Innovation March-April 2023

D I S C I P L I N E A N D E N F O R C E M E N T

DISCIPLINE NOTICE: THEODORE (TED) SORENSEN

In a December 31, 2022, Consent Order, Theodore Sorensen admitted that his structural engineering work related to the design of the core and seismic elements of an 11-storey residential building demonstrated incompetence and unprofessional conduct. Mr. Sorensen’s registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC is cancelled. On December 31, 2022, Mr. Sorensen agreed to a Consent Order cancelling his registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Mr. Sorensen is not permitted to practise engineering in BC or use the title “Engineer” or “Professional Engineer” (P.Eng.). The discipline proceeding against Mr. Sorensen arose following an investigation into the structural engineering services provided by the Engineer of Record, Mr. Brian McClure, for the RidgeView residential building, formerly known as Danbrook One (the Project). Mr. McClure’s registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC was cancelled in May 2022, after he agreed to a Consent Order in which he admitted he demonstrated unprofessional conduct and incompetence in relation to his engineering work on the Project. Mr. Sorensen was the registered professional responsible for the structural design of the Project’s core and seismic elements. In a December 8, 2022, Consent Order, Richard Brimmell admitted that he demonstrated unprofessional conduct relating to the design and geotechnical services he provided for boulder retaining walls in a residential subdivision located in Langford, BC. Mr. Brimmell’s registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC is cancelled.

On June 30, 2022, following the completion of the investigation into Mr. Sorenson’s work on the Project, Engineers and Geoscientists BC issued a Citation to Mr. Sorensen. Instead of proceeding to a disciplinary hearing, Mr. Sorensen admitted to the allegations in the Citation and agreed to the Consent Order. In the Consent Order, Mr. Sorensen admitted that aspects of the structural design of the Project’s core and seismic elements failed to comply with the 2012 British Columbia Building Code. Mr. Sorensen agreed that the existence of the significant defects identified in the structural design drawings demonstrated incompetence and unprofessional conduct contrary to the Engineers and Geoscientists Act . In the Consent Order, Mr. Sorensen admitted that he failed to: • undertake an adequate design process to prepare the Project’s core and seismic design; • consider or design certain structural seismic elements located outside of the Project’s core and integrate the Project’s core and seismic design with the overall structural design completed by Mr. McClure; • sufficiently review or integrate his design with the Project’s architectural design with respect to the core Mr. Brimmell paid $5,000 toward the legal costs of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. On December 8, 2022, Mr. Brimmell agreed to a Consent Order cancelling his registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. In 2018, Mr. Brimmell provided geotechnical engineering services for boulder retaining walls in a residential subdivision located in

header depth and the minimum clear height required between floors; • perform regular documented checks of his own engineering work with respect to the Project’s

seismic and core design; and • manually check the work he performed for the Project.

Mr. Sorensen agreed to pay a fine in the amount of $25,000 (the maximum available under the prior Engineers and Geoscientists Act ) and an additional $25,000 toward the legal costs of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Mr. Sorensen is prohibited from re applying for registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC for a period of 18 months. If Mr. Sorensen re-applies for reinstatement of his registration, in addition to complying with the requirements set out in the Bylaws and any requirements mandated by the Credentials Committee, he must complete several requirements, including, but not limited to, the Professional Practice Examination, the Professional Engineering and Geoscience in BC Online Seminar, and continuing education in structural engineering. If Mr. Sorensen’s registration is reinstated with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, his work related to structural engineering must be peer reviewed for a minimum period of six months or six projects, whichever comes later. Langford, BC (the Project). Mr. Brimmell failed to conduct a thorough analysis of the Project and instead, relied on his experience and “rule of thumb”, despite the Project being noted as a challenging and complex site. Mr. Brimmell also failed to conduct a global stability analysis for the stacked rock wall and did not appreciate the site risk of the Project. C ontinues on page 37...

DISCIPLINE NOTICE: RICHARD C. BRIMMELL

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