APEGA and AAA Issue Joint Statement
In mid-January 2021, there were several inquiries to the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) regarding the statutory involvement of architects and engineers who provide various design and facility management advisory services as they relate to the development, renovations, upgrades, and maintenance of building envelopes.
The catalyst for these inquiries was a STANDATA (19-BCB-006) published in late December 2020 that unintentionally created uncertainty over the jurisdictional authority of building envelope work.
The AAA and APEGA are committed to working together in the coming months to address the areas where additional clarity is required. We aim to develop a framework to better guide future building design and management activities.
APEGA and AAA clarify building envelope practice rights
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) have created a joint practice bulletin to clarify building envelope practice rights as defined in the National Building Code – 2019 Alberta Edition (NBC[AE]), the Safety Codes Act, the Architects Act and the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act.
“APEGA is proud of our ongoing, collaborative work with the Alberta Association of Architects. As regulatory bodies, we share the overarching goal of safeguarding the public welfare of Albertans. This joint practice bulletin demonstrates the importance of strong, mutual effort in pursuit of the greater good,” said Jay Nagendran, P.Eng., APEGA’s registrar and chief executive officer.
Through the joint practice bulletin Functional Relationships for the Building Envelope Portion of Projects, APEGA and AAA clarify roles and responsibilities for building envelope projects, specifically who can authenticate NBC(AE) schedules for a given building project.
“The bulletin will help registered architects, licensed interior designers and professional engineers involved in building projects in Alberta meet their legislated obligations,” said Barbara Bruce, CAE, Hon.MRAIC, AAA’s executive director. “The bulletin provides clarity when there is overlap between the scope of practice of these professional groups in building envelope practice procedures.”
The joint practice bulletin is approved for use by APEGA and AAA registrants. It is in effect and enforceable as of July 1, 2023. The bulletin is also available on AAA’s website.