07-03-2008, 03:37 PM
I am a professional Draftsman here in San Diego, www.plansandpermit.com here in CA the requirements for calculations and stamp are determined by the Building Code, variations from the prescribed guidelines of "conventional design" outlined in the Code require Lic Arch or Eng. I have spoken to unlicensed designers in Maui and they told me any project valued over 50k requires an Arch stamp in HI. In actuality HI uses the same code as CA and the conventional requirements ( sec 23) for a single story wood framed structure eliminate the need for calculations and stamp. 95% of my single story projects never see an Arch or Engineers stamp.
Now to my question -- are the building depts in HI accepting "anything" if it has a stamp without calculations? As I read these forums it seems that way!! This is confusing as most Architects don't do calcs, at least here in CA. If anyone has info on the process and requirements in HI for light frame design I am interested as I hope to move there and draw plans. I am also looking for referals to Archs or Engineers that do structural calcs, will review and stamp plans for private parties. I will say, based upon my preliminary research HI seems to vary from all the other States by making an arbitrary requirement at 50k valuation regardless of what the Building Code says to require a stamp.
m http://www.plansandpermit.com
Now to my question -- are the building depts in HI accepting "anything" if it has a stamp without calculations? As I read these forums it seems that way!! This is confusing as most Architects don't do calcs, at least here in CA. If anyone has info on the process and requirements in HI for light frame design I am interested as I hope to move there and draw plans. I am also looking for referals to Archs or Engineers that do structural calcs, will review and stamp plans for private parties. I will say, based upon my preliminary research HI seems to vary from all the other States by making an arbitrary requirement at 50k valuation regardless of what the Building Code says to require a stamp.
m http://www.plansandpermit.com