Engineer Vs. Inspector

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by jonofrey

Robert,

Where can we view the FREA study that you mention?

This came with some FREA stuff:

[Larry D. Kage]

...if you want a bigger copy I can email you one but can't seem to upload a bigger one to the BB.

[Monte Lunde]

Open the file , save to hard drive, open the file with Paint, increase view to 200%, then save it again for a larger view or copy.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by Monte Lunde

Open the file , save to hard drive, open the file with Paint, increase view to 200%, then save it again for a larger view or copy.

I had never heard of that before, so I tried it. It didn't do anything. The view was larger (but with a severe case of the jaggies), but the saved size came out exactly the same.

I did regular save, save as, save as a different file type, etc. No change.

[Monte Lunde]

Russel,
You are right, I thought that Larry wanted a bigger copy, so that he could read the print in the chart.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

For those of you that are PE's you ought get a kick out of this. I was recently involved in an expert witness in an arbitration against a PE. I had met him 2 years earlier when he was getting into HI, and asked if he could set through one of PITI's day long classes on foundation movements, types of repair, structural defects and how to diagnose the types and significance of foundation cracks, etc. He was a nice guy that had been in software design - now he's a Home Inspector.

His letterhead says he's a licensed PE; his flyers, brochures and cards says he has over 25 years engineering design experience (didn't say in what); he signed his report as a PE and used his seal on the report.

At the arbitration hearing when defending himself against some very gross mistakes (an I-beam in the basement cut and moved 4' - 5' to the side to make room for the pool table; a 8" concrete wall that had moved in 2" in the center, that he said looked like older movement and suggested the buyer extend the downspouts and MONITOR in the future), the PE's main defense was that his report and the inspection agreement stated "this is not an engineering evaluation, but only a "VISUAL" Home Inspection".

It didn't take the Arbitrator long to decide that if it looked like a duck, quacked like a duck, had web feet like a duck, and wore a sign saying "I'm a duck", then it was a reasonable assumption for people to think it was a duck.

By the way - even as a VISUAL Home Inspection, this was POOR Inspecting.

[rwand1]

Software Design Engineer eh. How does that give him the right to abuse and mislead people into thinking he is qualified as a home inspector let alone a structural or civil engineer.

Nice. I am glad the arbitrator was astute.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Again, not a slam - just a statement. In many states (mine included) the basic engineering laws state something along the lines of the fact that the engineer should feel qualified to perform whatever engineering feat he/she is attempting to do. In my area I've seen many engineers (without the structural, civil, etc experience) take a day long class in foundation defects and be out stamping residential HI reports next week.

To me personally that would be along the lines of my dentist watching a movie and lecture on heart transplants and then start doing them.

[rwand1]

I am a Train Egineer, does that mean I am qualified to inspect house?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by rwand1

I am a Train Egineer, does that mean I am qualified to inspect house?

Raymond,

Did you forget something?
Attachment 4255

[rwand1]

Chooooo, chooooo, choooo.....

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by rwand1

I am a Train Egineer, does that mean I am qualified to inspect house?

If I remember reading correctly, a Train Engineer can become qualified to inspect houses by becoming a CMI.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

I am a Train Egineer, does that mean I am qualified to inspect house?

Tooo late you are already a HI Toot Toot

Seeing as you say you are an Train man .
What is the signal they blow at a level crossing .
Hint it is the letter Q in morse code
Hint it sounds like ( here comes the train)
Roy sr

[David P. Valley]

Attachment 4269

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by rcooke

What is the signal they blow at a level crossing.

Actually, it could depend on several factors here in the States. Most U.S. railroads use the following system:

1 short blast - indicates the train is at a full stop.
2 short blasts - indicates the intent to start moving a stopped train.
3 short blasts - indicates the intent to back up a stopped train.
2 longs, 1 short, 1 long, with the final long being held until the train has entered the crossing - used when approaching grade crossings for "roads, streets, or walkways"--this is the one you're probably referring to, but the previous three will take precedence depending on the condition of the train.
1 extra long - used when approaching other rail grade crossings and is held until the train has entered the crossing.

Although these are used by most railroads, many cities have overridden the railroad codes, some requiring silent running from midnight to 6:00 a.m., etc. In older cities where the city blocks are shorter, and thus many more walkway crossings at grade, it can get quite noisy with 2 longs, 2 short, and 1 long until the train has entered each crossing. Basically, the train does nothing but blow its horn while going through downtown.

Some railroads, particularly the belt line and terminal railways, also have altered their sound codes so that the engineer can pay attention to what he's doing in classifying cars rather than spending all his time sounding the horn.