed but they meet the minimum filing requirements for a job application for permitting based on local adopted building codes. It sounds to me like the services were not fully understood by both parties.
Well, she may have read and misunderstood the Practice Act requirements, which I think you've seen:
§ 5536.1 Signature and Stamp on Plans and Documents; Unauthorized
Practice; Misdemeanor
(a) All persons preparing or being in responsible control of plans, specifications,
and instruments of service for others shall sign those plans, specifications,
and instruments of service and all contracts therefore, and if licensed under
this chapter shall affix a stamp, which complies with subdivision (b), to those
plans, specifications, and instruments of service, as evidence of the person's
responsibility for those documents. Failure of any person to comply with this
subdivision is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 5536. This
section shall not apply to employees of persons licensed under this chapter
while acting within the course of their employment
It does not clarify that these requirements apply only to permit and construction drawings, although that is ordinary practice. To ensure you are in the clear, I would send an email requesting clarification from the CAB. If she makes you stamp them, you can get yourself clear by also noting "Schematic Plans: Not for Permit or Construction" on each sheet.
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