15 Bradford Street, Barrie

15 Bradford Street, Barrie

15 Bradford Street, Barrie
A complete building renovation was completed to provide fire safety and a new, efficient HVAC system for a healthcare facility.
Services
Mechanical Engineering
Subservices
Existing Building Systems
Sector
Commercial / Institutional
Duration
2022-2024
Client
Salter Pilon Architects
Project Value
$675,000
Project size
1 building

Pretium was involved in a complete building renovation for the existing office and patient care area at this location.

The building upgrades required the relocation of existing mechanical services, and the addition of a sprinkler system, where no system was previously installed.

Pretium coordinated with the architect, contractor and the City, to provide separate incoming domestic water and fire suppression service lines in separate rooms, to optimize useable space in the existing building.

Additionally, existing gas-fired HVAC equipment was removed and replaced with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump systems which allowed for precise temperature control in multiple office and treatment spaces.

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Mechanical Design

Mechanical Design

Our mechanical engineering team delivers technically sound, practical, energy, and cost-saving solutions while ensuring our clients’ satisfaction. Our team of highly skilled professionals can provide solutions for any retrofit or new construction project
Contract Administration and Construction Review

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 worked with the design team to provide optimal HVAC system design for maximum flexibility, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas reduction.

From the initial project planning stages, our team was involved with coordinating space planning and site service requirements during the renovations.

This allowed for smooth project progression with coordination between multiple parties, ensuring the safety of building occupants through the installation of fire suppression systems. 

New ductwork and plumbing installed in the ceiling space.
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New domestic water softening system.
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New domestic water main.
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Your Project, Our Expertise – Let’s Make It Happen

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Wilfred Laurier University

Wilfred Laurier University

Wilfred Laurier University
Extensive hydronic system upgrades were completed at three University buildings as part of a phased transition into geothermal heating.
Services
Mechanical Engineering
Subservices
Existing Building Systems
Sector
Commercial / Institutional
Duration
2021
Client
Wilfred Laurier University
Partners
ESJ Electrical Engineering
Project Value
$1,000,000
Project size
3 buildings

Pretium was responsible for the complete design, prime consulting, construction review, and construction administration services for hydronic system upgrades at three university buildings.  

New piping upgrades were completed, extending through three buildings to complete an ongoing phased central boiler plant expansion project. Hydronic systems were installed and updated to allow for connection into a recently installed central condensing boiler plant. Building upgrades included the removal of individual boiler systems and gas–fired, domestic hot water heaters for replacement with heat exchangers and piping tied into the central boiler plant in one of the three buildings.  

Pretium’s involvement began with an application and award to a public tender for this hydronic system upgrade. The RFP included a general concept for the application of a second phase of construction for heating plant consolidation.  Pretium performed extensive site reviews and documentation for pipe routing through existing operating buildings.

Pretium acted as the prime consultant on the project and coordinated in-house structural engineering review for new and updated equipment. We worked with an external electrical engineering firm to coordinate the electrical requirements for new and removed mechanical systems. A complete and coordinated set of bid documents were presented to Laurier University’s procurement group for public tendering through the school’s formal channels. We aided in contractor site reviews and the tendering process.

Upon award of construction, Pretium coordinated and organized a pre-construction meeting, outlining the roles and responsibilities of all parties.  Ongoing site reviews and coordination took place during project construction.  During the final balancing of the system, it was noted that design flows were not achieved at remote building locations. Pretium took the lead and chaired a meeting between the university stakeholders and the Phase One design engineers to coordinate changes to the base building systems. The proposed changes were accepted by base building engineers and the revisions were implemented.  

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Mechanical Design

Mechanical Design

Our mechanical engineering team delivers technically sound, practical, energy, and cost-saving solutions while ensuring our clients’ satisfaction. Our team of highly skilled professionals can provide solutions for any retrofit or new construction project
Electrical Design

Electrical Design

Working alongside our Partners and Mechanical Engineering team, serving as the prime consultant, our team offers electrical design services. This allows clients to have a one-stop shop for all of their mechanical and electrical needs.
Contract Administration and Construction Review

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 

Due to the updated design, the connected gas load was reduced and each building is now positioned to transition to lower heating water temperatures, allowing for future connections to a proposed central geothermal heating system. 

Project construction took place on an active university campus at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Project staffing, access, protection, and building protocols were changing constantly. Pretium worked closely with the University project managers to manage project timelines and adjust schedules to meet continually updating building access requirements, including complete lockdowns. 

Following project completion, Pretium corresponded with the University periodically to answer questions regarding system operation and to help fine tune individual system components as the building operated in each of its first four seasons.

Your Project, Our Expertise – Let’s Make It Happen

Our expert team is here to help you achieve your goals.

1401 Boulevard Talbot, Chicoutimi

1401 Boulevard Talbot, Chicoutimi

1401 Boulevard Talbot, Chicoutimi
A roof condition assessment and consulting work were completed for the largest shopping centre in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, resulting in a strategic roof replacement plan including budget estimates for capital and operations.
Services
Building and Structural Restoration Specialty Testing
Subservices
Roofing
Sector
Commercial / Institutional
Duration
2022-2024
Client
Primaris REIT Corporation
Partners
Partners
Project Value
<$1,000,000
Project size
1 building (740,000 sq ft)

The commercial retail building had 91 roof sections, totaling approximately 741,000 ft2,  and was constructed in three major phases from 1973 to 1986 with smaller additions made from 1993 to 2019.

The project began with a roof condition assessment in 2022. Thermography identified several anomalies, and subsequent test cuts confirmed moisture trapped in several assemblies. Test cuts also revealed that most of the roof sections were renewed by installing a new assembly over the original assembly, and in some cases a third assembly was installed, raising concerns about structural loading. Pretium calculated the approximate dry/wet weight of each roof section for the client and their structural engineer’s review. 

Working within the client’s budget to replace as much roofing as possible, Pretium prioritized four roof sections (32,300 ft2) that were replaced in 2023. Pretium’s involvement included providing design, technical specifications and drawings, tendering, project management, and construction review for this phase of the project. 

Further assessment was then carried out in 2023 with repeated thermography and additional test cuts, further confirming moisture in some assemblies and multiple assemblies having been installed on most of the sections. A strategic roof replacement plan was finalized including budget estimates for capital replacement and operations (maintenance and emergency repairs). The plan was divided into phases spanning 15 years. Annual assessments were planned to prioritize annual work based on current conditions. 

Pretium then provided design, specifications and drawings for tender of the replacement of 12 roof sections totaling over 100,000 ft2 beginning in 2024.

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Thermography

Thermography

Infrared thermography is used in building science to detect thermal variations in building envelope assemblies using non-destructive infrared (IR) radiation detector sensing equipment. Detection of these thermal variations can be used to identify a variety of potential deficiencies.
Condition Assessment

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.
Roof Openings / Test Cuts

Roof Openings / Test Cuts

Our team creates small openings to determine roof compositions including the type of membrane, type and thickness of thermal and tapered insulation, and overall roof assembly height, type of vapour barrier, and the condition of the roof deck. Openings also allow us to confirm the presence of moisture in the roof.
Design and Specifications

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

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

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 helped identify potential structural overloading at many roof sections which prompted the client to initiate a revised structural analysis of all roof sections.  

We also helped to educate the client regarding best roofing practice regarding the installation of new materials over existing. Pretium identified the replacement value of the roofing based on local market conditions, which helped the client to secure a significant budget plan for the next 15 years. The greatest challenge was prioritizing roof replacement based on so many factors, all of which that are not typically experienced on a single property including: 

  • budget
  • age and condition of multiple assemblies on the majority of roof sections 
  • moisture content 
  • structural concerns on a significant number of roof sections 

This challenge involved many meetings and conversations with the client and internally. Working with the client to secure an immediate, significant budget for critical replacement was a challenge, considering the extent of required roof replacement in the short term. 
 

Being a property situated in Quebec, all technical documents are required to be produced in French for distribution to contractors. Significant time and effort were required to overcome this challenge. 
 

Due to the physical size of this property and the fact that many of the roof sections required attention in the short term, physically assessing the roofs, performing two thermographic scans and test cuts on over 80% of the roof sections, and organizing the information into a single report was also a challenge that was overcome by significant team effort. 
 

Ultimately, the client has been very satisfied with the result and has praised Pretium for our diligence and expertise.

Test cut to confirm the roof configuration including membrane and insulation types and thicknesses. The test cuts are also used to confirm the presence of moisture within the assembly at locations identified during the infrared scans.
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Infrared thermograph of the roof area identifying a potential leak location.
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A view of an area of the roof with a number of rooftop mechanical units, including walkways installed in the high traffic areas around the equipment.
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Cleaning of the roof membrane using a wire brush.
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Exposed metal roof deck following removal of the roof membrane and insulation.
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Installation of the new roof in progress.
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Your Project, Our Expertise – Let’s Make It Happen

Our expert team is here to help you achieve your goals.

Canlan Ice Sports – York University

Canlan Ice Sports – York University

Canlan Ice Sports – York University
An economical and lightweight waterproofing solution was reconstructed over existing standing seam metal roofs while maintaining interior ice rink and facility operations at a multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facility.
Services
Building and Structural Restoration
Subservices
Roofing
Sector
Commercial / Institutional
Duration
2016-Today
Client
Canlan Ice Sports
Project Value
$1,560,000
Project size
17,000m2

Canlan Ice Sports – York is a is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facility featuring five NHL and one Olympic-sized playing surfaces.

Covering the rinks and the restaurant are six roof sections constructed from a pre-engineered metal roofing system with fiberglass insulated blanket and an integral vapor barrier. The existing standing seam metal roofs were showing signs of stress due to leaks; causing corrosion of the purlins and interior damage.

The selected PVC membrane roof reconstruction design moved the insulation (and dew point) above the metal panels. This eliminated the formation of any trapped moisture and the insulation below the roof deck.  By removing the interior insulation this allowed the purlins to be repaired, cleaned and painted.

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Condition Assessment and/or Feasibility Study

Condition Assessment and/or Feasibility Study

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 Specification

Design and Specification

Design documents with comprehensive specifications and detailed drawings are prepared to describe the project scope, materials, and procedures. These documents are created based on information collected during the assessment and feasibility phase and with the Owner’s agreement on the restoration and renewal approach and budget. Design and specification documents not only communicate the scope of work to the contractor but do so in a way that promotes refined pricing. An effective, collaborative planning and design process increases the potential for success during construction through improved workmanship, fewer changes and disruptions to building occupants, a shorter construction schedule, and a final cost within budget.
Tendering

Tendering

A fair and competitive tender process is followed. We offer tenders to pre-qualified contractors who have known skills for the required work. 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

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 

The PVC roof recovery increases the life expectancy
by 20 to 25 years.

The installation of new insulation and membrane above the metal roofing kept the roofing work separate from the interior remedial work. This approach also allowed the building to remain operational throughout the construction.

Benefits of PVC membrane roofing: 

  • Durability and Longevity 
  • Energy Efficiency 
  • Low Maintenance 
  • Waterproof and Leak-Resistant 
  • Chemical Resistance
Installation of new insulation and PVC membrane system over the existing metal roof.
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Overall view of PVC roof reconstruction in progress.
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PVC roof reconstruction, including the tie-in at existing rooftop mechanical equipment and skylights.
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Installation of the new PVC roof membrane, detailing around existing mechanical equipment.
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Your Project, Our Expertise – Let’s Make It Happen

Our expert team is here to help you achieve your goals.