CSC/DCC Conference 2004 Report


By Nick Franjic, CAE	(Above) CSC 2003/2004 President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, (centre with scissors) cuts the ribbon to officially kick-off CSC’s 50th anniversary conference. Joining Ubaldino for the festivities were some of the association’s past-presidents.
Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) celebrated its 50th anniversary with style and panache in the city where it all began. Hundreds of delegates along with many companions gathered in Toronto over four days in May (26–30) to for networking opportunities, and to take in educational sessions, exhibitor booths, social activities and keynote addresses. During the opening ceremony Wednesday night, CSC President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, and 17 past-presidents were led into the facility to the tune of bagpipes. This not only kicked off Conference 2004, it heralded the celebration of 50 years of serving the construction industry. Along with Ubaldino, Robert Briggs, FCSC (CSC president 1958/1959) shared some memories with those assembled. Friday’s Fun Night lived up to its name, as registrants and their companions made their way a short distance to the CBC’s Toronto headquarters. There, with food and beverage, they enjoyed an entertaining evening beginning with a Chinese dragon dance and Japanese drum performances, and ending with comedy sketches by the Second City comedy troupe. The President’s Ball Saturday evening was a grand event, opening with a head table procession led by a bagpiper. Also attending the event were representatives from CSC’s friends to the south, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). President Edith S. Washington, FCSI, CCS, congratulated CSC and presented the association with a commemorative gift. Karl F. Borgstrom, Ph.D., CSI’s executive director, was also on hand for the occasion. The evening was capped with music and dancing, led by Juno-award winning jazz singer, Liberty Silver.
	CSC Conference 2004 Organizing Committee members Roger Ali, John Dyk, Bruce Gillham, Mike Hicks, Steve Leblanc, David Pickney, Nancy Wiskel, David Wilson, and Chair Don Shortreed, each received an award from CSC President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, for their efforts in putting together an outstanding conference.

Knowledge Transfer Dozens of professionals came to the Toronto Eaton Marriott to talk about MasterFormat™ 2004 Edition, the oft-misunderstood air barrier, electromechanical locking systems, new CSA masonry standards, differential durability, sustainability and so much more. Mark S. Brook of Brook Van Dalen & Associates Ltd. presented a seminar on glass and metal curtain wall specification issues, which persist despite the fact such systems have been in use for decades. Breaking his presentation down into four components, he addressed issues of thermal/high performance; PER (pressure-equalized rainscreen) performance; test procedures/parameters and; slab edge firestopping. One of the main practices Brook hopes to halt is specifications incorporating both performance and prescriptive requirements. Madeline McBride, P.Eng., of the Canadian Codes Centre (CCC), Institute for Research in Construction (IRC), explained the evolution of building codes in Canada. Interestingly, Canada is the only country allowing public code reviews. She explained all the problems with harmonizing a national code against a backdrop of provincial/territorial (not to mention international) interpretations, which is why CCC is working toward a ‘core code’ concept. CCC plans on making the national model codes so good, provinces and territories will not feel inclined to change them. McBride told listeners the new model codes are objective based; meaning, they no longer rely on performance or prescriptive requirements, but rather explain what the proper outcome of any given situation should be. Objective-based codes, said McBride, answer the question: “What is as good as... ?” Ted Kesik of the University of Toronto presented some thought-provoking information on the issue of green design and sustainability. His presentation explained the problem of ‘differential durability’—that is, integrated building components going out of service at different times, which leads to waste and unnecessary work. For example, Kesik argued, what is the use of a roofing membrane warranted for 20 years when the waterproofing below only lasts 15? He added it is best to aim for ‘harmonized durability,’ which entails specifying products and systems that live out their life cycles simultaneously. Otherwise, the differential durability factors will lead to one of three conclusions: 1) superfluous upkeep; 2) deferral of upkeep and; 3) prematurely expended upkeep. Kesik considers a material durable when its service life is fairly comparable to the time required for the environment to absorb its related impacts. Greg Hildebrand, a building science specialist, spoke on CAN/CSA A 440—Canada’s window and door installation standard—and pointed out its various nuances and flaws with regard to windows, which are slowly being fixed. The main problem, he said, is there is no definitive way of telling whether a window manufactured in Canada actually passes A 440’s criteria. In fact, all test numbers achieved for a given product’s rating are not reproducible in the field, so one should never rely heavily on test results. Hildebrand chairs the A 440 committee and says efforts between the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) on the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) will address issues of durability in these products. Dr. John Straube of the University of Waterloo shone some light on the confusion over vapour and air barriers, and explained their differences. Over 100 years ago, buildings were still being built without vapour/air barriers of any kind, yet they last to this day. Why, then, do we need them now? he asked. Basically, walls used to be uninsulated, and any moisture in the air had plenty of room to float around in walls, where it condensed and evaporated as it saw fit, Straube explained. As insulation made its way into construction, moisture tended to get trapped and condense in unwanted areas, hence the birth of the vapour barrier. However, even now, vapour/air barriers are not necessarily required in every type of construction, he said. Straube challenged attendees to employ sound building science before specifying any product/system, especially air/vapour barriers. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED) was a hot topic of discussion. Mark Mitchell along with Martin Slater pointed out Canada will never meet the Kyoto Protocol because “all we do is tweak current practices when we should be reinventing our approach to design.” The president of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), Alex Zimmerman, explained some of the differences between the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) rating system and the one being created for Canada. For example, unlike LEED across the border, Canada’s version will include one credit for durability.
Luncheon Speaker and Keynote Address Dick Pound delivered an entertaining yet informative talk on the construction business and planning spectrum of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). One of the main myths he attempted to dispel where the Olympics are concerned is that host cities always lose money. The IOC wants nothing of the kind to happen to host cities, as they want everyone to benefit from the experience, Pound argued, adding, some cities are perceived to have lost money because of financial miscommunications. For example, whenever a host city makes infrastructure improvements it should have made anyway, it often adds those costs to the final balance sheet of the Games, he explained. Pound did admit some cities built things for the Games they never should have, as the structures became useless when the Games were over. He said Albertville in France had the right idea—a number of the structures they built were made to be disassembled and removed upon completion. This way, residents were not left with a structure for which they had no use. Still, to help keep host cities from falling into the “bigger means better” trap, Pound noted, the IOC now publishes specifications showing host cities exactly what is required—no more, no less. They also have consultations with them to ensure they are on the right track. Raymond Moriyama, one of Canada’s most respected architects, delivered Conference 2004’s keynote address. He has worked on a number of noted projects, including: the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Ontario Science Centre, Bata Shoe Museum, Saudi Arabian National Museum and the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Using two international projects—the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and the Saudi Arabian National Museum—Moriyama explained the benefits of design-build (international in scope) and its positive impact on the Canadian economy... all while showcasing Canadian talent in art, engineering and design.	Dick Pound, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Chair, Olympic Games Study Commission, offered delegates some insight into the business of the Olympics, while at the same time, giving his own unique commentary on the construction state of the upcoming Games in Greece. Raymond Moriyama, one of Canada’s most respected architects, delivered the keynote address at Conference 2004. Moriyama extolled the virtues of design build relative to the international building scene and its positive impact on the Canadian economy.

CSC Supporters Sponsorship is important for any association, and CSC is fortunate to have so many generous sponsors with whom they share great friendships. Conference 2004 saw the return of many supporters : • Dow Chemical Canada sponsored Thursday’s luncheon speaker, Dick Pound. • CGC sponsored Fun Night. • McGraw-Hill Construction sponsored the President’s Ball and Reception, while Dow Chemical Canada provided the traditional Specialty Coffees. Meanwhile, Connections Café afforded attendees, exhibitors and sponsors a great opportunity for networking and learning about cutting-edge products for the built environment.
Recognizing great people Life Membership Award CSC’s Life Membership Award is the highest award the association can bestow upon an individual member, and recognizes their service to the association. Qualifications for this award include: long-term membership; actively advancing the association’s goals and; retiring from active business in the industry. Two recipients were awarded Life Membership this year: Ian Bartlett, FCSC, RSW, MAATO, and Yvan Hardy, P.Eng., FDCC, MOIQ, LMASCE, PMCSI
	CSC President Sandro Ublandino, RSW, (left) presents Ian Bartlett, FCSC, RSW, MAATO, with the association’s highest honour—the Life Membership Award.
Ian Bartlett joined the Specification Writers Association of Canada (SWAC) in January 1968, accumulating 36 years of continuous membership and volunteerism. He became a Registered Specification Writer (RSW) in 1982, and has served the association at both chapter and national levels in almost every way possible. He has represented CSC at numerous North American and international meetings, including those between CSC and CSI’s technical and other committees. For the last two years, Bartlett has found himself back on the board of directors as registrar, and back on the Ottawa Chapter’s executive committee as nominations and awards officer. His encouragement of people in the construction industry over the years has influenced members, not only in Ottawa, but in chapters across the country. During 1990/1991, Bartlett served as CSC’s president after the obligatory four as a vice-president. After serving another year as past-president, he was inducted into CSC’s College of Fellows.
Yvan Hardy, P.Eng., FDCC, MOIQ, LMASCE, PMCSI, receives the Life Membership Award from CSC President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW. A 39-year member of CSC, Hardy has been one of the association’s pillars in Montreal, introducing bilingualism to CSC and other construction associations
The documentation received by the executive council in support of Yvan Hardy’s nomination for Life Membership comprised about 100-plus pages—mostly double sided—expounding highlights from Hardy’s 39 years of CSC membership. Hardy continues to be one of the association’s pillars in Montréal, introducing bilingualism to this and other construction-related organizations. He joined SWAC in 1965 and held numerous positions on the chapter executive. He was active in the restructuring of the association, much of which is reflected in the way CSC operates today. He is also active in the College of Fellows (of which he has been a member since it was created in 1973), having held the position of registrar eight times, dean six times and chancellor on three occasions. He is one of the CSFoundation’s founders, serving as a trustee since its creation in 1974. With relentless and unselfish contributions to the Montréal Chapter over the last 39 years, Hardy is the definition of a true volunteer. Though retired, he continues to pay full membership dues. His volunteer efforts do not begin or end at CSC; he has been a member of CSI since 1959, and in 1964 he received a CSI Engineering Specification Award for his bilingual tendering document.
College of Fellows CSC’s College of Fellows inducted two new members into its ranks at the President’s Ball: Immediate Past-President Mary J. Friesen, RSW, and Keith Robinson, RSW, CCS. The board of directors inaugurated the college in 1967 to officially recognize members who have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing the association, and includes the expectation of continued contributions to both industry and the association. Friesen joined CSC in 1989 through the Winnipeg Chapter, whose executive committee immediately realized her enthusiasm and skills would be a valuable asset. She went on to hold various offices on the executive, and has received the Program Director’s Award for Membership, Chapter Development/Communications in 1997, and the Chapter Award of Merit in 1996 and 2002. Her accomplishments grew in number when, in 1999, she was elected 4th vice-president. Under Friesen’s leadership as president several years later, several CSC initiatives came to fruition: the re-energizing of the CSC Tek•Aid program; the development of new CSC Vision and Mission statements; the formation of an alliance with CSC and Digicon; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) through the National Master Specification Secretariat (NMSS).
	CSC Immediate Past-President Mary Friesen, RSW, (left) was one of two new members to be inducted into the CSC College of Fellows by Chancellor Larry Stutt (right). Keith Robinson, RSW, CCS, (centre) was the other member to join this elite group of CSC members who have made outstanding contributions to enhancing the association.
Ms. Friesen continued with CSC activities as Immediate Past-President, a member of the Winnipeg Chapter 2006 Conference Committee and a valued instructor with the chapter’s education programs. Keith Robinson has been an active member of CSC since 1984, and has held a number of offices and appointments at both the chapter and national levels in various positions and capacities. He continues to lend expertise on a wide variety of subjects relating to the ongoing development of construction documents and technical initiatives in support of those efforts. He is also the recipient of a number of chapter and national awards from the association in recognition of his long-standing volunteer efforts on a variety of technical fronts. Robinson has spearheaded the ongoing process of registering specification writers through CSC, and has streamlined and updated the process of registration through his efforts. He continues to provide the association with technical support when called upon.
President’s Award As one of his last duties as CSC president, Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, presented the President’s Award to two individuals: Don Shortreed, FCSC, RSW, and Fred Clarke, FCSC. The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of CSC’s president for meritorious effort and achievement on the part of an individual or group. Ubaldino thanked Shortreed and Clarke for their commitment and dedication to CSC, for their guidance and support over the years and helping him execute his duties as president.
National Award of Merit This award is presented to individuals to recognize their contributions of time, zeal and effort surpassing the normal expectations of a CSC member or officer. This year’s recipient, Lori Brooks, was recognized for her efforts and dedication to the CSC History Committee.
	Lori Brooks received a National Award of Merit Award from CSC President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, for her dedication to the CSC History Committee, and in particular her efforts in helping produce the forthcoming CSC history book.
John Jensen, FCSC, one of CSC’s own historians, was also presented with a National Award of Merit for his work on the executive council and the CSC History Committee. Equally deserving of recognition was Tosh Sakamoto. A winner of the Eureka Top sponsor award on numerous occasions, he has been instrumental in the continued success of the Toronto Chapter’s No Frills trade show for most of its 28-year history. For their work on the Toronto Chapter’s No Frills trade show committee, Roger Ali, CTR, John Dyk, Bob Mercer, Paul Shupe, CTR, Russell Snow, CTR, and Larry Stutt, FCSC, CTR, also received a National Award of Merit.
Lloyd Boddy Chapter of the Year Award This award recognizes a chapter’s outstanding achievements toward meeting CSC’s objectives. The president, past-president, and executive director conduct a 10-point evaluation of chapter activity to come up with the winner.
	CSC Executive Director Nick Franjic, CAE, presents Winnipeg Chapter Director Corrine Golding, RSW, with the Lloyd Boddy Chapter of the Year Award in recognition of her chapter’s outstanding achievements toward meeting CSC objectives.
With seven per cent growth in membership, it was evident this year’s winning chapter’s promotion of CSC membership was paying off. They target specific related associations for each chapter meeting, depending on the topic of the technical presentation. They also offer an annual scholarship at a local college and continue to hold their annual Connections Café/Infonet. This chapter was extremely well represented at Conference 2003 in Regina. The 2003/2004 Lloyd Boddy Chapter of the Year was awarded to the Winnipeg Chapter.
F. Ross Browne Award In memory of the late F. Ross Browne, FCSC, Kenilworth Publishing Inc. presented an award for the best-written article in Construction Canada from 2003. With so many quality features to choose from over the last six issues, the Editorial Advisory Committee (EAC) had its hands full, but ultimately agreed to bestow the honour upon Yves Bradet for his article “Taking the Heat Off: Recommended Roofing Installation Practices,” from the May 2003 issue.
Thanks, and see you in Edmonton Under the leadership of CSC Conference 2004 Chair Don Shortreed, the conference committee delivered on every level, including technical, companion and social programs. The committee comprised Roger Ali, John Dyk, Bruce Gillham, Mike Hicks, Steve Leblanc, David Pickney, Nancy Wiskel, David Wilson and Scott Wylie. Thanks also to Jean Shortreed, Patrice Steele and Jocelyn Ubaldino for their work in ensuring registrants’ companions had a great time. While the local committee was hard at work, so were Clafton Fiola and Brad Nobel of the association office. A special thanks to them. The CSC Toronto Chapter also deserves a special thanks for their generous financial contribution and support of Conference 2004. See you at Conference 2005 in Edmonton, May 2005. Watch for details at www.conference2005.ca.
	CSC President Sandro Ubaldino, RSW, (centre) and CSC Executive Director Nick Franjic, CAE, (left) accept a gift from their colleagues to the south, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), commemorating 50 years of excellence. On hand to make the presentation were CSI President Edith Washington, FCSI, CCS, and Executive Director Karl Borgstrom, Ph.D.