Client's Issue and Needs

The Ministries of Energy in BC and Alberta needed to research an alternate leasing instrument to induce developers, landlords and tenants to collectively benefit from designing and upgrading buildings in line with sustainable building principles. Conventional lease structures discourage pro-active investment in energy and productivity enhancing system changes. The report set out to evaluate alternate arrangements where this paradigm may be changed.

Our Services and Solutions

PHH ARC supported by two subconsultants researched the lease picture in Western Canada, alternate instruments in different parts of the world and an analysis of costs, payback and carbon impact of various green building strategies. Research was compiled by professional engineers, building energy analysts, quantity surveyors. Interviews were carried out with building owners and managers to obtain a broad cross section of industry solutions.

Outcome

A full report outlining leasing history, structure and options was compiled. A table of green building strategies was formulated that listed capital cost of green building strategies with associated annual financial cost saving and carbon reduction effects associated with each strategy.

Client's Issue and Needs

RCMP Pacific Region are responsible for over 500 buildings including detachments and houses across a vast terrain, most in non urban settings. The RCMP is committed to meet certain federal energy and sustainability performance targets. RCMP needed a road map to initiate a culture and ethos of greater sustainability in the management and construction of RCMP buildings.

Our Services and Solutions

PHH ARC supported by Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre facilitated a one day charette and green building visioning session attended by the key stakeholders in RCMP building design, construction and maintenance. This session included an outline of current green building solutions in non urban settings, costs and logistics of measures contemplated. The Strategy Document fully covered the priorities and objectives of the assembled group considering specific challenges and characteristics. Key recommendations and resources enable RCMP staff to continually improve sustainable performance in line with a well balanced strategy.

Outcome

A practical framework of strategy points, recommendations and resources to better enable RCMP staff and affiliates to make reasoned and well researched decisions on building design, construction, renovation and upgrade.

Client's Issue and Needs

Our client, a general contractor required assistance to meet the clients LEED specific criteria for a major road border crossing.  The site has very high public profile adjoining a marine habitat, former first nations settlement and the US border.  Project environmental performance had to meet municipal, provincial, federal (US) and federal (Canadian) standards.  The site had to accommodate existing border traffic patterns in a high security environment.  PHH ARC was retained to complete management plans for Indoor Air Quality, Construction Material Diversion, Sediment and Erosion Control, Noise, VOC, Archaeological and Hazardous Materials.

Our Services and Solutions

PHH ARC compiled LEED and regulatory related environmental management plans and trained workers and subcontractors in environmental practice.  We responded to site specific issues not contemplated by the client including discovery of hazardous materials within the deconstruction scheduled building, a sceptic tanks and several underground storage tanks.  We retained records of material diversion during building deconstruction which minimized waste generation. These roles and services assisted the client in documenting environmental response actions, maintaining regulatory compliance and maximising LEED points for the project.

Client's Issue and Needs

Vancouver General Hospital has numerous site buildings with a wide range of construction dates.  There were approximately twenty buildings (comprising 2.4 million square feet) requiring an asbestos materials assessment.  Historical asbestos assessments were conducted prior to this project and maintenance staff required confirmation before conducting repairs and removals to the building services.  There was not a central data system to manage and identify locations of asbestos for operations personnel.

Our Services and Solutions

PHH ARC created a customized database collection and inventory system to manage all asbestos materials, provide a risk assessment, and prioritize areas requiring remedial action.  

Outcome
The asbestos database will allow VGH to keep up to date records of asbestos abatements, sample collection locations and be able to generate reports to give to maintenance and planning before work is conducted which may impact asbestos.

Client's Issue and Needs

The client needed to install a drainage tunnel to facilitate upgrades to the roadway infrastructure.  The tunnel was installed ten meters below grade and would have to travel through soil contaminated with hydrocarbons, notably Benzene.  As workers were going to be potentially exposed to the vapors, the Client needed controls in place to protect the workers.

Our Services and Solutions

PHH ARC provided real time data logging within the tunnel monitoring Benzene and other VOC's.  In addition, workers were equipped with personal Benzene badges to monitor the breathing zone of each worker.  PHH ARC monitored the results and made recommendations with respect to PPE and engineered controls.

Outcome
With proper ventilation installed, personnel badge results were well below the allowable limit for Benzene.