Words from the Chair - Specifier: October 2015

Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable summer! I just arrived in Victoria and while I very much enjoy this beautiful city I can’t help but ask myself where are the days going? Halloween must be right around the corner. (getting dark at 7pm, what happened?) We’ve been through a very dry summer, and now it seems the rain has arrived. I never thought I would say it, but I actually missed it. We saw a terrible storm that pulled trees up so easily due to the lack of rain. We saw the “Ride to Conquer Cancer” event get cancelled mid day because it just wasn’t safe to have people continue. We’re happy to see that nobody was injured and we can continue the fight again next year.

I would personally like to thank the CSC Vancouver chapter for welcoming me as the new Chapter Chair. We have a great team that has supported the Chapter for many years and I personally look forward to the exciting journey up ahead. I can only hope that I am able to continue the great leadership carried by my predecessor and now Director Kim Tompkins. Kim has become a close friend and mentor to me over the years and I hope I can carry the torch as far as she did. As the board struggled to find attendees for golf this year, we are looking for new ideas for future years. Is it a “9 and dine” event people want, or is the location bad. We’ve struggled in previous years to find attendees for this event, but maybe the members want something different, please bring your ideas ahead. The open door policy means we are always looking for your feedback!

We have some new faces on the board this year and of course the die hard few that just won’t leave (thankfully). It makes me think of the national conference coming to Vancouver in 2017. We have the conference planning committee in full motion, and the ideas coming out of it are outstanding. We encourage more members to get involved, let’s see if we can make this the best conference ever. With Halifax coming in 2016, I think this will be a tough one to beat! I’ve always wanted to visit this city, and can’t wait to see what the Halifax Chapter has in store for us.

I hope to bring a few tidbit comparisons of Vancouver (Kelowna) over the coming months. Let’s see how the 2 regions compare. “While the east coast has Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Vancouver has Lighthouse Park. I think they have us beat there, but have you tasted Pacific Salmon?” Please bring your thoughts on comparisons between the two regions, I’d love to hear from the more experienced that have actually visited Halifax. Maybe I’ll stay a couple extra days in Halifax in May 2016.

James Kelly CTR
Chapter Chair CSC – Vancouver Chapter

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CSC Vancouver Construction Fair - Building Better Buildings

November 18, 2015

10am-4pm
The Vancouver Convention Centre - East, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC

For your benefit, Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Vancouver Chapter is bringing together – for one day only – over sixty (60) local manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of construction products!

This Fair will provide easy, uncluttered access to each product and each sales representative will be available to take your questions. You will be able to see, touch and discuss the specifics of the latest, greatest, and most innovative construction products – all under one roof!

This “Simple but Revealing” approach towards gathering product and technical information for your next specification, architectural design or construction project is a streamlined version of the larger building exhibitions – but without all the associated fanfare and hype!

EXHIBITORS
The CSC Vancouver Construction Fair offers your firm the opportunity to show, inform, network with, and educate people from the Greater Vancouver area regarding your construction-related products. As everyone knows, meeting potential customers’ in-person is an invaluable experience and solid avenue to promote future sales. By keeping the exhibits simple and unobtrusive, CSC’s Simple but Revealing” construction fair offers both the visitor & the exhibitor an uncluttered line of sight which permits everyone to see and be seen.

Register Online

Register by Fax

SPEAKERS

Murray Frank; Building Consultant, Constructive Home Solutions:
"BC Building Codes" - Discussion on the various code changes and what Designers/Architects need to be aware of in designing new buildings.

Brian Palmquist; Architect AIBC MRAIC Intl Assoc AIA BEP CP LEED AP & Marsha Gentile; Construction Sustainability Specialist LEED AP BD+C, Ledcor Construction:
"An Architect's Specification Guide to Green Building Construction" - A short discussion of LEED projects and the challenges of implementation.

Dirk Laudan; Attorney-Partner Construction Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP:
"Current Challenges in Contract Administration and Drafting" - Green Construction specific liability risks as well as a discussion on certificate of completion under the BC Builders Lien Act.

COFFEE AND LUNCH
Refreshments and lunch will be available for purchase on site from 11:00am-3:00pm

Trade Show Update - Specifier: October 2015

On November 18th, 2015 CSC Vancouver Chapter is hosting the fifth annual Trade Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The committee members have been working hard for months to ensure the event is well attended and provides the essential education required from the design authority on current topics and issues related to the industry. The “NO FRILLS” name has been derived from the Ontario based show as CSC works to create a national name across Canada. This year the organizers have developed a theme around, “Building Better Buildings” highlighting green building and energy code changes which impact local construction in our area. The day will feature three separate guest speakers:

10:30AM – 11:30AM: “BC Building Codes”— Discussion on the various code changes and what Designers/Architects need to be aware of in designing new buildings. — Murray Frank; Building Consultant, Constructive Home Solutions.

12 (Noon) – 1:00PM: “How Designers can specify Green building products so Builders can build them!”— Brian Palmquist; Architect AIBC MRAIC Intl Assoc AIA BEP CP LEED AP & Marsha Gentile; Construction Sustainability Specialist LEED AP BD+C, Ledcor Construction.

1:30PM – 2:30PM :“Current Challenges in Contract Administration and Drafting”—Green Construction specific liability risks as well as a discussion on certificate of completion under the BC Builders Lien Act.— Dirk Laudan; Attorney-Partner Construction Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.

Some exhibitor spots are still available, so if you are interested please reach out to Todd Gerrard — toddg@enercorp.ca for more information. We hope to see everyone out this year as this year’s event is shaping up to be very influential.

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Luncheon - Parking Structures: Design, Construction and Maintenance - CSA Standard S413

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Presented by Sylvie Mercier, BASc, P.Eng., LEED® AP | Principal at RJC Ltd.

Parking structures are unique. They are exposed to many severe influences such as de-icing salts, freeze-thaw cycles, temperature changes, wear and snow removal. And even though they are subjected to these influences, they are quite often the most neglected part of a complex from both a design and maintenance point of view. In many cases, immediate savings are pursued in design and/or construction, which is then followed by minimal maintenance, resulting in potentially significant short and long-term consequences.

Design of parking structures is regulated by the Building Code (4.4.2) which requires design in conformance to CSA-S413. In this presentation, the design requirements in CSA-S413 Parking Structures will be reviewed. The importance of the requirements will be discussed with examples on what can happen if they are ignored both at the design phase and long-term occupancy phase.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will acquire an understanding of architectural and structural design requirements of concrete parking structures under CSA-S413.
• Attendees will understand what can happen if these requirements are ignored both at the design phase and long-term occupancy phase.

Sylvie Mercier specializes in the evaluation and repair of concrete structures, prime consulting and the functional planning, Design and restoration of parking facilities. Her wealth of experience includes facility condition assessments, project management and design of parking structures, institutional, research and commercial buildings, as well as seismic upgrades and renovations. After completing her education at the University of Waterloo and working at an engineering firm in Montreal, Sylvie joined RJC Vancouver in 1992.

Sylvie is an active member of the Canadian Parking Association, and keeps abreast of current trends in parking design throughout North America.

LOCATION
Sandman Hotel, 180 West Georgia Street, Vancouver 
Enter Moxie’s Classic Grill escalator entrance. The ballroom is located straight through the restaurant at the back of Moxie’s.

AGENDA
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Luncheon (full course self-serve buffet style)
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm - Chapter Business
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Guest Speaker Presentation

COST
$32.00 plus GST for pre-registered CSC members / Association Executive Directors
$48.00 plus GST for non-members

PARKING
Sandman Hotel Parking: Enter off Cambie Street, pass the Sandman Hotel Breezeway, underground parking to the left, press buzzer to access parkade and take elevator to restaurant level. Cost is $1.25 per 15 minutes.
Easy Park: Across the street on the corner of Georgia and Cambie Streets. Cost is $1.50 per 30 minutes.

SKYTRAIN
Exit at Stadium-Chinatown Station. Walk 2 minutes.

REGISTER ONLINE
Online at Karelo by VISA, MasterCard, or Interac Online.

REGISTER BY FAX
The registration form is available at vancouver.csc-dcc.ca. Payment can be made at the door by cash, cheque, or VISA only.

PRE-REGISTRATION
Pre-registration ends at 2:00 pm on the Wednesday before the meeting.

WALK-INS WELCOME
Missed the deadline? Did not pre-register? You may still attend at $50.40 per person, space permitting, BUT please call 604-868-8406 beforehand.  If you pre-register and do not attend, we may invoice you for the cost of the meeting. If you have special dietary (meal) requirements, please notify us at least 24 hours before the event.

CSC Vancouver is a Registered AIBC Provider.
AIBC Members will receive 1 core LU (Learning Unit) for attending this event.

RCI has approved this meeting for 1 RCI Continuing Education Hour (CEH).
Members to request attendance certificate.

CSC Vancouver Chapter Member Appreciation Day

Education Report - Specifier: May 2015

The Vancouver Technical Representative course that started in January of this year has recently finished at the beginning of May. The eight students that participated had recently completed their final panel presentation. The CSC congratulates those who have earned their Technical Representative designation and know they will be excellent representatives of the CSC.

It is early days but if you are interested in the Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) course please contact me as the chapter is likely going to hold this course again in the fall and would like to have an idea of the interest level. As of now we have heard from three people that have expressed interest. PCD is the first course, and a pre-requisite, for all of the CSC education streams. These are Certified Technical Representative, Certified Construction Contract Administrator, and Certified Specification Practitioner. It is also a strong foundational course for people who are new to the construction industry or want to better understand construction documentation (specifications, drawings and schedules), products, bidding procedures and contracts. This course is offered on-line by CSC Canada once a year and the Vancouver chapter aims to hold one local class a year.

The CSC Vancouver chapter was planning to have a Construction Contract Administration begin in the late winter or early spring. Based on the schedule of those that were going to register the Chapter has postponed the course until the fall. When the dates have been confirmed I will e-mail those who have contacted me in and post the information on the website.

The CSC Vancouver chapter has reached out to a few potential instructors about teaching previous courses. If you are interested in teaching a full course or would like to help co-teach a course please contact me to discuss your interests.

For further information please contact me at robert@div7.ca

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Words from the Chair - Specifier: May 2015

I find myself with mixed emotions writing my final column before turning over the reins to a very capable James Kelly, CTR of Soprema. Mixed because I have such a passion for this association and have so very much enjoyed being a part of such a hardworking and dedicated executive committee. That is the sad part of the equation the other part is relief because I have my own business to run and finding balance has been difficult on occasion. I guess a third emotion is the pride in knowing that there is a very capable team taking on the operations of the association made up of both existing and new team members. So much gets done on a daily basis for the Vancouver Chapter by the many individuals who put aside their paying work and don an impartial and unbiased industry hat for the betterment of the association that I need to acknowledge them here. They are in no particular order but deserve a virtual “high five” or in today’s world “fist bump” so here goes…Vince Smith from Cloverdale who has been and continues to be our treasurer, George McCutcheon of North West PLAN Inc who has been our Specification Officer, our Program Chair and currently Secretary and adviser extraordinaire, Blair Bennett, CTR of Soprema who retired this year as Director on the Nation Board after many dedicated years of service. Melodie Schwartzman, CTR of CGC who is our Member at Large, Past Chair, Past Director and has agreed to stay on again this year. Mario Maggio, CDT of C.R. Laurence Canada/U.S. Aluminum who has been our Membership Officer for years and continues to be a part of our group despite a promotion including more responsibilities! Brad Morris, CSP of Morris Specifications Inc is our Website Officer and has mastered the art of NOT rolling his eyes when I either do not understand what he is talking about or I get very enthusiastic over something he has been doing for years…sorry Brad for causing you all the stress…you do such a wonderful job for us, I had to apologize! Todd Gerrard (CTR in waiting) of Enercorp Inc. for his tireless work on our ever growing and ever expanding Trade Fair – Despite have a run taken at us by a much larger trade show group. Thank you Todd for stepping up and agreeing to become Vice-Chair! Eric Poxleitner, Architect of Keystone Architecture and planning Ltd for all of his efforts in providing us with another great year of programs and agreeing to stay on as Co-Chair of programs and mentor our incoming program person. Robert Jahnsen (CTR in Waiting as well) of Div 7 for another great job in Education. Keep it up and you will never be able to leave Robert! Peggy Perry CSP of Boldwing Continuum Architects Inc for joining us mid-year as our Specifications Officer and for agreeing to stay on this year, thank you Peggy. Finally to Glen Stokes, Partner Architect, Bruce Carscadden Architect for his hard work and dedication to our Newsletter. His job has been a bit like herding feral cats and he has done it magnificently. I look forward to sitting on the board as Director for this Chapter at the National level and to working with the returning folk as well as some new faces who join us officially June 1st! Help me welcome Dennis Hodkinson, CCCA of Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. who is taking over the Newsletter responsibilities, Leon Viger, Senior Project Manager of MGBA | Mallen Gowing Berzins Architecture who is to be Co-Chair of programs, Ryan Foster, BC Sales Rep – Roxul Inc our new Marketing Chair and Brian Maher, Technical Sales Representative – Dryvit who is taking over the Trade Fair responsibilities. Without everyone’s time and energy we would not be as successful as we are.

I should not finish without mentioning that the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, the BC Construction Association and the Canadian Construction Association have identified quality of documents as an ongoing priority and are actively examining the role their collective associations can play in addressing this important topic. If you would like to know more about this, please contact Fiona Famulak at president@vrca.bc.ca  to see if there is a role you can play in their ongoing discussions.

Thank you for the opportunity to Chair this amazing organization, I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and encourage you to chat with one of us to see how you might become involved, we always welcome member involvement and a fresh perspective!

Kimberly J. Tompkins, CTR
Principal Tec Agencies Ltd
604-880-4470 (M)
866-928-0944 Toll Free
www.tecagencies.com

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