Canadian Consulting Engineer MarchApril 2011

For professional engineers in private practice

MARCH/APRIL 2011

CAMECO OPERATIONS CENTRE Energy savings in a tough climate GOING GLOBAL How clients view the consolidation of consulting engineering firms

DIEFENBUNKER RESURRECTED

FIRE PROTECTION & SAFETY AT OTTAWA’S COLD WAR MUSEUM

p01-02 CCE MarchApril11_3.indd 1

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

14/03/11 2:15 PM

Eaton UPSs. Data centres built on green foundations.

Eaton three-phase UPSs. Don’t be fooled by the high output power and high performance of our Powerware series UPSs. Below their black surfaces sits a very green heart. Thanks to innovative energy saving technologies, the UPSs demonstrate as high operating efficiency as 99%, consume less power overall while their smaller footprint and weight reduces transportation and floor space expense. Which adds up to less cost – financially and environmentally.

Contact us at 1.800.461.9166 ext 3324

www.eaton.com/powerquality Eaton Power Quality Company with over 45 years, and 82 employees dedicated in Canada, is the Canadian UPS, Power Quality entity of the 1910 established Eaton Corporation Eaton is a registered trademark of Eaton Corporation. ©2011 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved. 13324_0311

p01-02 CCE MarchApril11_3.indd 2

14/03/11 2:10 PM

contents

March/April 2011 Volume 52, No. 2

Cover: Inside the Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, near Ottawa. Photo by Brian Robertson. See story page 18.

features Fire Protection & Life Safety Diefenbunker Resurrected. Retrofits at Canada’s fascinating Cold War museum near Ottawa allow it to admit more visitors.

By George Fawcett, LRI Fire Protection & Building Code Engineers

18

HVAC & Energy Management Cameco Operations Centre. Almost 70% energy savings are achieved at a new corporate office in Saskatoon.

Cameco Operations Centre, Saskatoon.

See story page 24.

Daniels Wingerak Engineering

24

Business Going Global. Canadian consulting engineering firms are being absorbed by large international corporations.

departments

A family tree shows what’s been happening. Clients say how the consolidation affects them.

Comment

4

Up Front

6

ACEC Review

13

Company News & Products

40

Engineers & the Law

41

Opinion

44

Advertiser Index

45

Employment

46

By Bronwen Parsons

31

Security Mass Notification Systems. The use of these far-reaching communication technologies is not restricted to emergencies.

By Dan Bilodeau, Siemens Canada

36

Electrical Nanaimo Airport Lighting Upgrade. High-intensity

Next issue: False Creek Energy Centre, Vancouver, geo-exchange systems; solar technologies; BIM & energy modeling.

runway lighting and a UPS system ease poor-weather landing restrictions at a Vancouver Island airport.

Associated Engineering

38

March/April 2011

p03-05 CCE MarApril11 ContComment.indd 3

Canadian Consulting Engineer

3

14/03/11 9:02 AM

engineer FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

comment

CANADIAN

C O N S U LT I N G

G E

Editor

Bronwen Parsons E-mail: bparsons@ccemag.com (416) 510-5119 Senior Publisher

People matter even in a global economy

Maureen Levy E-mail: mlevy@ccemag.com (416) 510-5111 Art Director

Ellie Robinson

I

feel there has been a real shift in business culture. Now that we’re immersed in the digital era with its vast and speedy communications, the global economy has arrived.

The new world order is certainly affecting the consulting engineering industry. As we see from the article “Going Global” (p. 31), more and more consulting engineering firms are being absorbed by huge international corporations. The family tree on page 32-33 lists only acquisitions of companies that had 50 or more employees over the last three years. But there were scores, if not hundreds, of acquisitions of much smaller firms in the same period and before.

The clients interviewed for the article generally felt that the evolution of engineering firms into global conglomerates was a good thing. It enables the engineering companies to keep up with the growing size and complexity of projects.

As well, the advent of larger firms goes hand in hand with changes in how projects are organized. Many projects are being done as public private partnerships, which means consulting engineering firms who want to participate have to be of sufficient size and financial heft. The P3 consortia include financial backers who feel much more comfortable knowing that the consultants designing their investments are large corporations like themselves.

The resulting transformation is turning consulting engineering from a college of local professional firms into a pantheon of global giants. Naturally the shift deeply affects those who work in the industry. Off the record we hear reports of “stampedes of talent” and situations where nearly half the original employees have left after a corporate takeover.

But for young employees in their 20s and 30s, corporatism seems to be an accepted norm. Raised on the internet, the 20-somethings fit naturally into a global environment on every level. They are not fazed by the fact that they are a single point in a vast — largely anonymous — corporate universe. After all, they can keep in touch constantly with their own network of personal contacts via their smart phones.

No matter what the industry, many young people these days are hired only temporarily, on contracts. They don’t know what it is like to be permanent employees with benefits and a reliable income for the long term. In some industries — telecommunications and retail, for example — it’s even common to deny contractual employees two consecutive days off work.

In the Darwinian world of business, no doubt companies both large and small feel they have to use contract employees in order to survive. But there are dangers. If young people are treated as dispensable commodities, then employers shouldn’t be surprised when these youngsters act as commodities and show little commitment to their jobs.

Given that consulting engineering still relies on face-to-face relationships, the industry has to nurture its upcoming young people. All the clients we interviewed for “Going Global” emphasized the same thing. Whether a consulting engineering company is small, large, or gigantic, it is always the individual personalities within it who make or break the client’s relationship with the firm.

Bronwen Parsons 4

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p03-05 CCE MarApril11 ContComment.indd 4

Contributing Editor

Rosalind Cairncross, P.Eng. Advertising Sales Manager

Vince Naccarato E-mail: vnaccarato@ccemag.com (416) 510-5118 Editorial Advisors

Bruce Bodden, P.Eng., Gerald Epp, P.Eng., Chris Newcomb, P.Eng., Laurier Nichols, ing., Lee Norton, P.Eng., Jonathan Rubes, P.Eng., Paul Ruffell, P.Eng., Andrew Steeves, P.Eng., Ron Wilson, P.Eng. Circulation

W W

Beata Olechnowicz (416) 442-5600 x3543 bolechnowicz@bizinfogroup.ca Production Co-ordinator

Karen Samuels (416) 510-5190 Vice President, Publishing Business Information Group (BIG)

Alex Papanou

President, Business Information Group (BIG)

Bruce Creighton Head Office

12 Concorde Place, Suite 800 Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 Tel: (416) 442-5600 Fax: (416) 510-5134 CANADIAN CONSULTING ENGINEER is published by BIG Magazines LP, a division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd. EDITORIAL PURPOSE: Canadian Consulting Engineer magazine covers innovative engineering projects, news and business information for professional engineers engaged in private consulting practice. The editors assume no liability for the accuracy of the text or its fitness for any particular purpose.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Canada, 1 year $59.95; 2 years $89.95 + taxes Single copy $7.00 Cdn. + taxes. (GST 809751274-RT0001).

United States U.S. $59.95. Foreign U.S. $83.95.

PRINTED IN CANADA. Title registered at Trademarks ­Office, Ottawa. Copyright 1964. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the copyright owner(s).

ISSN: 0008-3267 (print), ISSN: 1923-3337 (digital) POSTAL INFORMATION: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept., Canadian Consulting Engineer, 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2.

USPS 016-099. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals postage paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US Postmaster: send address changes to Canadian Consulting Engineer, PO Box 1118, Niagara Falls NY 14304.

PRIVACY: From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us. tel: 1-800-668-2374, fax: 416-510-5134, e-mail: jhunter@businessinformationgroup.ca, mail to: Privacy Officer, BIG, 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2.

Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Member of the Canadian Business Press

Audit Bureau of Circulations

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:02 AM

G in

H go pr

W

GE Energy Electrical Distribution

With us, there’s no waiting.

With them, who knows?

Get your budget pricing, specs and drawings in about 15 minutes with GE Project Assistant.

How long will you be waiting for those other guys to get back to you with the numbers you need? In the meantime, go to geelectrical. com and login to Project Assistant. Enter your project requirements and download the budget pricing, specs and drawings needed to complete your initial proposal— all in about 15 minutes.

Why wait for them when you can have it now ?

GE makes it easier.

Try Project Assistant for yourself and see.

Visit www.geelectrical.com/easy for an online demonstration.

For more information about this and other GE productivity tools and products, visit our website or email us at marketing.cdn@ge.com.

imagination at work

p03-05 CCE MarApril11 ContComment.indd 5

14/03/11 9:02 AM

City of Victoria

up front

TRANSPORTATION

Design for new bridge over Victoria Harbour, B.C. INFRASTRUCTURE

Victoria bridge a whole new experience Last November, citizens of Victoria, B.C. voted to let the city borrow $49 million towards the $77-million cost of replacing the Johnson Street bridge across the harbour. The existing “Blue Bridge” carries 30,000 vehicles a day, but it has extensive corrosion and is vulnerable in an earthquake. Victoria has a 30-35% chance of suffering an earthquake in the next 50 years.

MMM Group is engineer and project manager for the new bridge, which will be to the north of the existing one.

The design is by Wilkinson Eyre Architects of London, U.K. Spanning almost 100 metres in total, the crossing will have a central opening section of 57 metres that pivots up on a “rolling wheel.” Pedestrians on the west side of the harbour can walk through the rolling wheel mechanism while the bridge is being raised.

The city says it is the first bridge in the world to allow such an experience.

The bridge will include three lanes of car traffic and a railway. Geotechnical work is proceeding.

AWARDS

Floating ice platform among CEA Awards Consulting Engineers of Alberta announced the winners of its 2011 Showcase Awards on February 4 at the Shaw

Conference Centre in Edmonton.

Al MacDonald, P.Eng. won the 2011 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement. MacDonald is a former president of EBA Engineering

Drilling from EBA’s floating ice platform, Siberia.

and also a former president of CEA. He instigated the Showcase Awards during his tenure at CEA during 1996-97.

Glen Campbell, P.Eng. of AECOM won the Har- Al MacDonald old L. Morrison rising Young Professional Award.

There were 11 awards of excellence, plus 9 awards of merit.

One unusual projectthat won an award of excellence is EBA Engineer- Glen Campbell ing’s Design, Construction and Monitoring of an Ice Platform in Siberia.

As part of an international research project, EBA designed a floating ice platform to support drilling for ice cores in a crater 3.5 million years old.

The cores preserve past climate change

Montreal to have faster commutes The Quebec government has announced it will go ahead with a new dedicated commuter rail line to Montreal’s West Island.

Currently commuter trains have to share the tracks with freight trains, causing frequent delays.

The new line is estimated to cost $600 million and will be built for the Metropolitan Transport Agency.

INTERNATIONAL

Leaving Libya SNC-Lavalin evacuated nearly all its employees from Libya by the end of February during violent uprisings against Colonel Gadhafi. The Montreal-based company’s projects in Libya include the Great Man Made River 4,000-kilometre water pipeline across the desert, a prison and an airport.

LIABILITY

Asking too much?

Professional liability insurers are concerned about documents that Infrastructure Canada is asking design professionals to sign. It is feared that the “Statement Concerning the Construction Schedule,” and Federal Schedule D “Solemn Declaration of Substantial Completion,” require consultants to make commitments on matters that may be beyond their expertise and control.

continued on page 8 6

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 6

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:05 PM

Hubbell Canada LP

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 7

14/03/11 2:05 PM

up front

continued from page 6

signatures that can help researchers predict possible climate change in the future. EBA also designed the 7.5-kilometre ice road to the drilling platform.

Awards of excellence also went to: AECOM Canada, Manitoba Hydro Place (sustainable design); North East Stoney Trail Design-Build-Finance-Operate project (transportation); XL Foods/Nilsson Brothers (natural resources, mining, industrial).

Associated Engineering, Fire Training Runoff Water Treatment and Reuse at Lakeland College (environmental); CH2M HILL Canada, Edmonton SE and West LRT Planning Studies (studies, software, special services); ISL Engineering and Land Services/ CH2M HILL, G37 Interchange, Stage 1 Detour, Calgary (project management); ISL Engineering and Land Services/ Golder Associates, Okotoks 32 Street Crossing (water resources); KTA Structural Engineers, Montrose Cultural Centre, Grande Prairie (small firm, big impact); Stantec Consulting, Edmonton Waste Management Centre, Phase 1 & 2 (building engineering); North Lethbridge Regional Park Study (community development).

Donald Lloyd Angus In February, Donald Lloyd Angus, P.Eng. died in Toronto at the age of 93. Mr. Angus was president of the family engineering firm of H.H. Angus & Associates for 30 years until his re- Donald Lloyd Angus. tirement in 1985. He was also a president of Professional Engineers of Ontario.

House was held by the Ontario Centre for Engineering and Public Policy with about 200 people in attendance. Lapp has been giving the presentation to engineering associations, but also to municipalities in an effort to prompt them to consider climate change when planning and designing their infrastructure. He said a similar workshop at Peel Region in Ontario the week before had been “sold out.”

Engineers Canada began to ponder the issue of climate change in 2003 around the time the Kyoto Protocol was being passed, Lapp said.

Now, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Engineers Canada has formed the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC).

The committee is tackling the problem based on four main categories of infrastructure: roads, stormwater and wastewater; water supply; and buildings. They have devised a draft protocol and tested the protocol on projects like a water treatment plant at Portage La Prairie, the Quesnell Bridge in Edmonton, buildings in Ottawa and thermosyphon foundations in the Far North. Using the pilot studies they have refined the protocol and are producing case studies.

One of the challenges of assessing a structure’s vulnerability is that climate predictions at a local geographic scale are not precise, says Lapp. Still the program is about “understanding the risks and setting tolerances.”

Though the protocol is intended for engineers, it could be of use to planners, climate scientists, owners and operators, Lapp says, adding that in fact it almost requires a multidisciplinary approach.

ENVIRONMENT

HVAC

Engineers Canada tackles climate change David Lapp, P.Eng. of Engineers Canada spoke about work the organization is doing on infrastructure and climate change at the University of Toronto on Thursday, February 10.

The lunchtime presentation in Hart

2010 NBC Part 6 changes ventilation requirements

By Cathy Taraschuk & John Burrows, P.Eng., NRC/IRC Canadian Codes Centre

PEOPLE

The 2010 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) includes changes to Part 6 that affect the design

T e

BUILDINGS

First commissioning standard The Canadian Standards Association is due to publish its first edition of a national standard on building commissioning, CSA Z320, in March. Besides architectural and control systems, the standard includes mechanical, electrical, vertical and horizontal transportation sub-systems.

ENERGY

How the wind blows Quickly after halting all proposed offshore wind projects, the Ontario government moved to reassure the renewable energy industries of its support. On February 24 it approved 40 renewable energy projects under its Feed-in Tariff program. A press release said the new projects will result in at least 240 more wind turbines, 1 million solar panels, and 7,000 jobs.’

E s

ASSOCIATIONS

Wendy Cooper leaves CEA After 16 years, Wendy Cooper, chief executive officer of ConWendy Cooper sulting Engineers of Alberta, left the association in March to take up a new role as president Ken Pilip and chief executive officer of Port Alberta. The interim chief executive officer and current registrar at CEA is Ken Pilip, P.Eng.

I t o f n t

V

P

A s r

1

continued on page 10 8

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

March/April 2011

10A0032X0_ p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 8

14/03/11 2:05 PM

This data center is energy and cost efficient.

This data center is expensive to operate.

This data center is Poor Cable Management

ADVANCED

ipAssured Rated Cabling

Untested Cable

Blanking Panels Cold Aisle Restrictive Airflow

Security Risk

Cabinet Level Security Ventilated Floor Tiles

Even small changes can have a huge impact on the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of your data center.

Installing a few simple products and implementing a handful of best practices can help you save thousands of dollars in your data center each year. Whether you want to improve the efficiency of your existing data center, make major upgrades and enhancements or build a new state-of-the-art facility, Anixter’s new program—ipAssured for data centers—can help you make the changes necessary to ensure your data center is prepared to perform to its full potential today and into the future, while staying as cost and energy efficient as possible.

Don’t be fooled by Eaton’s UPS high-output power and high performance. There are no trade-offs thanks to Eaton’s innovative energy-savings architecture. Eaton’s UPS products demonstrate the highest operating efficiencies without compromise; they consume less power overall, and with reduced footprints, they save the floor space expense. Power quality risks are mitigated. System uptimes are delivered to Tier 4 requirements. It all adds up to less cost–financially and environmentally.

Visit anixter.ca to learn more about Anixter’s ipAssuredSM for data centers.

Products. Technology. Services. Delivered Globally.

Anixter is a leading global supplier of communications and security products, electrical and electronic wire and cable, fasteners and other small components. We help our customers specify solutions and make informed purchasing decisions around technology, applications and relevant standards. Throughout the world, we provide innovative supply chain management services to reduce our customers’ total cost of production and implementation.

10A0032X0 © 2011 Anixter Inc.

10A0032X0_Ready_to_Burn_Ad_Eaton_CCE.indd 1 p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 9

1.877.ANIXTER anixter.ca

3/3/11 2:48 PM 14/03/11 2:05 PM

Ca

up front

continued from page 8

and operation of building ventilation systems. Previous editions of the code did not specifically indicated what constituted acceptable air for building ventilation purposes in terms of the concentration of particles and gases; it was assumed that the outdoor air being vented into the indoor building environment was acceptable. However, it has become evident that in some areas of Canada the quality of air being introduced may not be acceptable for building ventilation unless certain particles and gases are first removed or reduced.

Part 6 of the 2010 NBC has set maximum levels in air used for building ventilation for particulate matter, ground-level ozone and carbon monoxide. The limits are based on the National Ambient Air Quality Objective (NAAQO) benchmark levels published under Section 8, Part 1, of

the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The limits are intended to reduce the probability that as a result of a ventilation system a person in a building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness.

In locales where there are provincial or territorial requirements for air quality, the design of ventilation systems should be based on them. In the absence of such requirements, the limits prescribed by the National Building Code will apply.

The change to Part 6 requires that building ventilation systems be provided with devices to clean the outdoor air equal to or less than the maximum acceptable NAAQO levels prior to the air’s distribution to indoor occupied spaces, as follows: • 70 µg/m3 annually and 120 µg/m3 daily for particulate matter that is 10 µm or less in diameter (PM10);

• 15 ppb annually, 25 ppb daily, and 82 ppb hourly for ground-level ozone; • (c) 13 ppm (15 mg/m3) in eight hours and 30 ppm (35 mg/m3) hourly for carbon monoxide (CO), where 1 ppm = 1.146 mg CO/m3.

The NBC must be adopted by the provincial and territorial authorities to become law.

HVAC

New ASHRAE 90.1 is stiffer The ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings has been made 30% more rigorous. Using the 2010 compared to the 2004 version, site savings without plug loads are 32.6% and energy cost savings are 31%. When plug loads are taken into account, site energy savings are estimated at 25.5% and energy cost savings at 24%.

C

M

Y

Our workers come with 5 letters of recommendation...

T.S.M.C.A.

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

The Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association (TSMCA) is a not-for-profit trade association that represents contractors engaged in the business of manufacturing, installing, servicing and maintaining sheet metal work in industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

TSM members employ only certified sheet metal workers or registered apprentices and utilize the most up-to-date equipment and processes, are well versed in every type of project and building requirement and have a reliable and consistent labour poor to draw upon – saving you the trouble of endless delays due to labour shortages. In addition,research of WSIB data by the Ontario Construction Secretariat reported that the unionized contractors in WSIB Rate Group 707 have a far superior record of safety performance when compared to their non-union counterparts.

So if quality workmanship, proven experience, exceptional reliability and safety are important to you and your project, you owe it to yourself to utilize the services of a member of the Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association.

Call 905-886-9627 or visit www.tsmca.org today.

See how you can put the power of exceptional, reliable professionals to work for you.

Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association

10

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 10

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:05 PM

Canadian_Exec_hi_resv3.pdf

3/7/11

2:52:44 PM

Knovel. Know More. Search Less.

Searching more constructively.

It’s second nature.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Eight of the top 15 Engineering Design firms tap Knovel for intelligence they trust. From methods and techniques to strengths and tolerances, through safety and compliance, Knovel has the technical references engineers need to cut project costs, risk and time to completion. Plus, they can integrate the information they find directly into their workflow.

Think of it as search at a much higher level.

knovel.com

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 11

14/03/11 2:05 PM

BetaLED® by Ruud Lighting has thousands of LED installations with measurable, proven performance.

THE EDGE® and LEDway® provide efficiency, performance, longevity and style to any outdoor lighting application.

You can have it all.

Make informed decisions on sustainable LED products for your next project.

For project design assistance or more information, call your local Ruud Lighting representative or visit www.ruud.ca.

Construct Canada Booth #1231 ™

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 12

Ruud Lighting Canada, BetaLED ©2010 | www.ruud.ca | 800/473-1234

14/03/11 2:06 PM

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING COMPANIES | REVIEW

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Invest in our future: Make consulting engineering a career of choice

T

he ACEC membership has told us on many occasions that finding qualified staff is a priority for the industry. At the direction of the membership we have made significant investments in the Engineering Legacies student outreach campaign. Since 2009, working with ACEC Member Organizations, we have made in-person presentations to over 3,000 engineering students in university classrooms and career fairs across Canada. Hundreds of students have visited the Engineering Legacies website and many have engaged with ACEC through its social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The Engineering Legacies continues to be a successful ACEC initiative that presents consulting engineering as the career of choice for the best and brightest engineering stu-

dents in Canada. And it is working! However, on occasion we hear about young prospective engineers who have answered our call only to learn there are relatively few student positions available.

It is at this time of year that most engineering firms contemplate hiring students or recent graduates in engineering and related fields. While our industry has weathered the financial crisis, we are all concerned that there is still economic uncertainty. I, nevertheless, want to encourage the industry to continue to provide opportunities for training and experience to students. After all, we are not only investing in the futures of these young engineering students, but also in the future of our industry and of our profession.

WILFRID MORIN, ING., CHAIR ACEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Learn what ACEC is doing on student outreach at www.engineeringlegacies.com

MESSAGE DU PRÉSIDENT DU CONSEIL

Investissez dans notre avenir: Faites du génie-conseil une carrière de choix

C

ertains d’entre vous avez probablement constaté que des améliorations importantes ont été apportées au site Web Le génie de demain. La campagne Le génie de demain, dont l’objectif est de présenter le génie-conseil comme une carrière de choix aux meilleurs étudiants en génie au Canada, est une campagne de sensibilisation de l’AFIC qui connaît un grand succès. Par contre, il est souvent arrivé qu’un jeune ingénieur réponde à l’appel pour apprendre qu’il n’y a qu’un nombre limité d’emplois dans notre industrie.

Nous voici maintenant à l’époque de l’année où la plupart des firmes de génie-conseil considèrent embaucher des étudiants ou des diplômés récents en génie et dans des domaines connexes. Alors que notre industrie a su traverser la crise financière, nous nous préoccupons tous encore d’une incertitude économique. J’encourage néanmoins l’industrie à continuer d’offrir aux étudiants des occasions d’acquérir de l’expérience. Après tout, nous investissons non seulement dans l’avenir de ces jeunes étudiants en génie, mais aussi dans l’avenir de notre industrie et de notre profession.

Les membres de l’AFIC nous ont souvent indiqué que l’embauche de personnel qualifié est une priorité de l’industrie. C’est pourquoi nous avons fait des investissements considérables dans la campagne Le génie de demain.

Depuis 2009, travaillant avec les organisations membres de l’AFIC, nous avons donné des présentations qui ont rejoint plus de 3000 étudiants en génie dans des salles de cours et des salons de l’emploi partout au Canada. Des centaines d’étudiants ont visité le site Web Le génie de demain et plusieurs se sont familiarisés avec l’AFIC par le biais de notre présence sur des médias sociaux comme Facebook, Twitter et YouTube.

Maintenant que nous avons leur attention, notre industrie se doit de donner suite à cet intérêt Grandissant. Aidons à créer ensemble des possibilités pour ces jeunes tout en assurant l’avenir de notre industrie.

WILFRID MORIN, ING., PRÉSIDENT CONSEIL D’ADMINISTRATION DE L’AFIC

Pour plus d’information sur la campagne de sensibilisation des étudiants de l’AFIC, visitez www.legeniededemain.com

March/April 2011

1234

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 13

Canadian Consulting Engineer

13

14/03/11 2:06 PM

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING COMPANIES | REVIEW

Investing in our Quality of Life

Sustainable Infrastructure begins with sustainable investment

By ACEC President John Gamble from the Media Planet feature in the National Post, February 25, 2011.

Infrastructure is an investment -- not an expense. It is an investment in our economic, social and environmental quality of life. If the benefits to our quality of life are to be sustainable, either economically or environmentally, then the investment must also be sustainable.

While the recent renewal of interest in infrastructure is welcomed, we still have a long way to go before we achieve sustainability. In fact, commitment to long-term strategies by all levels of government has significantly waned since the 1960’s. Since then, infrastructure investment in Canada has decreased by half. In 2004, TD Bank Financial Group released its landmark study Mind the Gap: Finding Money to Upgrade Canada’s Aging Infrastructure. That study identified a 50% decline in annual per capita capital investment by government from 1962 to 2003, with a resultant infrastructure investment shortfall as high of $125 billion in 2004.

The more recent 2010 study Public Infrastructure Underinvestment: The Risk to Canada’s Economic Growth commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), states that infrastructure investment declined from nearly 6% of GDP in 1960 to approximately 3% of GDP in 2004. The RCCAO predicts that if investment remains at the average of the past decade, the ongoing infrastructure investment gap will cost the Canadian GDP 1.5% each year.

The consequences of underinvestment are often gradual and not immediately recognized. We all expect safe, drinkable water to be immediately available to us in the convenience of our own homes. But the required financial, technological and human resources are normally far from our minds.

Sustainable infrastructure investment strategy makes good business sense for public agencies’ infrastructure assets. A sound investment clearly identifies the roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government (and private sector partners where appropriate) and provides predictable ongoing funding.

Sporadic, time-limited infrastructure programs create uncertainty for municipalities and infrastructure agencies. It becomes difficult to plan adequately for our longer-term infrastructure. This poses a number of practical and logistical problems.

Short-term programs make it difficult for government and infrastructure agencies, engineering firms and construction companies to attract,

train and retain the expertise required to deliver infrastructure projects. Also, when a large number of projects are required to be designed and constructed within the same short time frame, the forces of supply and demand result in higher costs. Shortterm programs also tend to result in low complexity projects, which are not necessarily the projects with the most strategic or long-term economic value -- limiting the potential longterm competitive advantages to the Canadian economy.

A sustainable, strategic infrastructure investment plan will make Canada more competitive, create longterm jobs in multiple sectors, and make our economy more resistant to downturns. The Conference Board of Canada in its recent series of reports Lessons from the Recession and Financial Crisis (March 2010) concluded that of all fiscal stimulus measures, infrastructure investment has had the largest impact on economic growth.

Without a long-term plan, a golden opportunity is being lost. Strategic investment in infrastructure is imperative to achieving sustainability and significant life-cycle savings. This investment is essential not only to our economy, but also to our quality of life and to sustaining the environment that surrounds us.

ACEC Member Organizations: Consulting Engineers of British Columbia, Consulting Engineers of Yukon, Consulting Engineers of Alberta, Consulting Engineers of Northwest Territories, Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Manitoba, Consulting Engineers of Ontario, Association des Ingénieurs-conseils du Québec, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – New Brunswick, Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia, Consulting Engineers of Prince Edward Island, Consulting Engineers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

14

Canadian Consulting Engineer

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 14

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:06 PM

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING COMPANIES | REVIEW

Gain an edge with bid and performance guarantees The following article is provided by RBC’s Jim Hart, a corporate partner of ACEC.

W

hen bidding to design, build or manage projects across Canada or around the world, your firm’s credibility depends on your financial ability to back your proposal and carry work through to completion.

Proving your firm’s financial integrity and ability to meet deadlines is an essential part of the bidding and tendering process. Rather than tying up your capital with cash deposits, or insuring your work with complex surety bonds, consider this simple, effective alternative: bid and performance guarantees.

Understanding bid and performance guarantees A bid guarantee is used when a construction or supply tender calls for a cash deposit or other evidence of financial strength to underline the seriousness and credibility of your bid.

A performance guarantee is used to guarantee the work you perform once your firm is hired to carry out a project to completion.

Both forms of guarantee are put in place through a short written contract of indemnity between your firm and your financial institution and are easily obtained in conjunction with a credit line.

Support for your contractual obligations Bid and performance guarantees provide your clients with an irrevocable commitment and guarantee of cash compensation in the event that contractual obligations aren’t met.

For example, in a bid situation, if you were to withdraw your tender, the bank, upon written demand on the guarantee, would pay the amount noted on the guarantee to the tenderer, who could

then issue another call for tender.

With a performance guarantee, your financial institution would honour the guarantee upon written demand and compensate your client in the event of a project deficiency or failure to complete a project according to contract. In both situations, potential financial risks associated with bid or contact non-performance are covered.

Benefits of using a bank guarantee There are a number of advantages to using bid and performance guarantees to win commercial contracts and validate your performance capabilities.

Quick and easy to set-up. Guarantees are easy to establish and in most cases can be put in place as quick-

ly as needed to meet your contractual obligations.

Enhanced credibility. Irrevocable guarantees are evidence of the seriousness of your bids and Jim Hart, National d e m o n s t r a t e Manager, Business & your credibility Professional Service and capability to Client, RBC. complete contracts.

Contract facilitation. A guarantee lowers the risk to your client of doing business with your firm, by guaranteeing financial compensation in case of non-performance.

Better cash flow. Letters of guarantee don’t tie up your cash, so you have better access to the cash you need.

Interested in learning more about Bid and Performance Guarantees?

To speak with an RBC account manager in your area, visit us online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/business-services/engineer or call us at 1-800-769-2520.

RBC provides the stability and integrity you need in a financial services partner, as you pursue international opportunities. With account managers specialized in engineering services, we can provide advice and solutions to meet your unique needs.

ABOUT ACEC The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada (ACEC) is a business association representing nearly 500 consulting engineering companies across Canada. ACEC is made up of 12 provincial and territorial organizations. For more information on ACEC, visit www.acec.ca.

March/April 2011

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 15

Canadian Consulting Engineer

15

14/03/11 2:06 PM

ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING COMPANIES | REVIEW

The ACEC Summit and Annual Convention is just around the corner!

Mark your Calendars Now! Montebello, QuĂŠbec June 23-25, 2011

This year’s Summit will be held in the luxurious, rugged Chateau Montebello famed for its stunning red cedar log Chateau and rustic elegant surroundings.

Summit Theme Building Strong Organizations: Understand. Relate. Communicate.

With the threat of decreased business opportunities as a result of the recession, firms have been forced to fine-tune, re-align, and restructure operations.

Consequently, leaner, stronger organizations have emerged.

It is on this concept of building stronger firms that ACEC has established its conference theme: Building Strong Organizations: Understand. Relate. Communicate.

Visit www.acec.ca for more details!

Registration will be available soon!

16

Canadian Consulting Engineer

p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 16

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:06 PM

CAF10102_

11-03-04 09:54 14/03/11 2:06 PM

titre : « WANTED / RECHERCHONS »

dossier : CAF-10102

CAF10102_10_MSE_BE_01.indd 1 p06-17 CCE MarApril11 Upfront&ACEC.indd 17

100%

épreuve à D.A. relecture

« Mon métier est en constante évolution mais heureusement, j’ai été entraînée pour faire face à l’inattendu. En une seule journée, je peux effectuer la mise à niveau de nos technologies, résoudre une variété de problèmes ou même réparer de la machinerie lourde. » Lieutenant de vaisseau AMY O’RIELLY

INGÉNIEURS

Janvier

“My job is constantly evolving, but I was given the training to deal with whatever comes my way. Updating our technology, repairing heavy machinery, solving problems. It’s all in a day’s work.”

Lieutenant (Navy) AMY O’RIELLY

ENGINEERS

client : Forces canadiennes date/modif. rédaction

RECHERCHONS :

description : 10-MSE-BE-01

WANTED:

fire & life safety

DIEFENBUNKER RESURRECTED Canada’s Cold War museum has been given a fire-protection and life-safety overhaul to allow it to admit more visitors.

BY GEORGE FAWCETT, LRI AS ONE OF CANADA’S FEW MODERNIST NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES,

Canada’s Cold War Museum known as the Diefenbunker has had many unique programming and operational challenges. The foremost challenge was with the occupancy capacity limit. The museum has only one means of egress to the surface — by way of the blast tunnel. This single exit route meant only 60 people at a time could visit the main building, which severely restricted the museum’s potential revenues and ultimately impacted the museum’s ongoing viability.

The application of the Ontario Building Code through an Alternative Solution allowed the occupant loading to be increased from 60 to 420 persons. This article describes the passive, active and procedural elements that were implemented. The Alternative Solution approach was necessary due to the construction difficulties and heritage aspects of the Diefenbunker. To comply literally with the code’s requirement for two exits each discharging separately to the exterior at grade was not practical, as numerous walls of the bunker are over 1-metre thick reinforced high-strength concrete.

18

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 18

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:04 AM

fire & life safety

Far left: inside the upgraded blast tunnel. Left: connection to the Bank of Canada vault from inside the bunker. Above: archival photograph of the bunker under construction. It was built 1959-61, having four underground storeys and walls 1 metre thick to withstand a nuclear attack.

Brian Robertson

Brian Robertson

Sanctuary during the Cold War The Diefenbunker was constructed between the years of 1959 to 1961 for the purpose of maintaining the Government of Canada’s critical functions in the event of a nuclear strike during the Cold War era. The bunker is located approximately 35 kilometres northwest of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, and its design and construction centred on the survivability of the building against close-range nuclear missile attack. In the event of an attack, the Diefenbunker was designed to house 525 occupants for a minimum duration of 30 days.

The bunker has hundreds of rooms that were intended to provide all the necessities of life in a highly sophisticated working environment. They include a command centre, medical operating rooms, a cafetaria and food storage facilities, bedrooms, a lounge, and a morgue.

Named after John Diefenbaker who was Prime Minister at the time the government decided to construct the facility, the site was owned and operated by the Department of National Defence from 1959 to 1994. Should nuclear war have broken out or seemed imminent, the Diefenbunker would have been the safe haven for those providing the thin thread of continuity of government.

For the 33 years it was in service the bunker housed day-to-day operations that made it the key strategic communications centre for the Canadian Forces. Then in 1994, the government sold the site to the local township of West Carleton (now part of the city of Ottawa). The local community rallied the municipality to allow them to run tours of the mysterious secret bunker. The initial tours were an overwhelming success! The community then worked successfully to have the facility designated as continued on page 20

March/April 2011

p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 19

Canadian Consulting Engineer

19

14/03/11 9:04 AM

continued from page 19

Brian Robertson

fire & life safety

Above: blast doors and two new fire separated exit corridors at level 400. These and many other changes to the fire protection systems increased the allowable number of visitors from 60 to over 400.

a National Historic Site of Canada. It was dubbed “the most important surviving Cold War site in Canada” by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

The community volunteers eventually won the right to buy the property and operate it as a permanent museum. The Diefenbunker opened its doors in 1998 in its new role as a not-for-profit charitable museum under community ownership.

Four underground floors and a tunnel access The main building (the bunker) is four storeys and is constructed entirely below grade. It covers a building area of approximately 2,160 square metres on each of the four levels. Level 400 is the storey closest to ground level, with levels 300, 200 and 100 following beneath.

The bunker is connected to a separate large bank vault that was intended to house Canada’s gold reserves in the event of an attack. The corridor leading to the vault is accessed between the 200 and 100 levels.

A tunnel at grade leads down into the bunker’s Level 400. The tunnel is accessed from both the west and from the main visitor pavilion at the east. Three stairs serve all floor levels, and each stair discharges into Level 400. All occupants exited via the tunnel exit from Level 400.

In addition to the single tunnel exit, two chutes are located at Level 400. Each chute contains a ladder that is capable of providing emergency access to grade. However, access to grade is only possible by operating a lever which releases a 5-metre layer of gravel from above the ladder into a catch basin below the ladder. These ladders were provided as an exit of last resort for personnel within the Diefenbunker while it was in use by the government.

New fire safety program The Diefenbunker was limited to an occupant load of 60 people. This limit was enacted in September 2000 because of the change of use to a Group A (assembly) occupancy (museum).

During a nuclear attack obviously no-one would want to evacuate outside, so the original design had subdivided each level of the bunker into five or six 3-hour fire compartments. The entire facility is built of non-combustible construction with all interior walls providing varying levels of fire separation.

LRI Fire Protection and Building Code Engineers were retained by the museum owner to review ways of allowing more visitors into the museum relative to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) requirements.

To achieve this, LRI developed an Alternative Solution under the new Objective Based OBC. A very preliminary program was developed and submitted to the Ottawa Building Department (authority having jurisdiction “AHJ”) to initiate a dialogue as this type of approach had never, to our knowledge, been attempted on a scale or application like the Diefenbunker. Subsequent meetings were held with the AHJ and a site visit was conducted.

The Alternative Solution, which involved the modification and use of existing and new active and passive fire protection systems, in our opinion provided sufficient compliance with the intent of the code.

The Alternative Solution was submitted to the AHJ and was accepted in the fall of 2008.

Providing additional exit routes The solution provides robust life safety and property protection while balancing important considerations regarding the unique architectural, national, public interest and heritage aspects of the Diefenbunker.

To solve the problems with the exit, several changes were made.

First, existing corridors were upgraded to provide two fire-separated corridors that allow a means of egress at Level 400. The fire rating of the exit corridors on the 400 level had to be determined as a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating was required.

Unfortunately, there were no details of the material composition of the prefabricated wall panels, and due to the historic designation of the building the walls could not be replaced. Sections of the panels therefore had to be sent to a testing lab for analysis.

After understanding the composition of the panels and how they were structurally supported, which involved an extensive evaluation of available data on archaic materials and fire tests dating back to the 1930s, we were able to determine that the walls provided the equivalent of a 1-hour rating. Many of the existing rated corridor doors had been compromised over time by the installation of viewing wincontinued on page 22

20

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 20

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:04 AM

p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 21

14/03/11 9:04 AM

fire & life safety

continued from page 20

dows and louvres for air circulation. These doors and transoms were replaced.

Above the wall panels and suspended ceiling, the wall consisted of metal lathe and some type of plaster. Lab results indicated that it would not provide a 1-hour rating so this section of the wall had a spray-on fire proofing material applied to achieve the rating.

Second, the existing blast/entrance tunnel from Level 400 to grade was modified to provide two fire separated means of egress. This was done using rolling fire shutters that can be released manually or upon any alarm on the 400 level. For safety reasons the shutters have audible signals that increase in frequency to alert people of the impending release. In addition, the rate of descent is controlled so the shutters do not come down too quickly. Two swing type doors are installed between the two rolling shutters in the blast tunnel to allow access to the east or west blast tunnel exit in the event the fire was in the blast tunnel.

New detectors, alarms and other upgrades The upgrade included many other features: • the existing fire alarm system was replaced and upgraded with smoke detectors along the primary corridors;

ConneCted to your business.

A leading provider of construction and infrastructure legal advice, we have extensive experience in a full range of public and private sector projects.

• Procurement and Tendering

• Project Financing

• Public Private Partnerships

• Insurance and Bonding

• Infrastructure Projects

• Claims Management

• Health Care

• Alternate Dispute Resolution

• Construction Contracts and Design Agreements

• Construction Liens • Construction Litigation

VAncouVEr Owen D. Pawson 604.643.1254

toronto William (Bill) M. Pigott 416.595.8179

Edmonton William J. Kenny, Q.C. 780.429.9784

montréAl Louis-Michel Tremblay 514.871.5421

Philip A. Carson 403.298.2403

Miller Thomson LLP

millerthomson.com c algary

k i t c h e n e r - wat e r l o o

e d m o n to n guelph

s a s k at o o n

to r o n to

regina

markham

22 www.canadianconsultingengineer.com MT_Canadian Consulting Engineer Ad.indd 1

Fund-raising and construction challenges During the design phase, the Diefenbunker’s executive director worked long hours with assistance from LRI to obtain funding for the retrofit. Almost the entire $2-million price tag was raised from approximately 10 government ministries and private foundations. For those who have never had the pleasure of this exercise, Wow! -- it sure is a lot of paper work! Having said that, this project would never have come to fruition without their generous support.

The project was awarded in the summer of 2009. The construction process required dedicated and skilled trades as it was not easy accessing the hundreds of rooms in the bunker. What made this so much more difficult was the fact that the bunker was designed to withstand a nuclear attack and thus many of the walls were greater than 1 metre thick and made of a top secret formula of hardened concrete with rebar up to 5.7 cm in diameter.

Completed in the summer of 2010, the Diefenbunker can now accommodate up to 420 visitors and has a bright and sustainable future.

This project was challenging but also interesting, and it shows that we can save our historical sites and keep a part of our heritage alive for future generations. From the Diefenbunker’s perspective, we can always say that it truly is a “Blast from the Past.”

CCE George Fawcett is a vice president and Ottawa branch manager with LRI Fire Protection & Building Code Engineers.

cAlgAry David J. Cichy 403.298.2496

Added experience. Added clarity. Added value.

va n c o u v e r

• a sprinkler system was installed throughout the building and blast tunnel; • the existing standpipe system was upgraded to include additional cabinets and a new riser for water supply; • for the fire protection water supply, an electric fire pump was added and three concrete water tanks were relined; • new and upgraded emergency lighting and exit signage was installed; • an emergency power generator was installed; it was connected to the fire pump and emergency lights and exit signage; • asbestos was removed in two locations, the main lobby and War Cabinet Room; this was type 3 asbestos removal, which involved sealing off and ventilating the areas, and providing showers to decontaminate the workers; • a Fire Safety Plan was prepared.

lo n do n

montréal

March/April 2011 1/17/2011

w H

s

D

A s w a a

Owner: Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, Ottawa, Ont. Project lead, fire suppression and alarm system upgrades: LRI (George Fawcett, CET) Architecture, emergency power upgrades: J.L. Richards & Associates (Nicolas Rivet, P.Eng., George Chinkisky, P.Eng., Marsh Frere) Asbestos removal: Envir-0-Health Solutions General contractor: Waterdon Construction

12:04:35 PM

R_CityMulti_ p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 22

14/03/11 9:04 AM

wiTH , you neveR Have To leave youR comFoRT zone.

save on ToTal insTalleD cosTs wiTH ouR innovaTive vRF TecHnology:

Design & sTyle

HyDRa-Dan

H2i TecHnology

easy insTallaTion

geoTHeRmal-ReaDy

A variety of indoor unit styles, such as ceiling-concealed, wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and many more, allows application for any space.

Converts recovered energy from indoor units to provide hot water for sanitary use and radiant heating.

Provides excellent heating performance even when ambient temperatures reach -25°c and beyond.

Saves installation time and materials by using 2 pipes instead of 3. Total system pipe lengths of up to 3,280 ft. allow for amazing design flexibility.

Uses the earth’s natural solar energy collection with a highly energy-efficient ground-source heat pump.

www.citymultiDesign.com

R_CityMulti_FullPg_CCE_Ad_E.indd 1

11-02-28 2:42 PM

p18-23 CCE MarApril11 DiefenBunker.indd 23

14/03/11 9:04 AM

Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture

HVAC

Above: inside the building's atrium. Right and inset: exterior views. All the different facets of the building work together to give energy efficiencies.

24

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 24

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:01 PM

HVAC

DANIELS WINGERAK ENGINEERING

CAMECO OPERATIONS CENTRE

Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture

A NEW CORPORATE OFFICE IN SASKATOON COMBINES “TRIED AND "TRUE” WITH NEW HVAC TECHNOLOGIES TO ACHIEVE ALMOST 70% ENERGY SAVINGS.

THE CAMECO CORPORATION is one of the world’s largest uranium producers with four operating mines in Canada and the U.S. To keep up with its rapid growth, the company built a new office in 2009 to accommodate around 300 people. The 3-storey, 6,500-m2 building is located on 11th Street in Saskatoon.

One of the design criteria was that it should be green and energy efficient. The building is modeled to use 70% less energy than a building built according to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings.

Its actual performance was monitored and the results show an energy intensity usage (EIU) of 0.68 GJ/m2. According to Natural Resources Canada the average EUI for office space in Saskatchewan is 2.02 GJ/m2. This shows that the Cameco building is using 66% less energy

than the average office building in Saskatchewan.

In Saskatchewan, achieving economical, efficient heating and cooling building solutions is a challenge for designers. The province boasts some of the largest seasonal variations in the world, as the temperature in the Prairies swings from -40 C to +35 C. There is a long heating season, with a short sharp cooling season, and daily temperature variations as much as 18 degrees C. Precipitation is also an issue, as Saskatchewan is the driest province in Canada, but experiences the highest rainfall intensity.

Integrated design process Cameco is committed to integrating environmental leadership into everything they do. Consequently, the project continued on page 26 March/April 2011

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 25

Canadian Consulting Engineer

25

14/03/11 2:01 PM

HVAC

Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture.

Twa Panel Systems

continued from page 25

Above left: active chilled beam unit. Left: diagram of active chilled beam operation. Top right: aircooled scroll chiller, an efficient, low-noise unit.

Above: evacuated tube solar collectors, installed on a white reflective roof.

team was tasked with designing a building that met all of the form and function requirements in the most sustainable fashion possible. One of the most important steps was establishing an integrated design process. It brought together the architect, structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, interior designer, construction manager, landscape architect and owner to create design synergies that improved sustainability while controlling costs.

For the mechanical systems, the design had to meet Cameco’s sustainability and function requirements, while controlling capital costs.

The selected approach for the building heating, ventilation and air conditioning and plumbing systems combines standard “tried and true” technology with leading edge equipment and systems. The use of new technology required careful temperature calculations and psychrometrics (the science of air temperature and humidity).

Following are some special features of the mechanical design.

Active chilled beams and cooling The selected terminal cooling and ventilation technology is known as an “Active Chilled Beam.” Active chilled beams are induction devices that use pressurized fresh outdoor air to induce warm room air over a chilled water coil. The high induction nature of the beam also ensures that the rela-

tively low volume of fresh air is well mixed and introduced into the breathing zone of the occupants.

Perimeter chilled beams were supplied with heating coils to provide an additional level of temperature control. At the time of construction, the active chilled beams that arrived on site were some of the first to be installed in North America and the very first in Western Canada. They were also the first beams to be manufactured in Canada.

Chilled water is generated with an efficient air-cooled scroll chiller. The chiller size could be reduced because of the good envelope, window and shading design of the building, and also due to energy-saving features like daylight controlled dimmable lights. Free cooling is obtained from a coil within the primary air handler that generates chilled water when ambient conditions permit.

Dedicated outdoor air and double wheel air handler Humidity control is a concern in chilled beam systems as the beams have no ability to remove latent heat — moisture — from a space. As a result the fresh air system is required to dehumidify. For maximum energy efficiency a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) with heat recovery was selected to provide fresh air to the active chilled beams. This system is required to provide low dewpoint fresh air into the building for dehumidification, while not over cooling interior spaces. continued on page 28

26

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 26

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:01 PM

Introducing the

4 Million BTU/hr MACH® Condensing Boiler

Blue is the New Green

Get true high efficiency with extremely low emissions. The new Harsco MACH® C4000 condensing boiler proves once again that Blue equals Green High Efficiency for Significant Energy Savings Harsco’s MACH® C4000 condensing boiler is CSA certified 95% efficient. Reduce your fuel bill by 20-80%.

Low NOx Standard Low NOx is STANDARD on ALL Harsco Boilers, including the MACH® C4000 boiler. Don’t pay extra for low emissions.

Space Conscious Design Harsco’s Through the Door™ design philosophy means the MACH® C4000 boiler easily fits through a 36” doorway.

Each Boiler is equipped with wheels for mobility and easy placement.

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 27

Harsco’s Exclusive ENVI® control Our on board ENVI® control comes standard on all Harsco MACH® and MODU-FIRE® Forced Draft boilers. Interface with BMS, cascade up to 24 boilers, combine MACH® condensing boilers with MODU-FIRE® Forced Draft Boilers in hybrid systems.

Harsco MACH® boilers are also available in: 300, 450, 750, & 900 Thousand BTU/hr input 1.05, 1.5, 2, 2.5 & 3 Million BTU/hr input For more information contact T 570-476-7261 E pkinfo@harsco.com www.harscopk.com

15/03/11 12:41 PM

HVAC

continued from page 26

Typically reheat is used in this application, but cooling air and then reheating with “new” energy is not energy efficient.

As a result, a double wheel air handler was selected. The double wheel air handler has a chilled water coil located between a sensible recovery wheel and a total recovery wheel.

In the summer, the sensible wheel recovers energy from the exhaust air stream to reheat the air leaving the cooling coil. The cooled exhaust stream then pre-cools the incoming fresh air through the total energy wheel before it enters the cooling coil. In the winter the system is essentially two recovery wheels and it has a heat recovery effectiveness exceeding 90%. As noted above, this unit also includes a free cooling coil that produces chilled water when ambient conditions permit, while also preheating fresh air. This is the first installation of this type of air handler in Saskatchewan.

The fresh air system serving the active chilled beams was supplied with a large number of pressure independent air valves. These air valves provide “zones of occupancy.”

The intent is to allow portions of the building to be shut down when not occupied. The system was designed to operate in areas as small as four workstations without wasting ventilation air into other unoccupied areas.

High-efficiency condensing boilers Most of the heating for the building is from high efficiency modulating condensing boilers. These boilers feed a heating loop that is blended down in temperature to serve in-slab heating manifolds. In-slab radiant heat has become very popular in Saskatchewan due to its high level of occupant comfort.

Radiant heat also provides two paths for energy conservation. The method of heat transfer warms people directly and as a result they are comfortable at a lower ambient air temperature. A lower air temperature reduces the heat loss of the space through the building envelope.

The second energy advantage is that a low-temperature, high mass system brings low temperature return water to the condensing boilers. Condensing boilers require low temperature return water to actually condense and achieve maximum efficiency. The boiler plant is ex-

28

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 28

pected to perform with an efficiency of over 94% yearround. Actual monitored efficiency averaged to 93% over one year of operation.

Controls, monitoring and wireless thermostats A high performance building requires a high performance control system. A full building DDC system (direct digital controls) was installed with a full graphics package and energy monitoring package. All the building loads are monitored and are viewable. Lighting loads per floor, plug loads per floor, chiller load, and boiler and domestic hot water gas consumption are a few of the monitored energy points.

In addition, a screen is mounted in the reception area that provides real-time charts showing energy usage in the building. The screen allows the occupants to gain a real sense of how their actions impact the building’s energy consumption.

The requirement that the building should be easy to renovate drove another innovation. Wireless thermostats were used throughout, and each thermostat acts as a wireless repeater to create a robust mesh network. For future office renovations the thermostat can be simply moved to a new location and programmed quickly to control the appropriate devices. Nearly every workstation in the building has been provided with a thermostat for individual temperature and occupancy control.

Solar hot water and water conservation Evacuated tube solar collectors were installed on the roof to provide supplementary heating for the domestic hot water system. The solar panels preheat storage tanks that feed a condensing natural gas storage hot water heater.

An evacuated-tube collector contains several individual glass tubes, each containing an absorber plate bonded to a heat pipe and suspended in a vacuum. The vacuum is an ideal insulator and allows high levels of heat transfer even at exceptionally low outdoor temperatures. The pipe transfers the heat efficiently to a condenser through the top of the tube.

Heat transfer from the absorber to the fluid circuit is

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:01 PM

HVAC performed by the “heat pipe.” A heat pipe is a closed system, evacuated and charged with a small amount of water before it is sealed.

The absorber imparts heat to this water, causing it to evaporate. The steam rises to the upper end of the heat pipe where it transfers heat to the fluid circuit via a metallic conduction bridge. Being a “dry” connection, fluid in the heating circuit does not flow through the collector.

High and ultra-high efficiency plumbing fixtures used throughout include the first ultra-low flow urinals installed in Saskatchewan. These urinals use only a half litre of water to flush — 90% less than a standard low-flow urinal.

The landscape irrigation systems are also low and ultra-low flow. The controller is connected to remote weather stations to prevent watering on rainy days.

The domestic water system was designed to use 56% less potable water than a standard office building, saving 800,000 litres per year of water.

In actual operation the building is using nearly 80% less water per square metre than the other office space that Cameco owns.

enabled savings such as a smaller boiler and chiller plant.

Despite tendering the project during an unprecedented construction boom, the building was built on budget and within the rapid time frame required by the owner;

design and construction were combined in 18 months.

The energy savings reduce potential greenhouse gas emissions by over 510 metric tons per year, equivalent to removing over 100 cars from the road.

CCE

Finally, Press Technology for Off-the-Shelf Stainless Pipe!

Vic-Press

™

FOR SCHEDULE 10S

• ½” to 2” IPS • 500 PSI • Greater durability, strength, flow than Tube • The ONLY solution using off-the-shelf ASTM A-312 Sch. 10S pipe

Performance and cost Life cycle costing was considered in all aspects of the design. As well, the careful integration of the design features Client: Cameco Corporation Mechanical design: Daniels Wingerak Engineering, Saskatoon (Christopher Conley, P.Eng.) Prime consultant: Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture Electrical: PWA Engineering Structural: Robb Kullman Engineering Construction manager: Graham Construction and Engineering Suppliers: Twa Panel Systems (chilled beams); Harsco Industrial Patterson-Kelly (boilers).

APPLICATIONS INCLUDE: WATER PROCESS CHEMICALS AIR & GASES

Learn more at:

www.vic-press.com March/April 2011

p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 29

ENGINEERED FOR DEMANDING INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS:

Canadian Consulting Engineer

29

14/03/11 2:01 PM

Congratulations to CameCo Corporation and daniels Wingerak engineering ltd. the commitment of Cameco and the entire design team to energy efficient technologies and corporate stewardship of the environment is evidenced in this award-winning office building in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which employs Twa active beams, radiant panels, and radiant sails.

Twa Radiant Panels

Twa Active Beams

• Offer a low draft risk

• Reduce overall fan energy and yield lower operating costs

• Typically produce noise levels under NC 15 • Are simple to install and commission • Contribute to lower construction and maintenance costs • Offer architectural appeal

• Can reduce or eliminate comfort complaints • Yield exceedingly low acoustic signatures • Have very low maintenance requirements

Contact us for more information P. 780.955.8757 F. 780.955.8696

• Provide high flexibility for renovation / tenant improvements

twahydronics.com twa_ad_v013.indd 1 p24-30 CCE MarApril11 Cameco.indd 30

3/14/2011 11:34:34 AM 14/03/11 2:01 PM

business

GOING GLOBAL

Canadian consulting engineering firms continue to be absorbed by large international corporations.

How do their clients feel about that?

OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, the

shape of the consulting engineering sector has altered dramatically. Scarcely a week goes by without an announcement about an acquisition or merger. Numerous small and mediumsized firms have been absorbed by Canadian or inter-

national corporations with thousands of employees.

The clearest picture of how intense have been the acquisitions is in Quebec. Johanne Desrochers, president and director-general of l’Association des ingénieurs-conseil du Québec (AICQ), explains that the number of

Hemera/Thinkstock

B Y B R O N W E N PA R S O N S

continued on page 32 March/April 2011

p31-35 CCE MarApril11 Acquistions Familytrees.indd 31

Canadian Consulting Engineer

31

14/03/11 9:07 AM

business

continued from page 31

A FAMILY TREE

Recent Acquisitions & Mergers of Canadian Consulting Engineering Firms AECOM (U.S.) 45,000 employees

RSW (QC) 550 employees 2010

TECSULT (QC) 1,100 employees 2008

EARTH TECH (US) 1,100 employees in Canada 2008

23,000 employees

TOTTEN SIMS HUBICKI (ON) 425 employees 2008

PHILIPS ENGINEERING (ON) 70 employees 2009

AMEC (U.K.)

AUSENCO (AUSTRALIA)

DESSAU (QC)

HDR (U.S.)

2,500 employees

5,000 employees

7,800 employees

SANDWELL ENGINEERING (BC) 650 employees 2008

HIGHWAY TECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES (AB) 100 employees 2011

iTRANS CONSULTING (ON) 120 employees 2009

GENIVAR (QC) 4,500 employees

JAGGER HIMS (ON) 90 employees 2009

TUNDRA ENGINEERING ASOCIATES (AB) 150 employees 2010

TERRAIN GROUP (NS) 150 employees 2010

MMM GROUP (ON) 2,000 employees

ENERMODAL ENGINEERING (ON) 100 employees, 2010

MCCORMICK RANKIN (ON) 400 employees, 2008

V.B. COOK CO. (ON) 110 employees 2010

MAGNATE ENGINEERING (ON/BC) 70 employees 2009

OPUS INTERNATIONAL (New Zealand) 2,300 employees

DAYTON & KNIGHT (BC) 80 employees, 2010

NOTE: This "Family Tree" is not intended as a comprehensive portrait of consulting engineering in Canada. It includes only companies involved in acquisitions of firms of more than 50 employees between 2008 and January 2011 and does not include numerous acquisitions of smaller firms that have taken place in the same period. It does not distinguish between transactions announced as either “acquisitions” or “mergers." It does not include several large consulting engineering firms that have experienced substantial "organic" i.e. internal growth, nor does it include acquisitions of architectural companies.

32

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p31-35 CCE MarApril11 Acquistions Familytrees.indd 32

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:07 AM

business PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF (U.S.)

STANTEC (AB) 10,000 employees

14,000 employees

HALSALL GROUP (ON) 350 employees, 2010

QUADRATEC (NF) 50 employees 2011

JACQUES WHITFORD (NS) 1,700 employees 2009

SNC-LAVALIN (QC)

TETRA TECH (U.S.)

24,000 employees

12,000 employees

SPECTROL ENERGY SERVICES (NF) 75 employees 2010

TROW GLOBAL (ON) 3,400 employees

BPR (QC) 1,600 employees, 2010

Pre-2008 a Little History Proctor & Redfern (ON) Æ Earth Tech (US), 1999 H.A. Simons (BC) Æ AGRA (ON), 1999 AGRA Æ AMEC (UK), 2000 Acres (ON) Æ Hatch (ON), 2004

TEKNIKA HBA (QC) 700 employees 2008

UMA (BC) Æ AECOM (US), 2004 Gartner Lee (ON) Æ AECOM (US), 2007

companies the association lists as members has declined from 107 to 48 in the last 10 years. However, the number of people employed by the 48 firms today is 22,000. This figure represents a 400% increase compared to the 5,000 employed a decade ago. Engineering companies are evidently becoming fewer but much larger.

Canadian companies have acted as both purchased and purchasers. The Canadian publicly traded companies Genivar and Stantec have been especially active as purchasers.

What do clients say?

How do those who rely on consulting engineers to design their projects -- clients like municipal engineers and planners, architects and design-build companies -- feel about hav-

FRANSEN ENGINEERING (BC)

180 employees 2011

EBA ENGINEERING (AB) 600 employees, 2010

SNC + Lavalin (QC), 1991 ADI (NB) 375 employees 2009

McINTOSH ENGINEERING (ON) 200 employees 2008

WARDROP ENGINEERING (MB) 1,200 employees, 2009

Canadians Buy Outside During the last three years Canadian consulting engineers have made large acquisitions outside Canada. For example, SNC-Lavalin acquired Marte Engenharia of Brazil, with 1,000 employees, and 48% of a large Russian company, OAO VNIPIneft.

Stantec has been investing widely in U.S. companies, including architectural firms; its acquisitions included Burt Hill, Pennsylvania (600 employees), Anshen & Allen of San Francisco (200 employees), and Wilson Miller of Florida (265 employees). Trow Global acquired X-nth of Orlando (800 employees) and Teng & Associates of Chicago (500 employees).

ing to deal with giant multi-national corporations?

Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, P.Eng., is Commissioner of Transportation Services with the Regional Municipality of York, a region northeast of Toronto that includes the town of Newmarket. She believes the advent of larger firms is actually helping her department to deal with the growing size and complexity of their projects. Clients like her see the consolidation among consulting firms as marching in step with general changes going on in the construction industry.

“We know,” says Llewellyn-Thomas, “that the capacity of those smaller firms is now enhanced with their bigger, international partners. And that’s a good thing, because when I look at the next 10 years, I don’t see our demand for consulting continued on page 34 March/April 2011

p31-35 CCE MarApril11 Acquistions Familytrees.indd 33

Canadian Consulting Engineer

33

14/03/11 9:07 AM

business

continued from page 33

engineers becoming any lower. We need the power of the large international firms to come in and help us to continue to deliver a massive program. York Region is spending $110 million a year just on roads.”

Llewellyn-Thomas does say that the advent of mega-corporations sometimes forces the municipality to go farther afield to find a consultant to provide them with independent advice. That is because on large projects that cover a wide geographic area, the local consultants are already providing their services to other parties involved.

Mitch Zamojc, P.Eng., Commissioner of Public Works with Halton Region to the west of Toronto, says he has no concerns about design quality whether the consulting firm is large or small. He has 30 years of experience in public infrastructure and says, “I haven’t seen a small consulting engineering firm provide anything less effective than a large firm.”

However, he too says that because the nature of projects is changing and becoming more complex, the procurement process demands firms with a pool of people and expertise.

“In Halton we have some large projects that are complex, such as a $100-million wastewater treatment plant expansion. Could a small firm do it? There is an issue of pure capacity -- not necessarily knowledge.”

He does say that you can get more personal attention with a smaller firm. “My experience has shown that with smaller firms you know the top two people and you probably deal with them.” But, he adds, “I’m not entirely sure that has to be the way it is. If the big firms focus on the client and are consistent with the people they use to drive the projects, then their service is as good as that of the smaller companies.”

Smaller firms defended Others definitely prefer the personal service of small and medium-sized firms. John Haanstra, the vice-president of environment and business development with Maple Reinders Group, a design-build company based in Toronto, says unequivocally that if given the choice, he would choose to work with medium and smaller consulting engineering firms that are independently employee owned. With them, “I think I will get a more efficient design and I get a better design -- a more buildable design,” he says.

Haanstra believes that under the influence of the U.S., consulting engineering firms have let the fear of litigation creep in. As a result, over-zealous risk management policies are “really hemming in personal initiative” and causing engineers to be too cautious in their designs. He explains,”We do a lot of civil work in water and wastewater treatment plants.

Concrete thicknesses are getting bigger, and “over the last eight or 10 years we have seen reinforcing steel quantities per cubic metre of concrete increase by more than 50%.”

Using more material, of course, costs money.

Haanstra also prefers working with smaller consulting engineering companies because he can be more certain of 34

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

which individuals are going to be assigned to their projects.

“We select consultants not necessarily because of the company name, but because of the expertise of the people.”

James Andalis of Sturgess Architects in Calgary agrees that personal relationships are the key. “The measure of success with respect to our consulting engineers is generally dictated by personnel,” he says. “Some have great guys -guys who you can really work well with on a number of different projects.... Some not so much.”

But he doesn’t see the company’s size as important. “Fundamentally, I do have to say that with respect to the question of whether one engineering firm is more successful than another based on size, the answer is No,” says Andalis.

Llewellyn-Thomas is happy working with larger corporations, so long as her department can still work with the individual engineers they know and respect.

“In some ways the consolidation of the smaller consulting firms into larger ones doesn’t make a huge difference because we’re still being offered as project managers the people that we worked with in the smaller firms,” LlewellynThomas says. “They just have a different brand.”

“Frankly,” she continues, “if we get a proposal from a big company like AECOM, I’ll find myself asking, 'Well, is it TSH-AECOM or UMA-AECOM?' [Totten Sims Hubicki (TSH) and UMA were predecessor firms]. I want to know because engineering is still an intimate profession and we rely on the personal professional relationships that you build up with certain people.”

Does having fewer firms mean less competition?

Consolidation means fewer firms, and in Quebec, the media has been raising questions lately about why the same few engineering companies are being awarded public infrastructure projects. But Johanne Desrochers points out that there are 10 or so large firms that can handle the large projects. So while the same company names come up for projects, “there is still competition.”

Desrochers recalls that in fact in Quebec it was clients who first drove the consolidation of consulting engineer companies. For example, in the Saguenay region 20 years ago there were about 25 firms in the region who were working for Alcan, until one day Alcan called a meeting and said that on a five year term they would want to work with only five firms. It was during a time when businesses were focusing on “total quality management,” so Alcan explained to the firms what kind of expertise they would need to develop. As a result, Quebec became a global centre of expertise for consulting engineering in that metals sector. Similarly many years ago Hydro-Québec encouraged and nurtured several consulting engineering firms to acquire the expertise and capacity that the utility needed to rely on to do its massive construction projects.

“Consolidation really came from the needs of clients.

We needed this critical mass in expertise and capital,” says Desrochers.

CCE

March/April 2011

CCE Ad 20 p31-35 CCE MarApril11 Acquistions Familytrees.indd 34

14/03/11 9:07 AM

If something happens on campus how would they reach us out here?

In critical moments, Sygnal™ mass notification ensures that every message finds its recipient.

On a college campus, students can be spread over miles: some hunched in front of computer screens, some gathered in the quad, some talking on their phones. To reach them all, you need more than just the software and hardware of a mass notification system. You need a plan, and the expertise and service necessary to execute it.

Sygnal lets you reach people inside, outside and at their side for maximum contactibility when it matters most.

With Sygnal, you really can reach them all. www.siemens.ca/buildingtechnologies

Answers for Canada.

CCE Ad 2011-03.indd 1 p31-35 CCE MarApril11 Acquistions Familytrees.indd 35

11-03-03 12:13 PM 14/03/11 9:07 AM

security

By Dan Bilodeau Siemens Canada, Building Technologies Division

T

Mass notification systems are being used in all kinds of campus facilities and their use is not restricted to emergency situations.

Mass Notification Systems

Integrating MNS with other systems There is a wealth of capable devices that are not currently configured for mass notification systems, such as fire systems, security systems, HDTV, phone systems and smart phones, indoor and outdoor voice systems and digital signage. These can all be combined with the organization’s IT network. The applications of mass notification systems can handle many daily tasks automatically, including essential 36

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p36-39 CCE MarApril11 STD Features.indd 36

Hemera/Thinkstock

A

Mass Notification System (MNS) involves leveraging an organization’s infrastructure by ensuring that their current systems, devices, protocols, and procedures operate as one unit, sometimes at the touch of a button. A mass notification system can be an instant communication pathway to people through underused assets; a system comprising existing systems.

Most of the safety benefits of mass notification systems are clear.

They are a fundamental tool in enabling a quick and effective response to any emergency or other dangerous situation.

Mass notification systems allow emergency responders to manage groups of people whether the situation is caused by dangerous weather conditions, threatening individuals, or hazards resulting from a building electrical or mechanical failure.

The systems are used in many different settings such as college and university campuses, commercial buildings, hospitals, military bases, and industrial facilities. The best systems can be customized for the unique challenges of an organization.

communications within the organization, plus internal and external mass notifications.

Hospital administrators, for example, have started integrating MNS with their other communication systems. One application includes the coordination of staff to special triage areas during a sudden influx of injured patients, as in the case of a severe traffic accident.

Different groups different messages A properly implemented MNS allows an organization to reach different groups of people using the most appropriate method for each situation; it has the possibility of sending different messages to separate groups if necessary. The range of options includes using systems within the buildings, devices on the exterior of the site, and individuals’ personal mobile communication devices.

Some organizations, for example, connect the MNS to the computer network, allowing the system to provide discrete alerts to individuals right at their desks. The messages tell recipients not only the nature of the emergency, but also detailed evacuation instructions, such as to avoid a specific

stairwell or section of the building.

Video monitors throughout the campus can be instantly converted to message centres which also provide maps and exit instructions that are updated in real time as the situation evolves. Electronic message signs provide the same function on the exterior of the buildings within a campus setting.

Linking the MNS to individuals’ mobile devices allows two-way communications, which enables tracking of key personnel during an emergency situation. Real-time updates from responders are processed and distributed to the rest of the network.

Non-emergency uses maintenance and traffic flow A well designed MNS provides the same level of service in situations that are not emergencies. For example, college and university campuses can re-purpose the mass notification system’s control of exterior electronic signs to manage traffic flow during large events such as football games.

Some campus-based organizations are using a mass notification system to coordinate maintenance personnel.

The two-way communication allows the organization to set up electronic reporting for maintenance tasks, thereby reducing paperwork and saving time. Sorting and evaluating the maintenance data is also more efficient and allows the facility managers to identify potential problems early on.

CCE Dan Bilodeau is an emergency management specialist with Siemens Canada in Calgary. He was a guest speaker for BOMA at the Buildex Calgary conference in 2010.

E-mail dan.bilodeau@siemens.com.

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:07 AM

Phot

Low

The ily o in t in c hea T com low fan spe tran W a un Top pati con mat of T

Syst all o duct term 100 Nord

The Top ERV– Topvex for compact installations

Photo: Scanpix

Low Profile Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) The Topvex FR series is the latest addition to the Systemair family of ventilation products. The unit is designed for installations in tight spaces including above T-bar and other lowered ceilings, in corridors, underneath stages or left visually exposed but not heard within the space.

The Topvex FR is considered to be high performance by combining two rotary wheel heat exchangers in parallel, with low pressure loss within the cabinet and EC (brushless DC) fan motors for maximum efficiency. This results in a very low specific fan performance (SFP) value indicating maximum energy transfer at very low fan power consumption.

When designing the Topvex FR we have focused on creating a unit that is easy to choose, install, commission and use. The Topvex FR comes complete with a remote control system compatible with building/energy management systems or demand control devices such as CO2 sensors. Once installed it’s just a matter of switching it on and then relaxing, knowing the benefits of Topvex.

Systemair was founded in 1974 and has today subsidiaries in 38 countries all over the world, employes around 2150.The broad product range includes duct fans, roof fans, axial fans, smoke extract fans, air handling units, air terminal devices, air curtains and accessories.We sell on a regular basis to 100 countries. In October 2007 Systemair was listed on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm.

p36-39 CCE MarApril11 STD Features.indd 37

Topvex FR has a low profile design and is available in four sizes for airflows up to 4025cfm (1900 l/s)

Systemair’s most energy efficient products are marked with this Green Ventilation symbol

Systemair – 50 Kanalflakt Way Bouctouche, NB E4S 3M5 sales@systemair.net • www.systemair.net

14/03/11 9:07 AM

11.6000 En

electrical

Associated Engineering

Why the m

Self-e boss a

Engineers helped an airport on Vancouver Island meet new Transport Canada requirements for flights landing in poor weather.

Nanaimo Airport Lighting Upgrade

N

lights on all taxiways leading to the runway. Also required were dual circuited (interleaved) runway edge lights so that the loss of a circuit does not extinguish all lights and leave a pilot without visual reference of the runway.

A new high intensity Simplified Short Approach Lights System (SSALS) was introduced -- a first in Canada. This new approach lighting system was just being recognized by Transport Canada.

High intensity lighting systems are brightness-controlled to five levels representing 0.2%, 1.0%, 5%, 25% or 100% of the required effective candela output of the lamps (150-watt halogen). The lights are controlled via five-step constant current regulators (CCRs). After hours the lights are controlled by the pilots’ radios, to three brightness levels.

The challenge was providing the back-up power. Transport Canada’s Associated Engineering

anaimo Airport on the east coast of B.C’s Vancouver Island is being expanded to increase its ability to handle long-haul flights. Part of phase 1 included extending the runway by 0.3 miles (487 metres) to the north, and installing new technologies so that aircraft can arrive and depart in all but the worst weather conditions.

Associated Engineering was responsible for the electrical upgrade, which included new runway lighting and a new instrument landing navigation system. The new systems lowered the approach limits from a 652-ft. cloud ceiling and 2¼ mile visibility to a 503-ft. ceiling and 1½ mile visibility for general aviation. For commercial aircraft, the new limits are a 338 ft. ceiling and 1 mile visibility.

The upgrades included the installation of high intensity approach and runway lights, as well as runway guard

requirements for operation in reduced visibility means that the power system has to be capable of restoring power to the runway lights within 1 second of a power failure.

Typically to meet this requirement the back-up generator is started and power is transferred to it from the hydro supply. Smaller airports tend to share the generator between the airfield lighting system and the essential power requirements of the air terminal building.

However, there are problems with this arrangement, partly because during a reduced visibility event only electrical loads on the Essential Power panels will operate, which creates power outages in the terminal building. This is a new challenge at regional airports, since the reduced visibility departure regulations have only recently been introduced.

Associated Engineering’s pioneering solution involved the first use of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for airfield lighting systems at a regional airport in Canada. The UPS provides power to the runway edge light CCRs to keep them powered for up to 15 minutes in the event of the loss of Normal or Essential power sources. UPS is a simple and practical way to meet the requirements of Transport Canada, which is otherwise very difficult to do, particularly at an airport that is not controlled at night. CCE Client: Nanaimo Airport Commission Electrical consultant: Associated Engineering (Doug Falkins Eng.L.) Other key consultants: McElhanney (project management, civil); EBA (geotechnical, environmental, materials).

Runway with high intensity lighting, bright even in daylight.

38

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p36-39 CCE MarApril11 STD Features.indd 38

Sic

March/April 2011

14/03/11 9:07 AM

That’s emplo over t of acc

Witho own m your f worki usual

But th comp help p

$ $ $ $

Exten

A safe not co

With have t servic hospi and m cleani

Engi

• •

11.6000 Engineers Canada 2011 Advertising_18_DI-EHC_CCE_Mar04_Layout 1 09/03/11 1:05 PM Page 1

Sick and self-employed?

Why health and disability insurance are two of the most useful business tools you’ll ever have Self-employment has a lot of advantages. However, being your own boss also means fending for yourself.

That’s because you have to look after a number of details that most employees take for granted. The biggest drawback, according to over two-thirds1 of surveyed self-employed individuals, is the lack of access to medical coverage and insurance.

Without an employer’s group insurance benefits, you are left to your own means when it comes to protecting yourself, your assets and your family. For instance, if an illness or accident prevented you from working, how would your family cope without the financial support usually provided by an employer?

But this doesn’t mean those who work for themselves are completely left on their own. There are insurance policies that can help protect you.

Out-of-pocket costs per household2 (Annual, excluding health insurance premiums)

$515 $385 $234 $106

Drugs Dental Vision

11.6000 Enginee

If your spouse doesn’t have coverage at work, your out-of-pocket medical expenses can get even bigger, especially if you have children.

Private health insurance can be more affordable than you think.

Plus, you may be able to deduct the cost of your health insurance premiums from your business income.3

FRONT

Disability insurance It is far more likely that you will become disabled before age 65 than die. In fact, disability strikes working people far more often than premature death.

Ad Size 8.375" 8.125"

How will you and your dependants survive without any source of income? Where will the money come from if you’re unable to work?

Colours C M Y

Disability insurance provides a source of income if you should become ill or injured and can’t work. These plans provide monthly benefit payments, based on a percentage of your monthly earnings, while you are disabled and unable to perform your occupation.

Unlike employee disability plans that end when you change jobs, an association-sponsored disability plan is not only portable — some also provide coverage between jobs so you can continue to receive benefits if you become disabled within 12 months of your employment ending.

Look for a disability plan that offers coverage for different types of disability, such as total disability, partial disability, residual disability (you are able to return to your regular occupation but in a limited capacity), and catastrophic loss. And remember that as long as you pay your own premiums (not your partnership), your monthly disability benefits may be tax free.3

Affordability is key

Health care practitioners

(Other than physicians, dental and vision care professionals)

Extended health insurance A safety net to guard against illnesses and unexpected medical expenses not covered by the government is crucial for the self-employed.

With no employer to provide supplementary coverage, you would have to pay out of your own pocket for prescriptions, diagnostic services, chiropractors, physiotherapists, semi-private or private hospital rooms, out-of-Canada emergency medical care, ambulances and more. Dental costs could also include examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, crowns, root canals and dentures.

Engineers Canada-sponsored plans: • Health and Dental Care • Disability Income Replacement

Cost is the main reason offered by those who are not covered by any plans to explain the lack of coverage.1 Affordable coverage is available for professional engineers through the Engineers Canada-sponsored plans. This allows you all the benefits of a group plan (e.g. lower cost) so you can focus on your recovery, not on the bills.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: 2006 Survey of Self-Employed Individuals: Perceptions of Benefit Coverage, May 2006.

2 Canadian average household annual spending (Source: Statistics Canada, 2009 Survey of Household Spending, December 2010).

3 Contact Canada Revenue Agency for details.

1

To learn more and to apply:

manulife.com/EngineersCanadaDI 1-877-598-2273 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET)

Sponsored by:

Underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. Manulife, Manulife Financial, the Manulife Financial For Your Future logo and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.

p36-39 CCE MarApril11 STD Features.indd 39

Ad: DI-E - for M - spec - base - chan

14/03/11 9:07 AM

company news

SOFTEK celebrates 30th anniversary SOFTEK Services, Ltd. of Vancouver has been providing structural engineering software solutions since 1981. As the founder and president of SOFTEK, Mr. George Casoli, P.Eng., likes to say: “It was a time when mice had four legs, telephones had a dial, the web was a home for spiders, and windows were glass inserts in buildings.”

A lot has changed since then and SOFTEK is evolving as well. Late last year Mr. Casoli announced the appointment of Dr. Marinos Stylianou as the Chief Executive Officer to lead SOFTEK to the next level of customer service and product innovation. Dr. Stylianou brought with him extensive knowledge in the field of finite element analysis and many years of experience in global leadership roles at some of the world’s largest engineering simulation companies. Their relationship goes back to the early '90s when Dr. Stylianou led the development of the S-FRAME solver.

S-FRAME Structural Office R10 Release To mark its 30th anniversary, SOFTEK will be releasing S-FRAME Structural Office R10 (S-FRAME®, S-STEEL®, S-CONCRETE® and B-LINE) early in the second quarter of 2011. R10 is a major new release with a host of new features and enhancements that expand Structural Office’s capabilities in many areas: • New steel building codes including: AISC 360-5, CSA-S16-2001, CSA-S162009, EC3 2005 UK Annex.

• New and enhanced concrete design including: support for CSA-A23.3-04 Update #3, automated load calculations (minimum moments, enhanced seismic shear magnification), improved axial load and moment interaction diagrams, computation of the cracking moment, etc.

• Enhanced support for today’s trend for engineering practice towards more advanced forms of dynamic analysis, especially for seismic loading, the trend towards building and managing

larger and more complex models.

• R10 also leverages the potential of new 64-bit operating systems and multi-core processors to further improve our customers’ productivity with a new 64-bit version of the analysis engine and new parallel processing (multi-thread) capability.

• Improved support for BIM (Building Information Modeling) with an enhanced bi-directional Autodesk Revit Structures interface and an updated link for TEKLA Structures.

Dr. Stylianou is optimistic about the future and promises exciting new products that will, once again, lead the structural engineering software industry in new and innovative ways.

To learn more about SOFTEK and its products, please visit the company's website at www.s-frame.com, or send an e-mail to info@s-frame.com.”

products FIRE & SECURITY

Xtralis has a new ADPRO suite of products for central monitoring stations. They include VideoCentral, a multi-site security management software application with interactive maps, and the ADPRO V3100, which monitors and transmits high-quality images using H.264 compression. It can locally store 8 terabytes of data.

The VESDA early warning aspirating smoke detection by Xtralis has continuous air sampling. www.xtralis.com Bosch makes the AEGIS SuperLED White Light Illuminator for video surveillance. The illuminator delivers instant start-up white light for accurate colour surveillance images at night. It uses Bosch’s Constant Light Technology which automatically ad40

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p40-42 CCE March11 Softek&Prod&Law.indd 40

justs light output to compensate for LED degradation over time. www.boschsecurity.us HVAC

A wireless handheld device for verifying and measuring complex hydronic systems has been launched by Victaulic.

The TA-SCOPE measures differential pressure, flow, temperature and power. An independent wireless sensor communicates with the TA-SCOPE to deliver data quickly for troubleshooting on site. www.victaulic.com McQuay International has a new 700ton Daikin McQuay Magnitude centrifugal chiller. The oil-free, magnetic bearing model is intended for use in universities, hospitals, manufacturing and data centres. www.mcquay.com

The MAGNA 32-100 variable-speed wet rotor circulator from Grundfos reduces power consumption by 50% or more. Designed for commercial needs, it includes a permanent magnet motor design, and AutoADAPT function that automatically modulates the circulator performance to match demand. www.grundfos.ca LIGHTING

Philips Ledalite’s new Jump is a high performance direct luminaire with LEDs or fluorescent light sources. The LEDLOGIQ design features MesoOptics holographic nanotechnology, which blends light and colour and conceals the light source. Jump also integrates Ledalite daylight harvesting sensors and solar and kinetically powered controls. www.ledalite.com

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:07 PM

engineers & the law

By Owen Pawson Miller Thomson LLP

“Hot Tubbing”

A new dispute resolution process brings expert witnesses together

T

he resolution of construction disputes is typically mize the benefits of the hot tub for all parties. a costly and time consuming process. As a result, For example, hot tubbing may involve either of the folnew dispute resolution methods are constantly lowing forms, or some combination of both: being developed.

• a free-flowing forum in which a jointly selected decisionOne of the newest methods is colloquially known as “hot maker (or decision-makers) leads the panel in a discustubbing.” It has been developed in sion of the specific topics at issue.

“Decision-makers such as the context of international arbitraThe decision-maker asks questions, tion and is being touted as an imand he or she invites legal counsel arbitrators have found that provement over the traditional to ask their own questions either method of introducing expert evi- expert evidence can be singularly during or after the decision-makunhelpful in determining dence through examination and er’s questioning; cross-examination.

• a more traditional method in the facts."

Professional engineers are often which each legal counsel takes turns involved in construction disputes, sometimes as parties to at cross-examining the opposing panel witness and then the dispute and often as expert witnesses. Decision-makers examining his or her own witness for a rebuttal. This prosuch as arbitrators or judges have found that expert evi- cess continues until all of the evidence on the issues has dence can be singularly unhelpful in determining the facts been exhausted. when the experts retained by each disputing party do not In either example, the panelists are invited to comment agree on key issues. The arbitrator or judge may not have a or rebut evidence presented by other experts on the panel. construction background, so he is left wondering which version is correct after receiving contrary evidence from expert The benefits after expert through direct examination, cross-examination Hot tubbing can be an improvement on the traditional witand re-examination. ness examination. In particular, it offers the following benefits due to its unique features and flexibility: Witness conferencing • it saves time by merging the traditional steps of direct exHot tubbing can be described as “concurrent witness evi- amination, cross-examination and re-examination; dence” or “witness conferencing.” It was first developed in • re-examination of a witness is unnecessary because each Australia and has been used for some time in international witness will listen and immediately provide a rebuttal to the arbitration proceedings. other witness’s evidence; Hot tubbing does come with some risks and it is not ap- • because all witnesses will be giving evidence on a specific propriate for every construction dispute. However, it is an issue at the same time, they need not repeat agreed facts intriguing process that can clarify the technical/engineer- and evidence; ing issues and allow the decision-maker to come to a better • key areas of disagreement are more quickly identified beunderstanding of them. It can therefore save time and costs cause the witnesses are heard together (and thereby making for all parties. resolution more likely); The process involves a panel of opposing expert wit- • the decision-maker is more likely to receive full informanesses. The expert testimony is introduced at the arbitration tion and be able to quickly focus on a specific issue by posthrough a formal discussion by the panelists of the key top- ing detailed questions of the panel ; ics and issues in dispute.

• in the face of peer scrutiny, expert witnesses are less likely There are several variations of hot tubbing depending to embellish or add irrelevant detail in their answers (which on the wishes of the parties. An important factor for a suc- may otherwise confuse a decision maker); cessful hot tub, therefore, is for the parties to agree on the • where any inconsistency, ambiguity or confusion becomes details of the process -- for example, which topics will be apparent, the decision-maker or counsel can ask questions covered and what level of questioning of the panel will be of the panel to quickly clarify the issue; permitted by whom and when. That agreement will maxicontinued on page 42 March/April 2011

p40-42 CCE March11 Softek&Prod&Law.indd 41

Canadian Consulting Engineer

41

14/03/11 2:07 PM

engineers & the law

continued from page 41

• the process is more efficient because an expert, based on his or her specific expertise, will be more likely (than would counsel) to effectively spot key technical issues and question the evidence of an opposing expert.

Risks and needs A concern of disputing parties with hot tubbing is that control over their evidence may be lost due to the free-flowing discussion of a panel format. A party may not have the opportunity to emphasize particular points or to make all the points that they would otherwise make in the more structured traditional examination and cross examination. This difference is because the evidence presented depends in large measure on the extent of participation by each of the witnesses. The quality of the evidence will also depend on the ability of the decision-maker to fully and properly explore all of the key issues.

Expert witnesses must be carefully prepared to participate in the hot tub, especially where they are used to the traditional “one by one” examination process. Unlike the usual examination, panel members in a hot tub must pay close attention to the evidence of opposing witnesses and be prepared to rebut that evidence effectively and to respond with their own position on the issue. This means that, for

each party to present its case effectively, its witnesses must be prepared to take a proactive approach during the panel discussion. The witnesses have to be very familiar with all of the evidence and the issues and must be prepared to quickly respond to opposing positions.

The decision-maker must also be prepared to be more proactive. Traditionally, counsel assumes the primary role of examining the witness while decision-makers merely listen and weigh the evidence as it is presented. By contrast, a successful hot tub requires the decision-maker not only to be familiar with the principal issues in dispute, but also to take a proactive role in directing the panel discussion and in inviting counsel to ask questions. A decision-maker must also be prepared to intervene and ensure the discussion remains on point and ensure that both sides have a full and fair opportunity to present their case.

Hot tubbing is being used with increasing frequency in international arbitration and it is being recognized as a legitimate technique for the examination of expert witnesses.

As an emerging trend, it is worth consideration as a dispute resolution process, and it is a process of which professional designers should be aware.

CCE Owen Pawson is a partner with Miller Thomson, LLP in Vancouver.

Before any property transaction or site assessment, identify your environmental risks...get ERIS.

Canada’s BEST source of environmental risk information for real estate An ERIS Report includes and identifies: • Waste disposal sites • PCB storage sites • Spills • Contaminated sites • Underground tanks • Nearby industrial facilities Information Services include: • Aerial photographs • City Directory Search • Fire Insurance Maps • Property Title Search • Topographic Maps

Visit www.eris.ca

Call toll free: 1-888-702-1111 Email: info@eris.ca 42

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p40-42 CCE March11 Softek&Prod&Law.indd 42

March/April 2011

14/03/11 2:07 PM

Specifier’s Literature Review LEARN WITH THE EXPERTS

The CISC Handbook is the definitive resource for steel construction. It contains detailed information on the design and detailing of structural steel in SI metric units. The Tenth Edition has been updated to reflect changes to CSA S16-09 and steel section data and is intended to be used in conjunction with the NBCC 2010.

Visit http://www.cisc-icca.ca and click on Publications to lean more.

SUPPLIER: CISC

Anixter ipAssured for Data Centers is an infrastructure assurance program that includes the physical infrastructure products (including network cabling, power and cooling solutions, racks and cabinets, security as well as management and monitoring) and best practices needed to support current and future data center applications. The program considers maximizing the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of your data center. For ease of planning, ipAssured for data centers addresses three possible scenarios: “Refined” (IP-ClassSM 1+), “Enhanced” (IP-Class 5+) and “Advanced” (IP-Class 10+). For more details of Anixter’s ipAssured program, please visit www.anixter.ca or call your local branch at 1-877-ANIXTER SUPPLIER: ANIXTER

PREVENT ASPHALT CRACKING

If you were planning to rout and seal your asphalt joints after they fail, think about the added costs of repairing what you’ve already done. Denso Re-instatement Tape is a polymer modified bituminous strip that is cold applied and designed to seal the joints between asphalt, concrete and steel, the first time. Re-instatement Tape seals around catch basins, manholes, utility cuts and next to concrete curbs prior to paving. Do it right the first time with Denso Road Products. For more information contact: Blair Slessor at 416-291-3435, email: blair@densona.com, or visit our website at www.densona.com SUPPLIER: DENSO NORTH AMERICA INC.

DESIGN CHANCE® HELICAL PIERS AND ANCHORS WITH CONFIDENCE

OVER 20 YEARS AGO, FLEXHEAD INVENTED THE FIRST FLEXIBLE FIRE SPRINKLER CONNECTION.

TRUSTED TECHNICAL REFERENCE INFORMATION

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC LOW-AMBIENT VRF HEAT PUMP

This comprehensive Technical Design Manual provides in-depth methodology and design assistance for the many applications of Chance® Helical Piers and Anchors. This resource has been compiled to provide information to geotechnical and structural engineers on how to design Chance Helical Piers and Anchors for structural retrofits, new structures, telecom towers, soil retention and environmental boardwalks. Contact us for a free copy before your next deep foundation project. Please visit www. c3group.com/ebs for further information on EBS Engineering and Construction Limited and CHANCE® HELICAL PIER® Systems.

SUPPLIER: EBS ENGINEERING

Knovel is a Web-based application integrating technical information with analytical and search tools to drive innovation and deliver answers engineers can trust. Knovel offers an unmatched depth and breadth of validated engineering content sourced from more than 70 of the most authoritative societies and publishers including ASM International, ASME, and NACE International. With Knovel, engineers can save time, avoid costly mistakes and expand their personal knowledge bases. Knovel has more than 600 customers worldwide including 73 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than 300 leading universities. For more information, visit www.knovel.com or call (866) 240-8174.

SUPPLIER: KNOVEL

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 43

ANIXTER ipAssured FOR DATA CENTERS BROCHURE

That system was used in protecting billion dollar clean room facilities. Now, we’ve applied the same technology and quality to the commercial marketplace, and offer flexible fire sprinkler connections designed for use in suspended ceilings. FlexHeads are fast and simple to install; requiring no measuring, no cutting and no infield assembly. Benefits include simplified project management, faster occupancy, easier retrofits, and cost effective code compliance.

FlexHead has also been seismically qualified for use in seismic areas and offer green benefits to building owners. Call us at (800) 829-6975 or visit flexhead.com for more information.

SUPPLIER: FLEXHEAD INDUSTRIES

Mitsubishi Electric has taken heating to a whole new level with our exclusive Hyper Heat Inverter technology. Even when outdoor temperatures drop to -25°C — a challenge for typical heat pump systems — the City Multi H2i system stays on the job, working efficiently to keep the indoor environment consistently comfortable. To learn more about the wide array of styles and capacities of City Multi indoor and outdoor units, or to download specifications, please visit www.CityMulti.ca SUPPLIER: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

14/03/11 1:32 PM

SOFT STARTER SSW-06

S-CONCRETE R10.0

SUSTAINABLE LED SOLUTIONS

DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR SYSTEMS AND ERVS

BY SYSTEMAIR

The SSW-06 is WEG’s third generation Soft Starter line. Its Keypad with dual display provides high visibility with bright red LED digits and easy programming. With built-in bypass contacts to eliminate heat dissipation once the motor is at full voltage it is extremely compact. This allows for simple integration in non-ventilated enclosures and replacement of electromechanical starters in Motor Control Centers. This product recently won the IF Design Award - Industrial Products Category. The main design attributes which conferred this award to the SSW-06 were the simplicity of constructive solutions and its user friendly operator interface. Call 1 877 PAMENSKY www.pamensky.com SUPPLIER: V.J. PAMENSKY

BetaLED™ by Ruud Lighting has thousands of in-market installations with measurable, proven performance. Our complete line of energy saving and sustainable LED luminaires include:

• Street • Area • Security

• Pathway • Canopy • Parkade

S-CONCRETE R10.0 A reinforced concrete section design and detailing software that operates as a stand-alone product or as part of S-FRAME Structural Office. With support for the current American, Canadian, British, and Singapore concrete design standards, S-CONCRETE can efficiently design beams, columns, composite columns and shear walls subjected to various loading types including wind and earthquake loads. Release 10 now supports CSA-A23.3-04 Update #3, automated load calculations (minimum moments, enhanced seismic shear magnification), improved axial load and moment interaction diagrams, computation of the cracking moment, and much more. For more information, please visit www.s-frame.com. or email us at info@s-frame.com.

SUPPLIER: SOFTEK SERVICES LTD.

The Topvex series of air handlers are equipped with ECM motors, aluminum energy recovery wheel(s), hydronic or electric coils and a control system compatible with most building/energy management systems. www.systemair.net (416) 689-9693.

SUPPLIER: SYSTEMAIR

1-800-473-1234 info@ruud.ca www.ruud.ca SUPPLIER: RUUD LIGHTNG CANADA/BetaLED

opinion NOTES

Canadian Consulting Engineer Reader Polls The latest reader poll question on CCE’s website is “Are opportunities for infrastructure projects already slowing down in 2011?”

Visit www.canadianconsultingengineer.com to cast your vote.

Here are results from some earlier reader polls:

Q. Does business casual attire lead to slack work habits?

Yes 33%; No 67%.

Q. Engineers and architects are using a mix of imperial and metric measurements when describing their buildings and building materials. Should the industry stick to just metric measurements?

Yes 65%; No 35%.

Q. Are awards programs a fair measure of engineering excellence?

Yes 33%; No 67% Q. Should consulting engineers be engaging in Twitter and similar social networking services?

Yes 30%; No 70%.

Q. Are Canadian universities producing graduate engineers with the right skills for consulting engineering firms?

Yes 35%; No 65%.

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 44

14/03/11 1:33 PM

ad index

Need more Info?

Contact Our Advertisers Listed Below Email

Telephone

March/April 2011

Advertiser

Pg#

Website

Anixter Canada

9

Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association

47

coppercanada@onramp.ca

877-640-0946 Toll Free

www.coppercanada.ca

Eaton Power

2

SusanACrowder@eaton.com

800-461-9166 X 3389

www.eaton.com/powerquality

ERIS

42

GE Electrical Distribution

5

marketing.cdn@ge.com

905-858-5343

www.geindustrial.com

Harsco Industrial, Patterson-Kelley

27

pkinfo@harsco.com

570-421-7500

www.harscopk.com

Hubbell Canada LP (Lighting Div)

7

pkumar@hubbell-canada.com

800-465-7051

www.hubbellonline.com/lighting

Knovel

11

sales@knovel.com

866-324-5163

www.knovel.com

Levelton Consultants Ltd

42

info@levelton.com

604-278-1411

www.levelton.com

Manulife Financial

39

am_service@manulife.com

877-598-2273

www.manulife.com/CCE

Miller Thomson LLC

22

opawson@millerthomson.com

604-643-1254

www.millerthomsom.com

Mitsubishi

23

hvac@mesca.mea.com

905-475-8989

www.MitsubishiHVAC.ca

National Defence

17

VJ Pamensky

28

anthonyz@pamensky.com

877-726-3675

www.pamensky.com

Ruud Lighting Canada/BetaLED

12

info@ruud.ca

800-473-1234

www.ruud.ca

Siemens Canada Limited, Building Technologies Div

35

steven.dickie@siemens.com

905-799-9937

www.siemens.ca/buildingtechnologies

Softek Services Ltd

48

sales@s-frame.com

604-273-7737

www.s-frame.com

Systemair Inc

37

sales@systemair.net

416-689-9693

www.systemair.net

Toronto Sheet Metal Contractors Association

10

waylev@bellnet.ca

905-886-9627

www.tsmca.org

Twa Panel Systems Inc.

30

info@twapanels.ca

780-955-8757

www.twapanels.ca

Victaulic Co of Canada

29

VicCanada@Victaulic.com

905-884-7444

www.victaulic.com

Xtralis

21

marketing@xtralisamericas.com

781-740-2223

www.xtralis.com

877-ANIXTER (264-9837)

www.anixter.ca

FREE SUBSCRIPTION* Name___________________________________________________________________________________ Please sign here if you wish to receive/continue to receive Canadian Consulting Engineer FREE* Title_ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Company________________________________________________________________________________ Select your format:

Digital

Print

Both

Address_________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________ City_________________________________ Province________ Postal Code_______________________ Date_____________________________________________________ Telephone (

)_ __________________________ Fax (

)_____________________________

E-Mail___________________________________________________________________________________ Canadian Consulting Engineer 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 Telephone toll free 1-800-268-7742 (Canada), 416 442-5600 ext 3543 Fax 416-510-6875. E-mail: bolechnowicz@bizinfogroup.ca Please provide us with the name of another professional engineer or specification writer at your company who would like to receive Canadian Consulting Magazine FREE*.

Name______________________________________ Title_________________________________________

MAIL THIS FORM OR FAX TO (416) 510-6875 TODAY! * Free subscription to qualified readers.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS I am engaged in the following Professional Engineer in a consulting engineering practice Specification Writer in a consulting engineering or architectural firm, government department or development company Engineering Technologist/Technician in a consulting engineering firm Other (Please specify)________________________________________________ Engineering discipline (Check one box only) Civil Structural Mechanical Electrical Other (Please specify)________________________________________________ Do you have product specification responsibility?

March/April 2011

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 45

Yes

Canadian Consulting Engineer

No

45

14/03/11 1:33 PM

employment

By Mike A. Cuma Legacy Bowes Group

Keeping Talented Staff

I T

It goes beyond good salaries and benefits

I

once asked an engineering manager how things were going in his firm. He quickly replied, “Well, if it wasn’t for those demanding clients and these hard to please employees, things would be pretty good around here!”

Although he was joking, he hit the proverbial nail directly on the head.

In business today, it is essential for engineering firms to attract, retain and develop their good employees in order to provide client satisfaction and support.

Contrary to popular belief, the leading reason employees leave their jobs to join another employer is not to gain better wages and benefits. This is often merely a departing employee’s response to their co-workers.

Employees quit their manager or supervisor more often than they leave their company or their job. Employees also leave in order to develop their own careers and as professionals.

What are engineering firms doing to retain their key employees? The leading practices are outlined below.

Career development. If variety is the spice of life, career and professional development are the main course.

Leading organizations offer staff a reasonably defined path for growth and development. This path can include diverse assignments with increasing responsibility as the employee gains experience and training. Employees often put their career development as a priority over their loyalty to an employer.

Professional development. Investing in employees by provid-

Work and life balance. A number of companies have imple-

ing opportunities for specialized professional training and development is a key to retention. Professional development brings a dual benefit. The employees feel valued and they acquire enhanced skills and knowledge, while the firm receives the benefit of more knowledgeable and capable staff. Leading firms may commit as much as $7,000 per employee annually to professional development.

mented varied work arrangements that suit the needs of the business as well as the lifestyle of engineering staff. In one company, during the summer months the employees could complete their basic work hours over nine days and receive a long weekend every two weeks.

Internship and professional registration .

Hemera/Thinkstock

Demonstrating a commitment to employees starts very early in the employment relationship. Leading employers help their new graduates and hires with Engineer-in-Training registration and internship reporting to the professional body.

This is an essential step to developing positive relations and commitment.

46

www.canadianconsultingengineer.com

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 46

C W

Varied work locations. Many companies perform work in a variety of locations across the country, and even around the world. For some employees these travel opportunities can be a big attraction, but for others, having to relocate or work away from home for extended periods may not fit their career and family plans. It is therefore essential that employers identify their employees’ interests, abilities and preferences.

Every career development plan must be as unique as the individual for whom it is developed.

T c a c c

P s c d b in c r

T o is u e

Competitive salary and benefits. It would be trite to say that employees are not concerned with the level of salaries, performance bonuses and health and medical benefits they receive. They are. However such concerns only start to creep in when the employee becomes dissatisfied with other aspects of the work relationship.

Leadership. If employees feel they are not appreciated, val-

ued or respected by their supervisor they will inevitably seek employment elsewhere. A company therefore must develop the leadership and communication skills of its managers and supervisors. Leading organizations select good people managers and have in place very effective leadership training and mentoring programs.

CCE Mike A. Cuma is partner and vice-president of labour relations and human resources consulting with Legacy Bowes Group in Winnipeg. E-mail mcuma@legacybowes.com.

March/April 2011

14/03/11 1:33 PM

B Te

C D

T F E W

CONNECTING WITH COPPER IS CONNECTING WITH TRUST There has never been a question of reliability when it comes to copper-to-copper connectors in electrical applications. The real question is how reliable are other combinations of electrical connectors compared to all copper connectors.

Powertech Labs were commissioned to perform an in-depth study on aluminum-to-aluminum, aluminum-to-copper, and copper-to-copper connectors. The photos shown here are documented comparisons of these three combinations before and after 2000 hours of intensive testing, which included current burst testing. The copper-to-copper connectors had the least corrosive build-up and retained the highest electrical conductivity.

The study and its results are outlined in our publication “Connecting with Copper is Connecting with Trust�. Please contact us for your copy and information on electrical wire and cable seminars.

Copper to Copper

Before Testing

2000 Hours of Testing

Aluminum to Copper

Before Testing

2000 Hours of Testing

Aluminum to Aluminum

Before Testing

2000 Hours of Testing

CANADIAN COPPER & BRASS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION Toll Free: 1-877-640-0946 Fax: 416-391-3823 E-mail: coppercanada@onramp.ca Web site: www.coppercanada.ca

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 47

14/03/11 1:33 PM

™

p43-48 CCE Feb11 BusinLitsAdindexEmply.indd 48

14/03/11 1:33 PM