HAROLD F. BERGSTEN
PE #43670
Cases #2016007254, #2016055932
Licensee was charged with a violation of Section 471.033(1)(g), Florida Statutes – negligence in the practice of engineering. In Case #2016007254, Licensee sealed, signed, and dated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering documents for an exterior addition and exterior restroom conversation for a commercial structure. The electrical engineering documents contained deficiencies. The deficiencies include, but are not limited to: applicable codes for this project do not appear on the drawings, the drawing contains an electrical riser diagram, but contains no short circuit values and no voltage drop calculations for the feeders and customer-owner service conductors, no designations of circuit interrupting devices, no requirement for fault current interrupting capability, no conductor sizes or insulation types, and no circuitry of outlets, equipment or devices, no surge protective devices, etc. The mechanical engineering documents contain material deficiencies. The deficiencies include, but are not limited to: the HVAC drawings contain no energy calculations, no equipment specifications, no make-up air calculation, no duct systems shown, no ventilation considerations and no combustion air calculations, etc. In Case #2016055932, Licensee signed, sealed, and dated structural, mechanical and electrical engineering drawings for a model residence. The drawings contained deficiencies. The structural deficiencies include, but are not limited to: the roof wind uplift loads shown are as much as 45% less than the uplift loads required, the window wind loads shown are as much as 13% less the wind loads required, a roof girder truss bears on the wood frame wall between the garage and master bath. There is no provision shown to resist the wind uplift loads required, there are no floor or roof framing plans, etc. The mechanical and electrical deficiencies in this complaint are consistent with those listed in Case #2016007254.
Ruling: The case was presented to the full Board upon a Settlement Stipulation. Licensee VOLUNTARILY RELINQUISHED his Professional Engineer license and agreed that he shall never reapply for licensure as a Professional Engineer or Certificate of Authorization holder in the State of Florida. Final Order was issued on 8/18/17.
Violation: Section 471.033(1)(g), Florida Statutes