Education Summit 2024 Program & Speakers

Find out an exceptional lineup at this year’s summit, tailored specifically for professionals in the building and construction industry. Our program is designed to equip builders, architects, engineers, and construction managers with cutting-edge knowledge, innovative practices, and essential skills to excel in their fields.

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

7:30am-8:30am

Wildfire Resilient Housing

8:30am-10:00am

This session will focus on construction-based solutions for building wildland fire resilient homes in British Columbia. Experts from RDH Building Sciences, FireSmart Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and others in the field will talk about measures that can be taken to reduce the damage from wildland fires on the built environment. We will explore options for how to incorporate non-combustible building materials, envelope details, fire-rated wall assemblies, and exterior mitigation measures into Part 9 housing construction.

There will be 3 technical presentations:

1) Envelope details and materials: Addressing points of entry from the exterior of the home where embers can penetrate the structure, and the substitution of combustible building materials for non-combustible ones.

2) Constructing a 1-hr fire-rated wall assembly: Looking at the different solutions and materials that can be incorporated into a wall assembly to achieve a 1-hr fire-rating, including soffits and windows.

And 3) Measures that can be taken outside of the house to improve wildland fire resilience for the structure.

A series of infographics and guides, created by NRCan, will be highlighted throughout the event. Participants will receive access to these resources to support the implementation of wildland fire resilient construction measures.

Speaker Bios:

FireSmart Canada

Scott Vandermeer | Owner | VDM Fire Inc.

Scott VanderMeer has been collaborating with the developer of the Exshaw Mountain Gateway project on behalf of FireSmart Canada with the goal of integrating FireSmart Development Best Practices into the architectural and landscape guidelines set out by the developer. This proactive approach to FireSmart has led to the national discussion on the creation of a FireSmart Developer Recognition Program. Scott VanderMeer has been involved in numerous FireSmart projects and continues to be an active member on FireSmart Canada’s Technical Committee and FireSmart Canada’s Program Implementation Working Group. While continuing as an active member of the Calgary Fire Department, Scott combines his structural fire knowledge, along with former wildfire experience to provide advice on wildland urban interface education and mitigation.

Joel Hamilton | Wildfire Interface Specialist & Program Lead | FireSmart Canada & BC Fire Chiefs Association

Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)

Dan Sandink | Director of Research

Dan Sandink is the Director of Research at the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. Since joining ICLR, Dan has authored or co-authored more than 50 technical reports and articles on topics related to protecting Canadians and their property from the impacts of extreme rainfall/urban flooding, high wind, wildland-urban interface fire, and hail. Dan’s writing has also focused on public disaster risk perceptions, public adoption of household disaster risk reduction practices, the role of insurance in managing disasters, climate change adaptation and vulnerability assessment, building materials and products designed to mitigate disaster risk at the household level, among many other topics.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Lucas Coletta | Project Leader | LEEP – CanmetENERGY

Lucas Coletta is a project leader with the Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) Team. His primary focus is the technical development and industry adoption of the NRCan cost benefit analysis tool (CBAT). He develops technical resources aimed at addressing the affordability and construction of energy efficient homes across Canada. Lucas and the LEEP team work with industry to bring energy advisors, home builders, and policy makers together to trial CBAT, assess its usefulness, and capture suggestions for future development.

RDH Building Science

James Bourget, ABET, RRO®, CPHT

James has over 30 years of industry experience, specializing in condition assessments, design and detail development, and field review on Existing Buildings projects. As an approved roof inspector with the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia, James has developed expertise in the investigation, design, and field review of complex and specialty roof renewal and replacement projects. Over the years, he has established a multifaceted skill set and familiarity with various trades’ practices, including masonry, carpentry, concrete finishing, painting, and plastering. As part of an initiative to support the implementation of the BC Step Code, James delivers hands-on airtightness training to builders and contractors. He also shares his knowledge of the building enclosure as an instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Graham Finch, Dipl.T., M.A.Sc., P.Eng.

Graham is an industry leader in measuring, evaluating, and modeling of the thermal and hygrothermal performance of building enclosure systems. His master’s degree research and thesis focused on the in-service performance of rainscreen wall assemblies in the Pacific Northwest, and the research has resulted in several publications and practical recommendations for the construction industry. He is a leader in knowledge sharing and is regularly invited to present at conferences and speaking opportunities around North America on a range of building science topics. He also contributes to the education of the industry through the development and delivery of best practice guidelines and bulletins.

Robin Urquhart, MBSc., CEA

Robin has over 15 years of relevant experience and specializes Northern construction projects, energy efficient design, building guide development, wildfire resistant construction and radon mitigation He provides services in project management, building enclosure design, investigation, diagnostic and whole building air tightness testing, construction field review, forensic enclosure investigation, detail design review, and condition assessments. With a background in carpentry and as a certified energy advisor, he is committed to the North and ensuring that buildings are built to perform well and stand the test of time.

[ Coffee Break ]

10:00am-10:30am

Wildfire Resilient Housing – continued

10:30am-12:00pm

There will be 3 technical presentations:

And 3) Measures that can be taken outside of the house to improve wildland fire resilience for the structure.

Speaker Bios:

FireSmart Canada

Scott Vandermeer | Owner | VDM Fire Inc.

Joel Hamilton | Wildfire Interface Specialist & Program Lead | FireSmart Canada & BC Fire Chiefs Association

Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)

Dan Sandink | Director of Research

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Lucas Colett | Project Leader | LEEP – CanmetENERGY

RDH Building Science

James Bourget, ABET, RRO®, CPHT

Graham Finch, Dipl.T., M.A.Sc., P.Eng.

Robin Urquhart, MBSc., CEA

[ Lunch Break ]

12:00pm-1:00pm

CSA F280 HVAC Requirements for Part 9 Buildings

(A) 1:00pm-2:30pm

This session will discuss the requirements for CSA F280 heating and cooling load calculations required by the BCBC under article 9.33.5.1. The new requirement for maintaining 26°C outlined in sentence 9.33.3.1. 2) of the BCBC will be covered, including Todd’s interpretation of the appropriate modeling techniques and common errors that are found in heat loss & heat gain calculations. Sizing heating and cooling equipment according to CSA F280 standards is the foundation of proper HVAC design and ensures that the correct capacity mechanical systems are installed.

Speaker Bio:

Todd Backus, P.Eng. | Manager – Programs Development | TECA

Todd Backus has worked in the HVAC industry since 2003. He completed his red-seal ticket as a sheet metal worker in 2009. As the owner/operator of Backus Mechanical, he specialized in forced air system installation & design for custom homes.

In 2019, Todd graduated from BCIT with a degree in mechanical engineering. Afterwards, he worked as a mechanical consultant for Rocky Point Engineering designing HVAC, plumbing, & fire suppression systems. In 2023, Todd completed his Professional Engineering certification and joined TECA as the Manager of Programs Development.

New Seismic Hazard Mapping for Metro Vancouver: Opportunities for Uptake and Use in the Built Environment

(B) 1:00pm-2:30pm

This session will provide a short overview of the new seismic hazard maps that have been produced over the past decade for Metro Vancouver. It will then provide an overview of the associated EGBC Professional Practice Guidelines. It will conclude with an overview of the potential opportunities and challenges associated with the uptake and use of the maps and associated geodata.

Are you interested in contributing to building resilience in this beautiful region? Then, this session is for you to better understand how new and improved seismic hazard information can be integrated into your role as a building official or business planning as a builder.

Speaker Bios:

Jessica Shoubridge, MAP | Founder & Principal | Thrive Consulting

Jessica Shoubridge is the Founder and Principal of Thrive Consulting (Climate and Resilience Planning). She is an urban planner with over 15 years of experience working as a project manager, and facilitator of strategies and actions that aim to reduce climate and natural hazard risk and build resilience in Southwest BC. She has worked across all orders of government, the private and nonprofit sectors to connect the dots between best available climate projections, natural hazard science and open risk models and the proactive actions and finance required to reduce such risks at the local, regional, provincial and national scales.

Before starting her consultancy, Jessica led the development of the City of Vancouver Earthquake Strategy, where she advocated for and worked towards open, integrated, multi-hazard risk modelling and holistic policies for existing buildings to inform a city-wide approach to enhancing resilience. She has worked with communities and on projects that have been recognized as leading edge by the United Nations (District of North Vancouver Sasakawa award), the federal government (Natural Resources Canada Award for Collaboration – DNV Community-wide Earthquake Risk Analysis), and the Planning Institute of British Columbia (New Directions in Planning- Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy). She has been the program director for the Understanding Risk BC (URBC) symposiums since 2017.

Jessica applies this experience and knowledge of global best practice to inform solutions that are locally-owned and is passionate about working to build resilience in Southwest BC, the Cascadia bio-region and beyond. She has a masters degree in Planning (Disaster Risk Management) from the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), University of British Columbia.

Allison Chen, P.Eng., P.E. | Practice Advisor, Professional Practice, Standards & Development | EGBC

[ Coffee Break ]

2:30pm-3:00pm

An Archaeologist’s Insight into Regulatory Archaeology and the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project for Home Builders and Property Owners

(A) 3:00pm-4:30pm

British Columbia’s burst of government initiatives to address the housing crisis, such as the BC Builds Program, have contributed to a rapid increase in residential development across the province. As with all development projects, builders and homeowners must work through a series of permits to conduct building activities, including the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA).
With little to no previous knowledge of the act, long permitting times, a shortage of consulting archaeologists, a web of additional building-related permits, and managing consultation required for HCA permit applications, obtaining an HCA permit for development can be a daunting task
for any developer and homeowner. In addition, the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project has left many people wondering how prospective changes to the HCA may impact their projects in the future.

If you are in a position where you may need to navigate the HCA on one of your projects, please join Emily Wilkerson, MA, RPCA, professional archaeologist, to learn more about how regulatory archaeology intersects with residential development in British Columbia, and to learn more about the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project.

This talk will cover:
 An introduction to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) and permitting processes with the Archaeology Branch.
 Strategies for managing archaeology on projects.
 The Archaeology Branch modernization program, including dedicated staff for residential development projects.
 The Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project; what it is, why it is happening, the current state of the project, how it is already influencing the approach to archaeology on projects, and what it may mean for the future of the HCA.

Speaker Bios:

Emily Wilkerson, MA, RPCA | Director – Archaeology | Transportation Investment Corporation

Emily Wilkerson is a professional archaeologist with over 20 years of combined academic, regulatory, and consulting experience in British Columbia, Montana, and California. She graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2010 with a degree in Anthropology and an emphasis in Archaeology. From there, she found her footing in consulting archaeology while working for an innovative First Nations – owned archaeology company here in British Columbia.

Currently, she is Director of Archaeology with the Transportation Investment Corporation (TICorp) where she has been tapped to offer expert regulatory guidance, strategic advice, and project management support for archaeology on high stakes major projects, including the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project and the Fraser River Tunnel Program. She is also a Professional member of the British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists where she serves on the public education committee. As a former archaeology consultant and regulatory officer with the Archaeology Branch, Emily has made it her professional goal to help organizations and projects navigate the complex world of regulatory archaeology.

TBA

(B) 3:00pm-4:30pm

Speaker Bios:

Chris Walsh | Instructor | Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)

Chris is a third generation Sheet Metal worker and HVAC designer, who has been involved in the HVAC industry for more than 2 decades. Chris takes great pride in the industry and values the important role HVAC design plays in providing comfort to people at home and work.

After almost 20 years working in the field, in 2011 Chris began teaching the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship program at the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre. Following this he progressed to Training Coordinator in Toronto, and soon thereafter Chris assumed the role of Director of Training.

Chris became involved with the Ontario College of Trades in 2012 as a subject matter expert and collaborated with Red Seal Canada to develop a new provincial training curriculum and all new national Red Seal exam.

As a licensed Sheet Metal Worker and Gas Technician Chris now owns and operates an HVAC company in Southwestern Ontario, providing all HVAC services from heat load calculations to the installation of complete HVAC systems and accessories. Chris joined the HRAI Instructor Team in early 2022.

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

7:30am-8:30am

BC Building Code 2024 Provisions for Adaptable Dwelling Units

8:30am-10:00am

This presentation will offer a comprehensive view of the 2024 BC Building Code provisions for buildings required to include adaptable dwelling units, illustrated through examples. Participants will gain an understanding of the requirements, the Building Code’s acceptable solutions and practical methods to achieve compliance.

Speaker Bio:

Lucas Genereux, AScT | GHL Consultants Ltd.

Lucas Genereux is a graduate with Honours of the Architectural Technologist program at SAIT and is registered with ASTTBC as an Applied Science Technologist and has been at GHL for three years. Lucas is the author and illustrator of GHL’s BC Building Code 2024 Illustrated Guide to Accessibility.

Frankie Victor, PL Eng | GHL Consultants Ltd.

Frankie Victor has 11 years’ experience as a Building Official with the City of Nanaimo and 22 years of Building Code consulting experience with GHL. Frankie is registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC as a Professional Licensee Engineering with the title PL Eng. Frankie served 14 years as a member of the Executive Committee of the Building Officials Association of BC and is currently the Vice Chair of the BC Building Code Appeal Board.

[ Coffee Break ]

10:00am-10:30am

Single Exit Stair Buildings

10:30am-12:00pm

The session will focus on a building code change request to allow for a single exit stair in smaller multi-unit residential buildings of up to three storeys in Part 9, and six storeys in Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada with appropriate fire and life safety requirements. The code change request was developed by LGA Architectural Partners and David Hine Engineering Inc. and is a recommendation of the Task Force on Housing and Climate, the 2023 National Housing Accord, the 2022 Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force and the City of Toronto’s 2010 Midrise Performance Standards.

Speaker Bio:

Conrad Speckert | Intern Architect, BAS, M.Arch | LGA Architectural Partners Toronto

Conrad joined LGA as project manager for ‘ReHousing the Yellowbelt,’ a research collaboration with the University of Toronto to study the gentle densiﬁcation of residential neighbourhoods. He is a graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Waterloo and previously worked for architects in Vancouver, Berlin and Tokyo. Conrad has a passion for building code and zoning reform and is well-versed in the design of ‘missing middle’ and mid-rise residential buildings. He is also an occasional guest speaker at the Canadian Home Builder’s Association on the subject of gentle densiﬁcation and housing policy.

[ Lunch Break ]

12:00pm-1:00pm

Avoiding Building Code Missteps with Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing

(A) 1:00pm-2:30pm

With new zoning provisions in place across BC to enable Small Scale Multi-Unit (SSMU) Housing, a new world of building code regulations is being opened that hasn’t been traditionally used in the single-family home builder market. Some of the building code regulations will vary substantially depending on how your SSMU is designed. What may be a simple design choice could result in significant increases to the fire protection requirements under the BC Building Code, resulting in increased construction costs and ongoing maintenance. Attending this session will equip you with an understanding of some of the building code implications of SSMU, and how to potentially avoid costly increases to your project.

Speaker Bio:

Trevor Welsh, RBO, CRBO | Director, Building Division | City of Surrey & President | BOABC

After attending the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where Trevor studied building construction technologies, he began his career as a Building Official working for the District of North Vancouver as a Plan Reviewer. Trevor worked for a number of years with the City of Port Moody as a Building Official, which involved working as a Plan Reviewer and Building Inspector, including conducting plumbing plan reviews and inspections. He obtained his professional designation as a Registered Building Official, as well as his Level 2 plumbing official certification, in 2017.

Throughout his career, Trevor has held various supervisory and leadership roles within local government, including the Manager of Building, Bylaws, and Business Licences with the City of White Rock, as well the Director of the Building Permits Division for the City of Abbotsford. He is currently the Director of the Building Division for the City of Surrey. He has also worked as a part-time instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, instructing on building code courses.

In addition to his work as a Building Official, Trevor has also served as a reserve officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. In his role with the Cadet Instructor Cadre, Trevor has mentored and coached youth and young adults across the Province of BC. He continues to give back to the veteran’s community by volunteering on the organizing committee of the Annual Vancouver Military Dinner, which fundraises for not-for-profit organizations that benefit veterans.

Trevor has served on the Building Officials’ Association of BC’s Executive Committee since 2019. During this time, he has been involved in multiple committees and working groups including the Governance Committee, Certification Working Group, and has chaired the Finance Committee. In the Executive Committee, Trevor has held the positions of Secretary and Treasurer, Vice-President, and he currently serves as the President of the Association.

In his spare time, Trevor enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Explaining the National Code Development Process

(B) 1:00pm-2:30pm

Speaker Bio:

Jun’ichi Jensen | Director, Codes and Standards | Building and Safety Standards Branch, Ministry of Housing

[ Coffee Break ]

2:30pm-3:00pm

Leadership in Communication: Counter-Intuitive Strategies for Dealing with Challenging Situations

(A) 3:00pm-4:30pm

We usually deal with communication challenges in one of two ways… Either we want to run away, or we come charging in. Usually, neither of these choices works long term.
There is a third, much more effective way. This workshop will give you 4 completely counter-intuitive strategies for successfully managing difficult situations.

By the end of this session, you will be able to know how to identify resistant behaviour in yourself and others; have a greater understanding of what the physiological responses to emotional challenges look and feel like; be able to identify your personal strategies for managing your own defensiveness as well as others’; and recognize when to push and when to back off to get your needs met. You will also gain insight into how others perceive you and your motives.

Speaker Bio:

Sue Wazny, MSc, CRC | The Neutral Zone Coaching & Consulting Services Inc.

Mechanical Permit and HVAC Inspection Processes for Part 9 Buildings

(B) 3:00pm-4:30pm

This session will discuss the permitting requirements of HVAC systems in Part 9 buildings. The changes to the BCBC 2024 and the adoption of the energy step code have highlighted inconsistencies in the inspection and permitting process of residential HVAC systems. The session will also outline a professional approach to designing and inspecting HVAC systems that lead to consistent, reliable results which protect the consumer and help meet Canada’s energy efficiency goals.

Speaker Bio:

Scott Miller | Senior Mechanical Designer | Energy One Design Inc.

Scott has over 30 years of experience working in the heating and cooling industry, installation, service, design and design-built of complete mechanical systems for residential as well as commercial buildings.

For the last 20 years, he has focused on green technologies, heat pumps, district energy systems and geo-exchange. Scott has served on the board of TECA for over 15 years and is a past President and the Hydronic Committee Chair. Scott is instrumental in developing new guidelines and best practice policies for the industry.

Program Download Back to the main page

Builder Licensing

Continuing Professional Development

Certificate Programs

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

Wildfire Resilient Housing

[ Coffee Break ]

Wildfire Resilient Housing – continued

[ Lunch Break ]

CSA F280 HVAC Requirements for Part 9 Buildings

New Seismic Hazard Mapping for Metro Vancouver: Opportunities for Uptake and Use in the Built Environment

[ Coffee Break ]

An Archaeologist’s Insight into Regulatory Archaeology and the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project for Home Builders and Property Owners

TBA

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

BC Building Code 2024 Provisions for Adaptable Dwelling Units

[ Coffee Break ]

Single Exit Stair Buildings

[ Lunch Break ]

Avoiding Building Code Missteps with Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing

Explaining the National Code Development Process

[ Coffee Break ]

Leadership in Communication: Counter-Intuitive Strategies for Dealing with Challenging Situations

Mechanical Permit and HVAC Inspection Processes for Part 9 Buildings

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

Wildfire Resilient Housing

[ Coffee Break ]

Wildfire Resilient Housing – continued

[ Lunch Break ]

CSA F280 HVAC Requirements for Part 9 Buildings

New Seismic Hazard Mapping for Metro Vancouver: Opportunities for Uptake and Use in the Built Environment

[ Coffee Break ]

An Archaeologist’s Insight into Regulatory Archaeology and the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project for Home Builders and Property Owners

TBA

[ Breakfast & Delegate Registration ]

BC Building Code 2024 Provisions for Adaptable Dwelling Units

[ Coffee Break ]

Single Exit Stair Buildings

[ Lunch Break ]

Avoiding Building Code Missteps with Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing

Explaining the National Code Development Process

[ Coffee Break ]

Leadership in Communication: Counter-Intuitive Strategies for Dealing with Challenging Situations

Mechanical Permit and HVAC Inspection Processes for Part 9 Buildings

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