After reading through AIA contracts and ESB Seismic Safety Act, I thought of and made up a question:
Maybe an unrealistic one, but thought I put it out for fun and see if anyone has any thoughts:
A Police Building is constructed on a Community College Campus in Newport Beach within the coastal zone.
You as the Architect designs Upper Cabinets in the kitchen.
In the details, you show unspecified anchors supporting the cabinets to structural backer plates.
In the review process the AHJ, requires you to specify Hilti 12-24 x 1 - 1/4 HWH #5 Self Drilling Screws.
You put them in your detail.
During construction, you (The Architect) and The Inspector of record are requested to make a observation Report of construction when the cabinets have already been hung on the walls.
After construction, while the building is occupied an earthquake occurs, the cabinets fall and kill someone.
It was later found out in court that the anchors specified by the AHJ checker and installed by the contractor were not sufficient enough in supporting the cabinets that killed the kid.
Who is liable?
A) The Architect that drew them in the details.
B) The Contractor that put them in.
C) The Checker that specified the anchors.
D) The Department of State Architects.
E) The Inspector that observed the cabinets going in.
F) The City of Newport Beach
G) The Manufacturer
H) Yo mama