To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed.
Welcome
By Mark Buckshon
I had the opportunity to attend the na-
tional Construction Specifications Canada
(CSC) convention in Kitchener as we prepared this issue of Cana-
dian Design and Construction Report. The conference keynote
speaker, University of Waterloo professor John Straube, took aim
at one of the biggest challenges in Canadian building
insulation/energy savings: Leaky fenestration.
His observations co-ordinated with our annual Fenestration
Canada/Win.door Show feature, with several articles and fea-
tures describing innovations, resources and services for
Canada's window and door industry.
My ears also perked up to an issue not formally addressed
in the CSC convention's program, but reflected in underlying con-
versations and observations: The huge cost to Canada's design
and construction industry because of sloppy or incomplete spec-
ifications. Certainly, specifications are at this industry's heart. Without
contract documentation, no one will know what or how to build
anything. Unfortunately, problems caused because of sloppy
specifications often only appear later in the game; when trade
contractors discover the plans don't work properly reflected in.
Some contractors understand the issue well enough to look for
sloppy specs while bidding for projects. knowing they can price
in change order revenues, a truly messy way of doing business.
On the other hand, projects can be well-specified, planned
and co-ordinated, such as the Department of National Defence's
TEME (Transport Electrical Mechanical Building) at CFB Halifax.
Here, the project has been completed under-budget, with good-
will all around for the owner, general contractor and suppliers –
an example of how to get things right.
SUMMER 2014
Table of Contents
ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Harmonized apprenticeship agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
News briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Special feature: CFB Halifax TEME building . . . . . . . . . 8
FENESTRATION (Windows and Doors)
John Straube: The weakest link in Canadian
building energy savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Fenestration Canada/Win.door special feature . . . . . . 36
Sloppy specifications and change orders . . . . . . . . . . 14
Threads of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
News briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Masonry in B.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Sustainability: Changing the way
we think about green buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Precast: National Precast Concrete Association
conference in Montreal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
PLAN YOUR STAY EARLY
Book 7 days ahead and get
15% savings!
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Profiles of career success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
B.C.: Wood Innovation and Design Centre . . . . . . . . . 33
www.threadsoflife.ca The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2014 – 3