15 Towering Heights Blvd, St. Catharines

A water service relocation was completed at a fully occupied apartment building where additional issues beyond the original scope of work were identified and resolved throughout the project.

Services

Mechanical Engineering

Subservices

Existing Building Systems

Sector

Residential

Duration

2022-2023

Client

Shabri Properties

Project Value

$350,000

Project size

13 stories

Pretium was engaged to provide an assessment and design for the replacement of existing incoming domestic water piping.

Other deficiencies were noted on-site during our review and building domestic water systems were upgraded to meet current municipal and code requirements. Pretium provided coordination and provision of new incoming domestic water for fire suppression and domestic water use, including a new incoming water room.

Backflow prevention was installed to meet cross-connection survey results, and incoming water services were relocated to avoid the use of a failing buried incoming line installed below the building.

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Condition Assessment

A detailed assessment of existing conditions, including drawings, permitted use, failure mechanisms, and remedial options, allows for clients to choose the building restoration and renewal program that best suits their objectives.

Design and Specifications

Design documents describe the project scope, materials, and procedures based on information collected during the assessment/feasibility phase with the Owner’s agreement on approach and budget. They communicate to the contractor in a way that promotes refined pricing and increases the potential for success through improved workmanship, fewer changes and disruptions to occupants, a shorter schedule, and cost within budget.

Tendering

A fair and competitive tender process is followed for both public and private projects. During the tender process, we respond to queries, prepare addenda, and walk the work area with the bidders. On closing of tenders, we prepare a written summary and analysis of the bids received.

Contract Administration and Construction Review

Once a contractor is selected, our team periodically visits the site to confirm that the work is being completed in accordance with the project specifications and provides contract administration from start to completion.

Client Benefits

Pretium was able to work with the project team to complete the work while the building was fully occupied. This included assisting with managing occupant expectations and working with the contractor to schedule and phase the work to minimize impact.

During construction, it was discovered that an existing incoming domestic water line serving the building had been relocated and abandoned without any public record. There was a planned eight-hour water shutdown for final connections to be made, and this issue was discovered once the final connection was made.

Pretium worked immediately with the contractor and client to provide temporary water service and ultimately locate and connect to the unmarked piping. Pretium was in constant communication with the contractor and property manager during the unplanned additional work to maintain coordination and ensure the property was aware of challenges and solutions on site.

An exterior excavation and new pipes required for the new domestic water supply.

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