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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 | 47 Electrical & Communication Systems "The biggest challenge now is finding that balance and comfort level for peoples' work schedule. Depending on the type of business, maintaining flex- ibility is key with respect to working in the office and at home. People still want to maintain a good balance in their lives," explains Nemetz. Nemetz (S/A) & Associates is currently involved in some interesting mixed-use commercial, residential, and office developments that required a major focus on integration of system. These projects include: Oakridge Redevelopment; Lougheed Town Centre; Brentwood Town Centre; CF Richmond Centre; and Metrotown (Phase 1, 2 and 3). "In the future, as technology is always being upgraded, we look forward to the seamless transition from wired to wireless systems," Nemetz says. FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE Health care continues to be a growing priority in B.C. and companies like Houle are helping upgrade critical electrical systems, while integrating advanced health-care technology solutions to improve health-care services across the province. Managing complex health-care projects requires top-tier talent, strong field/office co-ordination, and experience, but they also involve multi- trade collaboration and innovative construction approaches, on and off-site. "With increasing project complexity and owner engagement, strong design- build partners and collaboration are key to project success," says Jake Russell, director, design-build, Houle. As a design-build partner, Houle's Project Planning Services (PPS) and Prefab teams work alongside the project team to develop installation drawings utilizing standard prefab assemblies. This helps to optimize installation and advance tight schedules. Using BIM modelling and CAD, Houle's PPS team supports multi-trade collaboration through shared drawings. This helps mitigate trade-stacking and streamlines off-site construction of multi-trade racks. With a passion for community development, Houle is now bringing its expertise and approach to several new-build hospital projects including Royal Columbian, Lions Gate, and Mills Memorial hospitals – helping advance the health-care experience for all British Columbians. INNOVATIONS Innovation and electrical systems go hand-in-hand, and OZZ Electric/Cairns Electric has been working on a number of projects that showcase just how far we've come in a matter of a few years. The expansion of the Argyle International Airport Solar PV Project in St. Vincent is one such project. OZZ Electric was contracted to build an additional 600kW of solar PV onto an existing solar farm that OZZ had initially constructed in 2018. Construction has commenced, and the project is scheduled to be completed this year. Oakridge Centre is another great example of what can be achieved. Developed by QuadReal Property Group and partner Westbank, the project included doubling the size of the mall to 1.4-million square feet, adding more than 2,900 residential units in 13 towers (both market and affordable housing), the addition of 300,000 square feet of commercial office space, and a 70,000 square foot civic centre. Cairns Electric Ltd. was awarded the Phase 1 North and Phase 1 South electrical scope of work, which includes: five high-voltage incoming services; 10 emergency power generator systems; 10 fire alarm systems along with infrastructure for multiple low voltage building control; monitoring and commu- nications system; an extensive underground parking complex as well as retail, commercial, and office space as part of their scope of work. Over the four years that the Phase 1 construction is expected to take to complete, Cairns Electric will be a key player laying the basis upon which all the future phases will be built. With more than 30 years in the electrical construction industry, Bridge Electric has experience in all types of projects from 500-square-foot CRU spaces to one-million square foot mixed-use towers. The REC Room in Burnaby, B.C., is a great example of the team's expertise at work. The project is comprised of the main area (which is a large games room), a kitchen, two restaurants, auditorium, and a bar. The complex electrical systems for this included: conduit racks, tray, and wiremold for 24 electrical panels; four Quantum lighting control panels; 49 luminaire types; and 78 T V's – all which require multiple levels of control including games shut-downing upon fire alarm activation and lighting returns to full brightness. A 2009 WEST 4TH AVENUE VANCOUVER, BC V6J 1N3 T. (604) 736.6562 F. (604) 736.9805 525 11TH AVENUE SW, SUITE 305 CALGARY, AB T2R 0C9 T. (403) 294.9027 F. (403) 294.9028 214 KING STREET WEST, SUITE 214 TORONTO, ON M5H 3S6 T. (647) 253.0086 F. (647) 253.2085 WWW.NEMETZ.COM ELECTRICAL. MECHANICAL/PLUMBING. LIGHTING. SECURITY. COMMUNICATIONS/IT DESIGN. LIFE SAFETY. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. & Assoc.indd 1 2021-08-20 3:38 PM www.bridgeelectric.com • Commercial • Institutional • High-rise Residential • Light Industrial • Fully Equipped Service Fleet • Engineered Design Build • Serving the Lower Mainland since 1982 604.273.2744 Ask us about our commitment registration #10546 Bridge Electric.indd 1 15-11-10 9:22

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