“As a global engineering organization, one of the
ways we can combat climate change is to help create the
energy transition to a low-carbon society. We are committed
to improving energy efficiency across our corporate
and project activities,” said Sébastien Mousseau, senior
vice-president, power, grid and industrial solutions,
SNC-Lavalin. “This certification shows our current and
future clients we have high, professional standards and
will continue to help them create sustainable, safe and
healthy working environments.”
A recognized best practice, building commissioning
is becoming the preferred process for delivering
facilities that reduce energy consumption while maximizing
environmental health and occupational safety.
From healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical labs,
to industrial, institutional, commercial and residential
buildings, modern structures include a variety
of sophisticated systems. Building commissioning
includes verifying and documenting that all of the
commissioned systems and assemblies are planned,
designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained
to meet the owner’s requirements. From pre-design
to occupancy and operations, the process is a holistic,
quality assurance-based approach that encompasses
planning, delivery, verification and risk management.
As commissioning professionals, SNL-Lavalin
works collaboratively on behalf of their clients with
architects, engineers and contractors on energy performance
programs and projects in support of the
design and construction of green buildings. All work
is done in accordance with the U.S. and Canada Green
Building Councils.
SNC-Lavalin employs the commissioning process
used for a variety of building systems in accordance
with several industry standards, such as CSA Z320
Building Commissioning Standards, ASHRAE Guideline
0-2005 The Commissioning Process, ASHRAE 202-
2018 Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems,
LEED v4 Energy & Atmosphere, ISPE Baseline Guide
Vol. 5 and others.
A KPMG and CCA survey finds that 75 per cent of
industry rates their digital maturity as “fairly low”
A new report, Construction in a digital world, by the
Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and KPMG in
Canada, identifies significant opportunity for Canadian
construction firms to adopt innovation.
As many as 75 per cent of construction firms surveyed
by KPMG and CCA rated their digital maturity as “fairly
low,” relative to their competitors, the report finds.
Further, almost three in five admit their organization
“needs to moderately or considerably” adapt their digital
strategy, with most unsure about which technologies and
applications would offer them a competitive advantage.
“The industry is on the cusp of digital transformation
with leading firms already adopting technology – from
analytics to drones, robotics, 3D printing and augmented
reality (AR), to yield improved productivity, safety and
decision-making,” said CCA president Mary Van Buren.
“Our survey reveals, however, that smaller and mediumsized
firms are not yet capitalizing on the benefits
technology can bring. For many contractors, the low bid
model simply does not allow for innovation or to invest
in new technologies.”
While some firms have invested in digitizing their
front and back-office operations to reduce redundancy,
costs and improve the employee and customer
experience, the report suggests there is even greater
opportunity to be gained from embracing technologies
such as predictive analytics, building information
modelling, digital twins, wireless monitoring and autonomous
equipment and AR.
Construction companies embracing digital transformation
will achieve greater efficiency, generate
substantial productivity gains, improve onsite safety for
workers, reduce the cost of goods sold and modernize
operating models, the report says.
“Digital innovation is a continuing process, not an
end game,” said Lorne Burns, KPMG’s national industry
leader, building, construction and real estate, based in
Vancouver. “Many construction entities rely on legacy
systems, and those that improve their competitive positioning
will use this time as an opportunity to integrate
disparate systems and adopt new ways of operating.”
Too often, companies implement a technology concept
or software package to reduce costs or get a quick payback
on a single project, only to leave the tool with that project
and never use it again. This issue is compounded when
a company grows through acquisitions, each with their
own set of legacy technologies, the report says, pointing
out the necessity of having an integrated strategic digitization
strategy.
INDUSTRY NEWS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 70
As many as 75 per cent of construction firms surveyed by
KPMG and CCA rated their digital maturity as “fairly low,”
relative to their competitors, the report finds.
68 Issue 4 2021 www.pilingcanada.ca
/www.pilingcanada.ca
