Sereca Larden Muniak Consulting Inc. (SLM) is working with Bregman + Hamann Architects on the Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ontario. This new, one of a kind, two storey facility allows complete barrier free access to persons with varying degrees of ability in the nation’s largest municipal sports complex.

The Abilities Centre far exceeded required code compliance in realizing the increased demand of a functional and fire safe environment for individuals with disabilities. SLM completed a comprehensive Building Code Compliance report using both the American and Canadian accessibility guidelines. Adhering to the most restrictive principles, SLM completed a comparison analysis between the ADA, AODA, and OBC to ensure the highest level of compliance was attained.

Photo provided by B+H Architects.

Designed in association with Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, the new Community Centre and Library facility is the result of a partnership between the City of London, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario and the London Public Library. The London Community Centre & Library will be a two-storey building containing: a library, gym, multi-purpose room, fitness centre, running track, aquatic centre, offices, lockers & change rooms, child care space and lounges.

SLM is currently working with the design drawings provided by Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners to complete a building code compliance report. Our report will summarize the major aspects of the 2006 Ontario Building Code (OBC) Part 3 that apply to the project to describe how the project conforms to Code intent. Our report will assist the owner and project consultants in achieving a Code-conforming design, and to serve as an aide for review of the project by officials of the City of London.

Photo provided by Shore Tilbe Perkins+Will.

The Edmonton Southwest Arena Complex is Alberta's first 4-Pad Arena Complex being built at the Southwest Community Recreation Centre. The Arena Complex will contain four NHL size ice rinks connected by a concourse running along the south side. One rink will provide tiered seating for over 700 persons. The arenas will house 20 dressing rooms, 8 referee rooms, 3 tournament rooms, and 3 multi-purpose rooms. It is intended that the Recreation Centre and the Arena Complex portions will be integrated as a single building under the Building Code. This avoids the necessity of firewalls between the components.

SLM is responsible for identification and review of all aspects of building code compliance for the project in accordance with the requirements of the Alberta Building Code. The facility is currently on track to obtain a Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) Silver Certification level. SLM's involvement enabled the client’s design to be incorporated and accepted by the AJH on the basis of variances and alternative solutions to the Alberta Building Code. An alternative solution to the code involving a timed exit analysis approach was required in order to achieve the desired design parameters and meet the intent of the building code. Our timed exit analysis enabled travel distance to be extended and reduced the number of code required exit stairs. SLM also completed the variance and occupancy analysis which supported the desired design and avoided the integration of fire walls into the project.

Photo provided by BBB Architects.

The new state-of-the-art facility has four ice pads — three NHL-size pads and one Olympic-size pad. The facility is designed as an enclosed, two storey arena building that will be used for the purposes of viewing various ice sport events. Within the building will be one Olympic-sized Arena, capable of seating 4000 persons, and three additional arenas.

SLM provided building code consulting services for the project which documented the manner in which life safety will be maintained and provided a clear understanding to all parties involved in the design stages involving construction requirements, exit capacity and occupant loads, and time-based exit analysis. Our analysis was also intended to assist code and life safety enforcement authorities in their review of the project.

Photo provided by Stafford-Haensli Architects Inc.