All you need to know for renovation and new construction
Whether you’re planning to renovate or build a new home, engineering plans are an essential part of obtaining a building permit from your municipality. These plans ensure that your project complies with safety standards, legal requirements and current regulations.
Why are engineering plans necessary?
Structural engineering plans are designed to ensure that your project is safe and complies with current construction standards. They include technical details concerning foundations, load-bearing walls, beams, columns and other structural elements that play a key role in building stability.
Here are just a few examples:
- Renovation: For projects involving structural modifications, such as adding a storey, opening a load-bearing wall or enlarging windows.
- New construction: To design a structure that meets current standards for loads, material resistance and seismic performance.
Steps to follow when preparing your engineering plans
- Consult municipal by-laws
Each municipality has its own permit requirements. These may include rules on zoning, setbacks, maximum building heights and types of materials permitted. It’s a good idea to contact your municipal office early in your project to avoid delays or permit denials. - Provide architectural plans
Engineering plans are often based on architectural plans. If you’ve already worked with an architect or technologist, it’s important to send us their plans in PDF format or in their native format (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.). With their authorization, we can add any technical annotations required, such as :
– Layout of beams and columns.
– Foundation details.
– Structural sections and elevations.
* If you’re not working with an architect or technologist, a structural engineer can produce complete structural plans for your project. These plans, although not sealed by an architect or architectural technologist, are often sufficient for residential projects or minor renovations. However, it’s important to check with your municipality whether an architectural seal is required.
Key elements of a structural engineering plan
A structural engineering plan typically includes:
- Foundations : Details of footings, slabs and foundation walls.
- Structure – Framing elements: Details of load-bearing walls, columns, beams, joist arrangements and lintels.
- Design loads: Calculations of gravity and seismic loads, including snow and wind loads. These loads are essential in particular for floor joist and roof truss manufacturers.
- Sections and elevations: Technical drawings detailing structural connections and the layout between elements.
Plans for renovation or new construction
- Renovation plans
In a renovation project, plans often need to include details of existing elements and planned modifications. For example, when opening a load-bearing wall, the plans will indicate the replacement beams and reinforcements required. - Plans for new construction
For new construction, plans are drawn up from scratch and must include all structural elements. This involves a thorough analysis of the loads, foundations and materials to be used to ensure safe, durable construction.