New Mississauga Hospital will become Canada’s largest

A full replacement of the new Mississauga Hospital from Trillium Health Partners (THP) will rise 24 storeys and 2.8 million square feet to become the largest hospital in Canada.

Stantec was selected to provide planning, design, and conformance services for the project, which will offer a new kind of healthcare for a growing and diverse community in the Greater Toronto Area city.

The new, more flexible hospital will nearly triple THP’s care capacity and respond to future healthcare challenges, feature modern hospital facilities and technology, and reflect the latest standards in infection prevention and control.

It will continue to deliver highly specialized care through regional programs, such as the regional centre for advanced cardiac surgery and neurosurgery services among others.

To meet the needs of the growing Mississauga community, the replacement facility will offer more than 950 beds. The number of operating rooms will increase to 23, up from the current 14.

Mississauga Hospital South View.

THP’s emergency department, one of the busiest in Canada, will significantly expand to improve patient experience and reduce wait times. Also housed in the new hospital will be advanced diagnostic imaging facilities and a new pharmacy and clinical laboratory.

“Critical health infrastructure, like Trillium Health Partners’ Mississauga site, are essential to advance quality healthcare in Ontario and keep our diverse communities healthy,” said Suzanne Crysdale, principal for Stantec. “We are exceptionally proud to design a place which enhances community cohesion and where patients feel welcomed, safe, and comforted while receiving advanced care.”

Stantec’s work for THP includes two of several major healthcare projects the firm has designed in Ontario in recent years, including Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital’s new 1.2 million-square-foot facility, Cambridge Memorial Hospital’s new patient care wing, Brockville General Hospital’s Phase 2 Complex Continuing Care, Mental Health, and Rehabilitation project, and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Phase 1C Redevelopment.

Greening your washroom for the good of the planet

March 21, 2022, is International Day of Forests, which encourages everyone to engage in sustainable activities that help the health of forests.

While that is just one day, its core message is one that should be recognized every day of the year.

Sustainability and environmental consciousness have become key objectives and performance indicators for companies in all industries in recent years, and that is certainly no different for facility management.

There are numerous ways to reduce a facility’s negative impact on the environment, and focusing on washrooms is one of them. Whether it’s limiting water use, reducing wasted resources, or focusing on increased use of recyclable products,

“Forests are a vital aspect of our ecosystem and must be protected,” said Fabio Vitali, Vice President of Marketing at Sofidel, a global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use. “By following best practices for sustainable cleaning and using restroom products that limit waste, organizations can help limit their impact on the environment.”

Sofidel is just one of a number of cleaning product suppliers that are leading the way in sustainability. Recently, it was recognized in the Leadership band of the CDP Supplier Engagement Rating Report 2021 for its supplier engagement in the fight against climate change. It is also one of the first companies to participate in the “Forests Forward” initiative by WWF to consolidate the timber procurement policy.

Here, Vitali shares four tips for operating a more sustainable washroom:

Consider adding automatic dispensers. Some automatic dispensers are specially designed to help facilities save costs and reduce waste by curbing the amount of paper towel that washroom guests use. The dispensers accomplish this by allowing facility managers to customize the length of towels.
Choose restroom products made from renewable sources and/or recycled materials. Using recycled plastics, rather than producing new plastic materials, significantly minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. There are washroom products made from plastic waste that are also incredibly durable, like paper towel and toilet paper dispensers.
Limit water consumption. Choose toilets that help minimize water waste during the flushing process. Options include dual-flush toilets, like WaterSense toilets that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifications and low-flow toilets.
Use sustainable products. There are several third-party certification groups, including Green Seal, that objectively evaluate products to ensure they have been sustainably produced. Using certified products can help businesses reduce CO2 emissions, volatile organic compound (VOC) pollution, and organochloride pollution.

U.S. UPRREIT pioneers cryptocurrency options

NOYACK Logistics Income, a private, non-traded fund specializing in alternative real estate asset classes, is forging a pioneering path in the United States through the acceptance cryptocurrency payments. The investment platform has announced a new partnership with BitPay that will allow investors to convert a dozen designated cryptocurrencies — including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Shibu Inu and five stablecoins pegged to the U.S. dollar — into shares.

Investors will now have the option to use cryptocurrency, conventional currency or a combination of the two. Buyers will also be able to make their investments via mobile devices. Stephen Pair, chief executive officer of BitPay, projects consumers will make USD $55 billion in purchases and investments using cryptocurrency over the coming year, and he reports growing demand for allocations to asset ownership structures such as REITs.

“We see the future of financial transactions on the blockchain and this is another example of moving crypto mainstream with bridges to traditional financial services,” he maintains. “The option to transact in crypto puts them at the forefront of alternative investment management.”

NOYACK Logistics Income is an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) launched in the fall of 2021 with USD $30 million of NOYACK Capital’s industrial and parking assets. It is focused on life sciences, temperature-controlled and dry storage warehouses, health care facilities; and mobility hubs, and has stated objectives to qualify as a REIT and acquire USD $500 million in properties. That also involves deployment of proprietary analytics and market research to identify opportunities aligned with autonomous vehicle infrastructure, same-day delivery and other logistics-related uses.

“For any investor looking to redeploy crypto gains into dividend-producing investments, our partnership with BitPay makes it a reality and a seamless transaction,” asserts CJ Follini, managing principal of NOYACK Capital. “We see it as an essential way to connect with today’s investors who include investment real estate and cryptocurrency in their retirement accounts such as Roth IRAs and 401(k)s.”

IAQ: Today’s property management priority

To say Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has taken over the property management conversation would be an understatement. In the wake of the pandemic, the ability to maintain clean and hygienic indoor environments has become central to keeping occupants safe, comfortable and willing to remain in their spaces.

“Property operators have always prioritized indoor air quality to some extent, but now they recognize that it’s a top consideration for their occupants and the building’s operations,” says Tom Mannsfeldt, Senior Manager, Commercial Sales at Enercare Commercial Services. It makes sense that IAQ is high on building occupants’ radars.

As the world returns to “normal”, many office workers, residents, and building visitors alike are still anxious about sharing their office or living space without the heightened pandemic measures (e.g., masks, social distancing, etc.) that have been in place over the last two years.

As such, property managers are compelled to implement technologies and protocols that will ensure everyone who walks through their doors feels safe and comfortable.

“Naturally, the first goal of IAQ is to protect tenants and visitors in a time when risks of airborne illnesses are still very real. By doing so, however, you also address another goal of IAQ in property management, which is to keep building vacancy rates low,” adds Mannsfeldt.

A breath of fresh air

Many factors contribute to poor indoor air quality within a commercial or multifamily building. Public spaces such as lobbies, meeting rooms and offices are prime territory for pollutants to be tracked in through the door or created by any number of activities (e.g., cleaning, equipment, cooking, etc.). Left unchecked, these pollutants can take their toll on occupants. Here’s where taking several steps to clear the air can make a world of difference:

Eliminate the sources: Bolstering IAQ begins with identifying and eliminating the sources of pollutants. For example, says Mannsfeldt, “If we know that harmful particulates are coming in through the front lobby doors, we can look at ways of minimizing that by, perhaps, installing an air curtain. Similarly, if we find out that certain cleaning processes are leaving harmful elements in the air, we can look at practices or technologies that can mitigate that as well.”
Enhance filtration and fresh air delivery: Despite best efforts, there will always be the risk of airborne pollutants or illnesses. At the same time, we can always use filtration and fresh air delivery technologies that will work around the clock to trap and eliminate harmful indoor elements and keep clean air cycling through the building. Even still, adds Mannsfeldt, “We see a lot of buildings that have fresh air delivery already, but they’re either underperforming or not being maintained. In some cases, they’re turned off completely to save expenses, which is a problem because that means clean air isn’t being brought into the space.”
Monitor your environment: Maintaining healthy IAQ requires visibility into environmental conditions. To that end, there are benefits to using IAQ systems with sensor technology that can monitor various air quality factors and provide real-time reports to building staff.

It takes a custom solution

Healthy IAQ requires a tailored strategy. For this reason, there are advantages to working with indoor air quality specialists who can assess and address a building’s unique requirements.

For example, says Mannsfeldt, “What we can do is come in, conduct a site audit, and use that data to map out an IAQ approach that works best for that particular space. It may be a building-wide approach, but it may be just certain areas more than others. Either way, we can map out what is needed and provide a report and action list detailing how to achieve an ideal IAQ.”

This custom-made approach is essential, he adds, as it ensures that investments in IAQ align with the facility’s actual needs and budget: “If you’re going to spend money on the solution, you obviously want to solve the problem. And so that means targeting your pain points in a way that’s most effective and budget-friendly.”

Safe, comfortable buildings

Much has been said about IAQ in the wake of the pandemic, and for good reason. As the world returns to work, keeping workforces healthy and confident in their surroundings is critical to protecting lives and the bottom line.

Putting IAQ first in facility management

In the world of facility management, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) reigns supreme. Clean, hygienic environments are now all but essential for protecting workers, easing anxieties, and keeping operations on track.

“Maintaining a high indoor air quality has always been important, but with heightened risks of airborne illness, it’s right up there on the list of priorities for warehouse and facility teams,” says Tom Mannsfeldt, Senior Manager, Commercial Sales at Enercare Commercial Services. It makes sense that IAQ is dominating the conversation. With warehouse activity ramping up, the inability to protect facility occupants from airborne illnesses can quickly lead to workforce challenges.

“There’s no question that the first goal of IAQ is to keep workers safe and confident in coming to work; and when you do that, you also address the second goal, which is to maintain warehouse productivity in a time when activity is ramping up,” says Mannsfeldt.

No doubt, between a surge in online shopping and supply chain backlogs, now is no time for fulfillment centres and production lines to go silent. And in busy environments where workers often work in close quarters, this means ensuring the best IAQ strategies, protocols and technologies are being used to provide everyone with a breath of fresh air.

“There’s already enough disruption in the world right now,” says Mannsfeldt. “Prioritizing IAQ is one way of minimizing an increasingly common business disruption that can otherwise impact safety and a facility’s operations.”

It takes a game plan

Facilities are particularly susceptible to indoor air quality issues. Any number of harmful particulates can be produced during the course of production or assembly operations, while exhaust from nearby trucks can be pulled into the environment without proper controls. Without proper mitigation strategies, these pollutants can collect in a warehouse environment and take their toll on anyone who enters the space. Thus, it’s critical to create healthier indoor spaces through several key steps:

Eliminating the sources: Improving IAQ means identifying and removing the sources of pollutants. For example, says Mannsfeldt, “So if we know that the facility’s doors are staying open a long time, and that this is causing exhaust from idling trucks to enter the building, then we can look at ways to minimize that, whether it’s through scheduling, putting in air curtains or simply making facility managers aware this is happening.”
Enhance filtration and fresh air delivery: The risks of airborne pollutants or illnesses will never go away. That’s why it’s important to implement technologies and resources that will work at all hours to trap harmful pollutants and keep fresh air in rotation to minimize those risks. Even still, adds Mannsfeldt, “We see a lot of buildings that have fresh air delivery already, but they’re either underperforming or not being maintained. In some cases, they’re turned off completely to save expenses, which is a problem because that means clean air isn’t being brought into the space.”
Monitor your environment: Maintaining healthy IAQ requires visibility into environmental conditions. To that end, there are benefits to using IAQ systems with sensor technology that can monitor various air quality factors and provide real-time reports to building staff.

No IAQ strategy is the same

Healthy IAQ requires a tailored strategy. For this reason, there are advantages to working with indoor air quality specialists who can assess and address a building’s unique requirements.

Enercare IAQ For example, says Mannsfeldt, “What we can do is come in, conduct a site audit, and use that data to map out an IAQ approach that works best for that particular space. It may be a building-wide approach, but it may be just certain areas more than others. Either way, we can map out what a client needs and provide a report and action list detailing how they can achieve an ideal IAQ.”

This custom-made approach is essential, he adds, as it ensures that investments in IAQ align with the facility’s actual needs and budget: “If you’re going to spend money on the solution, you obviously want to solve the problem. That means targeting your pain points in a way that’s most effective and budget-friendly.”

Taking a breath

B.C. implements skilled trades certification

New skilled trades certification in B.C. will be implemented in phases between 2022 and 2024.

The new legislation — the Skilled Trades BC Act which received royal assent on March 10, 2022 — will require people to register as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson to work in one of the 10 initial mechanical, electrical and automotive trades.

People will have at least one year to register as an apprentice or challenge an exam to certify as a journeyperson, allowing uncertified workers time to access any additional supports they may need while continuing to work.

In addition, 25 apprenticeship advisors will help workers register to certify and aid them with accessing support provided by the government, such as financial assistance for child care, lost wages, travel and living expenses.

Among the supports available to trades workers looking to certify, the province is providing $5 million to the Industry Training Authority to address waiting lists for priority trades programs.

The new legislation replaces the Industry Training Authority Act and transforms the Industry Training Authority into SkilledTradesBC. The modernized Crown agency is responsible for skilled trades training in B.C.

The initial trades that will require certification are:

mechanical: gasfitter Class A and B, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic, and sheet metal worker;
electrical: powerline technician, industrial electrician and electrician (construction); and
automotive: heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician and autobody and collision technician.

Ontario disburses electrician training funds

The Ontario government is injecting more than $13 million into electrician training in an effort to steer more apprentices and journeypersons to construction, maintenance and network cabling jobs. Funds have been pledged to the Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund, the National Electrical Trade Council and four Ontario locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to sponsor classroom-based, online and jobsite programs for both entry-level and upskilling training candidates.

Approximately half of the new funding will be deployed through the Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund in an effort to boost registration in the network cabling training track, reach out to underrepresented groups and urge employers to hire apprentice electricians. Another $4.2 million is earmarked for two programs sponsored by the National Electrical Trade Council to provide specialized hands-on training on electrical vehicle charging stations and new options for immersive virtual reality training for apprenticeships and journeypersons.

The remaining $2.6 million will go to IBEW locals in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Hamilton and London for a range of programs targeting upwards of 1,000 trainees. Of note, Local 120 in London has received approximately $1.2 million to train members of the Chippewas of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware First Nations. Program participants will receive a $120 daily stipend and at least 25 are promised post-training employment.

Local 1687 in Sudbury has received $467,500 to underwrite free online training for 625 registered apprentices in remote northern regions, including First Nations communities. Local 105 in Hamilton will use its $303,000 allocation to sponsor 40 electricians in a 12-week welding recruitment and retention program.

Raising the bar on rooftop safety and compliance

The building design process includes many considerations for how it will serve the occupants working or living within it. And often, the technology required to optimize building safety, comfort, and efficiency ends up being installed on the roof. These components may be necessary, but any piece of equipment added to a roof poses a degree of risk for those who may need to work in that space. And with rooftop footprints and configurations in constant flux, considerations for safety cannot fall through the cracks.

“Like every building component, roof footprint, features, and conditions can evolve over time; these changes can introduce challenges with accessing equipment,” says Vernon Ghinn a roof access and safety specialist at Skyline Group. “That’s why rooftop safety isn’t a set it and forget it responsibility; it is something that should be reviewed and improved upon quarterly to ensure you’re staying in compliance and keeping everyone safe.”

Evolving hazards

Working at height comes with numerous risks. More and more, those risks include having to navigate access points (e.g., ladders or hatches) or rooftop equipment (e.g., HVAC systems, ducts, solar panels) that’s been installed throughout the space and – more frequently – near roof edges.

For example, says Ghinn, “At times, rooftop units are installed at the edge because that happens to be the quickest and easiest location for the installers to place the unit. The challenge lies in servicing those units, however, as a safety solution will be required to create a safe perimeter and working environment.”

Roofing layouts can also pose risks. For instance, flat roofs can become slippery to walk on when wet depending on the roofing membrane. Added to these traditional hazards are the ones that appear over time. For example, building upgrades that affect the roof structure and design can also impact its elevations, requiring new safety equipment and considerations.

“That’s why it is important to understand the future state of your roof and how the roof is being accessed,” says another safety rep with Skyline. “Corridors are provided inside the building for safe access, so the same consideration should be given to the safety personnel required to keep the building running while accessing the roof.”

Another trend impacting roof safety is that rooftops are becoming more crowded. As land prices rise and available space in populated areas decreases, organizations are optimizing their investment by making more use of their available space. Some of that focus is being turned to rooftops, where building operators are turning their rooftop into a publicly accessed space (e.g., a garden or patio) or investing in energy-efficient technologies (e.g., green roofs or solar panels). The result is a packed environment that requires safer access to all roof areas and increased awareness of potential fall hazards.

“Ultimately, it is important that your roof access and safety solutions stay up to speed with your roof as it goes through different transformations,” adds Skyline’s rep.

Staying compliant amidst regulation changes

As building envelopes adapt, so do safety compliance obligations. This is also true of roof and height safety standards, which are constantly adapting to reflect emerging hazards.

“The number of roof fall-related injuries is alarming, so it’s only natural that local and national standards are getting stricter,” says the Skyline safety rep, explaining, “Today, more and more third-party service providers have their own safety guidelines that prevent employees from working on roofs unless the right safety equipment and protocols are in place.”

Aligning with such standards is a necessary challenge, especially since failing to keep a building compliant or ensure an installation is done to local safety guidelines can lead to serious injuries and costly liabilities. As such, it’s important to recognize hazards as they emerge and never lose sight of one’s safety responsibilities.

“It’s about accessing the roof safely, while working in a hazard-free environment, in order to get back down from the roof safely,” says Ghinn, adding, “The fact is that the number of roof fall-related injuries is alarming, meaning there is room to improve on safety. The good news, though, is that the risks we’re seeing out there today can be mitigated with the right partners and height safety solutions that are readily available.”

Rising to the challenge with the right safety equipment

No doubt, modern rooftop hazards require modern safety solutions. For
example, says the Skyline rep: “We see too many access ladders that are cut short at the bottom, requiring an extension ladder to gain access to the actual roof access ladder itself. This is often done to restrict access to the public, but climbing a small ladder to grab the roof access ladder to then climb onto it is just simply dangerous.

That’s why we developed a lockable gate to block the first five feet of steps and restrict unwanted access. ”The ability to manufacture ladders, guardrails, walkways, and various other rooftop safety solutions in modular sections is also proving to be a benefit for today’s contractors. These solutions can be transported to the roof via a service elevator versus renting a crane, while also being installed in a fraction of the time. All while offering the capability to customize a solution that best fits the needs of the roof and local guidelines.“The savings become quite substantial for all parties,” says Skyline’s rep, explaining, “Our non-penetrating permanent guardrail system, for example, is designed to be lightweight and modular, making it quick and simple to install without needing to fasten into the existing roof frame. This eliminates the need to reseal the roof membrane for old or newly warrantied roofs after an installation.”

Protecting workers and staying in compliance means understanding your rooftop hazards before heading up onto the roof, while having a solution in place to mitigate the risks as they unfold. After all, adds Ghinn, “Nobody should discover safety by accident.”

Skyline Group is a leader in roof access and safety compliance and contributed to this article. For more information on their rooftop safety solutions and their complimentary lunch & learn program, visit www.skylinegroupintl.com.

Taking advantage of virtual staffing

Finding back-office talent was a challenge for property management firms long before the pandemic. And while the crisis is beginning to fade, staffing issues will likely remain a top concern for many teams. Fortunately, one thing employers have learned throughout COVID’s working restrictions is that virtual staffing is more effective than ever at filling workforce gaps.

“The past two years have erased a lot of the concerns and misconceptions around hiring and working with remote talent,” says Akan T. Rajah, Managing Partner with Assetsoft. “A lot of employers realized that their team members didn’t have to be physically within the office to do their work effectively, and that was especially true for back-office functions like accounting.”

Employers are also turning to virtual staffing to solve a never-ending talent shortage. The reality is that back-office professionals are in extremely high-demand, and finding local recruits means offering more than the competition. With virtual staffing, however,
employers can access qualified and experienced labour pools worldwide.

No doubt, virtual staffing is a modern solution for a modern challenge. And it’s one that Rajah and his team at Assetsoft bring to the property management community And whether his team is being asked to assume routine tasks or assist with more intellectual responsibilities, Rajah says the result is always the same: “Once they see how quickly we learn their business and integrate with their workforce, they start seeing us as part of the team.”

The truth behind virtual staffing myths

There are quantifiable benefits to virtual talent handling back-office functions. Even still, there are myths and misconceptions that continue to hold employers back from making a decision that could save them manpower, money, and headaches. For example:

Myth: Virtual staffing poses data security risks
Reality: Data security and privacy are always a prime concern when employees work remotely. In recent years, advances such as expanding internet connectivity, virtual machines, VPNs, and fine-grained data control which enable secure access from anywhere, have put those anxieties to rest.

“During COVID, a lot of companies realized that Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms and virtual machines allow their employees to work securely with sensitive data from remote locations,” says Rajah. “At the same time, virtual staff providers like ourselves upped their data security capabilities to make sure their clients’ data was well protected.”

For example, he adds, “The team works from our premises with 24/7 video surveillance and physical access restrictions. As well, a ban on mobile phones in the work area, enterprise-grade firewalls, blocked USB and card ports, regular copyright training, and other data security practices also ensure that the data accessed by virtual staff is secure and never leaves the office.”

Myth: Virtual accountants won’t have the same level of industry knowledge
Reality: Working in property management requires an innate understanding and proficiency in back-office systems (e.g., Yardi), accounting standards, Canadian Tax Laws, and specific property operations.

Today, these are all skills that today’s virtual accountants can bring to the table. “Our people may not be in the office, but they’re experts in what they do, and they’re experts at learning a client’s operations and becoming part of the team,” adds Rajah.

Myth: Virtual teams outside of Canada mean different time schedules
Reality: Many third-party service providers work around their client’s schedules and time zones, ensuring they’re accessible no matter their location.

Myth: Virtual staffing means losing control
Reality: Virtual teams like Assetsoft may assume responsibility for accounting, rent collection, vendor management, lease audit/abstraction, bookkeeping, reporting, treasury management, or any number of tasks, but that doesn’t mean they assume control.

For example, Rajah adds: “Our virtual staffing model ensures the client has direct control on their business outcomes. Our client can establish their very own team without worrying about all legal, human resource, and technical requirements.”

Myth: Remote employees won’t feel part of the team cohesion
Reality: It can be odd to think of teams being split across Canada or overseas. Still, many companies, large and small, have done exactly that during the pandemic to considerable success. Now that employees are being welcomed back into the office, many continue to embrace a remote or hybrid working model, recognizing that employees don’t need to be physically in the same room to be an integral part of the team.

Myth: It’s too expensive to hire virtual accountants
Reality: It’s actually the reverse. Virtual staffing enables companies to offload all the hiring, training, onboarding, and staff management responsibilities to their virtual staffing partners, saving them the expense and time it would take to tackle these HR functions internally.

“We look after all the hiring and ongoing HR concerns, so they don’t have to,” says Rajah. “The whole idea is to provide the support that ultimately frees up client resources.”

Blame it on shifting attitudes. Pin it on pandemic disruptions. Whatever the cause, the “Great Resignation” has left employers struggling to find people who know what they’re doing and are willing to work. True, embracing virtual accounting partners may have been a challenge in years past, but the technologies, skills, and third-party partners are in place today to make it a welcome and beneficial part of any business strategy.

The Assetsoft team encourages any questions and inquiries. Email them at info@assetsoft.biz or visit their website at www.Assetsoft.biz.

Keeping tile and stone floors up to scratch

Tile and stone floors are an attractive and popular choice for many facilities. With the right care and maintenance, they can last a long time, but bringing in a professional to handle their cleaning goes a long way.

Floor care expert Dane Gregory, an approved technician and IICRC instructor for the Floor Care Technician and Stone, Masonry, and Ceramic Tile Technician classes, told Cleanfax Insider what cleaning technicians need to know about maintaining tile and stone and what they can do to extend the lifespan of this type of flooring.

The biggest technical challenge when it comes to maintaining these floors, says Gregory, is that customers often wait too long before calling a professional for cleaning and maintenance, so the soil load is significant. Also, many facility managers or in-house cleaning teams may have cleaned tile and stone floors with a household cleaner for years, which can leave a detergent residue that attracts even more soils. As household cleaners are not pH neutral, they need thorough rinsing after cleaning.

Meanwhile, the soil buildup can be even more pronounced in the grout, which is not of the same texture as the tiles, attracts soils, and releases them very differently. The use flat tools in an attempt to combat this can actually driving dry soils into the grout. Adding water from a spray mop afterward creates mud in the grout joints, making cleaners’ jobs more difficult when they finally do arrive.

Cleaners can make routine services easier by substituting a broom for a dust mop to reach the low-lying area of the grout, removing dry soils before they get wet and become difficult to get rid of. Clients can also use a proper neutral cleaner during regular cleaning to keep detergent residue from attracting additional soils.

As well as initial maintenance and routine maintenance of these floors, restoration maintenance may be needed when the soils on the flooring get out of hand and when either routine or interim maintenance can no longer remove them. Implementing lower production rates, combined with strong detergents and large amounts of water, are usually needed to completely remove the soils.

First, evaluate the flooring for damage before you begin maintenance, assessing the current condition, characteristics, installation issues, and any damaged areas. Then, use high-quality products for all maintenance. Often, good neutral cleaner and heavy scrubbing are all that is needed. Be sure to match the detergent to the soil load.

Finally, if using pressure tools, make sure that the flooring can handle the amount of pressure you plan to use. Too much water added into the mix ratio during installation can cause immediate and future problems as it can create a large pore structure, allowing liquids to penetrate more easily and deeper than in proper installations.

Read Gregory’s full assessment here.

Canada’s Best Restroom nominations now open

Nominations for Canada’s Best Restroom 2022 are now open!

The annual contest run by Cintas Canada asks the public to help identify the most appealing washroom in the country.

Canada’s Best Restroom highlights businesses that have invested in developing and maintaining exceptional washrooms. Nominees for this year’s contest will be judged on five criteria: cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.

Cintas Canada will select five finalists and ask the public to vote for the grand prize winner between June 6 and July 8, 2022. The winner will receive $2,500 in facility services from Cintas to help maintain their award-winning washrooms.

“A customer’s experience in the washroom can affect their perceived cleanliness of the whole facility, which can impact their experience and potential repeat business,” said Candice Raynsford, Marketing Manager, Cintas Canada. “Finalists in this contest deserve the utmost recognition for investing in clean and memorable washrooms. Businesses big and small can earn invaluable national exposure by participating in the contest.”

Last year, Borden Park in Edmonton was crowned the grand prize winner for its single-level pavilion washrooms surrounded by highly reflective glass.

“It was a privilege to be recognized by Cintas Canada for having washrooms that are inviting and clean for people to use,” said Nicole Fraser, General Supervisor of Planning and Monitoring, Infrastructure Operations at the City of Edmonton. “The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having accessibility to washrooms in parks and open spaces so that all Edmontonians and visitors to Edmonton can continue to access them.”

Are you a business owner with a fantastic facility? Have you visited a business’ washroom that left you with a positive lasting impression? Nominate a deserving washroom today at bestrestroom.com/Canada until May 13, 2022.

Waterless urinals market expected to grow in next decade

The worldwide demand for no-water or waterless urinals is expected to grow by more than 10 per cent over the forecast period of 2022 to 2031, according to Kenneth Research and investment magazine MarketWatch.

Waterless urinals do not use water to operate like conventional urinals do, and help in both reducing water consumption and cutting the energy and other costs associated with water supply and plumbing, according to the report.

“Waterless urinals can be the first step in reducing water usage substantially,” concluded the researchers.

The report listed the following reasons for the predicted growth:

Growth of “green buildings,” where no-water urinals are often installed.
The heightened sense of urgency across the globe for saving water.
The growing necessity for cities, countries, and governments to save potable (drinkable) water.
Increased interest in water conservation technologies.
Local and state governments encouraging and “incentivizing” the construction of green buildings in their communities.

The report indicated the installation of waterless urinals would grow most significantly in the U.S. and Canada, which “is the leading region for waterless urinals in the world based on market share.”

Following North America is Latin America, Europe, and Asia, which includes India and Australia.

Additionally, the report indicated those market sectors most likely to install no-water urinals will be offices (office buildings), retail facilities, hospitality (hotels, restaurants, and bars), healthcare, industrial, and educational facilities.

“We view market trend reports like this as ‘interesting’ but not necessarily written in stone,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO, and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of no-water urinals in North America. “However, since the first of the year, most (no-water urinal) manufacturers are reporting increased sales. We have every reason to believe this will continue.”

Inflationary pressure should ease as COVID wanes

Inflationary pressure is expected to subside over the coming months with the easing of COVID-related triggers, but residential rent could still be peaking. Speaking during a recent online presentation sponsored by CBRE Canada, Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist with CIBC World Markets, contrasted the steep ascent of home prices since the pandemic began with a more wavering trajectory for rents.

“Rent inflation will be in the system for the next two years to basically compensate for the gap between home prices and rent,” he said. “That’s coming in Canada and the U.S. and it’s long-lasting — therefore, a more permanent inflationary pressure that we will have to deal with.”

In other pricing categories, Tal predicted a relaxation of supply chain constraints as consumers shift spending from goods to services, and he outlined some of the labour market attributes that should insulate Canada more than the United States. Meanwhile, with central bank actions exacting a more immediate toll on effective interest rates and the debt mortgage holders carry, he warned that a rapid upward rate adjustment could derail the housing market and push the economy into recession.

COVID’s forceful prompt for consumer spending — which Tal diagnoses as “demand shock” — and supply chain impediments are considered two of the most dominant factors in rising prices. However, Tal theorizes the spending is most likely short-term anomalous behaviour and price dynamics will stabilize as public health controls are removed and services regain a larger share of the market.

“The increase in spending on goods in the U.S. in 2021 is equivalent to a situation in which overnight you parachuted 75 million people in the U.S., and the minute they got there, they started to spend. Even a normally functioning supply system would not be able to deal with that,” he submitted. “The shift to services will be deflationary relative to the supply chain pressure we’re seeing now.”

Wage growth patterns appear more muted in Canada than the United States due to fewer labour force exits and more incoming replenishment from a higher immigration rate. Thus far, statistics suggest the so-called great resignation is still largely great contemplation on this side of the border.

“In a recent survey, people said that they are thinking about quitting in Canada. So in the U.S. they are quitting; in Canada they are thinking about quitting — very, very Canadian,” Tal quipped.

Also indicative of the two countries’ differing cultures, he suggests market watchers have higher expectations of interest rate increases in Canada. That includes his own prediction that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates to 2 per cent, surpassing a more moderate move on the part of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

Noting that the Bank of Canada has a more immediate impact on mortgage rates than in the U.S., where lenders are less responsive and mortgage terms are longer, Tal urges decision-makers to stretch the increase out over a longer time period. He concludes that will be a simpler course to follow if COVID-triggered inflationary pressure eases as envisioned.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the cost to bring inflation back to 2 per cent. We are not going to see inflation of 5, 6, 7 per cent forever. We are going to see interest rates rising to fight that inflation. We need higher interest rates, but the enemy is rapidly rising interest rates,” he asserted. “If you remove COVID from the equation, 60, 70 per cent of the inflation that we’re seeing now due to supply chain issues should disappear and that will mean now the Bank of Canada will move slowly, meaning the recovery is still with us without the risk of a recession.”

Clayton Community Centre wins wood design award

The Clayton Community Centre was honoured with a Citation Award at the 38th annual Wood Design & Building Awards. The influential awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding work of visionaries around the world who achieve excellence in wood architecture.

The awards this year showcase an eclectic mix of structures. Winners include a social housing apartment in Spain, a ski club in Canada, and a flagship restaurant for a major chain fast food chain in the U.S. Also among the winners is the first Passive House–certified community centre in Canada – Clayton Community Centre.

“As the global architectural community tackles critical challenges that include reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment and meeting the vast and growing need for housing, it is clear that responsible development requires buildings that consider both embodied energy and operational impact,” said Andrew Bowerbank, Vice-President of Market Development for the Canadian Wood Council. “Wood construction is an avenue for delivering the beautiful, sustainable, high-performance buildings of today and tomorrow.”

Designed by hcma, Clayton Community Centre was honoured for its inspiration use of wood for this beautiful community building. With the building nestled within an existing park, the architectural and structural expression developed needed to reflect the unifying theme of a tree canopy draping over the diverse mix of spaces. The roof structure is a reciprocating frame composed of an assembly of “pinwheel” shaped modules of glulam beams. The two-way wood system is a truly innovative approach, allowing the wood structure to span to discrete column locations without the need for dropped beams, while achieving a unique architectural expression.

The building has achieved the Passive House energy standard and is anticipated to be one of the largest Passive House buildings of this type in North America. In order to reach Passive House energy efficiency goals, the building envelope had to be extremely tight. Close collaboration with the architectural team was essential to develop structural details with an absolute minimum of thermal bridging.

“This award is a testament to how wood contributed to the success of Clayton Community Centre. The entire design team worked together to deliver a building that the community is proud of, that showcases the beauty and sustainability of wood. We’re thrilled that hcma trusted us with their ambition,” said Meredith Anderson, principal with RJC Engineers.

Collaboration key to growth and challenges

The past two years have been filled with challenges for the construction industry because of the ongoing pandemic but two leading Canadian companies have been able to not only survive but to thrive.

Graham’s president and CEO Andy Trewick said the company has been deliberate in its strategies for doing business, focusing on diversity, geography and contracting models. Following these core principles has lead to revenue growth for Graham despite all the challenges of the pandemic.

Pierre Pomerleau, president and CEO, Pomerleau, shared similar sentiments, explaining that relationships are a core value for his company from trade partners to employees. Creating new opportunities for employees that allow them to grow is an important strategy for recruitment and retention.

“A construction company is a group of talented people. Our duty is to make sure these people are challenged. When we push the organization positively …as a consequence I think we see growth,” he said.

Pomerleau and Trewick were the speakers at the CEO Roundtable hosted by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) during its annual conference in Vancouver where they shared insights to achieving success.

Achieving success is about building an environment of trust, said Pomerleau. “One thing that we need in the industry with all the complexity is more trust. When you establish trust with your clients, your partners…you create that environment of collaboration.”

Trewick stressed whether it’s a small or big company, it’s about taking the time to think and plan and being deliberate about the vision for the company.

Both believe there is strong growth and opportunities ahead for the industry especially with the many infrastructure needs across the country. Pomerleau said the pandemic revealed that there is a lack of hospital beds, ICU units, research facilities and more.

“So I’m bullish that the industry will thrive for the next five years,” he said.

But Trewick noted there are capacity issues for taking on more work and advised that current markets change quickly so organizations need to be nimble and agile to react to changes.

“In the short to medium term, we have lots of inflation pressure,” he added. “I do see some challenges in the next 18 months – getting jobs out of the office and into the field. Getting people back to work is important. People left during the pandemic and we need to draw them back.”

Pomerleau agreed, saying hyper inflation and supply chain disruptions are the main concerns keeping him up at night. “Hyper inflation can create a halt to the whole economy. We need to be better as an industry. We need to be more efficient. We need to value engineer to death every project.”

Collaboration was cited as a key strategy to keep the industry moving forward.

“When the pandemic started, we all pulled up together…we created teams, we started to work with our trade partners, with our competition,” said Pomerleau. “We started to exchange information, data and everything. It’s amazing what we’ve done. We have tons of joint ventures. We need to collaborate more.”

Cheryl Mah is managing editor of Construction Business.

Taking advantage of virtual staffing

The truth behind virtual staffing myths

“We look after all the hiring and ongoing HR concerns, so they don’t have to,” says Rajah. “The whole idea is to provide the support that ultimately frees up client resources.”

The Assetsoft team encourages any questions and inquiries. Email them at info@assetsoft.biz or visit their website at www.Assetsoft.biz.

Pop-up workplace explores solutions for hybrid future

A future workplace prototype, designed to help organizations understand employees’ changing needs and attract them back to the office, is on display in downtown Toronto until April 29.

WorkBetterLab Toronto, at 150 King St. East, is a collaboration between Steelcase and POI Business Interiors who are leaders in office research, furniture solutions, culture and wellbeing.

The lab is made of diverse settings designed to address all modes of work — social, collaborative, personal and learning. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore innovative solutions that offer people greater control, comfort and privacy — what, according to a recent Steelcase global study, they value in the office most now.

“Organizations can’t bring people back to the same workplace they left,” said Gale Moutrey, vice president of innovation for Steelcase. “Hybrid work is different and the WorkBetterLab is an inspiring example of the future hybrid office where people can do their best work – both together and when working alone.”

New Steelcase research, which surveyed nearly 5,000 office workers across 11 countries, found 87 per cent of people globally will be spending some time in the office moving forward. Yet, 62 per cent of Canadians prefer to work from home (globally this number is only 45 per cent), suggesting Canadian offices are not living up to employee expectations and organizations would be wise in updating them to retain and engage workers.

“Despite what you may be hearing in the media, offices cannot just be a destination for collaboration,” said Moutrey. “People will need spaces where they can do individual work as well. You can’t expect people to make the commute and not give them access to privacy.”

The WorkBetterLab showcases new ways to support focus work as well as hybrid collaboration. The highly-flexible space gives people a lot of choice and control over where and how they work.

“We’ve all read a lot about return to the office and new employee expectations over the past two years, but now, WorkBetterLab Toronto shows guests what work could actually look and feel like,” said Jonas Scholl, CEO of POI, Canada’s largest contract furniture and service provider . “It’s an interactive experience that inspires both employers and employees to think about how we can work better coming out of the pandemic.”

WorkBetterLab Toronto is open by appointment only. Interested parties can request an appointment by completing the form located on the WorkBetterLab website. The Toronto experience is one of four pop-ups in Canada and 12 in the United States touring throughout 2022.

WorkBetterLab Toronto is a collaborative effort between Steelcase and POI Business Interiors, its exclusive furniture provider, as well as partners in workplace solutions including Blu Dot, Bolia, Carl Hansen & Sons, Established & Sons, Extremis, FLOS, Logitech, M.A.D., Mattiazzi, Microsoft, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, Moooi, Tom Dixon and West Elm. The space was outfitted by plants from Ambius Biophilia.

BOMEX

Our Latest Issue