Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Guidelines & Advisories

As part of its mandate to serve and protect the public interest as it relates to the practice of professional engineering and professional geoscience, Engineers and Geoscientists BC works with experts in their fields to develop professional practice guidance for its registrants. Guidance is published in the form of either professional practice guidelines or practice advisories, depending on the scope and nature of the topic.

Both types of documents assist registrants in meeting their professional obligations under the Professional Governance Act* and the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Bylaws by establishing expectations and obligations of professional practice in relation to specific professional activities. Registrants are required to stay informed of, be knowledgeable about, and meet the intent of guidance documents that are relevant to their area of practice. For more information on the development process refer to the Guidelines & Advisories Development Process.

*Note: The Professional Governance Act (PGA) came into force on February 5, 2021 in British Columbia, replacing the Engineers and Geoscientists Act. When professional practice guidelines and practice advisories are revised they will be updated to reference the PGA. However, existing references to the Engineers and Geoscientists Act remain valid and binding.

To find resources for firms, including the latest bulletins about the Permit to Practice Program, visit the Firm Practice page.

 

Buildings

Practice Advisory Video Current Version Published Date
Considerations for the Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems (CAN/ULC-S1001) 1.0 2024-01-31
Issued for Building Permit Documents 2.0 2023-12-12
Embodied Carbon Considerations for Structural Engineers 1.0 2023-09-25
Professional Conduct Between Submitting Professionals and Authorities Having Jurisdiction 1.0 2023-09-11
Overheating Considerations for Existing Multi-Unit Residential Buildings 1.0 2022-09-01
Considerations for the Professional of Record in Contractual Disputes 1.1 2022-08-30
Electrical Considerations for Decarbonizing Existing Part 3 Buildings 1.0 2022-06-16
Requirements for Providing Building Demolition Services 1.0 2022-06-08
Structural Design of Part 9 Buildings in High Snow Load Regions 1.0 2022-05-11
Permit to Practice Requirements for Letters of Assurance 1.1 2022-03-21
Site Response Analysis and Site-Specific Response Spectra 1.1 2022-02-11
Climate Change Considerations for Building Enclosure Engineers 1.0 2022-02-07
Structural Assessments of Exterior Means of Egress 1.1 2021-03-04
Electrical Engineering Considerations in Flood-Resilient Design of Buildings 1.0 2020-12-18
Engineering Modifications to Fire-Tested and Listed Assemblies 1.0 2020-04-06
Updated Standard - IEEE 1584 - IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations 1.0 2019-11-04
New Regulations for Steel Storage Racks 3.0 2019-07-10
Sealing Insurance Declarations 1.0 2018-11-27
Field Reviews, Construction Deficiencies, and Safety 1.0 2018-08-30
Changes to the Electrical Field Safety Representative Program 1.0 2018-03-16
New BC Building Code 2012 Letters of Assurance, Schedules B and C-A 1.0 2018-01-31
Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - Design and Installation of Elevating Devices in New Buildings [Prepared jointly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the AIBC] 3.0 2023-11-15
Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - Alteration of Elevating Devices in Existing Buildings [Prepared jointly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the AIBC] 1.0 2023-11-15
ACEC-BC Budget Guidelines for Engineering Services Document 2 - Buildings 2.0 2022-11-09
Structural Engineering Services for Tall Concrete Building Projects 1.0 2022-01-11
Fire Protection Engineering Services for Building Projects 2.0 2021-10-20
Guide to the Letters of Assurance 6.0 2021-10-05
Geotechnical Engineering Services for Building Projects 2.1 2021-09-22
Engineering Services for Temporary Structures: Formwork, Falsework, and Reshore 1.0 2021-08-11
Mechanical Engineering Services for Building Projects 2.0 2021-05-21
Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - British Columbia Building Code Letters of Assurance Requirements for Part 9 Buildings [Prepared jointly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the AIBC] 1.1 2021-05-13
Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction up to 12 Storeys [Prepared jointly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the AIBC] 1.0 2021-03-30
Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings 1.0 2020-12-03
Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - Professional Design and Field Review By Supporting Registered Professionals (including Model Schedules S-B and S-C) [Prepared jointly by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the AIBC] 1.0 2020-04-27
Building Enclosure Engineering Services 2.0 2020-02-04
Electrical Engineering Services for Building Projects 2.0 2019-09-19
Structural Engineering Services for Part 3 Building Projects 4.0 2019-01-29
Designing Guards for Building Projects 2.0 2018-12-11
Whole Building Energy Modelling Services 1.0 2018-08-15
Statement of Compliance under Pool Regulation 1.0 2016-04-01
Housing Foundations and Geotechnical Challenges Guide 1.0 2015-08-01
Structural, Fire Protection and Building Envelope Professional Engineering Services for 5 and 6 Storey Wood Frame Residential Building Projects 2.0 2015-04-08
Structural Design Issues for Housing and Small Buildings in BC - Information for Local Authorities, Homeowners and Developers 2.1 2014-07-01
Professional Structural Engineering Services for Part 9 Buildings 3.0 2014-06-01
Bulletin 34: Building Envelope Services – Appropriate Professional Practice & Model Schedules D and C-D 3.0 2011-08-01
Bulletin: K: Letters of Assurance in the BC Building Code and Due Diligence 1.0 2010-09-01

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Civil and Transportation Infrastructure

Practice Advisory Video Current Version Published Date
Determining Dam Hydrologic Loading 1.0 2022-08-02
Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC 4.0 2023-09-18
Seismic Assessment and Seismic Design of Dikes in BC 1.0 2021-10-07
Developing Climate Change-Resilient Designs for Highway Infrastructure in British Columbia 2.0 2020-07-09
Retaining Wall Design 1.1 2020-02-25
Assessment of Groundwater at Risk of Containing Pathogens (GARP) 1.0 2019-07-16
ACEC-BC Budget Guidelines for Engineering Services - Document 1 Infrastructure and Transportation 1.0 2018-07-01
Onsite Sewerage Systems 1.3 2018-05-24
Performance-Based Seismic Design of Bridges in BC 1.0 2018-05-23
Site Characterization for Dam Foundations in BC 1.2 2016-10-01

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Equipment Safety

Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Annual Equipment Inspection and Certification in British Columbia 1.1 2020-12-10

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General

Practice Advisory Video Current Version Published Date
Relying on the Work of a Specialist 1.1 2023-03-21
Contractual Provisions Regarding Retention and Disclosure of Project Documentation 2.0 2023-02-24
Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Sustainability Guidelines 2.0 2023-04-20
Peer Review 1.0 2022-08-02
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 2.0 2021-12-09
Local Government Asset Management 1.0 2021-07-29
Expert Witness Guidelines 1.1 2016-07-01
Shop Drawings 2.0 2015-01-01
Intellectual Property 3.0 2009-06-01

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High Technology

Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Development of Safety Critical Software 1.0 2020-07-16

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Natural Hazards

Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Landslide Assessments in British Columbia 4.1 2023-03-01
Legislated Flood Assessments in a Changing Climate in BC 2.1 2018-08-28
Seismic Retrofit Guidelines 3.0 2018-07-07
Flood Mapping in BC 1.0 2017-01-01

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Natural Resources

Practice Advisory Video Current Version Published Date
Professional Roles and Responsibilities for the Life Cycle of Forest Roads 1.0 2022-08-23
Flowing Artesian Wells and Excavations 1.1 2022-05-02
Professional Roles and Responsibilities for the Life Cycle of Forest Road Crossings 1.0 2019-08-12
Professional Practice Guideline Video Current Version Published Date
Erosion and Sediment Control 1.0 2024-02-05
Professional Services in the Forest Sector - Crossings 3.0 2021-12-15
Watershed Assessment and Management of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Risk in the Forest Sector 1.0 2020-01-14
Legislated Riparian Assessments in BC 1.1 2017-07-01
Professional Services in the Forest Sector - Forest Roads 1.0 2012-06-01
Professional Services in the Forest Sector - Terrain Stability Assessments 2.0 2010-10-01
Management of Terrain Stability in the Forest Sector 1.0 2008-09-01

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