Discipline Notice: Geoffrey Fash Wensel, P.Eng.
Between 2018 and 2020, Mr. Wensel provided engineering services for a residence under construction in Vancouver. Mr. Wensel prepared drawings for the project that contained numerous inadequacies, omissions, and design errors in relation to the project’s lateral load resisting systems.
In the Consent Order, Mr. Wensel admitted that he demonstrated unprofessional conduct relating to the project, and agreed that, among other things, he:
- undertook the project without having sufficient knowledge or expertise in the use of steel moment frames in residential construction;
- prepared drawings for an exterior canopy on the back of the residence that were insufficiently detailed and inadequately designed for the loads on the structure;
- undertook the project without having sufficient knowledge or expertise in concepts related to lateral design more generally, whether for wood construction or steel construction; and
- failed to maintain adequate records relating to the project, including failed to adequately record and track changes made to the drawings and the purposes for which the drawings were issued.
As outlined in the Consent Order, prior to the end of his suspension, Mr. Wensel must complete the Professional Engineering and Geoscientists Practice in BC online seminar and several Engineers and Geoscientists BC webinars. Six months after the conclusion of the suspension period, Mr. Wensel must undergo a practice review conducted by the Audit and Practice Review Committee.
Practice Restriction
As of the effective date of the Consent Order, Mr. Wensel is restricted from providing professional engineering services in relation to buildings incorporating any structural steel, except for Part 9 of the BC Building Code (or equivalent) buildings incorporating simply supported steel beams, or simply supported steel beams or columns, or both, so long as the buildings do not incorporate any steel-to-steel connections.
To lift the practice restriction, Mr. Wensel must complete an educational course set out in the Consent Order. If Mr. Wensel successfully lifts the practice restriction, all of his work related to the practice restriction will be subject to direct supervision for a period of six months or six projects, whichever comes later.
Mr. Wensel paid $10,000 towards the legal and investigative costs of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.