September/October 2017 Vol. 14 No.4
PM 40063056
Teck Acute Care Centre Chris Gardner, ICBA president | Concrete Open Shop | Skills Training
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Inside 06 Connections Chris Gardner is the new president of ICBA, taking over from long time leader Philip Hochstein. He is focused on moving the organization forward while remaining true to ICBA’s founding principles.
September/October 2017 | Volume 14 No 4
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MANAGING Editor Contributing writers
Dan Gnocato dang@mediaedge.ca Cheryl Mah Alireza Biparva Philip Carson
10 Feature Project
Jim Caruth Colin Craig
The Teck Acute Care Centre features a modern and healing environment for B.C.’s most seriously ill children and complex obstetrical cases.
Chris Gardner Wayne Hand Gary Herman Charles Kelly
Industry Focus
Terrance Oakey
15 Open Shop Say Yes to Prosperity What to expect from the Trudeau government Secret Ballot: Protecting Democracy
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Dan Gnocato Tel: 604.549.4521 ext. 223
22 Concrete Concrete Leadership Crystalline Concrete Waterproofing Life-cycle approach to material selection
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25 Skills Training Opportunity in Trades Education for a Complex World Enhancing Safety Training
Departments 04 Message from the Editor 29 The Legal File Importance of Field Reviews
30 Industry News
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Construction Business is British Columbia and Alberta’s construction magazine. Each issue provides timely and pertinent information to contractors, architects, developers, consulting engineers, and municipal governments throughout both provinces. Complimentary copies are sent bi-monthly to all members of the Architectural Institute of B.C., B.C. Construction Association, B.C. Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, Consulting Engineers of B.C., Construction Specifications Canada — B.C. Chapter, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, B.C. Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C., Urban Development Institute of B.C. and Vancouver Regional Construction Association.
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Editor’s Note
Community Fabric
W
ith so many good projects to choose from, sometimes it can be a very difficult decision to narrow it down to which one to feature. Selecting the new Teck Acute Care Centre for this issue was not a difficult decision. I gave birth to both my children at B.C. Women’s Hospital and both of them have used the emergency department at B.C. Children’s Hospital, so the significance of this project is not lost on me and many others. Hospitals are an integral part of the community fabric and one of the most complex buildings types to construct. The Acute Care Centre in Vancouver will provide critical care for the sickest children in B.C. and specialized mater-
nity care for women. It is Phase 2 of the B.C. Children’s and B.C. Women’s redevelopment. project and will impact many lives once fully operational. This is our annual open shop issue so it’s fitting that we speak with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association’s new president, Chris Gardner, who takes over from long-time leader Philip Hochstein. The change in government in B.C. this year has created uncertainty for many large infrastructure projects, already underway or approved. Gardner shares his concerns and more starting on page six. Also inside, you will find features on concrete and skills training. With the wave of pending retirements, a skilled labour shortage in the con-
struction industry remains a real concern. The good news is there are plenty of opportunities in the trades and BCIT continues to lead the way with innovative and exciting programs.
Cheryl Mah Managing Editor
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September/October 2017
Connections
A Vocal Advocate By Cheryl Mah
L
eadership transition is never easy and when you are taking over from a long time and prominent industry leader like Philip Hochstein, it’s not only about filling big shoes but also ensuring a legacy continues. Chris Gardner took over as president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) in January 2017, with Hochstein retiring after spending three decades building ICBA into the organization it is today. Another key member Gord Stewart also stepped down and now both are serving as consultants. “When you have leadership change, it’s a big transition and with both of them out of day-today operations, that’s significant,” says Gardner, recalling how his first industry appearance as president at Buildex Vancouver’s CEO breakfast in February was a surprise to most in the room. “I’ve been working hard to get to know members and members of the board. It has been a whirlwind — very busy but so far so good.” Gardner is also taking over at a time of significant political change with the new NDP-Green minority government sworn into office in July. The future of major resource and infrastructure projects that ICBA has been advocating for, along with thousands of jobs, could be in jeopardy. The NDP-Green government is reviewing and challenging several projects including Site
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C, Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and the George Massey Tunnel replacement. “The concern is that we need a government to be focused on attracting investments and helping our economy grow,” says Gardner. Growing the economy has been a priority for the organization. ICBA launched its Get to Yes campaign in 2016 to increase public awareness
...mega-projects undergo robust and rigourous reviews and once regulatory approval is received, they should be allowed to move forward. of the need for supporters of B.C. resource development to sign up and to voice their support. The campaign has focused its efforts on several key resource development projects in the province such as Site C. “If you look at Site C, B.C. Hydro spent 10 years planning that project and an independent
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panel spent three years reviewing and assessing it. We have 150 conditions in place to ensure it will be built in a sustainable way,” says Gardner. “The referral of Site C to BCUC review was not necessary. The project is 20 per cent complete and broad consultation has been done already. The focus should be on completing it on time, on budget.” While the change in the provincial government understandably means different policy positions, Gardner stresses that mega-projects undergo robust and rigorous reviews and once regulatory approval is received, they should be allowed to move forward. “Every single piece of major infrastructure in B.C., no matter when it’s built, is controversial at that time,” he notes. “Then after it’s built and functioning, we are so much better off. Canada Line is a great example. It was voted down twice by the mayors of Metro Vancouver.” Now there is a similar debate about the George Massey Tunnel replacement project. As B.C.’s biggest congestion bottleneck, the 60-year-old tunnel is at the end of its life and no longer meets modern seismic safety standards. Construction of the proposed 10-lane bridge intended to replace the tunnel has been cancelled by the NDP. “My fear is that we pause, we have another debate and come up with another plan. It’s easier
Connections
to say no, easier to say wait, but replacing the tunnel needs to move forward,” says Gardner. “These large infrastructure projects are important investments, not only for the construction industry but the overall economy.” The 54-year-old’s commitment to a strong economy, along with his varied experience, should serve him well in his new role. Born in Newfoundland, Gardner moved out west in the early 70s and graduated from high school in Langley. He studied political science at Simon Fraser University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree before going on to complete a law degree at the University of British Columbia in 1991. “When I was in law school, I really wanted to live and work abroad... and I ended up going to Seoul, Korea,” recalls Gardner. His intention of staying for a couple of years turned into 11 years. He worked with Lee & Ko, the country’s second largest law firm (where he met his wife), for four years and then moved onto opportunities at Samsung Electronics and ING Investment Bank. Gardner returned to B.C. in 2002 and a chance encounter with Britco co-founder David Taft led him to joining the company in 2005 as executive vice president. “I worked for Britco during the summer when I was in law school and kept in touch since then,” says Gardner, who stayed with the modular construction company
until 2014 when he did a short stint as principal secretary to former Premier Christy Clark. He then became senior vice president at Civeo, a Calgary-based company that provides workforce accommodations. In late 2016, he had coffee with Hochstein, who discussed his pending retirement and the transition at ICBA. That chat led to Gardner taking over the helm at ICBA. “I thought it would be a tremendous opportunity and challenge. It’s an opportunity to build on the foundation that both Phil and Gord had built and to continue to move ICBA forward to ensure that it remains a strong voice,” says Gardner about his decision to join ICBA. “I was familiar with the organization — the people and understood its values and principles so it made the decision easier.” ICBA has been a leading voice of B.C.’s construction industry for four decades and represents the interests of more than 2,000 members across B.C. As the oldest open shop organization in Canada, ICBA has successfully championed open tendering and fair treatment. Today, the organization focuses on three key areas: public policy advocacy, training and health and insurance. “We are the single largest sponsor of apprentices in B.C. and train more than 3,000 a year. Improving and enhancing the skills of our workforce is critical,” says Gardner. “We also
have a large group in the retirement and benefits division.” The leadership transition at ICBA also includes other new faces: Jordan Bateman, director of marketing and communications and vice president Lindsay Langill, former dean of the School of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University. “It’s a very strong team that’s working well together,” says Gardner, noting the organization is now close to 50 employees with three offices.
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“Everyone’s focused on building on the legacy of the exceptional work that Phil and Gord did during their time.” Headquartered in Burnaby, ICBA opened its first regional office in Prince George in 2016. It opened an office in Fort St John this year following the acquisition of Energy Services BC, the largest oil and gas industry association in B.C. The merger will strengthen advocacy for responsible resource development in northeastern B.C., says Gardner. “It’s a great opportunity to speak and advocate for an important sector. By
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working together in one organization, the issues that are important to businesses in the northeast will get more attention across the province.” He explains that many people in Metro Vancouver do not appreciate that much of the province’s economic prosperity is generated in other parts of the province. Getting natural resources to global markets is a key driver for job creation and economic investment in B.C. “We have to take advantage of our natural resources and build our economy. The communities up north in particular rely on investments
September/October 2017
in projects and technology related to the energy sector,” he says. That’s one of the reasons why the cancellation of the $36 billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project (PNW), due to poor global energy market conditions, was a tough blow. “The PNW decision was very disappointing,” states Gardner. “Those projects don’t happen very often. That’s a tremendous lost opportunity for B.C. and Canada. It would’ve been the largest private sector investment in the country and would’ve resulted in 4,500 construction jobs.” Opposition and delays to small and medium projects are also concerns. “Our public policy advocacy covers all projects — small, medium and large. We have to make sure local governments don’t drag out the approval process and that we are able to build strong and diverse communities in a timely manner,” he says. Ensuring B.C. has a strong and dynamic construction sector will always be a driving force behind ICBA’s mandate. “There are over 200,000 British Columbians who are directly employed in the sector and construction accounts for 10 per cent of the province’s economic activity,” says Gardner. “We need to make sure we are saying B.C. is open for business, rather than turning away investments.”
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Feature Project
Enhancing patient experience By Cheryl Mah | photos by Ed White
T
he centrepiece of a multi-phase redevelopment project at B.C. Children’s and Women’s Hospital is set to open in the fall of 2017. The new Teck Acute Care Centre (TACC), situated in the heart of the 46-acre Oak Street campus, will provide much-needed modern space for the specialized care of seriously ill children and complex obstetrical cases. Construction of the TACC is part of Phase II of the $680 million redevelopment project and will offer health providers access to more integrated and state-of-the-art technology and equipment to support the delivery of family-centred care. “We are a 24/7 active acute care hospital — the only one in the province for children and women, serving the population across B.C. as well as the Yukon,” says Eleanor Lee, Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) executive director and chief project officer. “Our primary
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goal for the centre is to provide a healing environment for our family-centred care. It’s about involving the family in the care plan and ensuring that the family has an active role in the healing journey of the patient.”
Our primary goal for the centre is to provide a healing environment for our family-centred care... That goal was central to the design of the centre, which emphasizes single occupant patient rooms, access to natural light and views of nature to create a holistic healing environment. Even before the
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project went through the procurement process, a long indicative design planning phase was undertaken to ensure staff and patient needs were met. “We went through an Integrated Facility Design process for nine months where we actually rented a warehouse and built out full scale models of different layouts and rooms — that informed our functional programming,” says Lee, noting more than 1,000 people were involved. The project is being delivered as a public-private-partnership (P3). The Affinity Partnerships consortium was selected by the PHSA to design, build, finance and maintain the centre for 30 years. Construction was led by CWH DesignBuild GP, a partnership of Ledcor and Balfour Beatty Construction. The facility is eight storeys above grade with one level of underground parking. It provides expanded and enhanced clinical space, 231 single-patient rooms, 87 outpatient beds and
Feature Project
new clinical education and research spaces. The centre houses a number of departments including medical/surgical inpatient units, emergency, medical imaging and procedural suites, hematology/oncology and pediatric intensive care. It also includes a high-risk birthing centre and a new neonatal intensive care unit. Construction began in May 2014 with the demolition of three buildings to make way for the acute care centre. Substantial completion was achieved in July 2017 with the official opening slated for October 29. More than 800 workers were on site to deliver the 640,000-square-foot building. Crews poured 32,600 cubic metres of concrete and installed 4,600 tonnes of rebar for the structure. The exterior features a combination of cementitious shingles, glass curtain wall and colourful glass fins. 12
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“This is more than a construction project for us,” says Peter Hrditschka, president of Ledcor. “Applying our services to build a facility that will help improve the lives of children and women in British Columbia is a special honour.” Key construction milestones include the completion and enclosure of the structure as well as the turnover date in July. One of the biggest challenges was the constrained site, according to Lee, explaining the centre is surrounded on three sides by buildings, which remained fully operational during the construction period. “Access to the site, noise, vibration, dust, and infection control were all issues,” says Lee, noting planning, monitoring and good communication were critical to minimizing disruption to staff and vulnerable young patients. “We
September/October 2017
were very careful to ensure contractors stayed within allowable limits, especially for noise and vibrations.” ZGF Architects, in joint venture with HDR | CEI, led the design for the new facility. Lean and evidence-based design strategies were used to create flexible, efficient and family-centred spaces that support the delivery of modern healthcare practices. “The metrics and organization strategies that the health authority put in place really help drive and organize the thinking behind our competitive design that was selected,” says Allyn Stellmacher, a partner with ZGF. “It was a very elaborate programme but well organized by the client and structured in a way that allowed us to drive a unique and appropriate solution for them.”
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Feature Project
The goal was to have a highly efficient design while providing the best compassionate and caring environment, according to Troy Ransdell, vice president, healthcare HDR | CEI. “The facility is delivering this next level of service to this vulnerable population and providing them with the type of amenities and care that they need — accommodating current and future demands,” he says. “Optimizing flow and travel distances for the staff was a key priority. A great deal of effort was put into the mapping of the building clinical efficiencies and flow.” For example, the public entry and elevator core are located along the main circulation concourse to separate flow. The design separates public, patient and staff flows with few crossovers. A key consideration for the interior was a sense of “playfulness” to engage children of all ages. “This is a children’s hospital and so it was really important to have spaces and amenities for the children such as playrooms, video game rooms and playful colours and murals throughout to create a positive environment,” he says. Wayfinding is critical in a complex building such as a hospital. Inspired by B.C.’s natural beauty, each floor has its own colours and themes 14
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from mountains and forests to sea creatures and other animals reflecting the different regions of the province. Artwork (murals, sculptures) in public areas also provides landmarks for patients and families to easily find their way around the hospital. Extensive research shows that artwork has a positive impact to help patients recover faster and reduce anxiety and stress for visitors, patients and staff, notes Lee. Sustainability was another key design driver. Targeting LEED Gold, the centre incorporates energy reduction strategies that will result in long-term operational cost savings. Other features include green roofs, drought-resistant native planting, rain gardens, low-flow plumbing fixtures and high performance lighting strategy such as dimmable lights and light sensors. Wood is used throughout public areas from the large canopy at the main entrance through to the lobby. The facility is located within a residential neighbhourhood, which also influenced the overall design. “The massing of the building needed to be sensitive and relevant to the neighbourhood context,” says Ransdell.
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The biggest challenge was the scale of the project and fast track schedule, according to Bill Locking, senior vice president at HDR | CEI. “Crews were working 12 hour days for the last six months to meet the schedule,” he says. Successfully delivering the TACC required collaboration and innovation across the consortium, notes Stellmacher. This was his firm’s first P3 hospital and first project in Vancouver. “Facilities like this are key institutions within any community and especially within a major city like Vancouver. It was an opportunity to make a powerful difference to the users,” he says. Phase 3 is slated to begin in November which will see the relocation of Sunny Hill Healthy Centre for Children to the hospital’s main Oak Street campus. Vacated space in the existing B.C. Children’s Hospital will be renovated and repurposed to accommodate the centre, consolidating care in one location. “I think the acute care centre sets the bar for a children’s hospital,” sums up Lee. “We have put careful thought and effort in designing the spaces with holistic healing in mind — to support families in every way we can during an extremely stressful and anxious time.”
Open Shop
Say Yes to Prosperity By Chris Gardner
E
very day in Canada’s 150th year, more than 200,000 British Columbians got up and went to work in the construction industry. They are out there working to build the roads and homes and schools and bridges that we need to enjoy this diverse and expansive province. These are good jobs that support families and make up about 10 per cent of B.C.’s economy. Another 65,000 people went to work in forestry and thousands more on pipelines, in the mines, on the water, and in the oil and gas sector — responsibly developing and adding value to B.C.’s abundant natural resources. So much of our economic prosperity in B.C. depends on these workers and what they do, every single day. But these jobs, and this booming economy, can quickly disappear if governments raise taxes or bring in too much regulation, or start spending beyond their means. They can vanish if politicians cave into the narrow views of activists and special interest groups. That’s why it’s important for all of us to stand up for these workers and for the projects that generate jobs and opportunity for Canadians in communities in every region of the country. B.C. cannot afford to gain the reputation of a place where the voices of “no” can stop investment in the province. To be sure, there are important issues that need to be independently assessed when considering any large project and this has to be done within a reasonable timeframe. But once the review is complete, the conditions attached and governments have given their stamp of approval, projects need to move forward. Anything else would send a dangerous message to businesses and investors. Canada risks being labelled a place where it is simply too difficult to get things done, or worse, a place where regulatory approvals are not worth the paper they are printed on. The result: businesses and investors taking their ideas, their people and their capital elsewhere. It’s already started. Pacific Northwest LNG recently cancelled its $36 billion LNG project planned for B.C. Over the past two years, some of the largest energy companies in the world have passed over Canada for more investor-friendly jurisdictions. The cost to Canada has been billions of dollars in investment and tens of thousands of lost jobs. Instead of encouraging B.C.’s nascent LNG industry, environmental and labour activists attacked it, dragging out approval timelines and then gloating when the Asian market for B.C. LNG softened and the industry didn’t boom as predicted. It’s sad that these groups cheered the idea of keeping people unemployed, preventing small communities from benefiting from responsible resource development and the job and business opportunities that would have flowed from this investment. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has banned natural gas in new buildings, which will increase people’s energy costs by $1,500 per year. Housing proposals in the Lower Mainland often draw a mix of professional protestors and neighbours who move into a community and then want to close its doors to others. The Site C Dam has been one of the most-studied projects in Canadian history, but that’s not good enough for the protestors, who have made wild, unproven claims about it. They said little about the 100-year supply of clean energy that Site C will provide for our province, made no mention of the 29-month independent review or the more than 150 environmental conditions attached to the project, and completely disregarded the 2,400 men and women working on the site today, earning money to feed their families. Two major Fraser River crossings — the Massey Tunnel and Pattullo Bridge — are crumbling, putting drivers at risk. How did one of the largest cities in a G7 economy, a city considered one of the most desirable places to live in the world, end up with two major pieces of failing infrastructure? Two reasons: old-fashioned government
B.C.’s NDP government has cancelled construction of a bridge to replace the Massey tunnel.
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September/October 2017
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Open Shop
neglect, and the increasingly fashionable movement finding favour among activists: Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone. To their credit, the previous B.C. Liberal government tried to address Massey. The tunnel is not safe, it’s not effective at moving people and it’s become one of the biggest traffic chokepoints in the country. Yet Metro Vancouver mayors are fighting its replacement tooth and nail. All the mayors have voted against Massey — except for Delta’s Lois Jackson, who has spent the most time studying and considering it. Jackson knows, after 145 technical and scientific reports examining all of the options, that a new bridge is the safest and most cost-effective choice. The environmental assessments are complete, more than 3,000 people attended 110 public meetings and construction was set to start. So, what’s the problem? It’s politics: the provincial government has changed hands, and the NDP-Green alliance has killed the project under the guise of “working with” the Metro Vancouver mayors. Politicians seemed determined to snatch another “no” from the jaws of “yes”. Massey was on its way to being fixed. Now it’s not. Polls consistently show that the majority of British Columbians support construction and responsible resource development. But we’re busy people, raising families and working our-
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selves. So the voice of the vocal minority that loves to say “no” to everything often wins the day. It’s important we speak out and show our support for these projects and for good jobs for our communities. We need to get to “yes” and encourage entrepreneurs and job-creators to set up shop in B.C. and make the investments we need to build our province. When we are asked about a good project proposed for our city or province, we need to take the extra minute and send the email, or make the phone call, or answer the survey and support it. We need to build more infrastructure — not less. Canadian cities are growing. We need to invest in transit, in new roads and new bridges to ensure that we can move people and goods in, around, and through the region. It’s not
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about choosing one project over another, it’s about revitalizing our aging infrastructure and building a strategic mix of new assets so that businesses located in the region can compete and families living in the region can get around safely and efficiently. It’s hard to imagine what Canada would be like if our leaders and builders had constantly listened to the naysayers and stopped all significant projects over the past 150 years. Building on their successes, and saying “yes” is a necessary step to making sure Canada is prosperous for another 150. Chris Gardner is the president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. Learn more about Getting to “Yes” at www.icba.ca.
Open Shop
What to expect from the Trudeau government Mid-term status review of priority issues By Terrance Oakey
T
he next federal election is scheduled for October 19, 2019, so we are at the half way point of the Trudeau government’s mandate. As such, the usual course of action is another year of relatively normal governing before the final year becomes extremely political, with virtually all decisions considered within the context of the pending election campaign. At this mid-way point it is worth reviewing Merit Canada’s recent federal government engagement, the status of our priority issues and what to expect in the remaining two years of the Liberal mandate. With union-friendly provincial governments in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, it will be critical to maintain some balance at the federal level. The biggest battle thus far in 2017 — and one that began in 2015 — was around Bill C-4, which sought to overturn the private members bills passed in the previous Parliament on union financial transparency (C-377) and secret ballot votes on certification in federally regulated sectors (C-525). Bill C-4 was one of the first introduced by the Trudeau government, receiving first reading in January 2016 and being passed by the House
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of Commons in September of that year. The Bill was introduced in the Senate in October and quickly ran into the new dynamics of a Senate where the Prime Minister had a) ejected Liberals senators from his caucus and b) appointed independent senators. The net result has been a Senate in which government legislation has been challenged on a regular basis. This happened with Bill C-4 in April 2017. Several Liberal and independent senators voted with the Conservatives to amend Bill C-4 to keep secret ballot votes, sending the Bill back to the House of Commons. However, those amendments were rejected by the Liberal majority in the House, sending the Bill back to the Senate. Breaking with tradition, in which the Senate usually concedes to the House at this point, Senators again voted to amend Bill C-4 to keep secret ballot votes, and again several Liberal and independent senators sided with the Conservatives. Unfortunately, this vote came up just a bit short — and the amendments were rejected in a tight 43-41 vote. As a result, Bill C-4 became law in June. While the battle was ultimately lost with this legislation, its passage was no easy feat for the Liberals and it was reassuring to see that the principle
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of a secret ballot vote drew support from Conservative, Liberal and independent senators. Another piece of good news is that the Liberals have yet to act on their 2015 election campaign pledge to implement “a modern Fair Wages Policy,” effectively reinstating the Fair Wages Act. Explaining why this would be bad policy was a central focus of the 2016 Merit Canada Hill Day and will be again for our next one on October 17. There was also some good news on pipelines, with the Liberal government approving the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain and Enbridge Line 3 pipelines in late November. However, the government rejected the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline proposal and the election of the NDP/Green coalition in British Columbia, which is fiercely opposed to the Trans Mountain project, raises new questions about if and when construction will begin. The government’s commitment to infrastructure investment remains a positive for the construction sector, with a pledge to spend $186 billion over the next 12 years. However, there is still no progress on open tendering, which would ensure fair access to bidding for all contractors and better value for taxpayers.
Open Shop Another infrastructure issue Merit Canada is tracking surrounds the commitment in Budget 2017 to establish the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The latter is billed as an attempt to leverage private money to supplement the government’s own investments in public infrastructure — propped up with $35 billion of taxpayer money. The government’s plan is to attract $4 to $5 of private investment for each dollar of public money. The bank would then lend money to other levels of government to finance infrastructure projects while reportedly operating at arms’ length from the federal government. The primary concern will be determining what sorts of projects can access funds from the Infrastructure Bank. The private investors need to see a return on their investment, which would seem to preclude a lot of smaller projects in favour of big ones like airports or highways, where tolls and user fees are easier to collect. Projects of that size and scope are usually restricted to a handful of large general contractors or engineering firms, leaving out the thousands of small businesses across Canada that are involved in construction. Therefore, the main beneficiaries of the Infrastructure Bank would seem to be large institutional investors and large construction and engineering firms. Finally, proposed tax changes on Canadian controlled private corporations could have a major impact on small businesses. In July the Minister of Finance launched a consultation on what he describes as “improving fairness in the tax system by closing loopholes and addressing tax planning strategies.” The government is targeting three areas: “incoming sprinkling,” in which dividends are paid to family members in lower tax brackets; holding passive investments inside a corporation, which seems targeted at saving money for retirement within a corporation on a tax favourable basis; and converting income into capital gains. The consultation is open until October and the government intends to introduce legislation to enact these changes in late fall or early winter. The challenge for Merit Canada over the next two years will be balancing the positive initiatives, like infrastructure investments and progress on pipelines, with the negative such as repealing secret ballot votes and union financial transparency. Most critically, we will continue to fight any attempt to reinstate a Fair Wages Policy. More generally, unions continue to occupy a position in Canadian politics that far exceeds their size and economic importance. To truly achieve balance in policy outcomes over the next two years leading up to the 2019 campaign, Merit Canada will have to ensure that all parties recognize the size and economic significance of the open shop sector. Terrance Oakey is president of Merit Canada, the national body representing open shop construction contractors.
“My career is built on safety.” We’re working with British Columbia’s construction industry to ensure current and future workers stay safe. Find helpful industry resources at worksafebc.com/health-safety.
projects with purpose.
Unitech Construction Management Ltd. Suite 400-1530, 56th Street, Delta, BC Canada V4L 2A8 unitechcm.ca 604 943 8845 Collaborative Construction with a Purpose Client Goal Driven • Innovative • Collaborative • Concise • Firm, Fair and Fun Let Unitech bring success to your next project September/October 2017
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Open Shop
Secret Ballot: Protecting Democracy By Colin Craig
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ack in 2013, a union organizer strolled into Alberta’s provincial labour board office and plunked down some cards signed by employees at an undisclosed workplace. The union official claimed the cards indicated 100 per cent of the employees at the workplace supported joining the union. Not long afterwards, the Alberta Labour Relations Board conducted a secret ballot vote among the employees to confirm they truly wanted to join the union. Surprisingly, not a single employee voted in favour of joining the union. In 2015, a similar situation unfolded — twice. In both instances, the unions once again claimed to the Alberta Labour Relations Board that every employee, at two different workplaces, had signed cards in favour of joining the respective unions. However, when employees at both workplaces were later given a chance to vote privately on the matter, only 25 per cent voted to join the union. Given these examples, it should be clear why unions constantly urge governments to take the secret ballot away from workers and merely rely on signed cards to certify a union; “support” for joining a union often drops substantially when people are allowed to vote on the matter privately, in a ballot box, free from the influence of both management and union organizers. In Alberta, the union-backed NDP government recently reviewed labour legislation and subsequently eliminated the right workers had to a secret ballot vote when someone tried to unionize their workplace. Now all unions have to do is collect signatures from 65 per cent of workers and — poof — a union is formed. In British Columbia, the Horgan NDP government is promising major labour legislation 20 construction business
changes, and continues to float a plan to scrap the secret ballot — despite the outright opposition of their coalition government allies, the B.C. Green Party. But if the Notley and Horgan governments are truly concerned about the democratic wishes of employees at a workplace, they’d keep the secret ballot in place. The examples mentioned above are from a small mountain of data the Manning Centre obtained from provincial labour relations boards. In Alberta, the government’s data
...support for joining a union often drops substantially when people are allowed to vote privately... showed 31 instances from 2009 to 2015 where the amount of “support” a union claimed it had for unionizing a workplace dropped by 15 per cent or more once employees voted privately on the matter. Data from B.C.’s government shows a similar pattern. During the same period there were at least 34 instances where the percentage of employees who allegedly signed cards in support of unionizing their workplace, dropped by at least 15 percentage points once employees could vote privately. Of these 34 instances, there were four applications that saw a union file signed cards for at least 45 per cent of employees, yet when it came
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time to vote in favour of joining a union, not a single employee voted to unionize. Why would support for unionizing a workplace decrease substantially once employees could vote privately through a secret ballot? A letter to the editor in the Winnipeg Free Press (April 2016) provides a possible answer. At the time, the Manitoba government would automatically unionize a workplace if a union presented signed cards from 65 per cent or more employees. The author of the letter, David Deighton, noted “… late one night, two very large union organizers visited my home and tried to get me to sign a union card. They indicated that all my fellow coworkers had signed and so should I.” How would you feel if two very large men popped by your house late at night and encouraged you to sign something? Imagine if you were new to Canada and didn’t speak English fluently — or perhaps if you were a single mom and living alone. Would you sign their card? Deighton went on to note how allowing people to vote privately on the matter takes away the possibility for “intimidation.” It’s the same logic behind why we choose our politicians at the ballot box rather than through a ‘card’ sign-up process that allows others to know our views. It’s also interesting to note that unions also use a secret ballot for electing their own presidents. The website of the Labourers’ Industrial Union of North America may provide another possibility as to why someone might sign a union card even though they don’t support joining the union. Their site notes that unions will use “sneaky” tactics to “trick” people into signing cards to join other unions. Consider a complaint filed with the Alberta Labour Relations Board back in 2012. The complainant alleged that a union organizer visited a worksite and handed out “valuable hockey tickets” to employees for the sole purpose of persuading the employees to “maintain membership in the union.” The same employer also alleged that a union organizer went to employees’ homes, uninvited in order to “harass, intimidate and otherwise coerce the employees to vote in favour of the union.” Make no mistake, not every union uses intimidation or ‘tricks’ to gather signatures in support of unionizing a workplace. But if we want a system that determines whether or not workers truly want their workplace to unionize, we’ll keep the secret ballot process in place. Colin Craig previously released research on secret ballot union votes in Canada while working for the Manning Centre. He currently serves as the interim Alberta director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
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Concrete
Concrete Leadership How sustainability and resiliency are shaping concrete solutions By Charles Kelly
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hese are exciting and innovative times for the concrete industry, as we tackle the challenge of a carbon constrained world. The opportunities concrete provides for adapting to climate change and creating resilient and durable buildings and infrastructure will be key to a low carbon future. Concrete BC, formerly the BC Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, has partnered with concrete allies across Canada and in the United States to research, develop technical tools and joint marketing efforts to educate and promote the sustainability and resiliency benefits of building with concrete. We are committed to continuous improvement, transparency and developing collaborative solutions for a low carbon future, both in terms of product-based solutions we manufacture. What follows is a brief overview of some recent initiatives.
RESEARCH Pilots are underway in B.C. and Alberta to demonstrate a new Canadian technology, developed by Carbon Cure, which can reduce the amount of cement in a concrete mix by 10 per cent. The technology introduces waste carbon dioxide (CO2) gas into ready-mixed concrete during batching. The material effects of the technology include accelerated hydration and enhanced strength. The concrete’s performance is enhanced as a result of a chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and cement, which forms nanocrystalline calcium carbonate. Greener, stronger concrete has the full attention of B.C.’s concrete industry. If these demonstrations prove successful, we fully expect wide industry adoption and a consequent reduction in the carbon footprint of concrete. The combination of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) and Carbon Cure’s technology 22
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move us closer to meeting the Architecture 2030 Challenge of reducing the carbon impact of materials by 50 per cent.
TECHNICAL TOOLS Energy and thermal performance requirements are growing and playing an increasingly significant role in building codes throughout North America. However, understanding and meeting the requirements has also become increasingly complex for building designers. At the same time, it has become clear that important decisions regarding basic enclosure assembly design and window area need to be made early in the design process to result in the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and comfortable building. The Concrete Council of Canada (CCC) recently published a Thermal Performance Guide for Concrete Products. Prepared in partnership with RDH Engineering, the guide is available at: http://www.rediscoverconcrete.ca/en/research/ buildings. These guides are useful tools for designers, building owners and contractors. The guides contain a brief introduction to compliance options for modern building codes and details calculation methods suitable for quickly estimating, at an early design stage, the thermal performance of concrete enclosure wall systems. They include simplified measurement techniques for ready-mix, ICF, precast and masonry concrete products. In February 27, 2018, in partnership with BC Housing, Concrete BC will be co-hosting Building Smart with Concrete Enclosures, an education forum on meeting the new B.C. Energy Step Codes. In the fall, BC Housing will be publishing the revised Building Envelop Guide for Part 9 Construction. Included in this guide are the assembly details for the installation of windows and doors for ICF construction. These details are the result of three years of research and testing
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of various installation options that was a joint project of Concrete BC, ICF manufacturers and BC Housing. The research was conducted by RDH Engineering and the results were dramatic, as the options developed far surpassed current practice. The best solution was to seal the wood window frame directly to the concrete, resulting in a seal that exceeded wind and rain conditions experienced in nature. The concrete industry is deeply committed to continuous improvement, transparency and supporting research and tools that facilitate factbased decision making. With LEED v4 in practice as of November 2016, the Canadian Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (CRMCA) has developed and published industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for ready-mixed concrete, for use by designers and contractors in calculating LEED points. This Canadian EPD includes the option of using PLC in mix designs, which will result in a 10 per cent reduction in the carbon footprint of concrete. In Canada, every ready-mix plant that is a member of a provincial concrete association has an IW-EPD.
JOINT MARKETING In 2017, Concrete BC is a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition (PNBRC). The Coalition includes the concrete and cement industries of B.C., Washington and Oregon and the reinforcing steel, masonry and ICF industries. The PNBRC has taken a lead sponsorship and leadership role in the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) organization. PNWER is an organization of the legislatures within the region, public officials and industry. Resiliency, climate adaption and net zero buildings are the main focus. The PNWER winter meeting will be in Victoria, November 6-8, 2017, and PNBRC will continue its leadership and investment here. In an additional cross border initiative, Concrete BC has become a partner with the National Ready Mix Concrete Association’s Build With Strength program. This is a five year, $20 M investment by the concrete industry to market the attributes and innovations of the concrete industry to builders, designers and contactors. As this brief overview suggests the concrete industry in B.C., Canada, the Pacific Northwest and the USA is very much on the move and engaged in the issues, concerns and priorities of the construction contracting industry. Charles Kelly is president of Concrete BC. For more information, visit www.concretebc.ca or contact ckelly@concretebc.ca
Concrete
Crystalline Concrete Waterproofing An efficient and cost-effective way to protect concrete structures without membranes By Jim Caruth
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oncrete is permeable to liquids and gases. For foundations and slabs below the water table, or even slabs on grade in damp soils, this can create multiple problems within the building due to moisture penetration. Moreover, infiltrating water may contain dissolved chemicals that can compromise the concrete itself. In such situations, some form of waterproofing is required.
The Problem Concrete is permeable because its microscopic pores are interconnected, forming continuous channels for liquids and gasses to permeate through the apparently solid mass. The pores are big enough for liquids to pass through, especially when under pressure. They are formed by excess water in the concrete mix used to allow concrete to flow into forms. As the concrete hardens and dries, this leaves a network of pores and capillary tracts within the concrete that can typically make up 5 to 7% of the total volume. Moreover, Portland cement concrete shrinks as it dries, causing drying shrinkage cracking. While best practices may limit large, visible cracks, micro-cracking is probably inevitable. Cracks too small to see can still be large enough to act as moisture pathways. If a concrete structure is below the water table, or subject to submersion, the pressure being supplied by the “column” of water being acted on by gravity. This is called “hydrostatic pressure” or “hydrostatic head” and is usually measured in feet (or meters). The further below the water table, the greater the pressure. This pressure can drive water to leak through a concrete foundation or wall. If a floor slab sits on moist soils but above the water table, there is no pressure to force water upwards, against gravity, through the concrete. However, pores act as capillaries, soaking up moisture like a sponge. As it gets closer to the interior side of the concrete, liquid water will turn into vapour — making the interior perpetually damp, even though no liquid water has come through the concrete. This vapour transmission can also cause problems with finishes such as blistering of coatings or damaging of interior finished. Water ingress will promote corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete, especially if it contains dissolved aggressive chemicals, such as chlorides or sulphates. In areas of high or moderate sulfate soils, infiltrating water can promote sulfate attack, in which formation of expansive etringite within the concrete can destroy it. In places subject to freezing temperatures, the water itself can cause freeze/thaw problems.
If the pore network is where water invades, then it is a logical place to stop it. Crystalline technology fills and plugs the concrete’s pore network, micro-cracks and other small voids blocking the penetration of liquids and aggressive chemicals into the concrete.
How it Works Crystalline waterproofing chemistry can be introduced into new concrete in three different ways: as an admixture, dry-shake, or surfaceapplied coating. When applied as a surface treatment, the concrete should have a clean, open pore surface texture and be saturated with water. This allows the active ingredients in the coating to diffuse into the wet pore network and react with calcium hydroxide and other minerals to form a non-soluble crystalline formation that becomes a permanent, integral part of the concrete. Crystalline waterproofing chemicals can also be added to the concrete mix at the time of batching. This is a very clean and efficient approach which ensures thorough dispersal of the chemistry throughout the concrete. It does not alter the appearance of the concrete and requires no effort, expertise or labor on the part of the contractor. Curing and finishing can be done normally and there is no change to the appearance of the concrete.
This represents a very green solution to waterproofing. Crystalline waterproofing is nontoxic, contains no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) or chemicals that might contaminate the environment. It also minimizes jobsite waste and allows concrete to be recycled at the end of a building’s life cycle. Because it becomes an integral part of the concrete and does not depend on adhesion to the surface like ordinary coatings and membranes, crystalline waterproofing does not require re-application and protects concrete against deterioration.
Conclusion Concrete structures such as foundations, slabs, and below-grade walls, and water tanks can be chemically waterproofed with great effectiveness using crystalline technology. In many situations, this has clear advantages over traditional barrier methods. This includes places where membranes cannot be applied. Crystalline waterproofing is also usually far less costly than barriers. Jim Caruth is a civil engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of British Columbia and has 25 years of experience in the concrete construction industry.
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Life-cycle approach to material selection By Alireza Biparva
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two distinct methods. LCC is defined as the sum of all recurring and one-time costs over the full life span or a specified period of an item, service, structure, or system. As shown before, the lifetime costs for high quality and more durable materials are lower, and they also possess another distinct characteristic. Materials that can be later re-used or recycled have the potential to be resold in order to gain some of the money that went into their initial costs back. These materials are said to be taken from cradle-to-cradle. On the other hand, materials that cannot be recycled or salvaged do not have this benefit. Instead, they are termed as going from cradle to grave. The construction industry has been undergoing a transition towards the development of more sustainable and green built structures because of the appealing characteristics of sustainable design. One of the products currently gaining the attention of customers because of its ability to conform to sustainable design principles is integral crystalline technology. This innovative waterproofing solution is added directly into the concrete mix making it permanently watertight. When added to concrete, the crystalline technology chemically reacts with water and components in the concrete mix to form insoluble crystals that fill capillary pores and micro-cracks in the concrete and block
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Joints are the most vulnerable part of the structure from a waterproofing perspective. It’s vital to choose the one that’s right for each concrete construction project.
the pathways for water and waterborne contaminants. Integrally waterproofed concrete becomes watertight for the life of the structure avoiding costly leaks. This technology can potentially save builders money in reduced labour and maintenance costs, resulting in a durable and resilient structure for the long-term. As construction trends continue to evolve, the importance of a robust consideration of life-cycle costs is increasing. Using a sustainable design that incorporates high quality materials, we can not only save money, but we can also reduce environmental impacts of construction. In short, we are hitting two birds with one stone. Alireza Biparva currently holds the position of R&D manager /concrete specialist with Kryton International Inc. in Canada. His areas of responsibility include project planning and management, leading a staff of engineers and technicians, and liaising on a global level with universities, testing facilities, and engineering firms.
Photo courtesy of Kryton International Inc.
very day people around the world make important economic decisions that allow them to continue their daily lives. When it comes to these daily decisions something that many people do not know is that in some cases, cheap things mean higher costs. The quote, “I am not rich enough to afford cheap things,” is a clear representation of this notion. This quote portrays that people who are not rich cannot afford to buy cheap things, as they are more expensive over time. This is because cheap items tend to need to be replaced or repaired more frequently over time, resulting in higher costs. Unfortunately, many people still fail to see the ultimate expense of cheap things. The same logic can also be applied to buildings. When building a structure, there are two approaches one can take. One commonly chosen option is to follow the conventional design model. A conventional design takes note of the upfront costs and tries to decrease them in order to make the cost fit within the budget allocated for the project. Most of the time, this means that lower quality materials are used to reduce costs. These cuts in the quality of materials can include anything from the quality of the paint, to even indispensable aspects of the structure itself such as the waterproofing system. Though using lower quality materials initially will help cut costs, in the long run, they will make the structure more expensive to maintain. Lower quality materials are less durable and as a result have shorter life span. This shorter service life results in the need for frequent repairs or replacements which will surely exceed the cost of using high quality materials in the first place. For example, someone has two roofing options, option A which is $20,000 and option B which is $30,000. While option A will only last for approximately 20 years, option B will last for about 40 years. By paying an extra $10,000, 20 years of extra service life are bought. Furthermore, the cost per year for option A accounts to $1,000/year, whereas the cost per year of option B only accounts for about $750/year. Thus, although option A may seem more appealing upfront, the more economical choice is actually option B when considering the service life of the structure. Due to the drawbacks of a conventional design, a new design model called a “sustainable design” has been developed. This kind of design not only reduces environmental impacts, but it also reduces costs over the structure’s lifespan. The primary economic goal for a sustainable design is to reduce life-cycle costs (LCC) through
Skills Training
Opportunity in Trades By Gary Herman
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he trades apprenticeship system is a proven way to train and develop a skilled trades workforce, which is essential to the growth of today’s how-to economy — both in British Columbia and across the country. In B.C., it typically takes four years to advance through the apprenticeship system and become certified; and with summer coming to an end and back-to-school upon us, there has never been a better time to get your foot in on the action. Whether you are a young person, new Canadian, woman or Indigenous person, opportunities are endless on B.C.’s skilled trades horizon and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) is here to help you succeed. ITA exists to create world-class apprenticeship opportunities for British Columbians. More specifically, ITA works to promote the trades, help motivate and direct tradespeople and streamline apprentices into training programs with the goal to boost the in-demand skills the labour force needs to build our province. With so many construction and infrastructure projects across B.C. on the rise in the foreseeable future, the demand for apprentices and tradespeople in the skilled trades industry is rapidly growing, particularly in construction.
Construction Careers Between now and 2025, the province is expecting nearly one million job openings due to both economic growth and retiring workers. Thirteen per cent, or 123,000, of these job openings are anticipated to be trades occupations, a strong majority of which will require apprenticeship training. In the construction industry specifically, many types of tradespeople are needed to meet future demands. Below are the anticipated job openings for the construction trades: • Carpenter (10,300 openings) • Construction Electrician (4,600 openings) • Millwright (3,300 openings) • Welder (3,000 openings) • Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (2,800 openings) • Plumber (2,500 openings) • Machinist (1,400 openings) • Crane Operator (800 openings) • Steamfitter / Pipefitter (800 openings) • Sprinkler System Installer (800 openings). With nearly 100 apprenticeship training programs available in B.C., including 50 Red Seal trades, it is ITA’s job to work with school districts, service providers, trades colleges, industry, labour and employers to ensure the right mix of education, training programs and other initiatives are available to meet these emerging labour
market needs with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. As such, ITA is working with industry to re-engineer education and training programs, shifting investments to focus on the skilled trades that are most needed to make our province work.
Opportunities for Everyone Since apprenticeships are one of the best ways for our young workforce to gain the necessary skills for these in-demand careers, ITA has developed youth programs, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, which allow students to start apprenticeship training early, while earning high school credits at the same time. ITA Youth Trades programs provide students with the opportunity to discover, explore, train and work in the trades earlier in their school years. The cohesive and streamlined nature of the programs give students an earlier start at their career choices and enable them to earn while they learn and enter the workforce at a quicker pace without compromising the hands-on component of their education. Currently, there are more than 4,500 high school pre-apprentices in B.C. who are registered in ITA Youth Trades programs, working to transition effectively to apprenticeship and eventually into the skilled trades workforce. To sustain growth and meet the demand, apprentices and tradespeople need to come from a range of backgrounds — something that ITA prides itself on helping to facilitate. As such, ITA also coordinates funding
from the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement (CJF) to implement Employment Services and Supports (ESS) programs for people who need support getting started in B.C.’s skilled trades industry. The CJF-ESS programs are in place to provide training to equity-seeking groups such as women, Indigenous peoples and new Canadians who are unemployed, not eligible for employment insurance benefits and/or supports and who are thinking about a career in the skilled trades. Program funding can cover the cost of tuition, books, work clothes, transportation, lunches, job search supports, employer connections, childcare and much more. The apprenticeship pathway is available to everyone in B.C., and there are programs and supports in place to help achieve success. Between ITA Youth programs, CJF-ESS programs and other ITA initiatives, British Columbians, including youth and equity-seeking groups, have a lot of opportunity to get ahead in the trades. With so many construction projects on the rise and the demand for trades workers greater than ever, now is the time to jumpstart a fulfilling career in the trades. The skills developed with a trade will support a person throughout their career from apprentice to journeyperson, from employer to employer sponsor — the opportunities are endless. Gary Herman is CEO of the Industry Training Authority. Visit itabc.ca and to learn more about ITA Youth Trades programs visit: youth.itabc.ca.
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Skills Training
Education for a Complex World By Wayne Hand
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e regularly have construction industry leaders ask how they can better connect with the graduates from the School of Construction and the Environment at BCIT. In response we often invite them to come to the campus for a tour which usually ends with them stating that they had no idea about the many programs and activities related to their organization, such as sustainable energy management, geomatics, GIS, construction management, civil and mining engineering, ecological restoration, as well as 13 Red Seal trades. It is not just the diversity of programs that industry is surprised by, but also the technology changes such as BIM, drones, Lidar, virtual reality, simulators and 3D-printing that we have embedded into our programs which excites them. Explaining the full program mix and complexity of our school requires more than a short article. Instead, the focus here will be on one specific area, building science, in order to demonstrate how we have responded over time and grown to meet one aspect of the many changes and innovations that are taking place in the construction sector.
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At BCIT, the School of Construction and the Environment has been formally teaching building science courses since 1994 when a building science option was added to the Architectural and Building Technology diploma program in response to the leaky condo crisis that had impacted the West Coast. Our expertise in this
The field of building science has become one of the common threads that connects together many of the construction programs at BCIT. field has expanded significantly over the past two decades and will no doubt continue to do so as both government and the construction sector maintain a strong focus on energy efficiency, material and process innovation, building per-
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formance, sustainability and quality of the built environment. The complexity of buildings, be it the envelope or the energy management system, requires a strong knowledge base by those individuals that are not only designing but equally important for those that are constructing and operating the buildings. The field of building science has become one of the common threads that connects together many of the construction programs at BCIT. We are fortunate that our diverse program mix which covers Red Seal building trades, technologists, Bachelor and Master Degrees provides us with unique experiential learning and technology transfer opportunities across the full spectrum of skill sets that are needed for today’s building industry. Our Building Science Centre of Excellence lead, Dr. Fitsum Tariku, Canada research chair in whole building performance, provides a home base for the two Master degrees in Building Science (M.ASc. and M.Eng.) and a Graduate Certificate in Building Energy Modelling. The program is taught by a mix of full-time faculty and industry practitioners who bring their practical industry experiences and real project challenges into the curriculum. As
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these are the only Master programs that focus on building science in Western Canada, they attract engineers from across North America as well as Brazil, Iran, Ethiopia, China and India. Our Centre for Architectural Ecology, led by Dr. Maureen Connelly, interfaces with our Master programs, interior design and architectural science programs by providing courses and research opportunities on the acoustical performance of building components as well as the impact of green roofs and living walls on the urban soundscape. As previously mentioned the Architectural and Building Technology diploma program has, for many years, a focus on building science. The graduates of this program have been highly successful technologists employed by many of the building envelope consulting firms in B.C. The Bachelor of Architectural Science builds upon the two year Building Technology program and provides a bridge between design theory and construction practices. Graduates of the program have a strong technical base and understanding of building design, envelope, construction detailing and performance factors. Most graduates go on to work for architectural firms and about a third continue their studies at architectural graduate schools. BCIT is the largest provider of construction related Red Seal trades (13 trades and more than 4,000 students per year) in B.C. The carpentry trade follows the program outline defined by the province (now in the process of being harmonized on a national basis) which includes building envelope theory and practical projects. We also offer a number of evening part-time studies
(PTS) courses on building envelopes that includes more theory as well as practical applications then what is covered under the provincial carpentry apprenticeship outline. We strongly believe in experiential learning so even our Master students that haven’t had any industry experience are required to take an extra PTS course where they gain hands on experience in the construction of wall and roof assemblies, windows, balconies, penetrations and interfaces. The most recent resource that we have added is our High Performance Building Lab. This facility is a hands-on learning space for trades and technology students as well as for industry seeking contract training. We offer training in
buildings as a system, including methods pertaining to building envelope wall assembly, airtightness testing and heat recovery ventilation systems. The lab, including the many mock-up wall panel assemblies and airtight testing house, is used for several educational programs including a Passive House trades training course. Building science is only one example of how the School of Construction and the Environment has responded to ensure graduates are well prepared to meet the changes that are taking place in the construction sector. Wayne Hand is dean of School of Construction and the Environment at BCIT.
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Skills Training
Enhancing Safety Training
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he ‘Active’ NCSO is here, with the new standard having come into effect on July 1st, 2017. The heads of Canada’s provincial and territorial construction safety associations signed a national agreement to meet the new National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) standard at this year’s annual meeting for the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA). The meeting, hosted by the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) in Calgary over two days in June, was held to discuss key issues and determine pathways forward for national programs, such as Certificate of Recognition (COR) and now the NCSO. The primary objective of the NCSO program is to combine entry level safety training with the individual’s personal field experience. An NCSO is a valuable resource for management in the administration and implementation of a company’s health and safety program. Certification indicates that the participant has practical knowledge in various constructionrelated health and safety management skills and principles. The recent enhancements to the NCSO program now enable health and safety practitioners across Canada, regardless of their province, to be recognized as an NCSO and work inter-provincially with greater ease. Signatories to the agreement included: • Alberta Construction Safety Association • British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance • Construction Safety Association of Manitoba 28 construction business
• Heavy Construction Safety Association of Saskatchewan • I nfrastructure Health and Safety Association •W ORKSAFELY — Manitoba Heavy Construction Association • New Brunswick Construction Safety Association •N ewfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association • Northern Safety Network Yukon • Northern Safety Association • Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association. The ‘Active’ NCSO, now in effect at ACSA, creates a new standard that strengthens the
An NCSO is a valuable resource for management ...of a company’s health and safety program. designation, making it more credible while allowing ease of transfer between provinces. All new registrants in ACSA’s NCSO program will now be included under the ‘Active’ standard. Existing NCSO’s can obtain an ‘Active’ status by choosing to meet the new requirements, resulting in recognition from the CFCSA as having met the new standard and enjoying the benefits that brings. Alternatively, existing NCSOs can opt to stay under their current designation. This
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change is not mandatory for existing NCSOs, however, we always encourage safety practitioners to pursue continual improvement and professional development. Having the ‘Active’ NCSO can also prove beneficial for those seeking employment, as it demonstrates to current and prospective employers a commitment to the HSE discipline. Enhancements included in the new standard are new course and maintenance requirements, and a closed-book final exam. Here is a summary of the enhancements: • Worksite Investigation Basics is now mandatory • Communication & Ethics for the Safety Leader is also now mandatory • Confined Space Entry/Monitor is now offered as an elective • The Prime Contractor course will be discontinued and content will be included in the existing Legislation Awareness course •A final, closed-book NCSO Exam must be completed with a 75 per cent pass mark The exam is free when sitting for the first attempt in Alberta, although other provinces might charge a fee. If unsuccessful, you may rewrite the exam as soon as the next available offering. A nominal administrative fee will apply to exam rewrites. Unsuccessful attempts in other provinces will not affect an NCSO’s Alberta designation. The new Active NCSO requirements are explained in further detail on the ACSA’s website, yourACSA.ca. For information, please e-mail ncso@youracsa.ca or call 1.800.661.ACSA.
Legal File
Importance of Field Reviews Timely field review can avoid costly errors By Philip Carson
A
successful construction project requires teamwork. The design professionals are vital members of the team that a builder needs for successful execution throughout the project. One of the most important roles of design professionals is field review of critical aspects of the project execution. A breakdown of cooperation and communication between the contractor and design professionals can result in significant defects and, all too often, litigation. As part of the building permit application, architects and engineers commit to perform field review. However, an architect or engineer cannot effectively perform that role if they are not on site at critical stages of the project. In my own experience as a construction litigation lawyer, many lawsuits concerning defective construction include a breakdown of the field review process. There are a variety of reasons that field review is not completed as required, including the following:
• The general contractor simply ignores the field review requirements and never calls the architect or engineer for field review. • The role of the designer is poorly defined in the contract, and key steps requiring field review are not established in advance. • The contractor does not want to pay for the designer to attend site. • The work proceeds past the point of field review, and the designer lacks the resolve to require the work to be exposed. • The contractor deviates from the design. • The architect or engineers fails to be proactive in attending the site. Although inadequate field review is a common occurrence, there are few reported court cases on the topic. However, a 2017 court decision in Alberta provides some insight as to the responsibilities of the members of the project team and highlights how expensive remedial work can arise from seemingly minor lapses in the field review process. In Vermilion & District Housing Foundation v Binder Construction Limited, Binder Construction was hired to renovate and construct an expansion of a public housing facility. Group 2 Architecture was the architect for the project. The expansion involved the addition of buildings with slabon-grade concrete floors. The specifications called for pit run gravel over the native soil, followed by a different aggregate layer and finally a course aggregate layer, all compacted to specified densities. The geotechnical engineer rec-
ommended a weeping tile system for all below grade structures, a polyethylene vapour barrier below the slab, and a minimum of two per cent sloped grading away from the foundation. After completion of the construction, moisture from below permeated the concrete slab and destroyed the adhesive used to attach the flooring. As it turned out neither the weeping tile nor the vapour barrier were installed, the grading was less than two per cent, and a gravel drainage layer in the base was not installed. Remedial work was undertaken to retrofit weeping tile, replace the flooring and correct the grading. Due to displacement of residents during repairs, the owner lost income. The owner’s damages were found to be more than $1.2 million. There was little evidence concerning what it would have cost to perform the work properly in first instance, but clearly it would have been a tiny fraction of the damages awarded by the court. The court went on to comment on the role of the architect. The architect must ensure that the project is being constructed in conformity with the plans and specifications. Architects are not obliged to supervise each detail, but should inspect important aspects of the work before they are hidden from view. If important work has been covered over before inspection, they should direct that it be revealed so that they can inspect it, where this can reasonably be done.
The most serious and expensive construction defects can be avoided. Best practices include the following: •B udget for and contract for field review as part of the engagement of the design professionals. In the contract for architectural and engineering involvement, define the stages where field review is required. •C all for field review when required. If in doubt, call the architect. •F ollow the design, and check with the architect or engineer before making changes. •D o not allow sub-contractors to work past field review stages. Make sure they understand that there will be a back charge for the cost of exposing work for field review. • Th e general contractor must be responsible for inspection. The role of the architect or engineer is to verify that the trade understands the design requirements, is capable of executing in accordance with the design, and that the work is in general conformance with the design. Field review is not an inspection. Costly errors can be avoided with good planning and involvement of all of the project team. Philip Carson is a litigation partner at Miller Thomson LLP in its Calgary office. His practice is focused on professional liability claims defence and construction matters.
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Industry News Diverging diamond interchange opens After two years of construction, Canada’s first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) opens to traffic at Macleod Trail and 162 Avenue in south Calgary. The unique interchange is the second of four major interchange projects to open in Calgary this summer. The cost for all four projects is $255 million. The new interchange, along with the 20 other projects to be finished this year, is expected to improve commuting around south Calgary. The DDI is designed in such a way that the two directions of traffic on 162 Avenue will briefly cross to the opposite side of the bridges over Macleod Trail. This allows more effective traffic flow at the traffic signals within the interchange and for left turning vehicles to move forward without crossing oncoming traffic.
Iconic Vancouver tower approved A new 57-storey tower in West End Vancouver has been approved by city council. The project, a partnership between the First Baptist Church and developer Westbank, consists of a residential tower and redevelopment of the 107-year-old church. Comprised of the church and its four lots on Nelson Street, the large scale redevelopment of the site at Burrard and Nelson, is designed by local architecture firm Bing Thom Architects (BTA). Designed to reflect the special relationship the church has with the city, the unique cylindrical shaped tower takes inspiration from church pipe organs, and there will be open common gardens on each level to provide opportunities for residents to interact with their neighbours. The development will include below-market rental housing, new childcare facilities, and expansion of existing programs for seniors, youth, new immigrants, and the homeless shelter that the church has run for almost two decades. Construction is slated to being in May 2018 and will take place in two phases. Completion is anticipated for late 2022. Fairview Terminal expansion complete The Port of Prince Rupert can now accommodate the largest container vessels in the world, following DP World’s expansion of its Fairview Container Terminal that increases the Port’s containerhandling capacity to 1.35 million TEUs annually. The expansion grows Fairview Container Terminal’s annual throughput capacity from 850,000 to 1.35 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The terminal now includes a second vessel berth serviced by three new “big ship ready” Malaccamax cranes, allowing 20,000+ TEU vessels to access the terminal through one of the deepest port harbours in the world. In addition, 6,000 more feet of on-dock rail and an 11-hectare increase to the terminal footprint will add even more speed and reliability to terminal services. As cargo volumes grow to fill the new capacity, over 200 new jobs are expected to be created on the terminal. Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert, said the expansion is an important part of its future growth strategy. “We continue to build on our strengths, and ensure that as we grow as a Port we will maintain the velocity and fluidity that got us here,” said Krusel. “This project is a significant addition to Canada’s trade infrastructure, and provides tremendous value to our shippers and many partners.” 30 construction business
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George Massey Bridge cancelled B.C.’s new NDP government has cancelled the current construction schedule for a new George Massey bridge, and is sending the project to a technical review. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is proceeding with an independent technical review of the tunnel to find a solution that gets people and goods moving and makes sense for commuters across the region. Pending the outcome of the review, the current procurement process has been cancelled and the project will not be budgeted for in the government’s capital plan until a solution has been identified. The terms of the request for proposals dictate that each of the two final bidding teams will be paid up to $2 million to help offset their expenses to date. So far, the province has spent approximately $66 million on the estimated $3.5-billion project. BC Hydro has spent approximately $25 million on its transmission relocation project. Work completed to date is expected to be utilized regardless of which option is chosen. Valuable property has been acquired, pre-load construction work along the Highway 99 corridor is wrapping up, and technical work and analysis will be considered as government moves forward to improve the crossing. Knappett awarded civil contract Lone Tree Properties Ltd. has awarded an $8 million civil construction contract for The Foothills to Knappett Industries (2006) Ltd. Phase one of construction consists of infrastructure and roads to service the first 97 lots. Construction of a 250,000 gallon concrete reservoir, construction of approximately 3.5 kilometers of roads, water line installation to connect new water wells and lots, utility underground services for Fortis gas, Shaw and Telus, sewer connection and paving of all roads and required sidewalks, will be completed by Knappett Industries while Herold Engineering will lead engineering on the project.
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