EFMA member profile: Jeff Jackson

JEFF JACkSon, manager of maintenance for SD #44, leading the way in environmentally friendly school facilities, north Vancouver School District #44

By taRyn RIttBeRg

“We only have one planet.” This simple and humble statement resounds deeply with Jeff Jackson, the manager of maintenance for the North Vancouver School District #44, who recently oversaw a widespread energy savings program. Jackson and his colleagues at SD #44 met the monumental task of creating a plan to both maintain school functionality, as well as retrofit the schools to be more energy efficient at a time that the school district suffered from declining enrolment and decreased funding, while also facing increased costs for municipal and energy expenses. With over 40 schools under his care, Jackson created a plan to upgrade and replace lighting systems, ventilation, and air conditioning automation for all school buildings, boiler efficiency replacements and upgrades, carbon dioxide sensors to control ventilation in school gymnasiums, and many more energy saving implementations for every North Vancouver school district building.

“I believe all school districts and all building owners should be doing this,” says Jackson, who has been a member of EFMA for 24 years. “I’ve spent my career promoting energy conservation, conservation of resources, and conservation of wa-

ter. For one project, we reused and repurposed components from a school we had demolished. We also have an outdoor learning school for the students. All the kids learn environmental science and learn about the fish spawning cycle.”

Jackson says that there are two primary motivations in why major change was needed at SD #44. One, they were driven by economic and shrinking budgets, and two, by doing this work, it was a survival mechanism.

“I also understood the bigger picture of creating energy efficiency and reduce the district’s carbon footprint. I was in a position where I had the education and the ability to do it. So, we did it.”

An energy use analysis found the school district used 46-million kWh per year in gas and electric energy. From this benchmark SD #44 set their goals to reduce electrical consumption by 19 per cent, natural gas usage by 28 per cent, and water consumption by 70 per cent. Since this initial work, the schools are continuing to be enhanced by newer technologies and a continuous improvement is ongoing.

“Making large-scale changes to significantly impact energy use is a long game because upgrades and retrofits are done according to annual budgets. I’ve overseen the process over several years, and through a consistent and wellworked plan we’ve been very successful and have met and exceeded our initial goals.”

Jackson mentions that they initiated these projects with no cost to the taxpayer. They borrowed the money and then paid the loan back with savings on energy.

“There is no reason why other schools and school districts can’t do the same thing we did.”

During his tenure he also accomplished strategic preventative maintenance strategies based on economic criteria for all buildings and infrastructure, respectful workplace communication policies and the continuous pursuit of best business practice.

“We have a responsibility to protect the taxpayer and provide a safe and effective learning environment for the students and staff in North Vancouver.” n

(604) 872-7104 Local 131

Monday-Friday 7:30-5:00 www.spearssales.com

We are Building Envelope Consultants with over 50 years of combined experience in the Building Envelope field of construction.

Apex Building Sciences Inc. (APEX) is an engineering /consulting firm specialized in the total building envelope. Envelopes include walls, roofs, windows, doors, decks/balconies, plaza decks with landscaping.

Services for Existing Buildings we offer include:

• Building Envelope Assessment Reviews for repairs/ remediation/warranties • Second Opinion Assessment/Peer Review • Budgets for repairs/remediation

Design services for repairs/remediation including options for:

• procurement/tender • create contracts • contract administration • obtain permits • field reviews

Our services are engaged by a diverse range of clients across British Columbia and Alberta for single family dwellings, Strata townhouse/condo complexes, commercial buildings/residential buildings.

301D-30721 Simpson Rd. Abbotsford, BC, V2T 6Y7 Office: 604-575-8220 info@apexbe.com www.apexbuildingsciences.com