Background
Architects and other registrants may be aware of a recent disciplinary action by Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) against Mr. John Bryson, a former structural engineer, in relation to a residential tower in Surrey, B.C. This matter may be of concern to architects who have provided or are providing services on projects associated with Mr. Bryson.
A consent order leading to resignation by Mr. Bryson is posted on EGBC’s website. The issues for which the former engineer was disciplined include: structural design failing to meet the 2006 BC Building Code; failure to undertake adequate design and documentation processes; and failure to ensure an appropriate independent review of his design was completed.
Issues
Completed Projects: Architects who provided architectural services for completed projects for which Mr. Bryson was the structural engineer of record may wish to consider notifying their clients of the EGBC decision. The client may decide to take steps in relation to review of the structural design of the project.
Architects may also want to consider whether to contact their insurers about such projects.
Ongoing Projects: All ongoing projects will require transition to a new structural engineer. Architects are advised to recommend to their clients that a review of the previous work be included in the new engineer’s scope of work.
One of the terms of the EGBC Consent Order required Mr. Bryson to “make reasonable arrangements for the orderly transfer of his ongoing professional engineering project files to other professional engineers…” no later than April 1, 2019. If you are providing architectural services for such a project but have not yet been contacted by the successor engineer, the AIBC recommends that you contact EGBC to advise of the situation.
The professional obligations of an architect in relation to a project affected by this suspension are unchanged, as are those of the successor structural engineer. For buildings currently under construction for which Mr. Bryson has provided a Schedule B Letter of Assurance, architects acting as Coordinating Registered Professionals must inform the Authority Having Jurisdiction of the transition to a new structural registered professional of record, per 2.2.7. of Division C of the BC Building Code or Vancouver Building Bylaw.
Architects may wish to consider whether to contact their insurers about such projects.
AIBC Practice Advice
Architects with concerns not addressed by this advisory in relation to this suspension, or regarding other practice matters, should contact an AIBC practice advisor at practiceadvice@aibc.ca.
Maura Gatensby Architect AIBC
Lead Practice Advisor and Regulatory Liaison
mgatensby@aibc.ca
604.305.2699
1.800.667.0753