Innovation - Spring 2024

Professional practice inquiries

What are the key changes in the revised practice advisory Issued for Building Permits Documents?

The practice advisory Issued for Building Permit Documents was revised in December 2023 to address changes to the Letters of Assurance (LOA) in the BC Building Code 2024 (BCBC) , which introduces the requirement for confirmation of independent review of structural designs in the LOA. The practice advisory was originally published in 2020 to inform registrants of the standard of practice regarding the completeness of authenticated plans and supporting documents from an Engineer of Record (EOR) for building permit applications. The original advisory was published based on results of a disciplinary decision issued to an engineering professional who demonstrated unprofessional conduct by submitting materially incomplete structural plans to “get into the queue” for a building permit application, thereby exposing multiple parties to various risks. The revised practice advisory sets the standard of practice for an EOR submitting engineering plans to an Authority Having Jurisdiction, and outlines the expectation for completeness of engineering plans submitted for permitting purposes. Complete plans require that an independent review of structural designs be conducted, which has been an in-force, quality-management requirement of Engineers and Geoscientists BC since 1992. In addition to completeness and complying with applicable BC building codes, engineering plans must contain sufficient detail to enable designs to be checked by another engineering professional, and must be appropriately checked and have undergone

an independent review as outlined in the quality management guide called Guide to the Standard for Documented Independent Review of Structural Designs . Through complaints, investigations, and discipline cases, Engineers and Geoscientists BC became aware that some independent reviews of structural designs were not being conducted, or not conducted at the appropriate time. When feedback was provided by the independent reviewer, it was either inadequate or had not been appropriately addressed by the EOR. As a result, at the recommendation of Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the Architectural Institute of BC, line 2.5 (Independent review of structural designs) was added to the BCBC 2024 LOA. LOAs are legal accountability documents signed by individual coordinating registered professionals and registered professionals of record that are required under the BCBC and are intended to identify the responsibilities of key participants in building projects. Having the independent review completed before the plans are submitted for a building permit application is expected to decrease the likelihood of permitting delays due to errors or omissions in the plans. Introducing the requirement for confirmation of independent review of structural designs in LOAs is one step towards increasing the safety of structural building design in BC.

For related professional practice inquiries, please contact practiceadvisor@egbc.ca . Kendra Zammit, MSc., P.Geo. Practice Advisor

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Innovation Spring 2024

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