Tex. Occ. Code § 1001.0031

Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.

Section 1001.0031 - Practices of Engineering and Architecture

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d) or (e), the practice of engineering does not include, and engineers may not engage in or offer to engage in, the practice of architecture as defined by Sections 1051.001(7)(A), (B), and (C), as that definition existed on April 1, 2011, and by Section 1051.0016(a).

(b) An engineer may not prepare or provide a complete, comprehensive set of building plans for a building designed for human use or occupancy unless:

(1) the plans and specifications as described by Section 1051.001(7)(A) or (B) are prepared by, or under the supervision of, an architect;

(2) the building is part of a project described by Section 1051.601(b) or a building described by Section 1051.606(a)(4); or

(3) the engineer has received administrative approval by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners to practice architecture under Section 1051.607.

(c) An engineer is responsible for the engineering plans and specifications of a building unless the work is exempt under Section 1001.053 or 1001.056. In this section, the term "engineering plans and specifications" means:

(1) plans for a structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, fire suppression, or geotechnical system in a building;

(2) specifications of structural elements and connections of a building;

(3) foundation design;

(4) hydrologic management calculations and design of surface water control and detention necessary for compliance with ordinances and regulations;

(5) design of building drain and waste system plumbing, fresh water plumbing, graywater systems, and mechanical aspects of moving water in and out of a structure, other than simple roof drainage;

(6) evaluation of structural framing members before the addition of roof-mounted equipment or a heavier roof covering;

(7) design of changes in roof pitch by the addition of structural framing members;

(8) evaluation and repair of damaged roof structural framing;

(9) design of electrical and signal and control systems;

(10) shop drawings by manufacturers or fabricators of materials and products to be used in the building features designed by the engineer; and

(11) specifications listing the nature and quality of materials and products for construction of features of the building elements or systems designed by an engineer.

(d) The preparation of engineering plans and specifications for the following tasks is within the scope of practice of both engineering and architecture:

(1) site plans depicting the location and orientation of a building on the site based on:

(A) a determination of the relationship of the intended use with the environment, topography, vegetation, climate, and geographic aspects; and

(B) the legal aspects of site development, including setback requirements, zoning and other legal restrictions, and surface drainage;

(2) the depiction of the building systems, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, in:

(A) plan views;

(B) cross-sections depicting building components from a hypothetical cut line through a building; and

(C) the design of details of components and assemblies, including any part of a building exposed to water infiltration or fire-spread considerations;

(3) life safety plans and sheets, including accessibility ramps and related code analyses; and

(4) roof plans and details depicting the design of roof system materials, components, drainage, slopes, and directions and location of roof accessories and equipment not involving structural engineering calculations.

(e) The following activities may be performed by either an engineer or an architect:

(1) programming for construction projects, including:

(A) identification of economic, legal, and natural constraints; and

(B) determination of the scope of functional elements;

(2) recommending and overseeing appropriate construction project delivery systems;

(3) consulting with regard to, investigating, and analyzing the design, form, materials, and construction technology used for the construction, enlargement, or alteration of a building or its environment; and

(4) providing expert opinion and testimony with respect to issues within the responsibility of the engineer or architect.

Tex. Occ. Code § 1001.0031

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1157, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2011.