Breathing new life into Canada’s heritage
Ne wt echnological infrastructure is connecting past, present and future inn ation’s capital
From the uber cool Canada Science and Technology Museum to the world-renowned University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa boasts one-ofa-kind facilities that generate pride not only among those who call the city home but also the skilled tradespeople who bring complicated designs to life.
It’s challenging and rewarding work, says Johannes Ziebarth, president and CEO of Ziebarth Electrical Contractors Ltd. His company helped wire the Science and Technology Museum, a project that used Building Information Modelling, a 3D imaging software program that’s transforming the way buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed and operated.
“The entire project was modelled in 3D and not just from an architectural perspective,” says Ziebarth, who is also a member of the Electrical Contractors Association of Ottawa (ECA). All of the skilled trades were involved in the planning and everything we needed to install was 3D modelled…That allowed us to alleviate many of the issues that can cause conflict and change orders on a job. As a result, everyone was more effective and efficient and we were able to meet the schedule with fewer challenges.”
For added efficiency, the museum project also followed lean construction management processes. The museum’s 3,000-amp service would power a hundred 2,500-square-foot homes. A team of 15 electricians installed 550,000 feet of wire, 170,000 feet of pipe and more than 1,000 light fixtures, Ziebarth reports.
Elsewhere in the nation’s capital, restoration of Parliament Hill’s West Block continues. The first two wings of the Gothic Revival building were constructed from 1859 to 1865, with the others added in 1879 and 1909. Thanks to refurbishment, the building now boasts new electrical systems.
“There is a great sense of pride to be able to work on such a prestigious and iconic building,” says John Bourke, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 586 Ottawa. “The lighting and environmental control systems are state-ofthe-art but the building looks like the original. Behind the walls, you have systems that regulate everything. About 150 electricians are working there right now.”
The recent expansion of the Heart Institute ensures the country’s largest and foremost heart health centre is a state-of-the-art facility. All life support services, including operating rooms, have been relocated to the new building, providing expanded and improved facilities for the centre’s sickest patients. Renovations continue on the original building, which will house an expanded diagnostic imaging centre.
“We’re lucky here in Ottawa to have that institute because it’s phenomenal,” says Bourke. “If you’re going in for a procedure or test, you can count on those electrical systems to work properly. It’s really important that the contractor is assured the people who do the work are trained and professional. Close to 85 of our members worked on the project over about two years.”
IBEW Local 586 represents about 1,800 licensed electricians and registered apprentices. The bulk of its members work in industrial-commercial-institutional construction but about 200 specialize in residential construction. It’s active in the community, holding fundraisers to purchase socks for the homeless, for example, and donating money to local food banks and organizations like the Rape Crisis Centre.
The IBEW also offers a strong apprenticeship system, with licensed electricians proudly passing on their training and experience. With a huge variety of training available, such as safety and rigging, its members never stop learning. “Training our members so they go home safely to their families at the end of the work day is tantamount,” says Bourke. “They’re extremely proud of the work they do.”
The ECA of Ottawa represents about 100 contractors and unionized contractors. “Take a look around the city and you’ll see the kinds of large, complex jobs we specialize in,” says Ziebarth. “IBEW and ECA spend a lot of time ensuring our training is ahead of the industry, which gives us a leg up in our marketplace. Our electricians can handle leading-edge jobs.”
ECA contractors count on IBEW to supply highly-trained professionals. “They forecast how much manpower they need and when,” says Bourke. “The IBEW can take advantage of its national affiliation to draw ‘travellers’ from across Canada whenever we need extra help. Contractors are assured they’re getting someone who’s qualified and trained to do the job.”
With large projects like the second phase of Ottawa’s light rail transit project on track and restoration work at Parliament Hill continuing, the demand for skilled tradespeople will remain strong and continue to grow – underscoring the important relationship between IBEW and EAC. “All of the contractors share a labour pool,” Ziebarth says. “When our big projects come to an end, there’s another contractor who will take on those electricians for new jobs. To be able to draw labour like that is really valuable.”