The Ottawa Congress Centre (OCC) is being extensively redeveloped and renovated to become a new 192,000 ft², four-storey facility with two levels of underground parking. The renovated facility will be directly linked to the Viking Rideau Centre (VRC) and the Westin Hotel Ottawa. It will contain 28 meeting rooms, a 56,000 ft² multipurpose/exhibition hall, a 21,300 ft² ballroom, office spaces, service spaces, and shipping/receiving areas. The building will be fully accessible and will be built to LEED Silver certification standards.

SLM is working with PCL Constructors Canada Inc., in coordination with Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects in reviewing designs to ensure that the facility conforms to the 2006 Ontario Building Code (OBC). SLM provides ongoing support to the Client along with attending client/design team meetings in Ottawa. Our reports convey the manner in which the requirements of the Building Code will be applied to the design of the new OCC. In keeping with the architect's vision, we have provided complete analysis of the various components of the building, developed many computer simulations to determine effectiveness of proposed life safety systems and have proposed various alternative solutions where the literal application of building code requirements was not viable. Additional information on our computer simulations for this project can be found under Fire Protection/Fire Engineering.

Photo ©William P. McElligott/bbb architects.

The K-Rock Centre has been constructed in the downtown Kingston inner harbour area. This new building is a signature sports and entertainment facility with the capacity to accommodate 6,800 people; for major events such as hockey games, figure skating competitions, theatrical and trade shows, as well as concerts and conferences. The facility has a footprint of 6,360m² and has three major above-grade levels, plus a mezzanine level.

During our review of the design drawings, SLM provided the K-Rock Centre with recommendations for compliance with the 2006 Ontario Building Code and 2007 Ontario Fire Code. This project dealt with fire and life safety for large number of people in an assembly occupancy capable of being used for sporting events as well as concerts or trade shows. SLM utilized experience and knowledge of applying fire-protected assembly seating concepts of NFPA101 the Life Safety Code, which offers greater efficiencies and enhanced pedestrian safety compared to OBC. The application of NFPA101 egress provision enabled more efficient design of means of egress compared to conventional OBC measures-particularly greater travel distance and more efficient exit usage. In addition, SLM was contracted by the City of Kingston to complete the Fire Safety Plan. The Fire Safety Plan was developed to provide occupant safety in the event of fire, to provide effective utilization of the fire safety features and resources of the building, and to minimize the possibility of fires. SLM worked with Ellis Don and Kingston Fire & Rescue to ensure the K-Rock Centre passed inspection for their February 22, 2008 Grand Opening. This project received LEED Silver designation.

Photo provided by BBB Architects.