If the Prompt Payment Act passes, will you be ready?

The proposed Prompt Payment Act of Ontario, Bill 69, has passed its first and second readings in the Ontario Provincial Legislature and is now in the committee stage before its third reading in conjunction with the Construction Lien Act of Ontario. But what does this really mean for building owners and the design/construction professionals practising in the province?

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Connecting rehabilitative healthcare to natural surroundings

A state-of-the-art hospital for therapy, St. John’s Rehabilitation Hospital–Sunnybrook Health Sciences, was built in northeast Toronto in 2011. The design is part of a vision for the hospital to be at the forefront of rehabilitation care. The hospital also helps to rebuild the lives of adults recovering from serious illness or injury by involving them in individualized rehabilitation programs.

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A legislative legacy

The Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton opened its doors on September 3, 1912. Serving as the permanent home to the Alberta provincial government, it has become an historic site. Decades after its construction, the two feature terra-cotta-clad domes needed restoration and replacement.

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Perfecting Firestopping: Materials, techniques, and specifications to reduce building fire fatalities and injuries

Most construction specifiers, architects, engineers, and contractors are aware of the National Building Code of Canada’s (NBC’s) firestop compliances, but proper materials and application techniques are nevertheless often overlooked. This situation could lead to needless injuries and fatalities in a commercial building fire. However, using the correct firestop materials can save a project thousands of dollars without affecting efficacy or limiting life safety.

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Perfecting Firestopping: Common mistakes

Most construction specifiers, architects, engineers, and contractors are aware of the National Building Code of Canada’s (NBC’s) firestop compliances, but proper materials and application techniques are nevertheless often overlooked. This situation could lead to needless injuries and fatalities in a commercial building fire. However, using the correct firestop materials can save a project thousands of dollars without affecting efficacy or limiting life safety. Here are the three most common installation and specification mistakes.

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Fire & Glass, Safety & Style: Specifying advanced fire-rated glazing

The trend to maximize the harnessing of natural daylight combined with environmentally responsible artificial lighting is increasing use of glass within interior spaces since it allows light to spread throughout the building. Glass also has the added benefit of providing clear vision between spaces, creating a sense of openness, connectivity, and security. However, what about separations or partitions that must meet fire-rated requirements?

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Adhesive-applied Roofing: A Canadian reality

Until recently, using asphalt to adhere roofing materials was likely the most popular attachment method. It was used for everything, from vapour retarders and insulation, to the thermal barrier and cover board. Even roof membranes were bonded in asphalt—the first ply of a two-ply modified bitumen (mod-bit) roof membrane or the entire four-ply ‘tar-and-gravel’ system got their share.

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Montréal landmark receives copper restoration

When first constructed in 1931, Trafalgar Condominium Apartments in Montréal had a significant presence along the city’s downtown skyline. Reaching 10 storeys, the numerous turrets, chimneys, and gable front dormers atop the brick building’s steep-pitched copper roof gave the residence an imperial appearance—similar to a medieval castle dating back to the turn of the century.

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