What is Happening at TIAC
March 18, 2021 – Special Bulletin from the BC Insulation Contractors Association
Material Price Increases
Download the Bulletin here.
June 2019
TIAC in the Community
Where is Steve?
International Local 95
Adam Melnick, the Director of Government & Community Relations for Local 95 (Ontario), invited me to join him on March 26 in Ottawa to meet with the assistant to Senator Rosa Galvez. We were there to provide our take on MI in relation to where energy codes can impact on the effects of global warming. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes. From our discussion and the numerous notes the assistant wrote down, MI will be part of the publication eventually distributed to federal and provincial politicians, as well as stakeholders in the EE and construction industries.
The Specified Thickness is the Installed Thickness
More mechanical engineers are following the full thickness requirements in NECB-2015. In these cases, flexible insulation on elbows, T’s, valves, etc. is no longer acceptable. With respect to thermal duct insulation, it is full specified thickness all around. Contractors need to be aware of these changes to avoid costly re-do’s if the incorrect material is installed.
Nibco “NIB-SEAL”
We have been talking about and showing ball valve stem extensions as the solution to allowing the full thickness of pipe insulation to cover the valve and still allow the handle to operate. More specifications are including this item. I recently came across something similar, but specific to below ambient pipelines. “NIB-SEAL” is an insulated ball valve handle that allows the pipe insulation to be sealed around the exterior. The vapour barrier remains continuous and the valve can be turned on and off.
The Canadian Nibco distributor is arranging to get me samples. Check it out at: http://www.nibco.com/resources/ProductSubmittalDocs/Bronze_TSG_NibsealBV.pdf
Department of National Defence
About five years ago we began the process of helping DND update their MI specifications, followed by their tender documents. Last Fall I spent time with the Ottawa consultant hired by DND and helped finalize the updates. These updates are now in the hands of the various Base energy managers and are being used as official requirements. References are made to NECB-2015 and the TIAC Best Practices Guide. Contractors working on Base upgrades need to be aware of the changes, which include in general terms “the specified thickness is the installed thickness“.
Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) Trade Show
April 17, 2019 in Toronto
Illya Kornobis (Impro, Toronto), Chris Paszkat (Inscan, Oakville) and I were in attendance at the TIAC booth. Although it was a small regional show, we generated a number of leads that will be followed up on. Mechanical contractors are definitely interested in what we have to say about mechanical insulation. I believe this is an association we can become more involved with.
Should anyone like TIAC to be represented in any provincial mechanical contractor trade shows, please get in touch.
Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES)
CHES’s April 17 webinar was entitled, “Simple and Permanent Reduction in Steam Line Losses“, and was presented by Thermal Energy International. Two slides mentioned pipe and strainer insulation as contributing to reductions in energy requirements and GHG emissions.
American Society of Professional Engineers (ASPE) 
ASPE’s April 18 webinar was entitled, “Plumbing Design Methodology to Reduce Risk“, and discussed a very serious issue facing hospitals, long term care facilities, secondary education facilities, etc. I did notice that in a number of presentation slides, pipe insulation was clearly evident. I asked the presenter that, coupled with the visible pipe insulation and the insulation requirement in ASHRAE 188-2018, what his view was of the role pipe insulation plays in helping maintain the hot water temperature. His response started with, “Great question!” and he went on to describe the importance of correctly specified and applied pipe insulation. He also went on to say that new energy codes and litigation are driving increased pipe insulation thicknesses.
Are there any ideas on how TIAC can leverage it’s influence relating to pipe insulation thicknesses and Legionella? What about those contractors currently working in hospitals? Let me know!
CHES Manitoba Chapter Trade Show
April 23, 2019 in Winnipeg
We participated in a successful one-day trade show in Winnipeg. Helping out in our booth was Cory Gray (Thermo Applicators) and John Hall (National Firestop), both from Winnipeg. Our target audience, hospital facility managers and maintenance personnel spent time with us. We were able to show several “new” ideas on EE. Both Cory and John will be following up on solid leads.
Trade Show Events:
September 22-24, 2019 in Saskatoon: 39th Annual Conference of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES)
Theme: “The “HUB” that enables resiliency in healthcare”
Key individuals representing over 400 healthcare facilities will be in attendance. Our delegates include individuals who are directly involved in, or responsible for: Plant engineering; Safety; Real Estate management; Facilities management; Facilities planning; Support services; Building maintenance; Construction; Environmental management; Clinical engineering; Security; and, Waste management.
April 2019
TIAC in the Community
Where is Steve?
Steve Clayman is constantly crossing our great country promoting the benefits of mechanical insulation. He delivers educational presentations and speaks to conference attendees in an effort to raise awareness (and thicknesses!) about how MI can help organizations, institutions and governments meet their energy reduction goals. He has also gotten TIAC involved in a number of associations and initiatives. Here is his latest update.
Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC)
Although TIAC has been a member for quite some time, every time I approached the then CEO, he told me MI wasn’t of any interest to their membership. It took his retirement and the appointment of a new CEO to change the channel. We can look forward to greater involvement with MCAC.
In January, I gave an MI webinar presentation to their membership and was told a record number of people logged on. There were follow-up comments by some MCAC members, including a comment at an ASHRAE meeting. That comment was from a manager of one of the largest mechanical contractors in Canada. He had his staff attend which resulted in an in-office discussion afterwards.
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
We recently joined this association and I have been working on becoming involved with chapters in BC, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. As a result of an MI presentation I gave to a combined Montreal/Quebec City Chapter meeting, I was asked to write an article for a Quebec-based construction magazine.
Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA)
APPA is the group running universities and colleges. 2019 is one of the very rare years APPA will hold regional meetings in Canada: September 16-18 in Banff and September 29-October 1 in Winnipeg. The focus will be on the US experience. Canadian universities and colleges in MB and BC are members. I will be exploring how we can get involved so TIAC members can potentially benefit.
Food & Beverage Industry
This area will be a new venture for TIAC. We will have to scope out who the players are that influence EE initiatives. More to follow on this.
Alberta Building Code-2019
The moment we’ve been waiting for – the specified thickness is the installed thickness. It’s official! Download here.
Trade Show Events:
May 1, 2019 in Montreal: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society Quebec Chapter
Legionella Audit: Risk Reduction Tool for Cooling Tower Facilities
The owner of a cooling tower facility is, within the meaning of the law, ultimately responsible for cleanliness. One of the objectives of the Legionella audit is to assess the risks of Legionella proliferation inherent in the facility. This presentation will discuss the importance of the audit program and compliance.
May 5-7, 2019 in Moncton: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Maritime Chapter Conference & Trade Show
The theme for this year’s conference will be “Healthcare Infrastructure – Understanding the risks”. Today’s public depend on healthcare infrastructure to be strong, flexible and robust. Being aware of and mitigating risks posed by potential vulnerabilities is essential to the resilience of healthcare facilities. This conference will discuss standards, procedures, processes and the challenges faced by healthcare facilities and how to mitigate possible risks.
May 28-31, 2019 in Toronto: Ontario Association of Physical Plant Administrators (OAPPA) Annual Conference
The Conference theme for this year is “Smart Campuses – Leading the Campus of the Next Century”. The Planning Committee chose this theme, as we live in an era of big data, which makes developing and operating smart campuses challenging. This challenge persists in all aspects of operating a higher education campus, from developing smart buildings, to managing our operations and energy.
This conference brings together facility management and design, development and planning professionals from across the province to collaborate, strategize, and strengthen networks across the university sector.
June 2-4, 2019 in Hamilton: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Ontario Conference
The 2019 Conference theme is “BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS to improving our Healthcare Facilities”. In its 39th year, we anticipate a huge turnout – both from Facility Managers and consultants who may be attending CHES for the first time, as well as long-standing participants taking advantage of the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with their peers.
September 22-24, 2019 in Saskatoon: 39th Annual Conference of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES)
Theme: “The “HUB” that enables resiliency in healthcare”
Key individuals representing over 400 healthcare facilities will be in attendance. Our delegates include individuals who are directly involved in, or responsible for: Plant engineering; Safety; Real Estate management; Facilities management; Facilities planning; Support services; Building maintenance; Construction; Environmental management; Clinical engineering; Security; and, Waste management.
February 2019
Message from the President
Dear TIAC Members,
Everyone engaged in the construction industry knows we live and work in a boom and bust cycle. We learn to adapt and change with the seasons and over the years. Our reward is meaningful work we can feel proud of.
It is a tough economy across Canada right now. It’s not a bad thing. It is our chance to pay attention to small details, focus on small projects and grow from there. That’s what good tradespeople do: they refocus, they take pride in their accomplishments, they endure.
We have to remember, these are the sorts of times that spawned our association. It was times of great respect and pride that initiated the beginning of our group of committed, detail-focused, and loyal to the industry tradespersons.
It is time to acknowledge our successes.
It is time to treat our trade like a craft.
It is time to respect and take pride in what we have so that we can clarify our vision and see possibilities for the future.
Shaun Ekert
President
Excerpt from the Winter 2019 edition of the TIAC TIMES. To get your copy, email us at info@tiac.ca.
NEWS
New Alberta Building, Fire and Energy Efficiency Codes
It has finally happened. The latest edition of the Alberta Building Code now cites NECB-2017. Since NECB-2015, there’s been no change to the minimum pipe insulation thicknesses. These remain the same in NECB-2017 and align with ASHRAE 90.1-2010. We now have three provinces (including BC and ON) going with increased insulation thicknesses. QC, NS and MB are next up.
This is where the legacy established in NECB-2015 begins paying dividends.
Read more at http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/Notice-NewAlbertaBuildingFireEnergyCodes-2019.pdf.
TIAC in the Community
Where is Steve?
Steve Clayman is constantly crossing our great country promoting the benefits of mechanical insulation. He delivers educational presentations and speaks to conference attendees in an effort to raise awareness (and thicknesses!) about how MI can help organizations, institutions and governments meet their energy reduction goals.
If Steve is heading to your neck of the woods, support your industry and association by helping him out at the TIAC booth. You’re too busy? It could be a great networking opportunity for one of your staff, and provide exposure for your company. Contact Steve at steve.clayman@tiac.ca to confirm your organizations participation.
Networking Events:
February 27, 2019 in Toronto: Construction Specifications Canada Building Expo
CSC Building Expo is Canada’s best, longest running (41 years!) technical trade show. With over 200 Exhibitors, 3 OAA accredited Sessions covering everything from Well Standard to Building Science and College Corner it is THE ESSENTIAL for architects, designers, developers, engineers, facility managers, specification writers, and construction professionals.
March 27, 2019 in Toronto: Property Managers Springfest
With 250 exhibits and 18 educational seminars, this professional and educational forum will give you unprecedented exposure to the latest developments in design, innovation, products, management strategies, technology, and best practices. Learn how to reduce your operating costs while improving your buildings’ performance. Attend PM Springfest’s complimentary education program, including topics such as:
- Energy Conservation Incentive Programs
- Aging P/HVAC Systems Maintenance
- Mould and Moisture Solutions
Trade Show Events:
April 15-16, 2019 in Toronto: Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada Innovation Conference
Hear from industry leaders and stakeholders as MCAC explores what innovation looks like in the mechanical contracting industry, where change will come from, and how to better prepare for a rapidly evolving industry.
April 23, 2019 in Winnipeg: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Manitoba Education Day
The theme is Innovation and Technology and we have excellent speakers and presentations lined up! As healthcare in Manitoba is transforming, we are too – with a focus on innovation and technology. We’re planning for more members, more frontline staff and more vendors to prepare us for the new future of Manitoba healthcare.
May 5-7, 2019 in Moncton: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Maritime Chapter Conference & Trade Show
The theme for this year’s conference will be “Healthcare Infrastructure – Understanding the risks”. Today’s public depend on healthcare infrastructure to be strong, flexible and robust. Being aware of and mitigating risks posed by potential vulnerabilities is essential to the resilience of healthcare facilities. This conference will discuss standards, procedures, processes and the challenges faced by healthcare facilities and how to mitigate possible risks.
May 28-31, 2019 in Toronto: Ontario Association of Physical Plant Administrators (OAPPA) Annual Conference
The Conference theme for this year is “Smart Campuses – Leading the Campus of the Next Century”. The Planning Committee chose this theme, as we live in an era of big data, which makes developing and operating smart campuses challenging. This challenge persists in all aspects of operating a higher education campus, from developing smart buildings, to managing our operations and energy.
This conference brings together facility management and design, development and planning professionals from across the province to collaborate, strategize, and strengthen networks across the university sector.
June 2-4, 2019 in Hamilton: Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Ontario Conference
The 2019 Conference theme is “BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS to improving our Healthcare Facilities”. In its 39th year, we anticipate a huge turnout – both from Facility Managers and consultants who may be attending CHES for the first time, as well as long-standing participants taking advantage of the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with their peers.
September 22-24, 2019 in Saskatoon: 39th Annual Conference of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES)
Theme: “The “HUB” that enables resiliency in healthcare”
Key individuals representing over 400 healthcare facilities will be in attendance. Our delegates include individuals who are directly involved in, or responsible for: Plant engineering; Safety; Real Estate management; Facilities management; Facilities planning; Support services; Building maintenance; Construction; Environmental management; Clinical engineering; Security; and, Waste management.