Architect/Engineer?????? How To?

[Mr.Magoo]

I came across a complete 30 x 60 metal building on pallets and has never been erected. Appears the party selling got the building as a result of some money owed from some worked that was done and had to settle for the trade. Available is the invoice, purchase order 28 pages of the building list and plans on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Missing are the approved plans, where they are at, nobody knows. All is legit and everything is there from the nuts, bolts, screws and ridge end caps. Problem is, in my county,,,,,, "Three sets of approved plans with engineering needed". The guy selling says, take the plan duplicates to a local engineer and have him utilize his current stamp and date the plans. I kind of thought this was like Boeing doing the same and vouching for a Grumman aircraft part. I was considering calling the manufacture but was under the belief that they would say, " they were shipped with the building" and would not provide such. In other words, if you want plans, we will gladly sell you another building. I told the selling party that without the approved plans, you may have to use the material in another way or you have salvaged or used material value. I would like to capture this thing, any thoughts on how to get plans applied or approval.

The building is a Varco Pruden that was sold by General Steel, does anybody have any experience working with these people??

 

[fitz11]

At least call the company and see what they say, they could make this problem real simple to solve if they will get you a set.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Call the manufacturer and ask for the plans, if they say no, visit an architectural or civil engineering firm and ask them to review the plans and stamp. It's done quite often in many industries, where one designer/engineer has another engineer review and stamp...for a price. Try not to choke when the engineer/architect tells you how much his stamp costs.

 

[idoine in toronto]

Call the manufacture/dealer and find out if they have a referral for an engineer in your area, or look for an engineer who deals with metal buildings of this type/size and see what it would cost to have him produce stamped drawings from the specifications that you have. Call around as prices may be all over the map. I'd also contact the building department and find out exactly what they need on the drawings, so that the engineer isn't producing/billing for unneeded information.

It would also be good to know the age of the building to make sure it will meet current code when erected, or what modifications will be needed.

If your lucky, the manufacture may provide plans that the engineer can review and stamp.

 

[nehog]

Generally the engineer must be licensed in the state... Likely the manufacturer can tell you who originally certified the plans, and perhaps they will create a new set of certified plans since the work has already been done. Any licensed structural engineer should be able to do it however. They are independent of the manufacturer, they don't care who made the building.

 

[pop pop]

Varco Pruden will still have all the design data.

 

[Exit 61]

If you cant get it approved I would like to look at it, Currently at our calil home (Mojave) I could use it at our place in Idaho, No Plans or building permit required.......

 

[Stuart in MN]

An engineer can't simply stamp and sign the plans without actually reviewing and analyzing them to make sure they are correct and the building is structurally sound, it's a good way to lose his license. Contact the company - they will probably charge a fee for extra sets of plans but you'll have to pay either way.