PRACTICE OF CIVIL

ENGINEERING
Based on the Manual of Preofessional Practice
for Civil Engineers - 3rd Edition

Presented by Daniella MaeV. De Gracia

We will talk about...
1: Professional Responsibility

2: Client-Civil Engineer Relationship

3: Classification of CE Services
 General

QUALITY - is one satisfactorily meeting both the expectations of

the client or employer and the requirements of the project. It is
the results from team effort and is measured by the degree of
satisfaction of all parties involved.
1: Professional Responsibility
Standard of practice is for Civil Engineers to be given
responsibility for:
Studying
Conceiving
Designing
Observing Construction
Assisting in the programming for operating and maintaining
engineering work
1. Civil Engineers shall conduct themselves in a highly Professional
Manner and Serve as Faithful Trustees or agents of their client or
employers.
2. Civil Engineers are therefore bound by the Fundamental Canons
of Ethics contained in this manual.
3. Care and protection of the environment is paramount in the Civil
Engineer’s work engagement.
4. Civil Engineers must always strive to maintain the highest
standard of Ethical Professional Practice in their dealing with
client employers, employees, competitors and the community.

2: Client-Civil Engineer Relationship

PROPER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CIVIL ENGINEERS AND THEIR
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CLIENTS
OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER
OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT
LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND THE CLIENT
LIMITATION OR CIVIL ENGINEER’S RESPONSIBILITY
DAMAGES
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
OWNERSHIP OF DATA, DESIGNS AND DOCUMENTS
2.1 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER

1.
The Civil Engineer shall perform Scope of the
services as stated in section 2.

2.
The Civil Engineer shall exercise reasonable
skill, care and diligence in the performance of
his obligations.

The Civil Engineer shall act independently and, as required by

3. the contract, perform with necessary skills and professional

judgement, when required to certify, decide or exercise
discretion between the Client and a Third party with whom the
Client has a contract.
2.1 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER

The Civil Engineer is authorized to act as the Client’s

4. faithful agent when required but only as implied in

section 2 or implied in the contract adopted for the
project.

When aware of any matters which will change or

5. has changed the scope of the services, the Civil

Engineer shall give written notice to the Client
containing particulars of the change.

For Specified Staged Services, the Civil Engineer

6.
shall not initiate or proceed with any subsequent
stage of the Services without the approval of the
Client.
2.1 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER

When required, the Civil Engineer shall direct and co-operate

7.
with all other professionals and integrate their work where
applicable into that being undertaken by the Civil Engineer and
other professionals, but shall not be professionally liable for
their work.

The Civil Engineer may recommend specialist suppliers and/or contractors to design

8.
and execute certain parts of the works, in which case the Civil Engineer shall co-
ordinate the design of such part or parts with the overall design of the works but he
shall be relieved of all responsibility for the design, manufacture, installation and
performance of any such part or parts of the works. The Civil Engineer shall not be
liable for acts of negligence, default or omission by such person or persons.

The Civil Engineer shall notify the Client of any

9. interest the Civil engineer has which may

significantly conflict with the interests of the Client
under their Contract.
2.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT

The Client shall pay the Civil Engineer for his

1. Services, the amount of fees and expenses set

out in or determined in their agreement.

The Client shall provide the Civil Engineer within reasonable time

2.
(that does not result in delay to the provision of the Services), all
information required by the Civil Engineer in the performance of
his services and a decision in writing on all matters properly
referred to the Client in writing.

3.
The Client shall cooperate with the Civil
Engineer and shall not interfere with or obstruct
the proper performance of the Services.
2.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT

The Client shall, as soon as practicable, make

4. arrangements to enable the Civil Engineer to enter

the site and inspect facilities needed in the
performance of his services.

The Client shall arrange for the provision of

5. services from other professionals or others as

may be required and bear all costs.

When the Civil Engineer is required to administer the work of other

6.
professionals or other third parties who are directly contracted by
the Client or when the Civil Engineer is required to act as Engineer-
to-the-Contract for any contract on behalf of the client then all
instructions by the Client shall be given through the Civil Engineer.
2.2 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT

When aware of any matter which will change or has

7.
changed the scope of the Civil Engineer’s Services, the Client
shall notify in writing within 7 days the Civil Engineer
containing, as far as is practicable, the particulars of the
change.
2.3 LIABILITY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND
THE CLIENT
Civil Engineer shall only be liable to pay damages
to the client arising out of or in connection with
their Agreement if a breach of duty of care is
established against the Civil Engineer.
Client shall only be liable to pay damages to the
Civil Engineer if a breach of the Client’s duty to
the Civil Engineer is established against the Client.
a.) Limitation or Civil Engineer’s Responsibility
1. The Civil Engineer shall have no responsibility or liability for costs, loss or damage of
whatsoever nature arising from any errors in or omission from data, documents, plans, design
or specifications not prepared by the Civil Engineer, or other personnel under the direct control
of the Civil Engineer, and arising from any act or omission or lack of performance or any
negligent or fraudulent act or omission by the Client or any Other Consultant, Contractor or
supplier to the Client or any employee or agent of the Client, Other Consultants, Contractors or
suppliers.
2. Notwithstanding any recommendation or lack of recommendation made by the Civil Engineer
to the Client, the Civil Engineer shall not be held to have made any warranty or promise as to
the suitability, competence or performance of any Other Consultant, Contractor, supplier, or
other third party.
3. The Civil Engineer shall not be responsible for the techniques, method, programs, sequences or
procedures adopted by any Contractor or other third party responsible for executing any
aspects of the Project, nor for their performance on time, their failure to carry out the work in
accordance with any contract documents or for any other acts or omissions.
b.) Damages
1. Damages payable shall be limited to the amount of reasonably foreseeable
loss and damage suffered as a result of such breach.
2. The maximum amount of damages payable in respect of liability, whether
under the law or contract, or otherwise, is limited to the amount specified in
the Specific Provision or, if no such amount or provision is specified, to the
lesser of P300,000 or 10% of the total amount of damages of the portion of the
work attributable to the Civil Engineer’s breach of duty or twenty five percent
of the total of fees payable under their agreement.
3. If found to be liable in circumstances where the acts or omissions of a third
party have contributed to the loss or damage, the proportion of damages
payable by the party found liable shall be limited to that proportion which is
attributable to that party’s breach of duty, whether the claims are made under
contract or otherwise.
2.4 SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SERVICES
If circumstances arise for which the Civil Engineer is not responsible
and which make it impractical or impossible for the Civil Engineer to
perform in whole or in part the Services in accordance with their
Agreement then the Civil Engineer shall promptly notify the Client.
The Client may suspend all or part of the Services or terminate the
Agreement by written notice of not less than 30 days to the Civil
Engineer who shall immediately make arrangements to stop the
services and minimize further expenditure. The Civil Engineer by written
notice of no less than 30 days may terminate the Agreement or at his
and or her discretion without prejudice to the right to terminate,
suspend the performance of the whole or part or the Services under the
following conditions:

 Service 1
When 30 days after the due date or
payment of any account the Civil
Engineer has not received payment
of that part of it which has not by
that time been contested in writing
Service 2
When Services have been suspended
for a period exceeding 6 calendar
months, or if it is clear to the Civil
Engineer that it will be impossible or
impractical to resume the suspended
Services before the period of
suspension has exceeded six months.
 2.5 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
If a dispute arises on either party, then that
party shall by notice in writing served on the
other party of the details of the dispute and
request that the dispute be resolved by
conciliation.
If the matter in dispute is not resolved in
conciliation between the parties within the
prescribed time, then the matter in dispute shall
be referred to arbitration.
2.6 OWNERSHIP OF DATA, DESIGNS AND
DOCUMENTS
The design analyses, drawings, specifications
and reproductions thereof are instruments of
service owned by the Professional Engineer and
shall be used only for the specific project
covered by the agreement between the Client
and Engineer.
3. Classification of CE Services
Services provided by Civil Engineers can be grouped into seven
broad categories:
Consultations, research, investigations, and reports
Design Services for construction projects
Construction services
Special services for construction projects
Engineering support services
Academic Services
Services as employee
 Consultations, research,
investigations, and reports
These services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting
information, together with formulating conclusions and making
recommendations. Typical services in this category are:
Preliminary and Feasibility Investigations and Reports
Planning Studies
Appraisals, Valuations and Rate Studies
Assistance in Financial Matters
Materials Engineering and Equipment Tests
Direct Personal Services
Research and Development
Special Services
 Design Services for Construction
Projects
Civil engineering services are required for each phase of a construction project.
Here are the 6 Phases of a Construction Project and the Engineering Services:
1. Study and Report Phase Analysis of the client’s conceptual design, conceptual opinions of
probable construction cost.
2. Preliminary Design Phase Preparations of final design criteria, preliminary drawings, outline
specifications, and preliminary opinions of probable construction cost.
3. Final Design Phase Preparation of design calculations, construction drawings, specifications,
estimated construction cost, and other contract documents.
4. Bidding or Negotiating Phase Assistance to the client with the biding or negotiating process for
construction of the project.
5. Construction Phase Advice and consultation on matters related to his services.
6. Operation Phase Assistance to the client in start-up and operation of the project, including
periodic inspections.
 Construction Services
A registered Civil Engineer may engage in construction contracting after
being licensed as a contractor by the Contractors Accreditation Board. It is
considered unethical for a Civil Engineer to allow his license to be used by any
other construction company except his own.
A Civil Engineer may be employed as a construction engineer, resident civil
engineer, project engineer, quality control engineer, cost engineer or
engineer inspector in a project. In accordance with Section 23 of RA 544, only
registered civil engineer can take charge or supervise construction or
alteration of any building or structure and any other civil engineering works
mentioned in Section 2 of the mentioned Republic Act.
The Civil Engineer when employed is similarly required to comply with the
code of ethics of the profession as consulting Civil Engineer.
 Special Services for Construction
Projects
Special services required during the study, design, construction, and
operation phases of a construction project may include investigations,
reports, and activities beyond the scope of the basic services. These
services, many of which are also listed earlier in this section under the
category “Consultation, Investigations, and Reports,” may relate to the
client’s decisions as to the feasibility, scope, and location of the project.
The research, compilation of engineering data, and acquisition property
may involve professional specialists in engineering and other fields.
Special services that may be provided by the Civil Engineer or negotiated
with other firms or subconsultants by the Civil Engineer acting on behalf
of the client could include:
Geotechnical Engineering – including test borings, sampling and analysis,
and recommendations.
Special studies, tests, and process determinations to establish design
criteria or demonstrate compliance.
Land surveys, establishment of boundaries and monuments, preparation
of easement descriptions, and related computations and drawings.
Engineering the topographic surveys for design and construction.
Mill, shop, or laboratory inspections of the materials and equipment.
Additional copies of reports, construction drawings, specifications,
another documents as required for bidding and construction beyond the
number specified in the Basic Services agreement.
Extra travel and subsistence as defined by the agreement for
engineering services.
Value Engineering – including review of the work of other engineers,
either within the same organization or in other firms to determine
whether a proposed solution is optimum and, if not to suggest a better
approach for meeting the project’s functional and financial criteria.
Redesign to reflect changes requested by the client or necessitated by
the client’s acceptance of substitutions proposed by the contractor.
Assistance to the client as an expert witness in litigation in connection
with the project or in hearings before approving and regulatory
agencies.
Final investigations involving detailed consideration of operation,
maintenance, and overhead expenses; preparation of final rate
schedules, and earning and expense statements; appraisals,
valuations, and material audits or inventories required for
certification of force account construction performed by the client of
for extra work done by the contractor.
Preparation of detailed applications and supporting documents
grants or advances for public works projects.
Plotting, computing, and filing of subdivision plans, staking of lots,
and other planning and partitioning activities.
Preparation of environmental assessment and impact statements and
other assistance to the client in connection with public hearings.
Additional studies and design efforts to meet special conditions
encountered during construction.
Assistance to the client in the selection and engagement of architects,
other engineers, contractors and subcontractors, and observation and
approval of their services or work; contacts with governmental agencies
to obtain permits and documents; and other services related to project
development.
Assessment of a completed project’s ability to meet its design intent
relative to capacity, maintainability, operability, or reliability.
Computer simulation and modeling.
 Engineering Support Services
The professional services discussed above often require engineering
support services. The engineering support services in general civil
engineering practice may involve drafting, land and construction
surveying, and other data gathering activities for specialized purposes.
Although persons who are not civil engineers sometimes accomplished
some of these tasks, the procurement of adequate and correct data
usually requires professional Civil Engineering judgment and guidance.
Since soundness of any engineering decision is dependent upon the
accuracy and suitability of data obtained in the field and laboratory
investigations, these supporting services must be under the guidance of
the Civil Engineer whose decisions will be based upon those data.
 Academic Services
Those services involve full or part time teaching or training of prospective professionals
and also the upgrading of knowledge and skills of fellow professionals. Academic
services may include:
Teaching of civil engineering courses in engineering colleges/universities on part/full time
basis. As per RA 8981, all subjects for licensure examinations shall be taught by persons who
are holders of valid certificates of registration/professional licenses and professional
identification cards, or special temporary permits, or a valid certificate of competency for
the profession issued by the Commission, and who comply with the other requirements of
the CHED.
Lecturing in civil engineering courses designed by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
for practicing engineers who want to obtain CPD credits.
Conducting tutorials/refresher courses on civil engineering concepts and related subjects.
Serving as a Resource Speaker in Technical Session.
Writing technical articles and pamphlets.
 Services As Employee
This is a condition when a Civil Engineer engages to perform work or fulfill duties
regularly for wages or salary being paid by an employer.
A Civil Engineer may be employed for any position or function in any commercial or
institutional organization. Where he is performing civil engineering functions, he is
required to follow the code of ethics for Civil Engineers and comply with the standards
and guidelines of this manual. A licensed Civil Engineers may not allow his license to be
used by the company that employs him without the proper agreement for his
professional services.
When the firm he is working for uses his license to sign and seal the plans,
specifications and contract document, the Civil Engineer must charge the professional
fee for said services. A Civil Engineer in part time employment with a firm is considered
to be an employee and at the same time a consultant of the firm.