February Deadline for Annual Fees

On December 8, 2011, annual fee invoices were sent to all members, associates and firms. If you or your firm did not receive an invoice, please check your e-mail system. If you still cannot find it, please contact Registration & Licensing Administration Assistant Emily Tyler or Licensing Coordinator Kim Underwood at accounts@aibc.ca immediately. Note: annual fee invoices are due and payable on or before February 1, 2012. To pay your annual fee (with or without the invoice), simply go to https://aibc.memberpro.net/ssl/main/body.cfm?menu=login and log on to your individual or firm account. Contact Kim or Emily should you have any questions or concerns.

British Columbia Building Envelope Council (Victoria) – Luncheon: Passive House Standard

With approximately 25,000 passive houses are already built in more than 20 countries and almost every climate zone, the initiative is also gaining momentum in Canada. Presenter Guido Wimmers, one of the founding directors of the Canadian Passive House Institute and co-author of the City of Vancouver’s Passive Design Tool Kit, will provide an introduction to the international Passive House Standard. Passive houses combines superior thermal comfort, excellent indoor air quality and healthy living with scientifically proven building science and safe and durable construction. Passive House building techniques result in an 80-90% reduction in annual heating energy without the need for expensive renewable energy systems and with minimal active components and maintenance. The seminar takes place Wednesday, February 15, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. at Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria. Register online at http://www.bcbec.com/seminars.php.

1 Core LU

Simon Fraser University City Program – Urban Design: Designing Integrated Neighbourhoods (URBD 783)

This course will examine the elements and principles of integrated neighbourhoods. Participants will delve into the issues confronting innovation, design requirements, key tools and techniques, and practical methods to begin retrofitting existing neighbourhoods and creating new, integrated ones on green field sites.  It takes place Friday and Saturday, April 13-14, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The cost is $600. For details and registration, visit http://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/urbd/designing-integrated-neighbourhoods.html.

14 Core LUs

Simon Fraser University City Program – Urban Design: Ecological Planning and Sustainable Design (URBD 787)

Learn more about integrating ecological planning and sustainability into the urban design process by examining three themes: process, systems, and change. Participants will develop site evaluation skills using techniques that help uncover hidden assets in underlying natural resources. Explore progressive concepts like “net environmental gain” and “eco-economics” using green field and brown field case studies. It happens Friday and Saturday, March 16-17, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. The cost is $600. Register online at http://www.sfu.ca/continuing-studies/courses/urbd/ecological-planning-and-sustainable-design.html.

14 Non-Core LUs

Vancouver Building By-law Consultation

The first round of public consultation on proposed changes to the Vancouver Building By-law has been extended to February 3, 2012. This is an opportunity for practitioners to provide input into the proposed changes. Major areas that are being addressed include incorporating changes made in the National Building Code of Canada 2010, new measures for environmental protection and resource conservation, and greater flexibility of use of ground floor tenant spaces. The notable National Building Code changes concern the introduction of the new B3 “Residential Care” occupancy, some National Fire Code items related to design of space, spatial separation requirements, and updating and consolidating of window , door and skylight standards. The environmental measures relate to the conservation of water , indoor air quality and  outdoor air quality.  One of the changes proposed by the city is the prohibition of  wood-burning fireplaces and stoves in new construction because of the degradation of air quality and the consequential adverse health effects caused by wood smoke generated in a dense urban environment.  A second round of  public consultation will commence on February 6. You are encouraged to review the proposed changes and offer comments via the city’s web site (http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/CBOFFICIAL/vbbl/2012/index.htm).

British Columbia Electrical Association – 2012 Canadian Electrical Code Workshop

Plan to attend a one-day workshop that will help you understand the key changes to the 2012 Canadian Electrical Code. Presenter Bob Nelson of the Canadian Standards Association, a contributor to the document, will address new installation and safety requirements pertaining to emerging technologies, including renewable energy. Learn about new procedures and practices to ensure compliance with upcoming code changes as well as how to apply them to your work. Attendees are encouraged to bring a copy of the 22nd edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, which contains more than 180 updates and revisions including a new, extensively updated section on emerging technology, renewable energy sources including solar and wind, and new requirements for electric vehicle charging. This series of workshops will take place in February at six different locations around the province:

Burnaby

Monday, February 6, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                        

Delta Burnaby Hotel and Conference Centre, 4331 Dominion Street

Nanaimo

Tuesday, February 7, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                        

Coast Bastion Inn, 11 Bastion Street

Saanich

Wednesday February 8, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                  

Camosun College – Interurban Campus, 4461 Interurban Road

Prince George

Tuesday, February 21, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                      

Prince George Civic Centre, 808 Civic Plaza

Kamloops

Wednesday, February 22, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.               

Kamloops Convention Centre, 1250 Rogers Way

Space is limited so you are encouraged to register early. Go online to http://www.bcea.bc.ca/.

6 Core LUs