Notes for Architects and Engineers

Limitations on the overlap of the practice of Architecture and the practice of Engineering / Signing and Sealing of Submitted Drawings

There are specific limitations on the overlap of the practice of Architecture and the practice of Engineering and the signing and sealing of plans submitted for review by building officials. These are covered quite well in a publication of the Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation. This publication is available from The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). The publication is called "Reference Manual for Building Officials and Design Professionals." The telephone numbers for LLR are:

Sprinkler Specification Sheets

According to the Sprinkler Act (23-45-145, Section (C),(1)) for New Construction, a Sprinkler Specification Sheet must be completed and submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction with the bid documents. It is the responsibility of project lead design professional (architect, engineer) to see that the sprinkler specification sheet is completed and is submitted with documents submitted. DHEC has been advised that if the architect is lead design professional, he must hire the Fire Protection Engineer or see that the design engineer hires a Fire Protection Engineer. If a contractor is the primary contact with the owner, it is his responsibility to arrange for the Fire Protection Engineer's services. If requirements are not met, Building officials (DHEC) must report deviations from the above to the appropriate regulatory board.

In Existing Construction it is the responsibility of project lead design professional (architect, engineer, contractor) to see that the sprinkler specification sheet is completed and is submitted with documents submitted for permitting..

When projects are reviewed by DHEC for final approval, The Sprinkler Specification Sheet must be submitted with the drawings and specifications.

Unregistered Practice in South Carolina by firms not registered in S.C.

Recently, it seems the most frequent violation of South Carolina Architectural laws is the unregistered practice of firms. The individual architect may be licensed--or someone in the firm--but the firm is not licensed. Firms have been required to be licensed in South Carolina for 24 years! This is not a new requirement.

If the name of your firm appears on the title block of plans submitted for projects in SC, or if the contract for the project is in the name of the firm, or if the firm name is on site signs--you must register the firm! Building officials must report to the appropriate board the name of the unregistered firm on the title block. The board investigates--and the next thing you know, your name is on the disciplinary list! DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

The only exemption from firm registration is for architects who practice only in their own name: John Doe, Architect. Any other name requires firm registration. For example: John Doe, Architects; Doe and Associates; Doe Architecture all require firm registration. If in doubt, give the licensing board a call.

Signing and Sealing Drawings and Specifications by Engineers (From the Engineering Licensing Board)

When are engineering and land surveying documents required to be signed and sealed?

We have recently received a number of inquiries as to the proper sealing of documents. Plans, specifications, plats and reports prepared by a registrant, or prepared under the direct supervisory control of a registrant, must be sealed, signed and dated when filed with public authority or when used as job site record documents at construction projects.

In the case of design plans, each sheet must be sealed, signed and dated. In the case of specifications, calculations, engineering reports and the like, if the material is bound and includes a title page describing the contents, then the title sheet may be sealed, signed and appropriately dated. The signature and date must not be applied in a manner which obscures or renders illegible the registrant's name or number. Survey plats require an embossed seal.

The firm seal (Certificate of Authorization or COA seal) should be affixed to any design plan, specification, plat or report that requires the individual seal of the professional engineer or land surveyor. The COA seal may be a rubber stamp seal, CAD generated, or even embossed; however, it must be legible.

Regardless of the means by which seals are applied to engineering drawings and documents, there is a requirement that the seal be signed and dated by the registrant whose seal is applied. Original engineering documents may be sealed, signed and dated. Copies reproduced from these original documents also meet the requirements of statute. Computer-generated seals may be used on final original drawings provided that a handwritten signature and date is placed across the seal. Computer-generated signatures are not acceptable.

Drawings that are transmitted electronically must have the computer-generated seal removed from the original file. Electronic media must insert the following statement in lieu of the seal, signature and date:

"This document originally issued and sealed by [name of sealer], P.E./P.L.S # on [date of sealing]. This media should not be considered a certified document."

Jay Pitts, Jr. Administrator
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
P.O. Box 11597
Columbia, SC 29211-11597
Phone: (803) 896-4422
FAX: (803) 896-4427

Jan Simpson, Administrator
Board of Architectural Examiners
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
P.O. Box 11419
Columbia, SC 29211-1419
Phone: (803) 896-4412
FAX: (803) 896-4410