What a Deal - BUILD Early Bird Rates & Draw

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) and CHBA – Alberta are offering delegates an early bird rate on hotel accommodations booked prior to June 1, 2009. Rates for a Fairmont room start at $295 per night (plus applicable taxes, resort fee, etc). The relationship developed over the years between CHBA - Alberta and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has proved to be one that works for everyone.

Those who register online and book their accommodations with the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge before June 1 will be entered to win a free conference registration and three nights’ accommodations in a deluxe room with sitting area for September 17-19, 2009. The early bird draw is valued at over $1,700! One runner up prize will be awarded of a free round of golf at the CHBA – Alberta Open September 18 or 19, 2009 valued at $219.

Delegates already registered will automatically be entered for the early bird prize. Conference registration cannot be applied to pre-negotiated sponsorship agreements or trade show participants.

Click here to register and to be automatically entered for the early bird draw.

Promoting Canadian Building Expertise

Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Stockwell Day will lead a Canadian mission to Russia in preparation for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Participant will travel to Sochi, Krasnodar and Moscow. The purpose of the mission is to promote Canadian expertise in the following areas:
• Construction, Engineering and infrastructure development,
• Building Materials and Green Technologies,
• Project management and urban design and
• Other areas.

The federal government is in the very preliminary stages of organization based on a Russian contingent visiting the construction sites for the Vancouver Olympics. The purpose of the mission is to provide opportunity for Canadian companies to identify Russia’s specific requirements for the games, establish and strengthen working relationships and better understand Russia’s business culture and procurement process.

Members who are interested are encouraged to fill out the fax back sheet and make certain they are on the mailing list.

Structural Fire Performance Report

The National Research Council has compiled a report based on a state-of-the-art literature survey of recent developments on the structural fire performance and fire protection engineering. It explores briefly the current state of knowledge and information available on fire-resistance and structural fire safety methodologies for reinforced concrete and steel structures. The report can be downloaded by clicking here.

New 2009 OHS Code

After extensive public consultation, the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code has been updated to keep workplace health and safety rules current and relevant. Alberta employers have until July 1 to comply with the updates, and the Code can be found online. OHS will also have a “Code Explanation Guide” available online at this site in June. Copies of the 2009 OHS Code can be purchased from the Queen’s Printer at 780-427-4952 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access) or online. Shipping will begin in late May.

CCBFC Public Review of Codes

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is conducting a focused public review from April 6th to May 29th on the relocation of building design requirements from the 2005 National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) to the 2005 National Building Code of Canada (NBC), and the addition of appropriate cross-referencing between the two documents. The proposed changes are the result of an editorial exercise aimed at drawing a clear line between the roles of the NFC and the NBC. No new technical changes were introduced. Even though the 2005 Codes have been distributed, these proposed changes will form the model for the upcoming 2010 NBC. The National Building and Fire Codes developed by the CCBFC are model codes, which Alberta uses as the basis for the Alberta Building and Fire Codes. To learn more about this review and how to participate click here.

Enter Provincial Housing Awards

The Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing will begin accepting submissions tomorrow. Once again, submissions will be uploaded completely online. A CD with the same information is all that needs to be mailed to the CHBA - Alberta office - no hard copy photos required. Deadline for online entries is June 3 at 4:30pm.

Moving to an online submission system is a great step forward for our association members and the environment. The online submission system reduces time it takes for members to print the photos and reduces the waste after the photos have been judged.

Standata on Calculating Occupant Loads

The method of calculating occupant loads can vary greatly between jurisdictions and even between published Codes. This variance often leads to widely differing occupant load figures being assigned to the same type and size of building or premises in different municipalities.

A Standata has been created to clarify the requirements of Alberta Building Code (ABC) and the Alberta Fire Code (AFC) for calculating occupant loads in assembly buildings or floor spaces. More information can be found by clicking here.

Home for Life

Alberta Health Services has partnered with other groups to develop a new wiki: Home for Life – Design and Modifications for Barrier-Free Living. The new wiki is designed as a resource centre for clients, families, architects, designers and contractors.

The development of this resource is in response to a large unmet need of Albertans to continue to live in their homes by adapting their place of residence as they age or their medical condition changes.

New Homes Month

The Government of Canada has proclaimed April as New Homes Month. The Prime Minister sends greetings to all members recognizing the homebuilders for their hard work in new home construction. Members are encouraged to incorporate the message in marketing strategies.