November/December 2022 Vol. 20 No. 1
WOOD CONSTRUCTION PM 40063056
2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | DUANE BESSE, BRIDGE ELECTRIC
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Dan Gnocato dang@mediaedge.ca
Cheryl Mah
Teresa Coady Carla Dickof Scott Lamb Dan Melnick
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November/December 2022 | Vol. 20 No. 1
Inside
Construction Business is British Columbia and Alberta’s construction magazine. Each issue provides timely and pertinent information to contractors, architects, developers, consulting engineers, and municipal governments throughout both provinces. Complimentary copies are sent bi-monthly to all members of the Architectural Institute of B.C., B.C. Construction Association, B.C. Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, Consulting Engineers of B.C., Construction Specifications Canada — B.C. Chapter, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, B.C. Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C., Urban Development Institute of B.C. and Vancouver Regional Construction Association.
Dan
PROUD SPONSOR OF November/December 2022 Vol. 20 No. 1 2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | DUANE BESSE, BRIDGE ELECTRIC WOOD CONSTRUCTION PM 40063056 13 Special Supplement 2022 VRCA Awards of Excellence Industry Focus 08 Wood Transforming School Design Using Encapsulated Mass Timber BCIT Supports Mass Timber Innovation Departments 04 Message from the Editor 11 The Legal File Get Ready For Prompt Payment 06 Connections
electrical
the
issue
As one of B.C.’s largest
contractor, Bridge Electric has been a key player in
construction industry for 40 years. Cover Photo: This
marks the 20th anniversary issue of Construction Business.
Happy Anniversary to Us
This issue marks the 20th anniversary of Construction Business — an exciting milestone that is a source of great pride for the entire team.
Over the last two decades, we’ve shared many stories about the projects, people and issues that shape the construction industry and it’s been an amazing journey.
I never imagined myself working for a construction publication when I began my career, but as I reflect back on my many years of covering this sector, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing different association presidents and industry leaders from construction, architecture and engineering companies. I have enjoyed sharing in the excitement of many industry firsts, and highlighting the numerous projects that demonstrate the innovation and ingenuity in construction.
I’ve watched the industry transform city skylines with pioneering high rise towers and communities with much needed facilities and services. So many important projects have graced our cover. Some personal memorable ones include: BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver Convention Centre, Sea to Sky Highway Improvement, the Canada Line and Wood Innovation and Design Centre.
Our publisher and magazine founder Dan Gnocato and I would like to send out a big thank you to our readers , expert industry authors, writers and advertisers who made 20 years of publishing CB possible.
We launched our first issue with the spotlight on the VRCA Awards of Excellence. Twenty years later, we continue that tradition.
The Heritage Hall in Vancouver was a multiple winner this year, taking home two
Gold Awards and two Heritage Awards for Scott Construction and Grist Slate & Tile. The Annacis Island WWTP earned Graham Infrastructure LP in Joint Venture with Aecon Water Infrastructure the top Gold General Contractor Award.
For our profile, we speak with Duane Besse, president from Bridge Electric. The company was recognized with a VRCA Member of the Year Award.
As we head into 2023, we look forward to sharing more stories about this great industry in the years ahead.
Cheryl Mah Managing Editor
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 4 Editor’s Note
BFL CANADA For more information contact: BFL CANADA Insurance Services Inc. 1177 West Hastings Street, Suite 200 Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3 T. 778-329-4179 construction@bflcanada.ca Construction and Real Estate Insurance, risk management, and surety bond brokers
Building a family in British Columbia
Pomerleau’s West Coast division
BY GRACE MCGRENERE
connected,” said Demarse. On the Golden Ears project, Demarse has been able to grow her own expertise by working with different people daily and learning from the challenges of the project. She is particularly inspired by Pomerleau’s culture and the BC team’s commitment to love and excellence.
“We work really hard to make sure that every jobsite is a good place to work and the people there are happy,” said Demarse.
RYAN MURPHY
Canadian construction leader, Pomerleau, is quickly making a name for itself in British Columbia. The company, which was founded in Quebec, currently has offices across Canada, providing expertise for various sectors of construction, In B.C., Pomerleau is taking on highly complex civil and infrastructure projects, building a reputation for its quality performance. Pomerleau’s B.C. team is passionate about what they do, and it shows. Read more about their experiences working for Pomerleau.
MELISSA GOWEN
Melissa Gowen is a health and safety advisor working on the Esquimalt Graving Dock project at Pomerleau. The technically complex project involved the blasting and excavation of rock to extend the dock by 36 metres. Work under this contract also covers the refurbishment of the walls and floor in section three of the existing 100-yearold dock. The potentially hazardous environment is well-monitored by Gowen and members of her team. “I love construction. Every day is different and there is always something learn. I speak with members of the team daily and they are so passionate about what they do,” said Gowen.
She enjoys working with her team, who makes safety their top priority. “I refer to my management group here as ‘Unicorns.’ Safety has a lot of push back. When I worked for previous companies, safety was regarded as a barrier to progress. The
team that I work with now, sees it the opposite way. We work things out together,” said Gowen.
IRVING COLIN
Irving Colin is a project coordinator. He started working at Pomerleau as soon as he graduated from the Civil Engineering program at the University of British Columbia. He is currently working on the Golden Ears Crossing project and it has been his favourite so far. Colin has been involved in the project since the estimation stage.
“It is a twin-pipe crossing underneath the Fraser River. It is challenging, but it has been rewarding to see the results. We work together as a team to problem solve,” said Colin.
He believes the team embodies Pomerleau’s values of adaptability and love. “Out here, we are a little bit smaller. We are ably to rely on each other and adapt together in new situations. There is a family type atmosphere. Everyone enjoys coming to work and genuinely cares for one another,” said Colin.
CHRISTINE DEMARSE
Christine Demarse is senior project administrative assistant for Pomerleau’s B.C. region. Before working at Pomerleau, she was an employee at Westpro, which was later acquired by Pomerleau. She has her hands in everything when it comes to projects, and she loves every aspect of it. “Pomerleau has always been like a family. They try to keep us
Ryan Murphy is an assistant project manager on the B-Jetty project. He moved to British Columbia nearly six years ago. He started working at Pomerleau shortly after and he says it has been the best decision he has made for his career. “There are a lot of opportunities here and the people that I work with are the best people I have ever worked with. Everyone at Pomerleau is on the same page,” said Murphy. He enjoys the unique and complex nature of the project he is working on and the team that he works with everyday. “The culture here is second to none and as a result, it retains employees. There is a sense of family. We often find ourselves getting together on the weekends or in the evenings with our families,” said Murphy.
BRADLEY GUNNLAUGSON
Bradley Gunnlaugson is Pomerleau’s regional director for B.C. He joined the company to take part in the efforts to grow its civil and infrastructure division. He gets to play a part in every single project. “I get to take part in creating and developing the teams that execute the projects. I really enjoy this aspect of my job. Our team does some spectacular work,” said Gunnlaugson. He believes that the people are behind Pomerleau’s success. The projects that the BC team undertakes are technically challenging and require hard work and an in-depth analysis of methods of construction. “Everybody in our region has a voice. It is not just a single vision. We all bring new perspectives to the table. I want our teams to form close bonds and take those experiences with them to their next project. We put love into everything we do,” said Gunnlaugson.
For more information, please visit: https://pomerleau.ca/en
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 5
SPONSORED CONTENT
THE POWER OF SUCCESS
BY CHERYL MAH
At Bridge Electric, every project is a source of pride for the entire company.
“Our goal is to make sure everyone wants to get up in the morning and go to work for Bridge Electric,” says Duane Besse, president, Bridge Electric.
Bridge has been installing wiring, lighting, power and other systems in demanding projects across the Lower Mainland for 40 years. Earning accolades for the work they do is nothing new and this year, Bridge was named Member of the Year at the 2022 VRCA Awards of Excellence.
The award recognizes outstanding achievement by a company in the construction industry that has prioritized quality, safety, and team collaboration in job performance and displays pride in their work.
“ To be recognized by VRCA is huge for us and showcases the success of our employees on all lev-
els,” says Besse. “Winning this award is extremely satisfying given the many great electrical contractors out there.”
Bridge also took home a Gold Award for a hydrogen fuel cell facility (FC2021) in the electrical contractor category. Completed in March 2022, the project required the electrical installation for the 57,000 square foot hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing and testing facility in Burnaby’s Riverbend Business Park. The installation included a large 5MVA outdoor substation and encompassed four voltage systems.
Bridge was able to deliver the project on time despite various challenges including frequent design changes, limited storage space and inclement weather. The 40 foot structure with 15 foot drop ceilings also posed unique challenges for the team.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 6
Connections
UBC Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Labs
The cable-based electrical infrastructure required design and implementation of a complex multi-tier cable tray system with areas up to ninetiers high and more than 5,000 linear feet of cable tray.
“ The project was very challenging for the design of the cable tray system and installation,” notes Besse. “Our team worked closely with the owner and general contractor to provide a quality job.”
Bridge, one of the largest electrical contractors in B.C., has been responsible for many notable projects across the commercial, institutional, retail, and light industrial sectors. Over the years, the company has earned more than a dozen VRCA Awards of Excellence. Past award winning projects include BC Cancer Research Centre, SFU Student Residences Phase I, UBC Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Labs, Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens.
“Our success is driven by our team of skilled and motivated people and our family-oriented environment,” says Besse. “Mentoring and providing the support that they need is what I enjoy most.”
Besse, a BCIT graduate, has been with the company since 1993 when he joined as an apprentice electrician. He moved up the organization through various positions until he was appointed to his current role in 2015.
As president, he oversees project managers in the day to day operations of the company and is involved in contracts, HR, business development and more. He also oversees the corporate safety program which has a goal of zero lost time accidents for every project undertaken.
“I have an open door policy so people can always come and talk to me about anything,” says Besse.
Headquartered in Richmond, the company averages 120 field staff and approximately 20-30 office staff. Bridge operates as the commercial division of the Granby Group of Companies and works on projects of various scales ranging from $50,000 to $20 million.
“ We’re known for commercial work as well as our service department. We have an amazing service department that always has clients contacting them for maintenance, upgrade or emergencies,” says Besse.
Current projects include 1090 West Pender, Vancouver Centre II, the new Amazon distribu tion centre in the Riverbend Business Park and Cactus Club in Coquitlam.
“Our success in creating repeat business has been our commitment in providing quality and profes sional electrical installation on all of our projects large or small. Repeat business is very important to us,” says Besse.
Despite the pandemic related challenges of the past couple of years, supply chain issues and reces sion concerns, Besse is optimistic about the out look for 2023.
“Construction will continue to be strong in B.C. with many projects already on the books,” he says. “We continue to look for people who are a right fit for our company and plan to build on our success for the next 40 years.”
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 7
Connections •High-rise Residential • Fully Equipped Service Fleet • Engineered Design Build • Serving the Lower Mainland
Transforming School Design
BY CARLA DICKOF
Over the past several years, mass timber construction has increased in popularity across North America and the world. The industry and associated building codes have also adopted mass timber construction in broadening applications. New code provisions including the tall timber provisions in the IBC 2021 and the Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) provisions in the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 2020) allow mass timber construction in building types that would previously have been required to be non-combustible. This progress is all in response to a growing level of interest from designers, owners, cities, and contractors for a variety of reasons, including prefabrication and speed of construction, green construction and embodied carbon requirements, and architectural expression.
The prefabricated nature of mass timber panels allows for reduced labour on site, decreasing construction site risks, as well as increased speed of construction. The inherent beauty in the natural material allows for the opportunity to express the appearance architecturally and save on additional finishes. And the opportunity for reduced embodied carbon in these types of buildings also offers significant benefits. Green construction is increasingly an area of focus for designers, owners, and cities with some jurisdictions beginning to implement embodied carbon targets for new construction. Mass timber offers one approach for construction that can significantly reduce the quantity of embodied carbon, compared to more traditional construction approaches such as concrete and steel construction.
School boards are beginning to take notice of the opportunities that mass timber construction offers. New school construction and existing school expansion are examples where mass timber has a significant opportunity. As land values in urban centres increase, schools with smaller footprints are becoming increasingly popular with school boards. For example, there are number of new school projects throughout British Columbia that are planned or have been complet-
ed as three or four-storey buildings. This height often excludes the use of light framed timber construction commonly used in small single-storey schools. As owner-operated buildings the school boards often aim to hit green targets, providing inviting and comfortable schools for students and staff, while also providing efficient construction budgets and timelines. Mass timber provides an opportunity to meet all these requirements for these taller schools, while also creating a warm environment for students and staff, taking advantage of the biophilic properties of exposed timber.
A recent Forest Innovation Investment publication authored by Thinkspace and Fast + Epp titled Wood Use in British Columbia Schools 2022 provides guidance based on current systems and products for school districts, administrators, and design professionals. Additional publications from Wood Works! also provide more detailed guidance on some aspects of the implementation of timber in taller schools, particularly three and four-storey schools. These include a report on the structural systems that can be used for the design of mass timber schools; costing associated with the prototypes presented in that report; and a guide for the risk analysis and alternate solutions that could be required.1
The Vancouver school board has two schools under construction that act as excellent case studies for the implementation of mass timber in elementary schools. Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary and Bayview Elementary are both two-storey schools being built as part of the province of British Columbia’s School Seismic Replacement program. Both existing schools were slated for replacement. Both new buildings were designed and constructed of mass timber, with cross laminated timber (CLT) roofs and floors supported for CLT walls, and glued-laminated timber post and beam structures. The wood is typically
left exposed, providing students and staff with all the benefits of biophilia, which research suggests can reduce stress and improve learning. The CLT provides a highly efficient system serving as both gravity and seismic resistance throughout the building, even in Vancouver’s high seismic region.
CLT shearwalls were used in both schools as the seismic resisting system; multi-storey continuous CLT panels were implemented for the majority of the shearwall wall panels to provide more efficient construction with less connection hardware required and less crane time on site. This approach to CLT shearwalls, however, falls beyond the current design code. Both schools are recipients of Green Construction in Wood (GCWood) grants through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCAN), which allowed the consultant to complete structural testing to support this system. Testing also was used to assess an efficient implementation of connections for a long-span floor and roof system to achieve large open floor plans commonly associated with 21st century learning.
The use of timber in these schools was also a key in meeting the school district’s commitment to sustainable construction. Both projects used locally sourced mass timber, with embodied carbon savings of more than 1100 and 1400 metric tonnes for Bayview elementary and Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary respectively. Additionally, mass timber’s natural thermal benefits allow for reduced insulation while still achieving the same envelope efficiency.
The construction process for both schools took advantage of the prefabricated approach inherent in a mass timber project. The CLT panels, and glulam beams and columns were all manufactured off site, often with connectors pre-installed in the shop; the elements were then shipped to site and lifted into place by a crane. When fabricated and coordinated properly, the pieces fit together neatly with all services slotting through prefabricated openings in the wall and floor panels; nearly all on-site cutting of the wood can be avoided. This approach allowed for a comparatively quiet and clean site compared to typical concrete and steel construction, a significant benefit in the case of these two projects as both are located in quiet residential neighborhoods. Additionally, in the case of Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary, the students continued to attend the existing school immediately adjacent to the construction site for the new school — quiet and clean construction allowed for less disruption to the students attending the existing school.
Construction for both projects is nearing completion and they serve as an excellent example of the possibilities for mass timber construction in schools.
Carla Dickof, is an associate at Fast + EPP in Vancouver with nearly 15 years of experience.
1 Three- And Four-Storey Wood School Building Options Technical Report; Four-Storey Wood School Design in British Columbia: An Analysis of Structural System Cost Comparisons, Risk Analysis and Alternative Solution for Three- and Four-Storey Schools of Mass Timber and Wood-Frame Construction.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 8 Wood
Begbie Elementary photo credit: naturallywood.com.
Using Encapsulated Mass Timber
BY TERESA COADY
This article is intended to provide some history on the new Encapsulated Mass Timber provisions in the National Building Code (NBC) 2020, to make sense of the different code classifications for wood buildings in Canada, and to assist you in determining which construction type is best for your project.
There are many changes to the NBC 2020, none more significant than the adoption of Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) as a building classification. Previous building codes allowed for heavy timber, but the new EMTC code language is both more permissive than heavy timber because it allows for high buildings up to 12 Storeys, and more restrictive because it calls for the encapsulation of wood for fire protection.
There are three options for designing and building in wood in Canada:
SMALL DIMENSION LUMBER
Small dimension wood frame is classified as combustible construction. The NBC allows residential or commercial combustible buildings up to six storeys, an increase from the original four storey limit. These are known colloquially as Tall Wood Buildings. The building code changed to allow Tall Wood in 2009 in British Columbia, and in 2015 in Ontario. This permission is for residential and commercial buildings only, with varying limits on building areas. Assembly, retail and parkades are also permitted to be of combustible construction on the lower floors of the residential buildings.
The wood framing cannot be exposed. Fire resistance ratings are required for the floors, roofs, and separations, and there are limits on the flame spread rating of finish materials. Engineers and Geoscientists BC published a 108 page Technical & Practice Bulletin (rev April 8, 2015) on ‘5 and 6 Storey Wood Frame Residential Building Projects (Mid-Rise)’ which is especially helpful for the structural engineer. If your project involves wood buildings up to six storeys, and is intended for residential or commercial use, then these Tall Wood code provisions may provide the permissions you need.
HEAVY TIMBER
Heavy timber has been a part of the building codes in Canada for many years, and these provisions allow architects and engineers to design structures made of large dimension lumber. A Heavy Timber building is classified as non-combustible. It is permitted for columns and beams in some one and two-storey assembly (A1, A3) buildings, and in some one to three-storey industrial (F1, F3) buildings. If you have a low-rise building in one of these occupancies, and you wish to use and expose a heavy Timber structure, then these pre-existing Heavy Timber code permissions may be all you need.
ENCAPSULATED MASS TIMBER
While an EMTC structure may be a heavy timber structure, it may also be constructed of composite materials such as dowel, nail, or cross-laminated timber, and/or parallel-strand, structural-composite, or laminated-veneer lumber. The EMTC code provisions were first tested in British Columbia and adopted as an amendment to the BC Building Code (BCBC) 2018. To assist registered professionals working in the new construction type, the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC), along with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, published joint professional practice guidelines ‘Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction up to 12 Storeys” in 2021.
EMTC buildings are combustible construction, Part 3, residential or commercial, up to 12 storeys. There are provisions for some assembly, retail and parkade occupancies on the lower floors. Light industrial uses are also permitted below commercial occupancies. EMTC refers to both the structural and exterior components of the building, and allows for columns, beams, walls, floors, and roofs to be constructed of encapsulated mass timber. EMTC was introduced as a way of permitting high buildings between 7-12 storeys, not previously permitted to be combustible, to be constructed of encapsulated mass timber.
Use of the EMTC provisions always triggers the high building requirements of the code. High buildings require a number of additional fire and life safety provisions. For this reason, if you have a residential or commercial project less than six storeys, you may wish to consider using the Tall Wood provisions, thus avoiding the high building requirements of the code. Alternatively, if your building is 7-12 storeys, and you would like to build in wood, rather than in concrete or steel, you may decide EMTC is the correct construction classification for your project.
If you do choose to proceed with EMTC, there are many considerations to keep in mind. First, EMTC assumes that all wood construction will be protected from fire, either by encapsulation in drywall, or by intumescent paint. Second, EMTC does not permit hidden spaces where fires can grow unobserved, so all service, plenum and void spaces must be either encapsulated, sprinklered, or limited to 25-50mm depending on the flame spread potential of the materials. Third, the weather protection of the EMTC envelope requires special consideration. Finally, although there are provisions for exposing wood as a finish material, these areas are limited to between 10 to 35 per cent of the wall and ceiling area within a compartment or suite.
In summary, the new codes permit Canadians to construct high buildings up to 12 storeys in wood. Residential and commercial buildings up to six storeys (tall wood) were previously permitted, as were heavy timber structures up to three storeys. EMTC provisions now allow residential or commercial high buildings of 7-12 storeys to be constructed in wood.
After weighing the benefits against the additional measures required, EMTC may be the right choice for the team interested in promoting Canada’s sustainable forest and manufactured-lumber industries, while creating beautiful spaces with the aesthetic appeal of wood.
Teresa Coady is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, a LEED Fellow, and a member of the Architectural Institute of BC. She has extensive experience in all aspects of architectural practice, spanning a career of more than 30 years. Her focus throughout has been on sustainability and innovation.
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 9 Wood
The mass timber components for the 18-storey Brock Commons Tallwood House at UBC are encapsulated in drywall for added fire resistance.
BCIT Supports Mass Timber Innovation
Demand for more sustainable construction materials is driving mass timber construction in projects across B.C. With the construction industry responsible for 40 to 50 per cent of CO2 emissions, renewable materials, such as wood, can help mitigate the rate of global warming.
The growing field of mass timber innovation means more experienced skilled workers are needed along with training opportunities.
More students will get the education and skills they need to build with mass timber through BCIT’s new construction of mass timber structures associate certificate program. The program fills a training gap for the mass timber sector, aimed at helping experienced carpenters, ironworkers and builders gain the in-demand skills needed to succeed in mass timber construction.
The B.C. government announced $250,000 in funding this past August to develop additional programming for the certificate program. The certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada.
“This program is a game changer for our construction industry and our growing mass timber sector here in B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “This investment will help ensure B.C. has enough workers with the right skills to build our buildings of the future — providing clean, inclusive,
sustainable economic development in every corner of the province.”
The certificate is a part-time, blended six-month program. It is delivered online, with a two-week practicum at the BCIT Burnaby campus, where students gain hands-on installation experience with mass timber structures. A cohort of 12 to 24 students will start in January 2023.
“As the largest provider of trades training in Western Canada, it’s critical that BCIT is delivering relevant, hands-on training to help learners master in-demand skills, while contributing toward an agile workforce with sustained and meaningful impact,” said Wayne Hand, dean, BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment. “This investment from the Province of British Columbia allows more trades professionals in upskilling to advance mass timber innovation, clean-energy solutions, as well as the economic prosperity of B.C.”
Mike Metcalfe, foreman with Seagate Mass Timber, has taken BCIT introductory studies in mass timber construction micro-credential and is currently enrolled for the associate certificate.
”An expansion-education program, such as the construction of mass timber structures associate certificate, which I’m completing, will increase accessibility for professionals across sectors to be job ready in supporting new opportunities and demands of the workforce,” he says.
Mass timber will be showcased on the Burnaby campus with BCIT’s Tall Timber Student Housing project, which is currently under construction. The 12-storey student housing building will feature studio and single bedroom suites, offering 464 new dorms which will more than double the institute’s current housing.
The province is also contributing $136.6 million toward the BCIT Trades and Technology Complex, which will include a campus services building built of mass timber, a carpentry pavilion with a mass timber roof structure and a covered marine workshop, which will provide a structure fitted for the assembly of mass timber projects. The pavilion will be built for the new mass timber construction training program. Construction of the new Trades and Technology Complex at BCIT will begin in 2023.
Since 2019, B.C. has invested $850,000 toward wood innovation education at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
The growing mass timber sector is expected to generate more than 4,000 jobs in manufacturing, technology, forestry, design, and engineering, in communities throughout the province. It is also anticipated to promote the adoption of new technologies and approaches to further bolster existing jobs, with a projected worth of $403 million by 2035.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 10 Wood
The Concert Properties Centre for Trades & Technology will be a four-storey building with mass timber elements to consolidate several trades programs into one location.
Get Ready For Prompt Payment
BY D. SCOTT LAMB AND DAN W. MELNICK
In response to concerns from contractors over receiving full and prompt payment for their work, Ontario and other jurisdictions across Canada have implemented or are in the process of implementing prompt payment legislation, which sets tight timelines for the payment of contractors after their work is completed. It is expected that British Columbia will soon follow suit.
As prompt payment legislation is being introduced across Canada, British Columbia can look to other Canadian jurisdictions for considerations on the implications of its own prompt payment legislation.
ONTARIO
Ontario’s prompt payment legislation, found in amendments to the Construction Act, RSO 1990 c C.30, requires that an owner pay a contractor within 28 days after receipt of a “proper invoice”. If an owner does not pay all or part of the invoice, it must give the contractor a “notice of non-payment” within 14 days. A contractor must either pay its subcontractors within seven days of receipt of payment from the owner, or issue its own “notice of non-payment”.
If a dispute arises between the parties, such as non-payment or valuation of services or materials provided, the matter must be referred to adjudication. The adjudicator’s determination is made within 30 days of the adjudicator receiving all documents from the parties and is binding until a determination is made by a court or an arbitration. An adjudicator’s decision can also be set aside by an application for judicial review on limited grounds.
Significantly, parties cannot contract out of the Ontario legislation, meaning that the legislation is binding on parties regardless of whether they would prefer to follow it.
OTHER JURISDICTIONS
Along with Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan have enacted prompt payment legislation that is in force in those provinces. Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba are in various stages of either implementing or attempting to implement their own prompt payment legislation.
At the federal level, the Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act, SC 2019, c 29, has been enacted but is not yet in force.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
While British Columbia has not yet enacted prompt payment legislation, on August 11, 2022, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services recommended to the B.C. Legislature as part of its Report on the Budget 2023 Consultation that the Government of British Columbia “prioritize the enactment of prompt payment legislation that is inclusive of lien reform and adjudication”, citing submissions from the B.C. Construction Association that highlighted the implementation of prompt payment legislation in Ontario.
Given this recommendation, it is expected B.C. will undertake consultation with the construction industry regarding potential draft legislation in 2023.
OBSERVATIONS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS
In reviewing prompt payment legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions, the writers have some observations regarding the impact that similar legislation might have on construction disputes in B.C.:
CHOOSING A PREFERRED PROCESS
1. In some prompt payment regimes parties to a dispute can elect to have their dispute resolved by way of adjudication or court. The jurisdiction of a dispute is set by the party that commences the proceedings. This could have the effect of increasing litigation as parties to a dispute will be incentivized to commence a proceeding before the opposing party in an effort to obtain their preferred dispute resolution forum.
BEING READY TO RESPOND TO DISPUTES
2. Alberta’s prompt payment legislation sets strict and short timelines for the dispute resolution process. After filing for adjudication, the parties have four days to appoint an arbitrator. If they fail to do so one will be appointed for them. After the adjudicator is appointed the claimant has five days to deliver its submissions. The respondent must deliver its submissions 12 days later. The adjudicator will make a determination 30 days later.
Given these issues, parties will need a legal team retained and prepared to engage in the dispute resolution process at moment’s notice, or otherwise risk missing critical deadlines.
STAY OF PROCEEDINGS
3. In Ontario, an adjudicator’s initial decision can be overturned on an application for judicial review, but the application does not operate as a stay of the decision. This means that the applicant must either pay the award set out in the adjudication order or apply to court for a stay of that order pending the outcome of judicial review.
If the applicant cannot satisfy the test for obtaining a stay, then it will have to pay the amount set out in the order. If the adjudicator’s order is overturned on judicial review, the applicant will then have to pursue repayment of a monetary award that it already paid. This could create a significant issue if the respondent has spent those funds and has become impecunious or insolvent.
The importance of obtaining a stay of a monetary award was highlighted in a recent case in Ontario, in which the Ontario Superior Court dismissed an application for judicial review without a hearing on the merits of the case due to the applicant’s failure to either pay the order or obtain a stay of the order.
PROPER INVOICES
4. Parties are only obligated to meet the deadlines for prompt payment if they receive a “proper invoice”. In
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 11
Legal SOTA Dental Studio Inc. v Andrid Group Ltd., 2022 ONSC 2254.
Prompt payment legislation
changes to how construction disputes
Alberta, to meet the definition of a “proper invoice” an invoice must include (among other things) information on the payment terms as broken down for the work or materials provided, and a statement indicating that the invoice is intended to be a proper invoice.
If contractors and subcontractors want to take advantage of the benefits of prompt payment legislation it is critical that their invoices meet all of the requirements of a “proper invoice”.
DISPUTES BIG AND SMALL
5. If British Columbia follows other jurisdictions, prompt payment legislation would likely apply to everyone, from large developers and contractors to individual homeowners, and regardless of the amount of money involved in a dispute.
Homeowners overseeing home renovations will need to be alert to the strict and short deadlines
set out in the prompt payment legislation in order to satisfy payment obligations and enforce their rights to dispute a “proper invoice”. Failure to meet these deadlines could have significant adverse consequences for homeowners.
In large construction projects where disputes can be very complex and for large sums of money, it will be problematic to have such matters dealt with in a summary procedure of adjudication which results in a decision in less than two months without the processes and protections normally found in arbitration and court proceedings.
RETROACTIVE EFFECT
6. Ontario and Alberta’s prompt payment legislation does not apply to contracts or subcontracts that were entered into prior to the respective legislation coming into force. However, once in force the federal prompt payment legislation
will retroactively apply to existing contracts, albeit on a deferred basis for a period of one-year.
If British Columbia follows the federal legislation, rather than Ontario or Alberta, parties will need to be prepared to follow prompt payment legislation in respect of contracts and projects on a retroactive basis.
Conclusion
As British Columbia moves towards prompt payment legislation, stakeholders in the construction industry should closely consider the implications that the legislation will have on their contracts and projects. Prompt payment legislation will make significant changes to how construction disputes are dealt with in British Columbia — time to get ready.
Scott Lamb is a partner, and Dan Melnic is an associate at Clark Wilson, LLP in Vancouver. Both are members of Clark Wilson’s infrastructure, procurement and construction practice group.
SUPPLYING PRODUCTS COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT ON.
The Langley Concrete Group is proud to be continuing our ongoing expansion plans within our operations to support our customers and provide structural precast products using local suppliers. Made in B.C. means investing in our communities, providing jobs and helping our economy. At this time, more than ever, support locally made products, of all types.
ww w.langleyconcretegroup.com
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 12
Legal
will make significant
are dealt with in British Columbia
2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Hospital Expansion ( S M I T H B R O S . & W I L S O N B . C . ) L T D . SMITH BROS. & WILSON (B.C.) LTD. General Contractor/Construction Manager/Design Build 9788 186 Street, Surrey, BC V4N 3N7 T 604-324-1155/ E: sbw@sbw ca/ www sbw ca
Roddan Lodge
PROUD WINNER
Canadian Cancer Survivorship Centre Rainbow Park (Smithe & Richards)
IT IS MY SINCERE PLEASURE to offer my congratulations to our nominees, award winners, association members and our entire industry — twice in 2022!
Construction has so much to celebrate that we are never short of honourees, even in a multiawards gala year. We remain in awe of the great work our industry produces, undaunted by obstacles and unwavering in your commitment to excellence.
In October 2022, the VRCA embarked on a new three-year strategic plan that lists celebrating construction as one of the association’s five key priorities. We have gathered to formally recognize our industry at 33 Awards of Excellence galas, delaying only once in that time due to the restrictions of the pandemic. With an industry that is often far too humble, we see it as our responsibility and sincere honour to bring us all together to celebrate B.C. construction.
The VRCA prides itself on being the largest and most inclusive regional construction association in our province. We know our members
are recognizably diverse and understand the strength that comes from many unique voices. Collectively we represent general contractors, trade contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, and the professional services that support our industry’s success. We are both union and open shop as well as all political affiliations. Second to none, the VRCA embraces, represents, and celebrates the Lower Mainland construction industry in its entirety.
We can never thank enough our Awards of Excellence committee and judges for their commitment, integrity, and passion. Because of them, 140 nominations were thoroughly reviewed, representing 84 projects and a total construction value that exceeds $2.8 billion. We congratulate 51 Silver Award winners, 17 Gold Award recipients, and nine outstanding Achievement Awards at the VRCA’s 33rd Awards of Excellence. Our thanks and congratulations to all.
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 15 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
RECOGNIZING GREAT WORK www.wmbeck.com 1-888-437-1100 info@wmbeck.com We Care. We Help.
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GENERAL CONTRACTOR OVER $50 MILLION
Stage V, Phase 1 Expansion Project
Planning For Growth
BY CHERYL MAH
TO MEET THE DEMANDS of Metro Vancouver’s growing population, the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is undergoing a massive phased expansion that will increase its treatment capacity. The Delta-based plant receives and treats about 175 billion litres of wastewater annually for 14 municipalities.
Phase 1, carried out by Graham Infrastructure LP in joint venture with Aecon Water Infrastructure, is the largest of several Stage V upgrade projects currently being implemented by Metro Vancouver as part of a multi-year $1.27 billion program at the plant. The $289 million four-year expansion project was completed three months ahead of schedule in May 2021.
The primary objective of the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment plant expansion was to increase liquid stream treatment capacity by 50 per cent, ensure continued operations in the event of a major earthquake, and to improve odour management.
The scope of work included the construction, testing and commissioning of new primary treatment facilities and major electrical replacement work to the existing plant. Construction of new solids contact tanks, secondary clarifiers and associated channels were completed in addition to new primary odor control and refurbishment of the existing systems.
The successful expansion of the region’s largest wastewater treatment facility earned Graham/ AECON a well deserved 2022 VRCA Gold Award of Excellence.
“It’s a really proud moment for the team and will always remind us of what we built and that how we
built it was special. We couldn’t be more proud that it is being recognized with a Gold VRCA,” says Graham project director Stephen Henderson.
To put the project size and complexity in perspective, the job required 58,000 cubic metres of structural concrete placed, 10,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement and 19,000 metres of pipework (up to 2100MM diameter). At peak of construction, 350 were on site.
The project posed a number of different challenges. Keeping the plant operational, while installing major construction tie-ins to existing pipework and large concrete structures, was the biggest challenge.
Other challenges of the job included significant design changes, more than 200 plant tie-ins, temporary works for confined space work, high risk work, managing multiple construction areas and complex sequencing constraints.
BIM modeling was key on this project to assist in planning, co-ordination, sequencing and visualization, and to ensure accurate dimensioning of pipe spools and location of pipe penetrations.
Notable achievements include the thickest known, heavily reinforced shotcrete wall in
North America (1 metre thick x 15.7m long x 4.75m tall wall section) and a stacked shipping container solution for the existing 8m deep live channel tie-in.
“ The number and scale of the deep concrete channel live tie-ins that the project required was unique for Graham and required meticulous planning to develop innovative temporary works solutions which kept everyone safe and ensured operation of the treatment plant was maintained,” says Henderson.
Collaborative teamwork was critical to the successful and safe delivery of this important project. Henderson is most proud of “the relentless effort everyone put into the development of our strong safety culture on site.”
“ We formed a great team with our JV partner and key subtrades during the pursuit phase of the project to develop and then go on to deliver the execution plan. During construction this team worked together to find the best solutions for the project and openly and honestly engaged with the client to overcome any issues which needed their input,” he says.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 18 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
GOLD
Graham Infrastructure LP in Joint Venture with Aecon Water Infrastructure Inc. — Annacis Island WWTP
SILVER WINNERS GENERAL CONTRACTOR OVER $50 MILLION EllisDon Corporation — Royal Inland Hospital patient Care Tower, Phase 1 KWPE, a Partnership (Joint Venture of Kiewit Construction Services ULC and Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd.) — TransMountain Power Interconnection Infrastructure Contractor
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 19 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
UP TO $20
GOLD GENERAL CONTRACTOR
MILLION
Jacob Bros. Construction Inc. — Centerm Container Operations Facility Building
GOLD
Container Operations Facility (COF) Building Centerm Expansion Project Vancouver, BC
BY CHERYL MAH
A
1914 BUILDING in Vancouver has been given renewed life thanks to an extensive exterior restoration.
The Heritage Hall, an iconic landmark in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, is a three-storey building known for its elegant architecture and clock tower. The successful roof replacement and envelope seismic upgrade by Scott Construction ensures the building will continue to serve the community for many years.
Work began in August 2020 with the project awarded as part of a Master Service Agreement (MSA) between Scott Special Projects and City of Vancouver.
The scope of work included removal of existing asbestos tile roof; extensive upgrades on underlying wood frame; and installation of a new slate roof to match original construction. Original copper finials, roof tops, curbs and gutters were replaced with new
copper flashing custom-made to replicate the original installation. Brick and stone masonry work was anchored, re-pointed, and repaired to achieve seismic requirements. The project was substantially completed in March 2022.
“ The project is a piece of history and we strive on the challenge to bring these structures back to life. We are honoured to be recognized for this project because of many different factors,” says Darin Hughes, president, Scott Construction. “First off is the innovative delivery model under our MSA agreement with the City Vancouver which helped us work through the early design related sequencing and value engineering. Through the commitments of our subtrade partners, who are true experts at their craft, this great project was able to be realized.”
Victoria’s Grist Slate & Tile removed asbestoscontaining shingles and copper flashings from
the circa-1914 roof and replaced them with new North Country natural quarried slates installed in a diamond pattern to replicate the original roof. Additional scope included replacement of the three tower caps with decorative and ornate 20-ounce copper anthemion leaves and finials, as well as replacement of the two main decorative copper finials.
Challenges included pandemic related labour and supply chain issues; ensuring scaffold safety; managing hazardous building materials and a tight site.
The project received two VRCA Gold Awards and two Heritage Awards for both Scott Construction and Grist Slate & Tile.
“ We would like to thank the VRCA, City of Vancouver, and our entire subtrade teams for the Gold Awards and look forward to continuing to bring back these great buildings,” says Hughes.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 20 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
HERITAGE
GOLD GENERAL CONTRACTOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT UP TO $15 MILLION Scott Special Projects Ltd. — Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade
SAPPERTON PUMP STATION is Metro Vancouver’s largest new multi-level pump station and can deliver flows up to year 2061. Flow is conveyed from five municipalities via the New Westminster Interceptor, which consists of twin 1700mm pipes and 2.6meter x 3.35meter conduit sections. The scope of work also included a park’s office with public washrooms and significant site improvements including new access roads, parking areas, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and landscaping. NAC maintained continuous operation of the existing pump stations throughout.
THE PENTICTON REGIONAL HOSPITAL project involved the renovation and expansion of the emergency department into a space almost four times larger to support the projected volume of 37,000 visits annually. The scope of work included the creation of new patient exam and isolation rooms, trauma bay, canopy coverage for ambulances, utility rooms, and a mental health area. Additionally, a brand-new pharmacy was created in the old surgical suite, while further renovations were also extended to the laundry room, material stores and laboratory.
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 21 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE:::::::::::::::: GOLD GENERAL CONTRACTOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT OVER $15 MILLION EllisDon Corporation — Penticton Regional Hospital — Phase 2
GOLD GENERAL CONTRACTOR — $20 to $50 MILLION NAC Constructors Ltd — Sapperton Pump Station Replacement
GENERAL CONTRACTOR — $20 to $50 MILLION Kenaidan Contracting — North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Conveyance Ledcor Construction — 155 Water Street GENERAL CONTRACTOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT OVER $15 MILLION Bird Construction — BC Children’s & Women’s Redevelopment Project, Phase 3 Reno Graham construction — Sortation Centre Buildout, YVR7 Rover GENERAL CONTRACTOR TENANT IMPROVEMENT UP TO $15 MILLION Kinetic Construction — Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility RAM Construction — Stuyver’s Facility Expansion SILVER WINNERS
WHITEMUD IRONWORKS LIMITED completed a renovation of the existing podium structure and heritage facade rejuvenation for the sevenstorey, 1,900,000 square foot Old General Post Office. The project involved designing, fabricating, and installing support for the building foundation, tower crane and the structural reinforcement of existing building steel beams and columns. In addition, Whitemud provided the north and south tower mechanical penthouse structures, steel stair and elevator shafts and all carbon steel.
FLYNN UTILIZED 3D scanning technologies to create and fabricate in an expedited manner, to complete this 128-unit, 20-storey tower above a single-storey retail podium. Flynn created customized solutions to help fenestrate the punch windows within the Tonality Ceramic Siding that shipped from Germany before the building was topped out. Materials were fabricated and delivered just in time to reduce the required footprint of storing on-site and allow for all surrounding trades to be successful and productive.
TRADE CONTRACTORS $4 to $10 MILLION Solid Rock Steel Fabrication Co. Ltd. — King George Phase B & C (The Hub)
THREE YEARS OF TEAMWORK was required for this immense designbuild steel project with incredible rooftop assemblies, feature structures, and hundreds of canopies. As the prime steel contractor in this special fasttrack project, Solid Rock Steel Fabrication provided design-assist and value-engineering collaborations. They excelled in material procurement and safety protocols throughout the pandemic and maintained high standards of production and special coatings. Demanding schedules were achieved on The Hub, with the highest regard for safety and attention to detail.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 22 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
$2 to $4
Flynn
(1502
GOLD GOLD GOLD TRADE CONTRACTORS OVER $10 MILLION Whitemud Ironworks Limited — The Post TRADE CONTRACTORS
MILLION
Canada Ltd. — 825 Nicola
Robson)
THE HERITAGE HALL ROOF replacement project included the removal of asbestos-containing shingles and copper flashings from the circa-1914 roof. Grist Slate & Tile replaced it with new North Country natural quarried slates installed in a diamond pattern to replicate the original roof. Additional scope included replacement of the three tower caps with decorative and ornate 20-ounce copper anthemion leaves and finials, as well as replacement of the two main decorative copper finials.
DONALD FLOORING CONTRACT SALES LIMITED was selected to take on the intricate carpet work for the Northeastern University project. Installers were tasked with creating massive arcs and unique curves with overlapping multi-coloured carpet tile throughout the 25,000 square foot office space. Through the precise process of trace cutting, the floor layers executed this installation with zero deficiencies, and successfully created curves in the flooring that matched arcs in the ceiling.
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 23 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE:::::::::::::::: TRADE CONTRACTORS $1 MILLION to $2 MILLION Grist Slate & Tile Roofing Inc. — Heritage
Roof Replacement and
Upgrade
Hall
Partial Seismic
TRADE AWARD UP TO $1 MILLION
Donald Flooring Contract Sales Ltd. — Northeastern University
GOLD
TRADE CONTRACTORS OVER $10 MILLION Southwest Contracting Ltd — North Shore Conveyance project Brymark Installations Group lnc — Neptune Allison Project TRADE CONTRACTORS $4 to $10 MILLION Horizon Landscape Contractors Inc. — The Paramount Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd. — The Pacific TRADE CONTRACTORS $2 to $4 MILLION Peninsula Wall and Ceiling Ltd. — BCIT Health Sciences Centre for Advanced Simulation Southwest Contracting Ltd. — City Centre 3 SILVER WINNERS TRADE CONTRACTORS $1 MILLION to $2 MILLION Evergreen Demolition Ltd. — Sortation Center Buildout — YVR7 Rover Scorpio Masonry BC Inc. — 155 Water Street TRADE AWARD UP TO $1 MILLION Seagate Mass Timber Inc. — Pyrrha Headquarters Spearhead Inc. — AbCellera Manitoba Street Tenant Improvements
GOLD
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD OVER $9 MILLION
Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems 2001 Ltd. — Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower — Phase 1
THE ROYAL INLAND HOSPITAL CARE TOWER is a 300,000 square foot, nine-storey building consisting of three levels of patient room, a floor dedicated to new operating rooms, a new post anesthetic recovery unit and a rooftop helipad. As the prime mechanical contractor, Pitt Meadows Plumbing completed fabricating, assembling, and installing the project’s heating and cooling, ventilation, drainage, plumbing, medical gas, and controls. BIM was used for all mechanical systems on the project which allowed prefabrication of most services offsite.
GOLD GOLD
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD UP TO $3 MILLION
Canstar Mechanical LTD. — Sortation Centre Buildout — YVR7 Rover
CANSTAR MECHANICAL PROVIDED mechanical tenant improvements to this 202,381 square foot warehouse. The Sortation Centre Buildout included a new plumbing system, new welfare areas, remote washrooms, breakrooms, and truckers’ area. The new HVAC system included sheet metal distribution, roof top units, air conditioning units, large fans, and controls system integrating to a third-party building management and monitoring system.
GOLD
ALL-PRO SERVICES RE-PIPED THE Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility to accommodate a new 12-megawatt biomass boiler and electrostatic precipitator, connecting them to the campus District Energy System. With reconnection of the existing biomass boiler, 18 megawatts of low-carbon sustainable energy is now delivered to the campus. Also installed was a two-stream conveyor system for use in both boilers. A series of conveyors transport fuel to storage bins at each boiler where the fuel is metered and fed into the boilers.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 24 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD $3-9 MILLION All-Pro Services Ltd. — Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility
MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD OVER $9 MILLION Christman Plumbing & Heating Ltd. — Penticton Regional Hospital, Phase 2 Division 15 Mechanical ltd. — BCIT Health Sciences Centre for Advanced Simulation MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD $3-9 MILLION Black & McDonald Limited — Delta Hospital Medical Device Reprocessing & Operating Room Renovation Division 15 Mechanical Ltd. — AbCellera Manitoba Street Tenant Improvements MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD UP TO $3 MILLION Black & McDonald Limited — BCCW CMMT Active Heat Recovery (CNCP) Project — Phase 1 & 2 Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc.- Lush Systems Upgrade — Wash Down and Wastewater Systems SILVER WINNERS
ELECTRICAL
THE EDMONTON VALLEY LINE LRT connects Mill Woods to downtown Edmonton with 13.1 km of light rail transit. Western Pacific Enterprises led the electrical construction for the LRT systems, providing all labour, equipment, supply and installation of all system elements for the project. This included the overhead catenary system; systemwide cabling and fiber; signaling device install; traction power substations; and the fit-out for the park and ride, stops, and station. The sustainable infrastructure will benefit the City of Edmonton for years to come.
MOTT ELECTRIC’S renovation of this 11-storey rental apartment involved the installation of new suite panels and complete re-wiring of 57 suites. This included new LED light fixtures, switches, and receptacles, plus new LED lighting in all common areas. Also completed was infrastructure for a new security system, CCTV, and fiber optic cabling into the building and into all suites, as well as installation of a new UPS for the critical loads for Telus and security.
BRIDGE ELECTRIC was responsible for the electrical installation for the 57,000 square foot hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing and testing facility. The installation included a large 5MVA outdoor substation and encompassed four voltage systems. They were also responsible for the life safety systems including integration of the hydrogen detection system to provide emergency shutdown. Additionally, the cable-based electrical infrastructure required design and implementation of a complex multi-tier cable tray system with areas up to seven-tiers high and more than 5,000 linear feet of cable tray.
November/December 2022 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS 25 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
AWARD
$2
— Westland Towers
GOLD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
UP TO
MILLION Mott Electric General Partnership
CONTRACTOR AWARD OVER $8 MILLION Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. — Edmonton Valley Line LRT
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD $2-8 MILLION Bridge Electric Corp. — FC2021
GOLD
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD OVER $8 MILLION Canem Systems Ltd. — BCIT health Sciences Centre for Advanced Simulation Houle Electric Limited — Neptune Bulk Terminals: Allison project ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD $2-8 MILLION Allwest Electric Ltd. — The Pacific Centre Electric Ltd. — Zymeworks ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AWARD UP TO $2 MILLION Sasco Contractors Ltd. — Canada Place Corporation Fire Alarm System Upgrades Seaforth Systems Ltd. — Chief Masquinna Elementary School Seismic Upgrade SILVER WINNERS
GOLD
Which Rigger Do You Need? Part 2
BY MARK JH KLASSEN
expertise in the heavy equipment industry. He’s also developed a solid reputation in the crane industry, and an impeccable safety record. His years of on-the-job experience make him uniquely qualified as an instructor, but he also combines that knowledge with a passion for teaching, which comes out clearly in the format of the training.
“Although Level 1 Rigger may be more detailed and specific, we teach theory and practice in both courses,” said Notheis, “so that means we spend some time in the classroom, then we get out on the job, in the rain and in the mud with our gloves on, to make sure it works in real life. We don’t just tell people what they need to know, we show them why they need to know it.”
Of course, both training programs come not only with tuition fees but also with the requirement of a missed day of work. Employers therefore would need to consider the cost of wages as well as lost revenue. The investment is big, but the potential gains are even bigger, in terms of avoiding safety risks, damage risks, and legal liabilities.
As Henry Ford once said, “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.”
In the end, Bigfoot’s training is targeted to companies that care about their employees and the communities where they work. According to Notheis, “When employers are genuinely concerned for their people and their families, these kinds of courses are no-brainers.”
Level 1 Rigger Certification
Bigfoot’s Level 1 Rigger Certification is tailored more specifically to those who work in the crane industry, whether as crane operators or crane owners.
According to Notheis, “Overall, the Level 1 certification course is much more detailed and requires the instructor and student to check every box as they go. Each detail gets signed off by the rigger certifier and then it all gets reviewed by the certification authority.”
In this case, the certification authority is Fulford CraneSafe. So, when someone completes Level 1 Rigger Certification, they receive an official certification card from this authority which is recognized as proof of competence by the BC Association for Crane Safety, the BC Worker’s Compensation Board, the Industry Training Authority of BC and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board.
“It gives the proper certification,” said Notheis.
“Anyone who works directly with cranes in B.C. and the Yukon needs to get this ticket. It’s required.”
The demands of Level 1 Rigger are higher and so are the costs. For a single participant, the tuition and fees are $1,200.00 + GST (including all assessment, certification fees, and manual). In Bigfoot’s Academy, costs are reduced to $700 per participant, if there are eight in the program.
Weighing the Benefits
Whether Civil Rigging or Level 1 Rigger, Bigfoot’s Training Academy is well known for being practical, helpful, and engaging. Professionals from a variety of industries recommend it highly because of the experience of the instructors and the Academy’s unique approach to training.
As manager of Bigfoot’s Academy and a rigger certifier, Notheis has taught both courses, and is able to rely on three decades of experience and
Conclusion
Notheis and the others at the Bigfoot Training Academy are passionate about safety, so they are thrilled that more and more riggers are being trained, whether through the Civil Rigging Course or Level 1 Rigger Certification. But Notheis also suspects that very soon, certification will become mandatory for every rigger on any job site, whether they work with cranes or any heavy equipment.
For the time being, companies need to be aware that if someone needs official certification for a specific job within the crane industry, the Level 1 Rigger Certification is required. For a wide range of other jobs that involve lifting and moving loads, the Civil Rigging Course is the more accessible, group-friendly, and cost-effective option.
Part 1 of this article ran in the Sept/Oct issue.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 26
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MANUFACTURER & SUPPLIER
View Inc. — Pyrrha Headquarters
View Incorporated supplied the design, dynamic glass, and control systems for the Pyrrha headquarters. View glass changes tint automatically to manage solar heat gain and control glare without the need for blinds or exterior shade structures. View glass works in conjunction with the project’s geothermal system. By eliminating the impact of fluctuating solar heat load, View enables the geothermal system to meet the building’s cooling needs and contributes to the project’s overall net-zero sustainability goals.
Jacob
Ledcor
Scorpio
Scott
Unitech
Vintage Woodworks Inc.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 28 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
GOLD
HERITAGE AWARD
Slate & Tile Roofing Inc. — Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade
Grist
Bros. Construction Inc. — Centerm Container Operations Facility
Building
(COF)
— 155 Water Street
Construction Limited
— 155 Water Street
Masonry BC Inc.
— Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and
Special Projects Ltd.
Partial Seismic Upgrade
—
Construction Management Ltd.
Schou Administrative Building
— 155 Water Street ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Evergreen Demolition Ltd. — Sortation Centre Buildout, YVR7 Rover Graham Cosntruction and Engineering LP — Sortation Centre Buildout, YVR7 Rover Ledcor Construction Limited — 825 Pacific Passive House L-R: Garibaldi Glass Industries Inc. — Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre Ledcor Construction Limited – 155 Water Street Graham Cosntruction and Engineering LP — Sortation Centre Buildout, YVR7 Rover SILVER MANUFACTURER & SUPPLIER Cascadia Windows & Doors — 825 Pacific Passive House Garibaldi Glass Industries Inc. — Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre
Adver t i se in Con st ruc t ion B u sines s .. . and get it working for you! CONS R C B 400 CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS o BC AL R S ONSTR C N AG IN 4 3 TION BUS PLUS R I W W W . CON ST RUC T IONBUS I NES S .C A Endor sed by the leading construc tion, design and architec tural associations, Construc tion Busines s is the publication of choice by adver tiser s who want to reach the decision maker s in the multi - billion dollar B C. and Alber ta construc tion marketplace To adver tise your produc t s, ser vices and exper tise or for more information on customizing an adver tising program, please contac t: Dan G noc ato 60 4 739 2115 ex t 223 dang@mediaedge ca N 4006
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
OUTSTANDING WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION AWARD Kristine Szeto, EllisDon Corporation
Kristine Szeto is an experienced mechanical/ electrical professional with more than 16 years of industry experience. Throughout her career, she has provided design, project management, and construction services across the commercial and institutional sectors. She joined EllisDon in 2012 as the mechanical and electrical project manager and is now the director of mechanical and electrical pre-construction. She dedicates significant time and energy to promoting gender equality at EllisDon and the construction sector as a whole.
EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AWARD
Ritu Ahuja, Kinetic Construction Ltd.
An internationally recognized expert in the application of lean construction practices, Dr. Ritu Ahuja brings more than 14 years of experience to Kinetic Construction, where she is the lean integration leader. Her extensive technical credentials include numerous industry and professional certifications in project management, lean construction, and agile processes, as well as a Certificate in Strategy Execution from Harvard Business School, an M.Sc. in Construction Project Management from the University of Manchester, and a Ph.D. in Built Environment from the RICS School of Built Environment.
YCL EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION
Zack Ross, Cape Construction (2001) Ltd. Zack Ross is the third generation in this family run real estate and development company. He is a graduate of the Integrated Engineering program from UBC. He started at Cape as a site labourer and assistant to the foreman and took the leadership and knowledge he learned from site to head office, moving up the company ranks to his current role as president. He is especially proud of increasing the number of senior leadership roles held by female professionals including the CEO, CFO, director of construction, and director of marketing, in addition to other female led senior management roles.
ZERO EMISSIONS BUILDING LEADERSHIP
Christian Cianfrone, EllisDon Corporation
As a mechanical and energy engineer, Christian Cianfrone has spent his entire career developing and analyzing solutions towards low carbon outcomes across hundreds of projects from new construction to existing buildings as well as having co-developed globally recognized energy policy for Vancouver, Toronto, and the Province of British Columbia.
MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Smith Bros. & Wilson
Bridge Electric Corp
Victaulic
MNP
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Peter Hrdlitschka has played a pivotal role in the Canadian Construction industry over the past 43 years. During his 30 tenure with Ledcor Construction, he led the company through rapid growth as it expanded to new regions, implementing the latest in sustainable and innovative construction practices and fostering relationships with new and repeat clients — all while building a collaborative team environment and providing mentorship to those around him.
CONSTRUCTION WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD
Ledcor Construction — Excavation Extraction Rescue System (EERS)
LIFE MEMBER INDUCTEES Jim Bromley and Bob Proctor
Jim started his rebar career at Reliable Reinforcing before joining Harris Rebar. Jim eventually became regional manager in the early 90s before retiring in 2022. He spent many years on the VRCA board of directors and sits on the VRCA Awards committee. Bob started with Steel Brothers Canada in 1972. After retiring, Bob volunteered to sit on the VRCA Awards committee as a judge and led the panel as chair from 2018 to 2022.
SUPERIOR SAFETY RECORD
Peter Kiewit Sons ULC
Canadian Turner Construction Company
Cape Construction (2001) Ltd. EllisDon Corporation
Gisborne Industrial Construction
Modern Niagara Vancouver Western Pacific Enterprises
ZERO FREQUENCY INJURY RATE
Graham Construction
Mott Electric
Scott Construction
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS November/December 2022 30 ::::::::::::::::2022 VRCA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE::::::::::::::::
Peter Hrdlitschka, Ledcor Construction
The BC Construction Safety Alliance is a not-for-profit association that provides services to over 52,000 construction companies employing over 220,000 workers. Email: info@bccsa.ca www.bccsa.ca
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