https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog Structural, seismic and civil engineering guidance for British Columbia projects. en-ca Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/cold-formed-steel-vs-wood-frame-mid-rise-bc https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/cold-formed-steel-vs-wood-frame-mid-rise-bc Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT An even-handed comparison of cold-formed steel and wood framing for four- to six-storey BC buildings, from code limits and foundations to movement, envelope and panelisation. Cold-Formed Steel Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/vancouver-building-bylaw-2025-changes https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/vancouver-building-bylaw-2025-changes Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT Adopted 20 May 2025 and in force since September, Vancouver's by-law is built on BCBC 2024. What it changes for seismic demand, transition dates, mass timber, egress and energy. Building Code Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/ssmuh-multiplex-structural-engineering-bc https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/ssmuh-multiplex-structural-engineering-bc Wed, 20 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT Four or six units on a lot built for one house changes the structure completely. What a BC multiplex needs, from unit minimums and party walls to tight-lot foundations. SSMUH Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/letters-of-assurance-schedule-b-c-bc https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/letters-of-assurance-schedule-b-c-bc Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Four forms decide whether a BC building gets occupancy. Here is who signs Schedule A, B, C-A and C-B, when each is due, what field review covers, and what holds up sign-off. Permits Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/seismic-retrofit-guide-bc https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/seismic-retrofit-guide-bc Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT Which older BC buildings need seismic strengthening, what makes an upgrade mandatory under Vancouver's Part 11, and how an assessment becomes a retrofit scope you can build. Seismic Retrofit Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/removing-a-load-bearing-wall-vancouver https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/removing-a-load-bearing-wall-vancouver Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT Joist direction, a sealed beam design and the footing under each new post decide whether an open-concept renovation works. Here is the Vancouver permit set and the order of work. Renovations Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng. https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/do-i-need-a-structural-engineer-bc https://www.mafengineering.ca/blog/do-i-need-a-structural-engineer-bc Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMT A practical BC decision guide: which renovations and builds push a design past Part 9 into engineered territory, what municipalities typically ask for, and how to tell when you do not need one. Permits Mir Afshar Niakouei, P.Eng.