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Construction and Labor law flat lay. Judge gavel and design tools on building blueprint

In the world of building design, there exist situations where …

In the world of building design, there exist situations where projects have features that are unique, non-standard, or do not readily conform to the exact language of the Building Code’s requirements. However, such designs may still satisfy the intent of the Code requirements, thereby providing a safe environment for all occupants and full functionality for the project. In such situations, it is necessary to bring the case forward to a Building Code Commission Hearing. The mandate of the Building Code Commission, pursuant to the Building Code Act, is to hold hearings and make decisions to resolve disputes between affected parties concerning the sufficiency of compliance with the technical requirements of the Building Code.

That’s where our team of experts come in; with over 20 years of experience and a high success rate with Building Code Commission Hearings, we help clients to resolve Building Code disputes, resulting in safe, compliant, and functioning projects. As a part of our services, we:

  • Review the matter of dispute concerning a project’s compliance with the Building Code.
  • Aid the project team in bringing the dispute to a Building Code Commission hearing (when deemed necessary).
  • Act as the Client agent requesting a Commission hearing, prepare all supporting documents for the matter in dispute.
  • Gather all correspondences between the Client and Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
  • Complete all application forms.
  • Submit all the documents to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
  • On the hearing date, our team will represent the Client and present the Client’s and our position pertaining to the subject matter and will communicate the decision of the Commission to the Client.

Working with our clients, we actively support the achievement of their design goals while maintaining compliance with the Building Code requirements.

BCIT

It’s our obligation to support the bright minds of the future …

SenezCo is proud to be a donor for the new British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) state-of-the-art Trades and Technology Complex, and a Megawatt contributor to the SFPE Foundation to support fire research. We understand the importance of fostering the next generation of industry professionals. By supporting BCIT and the new Trades and Technology Complex, and the SFPE Foundation, we are investing in the bright minds that will shape our future industry. Together, we believe in creating opportunities, inspiring innovation, and driving progress.

Close-up of Service Technician Opening Fire Panel In Server Room

Compliance with CAN/ULC- S1001 is essential for the safety …

Implementing CAN/ULC-S1001 is required for safety, efficiency, and quality of any building project. This standard governs the integrated testing of fire protection and life safety systems, and verifies they function harmoniously to safeguard occupants and assets. Here’s why adherence to CAN/ULC-S1001 is indispensable for your project:

Compliance: By adhering to CAN/ULC-S1001, your fire protection and life safety systems meet regulatory requirements, demonstrating compliance with safety aspects of the design.

Safety: Integrated testing verifies the installation and operation of interconnected systems, reducing the risk of fire-related incidents.

Efficiency: Integrating systems testing into project planning saves time and costs by identifying and rectifying deficiencies early, minimizing rework and delays during construction and occupancy.

Quality Assurance: CAN/ULC-S1001 confirms the quality and reliability of fire protection and life safety systems, instilling confidence in their performance when required.

Whether in the planning stage, during construction, or for existing buildings, CAN/ULC-S1001 plays a vital role:

PLANNING
Integrated Systems Testing documentation is submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before construction begins.

CONSTRUCTION
Incorporating integrated testing into project planning streamlines construction, reducing costs and facilitates compliance. Failure to do so may lead to installations, necessitating costly rectification.

EXISTING BUILDINGS
For existing buildings, following integrated testing protocols maintains and demonstrates the  continued efficacy of fire protection and life safety systems. Renovations require a new Integrated Systems Testing Plan to meet regulatory standards.

In essence, CAN/ULC-S1001 is indispensable for any building project, safeguarding occupants, establishing compliance, and enhancing overall safety and efficiency.

Healthcare

Comprehensive life safety code compliance surveys of healthcare …

Healthcare facilities require unique compliance in comparison to other occupancies addressed by the applicable codes and standards. Patients and staff utilizing these facilities may be unable to evacuate safely due to the nature of their work or condition.

Providing comprehensive fire and life safety code compliance surveys of healthcare occupancies is essential for safeguarding the well-being of patients and staff, maintaining legal compliance, mitigating risks, enhancing emergency preparedness, and meeting insurance requirements.

Healthcare occupancies are constantly evolving, and therefore are required to analyze the level of fire hazards associated with the building and should have current emergency response planning that includes:

  • Defend-in-Place Strategies
  • Alternate Compliance if an existing situation does not meet the prescriptive requirements of the Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101)
  • Surge Capacity Procedures
  • Infection Control Mitigation
  • Training of Surgical and Clinical Staff
  • Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire and Life Safety Systems

Our team at SenezCo have decades of experience working in our client’s best interest to identify areas of risk and risk improvement to enhance operational safety to protect all stakeholders.

Our services include:

  • Fire and Life Safety Code Compliance Surveys
  • Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) Surveys
  • Emergency & Disaster Response Planning
  • Tabletop Exercises and Full-Scale Drills
  • Fire Suppression/Alarm System Design
  • Fire, Smoke, and Egress Modeling
  • Fire Door Assessments
  • Fire Damper Inspections
  • Hazard Vulnerability Analysis
  • Surge Capacity Planning
  • Clinical and Surgical Staff Fire Training
Closeup of positive ends of discharged batteries AA sizes, macro shot, selective focus. Used battery

The emerging energy market for batteries presents some unique …

The emerging energy market for batteries presents some unique challenges regarding manufacturing, storage, and recycling.
 
Batteries have unique safety elements and risks, especially when stored in large quantities or in challenging environments. Industry concerns around batteries continues to persist but installations with proper handling, ventilation, and fire suppression mitigate the risks and provide a safe environment.
 
Designers, building owners, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), and fire departments, all have questions in terms of fire protection and life safety.
 
The SenezCo team has comprehensive and extensive experience:
  • designing and managing battery and vehicle manufacturing facilities,
  • researching and testing batteries as a cause participant in fires,
  • assisting in AHJ plan reviews,
  • investigation of battery related fires, and
  • participating with International Code Council (ICC) code development regarding Electrical Vehicle, and Manufacturing, Storage, and Recycling.

Let our practical experience help create a safe and sustainable environment.

Accessible Elevator with sign. Disabled persons lift near modern

Built Environments must consider the needs of the widest range of …

The built environment needs to serve the widest range of demographics, including optimizing spaces and travel paths to promote equity and inclusivity for all. We assist our clients to make buildings accessible to everyone.

An accessible built environment is one where an individual can make use of any area and is able, without assistance, to safely approach, enter, move within, and exit from the building/facility. The accessibility of any built environment is based on the entire user experience, regardless of a level of ability or disability of a person using that facility. In an accessible building, all occupants benefit regardless of their physical and mental abilities.

We address building designs to include accessible vehicular access and approach, accessible parking spots, accessible entrances, accessible interior and exterior circulation, barrier-free sanitary facilities, and emergency provisions that take into account needs of persons with disabilities. Proposed designs must meet and exceed the barrier-free requirements of applicable Building Codes (i.e., OBC, BCBC, NBC, etc.) and Standards such as CAN/CSA B651, “Accessible Design for the Built Environment”. Our goal is to provide clients with solution-oriented design guidance that focuses on meeting the intent of accessible designs and accessibility principles (equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive, tolerance to error, low physical effort, providing size and space for approach use).

Our services include consulting in the pre-design and design stages of the project so that the project will incorporate universal design principles and a high level of accessibility. We also conduct building audits which provide a snapshot of current levels of accessibility of a building and provide information and recommendations on areas of improvement.

We have staff certified to conduct the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC).

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