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Overview
Facts Discussion
Provenance Draft

PASS 1: Contextual Framework Facts Section

Case 84: Duty To Report Safety Violations

R Roles
3
Classes
3
Individuals
S States
8
Classes
8
Individuals
Rs Resources
2
Classes
1
Individuals

Extracted Ontology Entities

25 RDF entities extracted organized by concept type

R Roles

Roles Classes
3
changed
EngineerRole
rdfs:subClassOf Roles
Review
Inspector Engineer Role
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A professional engineering role in which an engineer is retained by a client to investigate the structural integrity of a building, perform structural tests, and render a written report of its condition to the client.
Inherited from InspectorEngineerRole · note
A professional engineering role in which an engineer performs an engineering inspection of a property on behalf of a client and renders a written report of its condition to that client.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
"Engineer A performs several structural tests on the building and determines that the building is structurally sound."
Confidence: 0.9
Role Category: provider_client
Role Kind: professional
Distinguishing Features:
  • Investigates and reports on the existing condition of a building rather than producing an original design
  • Renders a written condition report to the retaining client under the terms of the engagement agreement
Professional Scope: Structural condition investigation and testing of buildings, with reporting of findings to the retaining client
Typical Qualifications:
  • Professional Engineer license
  • Experience in structural investigation and testing of buildings
Associated Virtues:
  • Competence
  • Integrity
  • Honesty in reporting
  • Fidelity to the client
[facts] "Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell. Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the ..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.; Engineer A performs several structural tests on the building and determines that the building is structurally sound.
  • roleCategory content: provider_client
  • roleKind content: professional
  • distinguishingFeatures content: Investigates and reports on the existing condition of a building rather than producing an original design; Renders a written condition report to the retaining client under the terms of the engagement agreement
  • professionalScope content: Structural condition investigation and testing of buildings, with reporting of findings to the retaining client
  • typicalQualifications content: Professional Engineer license; Experience in structural investigation and testing of buildings
  • associatedVirtues content: Competence; Integrity; Honesty in reporting; Fidelity to the client
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
changed
ClientRole
rdfs:subClassOf Roles
Linked
Client Role
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
The party that retains the engineer to perform the investigation, sets the terms of the engagement including confidentiality of the report, and here is the owner planning to sell the building without remedial action.
Inherited from ClientRole · note
The role borne by the party that commissions the project work. This is the occupational archetype; the duty relationship is carried separately by :ProviderClientRole.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
"Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Confidence: 0.92
Role Kind: participant
Distinguishing Features: Commissions the structural investigation and controls the terms of the engagement, including confidentiality of the report
[facts] "Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential. In addition, the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being so..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.; Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential.
  • roleKind content: participant
  • distinguishingFeatures content: Commissions the structural investigation and controls the terms of the engagement, including confidentiality of the report
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
changed
PublicResponsibilityRole
rdfs:subClassOf Roles
Review
Public Role
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A member of the public occupying the building under investigation, whose safety could be affected by the code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies the client disclosed.
Inherited from PublicRole · note
The occupational role borne by members of the public and affected community stakeholders in a case; the role side of the collective party :PublicInterest. The professional duty side is :PublicResponsibilityRole. No IFC equivalent, since IFC has no public or society role.
Properties
Text References:
"he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building"
Confidence: 0.8
Role Kind: participant
Distinguishing Features: Occupies the building and is exposed to injury from the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
[facts] "While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building
  • roleKind content: participant
  • distinguishingFeatures content: Occupies the building and is exposed to injury from the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
Roles Individuals
3
Linked
Client Role
C84
Text References:
"Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
"the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale"
"the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Confidence: 0.9
Actor: Client
Role Class: Client
Role Kind: participant
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'clientOf', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.'}
Case Involvement: Owner planning to sell a 60-year old occupied apartment building as is, retained Engineer A under a confidentiality agreement, confided the existence of code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies, and stated he is not planning any remedial action prior to sale.
Sale terms: Selling the building as is with no planned remedial action to repair or renovate any system prior to sale
Disclosed deficiencies: Confided that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
[facts] "In addition, the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior ..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Client
  • attributes: {'sale_terms': 'Selling the building as is with no planned remedial action to repair or renovate any system prior to sale', 'disclosed_deficiencies': 'Confided that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential.; the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale; the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • roleClass content: Client
  • roleKind content: participant
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'clientOf', 'target': 'Engineer A', 'quote': 'Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Owner planning to sell a 60-year old occupied apartment building as is, retained Engineer A under a confidentiality agreement, confided the existence of code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies, and stated he is not planning any remedial action prior to sale.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Building Occupants
Public Role
Review
Public Role
C84
Text References:
"he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building"
Confidence: 0.8
Actor: Building Occupants
Role Class: Building Occupant
Role Kind: participant
Case Involvement: Occupants of the 60-year old apartment building who could be injured by the electrical and mechanical deficiencies that violate applicable codes and standards.
[facts] "While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Building Occupants
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building
  • roleClass content: Building Occupant
  • roleKind content: participant
  • caseInvolvement content: Occupants of the 60-year old apartment building who could be injured by the electrical and mechanical deficiencies that violate applicable codes and standards.
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
Review
Inspector Engineer Role
C84
Text References:
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
"Engineer A performs several structural tests on the building and determines that the building is structurally sound."
"Engineer A does not report the safety violations to any third party"
Confidence: 0.92
Actor: Engineer A
Role Class: Structural Inspection Engineer
Role Category: provider_client
Role Kind: professional
Specialty: Structural investigation and testing
Technical Background: Not an electrical nor mechanical engineer
Additional Relationships: {'type': 'informsOfDangerTo', 'target': 'Building Occupants', 'quote': 'he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client'}
Case Involvement: Retained under a confidentiality agreement to investigate the structural integrity of an occupied apartment building being sold as is. Performed structural tests and found the building structurally sound, learned from the client of electrical and mechanical deficiencies violating applicable codes, informed the client of the injury risk to occupants, made brief mention of the conversation in his report, and in view of the agreement did not report the safety violations to any third party.
Report confidentiality: Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report is to remain confidential
Hasclient: Client
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
[facts] "Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell. ... Engineer A performs several structural tests on th..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • actor: Engineer A
  • attributes: {'report_confidentiality': 'Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report is to remain confidential'}
  • relationships: {'type': 'hasClient', 'target': 'Client', 'quote': 'Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.'}
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell.; Engineer A performs several structural tests on the building and determines that the building is structurally sound.; Engineer A does not report the safety violations to any third party
  • roleClass content: Structural Inspection Engineer
  • roleCategory content: provider_client
  • roleKind content: professional
  • specialty content: Structural investigation and testing
  • technicalBackground content: Not an electrical nor mechanical engineer
  • additionalRelationships content: {'type': 'informsOfDangerTo', 'target': 'Building Occupants', 'quote': 'he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client'}
  • caseInvolvement content: Retained under a confidentiality agreement to investigate the structural integrity of an occupied apartment building being sold as is. Performed structural tests and found the building structurally sound, learned from the client of electrical and mechanical deficiencies violating applicable codes, informed the client of the injury risk to occupants, made brief mention of the conversation in his report, and in view of the agreement did not report the safety violations to any third party.
  • confidence assessment: 0.92

S States

States Classes
8
changed
Contractual Requirement State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Contractual Requirement State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which a contractual term is in force for the engagement, here the agreement term that the structural report written by the engineer is to remain confidential.
Inherited from ContractualRequirementState · note
A condition in which a contractual or project requirement is in force for the situation, here the City requiring a series of public engagement sessions during the planning phase to gather input from the affected community.
Properties
Text References:
"Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Confidence: 0.9
State Category: regulatory
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The client and the engineer execute an agreement containing a confidentiality term for the report
Termination Conditions: The agreement is terminated or the client releases the engineer from the confidentiality term
Obligation Activation: Confidentiality Obligation to the client
Action Constraints: Constraint against disclosing the report contents to third parties
Principle Transformation: The faithful-agent principle becomes a concrete duty to keep the structural report confidential under the terms of the agreement.
[facts] "Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential.
  • stateCategory content: regulatory
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The faithful-agent principle becomes a concrete duty to keep the structural report confidential under the terms of the agreement.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The client and the engineer execute an agreement containing a confidentiality term for the report
  • terminationConditions: The agreement is terminated or the client releases the engineer from the confidentiality term
  • obligationActivation: Confidentiality Obligation to the client
  • actionConstraints: Constraint against disclosing the report contents to third parties
changed
Linked
Confidential Information Possession State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A disclosure condition in which a professional holds confidential information received from a client during the course of providing services, here the client confiding that the building contains code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies.
Inherited from ConfidentialInformationPossessionState · note
A disclosure condition in which a professional holds confidential information acquired during the course of or by reason of duties or employment with a former employer, so that after employment ends the professional remains bound not to use or disclose that information for personal gain. In this case, Engineer D possesses confidential information acquired during tenure as City Engineer, and the confidentiality obligation continues after severing employment with the City.
Properties
Text References:
"during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable cod..."
Confidence: 0.9
State Category: disclosure
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The client confides information to the professional during the course of providing services
Termination Conditions: The client consents to disclosure or the information becomes public
Obligation Activation: Confidentiality Obligation to the client
Action Constraints: Constraint against disclosing client-confided information to third parties
Principle Transformation: The duty of confidentiality attaches concretely to the confided information about the building deficiencies.
[facts] "during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable cod..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • stateCategory content: disclosure
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The duty of confidentiality attaches concretely to the confided information about the building deficiencies.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The client confides information to the professional during the course of providing services
  • terminationConditions: The client consents to disclosure or the information becomes public
  • obligationActivation: Confidentiality Obligation to the client
  • actionConstraints: Constraint against disclosing client-confided information to third parties
changed
Regulatory Violation State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Regulatory Violation State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which applicable codes and standards are violated, here a building containing deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards.
Inherited from RegulatoryViolationState · note
A condition in which a policy or requirement is in force for the situation, here City policies requiring new infrastructure projects to be developed with climate resiliency in mind.
Properties
Text References:
"the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Confidence: 0.92
State Category: regulatory
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Building systems fall into deficiency violating applicable codes and standards
Termination Conditions: The deficiencies are repaired and the systems brought into compliance
Obligation Activation: Obligation to inform the client of the dangers the deficiencies pose
Principle Transformation: The regulatory standing of the building makes the safety significance of the deficiencies a concrete matter the engineer must weigh in his conduct.
[facts] "the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • stateCategory content: regulatory
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The regulatory standing of the building makes the safety significance of the deficiencies a concrete matter the engineer must weigh in his conduct.
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Building systems fall into deficiency violating applicable codes and standards
  • terminationConditions: The deficiencies are repaired and the systems brought into compliance
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to inform the client of the dangers the deficiencies pose
changed
Public Safety Risk State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Public Safety Risk State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition of hazard exposure in which building occupants face potential injury, here deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems that could cause injury to the occupants of the building.
Inherited from PublicSafetyRiskState · note
A condition of hazard exposure in which the public or a specific community faces potential harm to safety or welfare, such as flooding harm to residents.
Properties
Text References:
"he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building"
Confidence: 0.93
State Category: risk
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: Code-violating deficiencies exist in an occupied building
Termination Conditions: The deficiencies are repaired or the occupants are no longer exposed
Obligation Activation: Obligation to hold paramount the safety of the occupants
Principle Transformation: The paramount public safety principle bears concretely on the engineer's response to the occupant injury hazard he has recognized.
[facts] "he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building"
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building
  • stateCategory content: risk
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The paramount public safety principle bears concretely on the engineer's response to the occupant injury hazard he has recognized.
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: Code-violating deficiencies exist in an occupied building
  • terminationConditions: The deficiencies are repaired or the occupants are no longer exposed
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to hold paramount the safety of the occupants
changed
Scope Limitation State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Scope Limitation State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which a professional's engagement is contractually limited to a defined service, here Engineer A retained only to investigate the structural integrity of the building while the electrical and mechanical deficiencies lie outside his retained services and outside his disciplines.
Inherited from ScopeLimitationState · note
A condition in which a professional's engagement is contractually limited to a defined service, here Engineer A hired by the Homeowner only to design a retaining wall system to stabilize a rear yard, so the observed sprinkler defect lies outside the scope of the retained services.
Properties
Text References:
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building"
"While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer"
Confidence: 0.88
State Category: regulatory
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The client retains the engineer for a defined structural investigation service
Termination Conditions: The engagement ends or the scope is expanded by the client
Action Constraints: Constraint bounding the engineer's professional evaluation to the structural systems he was retained to investigate
Principle Transformation: The competence and scope boundaries frame which conditions the engineer evaluates professionally and which he only observes and relays.
[facts] "Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building; While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer
  • stateCategory content: regulatory
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The competence and scope boundaries frame which conditions the engineer evaluates professionally and which he only observes and relays.
  • confidence assessment: 0.88
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The client retains the engineer for a defined structural investigation service
  • terminationConditions: The engagement ends or the scope is expanded by the client
  • actionConstraints: Constraint bounding the engineer's professional evaluation to the structural systems he was retained to investigate
changed
Corrective Action Refusal State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Review
Corrective Action Refusal State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A condition in which the responsible party declines to correct known deficiencies, here the client making clear that the building is being sold as is and that he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system prior to its sale.
Inherited from CorrectiveActionRefusalState · note
A condition in which a responsible authority, having been made aware of a noncompliant contracting practice, refuses to address or correct the arrangement, so the noncompliance persists and escalation duties for other engineers become applicable. In this case, the City D Engineer refuses to address the contract arrangement with Firm Z despite the apparent procurement law violation.
Properties
Text References:
"the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale"
Confidence: 0.85
State Category: regulatory
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The client declares the building is being sold as is with no remedial action planned
Termination Conditions: The client changes course and undertakes repair or renovation
Principle Transformation: The client's no-remediation stance means the code-violating deficiencies will persist through the sale, sharpening the ethical weight of the engineer's knowledge of the hazard.
[facts] "the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale"
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale
  • stateCategory content: regulatory
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The client's no-remediation stance means the code-violating deficiencies will persist through the sale, sharpening the ethical weight of the engineer's knowledge of the hazard.
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The client declares the building is being sold as is with no remedial action planned
  • terminationConditions: The client changes course and undertakes repair or renovation
changed
Knowledge State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Linked
Knowledge State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
An epistemic condition of what an agent knows with respect to facts material to a decision, here Engineer A's realization that the confided electrical and mechanical deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building.
Inherited from KnowledgeState · note
A condition of what an agent knows with respect to facts material to a decision, here Engineer Intern C being fully aware of Engineer B's impaired condition while performing the design work that Engineer B sealed with little to no review.
Properties
Text References:
"he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client"
Confidence: 0.9
State Category: epistemic
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The client confides the deficiencies and the engineer realizes they could cause injury to occupants
Termination Conditions: The deficiencies are corrected or the risk is otherwise removed
Obligation Activation: Obligation to inform the client of the injury risk
Principle Transformation: The engineer's knowledge of a potential occupant injury hazard makes his response to the hazard, beginning with informing the client, a concrete ethical question.
[facts] "While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client
  • stateCategory content: epistemic
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The engineer's knowledge of a potential occupant injury hazard makes his response to the hazard, beginning with informing the client, a concrete ethical question.
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The client confides the deficiencies and the engineer realizes they could cause injury to occupants
  • terminationConditions: The deficiencies are corrected or the risk is otherwise removed
  • obligationActivation: Obligation to inform the client of the injury risk
changed
Selective Reporting State
rdfs:subClassOf States
Review
Selective Reporting State
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
A disclosure condition of what information has been disclosed among the parties, here the report making only a brief mention of the conversation concerning the deficiencies while the safety violations are not reported to any third party.
Inherited from SelectiveReportingState · note
A condition of what information has been disclosed among the parties, here the state in which all available information about both design approaches, including risks and benefits, has been presented to the client's leadership.
Properties
Text References:
"In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety v..."
Confidence: 0.88
State Category: disclosure
Persistence Type: inertial
Activation Conditions: The engineer delivers his report with only a brief mention of the deficiencies and does not report the safety violations to any third party
Termination Conditions: The safety violations are disclosed to affected or proper parties
Principle Transformation: The disclosure standing of the safety information, mentioned briefly in a confidential report but withheld from third parties, is the concrete condition on which the case's ethical evaluation turns.
[facts] "In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety v..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety violations to any third party.
  • stateCategory content: disclosure
  • persistenceType content: inertial
  • principleTransformation content: The disclosure standing of the safety information, mentioned briefly in a confidential report but withheld from third parties, is the concrete condition on which the case's ethical evaluation turns.
  • confidence assessment: 0.88
Derived (reconstructable from the graph)
  • activationConditions: The engineer delivers his report with only a brief mention of the deficiencies and does not report the safety violations to any third party
  • terminationConditions: The safety violations are disclosed to affected or proper parties
States Individuals
8
changed
Confidential Structural Report Term
Contractual Requirement State
Linked
Contractual Requirement State
C84
Text References:
"Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Confidence: 0.92
State Class: Contractual Requirement State
Subject: The agreement between Engineer A and the client governing the structural report
Active Period: From execution of the agreement through and after delivery of the report
Triggering Event: Engineer A and the client enter the agreement under whose terms the structural report is to remain confidential
Terminated By: The client releases Engineer A from the confidentiality term or the agreement otherwise ends
Affected Parties:
  • Engineer A
  • Client
Urgency Level: medium
[facts] "Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential.
  • stateClass content: Contractual Requirement State
  • subject content: The agreement between Engineer A and the client governing the structural report
  • activePeriod content: From execution of the agreement through and after delivery of the report
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A and the client enter the agreement under whose terms the structural report is to remain confidential
  • terminatedBy content: The client releases Engineer A from the confidentiality term or the agreement otherwise ends
  • affectedParties content: Engineer A; Client
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
  • urgencyLevel assessment: medium
changed
Confided Deficiency Information Held
Confidential Information Possession State
Linked
Confidential Information Possession State
C84
Text References:
"during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable cod..."
Confidence: 0.9
State Class: Confidential Information Possession State
Subject: Engineer A, holding the client's confided information about the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
Active Period: From the client's confidence during the services onward
Triggering Event: The client confides in Engineer A and informs him of the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
Terminated By: The client consents to disclosure or the deficiency information otherwise becomes known to others
Affected Parties:
  • Engineer A
  • Client
  • Occupants of the building
Urgency Level: medium
[facts] "during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable cod..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: during the course of providing services, the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • stateClass content: Confidential Information Possession State
  • subject content: Engineer A, holding the client's confided information about the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
  • activePeriod content: From the client's confidence during the services onward
  • triggeringEvent content: The client confides in Engineer A and informs him of the electrical and mechanical deficiencies
  • terminatedBy content: The client consents to disclosure or the deficiency information otherwise becomes known to others
  • affectedParties content: Engineer A; Client; Occupants of the building
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
  • urgencyLevel assessment: medium
changed
Code-Violating Building Deficiencies
Regulatory Violation State
Linked
Regulatory Violation State
C84
Text References:
"the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Confidence: 0.93
State Class: Regulatory Violation State
Subject: The 60-year old occupied apartment building's electrical and mechanical systems
Active Period: Existing before and continuing through the engagement and the planned as-is sale
Triggering Event: The building's electrical and mechanical systems fell into deficiency violating applicable codes and standards, as the client informs Engineer A
Terminated By: Repair or renovation bringing the systems into compliance, which the client is not planning
Affected Parties:
  • Occupants of the building
  • Client
  • Prospective purchaser
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • stateClass content: Regulatory Violation State
  • subject content: The 60-year old occupied apartment building's electrical and mechanical systems
  • activePeriod content: Existing before and continuing through the engagement and the planned as-is sale
  • triggeringEvent content: The building's electrical and mechanical systems fell into deficiency violating applicable codes and standards, as the client informs Engineer A
  • terminatedBy content: Repair or renovation bringing the systems into compliance, which the client is not planning
  • affectedParties content: Occupants of the building; Client; Prospective purchaser
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
Occupant Injury Risk
Public Safety Risk State
Linked
Public Safety Risk State
C84
Text References:
"he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building"
Confidence: 0.93
State Class: Public Safety Risk State
Subject: The occupants of the occupied apartment building
Active Period: While the deficiencies persist and the building remains occupied
Triggering Event: The code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies exist in the occupied building
Terminated By: Correction of the deficiencies or removal of the occupants' exposure
Affected Parties: Occupants of the building
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building
  • stateClass content: Public Safety Risk State
  • subject content: The occupants of the occupied apartment building
  • activePeriod content: While the deficiencies persist and the building remains occupied
  • triggeringEvent content: The code-violating electrical and mechanical deficiencies exist in the occupied building
  • terminatedBy content: Correction of the deficiencies or removal of the occupants' exposure
  • affectedParties content: Occupants of the building
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
Structural-Only Engagement Scope
Scope Limitation State
Linked
Scope Limitation State
C84
Text References:
"Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building"
"While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer"
Confidence: 0.88
State Class: Scope Limitation State
Subject: Engineer A's engagement, limited to investigating the structural integrity of the building
Active Period: For the duration of the retention
Triggering Event: The client retains Engineer A to investigate the structural integrity of the building
Terminated By: Completion of the retained structural investigation services
Affected Parties:
  • Engineer A
  • Client
Urgency Level: low
[facts] "Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building which his client is planning to sell."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: Engineer A is retained to investigate the structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building; While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer
  • stateClass content: Scope Limitation State
  • subject content: Engineer A's engagement, limited to investigating the structural integrity of the building
  • activePeriod content: For the duration of the retention
  • triggeringEvent content: The client retains Engineer A to investigate the structural integrity of the building
  • terminatedBy content: Completion of the retained structural investigation services
  • affectedParties content: Engineer A; Client
  • confidence assessment: 0.88
  • urgencyLevel assessment: low
changed
Client No-Remediation Stance
Corrective Action Refusal State
Review
Corrective Action Refusal State
C84
Text References:
"the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale"
Confidence: 0.87
State Class: Corrective Action Refusal State
Subject: The client, who is not planning any remedial action to repair or renovate any system prior to the sale
Active Period: From the client's declaration through the planned as-is sale
Triggering Event: The client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold as is with no remedial action planned
Terminated By: The client changing course and undertaking repair or renovation, which the case does not describe
Affected Parties:
  • Occupants of the building
  • Engineer A
  • Prospective purchaser
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "In addition, the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior ..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold "as is" and he is not planning to take any remedial action to repair or renovate any system within the building prior to its sale
  • stateClass content: Corrective Action Refusal State
  • subject content: The client, who is not planning any remedial action to repair or renovate any system prior to the sale
  • activePeriod content: From the client's declaration through the planned as-is sale
  • triggeringEvent content: The client makes clear to Engineer A that the building is being sold as is with no remedial action planned
  • terminatedBy content: The client changing course and undertaking repair or renovation, which the case does not describe
  • affectedParties content: Occupants of the building; Engineer A; Prospective purchaser
  • confidence assessment: 0.87
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
Linked
Knowledge State
C84
Text References:
"While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Confidence: 0.9
State Class: Knowledge State
Subject: Engineer A, aware that the confided deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants
Active Period: From the client's confidence and Engineer A's realization onward
Triggering Event: The client confides the deficiencies and Engineer A realizes they could cause injury to the occupants
Terminated By: Correction of the deficiencies or removal of the hazard, which the case does not describe
Affected Parties:
  • Engineer A
  • Client
  • Occupants of the building
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: While Engineer A is not an electrical nor mechanical engineer, he does realize those deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants of the building and so informs the client.
  • stateClass content: Knowledge State
  • subject content: Engineer A, aware that the confided deficiencies could cause injury to the occupants
  • activePeriod content: From the client's confidence and Engineer A's realization onward
  • triggeringEvent content: The client confides the deficiencies and Engineer A realizes they could cause injury to the occupants
  • terminatedBy content: Correction of the deficiencies or removal of the hazard, which the case does not describe
  • affectedParties content: Engineer A; Client; Occupants of the building
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high
changed
Review
Selective Reporting State
C84
Text References:
"In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety v..."
Confidence: 0.9
State Class: Selective Reporting State
Subject: The information about the safety violations, briefly mentioned in Engineer A's confidential report and withheld from all third parties
Active Period: From delivery of the report onward
Triggering Event: Engineer A delivers his report with a brief mention of the deficiency conversation and does not report the safety violations to any third party
Terminated By: Disclosure of the safety violations to a third party, which the case does not describe
Affected Parties:
  • Occupants of the building
  • Client
  • Prospective purchaser
  • Engineer A
Urgency Level: high
[facts] "In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety v..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies; however, in view of the terms of the agreement, Engineer A does not report the safety violations to any third party.
  • stateClass content: Selective Reporting State
  • subject content: The information about the safety violations, briefly mentioned in Engineer A's confidential report and withheld from all third parties
  • activePeriod content: From delivery of the report onward
  • triggeringEvent content: Engineer A delivers his report with a brief mention of the deficiency conversation and does not report the safety violations to any third party
  • terminatedBy content: Disclosure of the safety violations to a third party, which the case does not describe
  • affectedParties content: Occupants of the building; Client; Prospective purchaser; Engineer A
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
  • urgencyLevel assessment: high

Rs Resources

Resources Classes
2
changed
Legal Resource
rdfs:subClassOf Resources
Review
Legal Resource
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
Laws, regulations, and building codes governing professional practice and building systems that establish legal boundaries and compliance requirements, such as the applicable codes and standards that the electrical and mechanical systems of a building must satisfy.
Inherited from LegalResource · note
Laws, regulations, and statutes governing professional practice that establish legal boundaries and compliance requirements for professional activities.
Properties
Text References:
"the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Confidence: 0.85
Resource Category: legal_resource
[facts] "the client confides in Engineer A and informs him that the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards"
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the building contains deficiencies in the electrical and mechanical systems which violate applicable codes and standards
  • resourceCategory content: legal_resource
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
changed
Reference Material
rdfs:subClassOf Resources
Review
Reference Material
C84
Definition
Extracted from facts primary
Reports, documentation, and other professional work products supporting professional practice with technical and procedural knowledge, such as a structural investigation report prepared by an engineer for a client.
Inherited from ReferenceMaterial · note
Handbooks, manuals, guides, and other documentation supporting professional practice with technical and procedural knowledge.
Properties
Text References:
"the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential"
Confidence: 0.8
Resource Category: reference_material
[facts] "Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential
  • resourceCategory content: reference_material
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
Resources Individuals
1
Engineer A Structural Report
Reference Material
Review
Reference Material
C84
Text References:
"the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential"
"In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies"
Confidence: 0.8
Resource Class: Reference Material
Document Title: structural report written by Engineer A
Topic: structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building
Used By: Client
[facts] "Under the terms of the agreement with the client, the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential. ... In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with th..."
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • usedBy: Client
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • textReferences content: the structural report written by Engineer A is to remain confidential; In his report, Engineer A makes a brief mention of his conversation with the client concerning the deficiencies
  • resourceClass content: Reference Material
  • documentTitle content: structural report written by Engineer A
  • topic content: structural integrity of a 60-year old occupied apartment building
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
Pass 1: Contextual Framework - Facts
Review extracted entities, then continue to the next step
Continue to Discussion Review
Case texts: National Society of Professional Engineers, Board of Ethical Review.

NOTE: The NSPE Board of Ethical Review considers ethical cases involving either real or hypothetical matters submitted to it from NSPE members, other engineers, public officials, and members of the public. The BER reviews each case in the context of the NSPE Code of Ethics and earlier BER opinions. The facts contained in each case do not necessarily represent all of the pertinent facts submitted to or reviewed by the BER and shall not be considered a direct evaluation of any real matter that may have been submitted.

Each opinion is intended as guidance to individual practicing engineers, students, and the public. In regard to the question of application of the NSPE Code of Ethics to engineering organizations (e.g., corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, government agencies, and university engineering departments), the specific business form or type should not negate nor detract from the conformance of individuals to the Code. The NSPE Code deals with professional services, which must be performed by real persons. Real persons in turn establish and implement policies within business structures.

This opinion is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. It may be reprinted without further permission, provided that this statement is included before or after the text of the case and appropriate attribution is provided to the National Society of Professional Engineers' Board of Ethical Review.

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