In certain states and some situations, peer reviews are required before construction can proceed. The more complex the structure that you are planning on building, the more likely it is that you will be required to have your construction document reviewed before you can receive a building permit.
Chad Vogt, P.E.

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Chad Vogt, P.E.

The Facts of Independent Structural Engineer Reviews (ISER)

There’s no denying that reviewing a construction document is a complicated, time-consuming, and daunting process. Keeping up with the various advances in the industry can be a real challenge – especially because structural engineering codes are typically updated every few years, and software changes even more rapidly. Thankfully, help is available in the form of structural engineering peer reviews.

Let’s take a closer look at these reviews, what they are, and how they work.

What Are Peer Reviews?

Structural engineering peer reviews are independent evaluations of a construction document conducted by a third-party provider. These analyses are designed to cover a number of criteria, including assessing different elements of a construction document, such as risk management, cost, constructability, code compliance, quality assurance, and more.

By helping you catch any potential problems before they materialize in the construction process, peer reviews can save you a lot of time and money while also providing you with valuable peace of mind.

Who Needs Peer Reviews?

In certain states and some situations, peer reviews are required before construction can proceed. The more complex the structure that you are planning on building, the more likely it is that you will be required to have your construction document reviewed before you can receive a building permit. However, even in instances where they are not necessary, peer reviews can still be incredibly helpful. For example, a peer review may accelerate the permit process.

No matter the situation, peer reviews are incredibly valuable for identifying potential problems that may otherwise go unnoticed until it is too late. Because of these benefits, many engineers and building officials rely on structural engineering peer reviews for every project they plan to complete.

How Peer Reviews Are Conducted

When done correctly, peer reviews should entail a collaborative effort between the Engineer of Record (EOR) and the engineer conducting the review (also known as the reviewing engineer). After assessing the structure’s design, the reviewing engineer should carefully communicate any questions or concerns that they might have to the EOR, then work alongside them to come up with effective solutions. In this context, the reviewing engineer acts as both a second set of trained eyes that can spot potential problems as well as a third-party consultant that can help find innovative solutions to those issues.

Expert Peer Reviews from e2 engineers

If a peer review is mandated for the structure that you plan to build or you feel that your project could benefit from one (even if it is not required), e2 engineers is here to help. We specialize in performing Independent Structural Engineering Review (ISER) for public projects (such as municipal buildings and schools) as well as those within the private sector. Our expert team of structural engineers can review all manners of construction documents, helping you highlight and solve would-be problems before they materialize into costly and time-consuming issues.

To learn more about our structural engineering peer review servicescontact us today!

Chad Vogt, P.E.
Principal