Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/607779
DECEMBER 2015 | 15 significantly reduce embodied CO2 while also divert- ing waste from the landfill," Auer says. One simple way for architects, engineers and build- ers to reduce carbon emissions is to specify the use of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), also known as Contempra or EcoCem. PLC is now commonly used in many projects throughout the Vancouver area, includ- ing in several high-profile downtown Vancouver resi- dential towers. "Use of PLC allows projects to reduce their carbon footprint from cement production by approximately 10 per cent, while meeting all code requirements," says Rob Asquith, a B.C.-based sales manager for Lehigh Cement. In development of the next generation of precast concrete wall panels, the Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) is working with professor Amir Fam and Donald and Sarah Mucro, chair in engi- neering and applied science at Queen's University, and Malcolm Hatchborn from M.E. Hatchborn Engineering. "The new panels will be significantly lighter and thin- ner than current precast panels because they might be constructed of ultra-high-performance, fibre-rein- forced concrete (UHPFRC). It's a material with high compressive strength, reliable tensile strength and excellent durability," says Brian Hall, managing direc- tor, sustainability and business development at CPCI. In another initiative, CPCI is working with John Straube, principal of Building Science Laboratories, on the development of a precast enclosure solutions guide to assist with the new energy code. As proposed by Straube, this would provide standard wall assembly calculations across all provinces and ASHRAE climate zones, Hall says. Despite today's impressive arc of innovation in the concrete sector, a worrying trend has emerged in the form of a move by some governments, at both the federal and provincial levels, to favour wood over other build- ing materials. To an outsider, it would just seem strange amidst all the politicians' talk about letting the market decide and improving productivity, but among execu- tives in Canada's concrete sector it is a source of concern. The Quebec government is the latest jurisdic- tion to privilege the softwood lumber industry. In an August 27 press release, the CPCI criticized the prov- ince's decision saying it believes "the recent Quebec Government's decision to allow the construction of taller wood buildings on the basis of a new wood indus- try construction guide that is not recognized by the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) circumvents the exceptional building code approval process that exists to ensure the safety of all Canadians." CPCI had heard expressions of concern from the insurance industry about insuring such buildings both during occupancy and under construction. "Fires have destroyed several multi-storey wood buildings under construction over the last five years," the release said, and pointed to incidents in B.C., Ontario, Edmonton and Calgary. "Besides the fire worries the insurance industry is also apprehensive about mould remediation in wood structures, which reverts back to the condo rot prob- lems 20 years ago in B.C. where homeowners and the insurance industry paid out hundreds of millions of dollars," Hall says. One of the benefits of using precast concrete is the speed of construction and potentially dramatically reduced on-site time needed for a project. Right now, as baby-boomers continue swelling the ranks of retir- ees, the demand for seniors' residences is already sky- rocketing. As part of an Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI), a 200,000-square-foot, four-storey seniors residence is under construction in Calgary using a total precast approach. The Redstone project was designed by Ferrari Westwood Babits Architects and joins Covenant Health's growing facilities portfolio. Manshield Construction is the general contractor on the project, while Armtec will provide the total precast system. Besides beams, columns, staircases and other structural components, the envelope, including the roof, will be concrete, along with the architectural facade, load-bearing walls and insulated non-load-bearing walls. "It's a total precast supported-living building for seniors. It's the first [such building] for a seniors' home. The main driver is the schedule," says Ignacio Cariaga, sales director, precast concrete solutions, prairies, at Armtec. Cariaga says the Alberta government is providing up to 50 per cent of the cost of the building and adds, "There is a huge waiting list for this type of building. It's a big benefit to have this construction speed." The building's owners are also its operators, so durability and operational efficiencies are a priority. Commenting that only precast concrete would allow the level of quality combined with on-site construction speed, Cariaga says, "The key to the success of what we've done here is the way we developed this with the owner in an integrated design process." Enabling concrete's durability can entail the use of stainless steel reinforcing. A bridge deck can last Concrete Industrial Commercial Institutional / Residential