Municipal Infrastructure

FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI)  is investing in the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) infrastructure in BC and Airy Point is excited to be a partner in that effort! Airy Point started working on this project in a limited capacity back in 2019. Since then FEI has expanded our involvement to assist with commissioning and project close out support.

Working with the Capital Reginald District (CRD) based in Victoria BC, FEI has been installing infrastructure to connect a proposed Landfill Gas collection and processing facility at the Hartland Landfill. Airy Point was pleased to provide owner's representation as the project's Mechanical Engineer of Record. This role requires a detailed understanding of FEI's internal design standards as well as the provincial and industry requirements.

The project requirements have grown since Airy Point and FEI started working together. During that time Airy Point has secured a Master Service Agreement (MSA) to provide multidisciplinary engineering and design services. This evolution in our relationship has allowed FEI to reach out directly to Airy Point for increased support as the project needs change.

Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) operates natural gas transmission and distribution systems in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Airy Point Engineering Services was engaged to assess safety and operational improvements for a key piece of PNG's pressure control and measurement infrastructure.

Scope of Work:

• Site Evaluation: Conducted a multi-day site visit to assess infrastructure condition and operational requirements. 
• Capacity & Reliability Analysis: Evaluated equipment operating life, capacity, and alignment with industry best practices.
• Engineering & Design Scope Definition: Prepared a detailed report outlining required improvements for long-term site reliability, including:
• Mechanical, civil, electrical, and pipeline engineering scope
• Fabrication and construction approach
• Detailed engineering design scope
• Cost Estimating: Provided budget estimates for engineering, materials, and construction work
• Risk Identification: Identified critical concerns requiring attention before a major overhaul.

Airy Point Engineering is committed to delivering actionable insights and strategic solutions to enhance PNG’s infrastructure reliability and performance.

FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) awarded Airy Point projects to analyze conditions around eight shallow depth of cover locations found during recent pipeline integrity surveys.

These projects addressed the issues of shallow depth of cover in pipelines, a condition that can compromise pipeline safety. Airy Point provided technical engineering and drafting services to support eight damage mitigation projects. Our extensive expertise in engineering and drafting ensured that these pipelines will be safe, secure, and fully compliant with industry standards. 

Our commitment to safety and quality has fortified the integrity of these critical pieces of infrastructure. We feel proud that this work be awarded under the Master Service Agreement (MSA) with FEI until Spring 2026.

FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) engaged with Airy Point to perform evaluations of four pressure control and measurement stations. FEI was able to sole source these projects to Airy Point because of our active Master Service Agreement (MSA). This MSA streamlines project execution for FEI, allowing them to directly approach trusted suppliers like Airy Point.

Airy Point conducted thorough investigations into each site's future process and capacity requirements. After each site's future needs were understood we evaluated site equipment and infrastructure for long term use. Considerations were taken for equipment operating life, capacity and compliance with the most recent FEI design standards. Airy point prepared a detailed report outlining what future investments will be required to ensure long term reliability of each site. An estimate for detailed engineering, materials and construction completed the picture of what FEI should be planning for.

Our expert understanding of BC's Natural Gas infrastructure, industry codes, BC Energy Regulator compliance requirements were essential to completing these projects. We are thankful for the continued trust FEI places with Airy Point. We hope to see these projects through detailed design, construction and commissioning in the years to come.

In what has become one of our major service offerings, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) again engaged directly with Airy Point Engineering's Principal Engineer to provide Mechanical Engineering Design services.

The purpose of the  project was to increase the FEI's capacity to supply gas to the community of Kamloops BC and Domtar Pulp (a major industrial client), and to bring the pressure control and measurement station into compliance with FEI's updated design standard.

We saw this project through from design concept to closing. We took on the lead role during scope development, process design, project estimation, and stakeholder engagement. During detailed design we provided Lead Project Engineer (LPE) and Mechanical Engineer of Record services. During project commissioning and closing we continued LPE support and added drafting services to our involvement.

This project is an example of how we are able to modify our services to provide whatever support our clients require.

FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) engaged directly with Airy Point Engineering's Principal Engineer to provide Mechanical Engineering Design services.

The purpose of the  project was to increase the FEI's capacity to supply gas to the small communities East of Kamloops BC and Lafarge Concrete (a major industrial client), and to bring the pressure control and measurement station into compliance with FEI's updated design standard.

During detailed design we provided Lead Project Engineer (LPE) and Mechanical Engineer of Record services. We sized and specified pressure regulators, upgraded the site's over pressure protection, and specified a new line heater burner management system (BMS). During project commissioning and closing we continued LPE support to ensure documentation and design requirements were met.

This project is a perfect example of the direct experience we have with both FEI's systems and the Provincial Regulatory Authority's requirements.

Airy Point was approached in the Summer of 2024 by one of our key clients looking for support. Sinco Engineering Ltd. (SEL) is a well known piping fabricator who has a real presence in the food and beverage, and industrial sectors in BC's Lower Mainland.

SEL was working with one of their clients on handling a line recently affected by a local water hammer event. A plan for handling the process piping and placing it back on its rolling supports was prepared by SEL. The client requested that SEL seek an engineering review of the plan prior to commencing the work. Airy Point provided an review of the proposed procedure. We noted specific code sections and clauses to be aware of in this type of operation as well as highlighted the high risk portions of their plan. We returned a modified approach that mitigated risk while not being so over-prescriptive preventing the operation from moving forward.

Building reciprocal relationships like the one Airy Point and SEL have is a focus of our business development. We are committed to the continued success of the teams we work with.

In the Spring of 2024 we worked with Jim Dent Construction (JDC) to review a water heating and cooling system design to be used in concrete batching.

JDC was looking for a technical evaluation of a portable water heating and cooling system designed by a third party vendor. Airy Point provided an engineering design review of the presented equipment by evaluating it against process requirements extremes of both summer and winter climates. The proposed arrangement was reviewed for usability and appropriateness considering the intended use conditions and reliability. Airy Point worked with multiple vendors to investigate improvements to the system within the client’s budget. The results were assembled and presented to JDC for internal stakeholder review.

Clients often have difficulty finding engineering support for small projects with limited budgets like this. In these instances, Airy Point prides its self in our reasonable rates and ability to provide more value than our competitors.

Since 2023 Airy Point has been supporting FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) with their internal drafting cue. We are proud that through our existing Master Services Agreement (MSA), we receive these direct drafting requests from our valued client.

The vastness of FEI's infrastructure requires a huge effort to maintain accurate records. A main part of that record maintenance is updating asset drawings. The pure volume of records requiring updates annually exceeds FEI's ability to meet project deadlines internally. Our drafters are able to take overflow work and help FEI meet their delivery standards.

Airy Point's structure allows us to act as if we were operating internally for our clients. We worked within FEI's internal drafting templates and drawing standards to produce quality details compliant with their expectations.

The City of Vancouver is building what it calls, 'a park of the future,' on the corner of Smithe and Richards streets in Downtown Vancouver. Part of the concept included a motorised hoist used to raise and suspend art pieces or seasonal displays from large, "Sky Frames."

Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, this project was never constructed. These things do happen. While disappointing, Airy Point values the lessons learned on each and every project we work on.

Technical Safety BC (TSBC) was referred to Airy Point by one of our existing clients. Their team was experiencing a short term staffing issue and required Senior Mechanical Engineering Support in a design review capacity. Airy Point's Principal Engineer Daniel Heath, P.Eng. jumped at the chance for a change of pace and entered the role of support.

TSBC provides operating permits and certifies for use of technical systems or equipment in the province of British Columbia. Engineering services will include detailed technical reviews of pressure piping and pressure vessel designs to be installed and operated in within BC. Many applications come from fabricators outside BC or Canada. Reviewing engineers are required to ensure that the correct design code requirements are met in principal.

We are humbled by the fact that a current client referred TSBC to us. These are the types of relationships that the Airy Point team find foundational in business. We will continue to build trust and value!