Standata on HIRF

Alberta Municipal Affairs has recently issued two new standatas regarding the code amendments which resulted from HIRF which pertain to “Separation of Glazed Openings” and “Floor to Floor Fire Compartments”. Click on the individual standatas to download the document.

May 2009 Labour Force Stats

The Government of Alberta’s Employment and Immigration department recently released provincial labour force statistics for May 2009 identifying Alberta had an unemployment rate of 6.6% in May 2009, the highest rate for our province in 13 years. For more information click here.

Re-issuance of Tall Wall Standata

The standata addressing Tall Wall Generic Engineering Details that was originally issued by Alberta Municipal Affairs as a Building Code Variance in January 2009 has been reissued under the current code as a Building Code Interpretation effective immediately. To download the Standata click here.

Government's Administrative Fines Report

The rate that serious workplace injuries and fatalities occur in the residential construction industry is found to be significantly higher than in most other industrial sectors. To address this issue, Alberta’s Department of Employment and Immigration (E&I) issued a request for proposals for consulting services to review and compare government programs in Alberta and other jurisdictions that support workplace health and safety in the residential construction industry. The attached consultants report identifies the findings, and discusses in detail the affect administrative fines would have on the Alberta residential construction industry.

New Era Begins at Jayman MasterBUILT

After 30 years of persistence, diligence, quality, and innovation, Jayman is entering a transition period, as Jay Westman is moving into the Chairman's role and turning day-to-day responsibility of Jayman MasterBUILT to Graham Boyce. Graham and Jay are pleased to announce the executive team will be supporting this transition.

BUILD Early Bird Winners

Congratulations to Graham Faulder, winner of the CHBA - Alberta early bird contest. Graham has won deluxe accommodations at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge while attending BUILD 2009 and a free conference registration. Our secondary winner of a free round of golf during the Lehigh Inland Stel-Marr Group CHBA - Alberta Open goes to Larry Noer. Congratulations!

Safety Awards Call For Entries

This year's Safety Awards submission information is now posted on CHBA - Alberta's website. Once again we would like to thank this year's sponsor ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric for their commitment to safety. The awards will be presented to builders and trade and supply partner members at Saturday, September 19 at BUILD 2009.

Awards of Excellence Sees Strong Number of Entries

Submissions for the 26th annual Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Alberta (CHBA – Alberta) Awards of Excellence in Housing presented by RBC Royal Bank have now closed. We were extremely impressed to have received 209 entries submitted from across the province, which is almost identical to the number of submissions received prior to the housing boom in 2007. Calgary and area dominated the number of entries with 106, 57 entries are from Edmonton, 28 from Central Alberta, 15 from Lethbridge and three from Grande Prairie. Finalists will be announced July 29 on CHBA - Alberta's website.

Last Chance for PHBIA Crystal Awards Nominations

The Crystal Awards honor and recognize the two core areas in the residential home building business – the sales team and site managers. Both sales and site managers are judged by those with whom they work and interact on a daily basis. Show off your best in Jasper in 2009 – for more information and the entry forms click here. The closing date for nominations is June 26, 2009.

Phase 1 Report on Fire Research - Article Clarification

In a To the Point article from May 26, 2009, the Phase 1 Report on Fire Research, the article referenced Natural Resources Canada (NRC) in error. The article should have referenced National Research Council. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.