About the Building Department

The City Building Department maintains the quality of life for Burnaby's citizens by ensuring compliance with established safety codes and enforcing the City's construction related bylaws. Approximately sixty people work in the department:

• processing applications and issuing a variety of permits covering building, plumbing, gas, electrical, heating, demolition, sign and tree cutting;
• conducting inspections for compliance with the minimum health, life safety and structural sufficiency requirements contained in related construction codes and bylaws;
• providing enforcement services and information relating to the department's roles and responsibilities;
• providing Project Management services for City projects;
• investigating complaints relating to unauthorized construction, unsafe conditions and violations of related City Bylaws;
• maintaining a well-trained, courteous and responsive staff to effectively screen and process construction applications and preliminary proposals;
• acting as a forum for discussion and consultation for local builders, developers, home owners and others involved in the construction industry;
• maintaining records of construction projects under taken within the City;
• processing and issuing In-law Suite Licences;
• reviewing proposed equivalents to determine if they will provide a level of performance at least equal to the standard required by the Building Code.

Plan Checking Division

Assistant Chief Building Inspector and Customer Service: Peter Kushnir, MAIBC
Senior Building Technologist: Irene Yuen

This area is made up of five counter clerks, three residential plan checkers and four commercial plan checkers who receive and process building permits for all types of construction. They are also responsible for issuing demolition permits, in-law suite licenses and processing referrals to the Board of Variance for proposed construction which does not comply with the Zoning Bylaw.

Permit Processing, Front Counter and Clerical

Senior Customer Service Assistant: Sue Jawanda

This area includes five permit processing clerks, a receptionist and three records clerks.

In addition to processing and issuing building, electrical, plumbing, gas, sprinkler and heating permits our clerks provide front counter reception, prepare comfort letters, process in-law suite renewals, assists with the answering of phones and scheduling of inspections and maintain record management and microfilm files for the department.

Sub-trade permits (electrical, plumbing, gas, heating, sprinkler) are processed over the counter, through the mail or by FAX.

Building Inspections

Supervisor: Dave Butler

Senior Inspector: Dave Iaquinta

The division consists of one supervisor, one senior inspector and seven field inspectors, including one assigned to license referrals. The field inspectors are assigned the task of ensuring that buildings and structures erected within the City comply with the applicable Building, Zoning, and Sign Bylaws.

Electrical Inspections

Supervisor: Farmand Ghafari, P.Eng., E-mail: farmand.ghafari@burnaby.ca

Senior Inspector: Eric Sipila

The division consists of one supervisor, one senior inspector and four field inspectors. They are responsible for inspecting all types of electrical installations including high voltage unit substations, fire alarm wiring, security alarms, illuminated signs, street lighting, low voltage, and data cabling.

Every stage of wiring from rough to final is inspected for compliance with the applicable rules, regulations, and City Bylaws. The City is divided into four inspection areas and each of the four inspectors is responsible for an area.

The Senior Inspector is also responsible for electrical plan checking and handles most phone and counter inquires.

Plumbing and Gas Inspections

Supervisor: Chuck McGlashan

Senior Inspector: Doug Hyde

Cross Connection Control Inspector: Harold Tamagi

This division is responsible for the enforcement of the B.C. Plumbing Code, the Burnaby Plumbing Bylaw, the Provincial Gas Safety Act, the Burnaby Gas Bylaw, the Residential Hot Water Heating Association Guidelines for the Design and Installation of Hot Water Heating Systems and the Pacific .Northwest Section of the A.W.W.A. Cross Connection Control Manual.

The division consists of one supervisor, one assistant supervisor and five field inspectors who inspect sewers, draintile, foundation damp-proofing, gas vents, gas piping, plumbing piping, plumbing fixtures, gas appliances and residential hot water heating systems. Survey inspections are also conducted on buildings after fires, or if unsafe gas or plumbing conditions are reported.

Burnaby has also initiated a Cross Connection Program to safeguard against the possibility of contaminants entering the community's potable water systems. A cross connection occurs in a plumbing system where it is possible for dirty or contaminated water to backflow into the drinking water. Cross connections can occur in both residential and industrial plumbing systems. Wherever an uncontrolled cross section exists, the potential for backflow exists, and where there is potential for backflow, there is potential for contamination.

According to the B.C. Building Code, cross-connection control devices must now be installed and maintained and be tested annually. Burnaby's Cross Control Program is working to ensure that these devices are installed and properly maintained.

Bylaw Services Division
The division consists of six people and one supervisor. They administer the Sign and Tree Bylaws and parts of the Zoning Bylaw. They also receive and process complaints and coordinate bylaw enforcement activities for the department.

Project Management Division
The division consists of three staff members. The section is responsible for coordination, design, construction, and contract administration of major civic buildings and related projects within the City.

Assistant Chief Building Inspector Project Management/Administration: John Cusano

Assistant Project Manager: Tony Arcari

Assistant Project Manager: Rod Pengelley

Assistant Project Manager: Kevin Kaila

Assistant Project Manager: Jack Tse