DIRECTOR’S INTERPRETATION - Alberta Municipal Affairs · DIRECTOR’S INTERPRETATION Mar 2005 97-DI-002R2 ... addresses and telephone numbers of the owner, and designer ... Hotel,

DIRECTOR’S INTERPRETATION

Mar 2005 97-DI-002R2 Page 1 of 23

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, THE SCHEDULES, AND SEALS/STAMPS ON CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

INTRODUCTION The Administrative Items Regulation (AIR) made under the Safety Codes Act (SCA) and the Alberta Building Code 1997 (ABC 97) detail requirements for professional involvement and use of seals/ stamps on construction documents. This STANDATA is a combination of 97-DI-002R1, “Professional Involvement in Projects and Seals/Stamps on Construction Drawings”, and 97-DI-028, “Responsibilities, Professional Involvement & Schedules”. The scope of this bulletin includes:

o Requirements involving registered architects, licensed interior designers, professional engineers (including structural, mechanical, electrical and geotechnical engineers) and registered professional technologists (engineering).

o Responsibilities provided in the Safety Codes Act for persons involved in the construction

industry.

o Schedules that document the commitments of the owner and professionals as well as provide the Authority Having Jurisdiction with assurance that the completed building meets the Alberta Building Code 1997.

ISSUE OF THIS INTERPRETATION IS AUTHORIZED UNDER ARTICLE 2.5.1.5. OF THE ALBERTA BUILDING CODE 1997 BY THE DIRECTOR/ ADMINISTRATOR. C.M. TYE

Alberta Municipal Affairs, 16th Floor, Commerce Place, 10155 – 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 4L4 Safety Codes Council, Suite 800, 10707 – 100 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3M1

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PERMITS A building permit will usually be required to construct a building. This permit under the Safety Codes Act must not be confused with a development permit. A development permit allows a specific type of development on a specific parcel of land to proceed and assures conformance with the zoning and development bylaws of the municipality that are enacted for orderly development of land. A building permit allows construction of buildings or structures to proceed on condition of compliance with the Alberta Building Code that addresses public safety. In most municipalities a development permit will also be needed. Usually an application for a development permit precedes an application for a building permit. The owner, or the owner's agent (who could be an architect, a professional engineer, a registered professional technologist (engineering), a licensed interior designer or a constructor), must apply to the municipality for necessary permits. These permits must be obtained before work is started (SCA s.43(1)). No matter what statements, conditions or requirements may be made in any other Act, in a regulation made under any other Act or in any by-law of a municipality, a permit may not be issued for the use, occupancy, relocation, construction or demolition of a building except in accordance with the requirements of the Safety Codes Act. When a building is required to have professional involvement for all aspects of the project, the Alberta Building Code 1997 requires that Schedules A-1, A-2, B-1 and B-2 be completed and attached to the plans and specifications at the time of application for a building permit (refer to the Professional Seals/Stamps Chart on pages 4 to 6). Schedules A-1 and A-2 are to be in place at the inception of the project (before the development or building permit). Schedules B-1 and B-2 are to be submitted at the time of application for a building permit (ABC 97 Sentence 2.6.1.1.(1)). Once the building is complete and ready for occupancy, the Coordinating Registered Professional must submit Schedules C-1 and C-2 to the authority having jurisdiction. Normally there will only be a single C-1 Schedule on a project, however there will be a C-2 Schedule for each registered professional of record. An authority having jurisdiction may issue a permit if an owner or an owner's agent submits Schedule A-1, A-2, B-1 and B-2, plans and drawings/specifications as an application or as part of an application for a permit to construct, erect or enlarge any building or part of a building. The plans, drawings and specifications must conform to requirements for professional seals/stamps in the Administrative Items Regulation and Subsection 2.3.3. of the Alberta Building Code 1997 as summarized under the Professional Seals/Stamps Chart on pages 4 to 6. If any plans, drawings or specifications are submitted without evidence of the appropriate professional involvement i.e., seals/stamps and signatures or without the Schedules attached, an authority having jurisdiction would have to refuse to issue the permit until the applicant

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resubmitted the documents including the appropriate professional input (as shown by proper seals/stamps and signatures and the Schedules). A building permit may be revoked if specific conditions are not met or if the permit was issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information (ABC 97 1.2.1.7.(1)). PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS In addition to requirements given in other parts of the Alberta Building Code 1997, applicants for a building permit must: (a) identify and describe in detail the project or occupancy to be covered by the permit for

which the application is made, (b) describe the land on which the project is to be undertaken by a description that will readily

identify and locate the building lot, (c) submit plans, specifications documents, showing the proposed occupancy of all parts of the

building, (d) state the valuation of the proposed project, and (e) state, as applicable, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the owner, and designer

(ABC 97 1.2.1.4.(1)). The submission of the schedules, plans, specifications and documents is mandatory with an application for a building permit unless the authority having jurisdiction has waived this requirement. Exceptions are granted only for minor renovations and alterations. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONALS Subsection 2.3.3. of the Alberta Building Code 1997 details the requirements for professional involvement based on occupancy, size and/or complexity of the building. These are summarized in the Professional Seals/Stamps Chart and notes that follow the chart. The Chart is for guidance only and the Alberta Building Code 1997 should be referenced if there are any questions.

PROFESSIONAL SEALS/STAMPS CHARTProfessional Seal Requirements of the Alberta Building Code 1997

All plans and specifications must be signed, sealed/stamped, and dated.

Max 300 m2

Max 150 m2

Max 150 m2

Max 100 m2

Max 100 m2

Max 100 m2

ClassificationGroup A, B2.3.3.1.(2).(a)

ThreeStoreysMax

1 Seals/StampsNotRequired

MorethanThreeStoreys

> 300 m2

> 150 m2

> 150 m2

> 100 m2

> 100 m2

> 100 m2

Apartments, Row Housing or Similar2.3.3.1.(3).(a)

3 5 to 20 dwelling units on a single site.

ArchitectorEngineer

2 ArchitectandEngineer

ClassificationGroup C2.3.3.1.(2).(b)


ThreeStoreys Max

2.3.3.1.(4)

More than 20 dwelling units on a single site.



1 Storey 2 Storey 3 Storey


Single Family Dwelling2.3.3.1.(2).(b).(i)

Apartments, Row Housing or Similar2.3.3.1.(2).(b).(ii)


ThreeStoreys Max

ThreeStoreys Max

Max 400 m2

Max 200 m2

Max 200 m2

Max 130 m2

Max 130 m2

Max 130 m2

ThreeStoreysMax


Hotel, Motel or Similar2.3.3.1.(2)


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> 400 m2

> 200 m2

> 200 m2

> 130 m2

> 130 m2

> 130 m2


Hotel, Motel or Similar2.3.3.1.(4).(c)

ClassificationGroup D, E2.3.3.1.(2).(d)

Max 500 m2

Max 250 m2

Max 250 m2

Max 165 m2

Max 165 m2

Max 165 m2

ThreeStoreysMax

1 Seals/Stamps NotRequired



> 500 m2

> 250 m2

> 250 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2



Max 500m2

Max 250m2

Max 250m2

Max 165m2

Max 165m2

Max 165m2

ClassificationGroup F2.3.3.1.(2).(d)2.3.3.1.(3).(b) & (c)

ThreeStoreysMax





ArchitectorEngineer

Occupant load designed: Greater than 28 m2 per person

> 500 m2

> 250 m2

> 250 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2


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Occupant load designed: Less than 28 m2 per person

> 500 m2

> 250 m2

> 250 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2

> 165 m2

Multiple Occupancies2.3.3.1.(3).(c)

Group FMajor

Occupancy>28 m2 per

person

OtherOccupancy< 400 m2

ArchitectorEngineer


Others Farm buildings that are not for public use.2.3.3.1.(2).(c)

Relocatable industrial camp building.2.3.3.1.(2).(f)

Swimming Pools7.3.1.2.(1)

Seals/StampsNotRequired


ArchitectorEngineer

Notes to the Chart: 1) Seals/Stamps may be required for specific design items (such as structural) for virtually all buildings. 2) Check also for architect or engineer with restricted practitioner. 3) This refers to a building that could be sold as a legal entity together with the land it is on. There may be more

than one of these buildings in a development. 4) Structural components of load-bearing assemblies must be designed by a professional engineer (ABC 97

10.2.1.1.). 5) Building area means the area of a building that is contained within the outside surface of the exterior walls of

the building. 6) The 'height' of a building is the building height of the building determined in conformance with the Alberta

Building Code.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Additionally, the Administrative Items Regulation and the ABC 97 requires professional involvement as follows: (a) A professional engineer is required to design, review construction and witness the testing of

an automatic sprinkler system installed in buildings that require professional involvement. (ABC Article 2.3.3.2. & AIR s.22).

(b) A professional engineer is required to design, review, and verify a fire alarm system

installed in a building that requires professional involvement. (ABC Article 2.3.3.3. & AIR s.23) (see also STANDATA 97-DR-003R1 & 97-DI-020)

(c) A professional engineer or an architect is required to prepare the plans and specifications

and to seal/stamp the drawings for a public swimming pool or a semi-public swimming pool. (ABC 97 7.3.1.2.)

(d) If site conditions, size or complexity warrant, architectural or engineering seals/stamps may

be required for any building, whether excluded in the above chart or not. This would occur under conditions involving such things as a soils investigation, special foundations, innovative structural systems, reinforced concrete or steel structures and complicated suite layouts or exiting patterns (AIR s. 18(1)). Additions to buildings often require professional involvement regardless of size because of existing load-bearing walls being pierced or snow shadows cast by existing buildings on additions.

An authority having jurisdiction may not issue a permit for any building beyond the scope of the Professional Seals/Stamps Chart unless the appropriate architect's and professional engineer's seals/stamps are on the plans. In the majority of cases the plans and other documents are separated into architectural, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering categories. Appropriate seals/stamps will be expected to be used in each category. Only those with appropriate qualifications within each category may apply their seal/stamp and signature to design documents. It has been recognized in certain circumstances where the involvement of the other disciplines is very limited that there is no need to require more than one seal/stamp. The removal of a column or other similar structural member would be considered as structural engineering work. A heating, air conditioning or ventilating system change or a change in a piping installation would be considered as mechanical engineering work. Lighting, power, fire alarm or other electrical system renovations would be considered as electrical engineering work. Changes in partitioning, tenant layout, or interior finish treatments would be considered as architectural work. See EXCEPTIONS below for further information.

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CONSTRUCTION REVIEW Whenever professional seals/stamps are required on plans, the Code also requires that a registered architect and/or engineer be retained to review construction (AIR s. 21 to 24). This construction review may also be required on buildings with special complexities, even though such buildings may not require sealed/stamped drawings/plans and specifications. The owner is responsible for giving names, addresses and telephone numbers of the professional engineer or registered professional technologist (engineering) and/or architect or licensed interior designer reviewing the construction and must inform the authority having jurisdiction of any change in responsibility immediately that the change occurs (ABC 97 1.2.4.1.(2)). If construction review is not undertaken or if the owner terminates the employment of the architect, interior designer, professional engineer and/or the registered professional technologist (engineering) without replacing them, the owner has contravened a condition under which the permit was issued and the authority having jurisdiction has the authority to revoke the permit at that time because the requirements of the Alberta Building Code 1997 are not being met (ABC 97 1.2.1.7(1)). EXCEPTIONS There is a portion of the practice of architecture for which interior designers have been registered or licensed pursuant to regulations under the Architects Act in which the seal/stamp of a license interior designer may be accepted as fulfilling the intent of the Alberta Building Code 1997 for specified parts of the practice of architecture. The scope of work that can be undertaken by licensed interior designers is defined in Alberta Regulation 174/83, the Interior Design Regulation, and 381/84, the Interior Design Amendment Regulation, under the Architects Act. An extract from the text of this regulation follows: "interior design" means that portion of the practice of architecture that is limited to

(i) giving advice or preparing designs, plans, drawings, detail drawings, specifications or graphic representations respecting (A) interior finishes in a building; (B) fixed or loose furnishings, equipment or fixtures for use in a building; or (C) partitioning in a building that is used to subdivide a floor area;

(ii) the administering of construction contracts, inspection of work and assessment of the performance of work, and the quality of materials related to the work described in subclause (i);

but does not include

(iii) services affecting the structural integrity of a building, including removal of, or alteration to, floor and roof elements;

(iv) services which affect the electrical or mechanical systems of a building; (v) services which alter the construction or location of a building enclosure system; (vi) services which add usable floor space through the addition of mezzanines, infill or

similar elements;

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(vii) services which, through organization or change in occupancy, affect the number, location or size of exits or stairways within or attached to a building or proposed building;

It is clear that interior design work does not include any work on the exterior shell of a building, exits or exit stairways or engineering work. REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGISTS (ENGINEERING) A registered professional technologist (engineering) may engage in the practice of engineering within a specified scope of practice as described in his or her certificate of registration. The authority having jurisdiction can accept documents stamped by an appropriately licensed registered professional technologist (engineering) as having the same validity as those stamped by a professional engineer. In general, the provisions of the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act and General Regulation apply to registered professional technologists (engineering) as if they were professional engineers, within their defined scope of practice. USE OF SEALS/STAMPS When professionals are involved in the design and preparation of drawings and/or specifications for a project, they are required to seal/stamp, sign and date the drawings and/or specifications. A single drawing could require more than one seal/stamp and signature if, for example, it details both architectural and engineering work. The scope of practice of architects, professional engineers, registered professional technologists (engineering) and interior designers is regulated under the Architects Act and the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act. The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta has published a guideline on the use of seals/stamps entitled “Practice Standard for Authenticating Professional Documents v2.0,” published in April 2002. APEGGA's Code of Ethics requires that engineers undertake only work that they are competent to perform by virtue of training and experience. If, during the review of plans sealed/stamped by an engineer, the qualifications of the engineer are thought to be deficient, APEGGA can assist in the determination of the qualifications of the engineer.

RESPONSIBILITIES - SAFETY CODES ACT The Schedules that are required by Section 2.6 of the Alberta Building Code 1997 do not take away from the requirements of the Safety Codes Act in regard to the responsibilities of various parties. The following are excerpts from the Act covering responsibilities: Owners, care and control Safety Codes Act - Section 5 The owner of any thing, process or activity to which this Act applies shall ensure that it meets the requirements of this Act, that the thing is maintained as required by the regulations and that when the process or activity is undertaken it is done in a safe manner. The words this Act are described in Section 1(2) which states:

“In this Act, a reference to “this Act” includes the regulations and bylaws made under this Act and any code, standards, or body of rules declared to be in force pursuant to this Act.”

All requirements of the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code are the responsibility of the Owner to see they are met. An owner is defined to include a lessee, tenant, a person that has care and control of a part or all of the building or the person that has actual title to the building. Design duties Safety Codes Act - Section 6 A person who creates, alters, has care and control of or owns a design or offers a design for use by others shall ensure that the design complies with this Act and that it is submitted for review or registered if required by this Act, and if the design is deregistered, the person shall provide notice of its deregistration in accordance with the regulations. All requirements of the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code are the responsibility of the designer (architects and engineers included) to see the design complies and is submitted for review if required. Manufacturers' duties Safety Codes Act - Section 7 A person who manufactures any thing or undertakes a process or activity to which this Act applies shall ensure that the thing, the process or the activity complies with this Act. With respect to the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code, the responsibility of the manufacturer is to see that their products meet all the requirements. Contractors' duties Safety Codes Act - Section 8 A contractor who undertakes construction, operation or maintenance of or builds or installs any thing to which this Act applies shall ensure that this Act is complied with.

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With respect to the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code, the responsibility of the contractor is to see that their construction/construction activity/installation meets all the requirements. Drawings or contract documents do not void this responsibility, a contractor must notify the owner, designer or manufacturer of potential non-compliance items. Vendors' duties Safety Codes Act - Section 9(1) A person who is a vendor in the ordinary course of business, other than as an employee or an agent, shall not advertise, display or offer for sale, for lease or for other disposal, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, any thing to which this Act applies unless that thing complies with this Act. With respect to the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code, the responsibility of the vendor is to see that products they advertise, offer for sale or lease, sell or lease, or otherwise dispose of meet all the requirements where the use of that product is regulated. Professional services Safety Codes Act - Section 11 A person permitted to affix stamps or seals pursuant to the Architects Act or the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act shall ensure that any professional service he renders to which this Act applies, including the affixing of stamps and seals, complies with this Act. With respect to the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code, the responsibility of the Architect or Engineer is to see their professional services provided meet all the requirements. This is particularly important when dealing with “base buildings” and “tenant improvements”. Refer to the section titled, “CONTINUITY OF PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT” for more info.

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RESPONSIBILITIES – ALBERTA BUILDING CODE 1997 Alberta Building Code 1.2.1.1. Permits 1) A permit is required for construction, alteration, installation, repair, relocation, demolition, or change in occupancy of any work to which this Code applies in accordance with regulations made pursuant to the Safety Codes Act. 3) An owner shall ensure that all permits required in connection with proposed work are obtained before starting the work to which they relate. Under the Alberta Building Code, the owner is responsible to see that all permits are obtained before the work to which they relate is started. The owner can include a lessee, tenant, a person that has care and control of a part or all of a building, or the person that has actual title to the building. Alberta Building Code 1.2.1.4. Required Information (Plans, Specs, etc.)

1) Except as otherwise required by Part 2 every applicant for a permit shall a) identify and describe in detail the project or occupancy to be covered by the

permit for which the application is made, b) describe the land on which the project is to be undertaken by a description that

will readily identify and locate the building lot, c) submit plans, specifications or other documents, showing the proposed occupancy

of all parts of the building, d) state the valuation of the proposed project, and e) state, as applicable, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the owner and

designer. Under the Alberta Building Code, the owner is responsible to see that all information - plans, specifications, Schedules in Part 2, etc. - are provided with the application for a permit. Designers (architects and engineers included) are responsible to see that the appropriate information is on the drawings and in the specifications or documents submitted for which they are responsible. Also refer to STANDATA 97-IB-002 “Information to be Included on Plans or in Specifications.” The authority having jurisdiction should not issue a permit until all the appropriate information has been submitted and processed.

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PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT Alberta Building Code Sentence 2.3.3.1.(3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) describe where professional involvement is or could be required. Schedules are not required in all cases where professionals are required. For example, the pile and grade beam foundation for a single family home would not require that the schedules be completed. Schedules are only required for all buildings that fall under Sentences 2.3.3.1.(3) and (4) of the Alberta Building Code 1997.

A-2.6.1.1.(1) Professional Design and Review. This section applies to buildings referred to in Sentences 2.3.3.1.(3) or (4) (for which the Acts governing the professions require registered professionals to be involved). Though not intended for use with other buildings (those not covered by Sentences 2.3.3.1.(3) and (4)), letters of similar wording to those used in the Schedules could be used to have various elements of the building verified. Under the Alberta Building Code, the owner is responsible to see that professionals are used where they are required by the Code or authority having jurisdiction. SCHEDULES Copies of Schedules are found at the end of Appendix A of the Alberta Building Code 1997. The Schedules are not intended to make new or added responsibilities for architects or engineers. They do, however, commit the owner to engage the appropriate registered professionals to provide design and field review under appropriate terms of reference, with signed and sealed documents. The term “substantially complies” used in the Schedules is intended to be a statement the professional can make based only on periodic construction reviews of the project. It is not intended to be a code conformity assurance, guarantee or warranty since the professional is not on site 100% of the time observing all the construction as it occurs. The term means that during the professional’s periodic construction reviews, he or she has not observed or been made aware of any code violations during those reviews that remain uncorrected. Compliance with the Alberta Building Code, its referenced standards, and the provision of field review are already part of the architects’ and engineers’ professional responsibilities that are specified in their professional acts and related bylaws. The requirement for the Schedules is not intended to eliminate the plan review process and site inspections carried out by the authority having jurisdiction. Schedules may reduce the frequency of inspections required by the authority having jurisdiction that assumes a process monitoring role and not duplication of the professional code construction review process. The third party monitoring provided by the building permit process is a system designed to play an integral part in this overall construction process.

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SCHEDULES – WORDING The following is accepted as meeting the intent of the Alberta Building Code in regard to certain wording used in the Schedules. The use of the words “to ensure” in A-1 (second paragraph) and A-2 (second paragraph) can be changed to “that”. In B-1 (first paragraph) the word “substantially” can be added before the word “comply”. In C-1 and C-2 the word “assurance” can be replaced with “notice” or “statement”. WHY SCHEDULES ARE NEEDED The Schedules are to clearly define the relationship between the owner of the building and the required professionals. They are also needed to show how the various professional disciplines will be coordinated. The coordination relates to both the design and site review of all aspects of the building. The Schedules are also needed to ensure that the proper professional involvement takes place. WHEN MUST THE SCHEDULES BE USED The Schedules are required for all buildings that fall under the scope of Sentences 2.3.3.1.(3) and (4) of the Alberta Building Code 1997. The Schedules are not required in all cases where professionals are involved in the design or construction of a building (see discussion below). SUBMISSION OF SCHEDULES Before the Building Permit is Issued:

The owner (the coordinating registered professional may be performing this function for the owner) is responsible for collecting all Schedules A and B and submitting them to the authority having jurisdiction before beginning construction.

At the Completion of the Project:

Each registered professional of record must submit a completed Schedule C-2 to the coordinating registered professional. The coordinating registered professional is responsible to forward the C-2 schedules to the authority having jurisdiction and to provide Schedule C-1 along with any other reports relating to the project and submit them to the authority having jurisdiction. Permission to occupy is then issued by the authority having jurisdiction.

All items in the Schedules must be completed. It is acceptable to use N/A, crossing-out, or similar for items that are not part of the specific project, a pen with red ink is recommended. The use of N/A, crossing-out, or similar is not acceptable for use where the professional does not

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want to be responsible for coordinating a specific component of a discipline; as all areas on a project must be covered. Schedules for all disciplines are to be signed by either the Registered Professional of Record or the Coordinating Registered Professional. The ABC 1997 assumes that the building is complete and ready for occupancy prior to the “C” Schedules being completed. The Schedules demonstrate that the professionals have completed their responsibilities with respect to the ABC 1997 and the building is safe to occupy. Contract documents and specifications may need to be modified to comply with the Schedule requirements of the Alberta Building Code 1997. ALBERTA BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENT FOR SCHEDULES A-1, A-2, B-1, & B-2 Alberta Building Code 2.6.2.1. Owner 1) Before beginning construction, the owner shall

a) retain a coordinating registered professional to coordinate all design work and field reviews of the registered professionals required for the project in order to ascertain that i) the design will comply with this Code and other regulations made pursuant to the

Safety Codes Act, and ii) the construction of the project will substantially comply with this Code and other

regulations made pursuant to the Safety Codes Act. b) retain registered professionals of record to complete the design work and field review

required for the project, and c) provide the authority having jurisdiction letters in the forms set out in Schedules A-1,

A-2, B-1, and B-2. Under the Alberta Building Code, the owner is responsible to see that Schedules A-1, A-2, B-1 and B-2 are submitted to the authority having jurisdiction before construction begins. The authority having jurisdiction should not issue a permit until these Schedules are received. Alberta Building Code 2.6.3.1. Registered Professional 1) A registered professional who is the coordinating registered professional for the project shall ensure that

a) the design requirements are coordinated, and comply with the requirements of this Code,

b) any corrective actions taken as a result of a field review are recorded and available to the authority having jurisdiction on their request, and

c) provide the authority having jurisdiction a letter in the form set out in Schedule C-1 that the project for which registered professionals were retained substantially complies with this Code.

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The coordinating registered professional is needed to coordinate all the registered professionals of record providing services on the project. The coordinating registered professional does not take responsibility for work that the registered professionals of record are covering. 2) A registered professional who is a registered professional of record to undertake design work and field review shall

a) sign and seal the drawings required in support of the building permit application, b) ensure that drawings comply with the requirements of this Code, c) ensure that field reviews that are necessary to comply with Clause (b) are completed,

and d) provide to the coordinating registered professional a letter in the form set out in

Schedule C-2 that components of the project for which the registered professional is responsible are constructed so as to substantially comply with i) the plans and supporting documents, and ii) the requirements of this Code.

The registered professional of record does not take responsibility for the work of other registered professionals working in the specific discipline that he/she is responsible for, however the registered professional of record is responsible for coordination to make sure all areas are covered (in regard to design and site review). Attachment of qualifying letters to the Schedules explaining the inter-relationship with other professionals in the specific discipline is acceptable. CONTINUITY OF PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT Alberta Building Code 2.6.2.3. Stoppage of Work 1) Where a coordinating registered professional ceases to be retained, work on the project will stop until a replacement is appointed. 2) Where a registered professional of record ceases to be retained, work on that portion of the project for which the registered professional was responsible shall stop until the registered professional is replaced. New schedules for the coordinating registered professional and/or the registered professional of record that have been retained to replace the original professional(s) must be completed and provided to the authority having jurisdiction before work on the project is to recommence. The professional(s) that replace those that were originally involved in the project are responsible to review the work that has been performed by the original professional(s) to ensure that the completed project will met the ABC 1997. APEGGA has issued a guideline on this topic, “GUIDELINE FOR RELYING ON WORK PREPARED BY OTHERS V1.0 – JUNE 2003” (http://www.apegga.com/pdf/Guidelines/32.pdf).

http://www.apegga.com/pdf/Guidelines/32.pdf

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Alberta Building Code 2.6.3.2. Constructor 1) The constructor shall be responsible for the construction safety aspects of the project and when required shall retain a registered professional to design temporary structural members such as formwork, falsework, hoarding and scaffolding. (See Article 4.1.1.3. and Appendix A). The contractor is responsible for construction safety on the work site. This is in addition to the general responsibilities of the contractor in Section 8 of the Act. RESTRICTIONS ON THE AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION Alberta Building Code 2.6.2.2. Authority Having Jurisdiction 1) Before issuing an occupancy permit or giving permission to occupy, the authority having jurisdiction shall receive assurance in the form set out in Schedule C-1 from the coordinating registered professional that the building or portion of the building to be occupied substantially complies with the requirements of this Code. The Authority Having Jurisdiction must receive the C-1 Schedule from the coordinating registered professional prior to issuance of an occupancy certificate. This is to ensure that the professionals have fulfilled their obligations under the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code. TENANT IMPROVEMENTS Tenant improvements were never intended to be a primary focus for the Schedules. Many tenant improvements are simple; do not entail significant construction; involve no structural; mechanical or electrical components; introduce no other public safety concerns such as exiting and accessibility; and (because of their nature and/or small size) may be undertaken without contravention of the professional statutes or the Alberta Building Code. The Authority Having Jurisdiction must be contacted when the requirement for professional involvement is not clear. There are some tenant improvements, however, which do require the Schedules under the Alberta Building Code and which must involve registered professionals. In those cases, while noting that the improvements are limited to a part (not the whole) of a larger building, the current Schedules may be appropriate for this work. The owners are obliged to also retain registered professionals (including a coordinating registered professional) from the outset. Occasionally, the concern is not only with the tenant improvement itself but must also consider whether or not the tenant improvement maintains the integrity of its ‘parent’ building’s code compliance. In that case, a signed and sealed statement should be provided by a registered professional, which gives assurance that the design of the tenant improvement has been reviewed for compatibility with the base building and that, if constructed in accordance with the plans and supporting documents, it is compatible with base building code requirements.

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When a tenant improvement represents a “change in use or occupancy” it may have implications regarding the “parent” building. Tenant improvements that relate to a change in occupancy (classification) would require that professional involvement be provided. The definition of “owner” from the Alberta Building Code 1997 is: Owner means a person who

(a) controls the property under consideration, (b) holds himself out as the person having the powers and authority of ownership or

who for the time being exercises the powers and authority of ownership, (c) is registered under provincial legislation as the owner of a freehold estate in

possession of land, or (d) has purchased or otherwise acquired land, whether he has purchased or otherwise

acquired the land directly from a previous owner or from another purchaser, and has not yet registered his ownership.

Therefore under Clause (a) or (b) a tenant that rents a space from the “owner” of the building can be considered an “owner” for the purposes of the Schedules for the space that the tenant rents. FACSIMILES OF SEALS/STAMPS Facsimiles of stamps and seals are reproduced in this bulletin by permission of the Alberta Association of Architects and the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. The stamps and seals are not full size in this bulletin. The stamps and seals are registered by and issued only by the appropriate association to its members. Signatures are required on stamps and seals as shown in the examples.

STAMPS AND SEALS ISSUED BY ALBERTA ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS 1. Personal Seal of Registered Architect

- can stand alone

2. Stamp of Architects Corporation

- must be accompanied by personal seal

3. Stamp of Visiting Project Architect

- must be accompanied by personal seal - good for only one project

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4. Stamp of Restricted Practitioner - allows professional engineers to undertake architectural work in restricted categories - certificate defining permitted extent of practice must accompany the plans - must be accompanied by personal seal with date of sealing - if appropriate must be accompanied by permit stamp (see item 3 under APEGGA

stamp).

A facsimile of a certificate is shown below. The certificate in this case permits a professional engineer to practice a limited scope of architecture. The limits of the practice are given on the certificate for a building permit. A similar certificate would have been issued by the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists to an Architect who was allowed a restricted practice of engineering.

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5. Personal Seal of Licensed Interior Designer - can stand alone

6. Stamp of Licensed Interior Design Corporation

- must be accompanied by personal seal

7. Stamp of a Visiting Project Interior Designer

- can stand alone - issued for a single project

*** or a collaborating licensed interior designer.

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STAMPS AND SEALS/STAMPS ISSUED BY ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, GEOLOGISTS AND GEOPHYSICISTS OF ALBERTA

- all require date of application of seal to be shown 1. Personal Seal of Professional Engineer

- can stand alone only if the drawings were prepared by an unincorporated sole practitioner

2. Personal Seal of Licensee

- can stand alone only if the drawings were prepared by an unincorporated sole practitioner

3. Personal Stamp of Registered Professional Technologist (Engineering)

- can stand alone only if the drawings were prepared by an unincorporated practitioner

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4. Permit Number - required if the plans were prepared by a partnership, corporation or firm and must be

accompanied by personal seal(s).

5. Restricted Practitioner Stamp

- allows architects to undertake engineering work in restricted categories - certificate defining permitted extent of practice must accompany the plans - certificate of authorization is similar to that shown under Architects' seals/stamps on page

ADDRESSES OF ASSOCIATIONS If an owner wishes to know how to retain the services of a registered architect, a licensed interior designer or professional engineer, or if a building inspector has questions relating to seals/stamps on a set of documents the following organizations may be consulted.

The Alberta Association of Architects 10515 Saskatchewan Drive Edmonton, AB T6E 4S1 Phone: (780) 432-0224 Fax: (780) 439-1431

The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta 15th Floor Scotia Place, Tower 1 10060 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 4A2 Phone: (780) 426-3990 Fax: (780) 426-1877

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