Canada s Consulting Engineering Magazine ENGINEERING BUSINESS MEDIA KIT

Canada’s Consulting Engineering Magazine ENGINEERING BUSINESS 2008 MEDIA KIT & PLANNER Canada’s Consulting Engineering Magazine ENGINEERING BUSINESS Marketing beyond logo-embossed golf balls • New statutory limitation periods • Building controls If your goal is getting specified through pre-bid and product installation, then Engineering Business is the right choice for you. innovativestrategies strategies for consulting with the general public and citizen’s groups in the planning and implementation of public facilities. For consulting engineers, specifically, these strategies also need to encompass ways of understanding and building relationships with municipal clients, varied stakeholder groups, and other consultants for effective project delivery. With guidance from the project owner, York Region, and other stakeholders, such as the Town of Aurora, the R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (RVA) consulting team for the St. John’s Sideroad / McKenzie Wetland project used a number of complementary strategies to deliver a successful project. These included formal Public Consultation Centres during the design phase, a design charette workshop, the leveraging of existing relationships with specialty consultants, and use of in-house expertise in the principles of context sensitive design. This ultimately led to a sustainable and award-winning road improvement project that is an integral part of the local community. Photos by David Crowder, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited DESIGN CHALLENGES LEAD TO UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES When undertaking a project that presents significant technical and environmental challenges, it is RVA’s philosophy to identify areas of major risk for the owner and the consulting team early in the design. This often helps to reduce or eliminate typical project issues such as construction schedule and budget overruns, by planning for and addressing potentially contentious issues early in the project. Construction within the wetland presented unique design challenges that had to be overcome, the most important of which were to: • minimize wetland and wildlife loss • avoid potential road settlements caused by poor soil conditions • relocate underground utilities during a tight construction schedule. Building around the McKenzie Wetland Complex also posed operational constraints that required careful planning in the design to address complex construction staging requirements and to meet the project’s interim and final completion dates. In order to address community and approval agency concerns, the project team used the project’s inherent challenges to the owner’s advantage by viewing them as an opportunity to enhance the roadway and the wetland. This was accomplished through workshops held with Town of Aurora senior staff, and public works and parks staff, to consider innovative ideas to better the project and make it more of a community feature, rather than a “typical” road upgrade. Suggestions included the addition of a boardwalk and lookout point over the marsh, the use of armourstone plantings and other landscaping features, and installation of decorative lighting. Because construction of these features meant a marginal increase in the project costs, the project relied on stakeholder partnerships for funding to make a good project even better. Through extensive consultation, the project team was able to create a sustainable 11 October 2007 Engineering Better Margins From the Editor More than 72,000 Canadians owe their livelihood directly to the business of consulting engineering, according to the Association of Canadian Engineering Companies. ACEC also estimates that the gross revenues of its member consulting engineering firms contribute in excess of $12 billion to the Canadian economy. In spite of its stature as a significant contributor to the economy and society in general, Canada’s community of consulting engineers faces major business challenges. Clients’ short sightedness about up front costs too often precludes the application of design for greater longterm savings or environmental considerations. Owners want more without paying more. Project risk is being passed on to consulting engineers like a burning hot potato. Insurance and liability issues add further complexity to the mix. Pressures on already tight profit margins prompt engineering firms to branch out into new territory and expose themselves to newer risks. Meanwhile, mergers and acquisitions are changing the competitive landscape – sometimes on a global scale, often creating the need for firms to redefine their differentiators. Engineering Business celebrates the success, achievements and contribution of Canada’s consulting engineering community. With content suggested and often written by members of the profession, it serves as the place for consulting engineers to share news, views and advice about their businesses. Each issue delves into matters that affect the bottom line, exploring strategies and approaches that have a business impact. In short, this publication is focused on bringing to this community the information and support it needs to build better margins. Susan Maclean Editor transportation facility, offering a unique balance of environmental, social and economic features and enhancements to the project. UNDERSTANDING CLIENT NEEDS One of the strategies employed included ensuring that the client’s and other stakeholders’ needs and objectives were understood clearly from the project outset. The project consulting team used a number of consultation strategies (detailed later) to acquire the ideas, concepts, and direction provided by the project owner. This approach eventually proved to be a key element in developing a seamless working relationship with stakeholders. It also allowed the RVA team to leverage the commitment of senior agency officials. Using this “top-down approach”, the team guided and executed the project in a direction that was strategically aligned with the objectives set forth at the Class EA phase, as well as with the Region’s and the Town of Aurora’s organizational and project objectives. To this end, the project applied principles of “contextsensitive design,” which, according to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration is a “…collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility...” In addition, at the heart of a context-sensitive solution is a need for eat the project, resulting in a productive, informative communication flow. As the Town of Aurora was a significant stakeholder, several Through extensive consultation, the project team was able to create a sustainable transportation route that offers a unique balance of environmental, social and economic features and enhancements. The $20 million project was completed without complications, ahead of schedule and on budget. EB John P. Does is a senior associate and project manager with R.V. Anderson Associates Limited Steering a road through a wetland Early and ongoing honest communication with project stakeholders was just one of the strategies that resulted in a context-sensitive roadway design creating sustainable community features – and earning kudos both locally and internationally. By John P. Does, P.Eng. On June 26, 2006, the St. John’s Sideroad / McKenzie Wetland Project site, in Aurora, ON, was officially opened to the public with commendations from government representatives, local residents and community groups. The successful communications and technical design strategies used in planning the project have since been further lauded, as the project became the recipient of both the American Public Works Association’s 2007 Transportation Project of the Year ($10 - $100 Million) and the Ontario Public Works Association’s 2006 Project of the Year in the environmental category greater than $10 Million. St. John’s Sideroad is a major east-west arterial road owned by York Region and located in the Town of Aurora, Ontario. The McKenzie Wetland Complex sits within a two kilometre section of St. John’s Sideroad between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue within the East Holland River Watershed. This provincially-significant wetland is under management of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, and is an important environmental feature in the local community that provides a permanent home to numerous fish and wildlife species. To accommodate active community development, a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) recommended the widening of St. John’s Sideroad to a four-lane urban cross-section, including road profile improvements to satisfy current road design standards. One of the primary goals of the EA was to “ensure that any recommended road design incorporates natural environmental design features to avoid or mitigate the effects of the undertaking and, to the extent feasible, to make recommendations to enhance important wetland functions and attributes.” THE CHANGING FACE OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT In recent years, public consultation has increasingly come to the forefront of Canadian public infrastructure planning. As awareness of infrastructure in the context of community needs has grown, it seems that expectations for public input into the planning process for that infrastructure – be it treatment plants, distribution and collection systems, or roads, public parks and open spaces – has grown as well. Many governments are looking for more comprehensive public participation, soliciting opinions Engineering Business 10 trends Retrofit reduces hospital’s steam costs, GHG emissions Like medical centres everywhere, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, ON, is constantly seeking ways to pare down operating expenses in order to meet budget constraints. Improving a facility’s energy efficiency can make a significant difference in a hospital’s bottom line. St. Michael’s, a 550-bed major acute care, teaching and research hospital that has served the residents of Toronto since 1892, found a way to save $1.4 million annually through a major heating and cooling system retrofit. The energy-plant retrofit was designed by Ecosystem, Inc., an energy-efficiency contractor with offices based in Quebec and Ontario. The $7.9 million project included: • replacing two aging centrifugal chillers with a YORK MaxE water-to-water heat pump manufactured by Johnson Controls; • converting the hospital’s old steam network to a hot-water heating system; • modifying heating networks to create two distinctive loops: the first one using warm water (heat reclamation) and the second one using hot water (steam heat-exchanger); • installing a high-pressure humidification system, including reverse-osmosis water treatment; • switching domestic hot-water production to a central unit to benefit from the heat-reclamation network, while using the steam heatexchanger for peak periods; • eliminating cooling equipment that used municipal water; and • optimizing the building’s automation system for maximum operating efficiency year-round. The electric-drive heat pump has reportedly reduced the hospital’s steam bill by as much as $8,000 daily during the coldest part of Toronto’s winter. Usual savings range from $2,500 to $6,000 per day, depending on the outdoor temperature. This is accomplished by repurposing heat discarded from the facility’s air-handling system and water-cooled chillers located throughout the hospital. The heat pump raises the temperature of the recovered heat to warm the incoming ventilation air. “St. Michaels was using steam, and steam is very expensive in downtown Toronto — $23 per 1,000 pounds,” says Rejean (Reg) Cormier, sales engineer with Master Group LP, the YORK distributor in eastern Canada. The eco-friendly heat pump has also made possible a 36 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of steam the hospital requires. This helps St. Michael’s eliminate the equivalent of a year’s greenhouse gas output by 1,375 cars. As an added benefit, the heat pump uses environmentally responsible R-134a refrigerant. The old chillers used CFC-11 refrigerant, now banned in Canada as a threat to the planet’s ozone layer. “For us, it was a win-win situation. Not only did we get new equipment, but we got rid of equipment that was environmentally unfriendly,” says Allan Kelly, manager of plant services at the hospital. “We received a certificate of recognition from the Ontario Power Authority for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.” The YORK heat pump installed at St. Michael’s Hospital uses the compound technology of two centrifugal compressors in series while in heating mode and has a heating capacity of 10,237 MBH at a coefficient-of-performance (COP) of 4.2. A traditional water heater typically has a COP of less than 1.0. Operating at full load for nine months of the year, a 620F water stream carrying the recovered heat enters the heat pump where useful heat is created and used two ways: 400F chilled water for cooling, and 1300F hot water for heating the 1.3 million-square-feet facility. Photo by Ian C. Clarke trends Whistler resort’s hybrid heating cuts energy consumption Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting energy consumption are becoming a growing concern for large hotels and resorts, as they look to reduce their eco-footprint. But how does a five-star luxury resort and spa dramatically cut its energy consumption while maintaining a very high level of guest experience? The Four Seasons Resort & Spa in Whistler, BC, features over 300 rooms, has an award winning spa, and guests benefit from easy access to the downhill skiing site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. After enlisting the help of Sempa Power Systems Ltd. and its patent-pending Sempa hybrid heating system, the Four Seasons resort was able to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent, the equivalent to taking 90 Honda Accord sedans off the road for over 2,167,000 km of driving. As an added benefit, the resort was also able to save over $128,000. The system was installed during the peak winter season and was completed without any system shut-down. With the strong savings results, Four Seasons ordered additional installations of the Sempa hybrid heating system in other hotel locations. The Sempa system works by monitoring energy use and makes use of off-peak electricity to displace higher cost fossil fuels. The Energy Star certified system has cut its customers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 per cent per year. In September, Sempa became an inaugural winner of the Deloitte Technology Green 15 Award, a new award that salutes companies creating major breakthroughs in the field of green technology. The award comes as the 2007 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards Program celebrates its tenth anniversary. This newest award recognizes Canadian companies that offer solutions to global environmental challenges by creating intellectual property (IP) and technology that reduce society’s environmental impact. In addition to its patent-pending hybrid heating solution, Sempa provides technology and implementation services to help commercial building owners and managers Costs, govt regs still constrain energy alternatives By Duane Sharp, P.Eng. “Clean energy-generating alternatives, including combined heat and power and electricity generated as a by-product of another process, are becoming more and more popular, whether the primary fuel source is natural gas, under-utilized heat or under-utilized energy,” reports Lou Colangelo, general manager, engineering and operations, for Toromont Power Systems of Concord, ON. Government regulation, environmental concerns and costs are some of the issues confronting energy management companies in the development and installation of alternative energy. As Colangelo notes, these issues revolve around “natural gas spark spread, distribution and transmission system constraints and associated connection costs, as well as long term thermal take-off agreements.” Advancements in technology and fossil fuel market conditions have made growth and capital gains in the alternative energy sector possible, a trend which is forecast to continue. Wind power and solar energy have shown rapid growth in recent years. According to the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute, 15,200 megawatts of new wind turbines went up around the world last year, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) output by around 43 million tonnes – the equivalent of offsetting the emissions of eight million cars, and representing about US$22 billion in technology investment in Europe and North America alone last year. The CO2 calculations take into account the intermittent energy production of turbines, using the figure of 34 per cent of potential capacity compared with 72 per cent for the average coal power station. The increase in worldwide wind power last year saw global capacity increase by almost 26 per cent, with Germany, Spain and the US generating over half the total. “Wind power is on track to soon play a major role in reducing fossil fuel dependence and slowing the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” said Worldwatch senior researcher Janet Sawin. “Until recently, large scale alternative energy production hasn’t been an option mainline energy companies were willing to explore, but because production costs have lowered and fossil fuel prices Engineering Business Solar boosts hydronic system benefits The heating of water for showers, laundry, etc., uses 20 to 50 per cent of all the energy consumed by Canadian homes, contributing about two tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere each year, according to Solarnetix Inc. The Toronto, ON-based solar and hydronic system experts claim their system can lower the cost of energy for hot water heating by up to 50 per cent, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by one tonne per year! The company is the exclusive North American agent for European solar and hydronic manufacturing. The company’s multi-zone hydronic system was awarded first place in hydronic heating at the October 2007 ISH America Plumbing and Heating Show in Chicago in 2006. Solarnetix notes that its advantages to engineers include: • complete pre-designed and assembled solutions to reduce time spent on radiant heating; • the provision of a CAD system drawing and written specification for inclusion in project materials; • since a contractor cannot deviate from engineer design, the elimination of costly situations in which the system does not follow engineer intent; • single supplier – focused responsibility with a toll free technical support. Photo by Four Seasons About MediaEdge MediaEDGE publishes a wide array of industry-leading trade magazines, including recognizable titles such as: Engineering Perspectives (ACEC’s annual publication), Building Strategies, Canadian Healthcare Facilities, Canadian Property Management, CondoBusiness, Property Management Report, Canadian Apartment Magazine, Construction Business, Design Quarterly and others. innovativestrategies Bridging the safety gap Recent failures of bridge structures question current safety and inspection procedures. Canadian engineers are taking a leading role in addressing these issues. By Duane Sharp, P. Eng. and Susan Maclean Many North American bridges, overpasses and interchanges were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, bridge design and construction techniques have improved and longer life spans are now possible. “Previously, bridges were designed for a 30- to 40-year life and, when this lifespan has been reached, repairs and upgrading are required,” reports John Fowler, P. Eng., president of the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. “More recently, bridges like the Confederation Bridge spanning Northumberland Strait, and precast bridges and overpasses along the 407 in the [Greater Toronto Area] are some of the first in Canada to be designed with 100-year lifespans. Several techniques are being used by bridge contractors to extend the life of older bridges, including fast installation of new precast concrete deck panels. “There is considerable desire on the part of governments to speed up the construction of bridges and other road elements to enable traffic to be disrupted for a minimum time,” he adds. “Modular construction of concrete bridge components, either on-site, if location and space permits, or in a factory, is becoming a popular method and represents a significant time saving for the repair or replacement operation. Recently, two bridges in Ottawa were replaced with modules constructed on-site and installed in less than 17 hours. As well, in locations where on-site modules cannot be constructed, bridge components can be cast in a factory, transported to the site and rapidly installed.” ENVIRONMENT REASON FOR FAILURE “Acid rains and using de-icing salts to prevent traffic sliding are the real reasons behind a short life-span,” claims Isaak Finkelshteyn, P.Eng., PhD., president and CEO of I & F Engineering Corp. in Concord, ON. He notes that even though the Canadian and American bridge design codes require superstructures’ durability to be 75 years and some European bridge design codes specify the equivalent of 100 years, “in reality, steel, reinforced-concrete and steel-reinforced concrete superstructures have actual durability everywhere in the world of no more than 35 to 45 years.” VIRTUALLY PREDICT WELDING FATIGUE A virtual method for predicting fatigue life in welded structures that is said to surpass any existing modeling method has been adopted by ASME for that association’s 2007 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes. The developer reports that the mesh-insensitive structural stress method is directly applicable for fatigue design and life prediction of steel bridge structures, as well as remaining life assessment for aging bridges. Developed by researcher Dr. Pingsha Dong at Batelle, a Columbus, OH-based global science and technology company, the prediction tool is being included as an alternative means for predicting fatigue and fatigue life. While previous stress concentration calculation methods were highly sensitive to the detail of the computerized model, Pingsha’s method, referred to as the Verity mesh-insensitive structural stress method, reportedly proved to be accurate regardless of that detail. This would seem to indicate that fatigue lives of welded structures can be reliably predicted regardless of the complexity of welded components and modeling details. The Verity method is implemented in fe-Safe – a fatigue software package distributed by Safe Technology Ltd, based in the UK. It is also known as the master S-N curve method signifying its ability to correlate a massive amount of actual fatigue test data into a single S-N curve. EB The ominous signs of deteriorating bridge structures, several recent instances of structural failure and the tragically dire results of such disasters have put new emphasis on bridge safety. These incidents have underlined the need for increased vigilance and more focused oversight on the bridges and overpass structures of North America, as many of them approach the end of their design life span. “We need to acquire more scientific data on bridge structures and their failures when they occur, rather than speculating on the reason for the failure,” says Dr. Aftab Mufti, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MN. “When existing bridges fail, it is difficult to determine scientifically the reason for failure. Was it design? Or was it construction? Or was the failure due to service loads?” Mufti is also the program leader and president of the ISIS (Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures) Canada Research Network – ISIS Canada – and first president of International Society for SHM (structural health monitoring) of Intelligent Infrastructures (ISHMII). His focus has been on ‘civionics,’ a term he coined to explain the relationship between civil engineering and electronics. “One of my major objectives is to convince the civil engineering culture to collect pertinent scientific data related to bridge structures,” he continues. “To be able to analyze the reason or reasons for failure, civil engineers need to realize that the three components of bridge structures – analysis and design, construction, and operation and maintenance under service loads – are related to each other and are not independent entities. This has not been done in the past. However, it is important that future bridge structures as well as other structural projects begin to use civionics, the basis for SHM to gather all pertinent data relating to these three components. When this Engineering Business Monitoring a truly super structure Confederation Bridge, officially open to traffic 10 years ago, spans Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. At 13 kilometres, it is currently the longest bridge in the world to cross ice-covered salt water. The bridge roadway includes two traffic lanes and an emergency shoulder on each side. The bridge has a design life of 100 years, twice to three times the length for other bridges and buildings and its design was not covered by any code or design standard, pushing the limit of the technologies. Various forces work against the bridge structure – ice, wind, temperature and traffic loads – and during the original design and construction phase, architects and engineers included more than 750 sensors in the bridge’s design to monitor the effects of these forces. The monitoring project, which will continue until 2014, is a group effort between universities, government and the private sector, including Calgary and Carleton universities, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Public Works Canada and Strait Crossing Development Inc. Sensors monitor everything from deformations in the bridge concrete to changes in temperature in the bridge and vibrations caused by traffic, as well as earthquakes. Inside 28 of the bridge’s 44 piers are ice-load panels. Sensors inside the panels deform under load and measure how much force the ice is exerting on the pier. Video cameras and sonar equipment are also used to monitor ice forces. They are revealing how good the computer designs and simulations were and how they can be improved. Photos on pages 5 and 6: Strait Crossing Bridge Limited October 2007 commentary legalfile Sustainability as an expert service In an age when environmental responsibility is an emerging giant in our nation’s social consciousness, engineering professionals are in a unique position to lead the A/E/C community in sustainable design concepts. By David Reynolds, P.Eng. Engineering Business Circulation Engineering Business will be mailed to over 10,000 consulting engineers across Canada. The readership consists primarily of principals, partners, senior engineers, specifiers and project engineers who have the authority to make design, specification and product selection decisions about the products/services you offer. Engineers are trained as problem solvers, a characteristic that lends itself to recognizing opportunities when sustainability can be incorporated into design. Too often, though, engineers don’t suggest sustainable design concepts until an owner or architect assigns the task. By doing so, many opportunities may be missed to reduce the cost of incorporating sustainable design or increasing the efficiency of the structure. Further, it is crucial that engineers be seen as forward thinking professionals who are looking for ways to improve the footprint that construction leaves on our planet. If engineers remain true to the profession, sustainability will simply be part of our service. After all, sustainable design involves finding solutions that make environmental sense, incorporating low-impact design elements, reducing the consumption of materials and resources, managing the impacts of energy and greenhouse gases, and reducing waste and promoting recycling. Why do any of these services need to be an add-on service? While green building design is gaining rapid acceptance across the nation, many engineers have been reluctant to embrace it as a thought concept that should be integrated from a project’s inception. For many, this reluctance stems from a comfort level with the typical routine and an unwillingness to try something new. Others have a mistaken perception that stepping out of the box will increase a project’s budget and time. However, many sustainable design strategies can be incorporated without adding dollars or hours to a project’s plan. Such strategies are simply good choices, and engineering professionals can and should present these intelligent options to clients. Engineers should feel comfortable presenting ideas for sustainability at the beginning of a project; however, relatively few engineers actually come forward with such ideas in the initial stages. If these ideas are added late in the project, they will actually cost more and not be as effective as intended because they were not truly integrated into the design. Thinking creatively in order to make structures more valuable over time works in the best interests of the client, the environment and the engineering profession as a whole. Instead of wondering if a client will understand a choice, it rests upon the engineer’s shoulders to educate clients and have as much influence as possible during the design process. Although it is ultimately the client’s choice, it is the engineer’s responsibility to provide the options, while paying careful attention to the client’s scope, schedule and budget. ENGINEERS AS THOUGHT LEADERS By their very nature and position in the design team, engineers are uniquely equipped to lead the charge in sustainable design. With their consistent presence throughout the design and building process, engineers are well suited for recognizing opportunities for sustainable design. An understanding of the entire project life cycle and knowledge of how systems work together give engineers insight others involved in the building process do not have. Providing straight, “by-the-book” engineering solutions can quickly become rote and it does not fully use an engineer’s skills. However, identifying integrated solutions that capitalize on the synergies of systems and respect the environment gives engineers a chance to flex their engineering muscle. In sustainable design philosophy, problem solving is encouraged rather than restrained. It requires engineers to look at the bigger picture and keeps younger engineers interested in the profession because they are not pigeonholed with the same tasks day after day. Encouraging owners to pursue sustainable design begins with a team that is fully integrated at the earliest stages of a project. And while not every project will pursue LEED certification, the team can use the LEED rating system as a tool to identify credits that make sense for the project. Most important, everyone on the team should have buy-in for efforts toward pursuing sustainability so the responsibility will be shared. As green building pushes to the forefront of current thinking in design, engineers will need to be aware of the new careers calling for engineers who have an interest in sustainability. With a changed mindset and a willingness to offer solutions from the onset, engineers will elevate the profession, creating more and better opportunities for all. EB The clock is ticking A look at the new statutory limitation periods in Ontario Like most of the provincial jurisdictions in Canada, certain statutes have been drafted in Ontario that prescribe the time by which a party must commence an action. If a party commences a lawsuit after the expiration of the prescribed time period, it may risk its action being dismissed by the courts. A qualification on the application of said fixed limitation periods has been the principle of discoverability. Pursuant to the principle of discoverability, the courts have held that the time period by which a party must commence a lawsuit may not begin to run until the party knew, or ought to have known, that it had a claim. While the rationale for creating a limitation period is based on the premise that parties should not be required to defend lawsuits long after the events took place, the application of the principle of discoverability has resulted in situations where a claim “discovered” well after the events or omissions took place, may still proceed. The existence of the doctrine of discoverability can result in indefinite potential liability. In the context of construction claims, latent defects or deficiencies might be discovered well after the construction project is complete, thereby potentially exposing parties to indefinite liability. The new limitation regime in Ontario attempts to balance the right of a party to bring its claim to court and the right of a party to secure certainty and finality with respect to its actions. The new Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Schedule B (the “Act”) provides that parties commence an action within two years of the day on which the claim was discovered. However, the Act also contemplates an ultimate limitation period of 15 years commencing from the date of the act or omission giving rise to the claim (subject to certain exceptions in the legislation). Thus, under the new regime, regardless of when the negligence was “discovered”, a party must commence a lawsuit within 15 years. In light of the fact that the new legislative regime contemplates an ultimate limitation period by which a party must commence a claim (subject to certain exceptions) and this is a departure from the pre-existing limitation regime, the Act also contains certain transitional provisions which provide for the move from the old limitation system to the new limitation system. One of these provisions contemplates that if the claim was not discovered before January 1, 2004 (the date on which the Act came into force), the Act applies as if the events leading up to the claim occurred on January 1, 2004. Engineering Business 11 By Howard Wise and Jennifer Leitch Photos by Larry McFarland Architects and supplied by Canada Green Building Council show the platinum level LEED structure at Operations Centre of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Sidney, BC. Engineering Business David Reynolds, P.Eng., LEED AP, is the section manager for environmental consulting and engineering for the Chicago office of Earth Tech. Engineering Business Editorial Engineering Business has compiled an editorial focus based on feedback from many of the industry’s top engineers and suppliers. The magazine addresses what matters to the business of consulting engineering and covers such important topics as: • QBS (Qualification Based Selection) • Bidding on overseas projects • Project profiles • Company profiles • Improving profit margins on projects • Energy efficiency design • The environment • Hazardous materials • Government compliance • Regulatory updates • Legal issues • Product updates and much more. Engineering Business will reflect these pressing topics in a timely and highly readable manner within three main editorial sections listed below. Editorial Calendar 2008 Issue Innovative strategies These articles go behind the scenes of outstanding projects and technological trends to bring consulting engineering firms vital information that will help boost their bottom line. We reflect the business side of projects and products as well as ideas and updates on new trends. Practice management This section presents the latest information on important topics that readers need to address in order to be successful. In addition to the features listed, topics will include insurance, liability and risk, contracts, government regulations and compliance, business development, for example. Embracing technology for greater efficiency Project / product categories Each issue will expand on the content of the innovative strategy and practice management features by bringing updates on related products and highlight these with sample projects when available. March Energy, resources and the environment Energy management and alternative energy products – generators, HVAC equipment, heat recovery ventilators, control panels, chillers, pumps, building controls, hydronic systems, UPS, etc.; plus CAE and other computer software, computer hardware and peripherals. June Land development – mining, wastewater, planning Beefing up your human resources -- finding staff/expertise, training, upgrading skills Bores, drills and other mining equipment, geotechnical, surveying, water/waste water management products – drainage systems, pipe and valves, corrosion protection, culverts, tanks, water treatment systems, controls, shoring systems, trenchless technologies, water disinfection, filtration, pumps, and more. Steel, concrete, reinforcement/rebar, bridge bearings, expansion joints, anchors, coatings, corrosion protection, reinforced soil solutions, membrane systems, bridge deck waterproofing, culverts, drainage and barrier products, lighting, electronic information display systems, docks, jetties, breakwaters, etc. October Infrastructure – structural, transportation Delivering beyond ‘on time’ and ‘within budget’ December Recovery & disaster prevention – industrial, municipal Evolving with the local and global markets Telecommunication systems and equipment, fire and security protection, such as control panels, video surveillance, smoke detectors, sensors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, suppression foams, intumescent coatings, door hardware, valves, controls, pumps, sensors, monitors, test and measuring instruments, timers and clocks. PLUS: Keeping Current - Industry News Government Regulations Legal File After Hours Business Development Dollars & Sense Commentary Last Word International 2008 Rates Polybags/Inserts: rates available upon request. Advertising/Editorial Reprint: rates available upon request. Preferred Positions 15% on earned frequency. Publishing Schedule 2007 Issue March June October December Publisher: J. 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