By 803056
Date 02-01-2013 15:05
Edited 02-01-2013 15:07
There is very little that is prohibited by our welding standards if the contractor is willing to take the time and effort to qualify the welding procedure specification and demonstrate the WPS will produce the desired results.
In the case of D1.1, the Engineer has the authority to override code requirements and in the case of the need for qualifying the WPS or the welder, it is permissible to accept qualification to other standards such as B2.1 or even ASME Section IX (he has to prove mental competency in the latter example). In some situations the Engineer can even permit the contractor to begin welding without WPSs or welder performance qualification if the nature of the job doesn't necessitate the need (in the Engineer's judgment).
I had a job early in my career where there were five individuals making sparks and smoke upon my arrival on the project. None of them were qualified welders; three of the five had never welded before I arrived on-site. I reported back to the Engineer by telephone to inform him of the situation and that I had seen undercut that extend halfway through the column web, moment plates installed upside down and in the wrong location, blah, blah, blah. The Engineer told me to let them keep going. I told the Engineer that I was not turning in a report, that I would deny I was ever on the site, and there would be no bill submitted. He said, "You can't leave the job, I need to know what's going on!"
I responded, "What job are you talking about." I hung up and refused to work on any more of his projects. It was a personal choice I made and to this day I do not regret doing so. I would have regretted my decision to stay on the site if something catastrophic had happened and if I had played an integral part in the oversight of the work. How would I have justified allowing it to continue?
Was he wrong? The Engineer has a legal obligation to ensure the drawings and his design are followed, i.e., the intent of the design are met and the structure is safe to use. The intent of verification inspection is to provide a mechanism where by the Engineer has a representative on-site to ensure the Owner gets what the contractor has agreed to do and to ensure the Engineer the approved drawings and project specifications are followed. If the Engineer determines the work is "good enough" and signs off that his requirements were met, all is well in the world. As long as there are idiots walking on the face of the earth, there will always be a need for lawyers and courts.
I am happy to report that the laws have changed since that incident. Unfortunately it took serious events such as the collapse of the Hartford Civic Center, Le Ambiance Plaza, and the Tea Room Walkway in Kansa City, etc. to get people to realize things had to change. What happened on that project many years ago would have less likelihood of happening today because the building departments and building laws have more authority and more teeth. That being said, I remember working on a project where the engineer was from a different state. I called the State Building Official to report a couple of problems that were not being resolved by the Engineer of Record. The SBO, an architect, responded to my comments with, “Al, how many building actually fall down?” So I responded with a list of structural failures that had recently occurred in Connecticut.
“All right, all right, I get your point. I’ll make a call to see what’s going on.” He snorted.
All the discrepancies got fixed shortly thereafter. Conclusion: even the big wigs hate to be disturbed from their slumber or interrupted when they are busy reading the sports page. However, when pushed hard enough they will react. Imagine what it would be like without these public guardians protecting our safety?
Hey, Roy, what was the final outcome down in Florida on the Marlin's stadium? Roy has an interesting story to tell. I hope he reads this where ever he is. Following my friend Roy's exploits is like playing a game of "Wack a Mole", you never know where he will show up next. He always has an interesting story to tell.
Best regards - Al