Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 46 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - Architects
Chapter 13 - Administration
Section I-1313 - Interpretation of R.S. 37:152(B)

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code I-1313

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A.

1. Specifications, drawings, or other related documents will be deemed to have been prepared either by the architect or under the architect's responsible supervision only when:
a. the client requesting preparation of such plans, specifications, drawings, reports or other documents makes the request directly to the architect, or the architect's employee as long as the employee works in the architect's office;

b. the architect personally controls the preparation of the plans, specifications, drawings, reports or other documents and has input into their preparation prior to their completion;

c. if the plans, specifications, drawings, reports, or other such documents are prepared outside the architect's office, the architect shall maintain evidence of the architect's responsible control including correspondence, time records, check prints, telephone logs, site visit logs, research done for the project, calculations, changes, and written agreements with any persons preparing the documents outside of the architect's offices accepting professional responsibility for such work;

d. the architect reviews the final plans, specifications, drawings, reports or other documents; and

e. the architect has the authority to, and does, make necessary and appropriate changes to the final plans, specifications, drawings, reports or other documents.

2. If an architect fails to maintain written documentation of the items set forth above, when such are applicable, then the architect shall be considered to be in violation of R.S. 37:152, and the architect shall be subject to the disciplinary penalties provided in R.S. 37:153. This written documentation should be maintained for the prescriptive period applicable to claims against the architect which may arise from his or her involvement in the project.

B.

1. Nothing precludes the use of prototypical documents provided the architect:
a. has written permission to revise and adapt the prototypical documents from the person who either sealed the prototypical documents or is the legal owner of the prototypical documents;

b. reviewed the prototypical documents and made necessary revisions to bring the design documents into compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and job specific requirements;

c. independently performed and maintains on file necessary calculations;

d. after reviewing, analyzing, and making revisions and/or additions, issued the documents with his/her title block and seal (by applying his/her seal, the architect assumes professional responsibility as the architect of record); and

e. maintained design control over the use of site adapted documents just as if they were his/her original design.

2. The term prototypical documents shall mean model documents of buildings that are intended to be built in several locations with substantially few changes and/or additions except those required to adapt the documents to each particular site; that are generic in nature, that are not designed or premised upon the laws, rules or regulations of any particular state, parish, or municipal building code; that do not account for localized weather, topography, soil, subsistence, local building codes, or other such conditions or requirements; and that are not intended to be used as the actual documents to be employed in the construction of a building, but rather as a sample or a model to provide instruction or guidance. The term legal owner shall mean the person who provides the architect with a letter that he or she is the owner of the documents and has the written permission to allow the use thereof.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:144.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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