The responsibility for determining the required AIC (Ampere Interrupting Capacity) rating of electrical equipment in a school project typically falls on the design engineer (electrical engineer) of record.Here's a breakdown of why and other considerations: Design Engineer (Electrical Engineer)

They are responsible for the overall electrical design of the project. This includes calculating the available fault current at various points in the electrical system and specifying equipment with appropriate AIC ratings to safely interrupt those fault currents. Their stamp on the drawings signifies this responsibility. They need to: Perform a fault current study. Determine the available fault current at each piece of equipment. Specify equipment with an AIC rating equal to or greater than the calculated available fault current.

School (Owner)

Ultimately, the school is responsible for ensuring the project is safe and meets all applicable codes and standards. They rely on the design professional's expertise. They should ensure the project scope includes a complete and accurate electrical design. They need to review the design documents and ask questions if something is unclear or missing. They must ensure adequate funding is available to meet the design requirements, including the costs of properly rated equipment.

Contractor (Electrical Contractor)

The contractor is responsible for installing equipment according to the design drawings and specifications. They must verify that the equipment they are installing meets the specified AIC ratings. If there's a discrepancy or if the AIC rating isn't specified, they should bring it to the attention of the engineer of record before installation. They have a responsibility to point out potential issues. Substitutions of equipment with lower AIC ratings are

never acceptable without engineer approval. Manufacturer

The equipment manufacturer is responsible for providing equipment that is tested and labeled with its AIC rating according to industry standards (UL, ANSI, etc.).

In the situation you described, if the AIC rating is not specified in the bid documents, here's what should happen


Clarification

As a bidder, you should immediately request clarification from the school or the project architect/engineer. State that the AIC ratings are missing and are crucial for accurate pricing and code compliance. This should be done through a formal Request for Information (RFI).2.

Assumption (with caution)

DO NOT assume the lowest possible AIC rating to save costs. That's a recipe for a dangerous and non-compliant installation. If forced to bid without clarification, consider including a line item for a fault current study and subsequent equipment upgrades as a provisional allowance. Clearly state that the bid price is contingent on the engineer's determination of the required AIC ratings.3.

Documentation

Keep thorough records of your communications and the responses you receive. This protects you in case of future disputes.

Why is this important?

Using equipment with an insufficient AIC rating is a serious safety hazard. If a fault current exceeds the equipment's AIC rating, the equipment may fail to interrupt the fault, leading to: Explosions Fires Electrical shock Equipment damage Potential injury or deathIn summary, while the engineer is ultimately responsible, it's crucial for all parties involved to be aware of the importance of AIC ratings and to ensure they are properly specified and implemented in the electrical design. If you are bidding and they are missing, get clarification in writing! It's better to be safe and compliant than to cut corners and risk a dangerous situation. Flag for review