Handbook for Building Officials

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This handbook is a joint publication of the Colorado State Board of Architect Examiners and the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. It has been prepared in the spirit of public service, and to assist building officials and the architectural and engineering communities to better understand the professional authorship requirements of our licensing and registration laws and model building codes.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...... ………………….. 1 I. DEFINITION OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING……………… 2 A. Architecture B. Engineering II. EXEMPTIONS...... …………………………. 2 III. SEALING PROFESSIONAL WORK...... ……………... 3 IV. COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS...... ……………… 3 V. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CODE SUBMISSIONS....……………… 5

INTRODUCTION

uilding codes and professional licensing laws are meant to work together. Building officials and architectural and engineering licensing boards each exist to protect the public against unsafe buildings and structures. Board staff endeavor to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public by ensuring that all licensed architects and engineers Bhave the proper education and training, and pass a rigorous examination on technical and practice is- sues. County or local jurisdictions promulgate and adopt building codes while building officials en- force code requirements that are intended to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. If building officials require all construction documents for non-exempt buildings and structures to bear the appropriate signature and seal of a licensed architect or engineer, then the registration system will share responsibility for protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Colorado has limited exemptions permitting unlicensed persons to prepare architectural construction documents for single-family dwellings up to four units; or farm buildings, garages, industrial buildings and warehouses not to exceed one story or designed for occupancy by not more than ten persons. Architectural additions or alterations to exempt buildings are also permitted by unlicensed persons. However, it is clear public policy that buildings and structures of significant size or complexity must be designed by licensed architects and engineers.

In 1999, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) sent questionnaires to 9,450 building officials across the country and received 2,543 responses. The questionnaires focused on the extent to which building officials view architects and engineers as performing critical services in protecting the public’s safety. Ninety-five percent of the responding building officials agreed that "the expertise of licensed architects and engineers is essential to any substantial building to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public." Eighty-seven percent agreed that public safety requires architects and engineers to "conduct on-site observations of the construction of any substantial building." Finally, 86% of the respondents acknowledged that they rely on the architect and engineer who designed the project to ensure that performance standards of the building codes have been met.

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This handbook is intended to be a resource to as- materials of nature in the development, production, sist you in the enforcement of architectural and and functioning of engineering processes, apparatus, engineering laws as well as answer some of the machines, equipment, facilities, structures, buildings, questions you may have in the implementation of works, or utilities, or any combination or aggregations those laws. For your reference, you may find the thereof, employed in or devoted to public or private enterprise or uses. Architects’ laws and rules, CRS 12-4-101 et. seq., at www.dora.state.co.us/architects. Like- II. EXEMPTIONS wise, the Engineers’ laws and rules, CRS 12-25- 101 et. seq., can be found at www.dora.state.co. The Architect Practice Act provides instances where a us/engineers_surveyors. Also, please see page 7 person who is not registered as an architect may plan, for additional contact information. design and supervise the construction, alteration, remodeling, additions to, or repair of any of the follow- I. DEFINITION OF ARCHITECTURE AND ing: ENGINEERING (a) One, two, three, and four unit family dwellings, including accessory buildings commonly Colorado defines the practice of architecture and the associated with such dwellings; practice of engineering as follows: (b) Garages, industrial buildings, offices, farm buildings, and buildings for the marketing, stor- age, or processing of farm products, and warehouses, which do not exceed one story in height, rchitect means a person licensed under the exclusive of a one-story basement, and which un- Aprovisions of the Architect Practice Act and entitled der applicable building code, or codes, are not thereby to conduct a practice of architecture in the designed for occupancy by more than ten per- State of Colorado. sons; (c) Additions, alterations, or repairs to the fore- The Practice of Architecture means the performance going buildings which do not cause the com- of the professional services of planning and design of pleted buildings to exceed the applicable limita- buildings, preparation of construction contract docu- tions set forth in this subsection (1); ments including working drawings and specifications (d) Nonstructural alterations of any nature to any for the construction of buildings, and the observation building if such alterations do not affect the life of construction pursuant to an agreement between an safety of the occupants of the building. architect and any other person, but does not include the performance of the construction of buildings. Similarly, the Engineering Practice Act does not apply in the performance of the following activities:

(a) Individuals who normally operate and main- ngineer means a person who, by reason of tain machinery or equipment; Eintensive preparation in the use of mathematics, (b) Individuals who perform engineering ser- chemistry, physics, and engineering sciences, includ- vices for themselves; ing the principles and methods of engineering analysis (c) Partnerships, professional associations, joint and design, is qualified to perform engineering work. stock companies, limited liability companies, or corporations, or the employees of any The Practice of Engineering means the performance such organizations, who perform engineering for others of any professional service or creative work services for themselves or their affiliates; requiring engineering education, training, and experi- (d) Individuals who perform engineering ser- ence and the application of special knowledge of the vices under the responsible control of a regis- mathematical and engineering sciences to such profes- trant; sional services or creative work, including consulta- (e) Work of a strictly agricultural nature which tion, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, sur- is not required to be of public record; veying, and the observation of construction to evalu- (f) Professional land surveying as defined in ate compliance with plans and specifications in con- section 12-25-202 (6), C.R.S. nection with the utilization of the forces, energies, and Page 3

(g) Individuals who practice architecture. of the architect or engineer for that sub- (h) Utilities or their employees or contractors discipline. when performing services for another utility during times of natural disasters or emer- The Uniform Building Code (UBC) or International gency situations; Building Code (IBC) is the most common throughout (i) Individuals who are employed by and per- Colorado. The UBC states: form engineering services solely for a county, city and county, or municipality; “When such plans are not prepared by an architect or (j) Individuals who are employed by and per- engineer, the building official may require the appli- form engineering services solely for the fed- cant submitting such plans or other data to demon- eral government. strate that state law does not require that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer.” III. SEALING PROFESSIONAL WORK The IBC states: Registered architects and professional engineers are, “The construction documents shall be prepared by a and should be, responsible for their professional ser- registered (licensed) design professional where re- vices in their respective areas of expertise. The pub- quired by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the lic, as well as building officials, rely on their profes- project is to be constructed.” sional expertise. As a result, professional submissions such as construction documents should clearly show As a general rule, building officials should require the identity of the licensed architect and engineer who that all construction documents for commercial prop- prepared them by having affixed a seal and signature erties have the seal and signature of either a licensed and otherwise complying with the requirements of architect or engineer as appropriate, or have a notation state law. Without proper identification, ultimate re- on the construction documents or building permit ap- sponsibility for any deficiencies may not be clear. plication stating that the plans are exempt from the general rule requiring them to be prepared by licensed The law and applicable building codes in Colorado architects or engineers in that jurisdiction. Building require that professional submissions be signed and officials facing litigation or defending their actions in sealed by the licensed architect or engineer who pre- other arenas should not have to explain why they pared them or has taken responsible control for them. could have required construction documents to be pre- Please refer to the Architects’ statute Section 12-2- pared, signed and sealed by an architect or engineer, 116, CRS (www.dora.state.co.us/Architects/arcstatute. but chose to accept construction documents from an pdf) and Rule 100.704 (www.dora.state.co.us/ unlicensed individual when the law or building codes Architects/Rules), and the Engineers’ statute Section may not have allowed that unlicensed individual to 12-25-117, CRS (www.dora.state.co.us/ prepare the construction documents in the first place. engineers_surveyors/EngLaws) and Rule 5.1 (www. dora.state.co.us/engineers_surveyors/BoardRules). IV. COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Also refer to the County Building Inspector statute, Section 30-28-205 (3), CRS: I have a set of construction documents signed and sealed by an architect registered in a state other than The county building inspector shall not issue Colorado. Do the submittal documents meet the re- any permit unless the plans and specifications quirements in Colorado? for such proposed erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or remodeling conform to No. Only architects and engineers currently licensed the regulations and restrictions in said building with the appropriate Colorado board have the author- code. All such proposed erection, construction, ity to practice in Colorado. Professionals licensed in reconstruction, alteration, or remodeling shall other states must obtain registration in Colorado in bear the seal of an architect or engineer li- order to practice here. censed by the state of Colorado, unless the preparation of plans and specification is ex- Can a Colorado licensed architect or engineer empted by section 12-4-112, C.R.S. Such "overstamp" construction documents prepared and plans and specifications prepared by architec- stamped by an architect or engineer who is licensed tural or engineering sub-disciplines shall be so in another state? designated and shall bear the seal and signature Page 4

No. Overstamping is not appropriate. A Colorado What are examples of specific component designs, (i. Architect or Engineer may review and modify plans e. roof trusses, curtain wall design, sprinkler, pre- prepared elsewhere but by stamping and signing the manufactured buildings and other pre-manufactured plans the Architect or Engineer is taking responsible elements) that are required to be signed and sealed by charge for them and in effect stating that the docu- a licensed architect or engineer when submitted to the ments were prepared by him or her or under his or her building official for approval? responsible control. Component, or "manufactured," buildings are treated Can an owner/builder/contractor make changes to a no differently than other buildings or structures. The licensed architect's or engineer's construction docu- construction documents must be prepared (or re- ments? viewed and modified), signed, and sealed by the appropriate licensed professional registered in this state. No. When construction documents are prepared by a Examples of such designs are: prefabricated metal licensed professional, no changes may be made except buildings or structures, roof truss systems, post ten- by that professional (or under certain conditions by sion or pre-stress designs, and pre-cast concrete build- another appropriately licensed professional). ing components.

May a Colorado professional engineer prepare, sign, Can a contractor sign the cover sheet of a set of con- and seal architectural construction documents? struction documents prepared by an out-of-state licensed architect or engineer and comply with the Yes, when the engineer possesses the professional and law? technical qualifications to do so. No. May a Colorado registered architect prepare, sign and seal engineering construction documents? Who may issue change orders and addenda to building permit construction documents, which have been Yes, when the architect possesses the professional and filed for non-exempt buildings or structures? technical qualifications to do so. Change orders, additional construction documents May anyone other than a licensed architect or engi- and/or addenda that alter the construction documents neer prepare and submit construction documents to that are required to be filed with the building depart- building officials? ment for non-exempt buildings or structures must bear the signature and seal of the licensed architect or engi- Yes, as previously stated in Section II, residential neer responsible for the modifications. structures up to four units, and small farm and industrial buildings of one story with occupancy limitations Who can be the applicant for a building permit? of less than 10 people are permitted without the signature and seal of a registered architect or professional The applicant can be the owner, contractor, or the reg- engineer. Building officials should document for the istered architect or professional engineer as appropri- record, at the time a permit is granted based on un- ate. However, for non-exempt buildings the name of sealed and unsigned construction documents, the ex- the licensed architect or engineer shall be listed on the ception in the law that allows the design of the build- application. All modifications or revisions to the ing or structure by an unlicensed person. signed and sealed construction documents required by the building official shall be provided to the licensed Do shop drawings have to be signed and sealed by an architect or engineer by the building official. architect or engineer and submitted to the building official for approval? If I review plans submitted by an architect or engineer and discover significant problems with the work or I Yes and no. Typically shop drawings are intended as repeatedly review plans for the same architect or en- construction or fabrication details. These are not usu- gineer with numerous minor problems, what can I do? ally part of the filed construction documents (see ex- ceptions below). However, they should be reviewed You may provide the information and/or file a com- and signed by the Architect or Engineer in charge. plaint with either the Architects Board or the Engi- neers/Surveyors Board. It is not necessary to “prove” Page 5 your case but it is important to submit examples of the kind of work that has concerned you. The Board will Cover Sheet investigate the situation and take action as appropri- 1. Project identification ate. You may be called as a witness if the case pro- 2. Project address and a location map ceeds to hearing. You will be informed along the way 3. All licensed architects and engineers identified as the case progresses through the process. 4. The licensed architect or engineer in responsible control (the professional responsible for project co- Sometimes I face a lot of resentment from Engineers ordination) shall be identified. All communications and Architects when I (or my Department) question should be directed through this individual. their professional judgment during the review of their 5. Design Criteria list: submissions. It’s nothing personal, we are only exer- I. Occupancy group cising our responsibility to properly review work to II. Type Construction classification protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Is III. Location of property there anything the Board can do to intercede when IV. Seismic risk these confrontations become really heated? V. Design loads VI. Structural systems Neither the Architects Board nor the Engineers/ VII. Square Footage/Allowable floor area Surveyors Board have any authority or procedure to VIII. Fire sprinkler systems mediate these kinds of problems. However, the Engi- IX. Height and number of stories neers/Surveyors Board, with input from county and X. Occupant load municipal representatives, developed a brochure that XI. Land use zone looks at all sides of this difficult problem. The brochure is available in printed form from the address on Site Plan page 7 or on the Internet at www.dora.state.co.us/ Show proposed new building or structure and any ex- engineers_surveyors/developguidelines. If you have isting buildings or structures, all property lines with encountered this problem, we encourage you to read dimensions, all streets, easements and setbacks. Show this publication. all water, sewer, communication services, natural gas, telephone, and cable TV. Electrical points of connec- V. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CODE tion, proposed utility service routes and existing utili- SUBMISSIONS ties on the site. Show all required parking, drainage and grading information. Indicate drainage inflow Construction documents for most projects consist of and outflow locations and specify areas required to be drawings, specifications and appropriate calculations. maintained for drainage purposes. A topographical All elements shall complement each other. Complete- survey should be provided with a benchmark eleva- ness and coordination of all necessary information are tion. Show north arrow. Show dimensions for the the responsibility of the registered architect or profes- location and size of components delineated on the site sional engineer. Construction documents submitted to plan. the building official must be of sufficient nature to clearly show the project in its entirety with emphasis Geotechnical Report on the following: Provide a geotechnical report for the proposed structure at that site. 1. Life safety 2. Means of egress Exterior Elevations 3. Barrier free accessibility Show each view. Show vertical dimensions and 4. Structural integrity heights. Show openings and identify materials and 5. Building code compliance show lateral bracing system, where applicable. Show 6. Definition of scope of work dimensions and schedules.

The required construction documents will depend Foundation Plan upon the size, nature and complexity of the project. Show all foundations and footings. Indicate size, lo- The following is a suggested standard of the minimum cations, thickness, materials and strengths, and rein- required construction documents for review by build- forcing. Show all imbedded anchoring such as anchor ing officials. bolts, hold-downs, post bases, etc. Show dimensions

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for the location and size of all components delineated on the foundation plan. Mechanical System Show the mechanical system. Include all units, their Floor Plans sizes, mounting details, all ductwork and duct sizes. Show all floors including basements. Show all rooms, Indicate all fire dampers where required. Provide with their use, overall dimensions and locations of all equipment schedules. Submit energy conservation structural elements and openings. Show all doors and calculations. Show dimensions. windows. Provide door and window schedules. All fire resistance rated assemblies, areas of refuge, occu- Plumbing System pancy separations, fire blocking and draft stopping Show all fixtures, piping, slopes, materials and sizes. shall be shown. Show dimensions for the size of all Show point of connections to utilities, septic tanks, rooms and the locations of other components deline- pre-treatment sewer systems and water wells. Show ated on the floor plans. dimensions.

Framing Plans and Roof Framing Plans Electrical System Show all structural members, their size, methods and Show all electrical fixtures (interior, exterior and site), details of attachment, connections, location and mate- wiring sizes and circuiting, grounding, panel sched- rials for floors and roofs. Show roof plan. Show di- ules, single line diagrams, load calculations and fix- mensions for the location and size of all components ture schedules. Show point of connection to utility. delineated on the roof plan. Show dimensions.

Schedules Fire Sprinkler System Room finishes, doors, hardware, windows, plumbing, Show all sprinkler heads, piping valves, alarms, tam- mechanical, electrical and structural. per switches, materials, and sizes. Show point of connection to the water system and fire alarm system. Addenda and Changes Show dimensions for the size and location of compo- It shall be the responsibility of the individual identi- nents delineated on the fire sprinkler system drawings. fied on the cover sheet as the licensed architect or engineer in responsible control to notify the building Structural Systems official of any and all changes throughout the project Show foundation, structural members and where re- and provide revised construction documents, calcula- quired provide structural calculations for the structural tions or other appropriate documentation prior to com- systems of the project. Include calculations indicating mencement of that portion of the construction. compliance with seismic, wind, snow and other design loads. Completeness of the necessary calcula- Revisions tions is the responsibility of the registered design pro- The party submitting changes shall be identified at the fessional. beginning of the approval process. For clarity, all revisions should be identified and clouded on the con- Specifications struction drawings and appropriately marked in the Prepare specifications to further define the construc- project manual or resubmitted as a new set of con- tion components, the quality of the materials, delinea- struction documents. tion of the materials and methods of construction, wall, floor and ceiling finishes, exterior finishes, and Completeness of Documents descriptions of all pertinent equipment. Schedules Construction Documents for most projects consist of may be incorporated into the project manual in lieu of drawings, specifications and appropriate calculations. being delineated on the construction drawings. All elements shall complement each other. Complete- ness and coordination of all necessary information is the responsibility of the registered design professional(s).

Building Sections Wall Sections Show materials of construction, non-rated and fire resistance rated assemblies, and fire resistance rated penetrations. Show dimensions. Page 7

If you have specific questions that were not addressed here or you need assis- tance, feel free to write, telephone or electronically mail either Board. The staff will be glad to help you.

Angeline C. Kinnaird, Program Administrator State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Board of Examiners of Architects 1560 Broadway, Suite 1370 Denver, CO 80202 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.dora.state.co.us/engineers_surveyors Phone (303) 894-7784

This Handbook was produced and published by the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Richard F. O'Donnell, Executive Director. Bill Owens, Governor

Updated March 2003