7100 Zero Code
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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION (R6)
PORTLAND, OR
FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER – ZERO CODE
R6 Supplement No.: FSM 7100-2008-1
Effective Date: November 17, 2008
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: LISA E FREEDMAN
Acting Deputy Regional Forester
Date Approved: 11/10/2008
Posting Instructions: (Print Regional Supplements on blue paper.) Supplements are
numbered consecutively by title and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire
document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this
document. The last supplement to this title was R6 Supp. FSM 7100-96-1 to chapter 70.
New Document
R6 Supp. FSM 7100-2008-1
5 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
R-6 Supp.FSM 7100-95-1 to the zero code,
dated 6/29/95
2 Pages
Digest:
7104 - In addition to previously outlined responsibilities for signing engineering documents
(designs and reports), this supplement establishes the appropriate signatures for technical reviews
of contract plans & drawings, including contracted engineering work. It establishes procedures
for the use of secured digital signatures for technical reviews of engineering reports, designs,
plans & drawings.
R6 SUPPLEMENT 7100-2008-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 17, 2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7100 Zero Code
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FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER – ZERO CODE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7104 - RESPONSIBILITY ............................................................................................... 3
7104.3 – Authority to Sign Engineering Contract and Design Documents. ............................... 3
7104.3a - Contract Plans Cover Sheet. ................................................................................... 3
7104.3b - Engineering Design Drawings (in-house). ............................................................. 3
7104.3c - Engineering Design Drawings (Architect-Engineer Contracted design). ............... 4
7104.3e – Bridge- Related Engineering Documents ............................................................... 4
7104.3d – Other Engineering Documents ............................................................................... 4
7105 – DEFINITIONS...................................................................................................... 5
R6 SUPPLEMENT 7100-2008-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 17, 2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7100 Zero Code
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FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER – ZERO CODE
7104 - RESPONSIBILITY
7104.3 – Authority to Sign Engineering Contract and Design Documents.
Authority and responsibilities for signing engineering documents are outlined below.
Engineering documents addressed by this supplement include design drawings & calculations,
technical reports, and contract plan sets. These signing authorities are the minimum standards for
engineered project drawings in Region 6.
Use of a secured digital signature is appropriate for technical reviews of engineering documents,
including reviews of contracted work. The signature for approval of a project (e.g., Line Officer
signature) will be an original handwritten signature. Digital signatures will be used only on
documents that are in a secured electronic format. The reviewing official may use a digital
signature, in lieu of a handwritten signature, only if the digital signature is secured through the
use of appropriate software. Portable Document Format (pdf) and Adobe Acrobat software are
examples of acceptable secure formats, for the purposes of this supplement.
7104.3a - Contract Plans Cover Sheet.
The signatures on the cover sheet of a project plan set approves the project for implementation as
designed. Signatures will include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Approved by : Line Officer: Responsible Official that signed the NEPA decision
Recommended by: Forest Engineer that has delegated signing authority
Reviewed by: Qualified Engineer performing contract review
Prepared by: Qualified Project Engineer having responsible charge for project
7104.3b - Engineering Design Drawings (in-house).
The signatures on design drawings (individual sheets) will indicate those performing the actual
design and technical reviews.
1. Designed by: Design Engineer or Specialist
2. Reviewed by: Qualified Engineer
Engineering drawings for work not delegated to the Forest Engineer will include a signature line
for the Regional Engineer/Regional Bridge Engineer, as appropriate.
R6 SUPPLEMENT 7100-2008-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 17, 2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7100 Zero Code
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FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER – ZERO CODE
7104.3c - Engineering Design Drawings (Architect-Engineer Contracted design).
The signatures on engineering drawings provided by Architect-Engineer (A-E) contracts are
stamped by a licensed or registered professional. The government will not add signatures to these
sheets. Acceptance of the A-E design is part of the A-E contract and not the construction contract
process. Once accepted as meeting the design objectives through the A-E contract, the A-E
design drawings are included in the project plans for the construction project. Signature block on
engineering design drawings, or other drawings that have a professional stamp on them, must
only be “approved by” the licensee. The F.S. engineer who has technical authority for technical
approval will concur that the design presented meets Agency design objectives.
1. Designed by: Design Engineer (licensed professional who stamped drawing)
2. Concurred by (Agency objectives met): Qualified Engineer with delegated signing
authority
Any drawing that is stamped by a licensed or registered professional (engineer (P.E.), architect,
landscape architect, geologist, etc) should not be altered. If a change is necessary, it should be
returned to the P.E. for revision or converted into a “new” design and treated as in-house work.
The professional stamp will not remain on drawings altered by the Forest Service.
7104.3e – Bridge- Related Engineering Documents
The signatures on documents for bridge designs, load ratings, and maintenance inspections
indicate the required signatures (and signing engineer) meet all requirements for licensing,
expertise, and delegations of authority as outlined in FSM 7722 and 23 CFR 650 Subpart C
National Bridge Inspection Standards.
7104.3d – Other Engineering Documents
For other engineering documents prepared by Forest Service employees (including but not
limited to: sanitary surveys, traffic engineering reports, crash reports, safety audits, mixed-use
analyses, geotechnical & materials analyses & designs, etc.), the following terminology will
apply:



Designed by: Design Engineer or Specialist
Reviewed by: Qualified Engineer performing review of the document
Prepared by: Qualified Project Engineer having responsible charge for the document
For documents prepared by experts outside the Forest Service, the following applies:
 Concurred by or Accepted by (Agency objectives met): Qualified Engineer with
delegated signing authority or Engineer having responsible charge
R6 SUPPLEMENT 7100-2008-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 17, 2008
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
7100 Zero Code
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FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
CHAPTER – ZERO CODE
7105 – DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of approving engineering documents, as described by this supplement, the following
terms are being clarified:
Concurrence. Forest Engineer or Regional Engineer agrees that a design stamped by a licensed
professional meets agency objectives. Utilize “concurrence” in place of “approval” for work that is
done by A-E contracts or otherwise stamped by a licensed engineer, architect or other licensed
professional. The concurrence is specific to drawings that are stamped by the licensed professional
(include only a concurrence signature line on engineering design drawings that indicate agency
objectives are met).
“Designed by” or “Authored by”. He/she is qualified by experience/education to prepare the
engineering report or perform the engineering design of specific aspects of the project, independently
or under the guidance of a journey level engineer. Designs accomplished by trainees will be reviewed
and signed by the journey level person in responsible charge of the work.
Forest Engineer Recommendation. The Forest Engineer confirms the design and review of the
project, or preparation of the engineering report, has been accomplished by qualified personnel and is
consistent with current policy and direction. The project objectives have been appropriately
incorporated into the plans. The project or report is recommended to the line officer for approval.
Line Officer Approval (responsible official signing NEPA document). The Forest Supervisor or the
District Ranger affirms the project will serve intended uses, meets all appropriate NEPA
requirements, that the design is consistent with approved resource planning documents, is in the
program of work and approved for implementation. Forest Engineers or Engineering Staff officers
are not to sign as an acting Line Officer if he/she signed as the Forest Engineer.
“Prepared by”. He/she was responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the design/report to meet
agency management direction, was in responsible charge of the design/report and is responsible for
its technical adequacy and constructability.
"Responsible Charge". Journey level engineer or project manager who directly supervised the
engineering design/report and all technical components. He/She is responsible for key decisions on
technical matters and technical aspects included to address Forest Service policy, professional
standards of practice, applicable laws, and appropriate codes..
“Reviewed by”. This person is qualified by experience/education to review the report, design, or
contract plans from a technical engineering standpoint. He/she has made an independent review of
the design/report/plans and agrees that it is technically adequate and that implementation is
technically feasible. When a project has multiple technical components, such as hydraulics,
foundations, structural, geotechnical, hydrologic, etc. review by multiple technical specialists is
preferred. An additional review is required for other aspects of projects such as cost estimations, on
the ground design reviews, and contract documents.