New type a

THE new Liu Centre
for Global studies is the
first building in British
Columbia to use a type
of cement developed to
reduce harmful carbon
dioxide emissions.

The third pouring of High-
Volume Fly Ash Concrete
(HVFC), took place on Aug.
27, 1999 ar the Liu Centre on
the campus of the University
of British Columbia.

This concrete ‘was devel-
oped by CANMET, a branch
of Natural Resources Canada,
using 60% fly ash, and 40%
Portland cement. Fly ash is a
by-product, (waste) of coal-
fired power plants.

Carbon dioxide emissions
from~the cement industry is

now a leading global concern.
There are two cement manu-
facturing plants in the GVRD.
Together, they — produce
approximately two million
tonnes of cement annually.
The production causes the
emission of approximately two
million tonnes of carbon diox-
ide that contributes to the
greenhouse gas effect.

That amount of carbon
dioxide is about 80% of that
emitted by all the automobiles
in the region every year.

The manufacturing of the
HVFC being used in the Liu
Centre produced one third
less carbon dioxide ernissions
thon standard concrete.

“The new facility will
require almost 50% less cnergy
to build and maintain,” said
GVRD Air Quality

f cement is siron

Committee Chair and North
Vancouver District mayor Don
Bell. “This building is a reflec-
tion of our change in attitude
toward environmental respon-
sibility.”

The use of HVFC in the
UBC project is the result of a
collaborative promotion and
information seminar initiated
by the GVRD, Industry
Canada, and Natural
Resources Canada. The scmi-
nar, explaining HVFC’s con-
cept and benefits, was attend-
ed by architects, engincers,
and representatives from the
concrete industry. This initia-
tive is part of the GVRD’s Air
2000 carly action program,
working to reduce emissions
and improve air quality in the
Greater Vancouver and Frascr
Valley.

David Anderson, who was
minister of the environment at
the time of the pouring,
applauded =the — Greater
Vancouver Regional District
(GVRD) and those involved in
the development and con-
struction of the Liu Centre for
the project.

“The use of high volume
fly ash concrete (HVFC) in
this project is exactly the kind
of innovative planning and
action that is going to make a
difference,” he said. “I hope
that industry takes the envi-
ronmental responsioility
shown here a step further and
looks at the use of HVFC as a
possible standard across
Canada.”

The construction and stud
of the Liu Centre project will
allow the GVRD and other

Who’s a rotten egg? What to do

GOT gas questions? BC
Gas has the answers and

also some safety Gps.

_If you smelt what you think
is: natural gas, would you
* know what it smelis like and

what to do when you smeil .

iv:

Natural gas is colourless,
odourless; and non- poisonous.
As.a safety feature an: odour is
added to natural gas — a sme!
like rotten ¢
"vides a Seratch ‘n’ Sniff pam?
phict -so° thar you. can easily

: identify the smell.

iif yous smell gas indoors,
take the following steps:

: B open doors and windows;

» BC Gas pro- -

8 do not smoke, light match-
es, operate clectrical switches
or create any other source of
ignition;

@ leave the premises;

E get to a nearby phone and
call the BC Gas 24-hour
Emergency Line at 1-800-
663-9911.

Whether the gas smell is
inside. or outside, don’t hesi-
tate to call the BC Gas 24-hour
Emergency Line.

Wil I have heat January |
20002

BC. Gas is confident that

service will not be disrupted °
due to ¥2K issues. BC Gas has -

taken..every reasonable ‘mea-
sure to ensure the continuation

of safe and reliable natural gas
service to all our customers. As
of June 30, 1999, all critical
systems have been’ tested and
are ready, and throughout the
remainder of the year, BC Gas
will continue to check and
recheck as well as refine contin-
gency plans.

Electricity is required to
run a forced warm air furnace
and a hydronic hot water heat-
ing system. If you don’t have
heat, check to sce if your pilot
light is on. and whether you
have electrical: power. If your
pilot light is on and you still do
not have heat, call your
contractor or the BC
Customer Information Line

‘for assistance.
For more information on

Y2K preparations, call BC Gas .

at 877-722-4925.

Do not use any heating
appliances in your home that
are not intended for inside use,
such as barbeques, camp
heaters, or camp lights. Toxic
gasses may escape and cause ill-
ness or death.

If you should use an clectric
generator, be sure it is outside
and well-ventilated.

Who is responsible for main-
taining the natural pas meter
at my home?

BC Gas owns and maintains
the meter set “at your home.
Keep a few things in. mind

Friday, September 24, 1999 — North Shore News - 79

stakeholders to assess the prac-
tical aspects of using high-per-
centage fly ash in relation co:
design; structural engineering;
technical issues; field practice;
building codes, standards and
costs.

The Liu Centre will also
provide an opportunity to
improve the technical knowl-
edge, market acceptance and
environmental awareness for
HVEC.

CANMET research has
proven fly ash greatly increases
the durability and the life span
of concrete, making it superior
in strength to cement con-
crete. There are also a number
of economical and environ-
mental benefits to using
HVFC: ° ;
® Canada and the U.S. pro-
duce 60 million tonngs of fly

jer and cleaner

ash annually. Today, 90% of fly
ash goes to landfill.

® HVEC requires half the
resources (fuci, energy) to
produce. It also produces half
the emissions of nitrogen
oxides, particulate, and carbon
dioxide of standard concrete.
@& Fly ash is a waste product,
produced at one-tenth the
cost of cement. The fly ash
used in HVFC is diverted
from landfills.

@ Nearby fly ash sources
include the Centralia coal-
fired power plant in the state
of Washington and the
Sundance power plant in
Alberta. It is 50% cheaper to
buy fly ash from either of the
two power plants and have it
delivered to Vancouver, by rail,
than it is to buy cement right
here.

if you smell gas

regarding the care of and
access to your natural gas
meter.

Meter check list:
W@ Your meter must be visible at
all times and must be accessible
for maintenance and’ emer-
gency responders such as fire-
fighters or BC. Gas work crews
or meter readers.
@ Your meter. must not be
enclosed in any way (i.e. by
additions ta your home or a
sundeck, or building over the
gas lines.)
4 Keep the meter free of snow
and ice. Ensure ice or snow
does not completeiy cover the

meter, regulator, or shut-off .

valve. Don’t pile snow against

or near the meter or pipe.
B Ensure ice or snow accumu-
Jation does not fall onto the
meter from roof overhangs. If”
icicles. build- up: over your“.
meter, remove them). fw
4 Wherever possible, Keep :
dogs and other pets away from -
the meter to How safe access
for meter readers and customer
service technicians. :
What are the symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning?
Exposure to carbon -
monoxide causes flu-like symp- .
toms such: as _— chronic
headaches, nausea, drowsiness, ..
impaired judgement and loss .

See How page 93 :

INSIDE and OUT.

. Starlit nights were made for. Rockcliffe, Intergulf Cascadia’s new :
community of 35 executive West Vancouver: homes nestled amongst
: ancient cedars overlooking the sea...
. "Amongst the very best featured of Rockeliffe is-its prized. G ulfeil ao
: Jocation and convenient proximity to Downtown Vancouver and Whistler.

' Classic architecture, rastic cedar roofs, weathered stone. accents. and.a
palette of earth tone colours make Rockeliffe truly beautiful: Every homie
has plenty of outdoor spaces with worry-free landscaping, large « d ks. and:

Inside, sunshine fills every home at Rockoliffe through. dramatic .

maple floors and top-of-the-line appliances ir

© and gas cooktop.

! oversized windows. Kitchens sizzle with polished granit

Move in today and safeguard : your peace ‘of mind with the quality
; provided by B. Co 's s best home. builder in 1997 and 1998. /

ROCKCLIFFE.

Open 11.- Spm daily $12 - 5pm" Weekends ©

www.cascadiahomes.com

604.925.1627

“www.interfulf.com