Written by: Emmad Rehman

As I reflect on my journey with Falcon Engineering, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. As a fresh graduate, with no prior experience in my field, I was nervous to begin a new chapter of my life at Falcon Engineering. However, over the past year and a half, I have felt nothing but privilege and pride to be working in an organization that truly values each and every one of its employees. The friendly company culture, and open-office environment, encourage collaboration among colleagues.

From the moment I joined the team, I could sense the positive energy and the emphasis on building strong relationships. The Principals at Falcon Engineering in Kelowna understand the significance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment. By fostering a culture of trust and respect, they have laid the foundation for a motivated and engaged team.

One of the key aspects of Falcon Engineering’s culture is its open-office environment. This eliminates hierarchical barriers and encourages open communication throughout the organization. From Principals to Jr. Engineers, everyone is accessible and approachable. This accessibility not only allows for a natural flow and exchange of ideas but also facilitates mentorship and growth opportunities for all team members. Knowing that I can approach anyone, regardless of their position, has been invaluable in my professional development. Moreover, at Falcon Engineering, there is no shortage of lively discussions and brainstorming sessions. What sets these conversations apart is the active participation of all team members. Regardless of role or tenure, everyone’s input is valued. This collaborative approach not only brings diverse perspectives to the table but also fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility. It is empowering to have the opportunity to contribute to the company’s overall growth.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of working at Falcon Engineering is the comfortable work atmosphere that allows for a stronger team bond. From day one, I was greeted with warmth and kindness, and it didn’t take long for me to feel like part of the Falcon Engineering family. Beyond professional achievements, Falcon Engineering genuinely cares about the well-being of its employees. Whether it’s through team-building activities, lunch and learns, or simply taking the time to inquire about each other’s health and well-being, the team at Falcon Engineering truly demonstrates a commitment to the overall development and well-being of its people.

Want to learn more about our mechanical, electrical and energy engineering services? Visit our engineering services page or contact us today.

Check out some of our other blogs to learn more about our Kelowna engineering company:

• Falcon Engineering is Climate Neutral Certified
• Benefits of Troubleshooting your HVAC System
• Falcon in the Community

Aging fire protection systems can be subject to catastrophic failures which require emergency funding. Constant monitoring, inspections, and proper maintenance can provide advanced warning of system problems, so that any upgrades needed can be initiated in a thoughtful and careful manner at a reduced capital cost.

Below, we discuss the top 11 items to look for with aging sprinkler systems:

1. Inspection Testing and Maintenance

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25 standard governs the inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire suppression systems, and gives timelines for what should be covered in quarterly, semi-annual, annual, three-year and five-year inspections. The required inspection reports should be completed by a competent and careful service provider as required by NFPA 25. The NFPA 25 chart is included at the end of this blog.

2. Dry Systems

Typically, dry systems degrade much faster than wet systems due to increased levels of oxygen, and require special care and attention, especially for systems that are older than 20 years which may be nearing the end of their service life. In unusual circumstances, we have seen dry system pipes fail in as little as 2 years. Additional measures, such as the introduction of nitrogen into dry systems, can extend a dry system’s life expectancy considerably.  

3.  Leaks Developing in Pipe

4.  Dry System Air Compressor Runs Continuously

 5.  Recalled Sprinkler Heads

Many sprinkler heads manufactured by Central were recalled in 2002 because the seal would stay plugged which wouldn’t allow water through when activated. This could result in the loss of a building if there was a fire. We still see these heads in facilities, together with many other heads that have also been recalled. Visual inspections by a trained eye are the best solution.

6.  Renovations without Checking System Design

 7.  Destructively Tested

Sprinkler heads need to be destructively tested to be compliant with NFPA 13. This test is conducted by an approved laboratory to ensure a representative sample of the sprinkler heads installed will activate properly when heated to the listing temperature. At the end of the service lengths listed below, four heads of each style need to be removed and tested:

50 years – Standard Heads

20 years – Quick Response

10 years – Dry Heads

If a single head fails, all similar heads on site will require replacement.

8.  Know How to Turn Off a Sprinkler Zone in an Emergency

In the event of an accidental discharge through a sprinkler head or a broken sprinkler pipe, the quick identification and location of important sprinkler valves will mitigate the potential for significant water damage. 

 9.  Building Envelope

10.    Drain Maintenance

If dry systems are drained of water in the fall before the cold season, then the potential for the sprinkler pipe freezing is minimal. If it takes a long time to drain a system, the rust inside the pipe might be retaining water and slowing down the process. This may indicate a requirement for an internal inspection.

 11. Water Sequence Entry Pipe Comes Apart

Conclusion

Throwing good money at a bad system is not typically the best long term solution. 35 years for a wet system and 25 years for a dry system is a common life expectancy. But the reality is that the life expectancy will depend on the water chemistry,     materials used in the system, and a proper maintenance program.  

The NFPA 25 chart below lists the minimum required frequency for inspection, testing and maintenance activities.

At Falcon Engineering, we can help with identifying any potential issues with aging sprinkler systems and work with our clients to find solutions. If you have any questions about how our team can help you with your mechanical projects, including fire sprinkler engineering, get in contact by using our contact page.

Want to learn more about our engineering services? Visit our mechanical engineering services page.

Want to learn more about engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• How HVAC Design Can Ensure Comfort and Energy Efficiency
• Dogwood Auditorium: An Innovative Geoexchange Design

We will be discussing why radon testing is needed in our schools and universities, how to test these buildings for radon and steps to take if high levels are found. 

Why Radon Testing is Important

With increased radon testing being completed in British Columbia, the extent of the radon problem in our province is becoming clearer. The need for radon testing in schools and universities is abundantly evident. In many Interior BC Communities, greater than 30% of the residences tested exceed the Health Canada Radon Guideline of 200 Bq/m3. The BC Centre for Disease Control Interactive Map is a valuable resource that compiles radon testing data and shows recorded radon levels for regions and municipalities across the province. 

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It is responsible for more deaths in Canada each year than car accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, and house fires combined.

According to CAREX Canada, a multi-institution research team hosted at the University of British Columbia, risk estimates for indoor air carcinogens show that radon gas is the highest priority exposure in Canadian environmental settings. The lifetime excess cancer risk is more than 10,000 times greater for radon than asbestos.

In schools and universities, the number of students far exceeds the number of staff, making these buildings an even higher priority for radon testing. In addition, radiation exposure from radon while we are young can have increased harmful health effects. This makes it even more important to take action to minimize radon exposure in infants, children and youth. The Evict Radon website describes why young people are more vulnerable to radon gas exposure:

1. Children have still-developing organs. Rapidly growing tissues and cells are very vulnerable to DNA damage from radiation exposure, as their DNA is being replicated. Any resulting genetic mutations can be propagated to all cells arising from the damaged cell.
2. Children weigh less, and so their overall exposure (i.e. the amount of radon they absorb per kilogram of body mass) is much greater compared to an adult.
3. Children breathe faster. An infant or small child will respire 2-3 times faster than adults as they have little lungs and are often more active. Faster breathing means more radon exposure.
4. Children have more life left. Radon exposure causes DNA damage and genetic mutations that may take 10-30 years before lung cancer is diagnosed. Early life radon exposure means a person is more likely to live long enough to get cancer from it.

In terms of lifetime relative risk of developing lung cancer, a child exposed to 1,000 Bq/m3 radon from birth to their 6th birthday (5 years) has already inhaled the equivalent of a lifetime breathing in air with 200 Bq/m3 radon.

Radon Testing in Schools and Universities

It is recommended to test all rooms that are occupied for 4 or more hours each day that have direct contact with the ground or a crawlspace. On upper levels, occupied rooms should be included in the testing if a room directly below it is not being tested. 

Radon levels can change significantly over time and vary daily and seasonally, within a building. It is not unusual for radon levels to fluctuate by a factor of 2 to 3 over the course of a day, and variations between seasons can be even greater. Health Canada recommends a minimum three-month long-term measurement during the winter heating season when doors and windows are predominantly closed and there is a lower likelihood for outside air to dilute the indoor gasses. It is best to avoid carrying out long-term measurements during spring and fall if increased ventilation volumes are used as low-cost cooling in the building (i.e., economizing) as this can skew the results.

Health Canada recommends a C-NRPP Measurement Professional be involved in the measurement strategy and implementation of radon testing. More information on radon test placement and quality assurance measures can be found in Health Canada’s Guide for Radon Measurements in Public Buildings.

Buildings should be retested whenever major renovations are undertaken or there is an alteration of the ventilation or airflow within a building. 

If the long-term radon test shows elevated radon levels, the first step is often to conduct short-term digital radon testing to determine if radon levels are elevated during occupied periods. Ventilation can help to lower radon levels during occupied periods, which reduces the radon exposure when people occupy the building. The average radon level measured on a long-term test may not be representative of the radon concentration when staff and students are present. Short-term radon testing completed with a digital continuous radon monitor can measure radon levels on an hourly basis. This allows the effect of the ventilation system to be determined, and the estimated long-term radon levels during occupied periods to be calculated.

Radon Mitigation in Schools and Universities

Radon concentrations can vary year-to-year and season-to-season. Health Canada recommends that mitigation still be considered when levels are below but approaching 200 Bq/m3. When long-term measurement results are over 600 Bq/m3, mitigations are recommended within the timeframe identified below based on the Guide for Radon Measurements in Public Buildings.

The two most common methods to lower radon levels in a school environment are increased ventilation, or the installation of an active soil depressurization radon mitigation system (ASD). An active soil depressurization system directly targets radon gas by minimizing the amount that enters the building. Ventilation dilutes radon by replacing some of the air in the space with low-radon outdoor air. 

An active soil depressurization system works by creating a negative pressure zone beneath the building’s foundation or slab. This negative pressure pulls the radon gas into the radon piping system, discharges it to the atmosphere and prevents the radon from entering the building. To install a soil depressurization system, a hole (typically 5-7” in diameter) is cored through the foundation or slab, and a suction pit is created. A pipe with an inline fan is then installed so that it pulls air from the suction pit and vents it outside the building. The air and radon gas are then vented outside the building. Depending on the area of coverage needed, porosity of the sub slab material and building pressures, multiple suction points may be required for effective radon mitigation.

Sealing gaps and cracks in the foundation alone is typically not sufficient to reduce radon to acceptable levels. Because radon is pressure driven, even if all the visible cracks are sealed, there will be small entry points that allow radon gas to enter the building. However, for an ASD system to work effectively, the foundation must be well-sealed. The ASD system works by creating a pressure differential between the soil beneath the foundation and the indoor space. Cracks and gaps in the foundation reduce the pressure differential that can be achieved across the slab, resulting in the need for more suction points and higher-powered fans. With large gaps or numerous cracks, the system can’t achieve a sufficient pressure differential to reduce the radon gas infiltration into the building. If the foundation is a dirt crawlspace, it can be sealed with a poly membrane before an ASD is installed.

The following are key considerations when determining the most appropriate radon reduction method for a building:

1. Radon levels
2. Number and location of rooms with high radon levels
3. Building design and foundation type
4. Mechanical systems and ease of adding additional ventilation
5. Relative pressures within the space
6. Porosity of sub-slab material
7. Installation cost
8. Energy efficiency and operating cost
9. Reliability

While both ventilation and ASD systems use energy to operate, an ASD system usually requires significantly less energy than a ventilation system. The increased ventilation flow rate required for effective lower radon levels in a space is typically much larger than the air moving through an ASD system. The majority of the cost associated with ventilation is energy required to heat or cool the outdoor air before it is introduced into the space. 

Radon mitigation strategies should factor in installation costs as well as operating costs and reliability. Lowering radon levels in a building requires specific technical knowledge and skills. Health Canada recommends hiring a professional that is certified under the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP). Your radon mitigation team should also include individuals who are experienced with commercial buildings and have mechanical system and energy efficiency expertise. 

Falcon Engineering is well known for its mechanical, electrical and energy engineering services. Did you know that we also specialize in radon mitigation? We have a mechanical engineer on staff who is a leader in the radon industry and is the only professional engineer who is also a registered C-NRPP Radon Mitigation Professional listed in BC. Along with our team of Mechanical and Energy Engineers, we are well suited to assist you with your radon needs. If you are interested in learning more about radon measurement and mitigation options for your facility, contact us and we can answer all your questions.

Want to learn more about our engineering services? Visit our integrated engineering services page.

Want to learn more about engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• How HVAC Design Can Ensure Comfort and Energy Efficiency
• Dogwood Auditorium: An Innovative Geoexchange Design

Where does one charge their electric vehicle? Is it at work, at public chargers, at the EV station the traditional gas station has installed? Or is it at home?

The general consensus is that the ideal scenario to facilitate day-to-day driving is that the charging infrastructure would be at home. For longer road trips or heavy-use days, a stop at a DC fast charger would be required. Many people live in single detached homes, however, a growing number of people live in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). Let us review the different scenarios (owned vs rental units) and also discuss new construction versus existing buildings.

 What Types of Systems Work?

Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) comes in several different sizes (refer to Electrical Vehicle Charging – Part I: The Basics). In a residential environment, Level 2 (AC chargers) of approximately 7.2 KW maximum capacity is the most common EVSE installed. When evaluating average vehicle requirements, one needs to estimate daily driving habits, vehicle efficiency and battery size. The average individual in British Columbia commutes less than 50 km per day. Assuming a vehicle efficiency of approximately 200Wh/km, the daily charging needs of the vehicle would be 10 KWh. With the introduction of trucks and SUVs to the market, the average vehicle efficiency will decrease and the daily charging needs will go up. As an example, let’s use 15KWh daily use. Overnight, vehicles are typically parked for 12 hours. So:

15 KWh  ÷  12 hrs  = 1.5 KW

The hourly requirement for charging of only 1.5 KW demonstrates that a Level 1 (standard receptacle) would be enough in most cases. The ability to charge at a higher rate is beneficial when required and Level 2 EVSEs are the expectation both from homeowners and from municipality bylaws (where applicable).

The electrical code requires all EVSE to be taken as a continuous load. This means that unless specific management systems are installed, the total load of EVSE on the electrical system can increase quickly. For a typical 48-unit MURB, if we were to allow for a 7.2 KW EVSE for each unit, it would nearly double the size of incoming electrical service to the building.

Pros and Cons of Suite Fed EVSE and Energy Management System (EMS)

Suite Fed EVSE

For a smaller building where the unit panels are relatively close to the parking stalls, feeding the EVSE directly from the suite panel simplifies installation and billing.

Energy Management System (EMS)

A centrally controlled system that monitors both EV panel and main distribution center capacity and delivers maximum available power to the charging stations. This allows for the building design to incorporate a fixed electrical capacity and distribute it evenly to the charging stations. The power delivered to each charging station depends on how many vehicles are plugged in and require a charge.

I am a Developer – What should I install in my new building?

Municipalities in BC are increasingly adopting specific EV infrastructure Bylaws. The bylaw represents the minimum requirement for any new construction and typically requires at least the rough-in for a charging station at one parking stall per residential unit. Early in the design process of a new building, it is imperative that the bylaw requirements are reviewed and the proper considerations are made regarding the electrical service size and the distribution method.

Market Condominiums – The expectation for new buyers is that there is either infrastructure at the parking stall, or the building is adequately set up to accommodate the addition of EV chargers when required. For small buildings, the suite-fed EVSE option should be considered. For larger buildings (typically more than 20 units), if the intent is to provide an EVSE to each parking stall, the best option is likely an energy-managed system. Consideration for individual owners’ EVSE equipment choices should be made. How integrate different chargers into the distribution system may be difficult.

I am a Property Manager/Strata Member – What should I install in my existing building?

Interested In Installing EV Chargers?

Interested in installing EV chargers in your existing building? Or are you a developer looking to include EV chargers in your design? Then get in contact with our Electrical Engineering team and they can answer all your questions. 

Need to learn more about our engineering services? Visit our integrated engineering services page.

Want to learn more about electrical engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• The Benefits Of Solar Panels

If you think that the design of an HVAC system, utilizing primary energy derived from a geoexchange source, is usually overly complex and is often unsuccessful in reducing energy consumption or Greenhouse Gases emissions, this mechanical design by Falcon Engineering will surprise you!

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Introduction

GHG emissions are reported at 19 tonnes of CO²e/yr, or 2 kg/m²yr. And compared to School District 23 averages, Canyon Falls’ additional carbon reduction is equivalent to 37 passenger cars off the road each year, or to the planting and growth of 28,700 trees over 10 years.

How the HVAC Design Supports the School District’s 21^st-Century Learning Concepts

Not so, with this HVAC engineering design by Falcon! The four-pipe fan coil systems in each classroom, multi-use area, and other occupancies, supports the varying demands imposed by alternate wall configurations, providing reliable and comfortable conditions whether configured in standard classroom configuration, or larger collaboration configurations.

A Reliable and Simple HVAC Design

The installation of the HVAC design by Falcon at Canyon Falls has been described by School District 23 operators and maintainers as easy to understand, easy to maintain, and simple to operate. Utilizing innovations in design, as described above, collaborations with equipment manufacturers, and a purposeful drive for simplicity in design, Falcon has delivered an HVAC engineering design that meets (maybe even exceeds) the needs and expectations of the School District’s system operators and maintainers.

The School District’s Point of View

Mr. Harold Schock, Central Okanagan Public Schools’ Energy & Sustainability Manager, when asked for his opinions on the statements within this blog, had these comments to make:

“[The Province of] BC has legislated targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 2007 levels by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 80% by 2050. The Province also has an interim target to reduce emissions by 16% by 2025. At Canyon Falls Middle School (CFMS), [the design] has performed at the highest level of GHG avoidance. Meeting and exceeding the Provincial challenge of 80% GHG reduction target without adding to the total utility cost.”

Further, Mr. Schock reported that “At CFMS, total energy needed for a full year [of operation] is only 0.40Gj/m2. CFMS has earned an Energy Star Rating of 100% for three years in a row.”

And Mr. Schock ended his comments with the following statement, “Falcon Engineering Team’s primary focus [in the CFMS design] is to move heat energy efficiently. Rather than creating & wasting heat energy.”

Conclusion

You can find out more about our Energy Engineering services here and more about our team.

If you have questions about our experience or the HVAC system work we do, get in contact by using our contact page.

Want to learn more about energy engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• The Key Benefits Of Heating Systems
• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• An Introduction To Geoexchange

 An inquisitive, perceptive, and innovative engineering approach by Falcon Engineering helped Royal Roads University avoid unnecessary construction costs, as well as disruptive work, in the design for a geoexchange ground coupling system for the Dogwood Auditorium.

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The Project

A “geoexchange system” may sound complex, but it is really as simple as its name implies: exchanging “heat” from earth materials or groundwater below the earth’s surface with the building’s HVAC systems, so as to provide heating and cooling energy, all without consuming fossil fuels or adding to the building’s Carbon Emissions. Our blog, An Introduction To Geoexchange, gives an overview of geoexchange engineering systems.

The project to regenerate the building for learning and events space was opened in its new format in Spring 2021, including the geoexchange heating and cooling system. The system resulted in significantly reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for the Dogwood Auditorium, while providing the energy for comfort conditions throughout the year, with little reliance (peak heating) on fossil fuel energy.

From a Site Visit to Design of the Innovative Geoexchange System

Falcon was selected to design the new geoexchange ground heat exchange (GHX) system (HVAC design was already awarded to another firm), and in the summer and fall of 2019, conducted a thorough site-specific Geoexchange Suitability Assessment (GSA) to investigate the most suitable geoexchange options for the project site. The initial concept envisioned by Royal Roads University (RRU) included an open-loop water well geoexchange system, whereby groundwater would be pumped from one or more extraction wells from which the groundwater would be passed through a heat exchanger, and subsequently re-injected to the ground by one or more injection wells.

However, through the process of conducting the GSA, Falcon became aware of the presence of the significant drain water discharge. Exploratory investigations by Falcon of rushing water in manholes near the prospective Dogwood Auditorium led to the reveal of an existing, readily available energy source, already “plumbed” near the surface.

Falcon conducted further investigations and analysis to establish that the drainage water would be of sufficient flow quantity, and at a satisfactory temperature throughout a given year, before committing to the client that the drainage water would serve as a suitable and reliable ground source coupling for the geoexchange system.

Data from Environment Canada of seasonal climate norms over a period of approximately 30 years was critical to the analysis. Flow rates of the drainage water were measured over the spring and summer of 2019 and added to anecdotal information from the RRU Operators of the irrigation system. Together, these data sets were applied to a calculated “stress test” to ascertain the values of the drain water system as a source of energy to moderate indoor temperatures of the Dogwood Auditorium, as well as to ascertain the likely impacts of the “heat rejection” back into the drain water system during each of the four seasons. The combined analysis demonstrated that this drain water system could be relied upon as an appropriate energy source for heating and cooling the Dogwood Auditorium, and that heat rejection from the Dogwood Auditorium would not deleteriously affect the adjacent ocean water temperatures, to which the drain water from RRU flows.

With any type of retrofit or repurposing project, unexpected findings and conditions are prone to be discovered and this project was no exception. Although the intercepted groundwater-derived drain water had been used for many years by the irrigation system without any history of debris or sedimentation problems, new flows were recently added to the drain water system that included contributions from rooftop drainage. In many geographic locations, rooftop drainage would not pose significant problems; however, on the heavily treed RRU campus, rooftop drainage can be laden with organic debris. In this case, organic debris in the form of evergreen needles and other organics, entered the drain water system from the new sources and contributed to maintenance concerns for both the existing irrigation system and the new geoexchange system. A simple screen and diversion modification was implemented by the Project Civil Engineer in Fall 2021 and seems to be working effectively. Ongoing monitoring is warranted and perhaps additional modifications may be required.

An Energy Efficient Building System

A win for the client, a credit to the design engineers and installation contractors, and a credit to the institution (Royal Roads University) who commissioned the project.

Aligning with the Royal Roads University Climate Action Plan

The project to repurpose the former swimming pool at RRU into what is now known as the Dogwood Auditorium reflects the best in contemporary construction and facilities planning. As the Royal Roads University Climate Action Plan calls for significant GHG reductions by 2035, it was seen by University planners as an important aspect of the new use of this existing building that it would not add to the University’s GHG emissions, while simultaneously providing a much-needed events and learning space for the campus.

From an Aged Facility to a State-of-the-Art Auditorium

Royal Roads University and Durwest Construction set out with a vision to repurpose an aged facility and transform it into a state-of-the art auditorium. The level of innovation and commitment to sustainable transformation is a remarkable and defining feature of the redevelopment project. Re-purposing of the drain water, that would otherwise have been wasted, into an energy source seemed to mesh well within the vision of this type of transformation. 

You can find out more about our Energy Engineering services here and more about our team.

If you have questions about our experience or the geoexchange work we do, get in contact by using our contact page.

Want to learn more about energy engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• The Key Benefits Of Heating Systems
• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• An Introduction To Geoexchange

By Loïc Letailleur, P.Eng.

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Four years ago, we used to play a game as a family while driving around – who could spot the next electric car? They were rare and sometimes you would go days without seeing one. Now, they are everywhere, every day, no matter which city or small town you are in. Most people likely don’t realize how many there are because they don’t all stand out (they aren’t just Tesla’s)! 

With the rapid adoption of electric vehicles comes the requirement for charging infrastructure. There are charging speeds (is the limiter of the vehicle or the charger), people’s driving habits and also public expectations. Without getting into the psychology of range anxiety or other concerns, let’s review some of the key points related to electric vehicle (EV) charging.

What are the different levels of Electric Vehicle Charging?

At Falcon, we provide capital planning services for all types of buildings. As a unique engineering firm, we have developed a proprietary costing database. We regularly update this database with our retrofit projects to provide new and existing clients with a detailed capital plan for their upcoming projects. We are even able to break budgets into project phases for comprehensive planning purposes.

A Level 2 charger at home will allow for more rapid charging or allow for the charging to occur during off-peak hours (maybe not start charging until 0100 – with a time of day utility billing coming soon this may be advantageous).  On the rare occasion that you have returned from a long road trip with a nearly empty battery, you still don’t need to worry as overnight you will charge enough for the next typical driving day. If back-to-back extended trips are required, then a visit to a public Level 3 charger is an easy way to boost up the available range.

For individuals who do not have access to charging at their home, Level 3 charging will be similar to stopping at the gas station and will have to be done approximately once a week depending on the range of the car and the distances covered.

What about at Work?

The exception to this is for fleet vehicles.

I am a Developer and What Should I Do?

In Part II of Electrical Vehicle Charging our engineering team will discuss the options for both existing and new multi-family and mixed-use buildings. 

Do you have any questions? Contact our skilled engineering team today and we can answer all your electrical engineering questions. 

Need to learn more about our engineering services? Visit our integrated engineering services page.

Want to learn more about electrical engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• Integrating Renewable Energy: A Clean Energy Revolution
• Becoming Climate Neutral Certified
• The Benefits Of Solar Panels

Are you wondering how to get the right retrofit for your project?

Our team of interdisciplinary engineers can provide customized niche mechanical engineering solutions for projects ranging from HVAC design to deep energy retrofits. Our team has a proven track record of results on these projects and are well versed in requirements for different client types. We bring a commitment to service that extends through design, construction, and post-construction activities.

Read on as we elaborate on some of our niche mechanical and industrial engineering services that set us apart from other engineering companies:

Capital Planning

Industrial and Clean Facilities

Is it time for a retrofit for your facility or building?

We are confident that our team will deliver designs that will add the right components to your facilities’ systems to increase reliability and efficiency. Our engineering professionals are seasoned experts, who know how to create and implement a lifecycle-centered approach to your system upgrade. You can guarantee practical and innovative solutions, designed for your specific needs.

Have questions about a project? Contact us!

Need to learn more about our services? Visit our integrated services page.

Want to learn more about mechanical engineering? Check out some of our other blogs!

• Benefits Of Troubleshooting Your HVAC System
• Elements Of A Fire Sprinkler System
• 6 Ways To Make Your Classroom More Comfortable During Highly Variable Temperatures

There is no doubt that climate change is one of the biggest issues facing our society. Globally, almost 60 billion tonnes of greenhouse gasses are emitted every year, while the current warming trend is proceeding at an unprecedented rate. In British Columbia alone, we have experienced havoc caused by climate change, from back-to-back years of record spring precipitation causing historic flooding followed by hot, dry summers that contributed to droughts and wildfires.

Why Now?

1. We will reduce emissions from air and car business travel

We will write and implement a travel policy to standardize and regulate travel bookings. We will encourage staff to combine multiple projects per trip and reduce the number of in-person meetings by conducting virtual meetings.

2. We will reduce emissions from employees commuting into the office.

We will be improving the bike storage area so that more staff can cycle to work and store their bike securely. We intend to introduce a bike-to-work incentive/sweepstake to encourage staff to walk, use public transport or cycle.

3. We will reduce emissions from the use of paper contracts and couriers.

We have signed up with DocuSign to digitally send all our contracts in 2022. This will save paper and reduce emissions by cutting the use of couriers to deliver the physical documents.

To The Future

What are Solar Photovoltaic Systems?

A solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a composition of one or more solar panels combined with an inverter and other electrical and mechanical systems. Photons, which are packets of light from the sun, fall onto solar panels and create electric currents called photovoltaic effect.

Choosing these energy efficient options has advantages that are beneficial to both your return on investment and your environmental impact. The following article will cover some of the benefits we have seen from projects.

Environmental Longevity

The system consists of 30 KW of installed rooftop panels. The gym roof comprises production panels with fixed racking, while the lower teaching roof consists of 4 rows of panels at different tilt angles, including one row with the ability to rotate the azimuth (angle reference to South) to allow students the ability to monitor the effects each installation variation has on overall production. Each of the demonstration rows is separately monitored in the system. Since its installation in 2018, the system has generated over 105 MWh of energy and has saved more than 41 Tons in CO2 emissions.

Read more about this project

Low Maintenance

Solar PV panels are also very low maintenance. Panels are constructed to be robust and withstand all types of weather conditions such as heavy snow, wind, sleet, and hail. Regions with high winds may require clearing of dust, but the burden is insignificant.

Easily Installed Anywhere