Mayor Ian Sutherland and the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) have a difference of opinion over a CWB allegation that construction of the 樱桃视频Adventure Centre is moving ahead despite an alleged violation of the B.C. Building Code.Rick Ellis, general manager of CWB's B.C. region, wrote to Richard Iredale, the architect and engineer heading the project, to make him aware of the CWB concern with the building. Ellis copied the letter to Squamish's building inspector and the consulting practices committee of the Association of Professional Engineers.The CWB allegation centres on welding done by a company called Concord Metal Works (CMW). According to Ellis, CMW is not certified to the appropriate standard set by the Canadian Standards Association.
Ted Koemsted of CMW confirmed Thursday (May 26) his company is not CWB certified but he said the work was mostly cosmetic and had nothing to do with the structure of the building. Despite that, he added, his people work to the highest standards and notes the standards are voluntary even for certified metal work companies.
Mayor Ian Sutherland isn't worried about the difference of opinion. He said he spoke with Iredale and the architect is confident there is no violation of the building code.
According to Sutherland's understanding of the situation, the building is not considered a structural steel building and the integrity of the building is not dependent on the welds.
"We made mounting brackets to put the building up," said Koemsted. "The majority of the stuff is flat plates bolted into the beams to prevent the beams from moving away from each other. The structure is wood."
CMW is not based in 樱桃视频and Sutherland believes that fact is part of the reason this complaint came forward.
"Going through the Adventure Centre process, being a public building, we have had a couple of complaints from local people not getting contracts for work," Sutherland said.
He said the complaints are taken seriously but in this case Sutherland is relying on the word of the architect. The architect carries the liability insurance, said Sutherland.
"It is good to get the comments from the concerned citizens and contractors," Sutherland said.
Bruce Tuck of local company Channel Fabricating made The Chief aware of the concern over the welding.
Tuck believes there are two options available to the project's decision makers. He said the building can be dismantled so a certified welder can redo the welding or the project can be completed without making any changes. If the architect signs off on the project, Tuck believes it may be difficult to get insurance for a building he and the CWB believe is in violation of the BC Building Code.
The CWB administers the certification standards for a large number of companies in the welding industry and works in conjunction with two other groups that want to enhance public safety.
The bureau is part of a three-organization group that includes an industrial learning centre and a division responsible for encouraging welding companies to become registered with the organization.
The Adventure Centre is scheduled to open on the Canada Day long weekend.
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