(a)
General Responsible Charge. For every project there shall be an architect or
structural engineer in general responsible charge of plans, specifications, and
observation of the work of construction, except that where plans,
specifications, or work of construction for alterations or repairs do not
involve architectural or structural changes said plans, specifications and
observation of the work of construction may be under the responsible charge of
a professional engineer qualified to perform services and registered in that
branch of engineering applicable to the work.
A project may be divided into parts, provided that each
part is clearly defined by a building or similar distinct unit. The part, so
defined, shall include all portions and utility systems or facilities necessary
to the complete functioning of that part. Separate assignments of general
responsible charge may be made for the parts.
(b) Delegation of Responsibility. The
architect or structural engineer in general responsible charge may delegate
responsibility for any portion of the work to, or may employ or retain, other
architects or registered engineers. No delegation to, or employment or
retention of, others shall be construed as relieving the architect or
structural engineer in general responsible charge of his rights, duties, and
responsibilities under Sections
39148 and
81138 of
the Education Code and Sections
36,
41 and
44 of these rules and regulations.
Subject to the provisions of the immediately precedent
sentence, the architect or structural engineer in general responsible charge
shall employ or retain, under his supervision, professional engineers
registered in the applicable branches of engineering to design and observe the
construction, including the making of verified reports (see Section
36), of the mechanical and
electrical portions of the work, but this requirement for observation of
construction may be waived when special mechanical and electrical inspection is
provided in accordance with Section
33(c), where the
elements of the mechanical and electrical portions of the work will not be
significant to the safety of the building or its occupants.
(c) Assumption of Responsibility. The
architect or registered engineer who submits for approval plans and
specifications for any project or portion of a project which have been prepared
by others shall assume responsibility for the safety of design of the completed
construction and for the interpretation of and any necessary amplification of
the plans and specifications of the project. He shall manually sign all plans
submitted for approval to indicate his assumption of responsibility or may in
lieu thereof, sign and submit plans prepared under his own charge. (See Section
17(h) for other
signatures.)
When an architect or registered engineer accepts the
responsibility for completion of a project or portion of a project relinquished
by another, that architect or registered engineer thereby assumes
responsibility as follows:
(1) If the
relinquishment occurs prior to the completion of the design documents all
responsibility shall be assumed. (See first paragraph of this subsection for
procedure.)
(2) If the
relinquishment occurs after the design drawings and specifications have been
completed and approved by the office, the assuming architect or registered
engineer shall be responsible for the construction of the project in accordance
with the design of the relinquishing architect or engineer. The assuming
architect or registered engineer shall assume responsibility for the
interpretation of and any necessary amplification of the plans and
specifications and shall manually sign any such documents prepared for that
purpose.
(d) Acceptance
of Responsibility. The assumption of general responsible charge or of delegated
responsibility shall be clearly outlined, accepted and approved by the parties
concerned (including the school board) Form SSS-1. Application for Approval of
Plans and Specifications, provides for the common conditions of delegation of
responsibility, but for unusual cases, or for changes in responsibility taking
place after the plans have been submitted for approval, the delegation of
responsibility, acceptances and approvals thereof, shall be submitted in letter
form in duplicate, which shall include an indication that the school board has
been notified.
(e) Evidence of
Responsibility. The manual signature of the architect or registered engineer on
a plan, specification, or other document shall be deemed evidence that full
responsibility is assumed by the signatory for the work shown thereon,
including also those portions of the accompanying computations, specifications,
or plans which pertain to such work, unless express notice of disclaimer of
responsibility is given in writing to the office prior to the approval of the
plans and specifications.
(f)
Alternates. The applicant, or the architect or registered engineer having
general or delegated responsibility, may name one or more persons to act as
alternate(s) for the design and/or observation of the work of construction
provided such persons are architects or registered engineers who themselves are
qualified under these rules and regulations to assume the responsibility
assigned.
Alternates may be named on Form SSS-1, Application for
Approval of Plans and Specifications, or in letter form in duplicate. Letter
forms shall be submitted prior to performance of work by the alternate and
shall include an indication that the school board has been notified.
