Building Engineers

A building engineer, also known as an architectural engineer, is responsible for designing and overseeing the design and construction of a building structure. There are a few different types of a building or architectural engineer. The first type of engineer is one that works in a specific portion of a building's design such as electrical, mechanical, or plumbing. Mechanical engineers focus on the mechanics within a building such as HVAC. Plumbing engineers focus on the plumbing systems but also can include the fire systems within a building, such as sprinkler systems. Electrical engineers focus on the electrical systems within a building such as power distribution, lighting systems and alarm systems.

Another type of engineer is called a structural engineer. The work of a structural engineers spans many different industries and structure types. These engineers create designs for structures such as bridges, buildings, towers, and walls. Commercial, industrial, and residential structures all fall into this category of engineer. These engineers focus on the material strength and overall design to make sure that a building can withstand normal wear and tear as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Building materials were manufactured with asbestos for most of the 20^th century. In fact, many building and architectural engineers potentially could have designed a structure with asbestos containing materials unknowingly. When an engineer would visit the construction of a building he or she designed, the engineer could have been exposed to asbestos as the materials were being installed and worked with. Another type of exposure could come from physically inspecting the material. General Contractors and Developers must provide samples of many materials used in the construction of the building to the engineer for review. This again would create the possibility for direct exposure to the asbestos containing product.

Many of the structures that were originally built with asbestos materials are now being restored. In many cases, these restorations will include modifications that will include a redesign by an engineer. As the asbestos containing materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers can potentially become airborne and expose the unaware engineer overseeing the restoration. There is also a risk when the presence of asbestos is known. Precautions and safety measures must be taken to ensure the safety of the workers as well as those overseeing the project, including the engineer.

Engineers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and the rest of the country are normally hired to find and repair asbestos contaminated buildings. All precautions and safety measures must be taken to ensure that the engineer is not exposed to asbestos, the contaminant that causes Mesothelioma. Due to the qualities of the contaminant, asbestos fibers are easily airborne; therefore Engineers working in the field must make sure to protect themselves from these airborne fibers.