Question 1

What makes IFEL different from larger engineering firms?

Accepted Answer

You work directly with senior engineers, not junior staff managed by layers of overhead. Our lean structure eliminates unnecessary management costs, so you get 20+ years of experience at $120-$260/hour instead of paying $300-$400/hour for the same expertise. We respond faster, make decisions quicker, and maintain the same quality standards and code compliance as larger firms, but with less bureaucracy and more flexibility.

Question 2

What are IFEL's engineering rates?

Accepted Answer

Our engineering rates range from $120-$260 per hour depending on the level of expertise required. Senior Professional Engineers typically fall in the $180-$260 range, while intermediate engineers are $140-$180, and junior engineers or drafters are $120-$140. We provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and our lean structure means you get senior-level expertise at competitive rates compared to larger firms with higher overhead.

Question 3

What certifications and qualifications do IFEL engineers hold?

Accepted Answer

Our engineers are registered Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) with EGBC (Engineers and Geoscientists BC) and other provincial associations. We maintain CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) certification through our partnership with PSC, ISO 9001 quality management certification, and our inspectors hold ASNT Level II/III, API 510/570/653, and CGSB certifications. All engineers carry professional liability insurance and stay current with continuing education requirements.

Question 4

Can IFEL handle projects in multiple provinces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our engineers are registered in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and we regularly work across provincial boundaries. We understand the jurisdictional requirements for each province (TSBC, ABSA, TSask) and can coordinate multi-province projects. We also support work in Washington State for clients with cross-border operations.

Question 5

How much does structural engineering cost in BC?

Accepted Answer

Structural engineering at IFEL is billed at $120-$260 per hour depending on scope and seniority. A typical structural assessment or peer review runs $2,000-$8,000. Full design packages for equipment supports, mezzanines, or building retrofits range from $5,000-$50,000+ depending on complexity. We provide fixed-fee quotes when scope is defined.

Question 6

How long does a structural assessment take?

Accepted Answer

A preliminary structural assessment typically takes 1-2 weeks from site visit to stamped report. Urgent capacity reviews for fabrication or procurement decisions can be turned around in 3-5 business days. Full structural design packages depend on scope but generally run 2-8 weeks for industrial equipment supports and 4-12 weeks for building-level work.

Question 7

Do you provide stamped structural drawings for permit applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All structural drawings and calculations are sealed and stamped by registered Professional Engineers (P.Eng.). We provide sealed PDFs for permit submissions and construction, and can supply native CAD files when required. Our stamp confirms compliance with applicable codes including NBCC, CSA standards, and BC Building Code.

Question 8

What mechanical engineering services do you offer in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

IFEL provides HVAC design, plumbing and drainage, fire protection sprinkler systems, custom equipment engineering, energy management, and fall protection design for commercial and industrial clients across Metro Vancouver and BC. We coordinate mechanical scopes with structural, electrical, and piping disciplines on integrated projects.

Question 9

Can IFEL design HVAC and fire protection systems for commercial buildings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for commercial and institutional buildings, along with NFPA-compliant fire sprinkler and suppression systems. Our mechanical engineers produce stamped drawings and hydraulic calculations for permit submissions and coordinate with architects, electrical engineers, and contractors.

Question 10

Do you handle piping stress analysis and ASME B31.3 compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our piping engineers perform thermal expansion analysis, nozzle load verification, and flexibility calculations per ASME B31.3 for process and utility piping in industrial facilities. We deliver stamped stress reports with support recommendations and expansion joint specifications for EPC firms, owners, and fabricators across BC.

Question 11

Can you do 3D plant layout and clash detection for industrial facilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We build intelligent 3D plant models for equipment layout, piping routing, and structural steel coordination. Clash detection runs before fabrication to reduce field rework. Our deliverables include coordinated layouts, isometrics, and model exports for brownfield upgrades and greenfield industrial projects across BC.

Question 12

What electrical engineering services does IFEL provide?

Accepted Answer

IFEL electrical engineering covers power distribution design, building electrical systems, grounding and protection, instrumentation and control systems, arc-flash studies, and field commissioning support. We serve industrial plants, commercial buildings, and municipal facilities across Metro Vancouver and BC with stamped deliverables.

Question 13

Can IFEL handle power distribution and arc-flash studies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design electrical distribution systems including switchgear sizing, protective device coordination, and short-circuit analysis. Arc-flash hazard assessments follow CSA Z462 requirements and include incident energy calculations, PPE category labels, and recommendations for safer work practices at your facility.

Question 14

How quickly can IFEL respond to RFIs during construction?

Accepted Answer

We commit to responding to RFIs within 24-48 hours for standard questions. For urgent field issues that could stop work, we typically respond within 4-8 hours. Complex technical questions requiring analysis or calculations may take 2-3 days, but we communicate timelines upfront and provide on-call field engineering support when needed.

Question 15

What codes and standards do you design to in BC?

Accepted Answer

We design to NBCC, BC Building Code, CSA standards, ASME codes, API standards, NFPA fire codes, and provincial regulations including TSBC for pressure equipment. Our engineers document code interpretations, run compliance checks throughout design, and ensure final packages meet regulatory requirements before issuing for construction.

Engineering ConfidenceManaging Excellence

OurExpertise

OurServices

Quality & Innovation

Quick Response

On Time & On Budget

Affordability

Proven Experience

OurCapabilities

Piping & Plant Layout

Mechanical Engineering

Structural Engineering

Electrical, Instrumentation & Control

Process Engineering

Hazards and Risk Management

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