A Partial Practice Act for
Structural Engineering in
Florida
Proposed by the
Florida Structural Engineers Association
History of Structures
The Code of Hammurabi, written around
1762 BC, included three laws related to the
strength of structures, including:
“If a builder builds a house for a man and
does not make its construction firm, and the
house which he has built collapses and
causes the death of the owner of the house,
that builder shall be put to death.”
Florida Structural Engineers Association
History of Separate Licensing
• In 1907, Wyoming enacted the first Professional
Engineers Act in the United States.
• In 1915, Illinois established the first Structural
Engineers Act:
. . . compelled to keep “fools and rascals” from building
unsafe structures.
• Currently 55 jurisdictions license engineers.
• 18 states currently have some form of separate
licensing for structural engineers.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Why create a Practice Act for
Structural Engineering?
To protect the health,
safety and welfare of our
public.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Protect from what?
• Unqualified Professionals
• Inexperienced Professionals
• Professionals not familiar
with current/new codes
• Costly Failures
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Other Reasons
• Decrease in engineering
education requirements
• Advanced design software used
by less-qualified engineers
• Inadequate structural plan
reviews
Florida Structural Engineers Association
What states have separate licensing?
Currently, 17 states and one territory have some
form of SE licensing:
Alaska Arizona
Idaho
Illinois
Nebraska Nevada
Texas
Utah
California
Louisiana
New Mex.
Vermont
Guam
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Oklahoma Oregon
Washington
Requirements vary from state to state as to the amount and type of
experience required beyond the normal PE licensing, and the
examinations that must be passed to obtain licensure.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Which Project Types Require an SE?
• Type of structures vary from state to state.
• “All” structures (IL, HA)
• Structures based on height, area, occupancy
category, span (if a bridge) and number of
occupants (CA, NV, OR, UT, WA, Guam)
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Types of Separate Licensing
• Roster Designation
•
•
Title Designation
Partial Practice Restriction
•
Full Practice Restriction
• Title Designation
Florida Structural Engineers Association
• Partial Practice Designation
What are other states doing?
Full Practice Restriction: Hawaii, Illinois
Partial Practice Restriction: California, Guam,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Title Designation: Idaho, Nebraska
Roster Designation: Alaska, Arizona, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas,
Vermont
Florida Structural Engineers Association
What are other states doing?
States working on initiating SE Licensure:
California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine,
Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Structural Failures in Florida
Berkman Plaza II Parking
Garage, Jacksonville, FL:
A.A. Pittman & Sons
Concrete Co. had been
pouring the top level of a
six-story, posttensioned concrete
garage for about four
hours when it collapsed
at about 6 a.m. on
December 6, 2007.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Structural Failures in Florida
The Harbour Cay
Condominium, Cocoa
Beach, FL: A five-story
flat-plate reinforced
concrete building under
construction, collapsed
shortly after 3 pm on
March 27, 1981, killing
11 workers and injuring
another 23.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Structural Failures in Florida
Turner Agri-Civic Center in
Arcadia, FL: On August
12, 2004, a two-year-old,
steel-frame building,
designed for 140 mph
winds, that was supposed
to serve as a shelter for
1,400 people, was a
twisted ruin that collapsed
in estimated 100 to 110
mph winds.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Structural Failures in Florida
Sea Base Boy Scout Camp,
Islamorada, FL: On February
2, 1988 this 6,000 square
foot dormitory addition
collapsed during
construction. No one was
injured.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
National Structural Failures
Civic Center Coliseum,
Hartford, CT: : January 18,
1978, six hours after a
college basketball game
ended, the roof collapsed
after snow and ice had
accumulated from a
10-day snow storm.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
National Structural Failures
Hyatt Regency Hotel,
Kansas City, MO: On
July 17, 1981, an interior
suspended skywalk
system collapsed, killing
114 people and injuring
216.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
National Structural Failures
Skyline Plaza, Bailey’s
Crossroads, VA: On March
2, 1973, the center section
of the 26-story building
gave way, killing 14 people
and injuring 34 others.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
Will currently licensed professional
engineers be affected?
• No, current professional engineers will not be affected at all.
• They will submit their application to the FBPE for review,
together with an affidavit attesting to their competency and
experience.
• A one-year transition period will allow professional
engineers to apply for structural engineering licensure
without having to take the new S.E. exam.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
How will the Act be implemented?
• Beginning in January 1, 2014, PE’s licensed in
Florida will have a 12-month transition
period to make application to the FBPE to
obtain an SE license.
• After January, 2015, licensing as a structural
engineer in Florida will follow the
requirements established by the Act and
administered by the FBPE.
Florida Structural Engineers Association
FSEA wants
YOUR
Help!
Please
volunteer
A Partial Practice Act for
Structural Engineering in
Florida
Q&A
Florida Structural Engineers Association