September/October 2012 Vol. 9 No. 6
sait trades and technology complex Charles Kelly, BCRMCA Public Works Electrical PM 40063056
Technology 2012 Resource Guide
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Inside
September/October 2012 | Volume 9 No.6
06 Connections Charles Kelly
Charles Kelly has been actively advocating for the industry in his first year as executive director of the BC Ready Mix Concrete Association.
12 Feature Project SAIT Trades and Technology Complex
PUBLISHER
MANAGING Editor Contributing writers
Dan Gnocato dang@mediaedge.ca Cheryl Mah Gabriel Ana Sarah Clark
The new Trades and Technology Complex at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary will redefine the teaching and learning experience for the next generation of construction workers.
Rowan Oloman
33 Special Supplement 2012 Resource Guide
John Singleton
Channa Perera Geraldine Rayner Jason Said Stanis Smith Wally Wells Jon Witty
Industry Focus
Dennis K. Yasui
18 Technology BIM — Are We There Yet? Cloud Computing Turning Waste Into Energy
B.C./ALBERTA SALES
20 Electrical
PUBLISHED BY
Sustainable Electricity Today’s Complex Electronic Security Systems Workers at Risk
PRESIDENT Kevin Brown
26 Public Works Airport Infrastructure Design Aging Municipal Infrastructure Creates Opportunity Procuring Public Projects
Departments 04 Message from the Editor 30 The Legal File Construction Claims The Law of Tenders
Dan Gnocato Tel: 604.549.4521 ext. 223
vancouver office 114 – 42 Fawcett Drive Coquitlam, BC V3K 6X9 Tel: 604.549.4521 Fax: 604.549.4522 Toronto office 1000-5255 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M2N 6P4 Tel: 416.512.8186 Fax: 416.512.8344 Copyright 2012 Canada Post Canadian publications mail sales publication agreement no. 40063056 — ISSN 1710-0380 Return all undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Suite 1000 — 5255 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6P4
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32 Architect Corner Considerations of Space
38 Industry News
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Cover Photo
SAIT Trades & Technology Complex has been designed to meet demands of the labour market in the oil and gas industry, trades and technology sector of Alberta. Photo: Arete’ (Tula) Edmunds, ArtLine Photography.
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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.
November 6 & 7, 2012
Editor’s Note
Back to School
S
eptember has become almost synonymous with going back to school, especially if you have kids. It’s also when the ‘get back to work’ mentality slowly starts to sink in for most of us as we transition out of vacation mode. As a working mother, it means adding a new list of things to do in the morning to ensure everyone is out of the house on time. Yes, it’s another school year. Students returning to school at Calgary’s SAIT Polytechnic have an exciting new complex awaiting them. The new Trades and Technology Complex, gracing our cover, fully opened for classes in late August. The educational facility will address the demands for skilled labour in Alberta by providing an innovative teaching and learning environment for the next generation of trade workers. PCL
Construction Management delivered the project on time and on budget. For our profile, I spoke with Charles Kelly, executive director of the BC Ready Mix Concrete Association. Having assumed the position a little over a year ago, Charles has been busy getting to know the industry and tackling one of its principal concerns: the Wood First Act. This year also marks the association’s 50th anniversary. Features in this issue include electrical, technology and public works. In our public works section, industry experts share insights into airport infrastructure design, public procurement and the importance of asset management. When it comes to technology, BIM remains at the forefront of discussions in the industry but is everyone on board? Read about the benefits and challenges of adopting BIM on page 15.
Another new catchphrase in technology discussions is being “in the cloud.” Find out what is cloud computing and how it relates to the construction industry. Finally, remember to keep an eye out for our next issue which will feature all of this year’s VRCA Awards of Excellence winners.
Cheryl Mah Managing Editor
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Connections
A Concrete Message By Cheryl Mah
“If you shine the light of day on something that is outrageously bad public policy and look at it with common sense, it just doesn’t stand up.”
T
he executive director of the BC Ready Mix Concrete Association (BCRMCA) admits his first year in the position has been a challenge. “I didn’t know the difference between concrete and cement. I had to go and take a concrete basics course,” he says with a laugh. “Now I look at buildings with a sense of marvel.” Although he had no specific background in construction, his expertise in government relations and background in public policy was exactly what the association was looking for when it began the search in 2011. “They were looking for someone that is comfortable and enjoys working with senior public servants and politicians,” says Kelly. “I understand how bureaucracy works, how laws get passed and who is responsible.” Before joining the association, Kelly was Commissioner General for the United Nation’s World Urban Forum 3 which was held in Vancouver in 2006. When the opportunity came up to join BCRMCA, it was good timing. “After the World Urban Forum, I became involved in business investment opportunities before I basically cashed out in 2007 before the crash. I was still doing some selective consulting assignments but I was looking for a change of life,” says the Toronto native. Kelly graduated with an Honours BA in history and political science from Queen’s University. He then spent six years as a senior political assistant to two federal cabinet ministers. In 1978 he opened his own private international consulting practice focused on public policy issues and eventually external corporate services. He moved to Vancouver in 1980. “I lived in Vancouver but I had an office and eventually a second home in Ottawa. I spent 25 years in the air,” says Kelly, who has also served
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as chairman of the Cascadia Institute, a non-forprofit organization which analyses cross border issues in the Pacific Northwest. “I wanted to get off the airplanes. I wasn’t the retiring type and then I saw the BCRMCA opening.” Since he assumed his position in August 2011, he has enjoyed getting to know the industry and especially the people. “I really like the people…down to earth, honest and collegial,” he says. “I enjoy the environment and look forward to going to work every day.” His primary role is to focus on advocacy and strategic direction in areas pertaining to public policy issues affecting the concrete industry in B.C. Former executive director Carolyn Campbell remains actively involved as the director of communication and education in the association’s Kelowna satellite office. “Carolyn remains on as the expert with the deep knowledge of the industry and focuses on our training and education services,” explains Kelly. “I couldn’t have done this without Carolyn. She’s been here for 10 years and has done a lot for the association. ” Kelly describes himself as a problem solver and indeed, the association has a big problem. His first priority was to tackle one of its principal concerns: the Wood First Act. The Act, introduced in 2009 by the B.C. government, requires provincially-funded construction projects to use wood as the primary building material. BCRMCA and others in the industry have objected to the policy for a number of reasons. At the heart of the issue, he says, is the preference policy established through the Act. The decision to use a particular material should be determined by professionals and the intended purpose of the structure — not a policy that supports a specific industry, argues Kelly.
“It’s really B.S. at its core,” he says. “To take what was originally a marketing campaign and turn it into a public policy that we’re going to preference one material as the primary building material for all public buildings is at odds with how the real world operates. It’s about the right material for the right job.” Kelly’s first plan of action was to build an alliance with the BC Chamber of Commerce (BCCC), which represents 32,000 businesses. At the Chamber’s annual policy conference held in May, delegates representing the various local chambers voted in support of a resolution to amend the Wood First Act. “It was overwhelming with the vote 225 to 5,” recalls Kelly, who worked with the Kamloops chamber first to get the resolution developed. “If you shine the light of day on something that is outrageously bad public policy and look at it with common sense, it just doesn’t stand up.” The vote made amending the Wood First Act the official policy of the BCCC and reversed an earlier policy of supporting the Act. The next step is to continue spreading the word to other organizations and working with local chambers to take this resolution to their respective MLAs. “We now have a small army behind us. It’s a huge difference than just the voice of one relatively small organization that has perceived deep self-interest,” says Kelly. “The Chamber is committed to working with us to bring this to the attention of the ministers [because] the preference aspect violates the fundamental principals of free open competitive markets. I’m confident — whether this year or next — it’s not a sustainable policy and it will go the way of the dodo.” Another initiative underway is a national conference planned for February 2013 called
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Connections Converge. The invitation only event aims to bring together industry material leaders and suppliers to have a meaningful dialogue about the materials revolution that is happening. “I want to change the conversation among leaders in the construction and materials industries,” says Kelly. “We’re in the early days of an enormous materials revolution and we should be working together — outside of the marketplace — to discuss the technological advancements and designs of all materials and what our agenda should be. Concrete doesn’t look like it did five years ago — with nanotechnology, different mixtures, form and drying methods…same is true for steel and wood. We’re going to have to pay more attention to building materials so let’s get ahead of the changes now.” Technological advances have helped to drive the changes necessary to meet the demand for sustainable materials in the marketplace. One important change coming in the future that will help identify a product’s environmental impact will be EPDs or Environmental Product Declarations. Kelly explains EPDs will be similar to nutrition labels on food products but used for a variety of building materials. “It’s the next step in making this world a little easier for the architects and engineers to meet green standards like LEED. A lot of work on the concrete side has already been done in the US by the Portland Cement Association in terms of gathering data that you need on an EPD,” he
notes. “I can see EPDs and life cycle analysis becoming integral to the procurement process.” In the meantime, Kelly is optimistic about the outlook in B.C. But he notes there are still some recessionary impacts for members in the Okanagan and southern Vancouver Island where the market activity level is not as high as in the Lower Mainland and up north.
One important change coming in the future that will help identify a product’s environmental impact will be EPDs or Environmental Product Declarations. “B.C. is not going to stop growing. That growth requires concrete,” he says. “People take concrete for granted. It’s ubiquitous. But someone has to make it, get it delivered and get it poured.” This fall, the association will be celebrating a significant milestone — its 50th anniversary. A black tie gala is planned this October in Whistler where the association’s achievements and pioneers will be celebrated.
“The association wouldn’t be here without the enormous amount of volunteer work and the commitment of the industry,” says Kelly. “The volunteer spirit and giving back to the industry as a whole is what this organization is all about. And we’re going to celebrate that and the accomplishments the association has had.” One of the association’s recent accomplishments was being named the 2009 State Association of the Year at the 2010 NRMCA Convention. The annual award honours U.S. and Canadian state and area associations for their contributions to the industry in the areas of research, education, advocacy and promotion. NRMCA recognized the association’s comprehensive pervious concrete paving program and lobby efforts on the Wood First legislation. “That was an amazing achievement to be recognized as the best association in North America,” says Kelly. Since 1962, BCRMCA has provided a member focused organization for the growth of the ready mix concrete industry through training, promotion, member engagement and advocacy. Today, the association represents 136 member companies that operate more than 120 plants in B.C. “I haven’t been to a board meeting where we haven’t added new members. We’re growing. We’re delivering good results and good services. It’s a bright future,” says Kelly. “We’re a vital organization. We’ve been here 50 years and will be here for another 50 years.”
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Connections
BCRMCA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
In 1962, seven Thompson-Okanagan based concrete producers formed the Interior ReadyMixed Concrete Association to share a common voice on common issues, which quickly grew to encompass producers and suppliers to the industry throughout the province. Of the founding members, only Henry and Clara Norgaard (from Norgaard Ready-Mix in Merritt & Kamloops) are still involved in their business. In the early 1960s, concrete was pretty simple, often batched as a “5-sack mix” and sold by the yard. The trucks held about 7 or 8 yards and, for the most part, concrete played a traditional, if not utilitarian role in architecture. Around that same time, in 1963, young architects Arthur Erickson and Jeffrey
Massey won an international competition to design Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Their modernist vision for the campus — expressed through concrete as both the structure and finish — ushered in a new era of contemporary Canadian architecture. Concrete never looked — and was never looked at — the same. Striking repetitive angular geometries and exposed structural details such as buttresses and columns emerged and began to characterize urban Westcoast design. Over the last half century, concrete has evolved to a sophisticated building product to meet the creative vision of the specifying community and the schedule of one of the most sophisticated construction markets in North America.
In the next 50 years, concrete will continue to be essential in creating the structures of the future, while the industry remains committed to socially and environmentally responsible construction in B.C.
“BCRMCA’s 50th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate not only the enduring milestone for the association, but also to reflect on how far the industry — the product and the people — have come.” Carolyn Campbell BCRMCA director of communication and education
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1 construction business September/October 2012 10 12-025.4_JoinContractor_7.5x5.25_PRESS.indd
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Feature Project
Building Innovation
By Cheryl Mah | Photos Arete’ (Tula) Edmunds, ArtLine Photography
A
new landmark educational facility at SAIT Polytechnic is not only transforming the campus, but the teaching and learning environment for the next generation of skilled construction workers. The 740,000-square-foot Trades and Technology Complex is the largest construction project in the post-secondary’s 96-year history. It features state-of-the-art classrooms and labs as well as engaging social spaces that will make room for an additional 8,100 students each year in the high demand sectors of energy, construction, manufacturing and automation. The $400 million complex houses the MacPhail School of Energy, the School of Construction and the School of Manufacturing and Automation. It will also be home to SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services department. Designed by Calgary based Gibbs Gage Architects, the complex emphasizes an innovative, flexible and more integrated approach to trades and technical training. The complex will play a
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key role in addressing the province’s long term skilled labour needs, providing an opportunity for students to learn in an interactive environment that reflects real life workplaces. PCL Construction Management broke ground on foundations in January 2010 (demolition and excavation had already been completed by SAIT). The scope of the project included three buildings and extensive underground services and site works. The project was completed on time, on budget with total substantial completion achieved on August 23. The three buildings that comprise the complex were turned over at different dates with the first being the Cenovus Energy building in August 2011, says Derek Pearce, PCL senior project manager. The two larger buildings — the Aldred Centre and the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre — received occupancy this past August. Having demolition and excavation completed separately under a different contract and permit
allowed PCL to start construction of the new buildings immediately, notes Pearce. The buildings are constructed on drilled concrete caisson pile foundations supporting the cast-in-place concrete structure and structural steel roof. The project required approximately 29,917 cubic meters of concrete and more than 5,000 tonnes of rebar. The building envelope consists mainly of unitized aluminum and glass curtain wall system with composite metal panels and terracotta tile. Instead of installing the curtain wall using stick-built construction (as originally planned) where much of the fabrication and assembly would take place on site, the curtain wall was installed using unitized aluminum and glass panels that were fabricated and assembled off site. “This method saved the owner both cost and time,” says Pearce. Finishing materials inside the buildings include wood, metal panels, back painted glass and painted and exposed concrete.
Feature Project
“Much of the interior is designed around pedagogy,” explains Pearce. “The concept is to use the building as a teaching tool so most of the building infrastructure is left exposed.” Structural, mechanical and electrical details have been left exposed in the classrooms, labs and public spaces to allow students to see and understand the systems and concepts being taught in the classroom. “Typically those areas are hidden but the idea was to open that up to students so they can see physically what they’re learning in the classroom,” says Pearce. Building systems such as a typical mechanical room and electrical closet can also be viewed through glass windows. One set of passenger elevators in each wing of the Aldred Centre has glass front panels to showcase its mechanical functions. “We really had to pay attention to the quality of work,” notes Pearce. “It was really driven home to all the trades that this was going to be left exposed and to ensure everything was installed properly so students could see not only how the systems worked but what a good installation looks like.” Attention to detail was also critical for the ground polished concrete flooring. While fairly common on slab-on-grade, it was more of a challenge to achieve a uniform aggregate look on a suspended slab. “With any cast-in-place suspended concrete slab, it is challenging to try to maintain a uniform aggregate in the top 5 mm of the slab to provide a uniform finish upon grinding. The primary challenge was to control the ghosting effect caused by areas of ground concrete with little to no exposed aggregate,” says Pearce, explaining the solution required increasing the slab thickness by 5mm and “hand-seeding” aggregate. Peak manpower on the job was around 550 with total hours worked exceeding 2.5 million. Managing a small army on the ground is already no easy task and then add the fact that the site is located in a live campus meant careful attention and planning were needed to minimize any disruption to students. Another challenge was the coordination and installation of the complex instructional furniture and equipment.
“At the time the project was originally designed and the layouts of the labs/classrooms were originally developed, there were several unknown factors that were subject to change before the end of construction. It was not known exactly what equipment would be moved to the new facilities and what would be purchased new,” says Pearce. “So with respect to rough-in and sleeving both mechanical and electrical for equipment, we had to leave a lot of it out and typically this is done upfront when the structure is being done.” The complex features a myriad of state-ofthe-art equipment including a 3D drilling simulator — the first of its kind at a post secondary institution in North America — which will provide students with virtual rig and drilling operations training. One of the most striking features of the buildings is the curvilinear roof forms which tie them together and reflect a ‘wave of the future’ design motif. For example, Aldred Centre, the largest building at 442,000 square feet, boasts a long, wavy roof. “The use of curvilinear roofs [the wave and barrel roofs] is meant to signify the innovation and the advancement of the SAIT complex as it moves forward,” says Vince Dods, Gibbs Gage partner-in-charge of the project.
The roof design also ties into the inspiration behind the design which was tradition upholding innovation. “We tried to respect the architectural history of the campus, specifically Heritage Hall while creating a new innovative, contemporary response to the programs that SAIT is providing for the future,” says Dods. The idea of history and innovation coming together was also reinforced with the use of terracotta tiles within the curtain wall system, reminiscent of the existing brick on campus. “The terracotta tiles are similar in terms of tone and colour palette to the existing campus (which uses a tradition of heavy stone masonry) but is a more technologically advanced building product — cladding material that fits into the more hightech envelopes of the new buildings,” explains Dods. Visibility and transparency of the programs were also key design drivers. “The building forms were almost a design from the inside out. The forms are created to try to showcase the labs, the students and SAIT spaces — where students interact and gather for discourse,” says Dods. “So the buildings are very transparent, allowing for natural daylighting as well as opening to the outside and showing off the trades and technology complex to the community it sits within.” September/October 2012
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Feature Project
The complex also acts as a new “signature entry” for the campus, adds Dods, providing a more dynamic presence along 16 Ave NW instead of the former above grade parkade that used to occupy the area. Targeting a LEED Silver certification, the goal is to achieve a minimum energy savings of 27 per cent through innovative designs in the mechanical and electrical systems and high efficiency building envelope. “One of the unique features is the integrated Green Building Education Program that will allow occupants and visitors to learn about and see
CONSTRUCTION
HEATING
the various sustainable aspects of the building through digital display systems and guided tours of the buildings,” says Pearce, adding PCL is on target to divert more than 90 per cent of total construction waste from landfill. The complex has been designed with flexible, environmentally sensitive spaces that can be transformed to adapt to future requirements. “We’re designing this building to be open in 2012 but the teaching spaces were designed as very flexible warehouse units that can adapt and evolve as technology advances — keeping the building relevant as it ages,” says Dods.
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EQUIPMENT
The complexity of the design and meeting the needs of different users proved to be the most challenging. “It was a very complex project because you are designing labs for a multitude of different uses from welding to house building …so the complexity of the design of each individual lab that comprises the complex was certainly challenging,” says Dods. The large number of SAIT alumni working on this project provided an extra sense of pride for team members. “There was a lot of self pride — more than normal — for those workers that attended SAIT. And there was an awareness of how the project would not only affect the owner and students but the community and industry at large,” says Pearce. “At the end of the day, every problem or challenge was resolved with the students in mind and what would be best for them and their learning environment.” The complex is not only garnering local attention but international attention as well. It has already been recognized as one of the world’s most innovative urban infrastructure projects, selected based on its scale, complexity, innovation and impact on society. “This complex is providing the additional teaching space needed for the future trades of the community. It will eventually lead to creating a much stronger trades and technologically advanced workforce that will benefit the entire region,” says Dods.
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Technology
BIM — Are We There Yet? By Geraldine Rayner
W
hat exactly is ‘BIM’, the acronym so freely tossed around the AEC industry these days? RFPs are increasingly requiring it and proponents are claiming ‘we can do it’ but lawyers must be rubbing their hands over potential lawsuits arising from misunderstandings as to expectations! There is huge confusion in the industry. Some believe that simply using 3D software to generate 2D documents is ‘doing BIM’. In fact, BIM is much more than this. It reflects the adoption by the AEC industry of ‘digital prototyping’, a process developed in the manufacturing industry with a view to improving productivity and efficiency. In simple terms, this is a digital process to test form, fit and function prior to manufacture. In BIM, 3D database software is used to create and test a digital prototype of a proposed facility, thereby reducing risk and enhancing quality throughout the design and build phases of the project. Further to this, though, since 80 per cent of life cycle cost relates to the operate phase of a facility’s life, the digital prototype itself is of enormous potential value to facility maintenance and operations staff. The essence of contract documents is communicating to contractors unfamiliar with a project exactly what they are expected to price and build. In this day and age, are 2D paper drawings and written specifications really the most efficient means available to us? The real value of BIM lies not in the 2D output but in the digital information or data contained within the programs. It is this data, properly structured, that is of such great value. By providing data suitable for a variety of software applications, it promotes the re-use, rather than re-creation, of information. It also provides options as to how the data can be viewed. Whether it be coloured in plan, section or elevation to clarify scope, security or fire ratings, presented as a schedule or in 3D, the choice is ours. Sharing a single source of information —‘one version of the truth’— can drastically improve our efficiency and the quality of our work. The trick is to take people to the data rather than the reverse. With the recent huge
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expansion in cloud computing, it is now possible for everyone to access and work from a single source of information. One important thing to appreciate is that most of this information, the foundation of the digital prototype, is created by the design side and design typically represents only about 2 per cent of overall life cycle cost. In the context of the life of a facility, this is relatively cheap time so additional effort at the design stage offers the greatest potential reward for all parties. Design compromises and additional costs, typically 10 to 15 per cent associated with change orders and re-work, are avoided and the owner receives an efficient facility on time and on budget. So is the industry embracing BIM? A lot of firms claim to be ‘doing BIM’ but, in reality, most fail to realize that undertaking BIM involves changing our process and the ways in which we work and communicate, not only on the design side but also on the build side and on into facility maintenance. On the design side, many architectural and structural firms are now utilizing BIMenabled software, with varying degrees of success, to coordinate their work and avoid clashes. Meanwhile, many on the MEP side appear somewhat reluctant to leave the 2D world of diagrams and symbols. On the build side, the uptake varies from enthusiastic acceptance to total rejection of newfangled technolog y. Those who are stepping into the BIM world are realizing the value of being able to visualize and plan before they build. The prefabrication of components or complex assemblies for on-site installation is gaining momentum, particularly in the plumbing and HVAC world. Those who have made the move and invested in software and training are seeing the benefits of utilizing a BIM process incorporating the technolog y of laser scanners and surveying equipment. The next stage of this evolution towards a BIM-based world needs to be driven by the building owners. Only when this group begins to demand real BIM, with RFPs clearly defining what this means, will the AEC industry begin to climb fully on board. But the requirements must be clear and categorical. Merely asking for BIM with no additional definition is like asking for ‘a building’! We have no idea what it means and what we are likely to end up with but we can be sure that the lawyers will have a field day! Geraldine Rayner is a director of Summit BIM Consulting, a company that focuses on providing BIM project management services to owners, operators, contractors and designers. The mission of Summit BIM is to partner with their clients in realizing the full potential of a data-rich BIM process throughout the complete life cycle of each project. www.summitbim.com
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Custom Engineered Rail-Truck
Rolling with the Punches: Going head-to-head with Mother Nature’s Damage
Testimonial Eagle West’s rail truck and specific service features were very helpful on this project. It was a 24 hour operation and the rail truck operator was terrific; he communicated well, handling the challenging conditions with professionalism and safety.” Larry Schamber Engineering Supervisor — Work Equipment Department, CN Rail Kamloops
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hen you think of summer you think of blue skies and warm days, perfect for a swim or a hike in the great outdoors. For the residents of Chetwynd, British Columbia and other parts of the Peace River Regional District, their plans got rained out. In the summer of 2011 Mother Nature picked a fight. Violent rains poured down with such power that even the strength of the infrastructure was tried. The damage from the flooding included washouts of at least 42 locations along Highway 29 and Highway 97. Called in by CN Rail Kamloops, Eagle West Truck and Crane Inc. was eager to help manage the flooding and washouts in whatever way possible. They transported boulders, excavators and equipment and worked to repair damage to the rail system. Unfortunately, facing off with Mother Nature isn’t a fair fight. But when it comes to fixing the devastation left in her wake, Eagle West supplied and operated a worthy opponent. This five axle tractor crane service unit, with a 125 ton capacity, custom engineered by Western Star™, is the lone contender of its class in all of North America; it’s the one, the only “Rail-Truck.” What is it that puts this unit at the top of its class? Grapple attachments allow it to lift full bundles of ties and rail. Thanks to its knuckle and braking system it can pull rail cars; up to eight loaded flat cars with double stacked containers. Additionally, the rail-truck features a folding crane, capable of lifting 60,850 lbs at 11’ to 10,030 lbs at 62’. If that wasn’t enough to prove its worth, the rail-truck’s list of qualifications doesn’t end there. This unit is fully equipped for road and rail travel. Fitted with a sleeping compartment, operators are able to commit to demanding jobs and challenging locations. To make the essential task of communicating with rail personnel more efficient, an advanced radio system is also on board. This astounding piece of machinery is a real knock out. Along with a skilled operator, this champion can help you finish the fight against your most challenging project. — By Kathleen Wiebe
Please contact Eagle West Cranes & Equipment for booking a crane on your jobsite. Call 1.800.667.2215 today or visit www.eaglewestcranes.com for more information.
Technology
Cloud Computing By Jon Witty
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hat is cloud computing? What can it do for me? Being “in the cloud” is the latest catchphrase in technology discussions, but the term has many definitions. According to some, it refers to virtual servers that allow users access to stored data via an Internet connection. Providing access in this manner is referred to as cloud-based or web-based services. Others expand the cloud to include applications used outside a company’s firewall. As InfoWorld has noted, moving to the cloud can mean anything from increasing data capacity without having to invest in additional infrastructure to licensing new cloud-based software.
Cloud computing and the construction industry But how does this relate to the construction industry? The construction industry balances back office functions — billing, paying invoices, running financial reports, payroll, planning logistics — with the physical presence needed on the jobsite or in a client’s office. Today’s technological solutions must be able to serve users in both work settings. As a result, making mission critical business applications available remotely is a hot topic these days. Remote access allows staff to work from any location without being tied to a specific physical location. With the amount of consolidation, decentralization of offices, travel-based positions, and project work being done in different regions of the country or even internationally, being able to offer solid remote access technology to employees is critical for a construction company’s success. For many companies, solving this challenge means moving some of its applications to the 18
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cloud. One construction company, True Value Homes (TVH), is able to give any employee with proper credentials access to these applications through a secure, web-based environment. Before the move, TVH was running operations on 17 sites, and employees could only work in the office so all papers needed to be brought into the central office for processing and approval. Whereas TVH once had 100 personal computers for 100 employees, now 500 users can access its web-based applications. “We want to make sure that our employees get the best out of their workplace,” Arun Nehru, TVH’s director, said. “What we are telling employees is that [wherever you need to work], the applications are available from office, home or outside. They need not come to [the] office to work.”
Collaboration between contractors, owners/clients Leveraging cloud-based services also extends beyond the workings of a single construction company. As Constructech’s 2011 IT survey notes, “today’s construction professional also needs to be highly collaborative. The word ‘team’ has taken on a whole new meaning in the construction industry. Every team needs to obtain a high level of transparency and accountability for the property owner. Overall, construction companies will be more collaborative, using technology to connect all project team members- from subs to general contractors to owners- in one central location.” Yet, it is highly unlikely that each of the project team members utilizes the same back office business management applications. So, as general contractors, subcontractors and owners individually look to the web to leverage its capabilities, it will be critical to look at ways that technology
can ensure the secure and timely exchange of project information between them.
Mobility As noted by Constructech’s 2011 IT survey, contractors will then take project information “to the jobsite with mobile devices and applying a host of applications.” As the survey reports, construction companies are “carrying out project management, scheduling, punchlists, and time tracking tasks in the field today.” This is evidenced by the growing momentum in the use of mobile technologies in the construction industry. Yet, the type of device varies. According to the survey, “the smart phone is still one of the most commonly used devices at the jobsite (81 per cent of survey respondents). Laptops (69 per cent) and tablets (26 per cent) also receive a significant response.” Given the advances in and adoption of tablets over the past few years, growth is anticipated in the use of the tablet in the construction industry as well. Given the fast moving area of mobility, today’s business solutions need to support the highly mobile workforce of the construction industry.
Leveraging today’s technology for the future Does that mean that your construction company needs to scrap everything it’s using today for cloud-based applications? In today’s economy, companies are looking towards extending the applications they are using today into the cloud where it makes sense. Jon Witty is VP and general manager of Sage Construction and Real Estate, a division of Sage Business Solutions (SBS).
Technology
Turning Waste Into Energy
Clean Tech’s Best Kept Secret By Rowan Oloman
Seven35 Condo, North Vancouver.
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very day the average North American household flushes one full tank of hot water down the drain. In a city of one million homes, that is equivalent to approximately $500,000 in energy from natural gas casually flowing into our city sewers daily. Running underneath our homes and buildings there is an untapped energy goldmine. Globally, it has been acknowledged that in regards to climate change mitigation energy efficiency is the lowest hanging fruit. China recently announced they will spend a whopping US$372 billion in energy conservation and the US plans to invest US$155 billion in energy efficiency projects. Yet by and large North America continues to ignore the single most cost-effective and most profitable form of energy efficiency, which is to recycle the energy that we’re already wasting. The simple fact is water enters our buildings at 7-9 degrees Celsius and leaves at 20-25 degrees Celsius. If captured, this wasted heat could be used to fulfil 40-50 per cent of our buildings energy requirements. Sometimes innovation is not about a quantum shift in thinking or spending millions in research it’s about re-inventing how we use the technologies already available. Lynn Mueller and his colleagues at International Wastewater Heat Exchange, all with long-time careers in the geothermal heat pump and renewable energy industries, saw the opportunity in wastewater heat recovery. The company created the SHARC system, an innovation which filters raw sewage and extracts the heat in an easy, maintenance-free way using geothermal heat pumps and chillers. While sewage may not be as attractive as solar or wind power, with a 3-5 year payback period, the SHARC system is likely the most cost-effective renewable energy system currently available.
“We’re operating at 600 per cent efficiency,” Mueller says. “So every dollar we spend recovering the heat out of the sewer we get $6 worth of heat out.” Mueller is speaking about his latest successful installation at Seven35 Condominiums complex in Vancouver. The SHARC system has reduced Seven35’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by 150 tonnes (averages are between 30 per cent - 85 per cent reduction), is recovering 80 per cent of the buildings wasted energy and has contributed to earning the condominium the first dual ‘green’ certification in Canada — LEED Platinum and Built Green Gold. It’s also the first time the technology has been used at a residential building in North America. For residents the equation is simple, now they are recycling the same energy over and over again, instead of paying for the natural gas to reheat their tanks daily. Reliable, trouble free operation is the major challenge in recovering heat from waste water. The SHARC system has been designed to be clog-proof with an automatic back flush to filter sewage simply and effectively. It has full backup capacity with zero down time and is available in heat exchange or heat pump applications. Added benefits of the SHARC system include full automation with a DDC or BACnet interface and a wireless or Ethernet connection for data retrieval and instantaneous calculation of COP and GHG savings. The system comes with a factory maintenance and warranty service and can be incorporated immediately into existing mechanical infrastructure. Mueller, who was previously president of WaterFurnace and Earth Source Energy — the world’s largest installer of heat pumps, is humble about his company’s innovation.
“We are a new company simply revolutionizing old technology,” says Mueller. “We saw a way to provide energy easily, cheaply and in a way that is ecologically sound.” International Wastewater Heat Exchange has opened marketing and distribution channels across Canada and in 40 U.S. states. The applications for the SHARC system are multitudinous, from condominiums, to public facilities like sports and aquatic centres, to industrial complexes and district energy systems. In a world where municipalities are progressively being held responsible for efficiently decreasing their own greenhouse gas emissions, systems like the SHARC will become more and more attractive. The biggest challenge however will be re-framing the way people view waste. Despite the widespread use of waste-to-energy (WTE) projects in European countries, where innovative projects are supported because space for waste disposal is scarce, in North America waste to energy projects are in still in their infancy. In Germany the majority of waste is recycled, composted or processed by biological or thermal method which is likely why Mueller has already received calls from German companies interested in the technology. The Collins English Dictionary describes the saying ‘money down the drain’ as money ‘wasted’. The SHARC system turns this old adage on its head. Rowan Oloman is a freelance writer living in Vancouver. She has written for various greentech communications over the past four years, has an MBA in sustainable energy and a Master’s Degree in natural resource management. Rowan is currently working for Radiant Carbon, a unique carbon offset provider. www.sewageheatrecovery.com September/October 2012
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Electrical
Sustainable Electricity
The electricity sector has made significant progress on sustainability, but challenges remain. By Channa Perera
new Sustainable Development Index (SDI), outlining the overall sustainability performance of the sector from 2006-2011 in an easy-to-understand format. The SDI, a first for any Canadian industrial sector, shows that CEA member companies are continuing to trend “better” over the last six years in comparison to a combined base year of 2004/2005. Key Report Performance Highlights (Relative to 2010): • 16.7 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) emissions. • 16.2 per cent reduction in sulphur dioxide (SO2) air emissions. • 15.1 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. • 9.4 per cent reduction in annual priority spills. • 12.1 per cent increase in lost-time injury frequency rate. • 8.0 per cent increase in lost-time injury severity rate. • 3.8 per cent reduction in all injury/illness frequency rate. • 4.2 per cent increase in investments in new/refurbished generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure ($9.2 billion total).
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he electricity sector in Canada is continuing to make progress on sustainable development under the Sustainable Electricity program of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) — the authoritative voice of electricity in Canada. Sustainable Electricity is a sector-wide sustainability program developed and implemented by the corporate utility members (generation, transmission, distribution) of CEA. The program takes a three-pronged vision of sustainability — environmental, social and economic development — allowing the sector to take a holistic approach to managing its impacts and ensuring a sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective electricity system for Canadians. The objective of the initiative is continuous improvement of sustainable development performance. In August 2012, CEA released its fourth annual Sustainable Electricity Report documenting the sustainable development performance of CEA member utilities from January 1, 2011 through to December 31, 2011. In that calendar year, CEA corporate utility members made significant strides in environmental performance, with notable improvement in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, driven primarily by the decline of coal-based generation and greater use of more efficient generation technologies. In addition, investment in new infrastructure development increased by 4.2 per cent to $9.2 billion, with several new infrastructure projects and upgrades being introduced across the country. “I am pleased to see member utilities’ improved performance and commitment to sustainable practices as they deliver reliable and cost-effective electricity to their communities,” says Jim Burpee, CEA president and CEO. “However, in order to maintain this momentum of continual improvement, we look to regulators and customers for support as we invest in and renew our aging infrastructure to meet the electricity needs of the 21st century.” In order to measure and communicate sustainability performance in a transparent manner, the electricity sector also introduced an innovative
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In addition, the report also highlighted several challenges: Aging Infrastructure — It is estimated that the electricity sector will need to invest $347.5 billion (current dollars) from 2011 to 2030 to meet the needs of customers. Regulatory Efficiency — When conducting or investing in new projects, the electricity sector must meet a myriad of often duplicate federal and provincial regulations. Climate Change — Mitigating climate change remains a significant challenge and risk. A regulatory system that recognizes investments already made in new technologies, as well as the unique challenges faced by some provinces, will be essential. Electricity Demand — Electricity demand is expected to rise with economic and population growth, and the introduction of electric vehicles. The sector is encouraging governments, communities and consumers to support conservation efforts to help moderate growth. Human Resources — Attracting qualified skilled workers to the sector remains a challenge. CEA members are working to raise awareness among Canadian and foreign-trained workers about industry opportunities, and are ensuring current employees have the skills and training necessary to maintain a reliable system. While the sector will continue to invest in initiatives to improve its overall sustainability performance, in some instances, achieving better results are also intrinsically linked to renewing our generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. Renewal of our infrastructure, including further investments in low emission and automation technologies (renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, smart grid/meters, and greater conservation) will deliver positive environmental, social and economic results. We encourage our customers to partner with us to achieve our goal of continual performance improvement. Channa Perera, director of sustainable development, has been working with the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) for over 10 years. Before becoming director of sustainability, he served in other progressive positions within the association, including as senior advisor on climate change. He can be reached at 613.230.9527 or perera@electricity.ca. To read the full 2012 Sustainable Electricity Report, please visit www.SustainableElectricity.ca.
Electrical
Today’s Complex Electronic Security Systems By Gabriel Ana
L
istening to a casual comment at a recent construction industry event gave me pause for a second and had me mentally stepping back in search of a broader perspective on electronic security today. “What is the big fuss about security?” somebody asked. “We were doing it back in the 80s and it is no different now.” Well, let’s see if that truly is the case. To start with, we now expect much more from these systems than we have ever before. Although 9/11 may have been a major catalyst of this change, the real drive comes from technology advancements, both real and imaginary. Let me tell you about the imaginary ones first. You may not be a CSI fan but many of my customers are. Guess what is that show doing to their expectations concerning electronic surveillance,
real-time analytics, systems integration and so on. Now add all movies where technology gives the good guys (or the others) an insight into, and control over, what goes on in some remote secure spaces and you get the picture — pun intended. We may not have come that far since the time we first started trusting our burglar alarms enough to allow them in our house and our office but we surely have come a long way. Even the traditionally simple and modest service provided by the intrusion detection (a.k.a. burglar alarm) systems is now neither simple nor modest. It gradually became standard to include fire, natural gas, water (flood) or carbon dioxide sensors for comprehensive monitoring and real-time alarming via communication channels such as mobile telephone and the Internet. To make things more interesting intrusion alarm panels September/October 2012
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Electrical
…biometric devices reading fingerprints, hand geometry, iris patterns, hand vein configuration…
Focused on Building Opportunities areas of practice construction disputes contract drafting builders liens professional liability mediation and arbitration contacts
john r. singleton
jsingleton@singleton.com
stephen j. berezowskyj
sberezowskyj@singleton.com
t h e p r o b l e m s o lv e r s™
Singleton Urquhart llp 1200 – 925 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2 T 604. 682 7474 | F 604. 682 1283 www.singleton.com | su@singleton.com
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can communicate using voice messaging and commands, can manage fairly complex schedules and they can interact with users through attractive touch screens providing a multitude of configurations. All these features are simply extensions of the basic functionality these systems have been performing for decades. What seems to be a truly remarkable development is the accelerated crossing into access control, CCTV, audio-video and intercom features. Since we have touched on access control, you may be tempted to quickly discard it as a field less prone to rapid progress. After all, a door is still a door. Or is it? How about a lock that can read the SIM on your smart phone and to make instant access decisions while reporting activity in real time via WiFi? It is here now. There is more: biometric devices reading fingerprints, hand geometry, iris patterns, hand vein configuration and facial features or cameras able to understand your vehicle’s license plate. All of the above and more are actual technologies we now use to control doors, gates, access to machinery or to various services. The electronic security technology that has made the most impressive leaps forward during the last decade would have to be CCTV. Gone are the days of the grainy black-and-white security surveillance tapes. Highdefinition cameras with spectacular low-light capabilities are now common place. The advent of megapixel IP cameras made most analog video obsolete and opened the door to high-quality video, even under challenging conditions. If you add to the fast-paced evolution of IP cameras the rapid advancements in video servers that can now combine mass storage with high processing power and redundancy you can see how CCTV has been re-inventing itself on a new level of sophistication. The industry is about to face an interesting challenge stemming from its own unprecedented growth: managing the large amount of data generated by highresolution cameras. Technologies like video analytics, metadata overlays and data mining are being added at a rapid pace to help with making sense of this massive influx of information that can now be stored and manipulated much beyond the capabilities of any human operator. Once they become capable of providing quality video, CCTV systems stepped into a host of applications that have turned them from a passive witness into an active and sophisticated observer capable to ascertain behavior and to adjust things like recording frame rates, illumination (in both visible and infrared spectrum), resolution etc or to trigger various alarms. We are now capable of placing intelligent “eyes” in restricted or dangerous spaces and have the system looking 24/7 for objects left behind, people or vehicles crossing virtual lines or stepping in or out of predetermined perimeters. All that without operator intervention — which would be a challenge anyway in facilities counting hundreds or even thousands of cameras. Impressive? Oh but wait, there is more. I could mention real-timelocating systems combined with panic/duress alarms or used for asset tracking, usage reporting or theft prevention. The concept is not new as electronic article surveillance has been present in retail and manufacturing for a while now. What is interesting about all of the systems mentioned above is their convergence. Migration to IP and open standards made possible a movement towards deep integration and beyond, into truly unified electronic security platforms. Well, I guess this answers the question and makes electronic security today a good source of excitement and anticipation. Too bad I have missed the cue at the construction industry function. Gabriel Ana is division manager, security systems at Houle Electric Limited. Houle’s security division provides sophisticated and fully integrated solutions including access control, CCTV and intrusion detection.
Electrical
Workers at Risk
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lectrical contractors are experts in the electrical services required in any construction project. The work they do every day has inherent safety risks so it is critical that they are properly trained and certified. In British Columbia workers who are not red seal certified electricians are allowed to perform electrical installations following an agreement between BC Safety Authority (BCSA) and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of BC (ASTTBC). The Electrical Contractors Association of BC (ECABC) has been in a long debate with BCSA about this matter who signed an agreement with ASTTBC to certify restricted licenses for electrical work in June 2011. ECABC and its members have been very concerned with this initiative from the beginning and the effect it will have on both workers and public safety. The result of this agreement would have workers who are not red seal certified electricians performing work on electrical installations under these restricted licenses. This includes installations of 30 amps, 3 phase and up to 250 volts; it also includes work on critical life safety systems. “These workers are at risk despite our efforts to improve regulations,” says ECABC president Deborah Cahill. “This decision is unacceptable to us. And the recent accident in Ontario is evidence for what could happen in B.C.”
On July 24, 2012, ThyssenKrupp Industrial Services Canada Inc. was convicted in court of violating Ontario’s Electricity Act by hiring an unlicensed individual to do electrical work. The individual suffered serious arc flash injuries while attempting to remove conductors from an electrical panel. A fine of $70,000 was imposed, which included $50,000 to Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to be used for electrical safety authority. An arc flash occurs when electrical current moves through the air creating a fiery explosion. A worker will be engulfed in a ball of flame in a split second and is also typically struck by molten metal shrapnel from exploding electrical equipment. “Obviously, this could have been avoided saving a devastating injury,” comments Cahill. “Ignoring regulations is one thing however putting workers at risk is the main issue here. I hope the BC Safety Authority is paying attention to what can happen when unqualified, unlicensed electrical workers attempt to go beyond their training and expertise.” Bill Strain, president of Villa Electric (1980) Ltd. says the decision puts the responsibility of approving electrical installations under the jurisdiction of field service representatives. “FSRs work for contractors throughout the province. With less than 10 per cent of all inspections done by BCSA safety officers, who is going to be verifying that installations completed by restricted license holders are safe and meet the standards of the Canadian Electrical Code?”
Strain adds, “This was supposed to come into effect over a year ago, until the stakeholders, who were not consulted in the process, pointed out there was no process in place to verify and certify the restricted license holder. It was only then that the implementation was pulled off the table and that to this day we have not seen any documentation that lays out the training, verification, and certification of these restricted license holders.” Cahill concludes, “This agreement between the BCSA and The ASTTBC should be suspended until such time as our concerns are acknowledged and addressed. We have attended numerous meetings with representatives from both BCSA and ASTTBC to put forward our viewpoint. In most of these meetings it was apparent that the outcome had been predetermined and our concerns were not being considered. One of the most disconcerting aspects of this issue is that the agreement was signed without a verified training and certification process being in place. Without these measures there is considerable risk. The Ontario incident proves our argument.” This article was provided courtesy of The Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia. Since 1952, ECABC has been advocating for industry safety, above all. The ECABC has six core values: safety, education, integrity, respect, team work and quality of life. www.eca.bc.ca September/October 2012
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Public Works
Airport Infrastructure Design By Stanis Smith Winnipeg Airport
Edmonton International Airport Terminal Building expansion
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he first powered flight in history took place in 1903, and it is remarkable to reflect on how air travel has transformed our lives in a little more than a century, to the point where we now take it for granted that we can go half-way around the world in less than a day. It is also remarkable to consider how air travel is transforming the infrastructure of our cities. In the 19th century the railway was the major form of transport, and the central focus of cities was often the railway station, many of them being iconic structures like Grand Central Station in New York. The railway gave way to the car in the 20th century, when, for better or worse, investment in infrastructure was heavily focused on roads, bridges and parking garages. Towards the end of the 20th century, air travel became more affordable, and as a result, in the 21st century, airports now rank amongst the most visible public infrastructure projects, and are the “front door” to the cities and regions they serve. They are major economic drivers, and have become far more than simply processors of goods and people. Many airports have become “campuses” that include hotels, conference facilities, retail opportunities, and attractions such as golf courses, performance venues, visitor centres, and ice rinks (yes, Munich Airport has a skating rink between Terminals 1 and 2). In a sense, a city’s airport has become an “ambassador” for its community, as it creates the first and last impression for visitors and residents alike. Increasingly, progressive airports are realizing the importance of creating a memorable and distinctive “guest experience” in their airport that is uniquely associated with the city and re-
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gion. Under a privatized model that is admired worldwide, Canadian airports in particular have responded creatively to the needs and aspirations of their local communities with innovative projects that not only provide much-needed capacity, but are unique and distinctive. We are witnessing a fascinating trend of airports differentiating themselves through design. Vancouver Airport, by integrating the art and sculpture of the Pacific Northwest throughout the terminal, continues to be ranked one of the best airports in the world in independent surveys by travel organizations and the public at large. It is currently undergoing development of its surrounding lands to increase the amount of office space it can provide to tenants, and will be pro-
viding innovative “outlet mall” shopping opportunities to the surrounding community. Winnipeg has recently built a new “greenfield” terminal that combines sophisticated architecture with intuitive wayfinding. It is one of the few airport terminals in the world where one can stand at the curb and see all the way through the building to the aircraft at the gate. Edmonton has recently embarked upon a major expansion of its terminal, and as a demonstration of its commitment to sustainable design, has incorporated the world’s first “living wall” into the terminal. Both Winnipeg and Edmonton Airport will be the first terminals in Canada, and amongst the first in the world, to become formally LEED registered, proof of the airport industry awakening to an
Public Works
Nassau Airport
awareness of sustainability and its environmental footprint. Further afield, Nassau Bahamas recently opened the first phase of its new terminal complex, a building that delivers a strong “sense of place” with a gracefully curved roof inspired by the Bahamian beaches, and Santiago Chile is currently in the process of planning a new International Terminal with architecture that is inspired by the Chilean mountains and ocean. These are just a few examples of the diversity of approaches being taken as airports around the world seek to differentiate themselves. Another interesting recent trend is the investment in intermodal infrastructure around airports, creating connections between various
different modes of transportation. Airports routinely provide for passenger and commercial vehicles, but now are incorporating connections to light-rail as can be seen in the highly successful light-rail line between Vancouver Airport and the city that was built for the 2010 Olympics; heavy rail as can be seen in the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow; and more modestly, cycling facilities, as in the cycle paths that have been created around Victoria Airport. Some airports are even investigating connections to ferries. All of these trends are transforming airports into cities (or “aerotropolises”) that offer the richness and diversity of mixed uses that go way
beyond transportation. It is gratifying to note that Canadian airports have been and continue to be in the forefront of this evolution. Stanis Smith, FRAIC, LEED AP, is an architect and is Stantec’s senior vice president for buildings. In this capacity he is responsible for Stantec’s group of 2,500 architects and engineers across North America and internationally. As a recognized authority on airport design, he is also Stantec’s aviation leader, having spent much of his professional career involved in the design of over 40 airport terminal projects worldwide, and on a given day he can often be found travelling through one of these airports.
1/2 Langley Ad
September/October 2012
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Public Works
Aging Municipal Infrastructure Creates Opportunity By Wally Wells
over time to the technical and financial priorities and, hopefully, a roadmap to get there. AM BC, with our technical, financial, administrative and political partners, has created a network within our province and with other agencies in Canada and abroad to help with information sharing and to address multidiscipline issues. It is an ‘area of practice’ and a network for asset management. On September 11, 2012 the first ever Canadian Infrastructure Report Card was released. The Canadian Construction Association was a partner in the preparation of this report. (Details and the report card are located at www.canadainfrastructure.ca).
Why is this of interest to the construction industry?
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ging municipal infrastructure and the need to repair, rehabilitate or replace it is a growing issue. Why? Because our public buildings, roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, drainage work, our parks and trails, which are the backbone of our community, are all aging. With the population explosion after World War II, the 1950s and 60s is when much of our infrastructure was built. Continued population growth, through the 1970s and 80s, added significantly to the asset inventory. Today that infrastructure varies in life between 30 and 65 years old, with an increasing inventory approaching, if not at, the end of its useful life. We have all heard of the “infrastructure gap”. Since municipal budgeting practices over the decades did not allow for building reserve funds sufficient for infrastructure replacement, our communities are now faced with substantial increased capital costs in excess of their normal budget — the gap. With the introduction of a new accounting requirement (PSAB 3150) by 2010 all our municipal governments were required to report the historical value of all their assets on their financial statements. Most local governments found they did not have an inventory of their assets, had very little information on the condition of them and had no idea of their value. While the accounting standard required reporting historical value, many communities realized they must now start understanding replacement value. It is no surprise that once this was done, the realization that the allocation of funds annually for 28 construction business
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maintenance and repair was insufficient therefore allowing the assets to deteriorate at an accelerating rate. Equally, councils quickly learned that the financial needs to repair and replace the aging infrastructure are substantial in both the short and long term with potential significant impact on the annual tax levy. Part of the equation is a technical issue requiring detailed inventory of the assets and significant work on establishing their condition and end-of-life replacement. Many techniques are available for doing this. New techniques are evolving routinely as a result of innovation by many private companies. However, there is significant room for more innovation and cost effective solutions for establishing and monitoring condition. The other part of the equation is the financial side. In order to properly advise our municipal councils and, ultimately our taxpayers, we need to establish how much money is needed and when. Asset Management BC (AM BC) was created to provide a platform for our communities to exchange information and transfer knowledge. Development of asset management plans and funding strategies requires a multidiscipline approach. Besides just being a good business practice, pressures from senior governments and the lack of available funds are driving every community to develop and implement these strategies. The ‘plan’ deals with the inventory, condition assessment, replacement value and priorities based on need. The ‘strategy’ addresses the need
Senior governments recognize the shortfall of local funding and are defining new programs to help close the gap. Infrastructure Canada is currently in consultation with the provinces and the greater community to develop the next Build Canada beyond the current program that expires in 2014. These are joint federal provincial programs for funding. Our infrastructure is failing and more attention must be and will be paid to replacement, renewal and repair of all components of our infrastructure. Local governments can no longer ignore the problem and must find ways to fund these activities with increasing annual allocations. Cost effective and innovative solutions both for condition assessment and repair, upgrade and replacement for our wide range of infrastructure will be welcomed and accepted. Our construction industry will continue to play a key role in innovation. New techniques such as pipe relining, trenchless technologies, building envelope improvements, use of new and improved materials among other innovation in construction methods are being reported almost every day. There are many cases where improved condition assessment has lead to redefining projects with very large cost savings. We urge the industry to continue to bring forward these ideas. After all, it is our communities. Wally Wells, P.Eng, has addressed asset management issues with Canadian communities for the last 18 years, including the last five years as executive director of Asset Management BC. He is a past president of the Canadian Public Works Association, a member of the Governing Council of InfraGuide and a founding member of the National Asset Management Working Group.
Public Works
Procuring Public Projects
Courtesy of Cannon Design Architecture.
By Sarah Clark
T
he development and growth of procurement expertise in delivering major infrastructure is benefiting both the public and private sectors in British Columbia. B.C. has become a leader in public procurement, and has its own centre of expertise in that area, Partnerships British Columbia Inc. (Partnerships BC). B.C.’s leadership extends beyond the public sector, and members of the construction industry and advisory community are pioneering new procurement practices alongside the province and its agencies. With a track record of supporting more than 30 successful projects, Partnerships BC has been carrying out its mandate of evaluating, structuring and implementing major infrastructure projects on behalf of British Columbians for more than a decade. As an agent of the Crown, Partnerships BC acts on behalf of government and in the interest of the taxpayer in the development and delivery of procurement practices. Major capital projects come to fruition once government identifies the need for a specific program or service. After those aspects are determined, procurement options are analyzed and recommended. Partnerships BC supports public sector owners to analyze projects on a case-by-case basis to determine the most effective procurement method using both qualitative and quantitative tools. The outcome is a recommended procurement method that best meets the owner’s project objectives, including the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. The government weighs the analysis and makes the decision to proceed with a competitive selection process. Government agencies have the option to engage Partnerships BC to assist with procurement. Partnerships BC, along with advisors and technical experts, work as part of the public sector team to manage the competitive selection process. The team brings specialized expertise to complex projects.
A good example of complex procurement is the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) Project, currently under construction in Kelowna, B.C. The IHSC project required several facilities to support the overall cardiac program. Partnerships BC worked with the Interior Health Authority and its advisors to analyze and implement the most effective procurement method for the project. The result was a number of project elements delivered using a combination of design-build, construction management, and design-build-finance-maintain delivery models. The IHSC project demonstrates there is no one-size-fits-all approach to project delivery or procurement, hence underscoring the importance of rigorous analysis and technical expertise. Experience to date also shows that a significant amount, and often the majority, of project-related work is conducted by local, B.C.-based contractors and labour. To encourage and facilitate ongoing local involvement in major projects, Partnerships BC supports local companies in entering and succeeding in the market in a number of ways. In the process of managing procurements, Partnerships BC facilitates introductory project meetings where potential bid team members can learn about the project, and meet other companies interested in forming teams. In addition, Partnerships BC representatives engage in ongoing dialogue with local companies with in-person meetings, speaking engagements and workshops. Over the past two years, Partnerships BC has worked with the construction associations to develop workshops about B.C.’s opportunities in major infrastructure procurements, designed specifically for the small to medium sized contractors. These workshops have been well-received and more workshops are being planned. B.C. has developed an international reputation as a leading jurisdiction for the rigorous analysis and technical expertise in the design and delivery of fair, open, transparent and disciplined procurement processes. As a result, there are un-
The Interior Heart and Surgical Centre project is an example of a complex procurement.
precedented levels of interest from local, national and international companies in B.C. projects, which in turn drives healthy competitive tension. There is no shortage of opportunity in B.C. for all shapes and sizes of companies. In fact, many local companies are partnering with firms all over the globe to deliver projects here at home and abroad. B.C. companies, including contractors and advisors, have been gaining skills and experience on B.C. projects and are able to export this knowledge around the world. Opportunities for companies with experience in alternative procurement methods continue to grow. For example, more than 30 states in the United States have passed legislation to support alternative procurement approaches. Many U.S. states and other international jurisdictions are seeking to establish procurement agencies to develop centres of expertise for consistent approaches for infrastructure programs. As these markets develop, there will be opportunities for experienced and knowledgeable B.C. companies to become global leaders. Based on the experience gained here in B.C., participants in the infrastructure industry are wellpositioned to achieve even more success. Partnerships BC is pleased to be in a position to support and foster that success by working collaboratively and moving forward in B.C. and beyond. Sarah Clark, P.Eng., is president and chief executive officer of Partnerships British Columbia Inc., a Crown agency that serves British Columbians through the planning, delivery and oversight of major infrastructure projects. As a company registered under the Business Corporations Act, Partnerships BC is wholly owned by the Province of British Columbia and reports to its shareholder the Minister of Finance. September/October 2012
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Legal File
Construction Claims Alberta’s 10 year ultimate limitation period. By Dennis K. Yasui
T
here is common understanding amongst those involved in handling construction claims that such claims can have very “long tails” in terms of the amount of time that has passed since the completion of a construction project and the occurrence of damage giving rise to a claim. In some cases many years have passed between the completion of the project and the date that a claim may be filed for damages arising out of an occurrence caused by alleged design or construction deficiencies. In Alberta, the long tail of construction claims has been shortened to some extent by way of the “10 year ultimate limitation period” established under the Limitations Act, RSA 2000, c L-12 and amendments thereto. The Limitations Act, through subsections 3 (1) (a) and (b) in fact establishes two applicable limitation periods that should be carefully considered during the assessment of any construction claim filed in Alberta. Generally speaking, the two applicable limitation periods require a claim to be filed:
1. within two years after the discovery of damages caused by one or more defendants; or 2. 10 years after the “claim first arose”, whichever limitation period expired first. The general effect of the scheme under the Limitations Act is to bar a claim that has been filed more than 10 years after the claim first arose even though the damages may have occurred within the two years prior to the filing of the claim. Using a simple example, if a project is completed at year 0, damages occur at year 9 and a claim is filed against one or more defendants at year 11, the filed claim would be statute barred by operation of the 10 year ultimate limitation period even though it may have been brought within two years of the discovery of damages. This is because subsection 3(3)(b) of the Limitations Act, specifies that a “claim based on a breach of duty arises when the conduct, act or omission occurs”. For construction claims in Alberta, the 10 year ultimate limitation period begins to run when the work performed by a consultant, contractor, sub-consultant or sub-trade has been performed. Thus, a claim that is filed more than 10 years after a construction project has been completed will be barred by operation of the 10 year ultimate limitation period established under the Limitations Act. It is, however, not uncommon for a claim to be first filed against only a limited number of parties involved in a construction project, such as the general contractor or architect. Consider this simple example for the purpose of illustration. A project is 30 construction business
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completed at year 0. Damages allegedly arising from design or construction deficiencies are discovered in year 8. A claim is filed against the general contractor and architect in year 9 and is served upon those defendants within one year as required by the Alberta Rules of Court. The general contractor files a defense and a third party claim as against various sub-trades involved in the work giving rise to the alleged construction deficiencies in year 11. Can the sub-trades rely upon the 10 year ultimate limitation period for summary dismissal of the third party claim? Unfortunately, the answer is no. When the “claim first arose”, for the purpose of the application of the 10 year ultimate limitation period to third party claims, is specified by subsection 3 (3) (e) of the Limitations Act as follows:
…give careful consideration to the potential for the application of the 10 year ultimate limitation period. “a claim for contribution (this would include Third Party Claims) arises when the claimant for contribution is made a defendant in respect of, or incurs a liability through the settlement of, a claim seeking to impose a liability on which the claim for contribution can be based, whichever first occurs”. The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench had this to say in the Condominium Plan No. 9512180 v Prairie Land Corp. 2008 CarswellAlta 585 at paragraphs 13, 14 and 15: The ten year ultimate limitation period is set out in section 3(1)(b) of the Limitation Act. It bars any order sought more than ten years after the claim arose. Pursuant to section 3(5), Holdings bears the burden of proving that a remedial order was not sought within the ultimate limitation period. A “claim” will arise at different points in time, depending on the nature of the remedial order being sought. The possible start dates for a claim are set out in section 3(3). When a defendant is claiming contribution from a third party, the term “claim”, as it is used in section 3(1)(b) means a claim for contribution and it arises as follows: 3. (3) (e) a claim for contribution arises when the claimant for contribution is made a defendant in
respect of, or incurs a liability through the settlement of, a claim seeking to impose a liability on which the claim for contribution can be based, whichever first occurs; In the case at hand, there has been no settlement and the ultimate limitation period started when the claimants were made defendants in the action. The first statement of claim was issued by the Plaintiffs on May 25, 2000. At the earliest, the ten year period after which the claimants would be barred from seeking remedial orders against third parties expires on May 25, 2010. Arguably, depending on the nature of the various amendments made to Plaintiff ’s statement of claim, the ten year period may not actually start running until one of the amended statements of claim was filed, but this matter does not need to be decided because the claimants’ applications are brought in time in either event. The court reached a similar conclusion with respect to the application of subsection 3 (3) (e) in Doucette v Hasegawa & Associates Ltd., 2009 CarswellAlta 1351. Thus, and referring to the simple example above, as the underlying claim was brought against the general contractor within the two applicable limitation periods established under the Limitations Act, the general contractor has 10 years from the date it was made a defendant to the claim to file a third party claim as against a sub-trade. This is, of course, still subject to the application of the two year limitation period set out in subsection 3 (1) (a). This may seem like an anomalous situation but the legislative intent was likely to ensure that some procedural fairness would be preserved in such situations. Procedural unfairness seems obvious if a defendant in a construction claim cannot seek to claim contribution and indemnity from a party whose work may actually have resulted in the deficiencies giving rise to the damages being claimed. The purpose of this brief article is to simply alert those dealing with construction claims in Alberta to give careful consideration to the potential for the application of the 10 year ultimate limitation period. Even if added as a third party defendant it would be worthwhile considering if the 10 year ultimate limitation period might apply to the underlying claim, for if it does, then both the underlying claim and third party claim may be subject to summary dismissal. Dennis K. Yasui, Q.C., is a partner at Brownlee LLP in Calgary. www.brownleelaw.com
Legal File
The Law of Tenders: Fair Today Gone Tomorrow By John Singleton
T
he law of tendering in the construction industry was turned on its ear with the decision of the Supreme Court in Canada in R. v. Ron Engineering and Construction (Eastern) Ltd. (1981) 1 S.C.R. 111 (S.C.C.). The now infamous Contract A — Contract B analysis was given life by this decision and has since been followed by all levels of courts across Canada. The underlying rationale for the analysis was given as the need to protect the integrity of the bidding system. Each of the parties to the bid contract, the party inviting tenders and the party responding, would be bound by the terms and conditions of Contract A, the Bid Contract, as expressed in the Invitation to Tender as implied as a matter of law. The express terms and conditions in the tender documents are typically irrevocability of the tender for a stipulated period, the requirement to provide the stipulated information in the tender form, the use of the stipulated form, delivery of the bid on time at the location stipulated and so on. And the express terms also include a “privilege clause” usually giving the party inviting tenders the discretion to accept any tender or to reject all tenders, a discretion often coupled with a “discretion clause” giving the project sponsor the ability to waive irregularities in a bid submitted. These express terms and conditions were all subject to over-riding implied terms and conditions including the requirement for fairness, transparency, assuring a “level playing field” for all parties and the absence of bias or any undisclosed preferences. Binding the parties to the tender process to the terms and conditions of Contract A, both express and implied, has undoubtedly instilled
integrity in the bidding system more often than not, but as the obligations of the parties, particularly those inviting tenders, became subjected to greater scrutiny by the judicial system, the reaction has been to “tighten up” tender conditions to the favour of the project sponsors to a point where one might now argue the “fairness” principle instilled into the law of tenders is being whittled away by giving project sponsors such a wide discretion, and protection from legal action, so as to replace obligations of fairness and transparency with an obligation only to act in good faith. This is demonstrated by the evolution of the privilege clause, the discretion clause and limitation or exclusion of liability clauses since the Ron Engineering decision. In the case of the privilege clause, it is not uncommon to now see a privilege clause encompassing not only the right to accept or reject any tender, or to reject all tenders, but also an ability to accept a non-compliant tender. Although the decision in MJB Enterprises Ltd. v. Defence Construction (1951) Ltd., [1991] 1 S.C.R. 619 made it clear that a project sponsor was not free to accept a non-compliant tender in the context of the standard privilege clause, the court also made it clear that if the tender conditions permitted the acceptance of a non-compliant tender, then the parties would be bound by that express term and condition. So subsequent to that decision, privilege clauses commonly include the ability of a project sponsor to act in a manner which previously had been determined to be unfair and outside the authority normally given to a project sponsor by Contract A. In the case of the discretion clause, it, too, has evolved to give much broader discretion to
project sponsors. Whereas in its original iterations the clause simply gave the project sponsor the ability to waive “irregularities” in a bid submitted, the same clause now includes the ability to waive, and therefore correct a bid which contains a material error or omission. In effect, the discretion clause, too, often gives the owner the ability to cure, and then accept, what otherwise would be a non-compliant bid. Finally, there is the limitation of action or no action clause. At the time of Ron Engineering clauses of this nature were rarely found in tender conditions, the thought being that it would reduce the market available to project sponsors. If the project sponsors could act contrary to the express and implied terms of the invitation to tender, particularly to those relating to noncompliant bids, without fear of consequence, then a large portion of the market would be disinclined to bid to the project. But that fear has not prevailed, and no action or limitation clauses are commonly found in tender documents. They stipulate that a bidder will have no or a limited cause of action against the project sponsor even if the project sponsor acts contrary to the terms and conditions of the tender documents. Indeed, some of these clauses are drafted so broadly so as to preclude any action against a project sponsor even if they act in an unfair manner, and in breach of their obligations under Contract A. When looked at together, the current iterations of the privilege, discretion and no-action clauses go some distance to lessening, if not negating the protection afforded to the bidding industry by the Ron Engineering decision and the cases which have followed it. The express terms and conditions of the tender documents now include these broad privilege, discretion and no action clauses and, as express terms of Contract A, they will be enforced by the judicial system. The only exception to this will be where the rights afforded to project sponsors are not exercised in good faith, a much less onerous standard than the Supreme Court of Canada undoubtedly had in mind at the time Ron Engineering was decided. It remains to be seen how the courts will treat such broad discretionary powers and limitation clauses, but if the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in a case called Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Transportation and Highways), 2010 SCC 4 is any indication, these express tender terms will be enforced if they are clearly worded. John Singleton, Q.C., is a partner at Singleton Urquhart LLP in Vancouver. September/October 2012
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Architect Corner
Considerations of Space By Jason Said
I
n 2006, ONPA Architects assumed the role of Prime Consultant on the design of the Edmonton New Remand Centre (ENRC) which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2013. At the time of selection our firm’s experience and expertise in corrections design was unrivaled in Western Canada. Since that time it has only been enhanced by the lessons learned on a project of this scope and scale. To put it bluntly — the project is huge. The size of the site is more than 16 hectares or about the size of 27 CFL football fields. The facility itself can best be compared to a small town with future capacity for more than 3,500 inmates and staff. It was required to be sustainable (targeting LEED Silver), respectful to the adjacent protected wetlands, have its own hospital, staff office and amenity areas, contain an in-house supply distribution system, respect cultural diversities and faiths, be safe for both staff and inmates, provide an atmosphere that was visually connected to the outdoors with plenty of natural light, and serve more than 8,400 meals a day. Architecturally, every space within a correctional facility has importance — the scale of importance is relative depending on your circumstance. Even on a project this large every iota of space affects someone in some way, whether it be the efficiency of doing work, learning, safety, re-
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flection or the feeling of personal wellbeing from the atmosphere that is created. It is all completely interlinked and directly influences the people within it. As a part of the initial design processes, ONPA and our client visited different institutions across Canada and the USA. Some of these were the heaviest and most oppressive spaces any of the team had ever been in. It became hard to imagine what corrections officers felt like spending years working in some of these institutions. It was from this point on that our team knew that our designs must try to mitigate this. For ENRC, the design team drew from a relatively new concept in corrections design — The Generation 3 Pod Design. This podular direct supervision concept with ONPA alteration was chosen as the optimal space for correction officers and the remanded to interact, reflect and heal. Key among the identified needs for those within the facility is a visual connection to the outdoors and plenty of natural light. This connection is intended to improve inner health and manage behavior within the facility. Additionally, the natural light is an important component of the facilities cultural and spiritual healing spaces. ONPA Architects foundational belief is that the development of a safe and constructive physical space can only be created through
the fostering of an equally safe and constructive creative space. It is extremely important on any project to foster a level of trust and respect between all of the parties involved. From the start you need to develop an open conversation so that the team knows that it can bring forward all issues that need to be solved for the good of the project. Personal agendas need to be left at the door. The reason the ENRC project will be such a success is that all parties clearly practiced this from the start. While the ENRC is categorized as a correctional facility it is so much more. It is a place of employment, of interaction, of healing, and ultimately a place where security for those within and for those external is paramount. Each inch of space at the ENRC is indicative of so much and it has been our firm’s unique challenge and joy to design it. Jason Said is a partner at ONPA Architects, an Edmonton based firm providing solutions to their clients for over 50 years in the design of educational buildings, health care facilities, office complexes, and security/correctional facilities. Their specialization is in complex one of kind projects. When the ENRC project is complete, Jason will have spent seven years of his career on it.
2012
resource
Guide
2012 Resource Guide
reSourCe GuIde 2012 Category Index Acoustic Finishes Acoustic & Noise Control .....................2 Architectural Specialties .....................2 Window Treatments & Finishes ..............2
Allied Services Adhesives........................................2 Bonds & Certificates ...........................3 Electrical Distribution .........................3 Energy Savings/LEED ..........................3 General Contractors ...........................3 Health & Safety Services .....................3
Architectural/Building Products & Services Custom Millwork ...............................3
Concrete, Metal, Wood & Plastics Concrete — Welded Wire Fabric .............3 Concrete Forms & Accessories ...............3 Concrete Materials & Methods ...............4 Concrete Restoration & Cleaning ...........4 Steel Reinforcing ...............................4
Acoustic Finishes Acoustic & Noise Control
GWP Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. GWP Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. 424-51st Avenue south east calgary, Ab t2H 0n7 Phone: (403) 255-3550 Fax: (403) 686-2592 email: info@wallworks.com Website: www.wallworks.com Contact Name: Lyle Fuller the GWP Wallworks Group offers complete Acoustic solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Manufacturers and distributors for Fabri-Lok trak systems, Modular Panels, baffles, Diffusers, isolators, Graphics, Murals, specialized Window treatment. We are an international company with a head office in calgary, Alberta, canada and local sales offices throughout canada, with affiliations in the united states, the Middle east, china and europe.
Architectural Specialties
Communications
Window Treatments & Finishes
424-51st Avenue south east calgary, Ab t2H 0n7 Phone: (403) 255-3550 Fax: (403) 686-2592 email: info@wallworks.com Website: www.wallworks.com Contact Name: Lyle Fuller the GWP Wallworks Group offers complete Acoustic solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Manufacturers and distributors for Fabri-Lok trak systems, Modular Panels, baffles, Diffusers, isolators, Graphics, Murals, specialized Window treatment. We are an international company with a head office in calgary, Alberta, canada and local sales offices throughout canada, with affiliations in the united states, the Middle east, china and europe.
Allied Services Adhesives
Telecommunications Equipment.............4
Decorative & Lighting Products Designer Showrooms ..........................4 Fabrics ...........................................4 Wall Coverings ..................................4
Flooring, Tile & Carpet Accessories & Materials .......................4 Flooring..........................................5 Flooring — Under Layments ..................5 Stone Care ......................................5 Tile-Ceramic ....................................5
Masonry Masonry Restoration & Cleaning .............5
Sitework Demolition ......................................5 Portable Buildings .............................5 Site Construction ..............................5 Site Offices......................................5 2
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september/october 2012
GWP Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. 424-51st Avenue south east calgary, Ab t2H 0n7 Phone: (403) 255-3550 Fax: (403) 686-2592 email: info@wallworks.com Website: www.wallworks.com Contact Name: Lyle Fuller the GWP Wallworks Group offers complete Acoustic solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Manufacturers and distributors for Fabri-Lok trak systems, Modular Panels, baffles, Diffusers, isolators, Graphics, Murals, specialized Window treatment. We are an international company with a head office in calgary, Alberta, canada and local sales offices throughout canada, with affiliations in the united states, the Middle east, china and europe.
MAPEI Inc.
7440 Vantage Way Delta, BC V4G 1H1 Phone: (604) 940-0002 Toll Free: (800) 361-9309 Fax: (604) 940-2572 Email: jdeckmire@mapei.com Website: www.mapei.com Contact Name: JD Eckmire MAPEI is the world leader in the manufacturing of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of all types of floor and wall coverings. The company also specializes in manufacturing other chemical products for building including waterproofing products, special mortars and admixtures for concrete, products for concrete restoration and special decorative and protective coatings for walls. MAPEI has been supplying residential and major commercial projects for 75 years.
2012 Resource Guide Bonds & Certificates
Energy Savings/LEED
Architectural/Building Products & Services Custom Millwork
Travelers Canada suite 2500, 650 West Georgia, Po box 11542 Vancouver, bc V6b 4n7 Phone: (604) 684-6574 toll Free: (866) 684-6574 Fax: (604) 684-5172 email: amather@travelers.com Website: www.travelerscanada.ca Contact Name: Aimee Mather
General Contractors VVI Construction Ltd box 2988 revelstoke, bc V0e 2s9 www.vicvanislegroup.com Phone: 250-837-2919 Fax: 250- 837-6145 toll-Free: 866-837-2900 email: steve.smith@vvi-ltd.com Contact: Steve Smith Marketing coordinator branches: Kelowna, bc 250- 861-5768
Electrical Distribution
Nedco, Western Canada 4455 no. 6 road richmond, bc V6V 1P8 Phone: 604-231-4600 Fax: 604-273-5567 Website: www.nedco.ca email: nedco.west@nedco.ca richmond, bc 604-273-2244 surrey, bc 604-501-2244 north Vancouver, bc 604-985-0466 Langley, bc 604-530-0711 Vancouver, bc 604-899-0229 Victoria, bc 250-383-1116 nanaimo, bc 250-756-1177 Vernon, bc 250-545-5391 Quesnel, bc 250-992-6008 Prince George 250-563-1292 Penticton, bc 250-492-8365 edmonton, Ab 780-465-9511 calgary, Ab 403-508-7999 Fort McMurray, Ab 780-743-3461 Lloydminster, Ab 780-875-1335 red Deer, Ab 403-348-5162 With 20 branches across Western canada, nedco is your electrical and data communications distributor. Global coverage, Local Presence. Visit one of our branches today, call or click.
Health & Safety Services Nedco, Western Canada 4455 no. 6 road richmond, bc V6V 1P8 Phone: 604-231-4600 Fax: 604-273-5567 Website: www.nedco.ca email: nedco.west@nedco.ca richmond, bc 604-273-2244 surrey, bc 604-501-2244 north Vancouver, bc 604-985-0466 Langley, bc 604-530-0711 Vancouver, bc 604-899-0229 Victoria, bc 250-383-1116 nanaimo, bc 250-756-1177 Vernon, bc 250-545-5391 Quesnel, bc 250-992-6008 Prince George 250-563-1292 Penticton, bc 250-492-8365 edmonton, Ab 780-465-9511 calgary, Ab 403-508-7999 Fort McMurray, Ab 780-743-3461 Lloydminster, Ab 780-875-1335 red Deer, Ab 403-348-5162 With 20 branches across Western canada, nedco is your electrical and data communications distributor. Global coverage, Local Presence. Visit one of our branches today, call or click.
Okanagan Audio Lab Ltd 6048 star road Vernon, bc V1b 3P4 www.okaudiolab.com Phone: 250-542-1686 Fax: 250-542-7318 toll-Free: 1-800-663-2884 email: jan@okaudiolab.com Contact: Jan Brothen operations Manager
our services are mobile- we come to you! We provide on site industrial hearing testing as per Worksafe regulations. We are a distributor for custom hearing protection.
VVI Construction Ltd box 2988 revelstoke, bc V0e 2s9 www.vicvanislegroup.com Phone: 250-837-2919 Fax: 250- 837-6145 toll-Free: 866-837-2900 email: steve.smith@vvi-ltd.com Contact: Steve Smith Marketing coordinator branches: Kelowna, bc 250- 861-5768
Concrete, Metal, Wood & Plastics Concrete — Welded Wire Fabric
Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
Concrete Forms & Accessories
Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
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2012 Resource Guide Concrete Materials & Methods
Communications
Fabrics
Telecommunications Equipment Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
Concrete Restoration & Cleaning
Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics Nedco, Western Canada 4455 no. 6 road richmond, bc V6V 1P8 Phone: 604-231-4600 Fax: 604-273-5567 Website: www.nedco.ca email: nedco.west@nedco.ca richmond, bc 604-273-2244 surrey, bc 604-501-2244 north Vancouver, bc 604-985-0466 Langley, bc 604-530-0711 Vancouver, bc 604-899-0229 Victoria, bc 250-383-1116 nanaimo, bc 250-756-1177 Vernon, bc 250-545-5391 Quesnel, bc 250-992-6008 Prince George 250-563-1292 Penticton, bc 250-492-8365 edmonton, Ab 780-465-9511 calgary, Ab 403-508-7999 Fort McMurray, Ab 780-743-3461 Lloydminster, Ab 780-875-1335 red Deer, Ab 403-348-5162 With 20 branches across Western canada, nedco is your electrical and data communications distributor. Global coverage, Local Presence. Visit one of our branches today, call or click.
decorative & Lighting Products Designer Showrooms
Steel Reinforcing Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics
Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
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construction business
september/october 2012
88 ronson Drive etobicoke, on M9W 1b9 Phone: (416) 245-2900 toll Free: (800) 268-1300 Website: www.crownwallpaper.com email: ecohen@crownwallpaper.com Contact Name: Earl Cohen, Director of Sales & Operations crown Wallpaper & Fabrics is a leading resource in canada for wallcovering, fabrics, decorative trims and accessories for residential and commercial applications. crown distributes exclusive and specialty brands from around the world, serving the interior Design, commercial and retail segments, with full-time dedicated Account executives from coast to coast, and trade-only showrooms in Vancouver, toronto and Montreal.
88 ronson Drive etobicoke, on M9W 1b9 Phone: (416) 245-2900 toll Free: (800) 268-1300 Website: www.crownwallpaper.com email: ecohen@crownwallpaper.com Contact Name: Earl Cohen, Director of Sales & Operations crown Wallpaper & Fabrics is a leading resource in canada for wallcovering, fabrics, decorative trims and accessories for residential and commercial applications. crown distributes exclusive and specialty brands from around the world, serving the interior Design, commercial and retail segments, with full-time dedicated Account executives from coast to coast, and trade-only showrooms in Vancouver, toronto and Montreal.
Wall Coverings
Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics
88 ronson Drive etobicoke, on M9W 1b9 Phone: (416) 245-2900 toll Free: (800) 268-1300 Website: www.crownwallpaper.com email: ecohen@crownwallpaper.com Contact Name: Earl Cohen, Director of Sales & Operations crown Wallpaper & Fabrics is a leading resource in canada for wallcovering, fabrics, decorative trims and accessories for residential and commercial applications. crown distributes exclusive and specialty brands from around the world, serving the interior Design, commercial and retail segments, with full-time dedicated Account executives from coast to coast, and trade-only showrooms in Vancouver, toronto and Montreal.
Flooring, Tile & Carpet Accessories & Materials
Custom Building Products of Canada 12638-82nd Avenue surrey, bc V3W 3G1 Phone: 604-657-5574 Fax: 604-462-0099 email: garetts@cbpmail.net Website: www.custombuildingproducts.com Contact: Garett Shandler national sales & Marketing Manager
2012 Resource Guide Flooring
Masonry Masonry Restoration & Cleaning
MAPEI Inc.
7440 Vantage Way Delta, BC V4G 1H1 Phone: (604) 940-0002 Toll Free: (800) 361-9309 Fax: (604) 940-2572 Email: jdeckmire@mapei.com Website: www.mapei.com Contact Name: JD Eckmire MAPEI is the world leader in the manufacturing of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of all types of floor and wall coverings. The company also specializes in manufacturing other chemical products for building including waterproofing products, special mortars and admixtures for concrete, products for concrete restoration and special decorative and protective coatings for walls. MAPEI has been supplying residential and major commercial projects for 75 years.
Flooring — Under Layments
Harris Rebar - A Nucor Company 7690 Vantage Way Delta, bc V4G 1A7 Phone: (604) 946-1231 Fax: (604) 946-8414 Website: www.harrisrebar.com Abbotsford, bc: (604) 864-8656 Kelowna, bc: (250) 766-0608 nanaimo, bc: (250) 722-3378 Prince George, bc: coming soon! calgary, Ab: (403) 272-8801 Fort saskatchewan, Ab: (780) 992-0777 Leduc, Ab: (780) 986-7055 regina, sK: (306) 352-1217 saskatoon, sK: (306) 242-8455 Winnipeg, Mb (204) 452-7211
Sitework Demolition
Custom Building Products of Canada 12638-82nd Avenue surrey, bc V3W 3G1 Phone: 604-657-5574 Fax: 604-462-0099 email: garetts@cbpmail.net Website: www.custombuildingproducts.com Contact: Garett Shandler national sales & Marketing Manager
Stone Care
3R Demolition 5735 beresford street burnaby, bc V5J 1J9 Phone: 604-435-2555 Fax: 604-432-1019 email: demo@3rdemolition.com Website: www.3rdemolition.com Contact: Corinne Fulton
Site Construction VVI Construction Ltd
box 2988 revelstoke, bc V0e 2s9 www.vicvanislegroup.com Phone: 250-837-2919 Fax: 250- 837-6145 toll-Free: 866-837-2900 email: steve.smith@vvi-ltd.com contact: steve smith Marketing coordinator branches: Kelowna, bc 250- 861-5768
Site Offices
ATCO Structures & Logistics
115 Peacekeepers Drive sW calgary, Ab t3e 7X4 Phone: (403) 292-7600 toll Free: (800) 575-2826 Fax: (403) 292-7575 email: atco@atcosl.com Website: www.atcosl.com Atco structures & Logistics offers temporary and permanent modular buildings, workforce accommodations, camp and site services, and industrial noise reduction technologies worldwide. With 16 locations across canada, Atco has everything from mobile site office trailers and lavatories, to modular office complexes and classrooms, ready to meet your specific shelter needs. Fort McMurray, Ab: (780) 714-6773 spruce Grove, Ab: (780) 962-3111 Langley, bc: (604) 856-0711 Prince George, bc: (250) 561-2255
Portable Buildings Custom Building Products of Canada 12638-82nd Avenue surrey, bc V3W 3G1 Phone: 604-657-5574 Fax: 604-462-0099 email: garetts@cbpmail.net Website: www.custombuildingproducts.com Contact: Garett Shandler national sales & Marketing Manager
Tile — Ceramic
Custom Building Products of Canada 12638-82nd Avenue surrey, bc V3W 3G1 Phone: 604-657-5574 Fax: 604-462-0099 email: garetts@cbpmail.net Website: www.custombuildingproducts.com Contact: Garett Shandler national sales & Marketing Manager
ATCO Structures & Logistics
115 Peacekeepers Drive sW calgary, Ab t3e 7X4 Phone: (403) 292-7600 toll Free: (800) 575-2826 Fax: (403) 292-7575 email: atco@atcosl.com Website: www.atcosl.com Atco structures & Logistics offers temporary and permanent modular buildings, workforce accommodations, camp and site services, and industrial noise reduction technologies worldwide. With 16 locations across canada, Atco has everything from mobile site office trailers and lavatories, to modular office complexes and classrooms, ready to meet your specific shelter needs. Fort McMurray, Ab: (780) 714-6773 spruce Grove, Ab: (780) 962-3111 Langley, bc: (604) 856-0711 Prince George, bc: (250) 561-2255
construction business
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Industry News NEW CEO Bob de Wit joins the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) as its new chief executive officer, replacing Peter Simpson who is retiring at the end of October. Simpson has spent 19 years at the helm of what is now Canada’s second-largest home builders’ association. Earning degrees in marketing (BBA) and economics (MA) from Simon Fraser University, de Wit has executive experience in corporate development, finance and competitive market intelligence.
Advertiser Listings Aviva............................................................16 BCCA........................................................OBC BC Hydro...................................................... 7 BFL Canada Insurance Services Inc........... 4 Buildex .............................................. 24 & 25 Eagle West Cranes............................... 9 & 17 Fortis BC .................................................... 10 ICS Group..................................................... 8
Redevelopment Plans Pacific Centre shopping mall will be undertaking a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the existing building at Robson and Granville to accommodate the arrival of Nordstrom, while creating new retail and commercial mixed-use space. Nordstrom will occupy 230,000 square feet on three floors, including the street level. A new 48,000 square foot multi-tenant retail space will be built on the lower mall level, and the top four levels of the building will be converted to 280,000 square feet of AAA class office space. The project is targeting LEED certification under the LEED: Core & Shell Program. The project design is by James K. M. Cheng and the contractor is the Ledcor Group. Callison will serve as the architect for the Nordstrom space and is consulting with James K. M. Cheng as part of the project design process. Construction is scheduled to begin in November and will take 18 to 24 months to complete. Alumnis Honoured Dan Mott, president of Mott Electric and Peter Blake, CEO, Ritchie Bros Auctioneers were both 2012 BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. The annual award recognizes and honours BCIT alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and community endeavours. New Shareholders Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Inc, one of the largest independent insurance and bond brokerages in Western Canada, has announced the addition of five new shareholders: Grant Bettesworth, Rick Ewles, Chris Haag, Nikki Keith, and Trent Whitlock. The addition of these new shareholders reflects the company’s long term commitment and dedication to clients and further solidifies the company’s future. Churchill CEO David LeMay is the new president and acting chief executive officer of the Calgary-based Churchill Corporation. Lemay was formerly president of Churchill’s subsidiary Churchill Services Group, and is replacing James Houck. Churchill Corporation provides building construction, commercial and industrial electrical contracting, earthmoving and industrial insulation services to public and private sector clients, and operates offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario. 38 construction business
September/October 2012
SPEC MANUAL A new roofing specification manual produced by the Canadian Roofing Contractors’ Association is now available and provides the roofing industry in Canada with up-to-date information on leading edge roofing innovation. The manual was developed in consultation with a range of Canada’s experts in the roofing business. The information is presented in an easy to use format key to specifiers in the roofing business. The manual is comprehensive and includes all the commonly used low slope roofing assemblies built in Canada as well as asphalt and wood shingles. In total, the manual includes more than 30 roofing assembly specifications and more than 175 detailed drawings. To order, visit www.roofingcanada.com. SNC Builds Evergreen SNC-Lavalin Inc., the company that built the Canada Line, has won the bid to design, build and finance the Evergreen Line. SNC-Lavalin was one of three companies shortlisted in tendering bid. The other two were EL Partners and Kiewit/Flatiron. The $1.4 billion project will be a new 11-kilometre light rail system that links Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam. It will run from Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to Douglas College in Coquitlam. The system will include a two-kilometre bored tunnel and seven stations. It will link with the existing SkyTrain system via the Millennium Line and will connect to the Expo Line, Canada Line, West Coast Express and regional buses. Preparatory work is already underway, and construction of the line is slated to begin later this year. It is scheduled to be in operation in the summer of 2016. The project will generate an estimated 8,000 direct and indirect jobs. WAN Award Fast + EPP was selected as the inaugural winner of the World Architecture News Engineering Award for its work on the VanDusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre. Architects on the project were Perkins + Will. The engineering of the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens stood out with its use of some complex elements and some simple features which work overall. The ‘geometrically complex’ form set the project aside from the rest which presented a ‘form relating to the environmental performance’. What pushed this project to the top was the fact that it widened the boundaries of engineering through a differing angle, according to the judging panel.
Langley Concrete Group........................... 27 Levelton.......................................................16 Reliable Equipment . ..................................15 RCABC...................................................... IBC Singleton Urquhart.................................... 22 Western One ...............................................14 Wilson M Beck Insurance.........................IFC WorkSafe BC ............................................... 5
RIDING FUNDRAISER The Glotman Simpson Cycling Club hosted its 5th Annual Cypress Challenge: A Fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer in memory of Bob Hager on August 18th. The event, presented by Phillips, Hager & North and Connor, Clark and Lunn, was the most successful to date raising $150,000 for pancreatic cancer research fund at the BC Cancer Foundation and life saving research at the BC Cancer Agency. The Glotman Simpson Cycling Club is dedicated year round to raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. The Cypress Challenge is their biggest fundraiser of the year. Each year the Cypress Challenge is dedicated to a Vancouverite who made a difference in our community and who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The 2012 Cypress Challenge was dedicated to the memory of Bob Hager. Bob Hager was a prominent Vancouverite who was a driving force in building one of Canada’s most successful asset managers, Phillips, Hager & North. He was also a generous community contributor, enriching and improving the lives of the many people less fortunate than himself. Bob died of pancreatic cancer in October 2011.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE ROOF GUARANTEE
OR THE STUBBORN DETERMINATION OF A SINGLE
RAINDROP TO GO WHERE IT DOESN’T BELONG
All roofing guarantees are not created equal. Case in point: a non-prorated RoofStar Guarantee by RGC is good for five- or ten-years and completely covers all labour and materials. RoofStar is also the only one that includes a comprehensive inspection schedule overseen by independent, third-party inspectors who monitor the installation process and follow-up inspections at pre-determined intervals. All of which is comforting. Because the only thing more determined than a raindrop is our commitment to make sure none of them ever go where they don’t belong. RoofStar: New name. Same great guarantee.
604.882.9734 | RoofStar.ca
ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
GUARANTEED. BETTER.
Short On Time? We’ll take a big chunk of work off your desk! Fielding benefits-related questions from employees can be time-consuming. We have local benefits experts that can handle this, so you can spend your time on winning business. This is what keeps our clients coming back – we boast a 97% retention rate! Give us a call for a benefits solution that’s right for you, and join an organization representing the construction sector. We will save you time – and money!
1.800.665.1077 www.bccabenefits.ca