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High Security Facilities
High Security facilities by governmental or institutional clients, often involve extensive negotiations with building officials
and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) to minimize hazards to persons or property while still maintaining a secured environment.
These assembly type buildings can include psychiatric wards, prisoner cells and other types of contained use areas and impeded egress
zones. These areas present unique challenges in satisfying project objectives and regulatory requirements.
Sereca Larden Muniak Consulting Inc.'s (SLM) role requires the identification of building codes that affect schematic and detailed design
stages, providing advice respecting code and fire and life safety matters, negotiating with enforcement authorities, and preparing
reports which summarize conformance requirements.
Our experience gives us a thorough understanding of circulation patterns, operational needs, security requirements and design
features. This enables us to develop economical and feasible fire and life safety solutions for any project, while still maintaining
the vision of the client.
Some of our recent high security projects include Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) New Data Centre
(Guelph, ON), New Edmonton Remand Centre (Edmonton, AB),
Ontario Provincial Police Modernization (Various, ON), Queen's Bench Regina Courthouse (Regina, SK),
Saskatchewan Provincial Courthouse (Regina, SK), Toronto Police Stations-11 and 14 Divisions (Toronto, ON), and
York Regional Police No.2 Headquarters (Richmond Hill, ON).
| Project: |
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) New Data Centre: Guelph, Ontario |
| Project Size: |
18,125 m² |
| Client: |
Adamson Associates Architects |
| Cost: |
$650 million |
| Completed: |
2010 |
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The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) New Data Centre is a new government data storage building located on Southgate Drive, in the City of Guelph. This sophisticated mechanical and
electrical building is the first of its kind in Canada and will host business systems to improve overall data quality
services in the Province of Ontario. The project is created to support the present and future information system
needs for the government to implement its e-government strategy. The MGCS New Data Centre building is two storeys in
building height with one basement level and has a building area (per OBC definition) of approximately 18,125 m², the
second floor has an area of approximately 2,555 m².
SLM reviewed project design drawings and prepared comprehensive reports for this project. We provided an overview and
summarize the major aspects of Part 3 of Division B of the 2006 Ontario Building Code (OBC) that apply to the project
and to describe how the project conforms to Code intent. Our reports assisted the owner and project consultants in
achieving a Code-conforming design; with the final report serving as an aide for review the project by Authorities
Having Jurisdiction. We participated in many client meetings and completed a large number of site inspections/visits
over the duration of the project.
Expand/Contract
The convoluted shape/geometry of the facility was very complex. SLM worked closely with both the architects and
the contractor, PCL Constructors Canada, throughout the design and construction of the facility. We faced many
challenges and surprises along the way. We participated in weekly site meetings and walkthroughs of the building
and identified and solved issues based on the building code and client requirements. We helped both the
contractor and the architects to complete the project on time without incurring any penalties/costs. High security
facilities require fire ratings to protect equipment and also require back up systems to ensure the facility will
never shut down.
During our reviews, we identified potential code non-compliant items that we were able to resolve through
recommendations and additional information acquired by the Client. We also considered the different security
clearances within the different sectors of the building. SLM provided an Integrity of Fire Separation Audit of
the facility and provided detailed reports, building inspection site audits, and site observation reports
documenting our findings. Because of the intricate architecture of the building thermal imaging was completed to
ensure the building envelope and fire resistance ratings set were adhered to. We also completed a time-based exit
analysis of the entire facility to determine the length of time required for the safe evacuation of the occupants.
LMCI also completed several engineering judgment reviews during the entire design/build process.
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Photo ©LMCI, 2010. |
| Project: |
New Edmonton Remand Centre: Edmonton, Alberta |
| Project Size: |
609,000 sq. ft. |
| Client: |
O'Neill O'Neill Procinsky Architects |
| Cost: |
$490 million |
| Completed: |
Ongoing |
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As one of Canada's biggest infrastructure projects, Edmonton's new remand centre is being built in the city's north
end next to the Edmonton Young Offender Centre at 127 Street and 186 Avenue. The new facility will replace the
27-year-old Edmonton Remand Centre located in downtown Edmonton. The selected site is 16-hectares or about the
size of 20 CFL football fields. The new remand centre will look like a modern low-rise office building and is
pursuing LEED silver designation.
SLM is currently working with intermediate drawings for the New Edmonton Remand Centre to ensure compliance with
the 2006 Alberta Building Code. The building will be 2-storeys in building height, with the ability to house 2,000
inmates and an additional 800 after future additions. The unique design of using eight pods connected by a spine
corridor allows for a Direct Supervision Approach, where the correctional officer will not be separated by physical
barriers. Many new correctional facilities are following this approach to allow for more control and respect with
the inmates.
Photo provided by ONPA Architects. |
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