About - BC Building Science

WHO IS BC BUILDING SCIENCE?

Prior to its current form, the principals of BC Building Science Ltd., Chad Cranswick and Andrew Creighton, have been practicing together in the field since 1996. This experience includes work as partners in BC Building Science Partnership as well as key employees of BC Building Science & Engineering Ltd. – one of the first dedicated building envelope engineering firms. With two of the most experienced company principals, BC Building Science has earned a reputation for providing effective, practical, and appropriate engineering solutions.

Our general service areas of Building Science Consulting include:

Building Envelope / Enclosure Engineering
Project Management for Building Envelope Renovations, Repairs, and Renewals
Building Asset Management and Maintenance Consulting / Strata Services
Energy Modelling and Consulting
Specialty Engineering in Structural, Mechanical, and Systems Commissioning
Field Performance Testing

To provide these services, our team is fully qualified and experienced in all aspects of the building science and engineering disciplines. Qualifications of the firm include:

Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (P.Eng.)
Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, Geophysicists of Alberta (P.Eng.)
Professional Engineers of Ontario (P.Eng. and Certificate of Authorization)
Washington Society of Professional Engineers (PE)
Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (AScT)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Registered Roof Observer (RRO)
Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia Accepted Observer (RCABC)
LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD)
Accredited Paint Quality Assurance Specialist (PQA)
Red Seal Carpenter (TQ) Industry Training Authority
Energy Advisor (EA)
Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP)
Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP)
Approved Energy Modeller (BC Hydro Power Smart New Construction Program)

Our range of project experience is diverse, ranging from complex multi-use new construction developments, to multi-unit renovation projects, to simple technical support on single family developments. Over the past 23 years, BC Building Science, in various forms, has successfully completed over 1000 projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, and California.

APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS

Our key philosophy is to provide appropriate engineering solutions. We aim to communicate the most appropriate solution, which is not always the most low-risk, high-cost option; in our opinion this is good engineering.

This approach promotes a sustainable construction industry. Technological, environmental, land use, and societal needs change very rapidly, and we believe that building enclosures should be designed with consideration of future renewals and upgrades at the forefront.

We have worked on buildings that have had five-year expected service lives (e.g. sales centres) and buildings that have had 75-year+ expected service lives (e.g. hospitals and community centres). Each building has a unique set of design requirements and our approach is to discover these and design accordingly to best meet the expectations of the client, future owners, and the community.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our deep respect for the natural environment is integrated into our systems and approaches. Considered envelope solutions can add value to society and the environment through responsible use of materials and resources:

Optimizing use of renewable, low impact, and up-cycled materials in new buildings.
Designing durable yet appropriate assemblies where all components are designed to perform and age equally, thereby reducing unnecessary waste at the time of renewal.
Carefully planned targeted repair strategies that optimize on the continued use of existing materials where possible.
Accommodating the future renewal of stay-in-place materials versus replaced new components.
Recommending renewals based on the Client failure criteria and not necessarily simply based on age (or expected service life).

PROFESSIONAL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

Our expertise has roots in the coastal rainforest climate of British Columbia. This climate is particularly wet and humid, and issues with moisture are more pronounced. With this, we have developed an outstanding expertise in the understanding of moisture-related issues in buildings. We have brought expertise beyond British Columbia to help Clients reduce risk of moisture issues in Alberta, Washington, and California. We are moisture management professionals.

ORGANIZATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

We have developed and detailed our own internal quality management systems to enhance the quality of construction and renovation work we are involved with. This includes comprehensive administration and project management services to aid Clients and Contractors with completing even the most complicated and technical projects, as well as the careful consideration and enhancement of architectural aesthetics. Regular and consistent review and updating of our approach to practice ensures our Clients are provided with the highest level of technical expertise, value, and service. Before regulation of engineering firms in British Columbia, BC Building Science was certified under Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s voluntary Organizational Quality Management (OQM) Program, in recognition of our early adoption of rigorous quality management systems. Under the new Professional Governance Act, we continue to meet the highest standards of quality management in engineering.

WHAT IS BUILDING SCIENCE?

Building Science is the study of passive moderation of mass climatic loading including air, water, vapour, and heat flows between environmental separations in buildings. The building enclosure, or building envelope, is the built assembly of materials designed to passively control this loading. This is typically achieved by the particular detailing and integration of moisture, air, vapour, and thermal control layers. Essentially, the primary function of these layers is to increase the durability of the building by protecting the structure and finishes from moisture-related damage.

In simple terms, and under most applications, the building envelope consists of the built enclosure including roofs, walls, windows, and foundations. This enclosure is designed to control rain water, ground water, interior humidity, and heat flow.

The Building Science Industry in British Columbia is supported by many contributors, making it one of the most progressive in the building construction world. Some key leaders in the local industry include:

BCBEC – BC Building Envelope Council
BC Housing – Licensing & Consumer Services
CMHC – Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
CHOA – Condominium Home Owners Association of BC
RCABC – Roofing Contractors Association of BC
City of Vancouver
Other leading Building Science Consultants
And many others