Engineering Disclaimer
A comprehensive disclaimer clarifying scope, limitations, and user responsibilities for using steelcalculator.app.
This disclaimer is written to make the scope and limitations of steelcalculator.app explicit. It is intended to be read by users before relying on any output and by maintainers who want to keep the site legally conservative.
This page is written in plain language, but it is intentionally comprehensive. If you operate this site commercially, have counsel review your final wording.
Educational use only — no professional engineering advice
Steelcalculator.app provides general information, calculators, tables, and documentation for educational purposes. It does not provide professional engineering services, and it does not create an engineer–client relationship.
- Nothing on this site should be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific project.
- Outputs are not a substitute for an independent design check and professional sign-off.
- You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards in your jurisdiction.
No warranty and limitation of liability (general statement)
The site and its content are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind. The operator does not warrant that:
- Results are complete, correct, or suitable for any purpose.
- The site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.
- The calculators will match any specific standard edition or jurisdictional amendment.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the operator disclaims liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from use of the site or reliance on outputs.
Engineering safety and critical use restrictions
Do not use this site as the sole basis for decisions where failure could cause harm, including:
- life-safety design,
- public safety infrastructure,
- emergency situations,
- or any context requiring certified engineering review.
If you are working on a real project, obtain qualified professional input and use validated design workflows.
Standards and copyright
Many building codes and steel standards are copyrighted by their publishers. This site does not reproduce proprietary code text or tables as a substitute for purchasing the standard. Where standards are referenced, it is for high-level educational context only.
Always consult the official published standard and any applicable amendments for authoritative requirements.
User responsibilities (practical)
If you choose to use the calculators, you are responsible for:
- Entering correct inputs and units.
- Confirming the calculator mode/standard matches your jurisdictional requirement.
- Verifying results independently.
- Checking constructability, detailing rules, and system-level behavior that may not be captured by simplified tools.
- Keeping an audit trail (inputs, outputs, date, and references).
A calculator is an arithmetic assistant. It is not a stamp.
Software and availability
The site may change over time. Tools can be updated, renamed, or re-implemented. For reproducibility, keep copies of:
- the inputs you entered,
- the outputs you received,
- and the date/time/version of the tool if available.
If you deploy the site, consider adding an explicit version identifier to each calculator page.
Understanding the disclaimer context
This disclaimer is structured to address the specific risks associated with browser-based engineering calculators. Unlike traditional engineering software that undergoes formal validation and certification, this site provides tools designed for educational and preliminary screening purposes. The following sections explain the reasoning behind each disclaimer category.
Why educational use only is emphasized
Structural engineering involves public safety. Errors in design calculations can lead to structural failures with serious consequences, including property damage, business interruption, and potential loss of life. Professional engineers carry professional indemnity (errors and omissions) insurance and are bound by codes of conduct that require them to work within their area of competence. A web-based calculator cannot replicate this professional responsibility framework.
The "educational use only" designation means the site is appropriate for:
- Learning design concepts and code provisions
- Performing preliminary sizing and screening checks
- Verifying results obtained through other methods
- Teaching structural steel design in academic settings
- Exploring alternative design options quickly
It is not appropriate for:
- Final design decisions without independent verification
- Replacement of professional engineering judgment
- Compliance certification or regulatory submissions
- Life-safety design determinations
What verification means in this context
Verification is the process of confirming that calculator outputs are reasonable and accurate. Independent verification means using a completely separate method to check the same calculation. For example, if you use the beam capacity calculator to check a W21x50 beam, you should verify the result by hand calculation or using a different validated software tool. The verification guide on this site provides a structured workflow for this process.
Verification does not mean simply re-running the same calculator with the same inputs and getting the same result. That confirms the calculator is consistent but does not confirm the result is correct. True verification requires an independent method or independent reviewer.
Standards and code compliance
The calculators reference provisions from AISC 360, AS 4100, EN 1993, and CSA S16, but they do not implement every clause of these standards. Standards are comprehensive documents covering hundreds of pages of requirements, exceptions, and special cases. The calculators implement the most common design checks for typical connection and member configurations. Unusual geometry, non-standard materials, special loading conditions, or complex interactions may not be captured.
Code compliance is ultimately a determination made by the engineer of record, who considers the specific project conditions, applicable code edition, jurisdictional amendments, and supplementary requirements in the project specification. No calculator can make this determination automatically.
Liability framework
The liability framework described in this disclaimer follows a standard structure for educational tools and informational websites. The key elements are:
- No warranty of results (calculations may contain errors)
- No professional engineer-client relationship created by using the site
- User assumes all risk of using outputs
- User is responsible for independent verification
- Site operator disclaims liability to the maximum extent permitted by law
This framework does not eliminate all potential liability -- no disclaimer can do that -- but it provides a clear boundary of responsibilities that courts have generally upheld for informational websites when properly drafted.
Practical guidance for responsible use
To use the site responsibly and maintain a proper audit trail:
- Record the date, tool name, and inputs for every calculation you run.
- Save or print the output page for your records.
- Note which design standard and edition you selected.
- Document your independent verification method and results.
- Keep a copy of this disclaimer with your calculation records.
- Ensure your professional review and sign-off process addresses all critical limit states.
Updates to this disclaimer
This disclaimer is reviewed periodically to reflect changes in the site's functionality, applicable laws, and industry best practices. The "last updated" date at the top of the page indicates the most recent revision. Users are encouraged to review this page periodically for any changes.
Jurisdiction-specific considerations
Disclaimer requirements vary by jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions have specific requirements for disclaimers on websites providing technical information. The laws of some jurisdictions may not allow certain limitations of liability, in which case those limitations may not apply to you. This disclaimer is intended to be as comprehensive as reasonably possible while remaining readable and practical. Users are advised to consult legal counsel in their jurisdiction for definitive guidance on disclaimer enforceability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this disclaimer legal advice?
No. It is a conservative informational statement. If you need legal advice about disclaimers, consult qualified counsel.
Why so strict?
Because structural engineering is safety-critical and calculator outputs can be misused if their limits are not explicit.
Can I still use the site professionally?
You can use it as a convenience tool, but outputs must be independently verified and integrated into a professional workflow.
Does this prevent liability entirely?
No. Liability depends on jurisdiction and facts. The goal is transparency and risk reduction, not a guarantee.
Should privacy and terms be separate?
Yes. Privacy covers data handling; terms cover usage conditions. This page is a high-level disclaimer.
What about local jurisdiction requirements?
Jurisdictions vary widely. Always follow the requirements applicable to your project.
Does the site claim compliance with a specific standard?
No. It provides tools and documentation that can support workflows, but compliance must be established by professional verification.
Where can I learn how to verify outputs?
Use the verification guide and the checklists in the Guides hub.
Does the disclaimer apply if I use the API or export features?
Yes. This disclaimer applies to all use of the site, including calculator outputs accessed through the browser interface, API endpoints, exported files (DXF, CSV, JSON, SVG), and any derived work based on calculator results. All outputs remain preliminary and require independent verification.