STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF RECISTRAliONS Department of Regu lato ry Agencies 1560 Broadway, Suite 1300 Denver, Colorado 80202 Phone(J03) 894-7690 Roy Romer Governor

December, 1995

Joseph A. Garcia Executive D ir ector

Bruce M. Douglas Director

ALL BUILDING OFFICIALS- STATE OF COLORADO

RE:

Architect or Professional Engineer Seal on Plans and Specifications

Ladies/Gentlemen: We h~ve received several questions and concerns about the acceptance of Architect or Professional Engineer seals by building officials on building plans and specifications. The concerns indicate that there may be some confusion on the part of builc;iing officials regarding which seal, Architect or Professional Engineer, should be accepted by building officials. In order to clarify the iss~:~e, we remind you that either seal is appropriate, with neither one nor the other holding precedence. The Colorado Revised St;:~tutes, specffically Section 30-28-205, state that plans and specifications shall bear the seal of an Architect QR Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Colorado when such plans and specifications conform to the regulations and restrictions in the building code. Therefore, the Colorado law treats each seal equally under those circumstances.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1370 Denver, CO 80202 (303) 894-7801

FOR THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED: V/TOO (303) 894-7880

STATE OF COLORADO DIYISION Of REGISTRATIONS Department of Regulatory Agencies 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350

Denver, Colorado 80202 Phone: (303) 894-7800 FAX: (303) 894·7693 V/TDD (303) 894·7880

www.dora.state.co.us/reglstrations

To:

-MEMORANDUM

ALL STATE OF COLORADO BUILDING OFFICIALS

BUIOwens

Govemor Richard F. O'Connell Exei:utlve Director Rosell"I;N}' McCool

Date: Re:

Director

February 2004 Architect or Profess1onal Engineer Seal on Plans and Specifications

As aFl update to the attached 1995 memorandum on the sealing of architectural and engineering doc~ments, the· Colorado Board of-Examiners of Architects and the Colorado Board of Registration for Prof~ssional Engineers arid Professional land Surveyors are Issuing further clarification In this memorandum. Wrth the continued adoption of the International" Codes In Colorado and thr'Oughout the United States, the roJe

of the design professional is ever more predominant. Constru~ion documents, when required by state and local jurisdictions shall be sealed by a State of Colorado licensed architect or professional engineer When such plans/specifications conform to the regulations and restrictions of the building code under Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 30~28:.205. · ColQrado law treats each seal equally under those circumstanceS. nils does not mean that an architect has the privilege to seal strudural, elecbical, plumbing or mechanical.documents, or an engineer could seal architectural plans (occupancy classification, type of construction, location on property, allowable floor area, occupant lo~ds, etc). The licensee may only practice within their area of expertise. The role of the Building Official and the design professional are to ensure public safety through design and construction standards. Through construction document design, submittal and review, the Building Official has the responsibility ofthe jurisdiction to verify experti~ wtthln each discipline (i.e., architectural•. mechanicaVplumblng, electrical, structural, fire protection, etc.). The eompleted design/construction documents shall only be sealed by a qualified design professional practicing in their respective field of expertise. Additionally, If the. Building Official finds inappropriate sealing of design/construction documents by design professionals, he/she has an obligation to the Colorado Soard of Examiners of Architects. and the Board of ·Registration for PrOfesslonal Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors to provide such Information for further review and/or possible disciplinary action. If th~re are any qz~ase do not hesitate to contact elthe~~ · Duane A. Boyle, Board Presid t Colorado Board of Examiners of Architects

Peter D. Monroe, P.E., Board Chair Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors

1560 Broadway, Suite 1300 Denver, Colorado 80202 · 303/894-7775

1560 Broadway, Suite 1300 Denver, Colorado 80202 303/894~7792

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