That’s A Lot of Concrete!

Powell Street Overpass Project to Ease Commuter Traffic Vancouver’s Powell Street, a popular dowtown connector used by some 30,000 commuters each day is being closed for a year to make way for a new overpass acommodating 4 vehicle lanes, a cycling lane, expanded sidewalks, and a new rail line. The $50 million project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2014.  The overpass joins the ranks of other major projects in the city including the recently announced $360 million Vancouver Trump Tower. For more on the project check out this article...

Silica Exposure: Know The Facts

Like asbestos, breathing silica dust can cause illness and death.Though not a carcinogen, repeated exposure to crystalline silica (silicon dioxide) causes silicosis, an irreversible condition with no cure. But unlike asbestos, which is no longer used in construction materials, silica is one of the most common compounds on earth and found in all concrete and related construction products. How Much is Too Much? British Columbia sets a 0.25 mg/m3 exposure limit for silica and, according to the WorkSafe BC site, employers must set up a silica exposure control plan (ECP) “when workers are or may be exposed to airborne silica dust in excess of 50% of the exposure limit.” Think about that for a minute: 0.125 mg of silica fibres in 1 square meter. That means that if you can see a cloud of concrete dust, you’re over the limit! Is it any wonder that a 2010 CAREX Canada study estimates that 48,000 BC workers are exposed to crystalline silica each year. This WorkSafe BC video explains the dangers of silica exposure in greater detail: Control the Dust Fortunately, silica exposure can be mitigated. First, identify materials containing silica (concrete, masonry, granite, tile, etc.), activities that cause silica dust (cutting, drilling, grinding, polishing, etc.), and workers who might be exposed. To control dust: Limit the need for cutting and grinding and/or choose non-silica materials at the design and planning stage Use dust-controls like ventilation, wetting, filters, and vacuuming Provide operators with appropriate protective clothing Keep unprotected workers out of affected work areas Schedule dust-producing work for times when other workers are absent Only choose fully-trained concrete cutting professionals who...

Concrete on the (Low) Rise in Vancouver

A recent article in the Globe & Mail real estate section highlights the growing use of concrete in low-rise construction in Vancouver. Though more commonly built with wood frame construction, developers are beginning to choose concrete for its versatility, durability, and lower ownership costs. The article cites recent projects by the I4 Property Group and Cressey...

Basement Dig Outs in Vancouver

What Every Contractor Needs to Know The same 2009 Vancouver building code changes that permitted laneway house construction also allowed basement crawlspace reclamations (basement dig outs). Unlike laneway houses, crawlspace reclamation represents a low-cost, high-value alternative for adding space or creating a rental suite in an existing property. If the foundation perimeter walls extend fully below grade, a series of professional concrete cuts and some excavation can yield an amazing return on investment. How to Maximize Square Footage* For contractors, crawlspace reclamations represent an untapped market ripe for growth. For property owners the advantages of crawlspace reclamation are obvious. With typical home prices in Greater Vancouver hovering in the million dollar range, adding 400 square feet to a 2000 square foot home adds $200,000 in home value. And while laneway houses can cost $200,000 or more to build, adding a basement costs a fraction of that. With a dig out and renovation running in the neighbourhood of $35-50K, reclaiming that space offers a potential 5x return on investment. You just cannot get that return from a laneway house! It’s All About Floor Space Ratio Crawlspace reclamations are governed under the Floor Space Ratio section of the City of Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law. To be exact, section 4.7.1 item (e)(ii), which states “the area of all floors at, above or below finished grade, after the addition of a basement or cellar, does not exceed a floor space ratio of 0.75.” Additionally, the area of any floor cannot have a floor space ratio of more than 0.25 and no part of the basement can project beyond the perimeter of the...