BCBEC investigates a unique local development where new technologies and products including Healthy HousingTM and FlexHousingTM concepts, rainscreen wall assembly, and passive energy systems have been brought together to create housing that serves the needs of a First Nation community. Allan Dobie (MRAIC), CMHC Senior Research Consultant will provide detailed information on this 7-unit, mixed multi-residential community in Agassiz, BC. This project combines two decades of accumulated knowledge in how to apply sustainable building concepts to low-rise residential construction in the coastal…

This presentation by Dr. James Balderson will focus on the interplay of socio-economic and political forces affecting the performance of building envelopes. James Balderson developed an intense interest in the quality of residential construction soon after purchasing a brand-new leaky rotten condo in October 1991. His dramatic and emotionally charged presentation before the 1998 Barrett Commission received both local and national media coverage. James will share fascinating details of his on-going research into the origins of condo rot and the continuing leaky…

Mark will discuss how regional differences in climate affects building enclosure design. Comparisons will be made between Whistler and Vancouver.

Bob Thompson will update us on some of the major changes that are anticipated for the upcoming revision of the BC Building Code   Seminar Presentation & Document: NATIONAL BUILDING CODE CHANGES (three documents in one) Bob Thompson Building Policy Branch Province of B.C. Nov 2004

A Christmas Session. Unusual building envelope issues and quirky theories will be presented by the audience. Each entry would have about twenty minutes to present or brag about something. In keeping with the season's festive nature, a cash bar will be engaged.

Glen Boswall of Clark Wilson discusses litigation in the building envelope industry.   Seminar Presentation: LITIGATION AND THE BUILDING ENVELOPE Glen Boswall Clark Wilson Jan 2005

Dr. David Surrey of the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel in London, Western Ontario, will travel to the coast to speak to BCBEC. Dr. Surrey is the Research Director and has studied and consulted on some of the most complex structures in the world. He was also responsible for the wetting patterns in the CMHC Wind Tunnel Study on Wetting Patterns.

Dr. David Surrey of the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel in London, Western Ontario, will travel to the coast to speak to BCBEC. Dr. Surrey is the Research Director and has studied and consulted on some of the most complex structures in the world. He was also responsible for the wetting patterns in the CMHC Wind Tunnel Study on Wetting Patterns.

This seminar by Chris Makepeace from Alberta Public Works is all about the theory of glazing, why some glazing systems work well and others simply cannot. This session may include discussion of various construction details and how they could be improved.

RCABC technical manager Jim Watson will discuss roofing and sheet metal related failures as well as subsequent detail design improvements resulting from investigations carried out under the RGC Guarantee Program.  

The Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) developed the standard Canadian construction contracts. CCDC documents are drafted to fairly balance the various interests of the parties involved in a construction project. The CCDC members that develop these contracts are the national organizations representing the Engineering, Architecture, Legal and Construction associations. In building envelope remediation, General and Supplementary conditions are usually appended to CCDC documents by the Consultant. Are these conditions fair or do these conditions unfairly biased against the Contractor?

The lower mainland is peppered with buildings that have been constructed atop a concrete parkade structure. More often than not, the parkade extends beyond the footprint of the building and has been waterproofed with an improperly applied, black, cheap, thin, liquid waterproofing membrane and covered with soil. In some instances removal of the soil to address leakage would bankrupt the Owners of the building. Is it worth it to do so? Will the leakage corrode the reinforcing steel of the…

Eric Burnett's career began in South Africa as a structural engineer. So how did he end up in Canada as one of the most influential personalities in building science? This is a story best left to the man himself... In this luncheon meeting, Dr. Burnett looks back on his career and the development of building science during the last four decades. Dr. Burnett will offer a few practical examples of research that was incorporated in everyday practice. Dr. Straube and Dr.…

In 1980 David Hill opened Eneready Products Ltd., a small BC company that manufactures and supplies effective low capacity ventilation equipment and accessories. David has spoken at over 30 U.S. and Canadian housing conferences and been a supplier/designer of the HVAC system to Richard Kadulski's BC's Advanced House. He repeatedly stresses that appropriate layout and high quality installation workmanship are equally important to the selection of good equipment in providing effective ventilation. David is an associate member of Canadian Home Builder's Association…