Completed primary steel erection on Building N-133
PHOTO COURTESY OF EXCEL-7
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
The targeted contract completion date
is Dec. 3, 2021.
Hofer says the two new pre-engineered
steel buildings are being constructed with
concrete foundations, 2.4 metre perimeter
masonry walls, Rockwool Cavityrock
insulation and exterior metal wall liners
with aluminum curtain walls, windows and
steel doors.
Working on the military base entails
strict security measures. Excel-7 contract
administrator Stephanie Dornn estimated
that about 50 people will need to get clearance
to work on the project.
In addition, the pandemic has caused
even more paperwork, with daily sign-in
logs and temperature checks in place at
the worksite.
Aside from security and health requirements,
the biggest challenge so far has been
getting materials on time.
“The winter storm that happened in
Texas is affecting a lot of manufacturing
and that’s affecting our steel cladding delivery,”
said Hofer. “We’ve had delays because
our manufacturer couldn’t get steel coils.
These kinds of delays have a ripple effect
on progress at the site.”
At the time of writing, Hofer said a
materials shipment was expected for one
of the new buildings, and “we’ll be able to
limp it along. But with many of these suppliers,
it is still to be determined. And the
way the material is contracted out, as a
complete package, means we have to use
those supply chains.”
Dornn said, “Every day we’re waiting for
another email from a supplier to say things
have been delayed.”
“We’ll ramp up manpower where we
can, add hours as needed to try to make up
for that off time,” said Hofer. “We’re even
battling cost increases because things are so
volatile, the supply and demand. It’s a juggling
act.”
Excel-7 has already completed several
projects at CFB Shilo, including residential
housing units, range construction and
demolition of bunkers. However, this is
the first time that their work will qualify
for Green Globes Building Certification,
an international rating and certification
tool for green buildings. Both new buildings,
N-133 and C-107, will qualify for
three Green Globes upon completion,
a level demonstrating “outstanding success
in resource efficiency, reducing
environmental impacts and improving
occupant wellness.”
The certification process includes
design and environmental requirements
during construction, waste management
to divert waste from landfills, clean
diesel practices and indoor air quality
monitoring. There are product requirements
for low volatile organic compounds
and environmental product declarations.
The Green Globes process is overseen
by lead consultant, Stantec and Defence
Construction Canada (DCC).
Dornn says Excel-7 is required to work
with a building envelope testing company
as part of the certification process. Quality
control tests will be conducted to ensure
there are no air or water leaks.
Despite the challenges posed by this
project, Brandon-based Excel-7 always
appreciates working locally at CFB Shilo.
“It’s always nice to have local contractors
working together at our home federal
facilities,” said Hofer. “It’s great to have our
name out there. We’ve done a number of
projects already with DCC and hope to
complete many more.” n
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