Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. specializes in Building Envelope Consulting Services and Building Envelope Restoration Design and Management Services. Seeking to achieve the highest standards of excellence, we are dedicated to the design and construction of durable buildings. We provide professional engineering expertise to architectural firms, developers, various levels of government, strata councils, hospital boards and universities.
OUR CLIENTS
From emerging teams to well established industry leaders, developers and builders depend on our expertise in the field of building science to find practical and economical approaches. Since our inception, we have worked diligently to maintain solid relationships with a powerhouse roster of clients throughout Western Canada by approaching projects with a balanced perspective while maintaining best practice standards.
It is our objective to provide the architect with the tools and advice to maintain sound building science principles with due regard for the unique architectural vision of every building. We work with the design team from the early design stage to identify and assist in detailing critical design details; and continue through construction to validate their proper implementation and conformance to project specifications. As the Building Envelope Professional, we share joint responsibility for Part 5 building code requirements with the Architect of Record; we therefore strive to work in unison to make each design vision a successful reality.
We assist property managers, multi-unit strata corporations, and owners of residential and commercial properties to assess the condition of the subject building. Whether it is for the purposes of proactive building envelope maintenance or as an investigative and repair measure, we can help identify key issues, develop a maintenance or repair plan, and supervise the contractor’s work to service and extend the life of the property.
NEWS
Pipe Failures = Costly Remediation
This past winter BC residents experienced cold weather that caused many pipes to freeze and burst. Despite rising average temperatures, we are still very susceptible to periods of freezing weather conditions and buildings need to account for these conditions. SEE has investigated numerous water damage events due to failing pipes, sometimes on behalf of owners, other times on behalf of insurance companies or lawyers. A single pipe failure can result in water damage in excess of $1 million to repair the pipe, remediate the water damage, and provide temporary accommodations for residents during the repair work. The cost of insurance coverage for water damage has skyrocketed in the past few years, and some properties are having difficulty even getting insurance coverage. Many insurance companies request evidence of water damage risk mitigation before providing coverage and determining the rates.
SEE offers Building Piping Assessments to identify the various piping systems within a building, review the history of repairs and water damage, and make recommendations for repairs, replacement, and procedures to mitigate water damage risk. Now is the time to review your piping and perform maintenance before the cold weather sets in.
Under B.C.'s Strata Property Act and Regulations, all strata corporations with five or more strata lots must obtain depreciation reports. Updated regulations that took effect July 1, 2024, require existing strata corporations to obtain depreciation reports on a five-year cycle, instead of a three-year cycle.
Effective July 1, 2025, all strata corporations must also obtain their depreciation reports from a list of qualified professionals. SEE is uniquely suited for this task, as a Building Science Engineering firm we specialize in assessing building performance and are experts at building rehabilitation.
Depreciation Reports provided by SEE not only meet the requirements of the BC Strata Property Act and Regulations, but give depth and explanation to the recommended repair and maintenance program. SEE will work with your Strata Council and Property Manager to understand your building’s maintenance history and tailor a maintenance plan to meet the specific circumstances and conditions at each building.
We are thrilled to announce that Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. is currently seeking talented individuals to join our team. We are currently hiring for the following positions:
- Manager of Engineering & Architecture
- Building Science Technician
- Junior Engineer
- Senior Engineer
Mark Emanuel, P.Eng., a Queen’s University (Civil) Engineering graduate, in 1979, arrived in Vancouver and was registered as a Geotechnical Engineer in 1983. Mr. Emanuel proceeded with a combination of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering experience until 1988. Then Mr. Emanuel created a development and construction company, building his own developments and contracting for single and multi-family residential projects until 1999. Always interested in building technology and the quest for more durable and environmentally sustainable buildings, Mr. Emanuel built the first geothermal heated home in Vancouver as featured on the cover page of the Vancouver Sun in early 1996.
For many years, Mr. Emanuel had been building exclusively with the “Airtight Drywall Approach” creating an effective air/vapour barrier, installing heat recovery ventilation, and using exterior insulation and polyurethane spray foam insulation. These methods were uncommon then, but are now widely accepted as best practice. Mr. Emanuel has been an “early adopter” of engineering solutions to create better buildings and has contributed to the advancement and acceptance of new building technology.
In 1999, Mr. Emanuel became extremely interested in building envelope failures. What caused them? How to fix them? Mr. Emanuel began working with Gordon Spratt, P.Eng. in 1999 and in 2001 incorporated a new company “Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. (SEE)" to provide Building Science services. Mr. Emanuel has devoted his 25 year career in Building Envelope Engineering to creating and repairing buildings with the objective that buildings must be better, more waterproof, more energy efficient, with better indoor air quality, and with maximum component durability.
At SEE, we continue to build on Mark’s legacy and dedication to Building Science Engineering and the quest for making buildings better.
Now is the time to book your annual diving board inspections. Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd. offers in situ inspections as well as inspections of diving boards at our Vancouver office. Contact us for more information and to book your annual inspection before the outdoor pools open to the public.
Gordon Spratt, M.Eng., P.Eng. (retired), graduated from McGill University in 1956 with a Civil Engineering Master's degree. Mr. Spratt arrived in Vancouver, and in 1964 began a career as an independent Professional Engineer. His expertise varied as his career followed the trajectory of civil construction history in British Columbia during the great dam building era of the 60's and 70's, which also coincided with the transformation of the Vancouver West End into concrete residential high-rise towers.
Mr. Spratt provided expertise in materials, concrete technology, roller compacted concrete, and materials testing. During the 80's and 90's, this background led to building envelope engineering, cladding and window design, construction quality assurance reviews, and finally into the investigation of building envelope failures in the mid to late 90's, when the field of Building Sciences was in its infancy. Mr. Spratt was truly a pioneer seeking better materials and construction methods to result in more durable buildings. His legacy is the professional services he provided to contractors, developers, property owners, property managers, and all levels of government throughout his long career.
He retired from Spratt Emanuel Engineering in 2015 and we continue to build on the foundation of knowledge and dedication of Gordon Spratt, and give thanks for his decades of service to the community and engineering profession!
Happy Nowruz, the Persian New Year and the Celebration of Spring arrival! Spratt Emanuel Engineering wishes everyone growth and success in this renewal season.
Welcome Brian Boomars, P.Eng. !!!
We are excited to announce new ownership of Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd.
Brian brings a wealth of Building Science Engineering experience to the firm and a fresh vision for growth.