In a December 8, 2022, Consent Order, Richard Brimmell admitted that he demonstrated unprofessional conduct relating to the design and geotechnical services he provided for boulder retaining walls in a residential subdivision located in Langford, BC. Mr. Brimmell’s registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC is cancelled. Mr. Brimmell paid $5,000 toward the legal costs of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
On December 8, 2022, Mr. Brimmell agreed to a Consent Order cancelling his registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
In 2018, Mr. Brimmell provided geotechnical engineering services for boulder retaining walls in a residential subdivision located in Langford, BC (the Project). Mr. Brimmell failed to conduct a thorough analysis of the Project and instead, relied on his experience and “rule of thumb”, despite the Project being noted as a challenging and complex site. Mr. Brimmell also failed to conduct a global stability analysis for the stacked rock wall and did not appreciate the site risk of the Project.
In the Consent Order, Mr. Brimmell admitted that he demonstrated unprofessional conduct with respect to the design and geotechnical engineering services he provided for the Project and that he acted contrary to the Bylaws of Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Mr. Brimmell agreed that, among other things, he failed to:
- provide specifications and the materials to be used for the construction of the boulder retaining walls;
- complete the calculations relating to global stability analysis and seismic stability of the boulder retaining walls;
- analyze and adequately assess the risk of failure for the Project;
- sign and date the drawings prepared for the Project; and
- engage in an independent reviewer to analyze the design and drawings for the Project.
As outlined in the Consent Order, Mr. Brimmell’s registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC is cancelled. If Mr. Brimmell wishes to re-register with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, he must first complete the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Professional Practice Exam and the Professional Engineering and Geoscience in BC Online Seminar.
Should Mr. Brimmell successfully re-register with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, his work relating to retaining wall design or slope stability assessments must be peer reviewed for a minimum period of 1 year.
Mr. Brimmell paid $5,000 toward the legal costs of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
For more information on this Consent Order, visit the Discipline Notices section of our website.