12-31-2009, 03:34 PM
Sorry Bob,
Construction, land rights and community safety issues are a very complex thing and not simply black and white. What you have cited was not the crux of my argument.
The crux of the argument is community safety related in conjunction with meeting the codes in personal safety standards and those things that are within the means of the average individual vs. those things which require a certain level of responsibility beyond the average OB's higher education (not a technical education), insurance and liability factors. There are a few tests involved in determining these factors, not just one or two.
Methane gas control in a closed septic system within a drain field is not outside community related safety issues on the other hand a cesspool does not produce enough methane gas buildup to induce a methane explosion. Cesspools and septic systems are not the same.
The structural engineering requirements (higher education issue and not merely a technical education like a plumber or electrician) are already in place and not allowed to be done by the OB at this time, nor would any argument against the use of a structural engineer hold merit. The building department acts as a secondary redundant safety check on structural engineering plan aspects as well looks for all the other elements within the plan to make sure it meets other codes... most all building departments have done things this way and always will. We'll never get that element out of the equation as the structural engineers approval is also a liability commitment on behalf of the engineer. Structural engineers do not address anything but structural integrity related issues only. This is similar to a doctor signing you off on a health check-up. The structural engineering is the single most important element in a building; it always has been and always will be. It’s the very thing that first began building departments and codes.
Also remember, a structural engineer is not a licensed contractor and the statutes you cited were referencing licensed contractors, not licensed structural engineers or licensed Architects. The aspect of the Structural Engineer and the Architect are under another portion of the code and the OB in Hawaii has always been required to use either the Architect or the Engineer depending on the scope of the project.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
Construction, land rights and community safety issues are a very complex thing and not simply black and white. What you have cited was not the crux of my argument.
The crux of the argument is community safety related in conjunction with meeting the codes in personal safety standards and those things that are within the means of the average individual vs. those things which require a certain level of responsibility beyond the average OB's higher education (not a technical education), insurance and liability factors. There are a few tests involved in determining these factors, not just one or two.
Methane gas control in a closed septic system within a drain field is not outside community related safety issues on the other hand a cesspool does not produce enough methane gas buildup to induce a methane explosion. Cesspools and septic systems are not the same.
The structural engineering requirements (higher education issue and not merely a technical education like a plumber or electrician) are already in place and not allowed to be done by the OB at this time, nor would any argument against the use of a structural engineer hold merit. The building department acts as a secondary redundant safety check on structural engineering plan aspects as well looks for all the other elements within the plan to make sure it meets other codes... most all building departments have done things this way and always will. We'll never get that element out of the equation as the structural engineers approval is also a liability commitment on behalf of the engineer. Structural engineers do not address anything but structural integrity related issues only. This is similar to a doctor signing you off on a health check-up. The structural engineering is the single most important element in a building; it always has been and always will be. It’s the very thing that first began building departments and codes.
Also remember, a structural engineer is not a licensed contractor and the statutes you cited were referencing licensed contractors, not licensed structural engineers or licensed Architects. The aspect of the Structural Engineer and the Architect are under another portion of the code and the OB in Hawaii has always been required to use either the Architect or the Engineer depending on the scope of the project.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.