On-Site April 2022

APRIL 2022

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VOLUME 67, NO.3/APRIL 2022

COVER STORY 18 The point cloud revolution The technology for collecting and integrating site data is evolving. GPS features, drones and 3-D digital cameras are paving the way forward for contractors.

IN THIS ISSUE Comment 5

18

On a good tack

7

News The major developments

12

Construction Stats The key figures

14

NHES post-show report Strong turnout for 25th anniversary

16

Maintenance Keeping your equipment running better, longer

22

26

Equipment Modernizing skid steer loaders

26

Pipelines

34

Renewing Canada’s energy infrastructure

COLUMNS 44 Risk Navigating construction’s central risk: Defect

COVER PHOTO: © ESCAPEJAJA / ADOBE STOCK

46

Contractors and the Law

45 Index of Advertisers

Bringing blockchain to the construction industry

CONCRETE ON-SITE 30

32

34

38

Canadian Concrete Expo ready to rock

What to look for at the 2022 expo

The finishing touch

How to choose a concrete screed

Preview: CCE 2022

CCE Product Showcase

Troweling

Screeds

on-sitemag.com / 3

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COMMENT

On a good tack

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Unlike some construction segments where permits and builds can happen relatively quickly, commercial construction, or more accurately ICI and infrastructure markets, tend to take longer to approve, plan and build. I liken these sectors to steering a ship, rather than piloting a boat.

If you want to turn a ship, planning needs to happen long before the actual physical turn.

The process to build up the necessary momentum can take a long time, and the ship won’t stop on a dime — or at least it is hoped that it won’t slam to a sudden stop.

Much like a ship leaving a port, recent developments have us building momentum and setting us up for a good run in the ICI and infrastructure sector, assuming there’s no iceberg lying in wait for us.

While most people would gladly have gone through the past two years minus the impact of COVID, it did push governments to look for ways to boost the economy, and spending on infrastructure and institutional projects has landed front and centre. Plans have been announced and programs introduced, and dare I say, momentum is building.

It’s hard to have missed news about the infrastructure plan south of the border. According to Deloitte, the U.S. spends more than $400 billion each year on public infrastructure, with roughly a quarter of that funding coming from federal contributions, but it’s never been enough to keep up with the infrastructure already in place. The allocation of an additional half-trillion federal dollars over a five-year period for new infrastructure projects — part of the $1.2 trillion in overall infrastructure spending planned for the decade to come — will provide a significant bump to our peers in the U.S. But the governmental spending doesn’t stop at the border. I can’t recall a time when my inbox has ever been hit with such a steady stream of spending announcements from the federal and provincial governments. Part of that could be more zealous media targeting, but there’s no denying the level of spending commitment across provincial and federal

levels of government is on the rise. And it’s happening in all areas of the country.

For example, Alberta’s 2022 Capital Plan includes approximately $21 billion for the construction of roads, schools and hospitals over a three-year period, and specifically earmarks $2.4 billion for roads and bridges, and $3 billion for capital maintenance and renewal of public infrastructure.

Where I’m located, in Ontario, plans for new highways have been announced, and construction on new transit lines is underway in Toronto. Add that onto the numerous healthcare facilities in various states of procurement and construction, new correctional facilities that are progressing through their planning stages, and other transportation-related spending, and more. We’re going to be busy.

Will there be headaches and hiccups?

Absolutely.

Despite having advanced knowledge of labour needs for the various projects, as more projects get underway, it may put a more concentrated spotlight on the growing shortage of skilled tradespeople. And just ask any project estimator about the need to include tight limits on quotes for material costs. I recently heard about an estimate where the pricing was valid for a full 24 hours — that’s hours, not days, weeks or even months. If the basics of supply and demand hold true, as more projects compete for those supplies, the higher prices will go, and pricing instability will continue.

That said, I’d still rather be navigating the challenge of being in demand than facing a dearth of projects, and several of the exhibitors I spoke with at the recent National Heavy Equipment Show (see page 14) seemed to be of a similar mindset. It’s always better to be busy; and busy will continue into the foreseeable future.

Until next time, stay safe and do good work.

Adam Freill / Editor afreill@annexbusinessmedia.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE VOLUME 67, NO.3/April 2022 www.on-sitemag.com

JACOB STOLLER / Principal, StollerStrategies On the use of technology for site surveying: “Surveyors are not only recording reference points, but sufficient data to help decision-makers visualize site conditions and share this information with project stakeholders.”

READER SERVICE Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Urszula Grzyb, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Email: ugrzyb@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: (416) 510-5180 Fax: (416) -510-6875 Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 PUBLISHER | Peter Leonard (416) 510-6847 pLeonard@on-sitemag.com

SAUL CHERNOS / Freelance Writer On the upgrading of Canadian oil and gas pipelines: “Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, says the advanced stage of the projects, combined with work to improve rapport with First Nations, bodes well for Canadian pipeline efforts now and down the road.”

EDITOR | Adam Freill (416) 510-6821 afreill@annexbusinessmedia.com MEDIA DESIGNER | Lisa Zambri lzambri@annexbusinessmedia.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER | David Skene (416) 510-6884 dskene@on-sitemag.com ACCOUNT COORDINATOR | Kim Rossiter (416) 510-6794 krossiter@on-sitemag.com COO | Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com

Established in 1957, On-Site is published

by Annex Business Media 111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065710

NATE HENDLEY/ Freelance Writer and Author On modern equipment: “New high-tech options, including remote control, will continue to make skid steers an attractive choice for some time to come… especially for applications that match well to their strengths, such as requiring lifting on hard surfaces.”

DAVID BOWCOTT / Global Director – Growth, Innovation & Insight, Global Construction and Infrastructure Group at Aon Risk Solutions On defect risk: “Most stakeholders within the construction sector would agree we could dramatically improve the productivity and risk profile of the construction industry if we can find ways to remove or reduce construction defect risk.”

ISSN: 1910-118X (Print) ISSN 2371-8544 (Online) SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada $49.50 per year, United States $113.00 per year, Other foreign $136.50, Single Copy Canada $13.50. On-Site is published 7 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues. Occasionally, On-Site will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.

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DISCLAIMER This publication is for informational purposes only The content and “expert” advice presented are not intended as a substitute for informed professional engineering advice. You should not act on information contained in this publication without seeking specific advice from qualified engineering professionals.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

INDUSTRY>NEWS

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA

2020 National Model Codes now available The 2020 National Model Codes have finally been released. The updated set of model construction codes aim to make Canadian homes and buildings safer and more accessible, while responding to climate change. Codes included in the March 2022 release include the National Building Code of Canada 2020, the National Fire Code of Canada 2020, the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020, and the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020.

“These new codes are more reflective of the current world we live in,” said Kevin Griffiths, chair of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC).

“Thanks to these updates, it will be easier for Canadians with accessibility considerations to navigate different spaces; large farm buildings are now included in the codes to reflect the evolving agricultural sector; and energy performance levels have been introduced to make buildings more energy efficient.”

The 2020 codes include nearly 400 changes developed through an open, transparent, and consensus-based process that included expert volunteers from across Canada. Updates follow a structured fiveyear cycle.

Among the current changes to the codes are revised instructions about safety glazing in windows and doors for schools; requirements impacting evaporative equipment and drain pans to minimize the growth and transmission of bacteria; adjustments to the minimum dimensions of building elements to accommodate people using a wider variety of mobility devices; and the introduction of encapsulated mass timber construction to allow for the construction of wood buildings up to 12 storeys tall.

As part of the development process, the public was given an opportunity to review and comment on all proposed

changes before the codes were finalized. Current provincial and territorial building, fire, plumbing and energy regulations will remain in effect until the 2020 codes are adopted, with or without modifications, by the provincial or territorial authorities having jurisdiction.

The 2020 codes are available through the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) publications archive in a free electronic format for download. To purchase the publications in print format,

an order can be placed online through the NRC’s virtual store.

on-sitemag.com / 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

Preliminary designs have been unveiled by the consortium heading up the redevelopment project of the former Molson Brewery site in Montreal. Selection Group, Montoni and Fonds immobilier de solidarite FTQ revealed plans to make the legacy and heritage of the Ilot des Voltigeurs, the oldest part of the site, the central theme of the first phase of the nearly 6-million-squarefoot historic mixed-use project.

Several iconic elements of the former brewery, including the clock, the Molson sign, and the chimney, as well as the new Molson Coors’ administrative offices, will be an integral part of the development concept.

The consortium says that it aims to create a dynamic, innovative and diversified living environment while ensuring the sustainability of the existing Ilot des Voltigeurs built environment.

The proposed concept seeks to open the site to the surrounding areas and create views toward the St. Lawrence River while preserving a cascading silhouette around the highest point, the iconic Molson Tower.

To generate vibrant, mixed-use activity, the consortium proposes to create quality

8 / APRIL 2022

pedestrian-friendly spaces that will be accessible to all Montrealers, and to incorporate heritage and archeological remnants.

Since acquiring the site in 2019, the consortium has conducted a thorough analysis of the land, guided by the ambition to revive the identity of the former Molson Brewery’s original site, the Ilot des Voltigeurs, along with its multiple historical strata, as well as enhance the Montreal industrial heritage site.

According to the consortium, the entire site of the former brewery has potential to incorporate up to 6,000 residential units as well as more than 1 million square feet of commercial and office space. Plans would also include a civic area incorporating the lands belonging to the Societe d’habitation et de developpement de Montreal.

“Selection Group is honoured to be contributing to the design of a truly innovative living environment surrounding this Quebec industrial gem by building nearly 6,000 residential units,” stated Real Bouclin, founding president and CEO of Selection Group. “We want to give Montrealers a vibrant full-service neighbourhood that combines quality of life and environmental consciousness. We will

ensure that this project will be exemplary and incorporates the unique characteristics of Montreal and Molson’s rich history.”

To assist with the planning process, the consortium worked with several experts, including the urban planning consultancy BC2, Sid Lee Architecture, the archeology firm Arkeos and architect Luce Lafontaine, a consultant in the conservation of built heritage, and consulted close to 50 organizations in the area to identify the community’s needs and concerns.

Over the past two years each Ilot des Voltigeurs building was assessed on various heritage criteria, including historical, architectural, social and usage values.

The redevelopment concept was presented to the Ville-Marie borough’s urban planning advisory committee last month, receiving a positive response, so the consortium is continuing its efforts aimed at developing the final project for the entire site.

To prepare the area and make room for public spaces on the ground, the silos on the site will be taken down over the coming weeks. Two of them, including the oldest one that dates back to 1973, will be preserved and featured in the project.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE CONSORTIUM FORMED BY SELECTION GROUP, MONTONI AND FONDS IMMOBILIER DE SOLIDARITE FTQ.

Montreal Molson site redevelopment to showcase heritagebuilding

PHOTO: COURTESY OF PCL CONSTRUCTORS CANADA INC.

PCL completes long-term care home build in 13 months Lakeridge Health, Infrastructure Ontario and PCL Construction have celebrated a culmination of milestone events for Lakeridge Gardens, a new long-term care home located next to Ajax Pickering Hospital in Ajax, Ont. On March 2, the three entities marked the substantial performance milestone. A major accomplishment, substantial performance signifies the completion of all major construction and that the home’s keys have been handed over to Lakeridge Health to operate.

Just last month, Lakeridge Health unveiled the home’s name, Lakeridge Gardens, after completing a community consultation that included feedback and perspectives from over 600 Durham Region residents.

“Lakeridge Gardens’ progress over the last year, and especially in the last few weeks, has been a remarkable achievement,” said Cynthia Davis, president and CEO of Lakeridge Health.

“Collaboration is key to success on any project, but the outcomes achieved on the Lakeridge Health Accelerated Build project truly personify what strong partnerships can achieve,” said Marc Pascoli, vice-president and district manager with PCL Constructors Canada Inc. “The successful outcome on this project is only possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of every individual who committed to the goal of delivering Ontario’s first accelerated

800-265-7617

build project in only 13 months, as promised.”

The project adds 320 long-term care beds to the Durham Region.

“We are deeply privileged to have worked with partners to create the accelerated build program in order to quickly deliver much needed long-term care infrastructure,” said Michael Lindsay, president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. “Through a range of accelerated measures such as modular construction, rapid procurement and the use of hospital lands, we have been able to successfully build this facility faster than the traditional timeline.”

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Hand protection for every hazard on-sitemag.com / 9 OnSite_Superior_April22.indd 1

2022-04-06 9:26 AM

INDUSTRY NEWS Canadian dealers among Bobcat’s best Ontario’s Bobcat of Brantford, Alberta’s Rentco Equipment, and Nor-Val Rentals from British Columbia.

“We are pleased to honour these dealerships for their excellent performance and commitment to exceeding customer expectations,” said Jeremy Holck, vice-president of sales for Doosan Bobcat North America.

“Our dealers continue to raise the bar for success and lead best practices in our industry, so this year we are honoring

more dealers than ever in the Bobcat Dealer Leadership Group.”

Representatives from the 19 dealerships will meet with Bobcat senior leadership throughout the year to provide insights and feedback as the voice of the company’s dealer network. To recognize and celebrate the achievements of the Dealer Leadership Group, Bobcat will also honour members at a dealer incentive trip to Hawaii later this year.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF BOBCAT COMPANY

Four Canadian companies were recognized as part of a group of 19 dealerships honoured for achievement during Bobcat’s 2022 North American Dealer Meeting.

The dealerships, which will form the company’s 2022 Dealer Leadership Group were the highest-performing dealers based on a review process across Bobcat’s dealer network of more than 700 locations in the United States and Canada.

Canadian dealers making the grade included Manitoba’s Bobcat of Brandon,

Event organizers are promising construction pros a next-level experience when they arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the CONEXPO-CON/AGG and International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE), one year from now.

The largest construction trade show in North America, CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held March 14-18, 2023, with IFPE co-locating during those dates to add the fluid power, power transmission and motion control industries to the mix. Both shows will take advantage of the recently added West Hall and adjacent Diamond Lot, as well as the Tesla-powered people mover, called the LVCC Loop.

“AEM and our show committees of industry leaders are working to take advantage of everything that has changed in Las Vegas to deliver a top-notch event delivering the latest innovations and best practices to help construction pros take their businesses and careers to the next level,” said Dana Wuesthoff, show director

10 / APRIL 2022

of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. “Between the West Hall and Diamond Lot bringing a lot of displays closer to the rest of the show as well as serving as a connector to the Festival Lot, and the LVCC Loop making it effortless to get across the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, it’s never been easier for attendees to see everything they want to learn about when they get there.”

The West Hall provides an additional 1.4 million square feet of indoor space, which CONEXPO-CON/AGG is using as a hub for earthmoving and materials handling displays, the largest of which include Case, K-Tec/Ashland, Hitachi and Hyundai.

“When you attend CONEXPO-CON/ AGG, you are able to see an item, touch it, sit in it, sometimes operate it and discuss

PHOTO: COURTESY OF CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Countdown to CONEXPO-CON/AGG has begun

it with the engineers and manufacturers,” said Brian Dietz, of Bob Dietz & Sons, an excavating contractor.

Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/ AGG offers attendees the opportunity to experience the newest equipment and products through demonstrations and industry-leading education, while making new professional connections.

For more information about the show, including how to register, visit https://www. conexpoconagg.com.

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CONSTRUCTION STATS Investment in non-residential construction, January 2022

A selection of data reflecting trends in the Canadian construction industry

INVESTMENT IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO RISE Following slight pullback in summer of 2021, Canada has seen a steady increase in the investment in building construction since October 2021. In January, gains from all components pushed values to $19.1 billion, reports Statistics Canada, a gain of 3.4 per cent.

The commercial segment posted a seventh consecutive monthly increase, rising 1.8 per cent to $2.8 billion. The institutional sector saw a small advance of just over a half per cent to come in at $1.4 billion. And industrial construction was a bright spot, posting its largest monthly increase since mid-2020. Investment in that segment rose 2.1 per cent to $864 million in January.

Overall, non-residential construction investment increased 1.5 per cent for the month, reaching the $5 billion mark for the first time since June 2020.

The residential sector posted its fourth consecutive monthly gain, hitting $14.1 billion in January. Single-family homes were up 2.5 per cent to $7.6 billion, while multi-unit construction investment increased six per cent, to $6.5 billion.

Canada 5,016.0 Newfoundland and Labrador 38.1 Prince Edward Island 20.2 Nova Scotia 64.2 New Brunswick 50.5 Quebec 1,185 Ontario 2,078.5 Manitoba 152.1 Saskatchewan 88.4 Alberta 621.2 British Columbia 697 Yukon 9.7 Northwest Territories 3.8 Nunavut 7.2 TABLE: STATISTICS CANADA

EARNINGS HIGHER IN THE NORTH AND WEST

$75,000 per year in Alberta

$83,000 per year in the territories

12 / APRIL 2022

HOUSING STARTS TREND SLIGHTLY LOWER BUT STILL AT HISTORIC HIGH Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that the trend in housing starts hit 251,579 units in February, down from 253,864 in January. “Among Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, Toronto was the only market to post growth in total SAAR starts in February, due to higher single-detached and multi-unit starts,” says Bob Dugan, CMHC’s chief economist. Despite that, the trend measure, a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts, suggests that national housing starts activity remains historically high, he adds.

The standalone monthly SAAR of total housing starts for all areas in Canada in February was 247,256 units, an increase of eight per cent from 229,185 units in January. The SAAR of total urban starts increased by 10 per cent to 222,563 units in February.

Multi-unit urban starts increased by 13 per cent to 161,912 units, while single-detached urban starts increased by two per cent to 60,651 units.

PHOTO MONSTERDESIGNX / ISTOCK /GETTY IMAGES

Statistics Canada recently provided insights into the earnings and mobility of Canadian journeypersons in a number of trades, as compiled prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2019, Northern and Western Canada had the highest median earnings for newly certified journeypersons, reaching almost $75,000 per year in Alberta, and exceeding $83,000 per year in the territories. In 2019, journeypersons in Red Seal trades posted their lowest mobility rate in the history of the data series, which dates back to 2008. The most mobility was recorded with steamfitters/pipefitters, welders and heavy-duty equipment technicians. Sheet metal workers had the lowest rate of mobility. The three highest-earning trades in 2019, one year after certification, were powerline technician ($118,580), crane operator ($102,560) and industrial instrumentation and control technician ($101,620).

PHOTO © BY KAMEONLINE / ADOBE STOCK

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STRONG TURNOUT FOR

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF NHES

After waiting out a pandemic-forced hiatus, the industry comes out to support National Heavy Equipment Show.

I

t should come as no surprise that show organizers were ecstatic with this year’s National Heavy Equipment Show (NHES).

More than 9,000 industry professionals filled the halls of Mississauga, Ontario’s International Centre for the first edition of NHES since the COVID-19 outbreak.

14 / APRIL 2022

This year’s show also represented a special milestone as the 2022 edition marked the event’s 25th anniversary.

“We’re back! Shows are back!” proclaimed Master Promotion’s national show manager, Mark Cusack, in a conversation as the event wrapped up on the Friday.

“Leading up to the show, we were very

happy with the exhibitor turn out, but we were worried about the visitor numbers,” he admitted. Those concerns went away quickly as the turnstiles opened and the show floor began to fill up. Day 1 visitor turnout exceeded the Thursday attendance figure from 2019 and attendance was tracking very well as the end of the final day started to come into view. “We are very happy with the numbers.”

And it wasn’t just the volume of visitors through the turnstiles that impressed exhibitors; it was the fact that key decision makers and purchasers came out in full force to this year’s show.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of quality buyers here, so the right people are coming to the show,” stated Michel Marchand, vice-president of Canadian and U.S. sales with LiuGong North America. “Traffic has been good. The public is excited to have a show. They haven’t had one for a number of years. I think they are happy with what they have seen.”

“The visitors are legitimate buyers,” added Rob Persaud of International Power Systems. “There were not as many tire kickers this year. It’s been a wonderful show. Definitely the one to be in.”

“The National Heavy Equipment Show remains one of the biggest events bringing the industry together in Canada. It was a pleasure to welcome everyone back to the show after a two-year hiatus,” summed up Cusack.

The next edition of National Heavy Equipment Show will take place in 2024, being held once again at the International Centre. Stay tuned to www.nhes.ca, or follow the show on social media, for details as they are announced.

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MAINTENANCE

KEEPING YOUR EQUIPMENT

RUNNING BETTER, LONGER

E

very kid knows, if you want your toys to last, you have to take good care of them. That same rule applies to the worksite equipment that keeps you productive day-in and dayout as well. Although visual inspections and cleaning take some time, a few minutes here and there can save you hours, days and sometimes weeks in the end. Planned maintenance is almost always more efficient than unplanned machine downtime.

“The couple minutes that it takes to do the maintenance is well offset by the relieved downtime,” says Buck Storlie, product line manager at ASV. “As an operator, you want to go to work and have a day where things operate smoothly and work well.”

“Routine inspection and daily maintenance are key to avoiding unnecessary repairs,” says Matt Goedert, solutions marketing manager with John Deere Construction & Forestry. “In addition, undercarriage maintenance is important to

16 / APRIL 2022

PHOTO: © MICHAEL WILLIAMS / ADOBE STOCK

BY ADAM FREILL

the mobility and productivity of a machine.

Ignoring track maintenance will ultimately increase the operating cost.”

A good daily routine, says Storlie, is to include a walk-around inspection. Whether performed at the beginning of the shift or to wrap up the day, it should include a check on things like fluids and ensure that greaseable joints are lubricated and that wear items like hoses and belts are at an acceptable level.

“This minimizes the need to return the machine to your shop or dealer midway through a project,” says Mike Fitzgerald, marketing manager with Doosan Bobcat North America.

“One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to daily maintenance is simply not doing the maintenance recommendations by the manufacturer,” explains Aaron Kleingartner, product and dealer marketing manager for Doosan Infracore North America. “Like anything, if you don’t care for it, it will gradually wear down and may

not perform like it should. This is especially true with construction equipment because of the toll the machines take performing daily tasks.”

Having a regular routine and completing the checks in the same order is a good idea, advises Goedert. “Every time you do an inspection, start in the same spot, and complete your inspections around the machine ending where you started,” he says. “This routine makes it easier to spot what is normal versus abnormal and makes sure no checks get missed.”

The tough work environment on a jobsite may put hydraulic hoses, teeth on buckets, or even the undercarriage at risk of damage, all of which should be included in the inspection checklist.

“Ultimately, one of the most important things is to make sure maintenance is consistent and documented,” adds Fitzgerald.

“Operators should periodically check construction equipment for signs of wear and repair items before they may fail,” Kleingartner advises, noting that operators should pay attention to any air filters, hydraulic lines, pins and bushings, and that greasing the fittings is a must. “If a hydraulic hose looks worn or has a crack, an operator should contact the local dealer and order a new one.”

“On dozers, undercarriage is a major owning cost and keeping an eye on how the bushings and sprockets are wearing can give insight on operating characteristics and if adjustments need to be made,” says Goedert. “Track tension is an easy check that can pay dividends as it can greatly affect undercarriage component life.”

“At the end of each workday, excavator operators should take time to clean out dirt and other debris that may lead to

PHOTO: © KANIN / ADOBE STOCK

undercarriage buildup,” adds Kleingartner. “If the undercarriage is not routinely cleaned, it will accelerate premature wear on components.”

All machines also have a service schedule that is designed to keep the equipment working as it was intended.

“The biggest benefit to routine or regular maintenance is that you are treating your machines like the investment pieces they are, and not just work tools,” says Fitzgerald.

“While it is essential to understand how to operate your machine,” says Goedert, “it’s equally, if not more important to understand how to maintain each machine to extend the lifespan of the equipment and improve its resale value.”

“It’s a good idea to share the recommended service schedule with new operators before they start operating the construction equipment,” advises Kleingartner.

Just don’t fall into the assumption that the procedures used for your last machine match the new equipment that you’ve bought.

As equipment has evolved, so too have some of the maintenance procedures and requirements.

“Each machine is unique to its requirements and its schedule, so it is important to first open that manual,” says Storlie. “You might be stepping out of a product that had a certain timeframe, and some of those requirements might be a little different.”

Newer machines with Tier 4 engines are a prime example. This generation of engine requires clearer fuel, cleaner filters and water removal, he says. “Not doing those things in the past may not have been a super-big deal, but on Tier 4 engines, and high-pressure direct systems, water or contaminants in the fuel can do an awful lot of damage and get very expensive.”

Perhaps the best advice is also some of the simplest, however: keep your machines clean and remove debris in a timely fashion.

“Always clean out undercarriages before material dries or freezes,” recommends Goedert. “The same applies to other machine forms such as machines with buckets and bins.”

“I can spend five minutes at the end of my shift knocking the snow off while it is snow and water, rather than in the morning when it’s ice and frozen,” adds Storlie. “Same for those muddy or clay applications. In the evening it may be some wet, red clay that I can knock out with a square-nosed shovel fairly easily. In the

morning, it may be dried and look a lot like concrete.”

“Once that material freezes, it can start to rub on the bolts, loosen the guiding and seize up the rollers, leading to potential wear later on,” explains Kleingartner.

Storlie says to not forget the cooling system as well. “Radiator and oil cooler cleanliness can be a huge deal… a clean cooler might have the machine operate at a temperature 20 to 30 degrees less than a dirty cooler, which can amount to quite a bit of lifespan in the hydraulic system and the engine itself.”

It’s never too early to think about maintenance. Storlie suggests including it as a consideration when purchasing new equipment, and asking what the manufacturer has designed to make service easier. “If the maintenance is easy, the operator will do it. Serviceability is important,” he says.

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TECHNOLOGY

THE POINT CLOUD

REVOLUTION Survey equipment was developed to establish reference points on jobsites. While that remains essential, much of the focus today is on building virtual models.

C

onducting a topographic site survey is not what one would consider to be a do-it-yourself project. Recently, however, CanBIM president and CEO Thomas Strong was able to capture the topography of a site, where he is building a house, using the LiDAR scanner on his smartphone, and then layering that onto a 3-D photo survey.

This scenario shows how rapidly the technology for collecting and integrating

18 / APRIL 2022

site data is evolving, both in terms of price and ease of use, and hints at the many new possibilities for contractors.

GPS features, drones and 3-D digital camera technology have also benefited from the consumerization trend, making the equipment more affordable, portable and versatile.

“You can now capture the mechanical room on a jobsite using your $1,500 phone and a free app,” says Strong. “A

few years ago, you would have needed a survey instrument that cost $130,000 to do this.”

SEEING IS BELIEVING The explosion in data collection technology is helping contractors adapt to a digital era where virtual site models are becoming the de facto standard for large projects. This changes the game for surveying because surveyors are not only recording refer-

PHOTO: COURTESY OF FINNING CANADA

BY JACOB STOLLER

captured points that give you a visual of what things look like,” says Sean Maland, surveyor and drone supervisor at PCL Construction.

The need to collect data on this scale has driven alternatives to the total station, the optical survey instrument that is still the de facto standard for recording highly accurate reference points but lacks the collection speed required for building point clouds.

LiDAR, or laser scanning, has been central to the transition. Where a total station might gather hundreds of points, the latest 3-D scanners can collect upwards of 900,000 points per second.

The other game changer is dronepowered technology that allows contractors to collect site data over large areas with remarkable speed. Unlike scanners, drone surveys collect photographic data and assemble that into 3-D point clouds using a process called photogrammetry.

ence points, but sufficient data to help decision-makers visualize site conditions and share this information with project stakeholders.

The data that populates 3-D models is consolidated in what is called a point cloud. This is a collection of data points, each of which describes the XYZ coordinates of a specific location in 3-D space in relation to a specific reference point.

“A point cloud is a group of densely

COMBINING TECHNOLOGIES While the survey methods are phenomenally powerful, there is no magic bullet.

Accordingly, the key is working with the limitations of the different technologies to that they complement each other.

“With drone surveys, you don’t get the point accuracy that you can get with a station on the ground,” says Ramirez, “so we have to use a combination of methods.

If I do a drone flight and there are obstacles, I can combine that with points from a laser scan on the ground, so that I can capture what I miss with photogrammetry points. And then you maybe still need to use a more accurate piece of equipment such as a total station to capture what are

PHOTO: © ARTINUN / ADOBE STOCK

Drones have really been a game changer for us, the improvements are really in efficiency and productivity.”

“Drones have really been a game changer for us,” says Alex Ramirez, PCL’s senior manager of business technology.

“This gives us the capacity of flying a large area to create a fairly accurate map in a fraction of the time that you used to be able to do with other technologies. So, the improvements are really in efficiency and productivity.”

Another rapidly growing piece of the puzzle is 360 photography. This easy-touse technology employs a special camera that creates a scrollable consolidated image. Widely used in real estate, the technology is inexpensive and effective, providing decision-makers with essential information about the progress of a job.

on-sitemag.com / 19

The learning curves for the technology are pretty high, and you need you need people that have the mindset to focus on a very specialized area.” called ground control points. So, it’s the combination of those that really hits the mark.”

Matching the technology to the project is key.

“You have to start with your use case and your defined goals, and then understand the options that are available to you,” says Strong.

Gathering site data for the prefabrication of a steel element that will have to fit perfectly when it’s installed would require very accurate measurement, he notes, while surveying a shopping mall prior to renovation.

“In that scenario, you might be able to use a 360 camera to generate floor plans,” he says.

Equipment is also evolving to make it easier to combine technologies. Some equipment vendors have introduced multi-stations, for example, which combine a LiDAR scanner and a total

20 / APRIL 2022

station in a single device.

Software has also been a key part of this. The data from most instruments can be imported into platforms like AutoDesk, and new products are making it easier for non-programmers to create 3-D models.

“Gathering and harnessing the data from all connected devices across the construction site and being able to use that data and gain actionable insights for every level of the organization. That’s where the opportunity lies,” says Bryan Rolph, product and service sales manager with Finning Canada.

MEETING THE CHALLENGES The creation of point clouds brings a number of IT challenges that are new for most contractors, not the least of which is handling the sheer volumes of data that are being collected.

“We collected 10,000 photos on a single project,” says Maland. “The value of that is when you share it with other people.

But processing that data and moving it, especially from a remote site, is a bigger challenge than most people realize.”

The volume of data on that project, Maland notes, was three-quarters of a terabyte. Assuming a reasonable upload speed for internet access in an urban area of 30 mbps, the upload of that data would take 15 days.

Another difficulty is that as the technology gets more accessible, it’s easy to overestimate the accuracy of the data.

“With laser scanning, and also with drones, it sometimes feels like an off-theshelf solution,” says Ramirez, “so it’s easy to assume that what looks like a good output is reliable in terms of dimensions.

There’s risk in that. If you didn’t follow proper process, it will look accurate, but it might not be accurate.”

“The learning curves for the technology are pretty high, and you need you need people that have the mindset to focus on a very specialized area,” says Strong.

“This is sort of a realm unto itself you’re managing, where you need high attention to detail on the job site, and a good sense of the backend processes so that you can ensure that the information you’re collecting on the job site will play into the steps that are downstream.”

A viable approach, Ramirez says, is to have technology people and surveyors working side-by-side.

“I’m really good with the technology side, but I’m not a surveyor,” he says.

“Sean and I working together on projects in Calgary has been very successful because I bring that technology perspective and Sean brings his own technology perspective plus his expertise on the survey side of things.”

That sophistication is also needed to establish the business cases for making the financial investments that the technology calls for.

“Getting stakeholders to agree on the value proposition takes a champion that has the knowledge and the understanding to be able to crunch the numbers and initiate that conversation,” says Strong.

How are Canadian firms doing?

“Internationally, I would say we’re second to none,” says Strong. “Canadians don’t like to brag about things, but we have some really sophisticated leaders, and our major contractors have made significant investments that are giving them a proprietary advantage in this space.

So, I think we’re doing really well.”

Jacob Stoller is principal of StollerStrategies. Send comments to editor@on-sitemag.com.

PHOTO: © ZEPHYR_P / ADOBE STOCK

TECHNOLOGY

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EQUIPMENT

MODERNIZING

SKID STEER LOADERS Equipment segment adds remote control and other tech goodies.

BY NATE HENDLEY

22 / APRIL 2022

are “more universal,” adds Buck Storlie, product manager at ASV. “A skid steer can be a tool carrier as much as it can be loader. When attaching augers, trenchers, or road milling planers, a skid steer, from a universality standpoint, is really unmatched on the jobsite.”

Skid steers also tend to be less expensive than CTLs and perform well on hard surfaces.

“If you’re primarily working on hard pavement, or rocky conditions, a skid steer loader remains the best choice,” states Storlie.

“There are definitely applications where skid steers benefit the customer.

One of them is in planing on concrete and asphalt,” notes Tyler Zima, product specialist for the loader team at Bobcat. “I would also say many lift and carry applications,

especially on concrete. You still see a lot more skid steers [in demolition] because you can get solid tires versus wearing out tracks on a compact track loader, which are more expensive to replace.”

BRING ON THE TECH Skid steer loader tech trends include rearview cameras and telematics systems that monitor performance indicators. Both are becoming more prevalent. Engines are also getting more efficient, with a trend toward zero emission models, and attachments are getting smarter.

“Smart” attachments allow a machine to instantly recognize the attachment when connected, making for more efficient operations, says Kevin Coleman, product specialist with Caterpillar.

Remote control is arguably the biggest

PHOTO: CATERPILLAR

S

kid steer loaders remain common on construction sites despite the growing popularity of compact track loaders (CTLs) and wheel loaders. New high-tech options, including remote control, will continue to make skid steers an attractive choice for some time to come, however, especially for applications that match well to their strengths, such as requiring lifting on hard surfaces.

The transportability, maneuverability, and small size are among the advantages skid steers have over compact track loaders, says Luke Gribble, solutions marketing manager at John Deere.

Skid steer loaders, “are much easier to move from jobsite to jobsite compared to compact track loaders in terms of their overall dimensions,” he says.

Compared to a wheel loader, skid steers

game-changing trend in the skid steer market, however. These systems can help to enhance safety, boost productivity, lower labour costs, and expand a company’s reach. “[You could be] in an office anywhere in the U.S.A. or Canada, and be operating in multiple time zones, doing multiple tasks, and using multiple machines,” states Coleman.

With this in mind, here’s a look at what’s noteworthy in skid steer loaders.

BOBCAT Bobcat has released an enhanced remote-control system and is expanding its customizable Features on Demand (FOD) digital platform to all 60 Platform R-Series skid steer loaders.

Bobcat’s MaxControl Remote Operation solution works from an app. “You download an app, you place a few items on the machine, then you can run that machine from your iPad or iPhone,” explains Zima.

Potential uses for remotely controlled skid steers include demolition work, “and other applications where there might be a hazardous or dusty environment inside a building, where they want to keep the operator out,” states Zima.

The FOD platform enables customers who buy a skid steer from a Bobcat dealer to select and demo various performance-enhancing features. The client can purchase the features they like while features they don’t want are deactivated. New features can also be added later.

FOD options include two-speed travel for faster travel, dual-direction bucket

positioning that keeps loads at a consistent angle during lift cycles, high-flow hydraulics for extra hydraulic power, automatic ride control to reduce material spillage, and reversing fans to purge debris.

Bobcat also recently released a pair of M-Series skid steer loaders: the S510 radial lift and the vertical lift S590. Both machines have an innovative fuel system and offer powerful breakout forces, and rapid cycle times.

“They will be for cost conscience customers. If someone wants to get into the field, or for those who do not need all the bells and whistles,” says Zima.

JOHN DEERE “The latest enhancement to the full G-Series line up is the addition of standard electrohydraulic (EH) controls, which offer increased functionality, to allow operators to customize machine operations based on preference,” states John Deere’s Gribble.

ASV ASV has introduced a new pair of MAX-Series skid steers: the radial-lift RS-75 and vertical-lift VS-75.

The RS-75 and VS-75 offer roomy cabs with 360 degrees of visibility, reinforced windows for better impact protection, and its ROPS rollover protection system. These skid steer loaders also feature standard LED lights and a new, optional high-tech touchscreen display.

At 74.2 horsepower, the RS-75 has a 2,600-pound operating capacity with 5,845 pounds of breakout force. The VS-75 has 5,920 pounds of breakout force, a 3,500-pound operating capacity, and a 74.2 hp engine. Both feature 10.5 inches of ground clearance.

ASV’s new skid steers sport an industry-first roof-based escape hatch. This ingenious safety feature offers an alternative to exiting out the rear window — the usual escape route from skid steers during

PHOTO: JOHN DEERE

PHOTO: BOBCAT

EH controls offer G-Series skid steer operators a smoother, quieter ride and improved HVAC performance. Additional EH benefits include easy-to-use joysticks, antistall software – so operators can’t accidentally stall the engine while handling heavy loads — and differential steering.

Differential steering is an exclusive John Deere feature that “speeds up the outside turning of tires/tracks for faster jobsite maneuvering,” he explains.

Onboard grade indication systems that perform real-time grade checks are also available on some large-frame John Deere skid steers. Other skid steer options include a rear-view camera and JDLink — John Deere’s proprietary telematics solution.

on-sitemag.com / 23

EQUIPMENT steer loaders with a cold planer or wheel saw attachment. The load on the attachment is continuously monitored, and the speed of the skid steer is automatically adjusted depending on how much resistance is detected to keep the wheel saw or cold planer running at its most productive speed.

PHOTO: ASV

KUBOTA

emergencies. Leaving via the rear window puts the operator at risk if they have to climb over a hot engine or other obstacles.

“With the roof-hatch escape, two quick latches, and I can bounce out through the roof,” notes Storlie. “I’m out of harm’s way from a heat standpoint, and from other challenges that can come with emergency exits.”

ASV also adjusted the footstep inset into its skid steers to facilitate easier non-emergency entry and exit, he adds.

CATERPILLAR

Nate Hendley is a freelance writer and author, and is a regular contributor to On-Site Magazine.

PHOTO: KUBOTA

PHOTO: CATERPILLAR

Caterpillar will introduce a “smart” creep control feature and Cat Command for Loading on its D3 skid steer loaders later this year.

Cat Command for Loading is a joystickbased remote-control system that will be available in two different versions. A “lineof-sight” version lets an operator control a skid steer within a 400-metre range via

a console in a shoulder harness. In the non-line-of-sight version, a skid steer fitted with cameras, a microphone and other items is controlled at a command station.

The non-light-of-sight version has the feel of a virtual simulator. “You sit in a station or chair, with joystick controls. You have a screen and limited controls on the console as well, and you can interface with a machine pretty much anywhere in the world,” says Coleman.

In addition to removing operators from dangerous situations, driverless skid steers allow firms to work on different applications in multiple locations with fewer people, says Coleman.

A sensor and software-based solution, smart creep control is an evolution in existing creep control technology.

It is intended for use on D3 skid

Kubota’s SSV75 skid steer loader earned a 2021 Highest Retained Value Award from EquipmentWatch, the self-described “world leader in data, software, and insights for the heavy equipment industry.”

EquipmentWatch pegged the five-year residual value of the SSV75 model at 76.3 per cent.

In addition to having what Kubota literature claims is the “widest cab in the market with roll up door,” the SSV75 features a 74.3 hp Tier 4 engine and a tipping load of 5,380 pounds.

Another popular Kubota model, the SSV65 skid steer loader, has a 64 hp Tier 4 engine, and 4,839 pounds of bucket breakout force. Highly efficient Kubota diesel engines reduce fuel consumption and noise.

24 / APRIL 2022

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PIPELINES

A TALE OF

THREE PIPELINES Renewing Canada’s energy infrastructure

E

Last year, TC Energy announced the termination of its Keystone XL Pipeline Project following the revocation of its Presidential Permit in the United States. That would have carried crude from Canada’s Oil Sands to refineries and other facilities

in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas. Three other major Canadian pipeline projects have carried on, however.

Coastal GasLink’s $6.6-billion natural gas pipeline, majority owned by TC Energy, is 60 per cent complete and is intended to

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRANS MOUNTAIN CORPORATION

conomic sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have raised the profile of Canadian energy supplies, along with the pipelines that enable access and distribution of oil and gas.

BY SAUL CHERNOS

26 / APRIL 2022

BLOCKADES AND DISRUPTIONS All three projects have faced multiple challenges, including opposition from Aboriginal communities whose traditional lands they cross, and from environmentalists.

In some cases, local protests have spread across Canada, leading to rail blockades and other disruptions.

In British Columbia’s Central Interior, Coastal GasLink’s project has highlighted underlying divisions among the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.

Heredity chiefs and their supporters have been adamant that construction activities, including blasting, threaten fish and other food sources and endanger traditional ways of life, while elected band council members and their supporters have supported construction and participated in the First Nations Liquefied Natural Gas Alliance.

Tensions came to a head in February when a group of people, some masked and carrying axes, forced workers to flee a work site near Houston, B.C. Coastal GasLink reported millions of dollars in damage and, in a statement, expressed concern about “the safety of our workforce and the public

PHOTO COURTESY OF COASTAL GASLINK

following this escalation in unlawful and dangerous activities by opponents that have put people, property, and the environment at risk.”

Environmentalists, meanwhile, have challenged multiple non-compliance orders. In 2019, construction halted after trapline hunters near Houston reported that Coastal GasLink initiated activity prior to informing them. In 2020, B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office reported that management plans had not been followed in 42 wetland areas. Provincial orders also cited turbid water discharged into Fraser Lake, a lack of efforts to mitigate harm to endangered whitebark pine, and clearing of wetland sites without required environmental surveys.

First Nations and environmentalists

dissatisfied with consultations and assessments also challenged Trans Mountain, with particular concern raised about spill risks in sensitive marine habitats such as Burrard Inlet where a terminal would be located. The government of B.C. joined the fray, arguing that expansion plans failed to adequately address environmental and other concerns, initiating a trade war with Alberta.

In an acknowledged effort to maintain project continuity, the federal government acquired Trans Mountain from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion in 2018. The British Columbia government eventually supported the project, reaching a revenue-sharing arrangement worth up to $1 billion, and the Supreme Court sided with project proponents in 2020, though some

PHOTO COURTESY OF ENBRIDGE

transport liquefied natural gas 670 kilometres from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to an LNG Canada liquefaction plant near Kitimat, B.C., where the gas will be processed for export, mainly to Asia.

The Trans Mountain Pipeline System, built in 1953, is undergoing a $21.4 billion expansion to twin 1,150 kilometres of existing pipeline from Edmonton to the coast at Burnaby, B.C. The upgrade is designed to increase the carrying capacity of petroleum liquids from the oilsands from 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000, again mostly for export overseas.

Enbridge’s Line 3, an oil line in operation since 1968, runs 1,659 kilometres from Hardisty, Alta., to Superior, Wisc., and is a significant conduit of Canadian crude to American markets. Faced with an increasing number of maintenance digs to ensure safety, Enbridge reduced the line’s capacity and elected to replace it. Built at a cost of approximately $10 billion, the new pipeline allows Enbridge to move up to 760,000 barrels of oil daily, restoring the line’s historic capacity.

on-sitemag.com / 27

PIPELINES

PHOTO COURTESY OF ENBRIDGE

work slated to continue through to the fall of 2022.

A statement from Enbridge describes decommissioning as a standard practice where a pipeline is permanently taken out of service but left in place while other existing or new pipelines in the same right-of-way remain operational. The process typically involves removing oil and cleaning the inside of the pipeline, physically disconnecting and segmenting the pipe, and continuing to monitor it.

Enbridge says leaving the old pipe in situ is actually considered the safest and least disruptive option because it minimizes disturbance to the landscape and significantly reduces the risk of future soil and slope instability. legal challenges remain ongoing.

Likewise, Enbridge experienced environmental and legal hurdles in replacing its aging Line 3 infrastructure. The project proceeded in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as in North Dakota and Wisconsin, with construction in these jurisdictions completed by 2019. However, opposition from Indigenous communities led to rerouting in Minnesota in order to avoid several reserves and sensitive watersheds. The Canadian segment of the new Line 3 came into service in December 2019, with the U.S. sections following suit in September 2021.

NAVIGATING THE TERRAIN The three projects are not crossing flat areas, so engineering and construction has been adventurous at times. Crews in mountainous terrain have frequently required special measures to transport pipes, heavy equipment, construction materials and personnel to where they were needed.

In a newsletter early this year, Coastal GasLink described the construction of a cable crane to help crews manage a sharp 660-metre elevation gain along a span of just 1.5 kilometres in the Canadian Rockies as “a huge accomplishment and engineering feat.”

28 / APRIL 2022

Hefty costs and uncertainties about work duration associated with complex resource projects have also come to bear.

The project, initially estimated at $5.4 billion in 2015, climbed to $12.6 billion by early 2020.

Trans Mountain weathered COVID-19 and a corresponding slump in international oil prices, but even as oil prices rebounded early this year the company revised its price tag to $21.4 billion and moved its projected completion date to Q3 2023. The federal government responded by announced its intent to halt further public funding.

“I want to assure Canadians that there will be no additional public money invested,” finance minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters, adding that financial advisors still consider the project to be commercially viable, and that the government has asked Trans Mountain to secure the necessary financing from public debt markets and financial institutions.

Enbridge, meanwhile, quietly passed the finish line in October 2021. With the entire replacement line now in service, activities on both sides of the border are squarely focused on decommissioning the legacy pipeline. In Canada, the process started last June in Manitoba and was completed by October, with remaining

AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, says the advanced stage of the projects, combined with work to improve rapport with First Nations, bodes well for Canadian pipeline efforts now and down the road.

“I think the conversation is shifting,” Lail says. “The better relationships we build between industry and indigenous partners, the more opportunities will open up.”

Lail also points to ongoing efforts to protect the environment, including routing infrastructure away from sensitive areas and relocating species to safer habitats.

With war in Ukraine and other global uncertainties, Lail says she anticipates energy security needs will strengthen demand overseas for Canadian energy and potentially even spur the reactivation of Keystone XL. “I understand that American energy companies are going back to the table and actually talking to the Biden administration about Keystone as a solution, and we’re going to be doing the same here in Canada.”

Saul Chernos is a freelance writer and regular contributor to On-Site.

APRIL 2022

FINISHING SMOOTH THROWING IN THE TROWEL PHOTO: © ARSKA N / ADOBE STOCK

34

IN THIS ISSUE: 30 CCE Preview | 32 CCE Product Showcase | 38 Screeding Technology

SHOW PREVIEW

CANADIAN CONCRETE EXPO

READY TO ROCK New dates, same location for Canada’s fastest growing construction trade show.

A

30 / APRIL 2022

CCE EXPO 2022 Wednesday May 18, 2022 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday May 19, 2022 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Canadian Concrete Expo is set to take place May 18 to 19 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

face event will an introduction Location The International Centre provide the to Hilti’s Jaibot 6900 Airport Road value our exhibiconstruction robot.

Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8 tors and attend“We’re looking ees have come to forward to a fabulous Show Entrances: expect.” show and are very optiHall 2 & 4 This year’s show will mistic that it’s going to be provide attendees with the well attended and very successability to engage with more than 300 ful to all,” adds Galloway. exhibitors, network with more than 7,000 Canadian Concrete Expo is the only attendees, and to take in more than 30 national trade show in Canada dedicated live presentations covering in-depth industo the concrete, aggregates and constructry topics and product demonstrations. tion industries. The show will be following Discussions will range from techCOVID-19 safety protocols, which are regunical to operations, such as the use of larly updated on the Canadian Concrete fibreglass in the insulated concrete form Expo website. industry and how to develop an effective To stay up to date on the latest exhibtraining program. itors, demonstrations, education sessions Technology sessions will include a and safety protocols, visit walk-through of Procore’s platform and www.canadianconcreteexpo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF 2020 EXHIBITIONS

fter an extra-long COVID-related break, the fourth annual Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE) is now just weeks away.

Canada’s national trade show dedicated to the concrete construction industry is returning to the Greater Toronto Area when it lands at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., on May 18 and 19, and event organizers are promising to make up for lost time.

After seeing a 30 per cent increase in attendance in 2020, Stuart Galloway, president of 2020 Exhibitions, the organizer of the show, is expecting more than 6,000 attendees to hit the 250,000 square feet of show floor at this year’s show.

“It has been realized by a lot of exhibiting companies that by having the break due to COVID where they couldn’t do trade shows for two years, the real value of these shows has shown through,” he says. “Demand from our side has been really high. We’re excited to showcase a great variety of products for concrete applications.”

The show is an ideal environment to source new suppliers, reconnect with current providers, find real business solutions and build partnerships. CCE is a must attend for those in the industry looking to maintain and build contacts, and to be educated in Canada’s diverse and changing concrete construction industry.

“The Canadian Concrete Expo puts on an event that can’t be replicated in the digital world,” says Galloway. “Beginning last spring, our team looked at several digital-only and hybrid event models for 2021 but decided nothing but a face-to-

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CCE 2022

A SNEAK PEEK AT THE SHOW FLOOR

Want to know what to inquire about from the manufacturers and service providers exhibiting at Canadian Concrete Expo 2022? Why not start with these products?

HOSKIN There are a lot of variables to consider when deciding what solution to use for monitoring concrete temperatures. Hoskin Scientific carries a full line of products for any size pour, each with its own unique advantages. Whether you require maturity, remote monitoring or a simple low-cost solution, the company has a wealth of experience to assist you in selecting the appropriate product.

Booth: 2473

BRAFASCO Brafasco’s easy-to-navigate digitized Concrete Solutions product guide focuses on the key commercial concrete markets.

The guide introduces the construction sectors, followed by a streamlined, to-the-point fundamental product listing of products used on all common jobsites.

Businesses can realize a range of options likely not considered in the past when planning their next project.

Booth: 2245

HUSQVARNA Weighing in at 11.5 kg, the battery-powered BV 30i from Husqvarna can be used indoors, operates on batteries that fit other Husqvarna products, and is compatible with all existing BV 30 screed profiles. The interchangeable blades allow the user to make use of five different working widths.

The cordless, lightweight unit operates with low vibrations and does not emit direct exhaust fumes. Two chargers are available, the QC330 and the QC500 fast charger.

Booth: 2535

MAPEI DEWALT Designed for heavy-duty demolition, concrete, and masonry work, the Dewalt 60V Max 22 lb. cordless SDS Max Chipping Hammer is designed to break down dense concrete with up to 19.4 joules of impact energy. The hammer can tackle horizontal or downward chipping for mid-to-lower wall and flooring tasks and is also ideal for demanding highway jobs. The midweight 60V Max 15 lb. cordless SDS Max Chipping Hammer delivers up to 10.5 joules of impact energy. Booth: 2560

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MAPEI’s Mapefibre synthetic fibres for concrete are designed to reduce or eliminate the need for steel reinforcement.

Micro-synthetic fibres can be added to mitigate plastic shrinkage cracking, while macro-synthetic fibres add tensile strength and flexural toughness in post-cracking conditions. The company’s technical services team is available to help with a full range of services, from structural calculations to the analysis of customized packaging, as well as on-site technical assistance and lab testing.

Booth: 2561

AMVIC

GOMACO

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation building materials manufacturer Amvic has introduced Amrad, an insulated under-slab depressurization panel and a key component in a radon gas mitigation system. The panelized solution uses a unique channel design, void percentage, film, and foam density to create a strong and durable panel that gives builders the ability to build an insulated concrete slab while meeting radon building code requirements that improve indoor air quality for occupants.

Booth: 2272

The Gomaco CC-1200e electric curb machine is equipped with a 48 VDC lithium-ion battery pack. The paver has enough power for a full day of paving but produces zero-exhaust emissions and zero engine noise. The machine features the company’s exclusive G+ radio remote control system that puts all machine operations in the hands of the operator. It has the ability to slipform a 24-inch (610 mm) radius, with mould positioning possible on either side of the machine.

Booth: 2339

MILWAUKEE The new MX Fuel Vibratory Screed is the latest addition to Milwaukee Power Tools’ MX Fuel Equipment System, providing a dedicated equipment solution to concrete contractors. Engineered to deliver enough power to pull a 16-foot bar without the use of gas, and to offer two hours of run-time per charge with a 12-foot bar, the vibratory screed is designed to reduce user frustrations while meeting power requirements and exceeding runtime needs.

Booth: 2355

SOMERO Offering 360-degree machine rotation, a 25-foot (7.62 m) telescopic boom, and a choice of pivoting screed heads, the S-28EZ from Somero targets high quality and production rates with unsurpassed maneuverability. Its customized Oasis laser control system is intuitive to operate and can be upgraded as technology advances. A redesigned, EZ Clean Head is designed to reduce clean-up time and improve long-term maintenance.

Options include, but are not limited to, 12- or 14-foot head widths, roller plows, spray bars and the Somero Floor Levelness System.

Booth: 3711

MAX USA An alternative to hand tying, the TwinTier from Max USA is designed to provide up to 5,000 ties per charge and take approximately a half-second per tie, reducing tying times as well as wear and tear on installers handling rebar tying operations.

Use of the machine is designed to be efficient, while reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders from the repetitive motion involved in the job of tying rebar.

Booth: 2719

HOSKIN Whether assessing a new build or aging infrastructure, Hoskin Scientific offers cutting edge technology on in a wide range of concrete inspection tools. As the Proceq/Screening Eagle distributor in Canada for more than 30 years the company has expertise in GPR, ultrasonics, corrosion mapping, and much more.

Booth: 2473

on-sitemag.com / 33

TROWELING

The

Finishing Touch

Some simple maintenance can help extend power trowel performance.

P

ower trowels are an important tool in the arsenal of concrete contractors, so they can ensure a polished, level finish for the surfaces they are forming. That said, the applications that require these machines aren’t typically easy on them, so a solid maintenance plan is essential for keeping your power trowels in working order and maximizing the life of the equipment.

To learn about maintenance best practices for power trowels, On-Site reached out to well-respected veteran concrete contractor Robert Blazejewski, owner/operator of Cooksville Concrete Finishing Inc., which performs placing and finishing, cutting and removal, restoration, excavation, and concrete forming services for largescale residential and commercial projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area and as far north as Owen Sound, Ont.

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“The most important thing for the guys to be doing is cleaning their machines every time after every use,” Blazejewski says. “The thing we found is guys are tired by the time they’ve finished at three, four, five in the morning, and leave the machines full of concrete.”

He says that’s a recipe for disaster.

“That’s going to destroy your machine.

Best practice is to obviously try and get your guys after every single use to scrape down the machines, flip them up, give them a clean all the way around.”

He has a few tips that help make cleaning the machines as easy as possible.

“We carry around small margin trowels; everybody has got them in their buckets.

So, one guy will flip up the handles and you just scrape around the loop, scrape all your trowels off, scrape the centre,” Blazejewski says.

As for the gear box, he recommends topping it up with gear oil once a year.

“There’s also nipples on that allow your blades to go up and down, that’s usually one of the first things that stop to work on there, so you’ve got to grease that every three to four uses,” he adds. “So, carry around a margin trowel or scraper and a grease gun.”

He also suggests keeping oil on hand to perform oil changes on the machines.

“A lot of the time, my guys will just change them on site. They won’t even deal with the shop,” says Blazejewski. “When they feel like it’s had enough hours, they flip it upside-down into a bucket and change it on site.”

While the machines are built to handle the rough applications they are designed for, contractors should still pay close attention to things like the spider plates.

PHOTOS: COOKSVILLE CONCRETE FINISHING INC.

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TROWELING

The most important thing for the guys to be doing is cleaning their machines every time after every use.”

“Keep an eye on your spider plate. A lot of guys drop down the spider plates or push down the handles too much and they bend the spider plate underneath,” Blazejewski advises.

BUYING AND RENTING Over his 20-plus years of working in the world of concrete, Blazejewski has operated and owned his share of power trowels. Currently, his company has three ride-on power trowels and 14 walk-behind power trowels.

“They’re made pretty well. We tend to use a lot of Bartell equipment. We’re also just striking into some Italian equipment called Barikells, which are very nice machines because they make a custom machine that’s 30 inches and a ride-on, so you can sit between doorways,” he says.

For buying new, he says the price points typically range from $18,000 to $40,000 for ride-ons and $2,800 to $5,000 for walk behinds.

“There’s manual and hydrostatic drive.

Manual is all controls with gears you move

36 / APRIL 2022

back and forth,” Blazejewski says. “And then electronic-driven, hydraulic-driven, those are just joysticks. That’s when you’re looking at spending $40,000 for a machine.”

He adds that there are also machines starting to come to market that are remote controlled, but he’s personally not sold on that concept.

“I don’t know how much I believe in that, because to me you’ve got to see your floors when you’re working it,” he says.

“I’m not sure what kind of quality a guy gets when he’s standing 30 feet off the slab looking at his machine run around.”

He prefers to be much closer to the action.

“You’ve got to be over top of your floor and see the quality you’re putting into it. You can see the holes you’re missing, rocks popping, anything like that. You’re not going to get that when you’re 30 feet away,” he suggests. “It’s hard enough to see that when you’re on top of it.”

Blazejewski says buying a power trowel is not unlike purchasing a car. When buying used, he says it is necessary to take time to thoroughly inspect the machine and look at its general condition. If it hasn’t been maintained properly, it’s bound to fail.

“If it looks like in its rough condition — if they’re not cleaning the machines, they’re not greasing them and oiling them — most likely it wasn’t taken care of,” he says.

When purchasing a power trowel, also

keep in mind the type of applications it will be used on.

“Look at the size of the project, if they have a big enough floor, you might want to be looking for a 48-inch, ride-on power trowel. If you’re doing small basements, maybe a 36-inch power trowel,” Blazejewski says.

Bottom line, whether a contractor buys a power trowel new or used, if they take care of it, it should run for a while.

“There’s really not much too them, so, if you regularly change your oils and grease your fittings, they’ll last you quite a long time,” he says. “We’ve had some machines that have been running 10, 12, 13 years every day on a jobsite with no issues with them... you can get 10 to 20 years out of a machine if you maintain it properly.”

SAFE OPERATION When it comes operating power trowels safely, the main thing is to maintain good jobsite awareness. Blazejewski says that knowing potential hazards where the power trowel is being used is an absolute necessity.

“Stay away from things like rebar and hazards, know your surroundings,” he says.

“One of the biggest dangers with walk behinds is walking backwards with it and stepping off an edge, or tripping over a piece of rebar. When not keeping an eye on what’s around, I’ve seen lots of guys trip and fall.”

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CONCRETE

EXPLORING

SCREED OPTIONS How to choose a concrete screed.

W

BY SETH ULMER

hether shopping for a new car or new concrete equipment, people are bombarded with numerous options. Making decisions can be overwhelming. For concrete contractors, these decisions may extend to choosing the right screed, an essential purchase, and a critical tool for providing the smooth, level finish for concrete work.

By carefully considering the screed types available, contractors can see maximum productivity from their investment.

The most common screed categories include roller, truss, laser, power and hand screeds. Each has unique features that, when aligned with project goals, can improve ROI.

Roller screeds broadly consist of a detachable pipe connected to a drive head with an extended handle for upright, ergonomic operation. These screeds are known for minimal setup, low learning curve and consistent, quality results with less reliance on the operator’s skill level.

Roller screeds use a spinning motion to move concrete, a method that reduces operator fatigue and allows for improved integration of aggregate throughout the pour compared to vibratory methods that may cause the aggregate to settle. These screeds are versatile and can be used for a variety of pours, often up to 30 feet wide, depending on the power source.

The roller screed’s detachable design

38 / APRIL 2022

also makes for a highly portable option when compared to bulkier and heavier screeds like laser screeds. Some manufacturers even offer linkable pipe sections to increase portability and versatility.

Features like three-way adjustable and lockable handles for improved ease of operation and a kickstand to keep the drive head and handle out of the concrete allow crews to quickly adapt to various jobsite needs. Contractors have four different power options to choose from: battery, corded, hydraulic and gas-powered.

Battery-powered roller screeds are easily

maneuverable and can handle pours up to 22-feet-wide. These versatile machines can be especially useful for contractors working in basements or factory settings indoors, at farms, or communities in remote locations.

Depending on the slump and pipe length, a contractor can screed off 1,800 to 2,500 square feet of concrete with just one fully charged battery. Battery operation provides fume-free screeding for those working in closed off environments, or any area where fumes may be a concern. These also generally require less setup time, and no cords or hoses are in the way on the site.

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ROLLER SCREEDS FOR VERSATILITY

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Some battery-powered roller screeds can also provide cross-platform use by using the same rechargeable lithium-ion batteries found in common handheld power tools.

For special projects, such as circular pours, battery powered roller screeds provide a convenient single-push-button directional change. This allows contractors to easily change their screeding direction to avoid cold joints or other structural flaws that can occur when concrete cures unevenly. Other screed types may require a complete disassembly, drive head rotation and reassembly of the screed to reverse direction.

Despite all the conveniences battery-powered roller screeds offer, if power accessibility isn’t a concern or portable jobsite generators are abundant, some contractors may opt for a corded screed.

Corded electric roller screeds offer many of the same benefits and capabilities as their battery-powered brethren. They are fume-free for indoor jobs, and some provide a single-push-button directional change for screeding unique pours. With a nearby outlet or reliable generator, contractors can have the reassurance and convenience of seemingly endless power.

While enjoying the convenience of power, contractors must consider proper care to ensure the cords don’t become tangled, unplugged or damaged while on the jobsite. And relying on a separate power source, like a generator, can come with its

own worries. That can include staying on top of fuel availability, general maintenance or fume concerns.

Battery and corded power can offer an immensely convenient and versatile screeding solution to any contractor’s fleet, but some heavy-duty applications, like road drainage and ditch liner pours, require large custom drums and a screed powerful enough to drive them. This is where hydraulic roller screeds shine.

Hydraulic-powered roller screeds have the power to move up to six inches of concrete along a pour while the operator remains in a standing position. Additionally, most hydraulic roller screeds accept six-inch tube in lengths up to 30 feet.

Some manufacturers also offer custom drums made to various job specifications, such as sidewalks, parking lots, residential streets, large highway ditch liners, and more.

Like corded screeds, hydraulic screeds require a separate power source. Look for a manufacturer that provides a portable hydraulic power pack to match their hydraulic screed’s exact specifications. With this option, contractors don’t have to tie up a host machine to power their screed.

These screeds are also generally two to three times heavier than battery and corded roller screeds, making it possible to take on heavy-duty jobs. Contractors should consider how to accommodate the additional weight before committing to these Roller screeds are known for their easy operation, low learning curve and the consistent, quality results they provide with less reliance on the operator’s skill level.

powerful screeds.

Gas-powered roller screeds have a similar setup as the other roller screeds but with a motor attached to the drive head. These screeds offer another option for contractors who typically screed large pours that require a longer pipe, often up to 30 feet wide.

The motor produces screeding power that rivals that of hydraulic screeds and offers a viable, familiar alternative for those preferring a gas engine.

Unlike the other screeds, more care is required with gas-powered machines. The screed motor needs to be in an upright position to avoid gas and oil from leaking out. This may prove challenging due to the heavy weight of the engine on the drive head.

These screeds have location limitations as well, as they cannot be used indoors due to the exhaust and fumes from the engine.

Engine vibrations present another area of concern. The high vibration from the engine can cause the throttle cable to slip, which may necessitate continuous readjustment.

TRUSS SCREEDS FOR LENGTH A major design shift from rollers, truss screeds level off concrete with vibration instead of a spinning pipe.

These screeds are expandable and come in multiple sections that resemble a truss design to help maintain rigidity for longer lengths, even beyond 60 feet.

Truss screeds can be an excellent option for the largest jobs, like screeding an entire roadway.

Vibrations from a motor attached to the truss carry throughout the screed as contractors guide it along concrete forms, flattening and settling the concrete to remove trapped air, increase concrete strength and provide a smooth finish.

However, due to the vibration, these screeds are generally not used on a slope.

The aggregate in concrete tends to settle with vibration and unevenly dispersed aggregate can create spots of varying strengths that can result in structural flaws and damage over time.

LASER SCREED PRECISION As a recent entry to the screed market, laser screeds are growing in popularity

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OS_APRIL22_LAZ.indd 40

2022-04-13 9:19 AM

for larger concrete pours and those that require a high degree of precision. Laser screeds can be found in a variety of styles ranging from telescopic attachments to ride-along machines.

The screed’s laser arm ensures a precise, accurate and evenly leveled surface while reducing the need for excessive labour. The average laser screed can screed approximately 240 square feet of concrete in one minute. This equipment is a gamechanger for the concrete industry.

While laser screeds bring many benefits, they come with a very noticeable downside – an upfront price tag that can reach up to $350,000.

Additionally, some of the widest laserguided screeds available on the market have a maximum width of 20 feet, making their functions more specialized and significantly affecting their overall versatility.

POWER SCREEDS FOR SOLO ARTISTS In what could be considered an assisted-hand screeding method, power screeds,

Battery-powered roller screeds provide arguably the most convenient and maneuverable screed option available today.

also known as wet screeds, consist of an engine and extended handle placed in the centre of a traditional board/blade that is in contact with the concrete. Power screeds use vibration to help the blade level the

concrete. These require a lot of skill and experience by the operator.

Although more ergonomic and efficient than traditional hand screeding, power screeds require the operator to stand in the

TIE REBAR

FASTER AND EASIER WITH DURABLE INDUSTRIAL TOOLS FOR OVER 80 YEARS MAX developed the World’s First battery powered rebar tying tool in 1993 and has a history of manufacturing durable and reliable industrial tools for 80 years. Since then, MAX rebar tying tools have revolutionized rebar tying work in precast plants and a variety of other jobsites all around the world.

All MAX products are engineered to perform on professional contractors jobsites and with MAX’s 200 R&D engineers we have continued to improve upon MAX proprietary technology, which led to the invention of the TWINTIER® rebar tying tools. TWINTIER® technology allows the tools to tie 4,000 ties per charge while delivering just the right amount of wire for greater productivity and cost savings. These unique innovative features make the TWINTIER® the most efficient rebar tiers in the industry. Today, MAX manufactures a full line of rebar tying tools that can tie between mesh up to #9 x #10 rebar.

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on-sitemag.com / 41 OnSite_MaxUSA_April22.indd 1

2022-04-06 2:50 PM

Untitled-10 1

2022-04-14 1:58 PM

CONCRETE poured concrete while screeding. The vibration has similar benefits and drawbacks to that of the truss screed. Due to their one-man operation and centre support, manufacturers typically limit the board/ blade sizes to around 15 feet.

Some screeds provide a single-push-button directional change. This is a convenient feature for special projects, such as circular pours.

TRADITONAL HAND SCREEDS Classic hand screeding, which traditionally uses a wooden board, might cut it for the one-off small concrete job, but any serious contractor knows the life-long pains that come from years of stooping over a heavy board and sawing it back and forth along forms to screed concrete.

Although the materials have evolved from hefty two-by-four lumber to lighter-weight aluminum alloy bars, the design and method has largely remained unchanged.

In addition to the back-breaking labour, hand screeding methods using boards require the skill of an experienced professional to remain true to grade and achieve consistent results since there’s no assis-

tance from vibration or a spinning pipe. This can prove challenging on large pours, even with decades of experience.

Seth Ulmer is the sales manager at Curb Roller Manufacturing, a world leader in shaped concrete roller screeds. He joined the company after spending over a decade in the concrete and construction industries.

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on-sitemag.com / 43 OnSite_Somero_April22.indd 1

2022-04-08 1:17 PM

RISK

By David Bowcott

Navigating construction’s central risk: Defect Modern ideas, practices and technologies can help reduce risk.

C

onstruction is a risky business. Multiple stakeholders, fragmented communication, variations in risk based on location of project, massive reliance on supply chain efficiency, and many other attributes contribute to the construction industry’s leading position when it comes to risk.

There are not many other industries with so many unknown unknowns, but of the many risks within the construction industry, the most prevalent is defect.

Defect comes in three primary categories: design defect, material or equipment defect, and workmanship defect.

The defect peril is magnified as different stakeholders are often responsible for each of the three categories.

Design and engineering firms are responsible to remove or reduce the risk of design defect; supply chain manufacturers are responsible to remove or reduce the risk of material or equipment defect; and the various construction contractors responsible for the installation of the materials and equipment are doing their best to remove or reduce workmanship defect.

Evidence that defect risk is top tier within the construction sector is easy enough to find. Just turn to the industry which houses the largest repository of construction risk data, the insurance industry.

In a recent report from Allianz, it was indicated that, from a dollars paid out standpoint, 20 per cent of all engineering and construction claims were the result of defective product or workmanship. That is the second-biggest risk after fires and explosions. Further, the report indicated that these risks accounted for 22 per cent of all claims from a frequency of claim standpoint, making it the highest frequency risk in their data.

Bottomline, most stakeholders within the construction sector would agree we could dramatically improve the productivity and risk profile of the construction industry if we can find ways to remove or reduce construction defect risk.

44 / APRIL 2022

The primary way to remove or reduce the defect risk issue, and the costs associated with it, is to put practices and tools in place that provide advanced warning of defect issues. The graph below is a simplistic way of evidencing how advanced or early warning can dramatically improve mitigation deltas when it comes to defect costs.

PRACTICES AND TOOLS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF DEFECT 1. Completed Design: The more complete the design and specification at the time of costing out the project, the greater the chance you discover design defects and minimize workmanship defects.

2. Construction Contractor Deep Review of Design: All design and specification documents should be carefully reviewed by the contractors involved in the project to minimize defect risk.

3. Manufacturer Site Visits: These are especially important for critical path materials and equipment. A visit to the manufacturer’s site can help ensure materials and equipment used in the project will meet the required specifications of design and lack defect.

4. Verification, Inspection and Storage: When delivered to the site, ensure materials and equipment are in line with design and specification, are inspected for defect, and are stored properly to minimize risk of damage.

5. Prequalification of Subcontractors and Suppliers: Those that manufacture and install materials and equipment for the project should be vetted for financial, operational and safety practices. Quality of the subcontractor and supplier is vital to minimizing workmanship and material defects.

6. Utilize Mock-ups: Ensure mock-ups are used to validate that the material, system design and workmanship techniques are effective and free of defect, especially for critical components to the project, like curtain walls. Better to find defect issues in the mock-up phase than near the end of the job where rip, tear and replace cost will be significant.

7. Effective Communication Upon Defect Discovery: Once defect of any type is discovered, ensure prompt and effective communication to all relevant stakeholders so that a prompt and effective response can be generated to minimize its impact.

8. Technology: Several technologies are proving highly effective at identifying and even mitigating defects early. The IoT backbone and associated IoT devices, along with reality capture – or 3-D digital scans of the as-built – are having very strong success mitigating

defect events. In addition, there are new technologies coming to market to vet the design and specification for error.

9. Choosing the Right Delivery Model: Delivery models that involve all stakeholders very early in the pre-construction and planning phase of the project will have improved ability to identify defect issues early. Further, procurement models that encourage improved collaboration and communication amongst key stakeholders will ensure early identification of issues and speedier resolution.

10. Using Off-Site Methodologies: The use of off-site (or manufactured) construction continues to grow. These methods offer a more controlled environment where contractors can more easily manufacture and install the various component parts of the construction project. Such control in construction also reduces risk of defect.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX & WEBSITES Acumatica............................. www.acumatica.com/construction ................................. 4 Adrian Steel.......................... www.AdrianSteel.com .................................................. 23 B2W Software........................ www.b2wsoftware.com/skip ........................................ 43 Bomag.................................. www.bomag.com ................................................... 14, 15 Brandt Tractor....................... www.brandt.ca ............................................................ 21 GC Pay.................................. www.gcpay.com.............................................................. 6 Gomaco................................. www.gomaco.com ........................................................ 32 Hyundai................................. www.hceamericas.com ................................................ 13 Kryton.................................... www.kryton.com ........................................................... 24 Kubota.................................. www.kubota.ca ............................................................ 47 Mack..................................... www.MackTrucks.com/GraniteCommand ..................... 35

David Bowcott is Global Director – Growth, Innovation & Insight, Global Construction and Infrastructure Group at Aon Risk Solutions. Please send comments to editor@on-sitemag.com.

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Milwaukee Tool...................... www.milwaukeetool.ca ................................................ 29 Putzmeister........................... www.Putzmeister.com .................................................. 31 Stellar Industries.................. www.StellarIndustries.com .......................................... 37 Takeuchi................................ www.takeuchi-us.com ................................................. 48 Titan Environmental.............. www.titanenviro.com ................................................. 2, 3 Uline..................................... www.uline.ca ............................................................... 11 Volvo Trucks.......................... www.volvotrucks.ca/en-ca/trucks/vhd/ ........................ 41 Wirtgen................................. www.wirtgen-group.com .............................................. 19

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2019-03-05 11:19 AM

CONTRACTORS & THE LAW

By Rodney Smith, Marin Leci, Karleigh Maag and Celine Zhen

Bringing blockchain to the construction industry

Technology may automate processes and enhance trust between parties on projects.

B

lockchain technology represents an efficient and transparent means of executing transactions. Often associated with cryptocurrencies, the technology offers significant opportunities for use in the construction industry as well, since construction contracts often contain monitoring rights and audit obligations. While the technology continues to develop, blockchain may be an effective tool in automating processes, while enhancing trust between parties on construction projects.

BLOCKCHAIN BASICS A blockchain is a secure virtual, distributed ledger that stores and verifies data between multiple users operating the ledger together in real time. Each piece of information enters the blockchain through “nodes” and each node must be verified before it is added to the chain.

APPLICATIONS OF BLOCKCHAIN IN CONSTRUCTION Tracking materials, resources and equipment: Real time progress and material tracking is critical to construction projects. Using blockchain technology as a monitoring tool, parties could obtain verified, near-real-time information regarding the status of material and progress. This would remove the need to rely on agents or third-party reporting. In addition, it could significantly reduce the costs and disruptive impact of executing physical inspections.

As a result, parties to a construction contract built on top of a blockchain could pivot their operations more quickly to minimize losses and make decisions with a clearer picture on what project partners are doing. From a legal perspective, the ability to identify with certainty where and when a delay occurred can help resolve disputes over delay and decrease dispute resolution costs.

Smart contracts and data storage: Blockchain can be used to create a verified, immutable, and permanent data repository containing all project documents, including progress applications and project reports.

Using blockchain, parties executing a construction project could use a smart contract with self-executing processes triggered when stated conditions are met to govern the upload and access verified documents, in real time. Further, the ability to record key information such as the author, time of creation, or versions of documents, can facilitate compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements or a more efficient dispute resolution processes.

Using blockchain as the backbone of a document control system may ease adjusting to recently introduced prompt payment and adjudication timelines being implemented across Canada.

A blockchain-based data system may reduce costs related to investigating, prosecuting or defending legal claims, especially on

46 / APRIL 2022

large projects. Traditional methods of document storage may lead to disorganization, inaccuracies or data loss. As a result, costs associated with collecting, filtering and exchanging documents often make up a significant portion of legal costs in a dispute.

Using blockchain to streamline document storage could translate into project execution efficiencies and significant cost savings during disputes.

Risks associated with using blockchain: Despite the advantages a blockchain can provide in construction contracts, there are some misconceptions about its accuracy and security.

For instance, blockchain is not 100 per cent hack-proof. Its security depends on the security of any overlying applications, and the identity of the users. Also, transactions are only as accurate as the “off-chain” information provided to the blockchain.

Lastly, given the rise in blockchain technology in recent years, parties must be cognizant of the quickly changing regulatory environment of blockchain technology. As such, its benefits and risks must be balanced by parties looking to apply the technology to a project or weave it into a contract.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS The use of blockchain technology raises a myriad of legal issues that have yet to be fully examined by lawmakers or legal experts.

That said, in 2016, Vermont passed a bill making data registered in a blockchain admissible as evidence. Around the same time, Delaware amended legislation to allow businesses to keep corporate records and securities register on blockchain technology.

Despite these developments, it remains unclear what remedies would be available to users when errors occur, or how courts would interpret a code-based contract remains equally unclear.

Canadian law is sparse on this matter. In Cicada 137 LLC v. Medjedovic, the court queried whether the “[programming] code is law” when it comes to an open source technology like blockchain. In other words, should someone be allowed to take advantage of loopholes in the blockchain code, since that code is available for everyone to see?

As blockchain technology continues to develop, expect these issues to arise in the context of litigation.

Rodney Smith is a partner in the Construction Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Marin Leci and Karleigh Maag are senior associates at the firm; and Celine Zhen is an articling student, also at BLG LLP. This article provides an overview and is not intended to be exhaustive of the subject matter contained therein. Although care has been taken to ensure accuracy, this article should not be relied upon as legal advice.

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