CE Laws, Contracts, Specifications and Ethics PDF Download
If you are a civil engineer or aspiring to be one, you need to know the legal and ethical aspects of your profession. Civil engineering involves designing, constructing, and maintaining various structures and facilities that serve the public interest. As such, you have to comply with the laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics that govern your practice.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the CE laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics that you need to know. We will also give you a link to download a PDF file that contains more detailed information on these topics. By reading this article and the PDF file, you will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental principles, canons, and guidelines of the civil engineering code of ethics.
- Recognize the professional responsibilities and relationships of a civil engineer with clients, contractors, colleagues, and society.
- Describe the different types of civil engineering services and how to charge for them.
- Explain the selection process and criteria for hiring a civil engineer for a project.
- Identify the construction regulatory laws and design and construction codes that apply to civil engineering projects.
Civil Engineering Code of Ethics
The civil engineering code of ethics is a set of rules and standards that guide the conduct and behavior of civil engineers in their professional practice. The code of ethics aims to uphold the dignity, honor, and integrity of the profession and to protect the public welfare. The code of ethics consists of four elements:
- Fundamental principles: These are the basic values and ideals that civil engineers should adhere to in their work. They include honesty, fairness, competence, accountability, respect, loyalty, professionalism, and social responsibility.
- Fundamental canons: These are the general rules that civil engineers should follow in their practice. They include holding paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public; performing services only in areas of their competence; issuing public statements only in an objective and truthful manner; acting as faithful agents or trustees for their clients or employers; avoiding conflicts of interest; building their professional reputation on merit; acting in a manner that upholds the honor and dignity of the profession; and continuing their professional development and supporting the advancement of the profession.
- Guidelines to practice under the fundamental canons: These are the specific guidelines that explain how to apply the fundamental canons in different situations. They cover topics such as quality assurance, peer review, confidentiality, plagiarism, advertising, bidding, compensation, gifts, whistleblowing, sustainability, diversity, harassment, mentoring, and lifelong learning.
- Professional obligations: These are the additional obligations that civil engineers have to fulfill as members of their professional societies or organizations. They include abiding by the constitution, bylaws, policies, procedures, rules, standards, and codes of their societies or organizations; cooperating with other professionals in matters of common interest; reporting any violations of the code of ethics by other civil engineers; and participating in civic affairs related to engineering.
Civil Engineering Services
Civil engineering services are the various activities that civil engineers perform in their professional practice. They include consultations,
research,
investigations,
reports,
designs,
plans,
specifications,
estimates,
erection,
installation,
supervision,
construction,
demolition,
and academic services.
Civil engineering services can be classified into four categories:
- Consultations: These are services that involve providing expert advice or opinion on technical matters related to civil engineering. Examples include feasibility studies,
site investigations,
soil tests,
surveys,
environmental impact assessments,
and value engineering.
- Design services for construction projects: These are services that involve preparing plans,
specifications,
and estimates for civil engineering structures or facilities. Examples include bridges,
highways,
railroads,
airports,
portworks,
canals,
river and shore improvements,
lighthouses,
dry docks,
buildings,
irrigation systems,
flood protection systems,
drainage systems,
water supply systems,
and sewerage systems.
- Construction services: These are services that involve supervising or managing the execution of civil engineering projects. Examples include contract administration,
quality control,
inspection,
testing,
commissioning,
and maintenance.
- Special services for construction projects: These are services that involve providing specialized skills or knowledge for specific aspects of civil engineering projects. Examples include structural analysis,
geotechnical engineering,
hydraulic engineering,
transportation engineering,
environmental engineering,
and safety engineering.
Charging for Civil Engineering Services
Charging for civil engineering services is the process of determining and collecting fees or compensation for the services rendered by a civil engineer. Charging for civil engineering services depends on several factors such as:
- The type and scope of service: Different types of services may require different levels of effort
and expertise
and therefore may have different rates or charges.
The scope of service refers to the extent
and duration
of the service provided by a civil engineer
and may affect the amount
and frequency
of payment.
and experience
of the civil engineer: A civil engineer who has higher qualifications
such as licenses
certifications
or degrees
or more experience
in a particular field or project
may charge higher fees than a less qualified or experienced one.
and competition: The demand
and supply
of civil engineering services in a given area or sector may influence the fees or charges that a civil engineer can charge.
The presence
and performance
of other civil engineers who offer similar or alternative services may also affect the fees or charges that a civil engineer can charge.
- The contractual agreement
and legal requirements: The fees or charges that a civil engineer can charge may be subject to negotiation
and agreement
between the civil engineer
and the client or employer.
The contractual agreement may specify the terms
and conditions
of payment such as mode
schedule
currency
taxes
penalties
or incentives.
The fees or charges that a civil engineer can charge may also be subject to legal requirements such as laws
regulations
or standards that govern the practice of civil engineering in a given jurisdiction.
There are different methods or bases for charging for civil engineering services such as:
- Lump sum: This is a method where a fixed amount is agreed upon for a specific service or project regardless of the actual cost or time involved.
- Cost plus: This is a method where a percentage is added to the actual cost of performing a service or project to cover overhead expenses and profit.
- Time basis: This is a method where an hourly or daily rate is applied to the actual time spent on performing a service or project.
- Unit price: This is a method where a unit rate is applied to each unit of work performed such as quantity
area
volume
or weight.
- Percentage: This is a method where a percentage is applied to a certain base such as construction cost
project value
or savings
Selection Process for Civil Engineers
The selection process for civil engineers is the procedure by which clients or employers choose qualified and competent civil engineers for their projects. The selection process for civil engineers depends on several factors such as:
- The type and size of project: Different types and sizes of projects may require different levels of qualification and experience from civil engineers. For example,
a small-scale residential project may not need as much expertise as
a large-scale infrastructure project.
- The type and mode of contract: Different types and modes of contracts may require different methods
and criteria
for selecting
civil engineers.
For example,
a design-bid-build contract may involve
a separate selection process
for design
and construction
services,
while
a design-build contract may involve
a single selection process
for both
services.
and objectives:
The client may have specific preferences
or objectives
that influence
the selection process
for civil engineers.
For example,
the client may prefer
a local
or foreign
civil engineer,
a sole practitioner
or a firm,
a generalist
or a specialist,
or a low-cost
or high-quality
service provider.
and standards:
The selection process
for civil engineers
may also be subject to legal requirements
and standards
that regulate
the practice
of civil engineering
in a given jurisdiction.
For example,
the selection process
may have to comply with
the procurement laws,
the licensing laws,
the ethical codes,
or the accreditation standards
of the relevant authorities.
There are different methods or procedures for selecting civil engineers such as:
- Qualifications-based selection (QBS):
This is a method where
civil engineers are selected based on their qualifications,
such as education,
training,
experience,
reputation,
and performance.
This method emphasizes
Selection Process for Civil Engineers
The selection process for civil engineers is the procedure by which clients or employers choose qualified and competent civil engineers for their projects. The selection process for civil engineers depends on several factors such as:
- The type and size of project: Different types and sizes of projects may require different levels of qualification and experience from civil engineers. For example,
a small-scale residential project may not need as much expertise as
a large-scale infrastructure project.
- The type and mode of contract: Different types and modes of contracts may require different methods
and criteria
for selecting
civil engineers.
For example,
a design-bid-build contract may involve
a separate selection process
for design
and construction
services,
while
a design-build contract may involve
a single selection process
for both
services.
and objectives:
The client may have specific preferences
or objectives
that influence
the selection process
for civil engineers.
For example,
the client may prefer
a local
or foreign
civil engineer,
a sole practitioner
or a firm,
a generalist
or a specialist,
or a low-cost
or high-quality
service provider.
and standards:
The selection process
for civil engineers
may also be subject to legal requirements
and standards
that regulate
the practice
of civil engineering
in a given jurisdiction.
For example,
the selection process
may have to comply with
the procurement laws,
the licensing laws,
the ethical codes,
or the accreditation standards
of the relevant authorities.
There are different methods or procedures for selecting civil engineers such as:
- Qualifications-based selection (QBS):
This is a method where
civil engineers are selected based on their qualifications,
such as education,
training,
experience,
reputation,
and performance.
This method emphasizes
the competence
and creativity
of civil engineers
rather than
the cost
of their services.
This method is recommended
by many professional organizations
such as
the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
and the World Bank.
This is a method where
civil engineers are selected based on the lowest bid
or price
they offer for their services.
This method emphasizes
the economy
and efficiency
of civil engineering projects
rather than
the quality
or innovation
of their services.
This method is commonly used
by public agencies
or clients
who have limited budgets
or strict specifications.
This is a method where
civil engineers are selected based on a mutual agreement
between them and their clients or employers.
This method allows
flexibility
and customization
of civil engineering services
according to the needs
and preferences
of both parties.
This method is often used
by private clients or employers
who have specific requirements or expectations.
Construction Regulatory Laws and Design and Construction Codes
Construction regulatory laws and design and construction codes are the legal and technical rules that govern the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of civil engineering structures and facilities. Construction regulatory laws and design and construction codes aim to ensure the safety, health, welfare, and quality of life of the public and the environment. Construction regulatory laws and design and construction codes consist of two types:
- General laws and codes: These are the laws and codes that apply to all types of civil engineering projects regardless of their location, nature, or purpose. They include national laws such as the Contractors' License Law (RA 4566), the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) Law (PD 1746), the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), and the National Building Code (PD 1096); international laws such as the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Contracts; and universal codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC).
- Specific laws and codes: These are the laws and codes that apply to specific types of civil engineering projects depending on their location, nature, or purpose. They include local laws such as city ordinances, zoning regulations, and environmental laws; sectoral laws such as the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185), the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (PD 856), and the Accessibility Law (BP 344); and specialized codes such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standards, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Standards, and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards.
Civil engineers must be familiar with and comply with the construction regulatory laws and design and construction codes that are relevant to their projects. They must also keep themselves updated with any changes or amendments to these laws and codes. They must also consult with other professionals such as architects, lawyers, contractors, regulators, or inspectors who may have more knowledge or authority on these matters.
Conclusion
Civil engineering is a noble and challenging profession that requires not only technical skills but also legal and ethical awareness. Civil engineers must know and follow the CE laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics that govern their practice. They must also be able to provide quality services to their clients or employers while protecting the public interest. By doing so, they can contribute to the development of society and the environment.
If you want to learn more about CE laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics, you can download this PDF file that contains more detailed information on these topics. This PDF file will help you understand better the concepts, principles, methods, and examples discussed in this article. You can also use this PDF file as a reference or a guide for your future projects.
Conclusion
Civil engineering is a noble and challenging profession that requires not only technical skills but also legal and ethical awareness. Civil engineers must know and follow the CE laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics that govern their practice. They must also be able to provide quality services to their clients or employers while protecting the public interest. By doing so, they can contribute to the development of society and the environment.
If you want to learn more about CE laws, contracts, specifications, and ethics, you can download this PDF file that contains more detailed information on these topics. This PDF file will help you understand better the concepts, principles, methods, and examples discussed in this article. You can also use this PDF file as a reference or a guide for your future projects.